Susan Rinkunas
@susanrinkunas.com
Journalist and cofounder @autonomynews.co. Seen in: Jezebel, The New Republic, The Guardian, Slate, The Nation, Democracy Docket. WGAE Council. From PA, now in BK
http://linktr.ee/susanrinkunas
Email: susanrinkunaswrites @gmail
Signal: susanrinkunas.73
http://linktr.ee/susanrinkunas
Email: susanrinkunaswrites @gmail
Signal: susanrinkunas.73
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Susan Rinkunas
@susanrinkunas.com
· Jun 4
Hello world! We are Autonomy News, a new worker-owned reproductive justice news outlet cofounded by @garnethenderson.com and @susanrinkunas.com.
Our reporting will never be paywalled, and you can support our work with a subscription to keep it free for everyone.
Our reporting will never be paywalled, and you can support our work with a subscription to keep it free for everyone.
Welcome to Autonomy News
Welcome to Autonomy News, a new publication created and owned by two reproductive rights and justice journalists.
We write about bodily autonomy and the attacks levied by politicians and activists wh...
www.autonomynews.co
Good morning, internet, and welcome to a new publication that @garnethenderson.com and I have been working on for months
Bill Cassidy, a medical doctor, beclowned himself and endangered millions of lives by voting to confirm RFK Jr. in an attempt to get on Trump's good side after voting to impeach him for January 6. And what did Cassidy get for it? Trump endorsing against him in a primary.
Trump Backs a Potential Primary Challenger to Bill Cassidy, a G.O.P. Senator
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Bill Cassidy, a medical doctor, beclowned himself and endangered millions of lives by voting to confirm RFK Jr. in an attempt to get on Trump's good side after voting to impeach him for January 6. And what did Cassidy get for it? Trump endorsing against him in a primary.
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
Missed this a few days ago:
Two U.S. citizens grabbed by ICE say there were cells reserved for Americans.
Also, they weren’t given medical attention or allowed to go to the bathroom.
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory...
Two U.S. citizens grabbed by ICE say there were cells reserved for Americans.
Also, they weren’t given medical attention or allowed to go to the bathroom.
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory...
January 18, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Missed this a few days ago:
Two U.S. citizens grabbed by ICE say there were cells reserved for Americans.
Also, they weren’t given medical attention or allowed to go to the bathroom.
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory...
Two U.S. citizens grabbed by ICE say there were cells reserved for Americans.
Also, they weren’t given medical attention or allowed to go to the bathroom.
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory...
Hoo boy, First Amendment watch: The North Dakota Attorney General sent a cease-and-desist letter to an abortion fund for simply linking to @plancpills.bsky.social. AG claims the link constitutes promoting and facilitating access to medicine without a prescription under the state’s consumer fraud law
North Dakota AG orders abortion fund to remove links to medication companies from its website • North Dakota Monitor
The North Dakota Attorney General’s Office on Friday ordered a Fargo nonprofit to stop promoting certain abortion pill providers on its website.
northdakotamonitor.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Hoo boy, First Amendment watch: The North Dakota Attorney General sent a cease-and-desist letter to an abortion fund for simply linking to @plancpills.bsky.social. AG claims the link constitutes promoting and facilitating access to medicine without a prescription under the state’s consumer fraud law
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
Stunning photos from Minneapolis, including this one by John Locher for the Associated Press. www.theatlantic.com/photography/...
January 15, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Stunning photos from Minneapolis, including this one by John Locher for the Associated Press. www.theatlantic.com/photography/...
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
SCOOP: Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activities on the ground.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
‘ELITE’: The Palantir App ICE Uses to Find Neighborhoods to Raid
Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activit...
www.404media.co
January 15, 2026 at 2:05 PM
SCOOP: Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activities on the ground.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
Goodbye, academic freedom.
The newly selected dean of the University of Arkansas law school had her offer rescinded after conservative state legislators learned that she had signed onto "friend of the court" briefs challenging bans on trans athletes in sports.
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
The newly selected dean of the University of Arkansas law school had her offer rescinded after conservative state legislators learned that she had signed onto "friend of the court" briefs challenging bans on trans athletes in sports.
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
Culture warriors cancel new U of A law dean before she started - Arkansas Times
Culture warriors claim the scalp of Emily Suski, the would-be law school dean whose legal opinion on transgender athletes seems to have offended Arkansas officials.
arktimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Goodbye, academic freedom.
The newly selected dean of the University of Arkansas law school had her offer rescinded after conservative state legislators learned that she had signed onto "friend of the court" briefs challenging bans on trans athletes in sports.
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
The newly selected dean of the University of Arkansas law school had her offer rescinded after conservative state legislators learned that she had signed onto "friend of the court" briefs challenging bans on trans athletes in sports.
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
Gallego ("moderate" Dem) is going with "ICE needs to be totally torn down" (not "reform and retrain"). This is a pivot point for the country on immigration. You have been seeing this in the data for a while, and now officials are snapping to the public opinion www.gelliottmorris.com/p/ice-is-a-7...
January 18, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Gallego ("moderate" Dem) is going with "ICE needs to be totally torn down" (not "reform and retrain"). This is a pivot point for the country on immigration. You have been seeing this in the data for a while, and now officials are snapping to the public opinion www.gelliottmorris.com/p/ice-is-a-7...
Made a video about how cops weaponize laws against grave robbing(!) to lock up women and pregnant people:
TT www.tiktok.com/t/ZThkRuSgM/
IG www.instagram.com/reel/DTjvn3j...
TT www.tiktok.com/t/ZThkRuSgM/
IG www.instagram.com/reel/DTjvn3j...
This is what "abuse of a corpse" charges are intended for, by the way; not as a vehicle to criminalize people for their own miscarriages or abortions
Over 100 human skulls found at home of Pennsylvania man accused of desecrating cemeteries
Authorities found the remains in Jonathan Gerlach’s basement after he was seen leaving a cemetery with a bag containing remains, according to officials and a police document.
www.nbcnews.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Made a video about how cops weaponize laws against grave robbing(!) to lock up women and pregnant people:
TT www.tiktok.com/t/ZThkRuSgM/
IG www.instagram.com/reel/DTjvn3j...
TT www.tiktok.com/t/ZThkRuSgM/
IG www.instagram.com/reel/DTjvn3j...
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
Calling them “protests” is lazy, inaccurate and plays into the false narrative that’s being used to justify further escalation by the federal government. 3/3
January 18, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Calling them “protests” is lazy, inaccurate and plays into the false narrative that’s being used to justify further escalation by the federal government. 3/3
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
The vast majority of what’s happening is communal self-defense. It’s not an about agitating or escalating. The whistles, the honking, the yelling — these are efforts by people to warn and protect their neighbors. 2/3
January 18, 2026 at 3:07 PM
The vast majority of what’s happening is communal self-defense. It’s not an about agitating or escalating. The whistles, the honking, the yelling — these are efforts by people to warn and protect their neighbors. 2/3
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
National media: Please stop describing what’s happening in Minneapolis as “protests.” There has been a modest, sustained protest outside the Whipple federal building, about 10 miles from downtown, but... 1/3
January 18, 2026 at 3:07 PM
National media: Please stop describing what’s happening in Minneapolis as “protests.” There has been a modest, sustained protest outside the Whipple federal building, about 10 miles from downtown, but... 1/3
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
In the last 18 days alone:
- Two men in ICE custody have killed themselves (jails are supposed to protect against this)
- Two men died of cardiac-related issues
- One man was reportedly choked to death by a guard
- One man died of fentanyl withdrawal (family question the medical care provided)
- Two men in ICE custody have killed themselves (jails are supposed to protect against this)
- Two men died of cardiac-related issues
- One man was reportedly choked to death by a guard
- One man died of fentanyl withdrawal (family question the medical care provided)
A third immigrant held at Camp East Montana has died, reportedly by suicide. Victor Manuel Díaz was detained in Minnesota. He is the sixth migrant to die since Jan. 1 in ICE detention.
My story:
www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/i...
My story:
www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/i...
January 18, 2026 at 5:40 PM
In the last 18 days alone:
- Two men in ICE custody have killed themselves (jails are supposed to protect against this)
- Two men died of cardiac-related issues
- One man was reportedly choked to death by a guard
- One man died of fentanyl withdrawal (family question the medical care provided)
- Two men in ICE custody have killed themselves (jails are supposed to protect against this)
- Two men died of cardiac-related issues
- One man was reportedly choked to death by a guard
- One man died of fentanyl withdrawal (family question the medical care provided)
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
Barf Bag: The former Senator and current lobbyist is being sued under an "alienation of affection" law for a saga involving Signal chats, concerts, and psychedelics.
www.jezebel.com/kyrsten-sine...
www.jezebel.com/kyrsten-sine...
Kyrsten Sinema Faces 'Homewrecker' Lawsuit for Alleged Affair With Former Bodyguard
Barf Bag: The former Senator and current lobbyist is being sued under an "alienation of affection" law for a saga involving Signal chats, concerts, and psychedelics.
www.jezebel.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Barf Bag: The former Senator and current lobbyist is being sued under an "alienation of affection" law for a saga involving Signal chats, concerts, and psychedelics.
www.jezebel.com/kyrsten-sine...
www.jezebel.com/kyrsten-sine...
OOP: “While Fetterman is supporting Trump’s use of American tax dollars to ‘run’ Venezuela or buy Greenland, 500,000 Pennsylvanians are about to see their health care premiums rise because of the Republican budget bill he supported,” said Nick Gavio [of the WFP] and *a former Fetterman staffer*.
Progressive effort to primary Sen. John Fetterman ramps up
The Working Families Party launched a website where, among other efforts, voters can request refunds from Fetterman’s campaign.
www.nbcnews.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:19 PM
OOP: “While Fetterman is supporting Trump’s use of American tax dollars to ‘run’ Venezuela or buy Greenland, 500,000 Pennsylvanians are about to see their health care premiums rise because of the Republican budget bill he supported,” said Nick Gavio [of the WFP] and *a former Fetterman staffer*.
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
Make America Healthy Again™️
“The guidelines also removed longstanding warnings that drinking could increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other maladies….”
“The guidelines also removed longstanding warnings that drinking could increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other maladies….”
Inside the Alcohol Lobby’s Quest to Water Down Federal Booze Guidelines
The alcohol industry spent big lobbying the government in late 2025 as it dealt with major threats to its business.
www.notus.org
January 18, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Make America Healthy Again™️
“The guidelines also removed longstanding warnings that drinking could increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other maladies….”
“The guidelines also removed longstanding warnings that drinking could increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other maladies….”
They’re trying to deport witnesses to a murder by ICE guards
The Trump administration is seeking to deport two men who provided accounts of the Jan. 3 death of Geraldo Lunas Campos at a Texas detention camp that differed from the Department of Homeland Security’s description of the incident.
DHS seeking to deport two men who said fellow ICE detainee was killed
The two men’s eyewitness accounts of the Jan. 3 death of Geraldo Lunas Campos at a Texas detention camp differ from the Department of Homeland Security’s account of the incident.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:51 AM
They’re trying to deport witnesses to a murder by ICE guards
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
Makes me feel insane to live in a world that's persecuting trans folk while simultaneously doing big billboards advertising gender affirming care to cis people???
January 17, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Makes me feel insane to live in a world that's persecuting trans folk while simultaneously doing big billboards advertising gender affirming care to cis people???
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
That there’s not a massive, credible, instant, bipartisan impeachment/25th Amendment move over these senseless and destructive Greenland threats is a sign of how broken our politics are — and especially how broken the Republican Party is.
It's really impossible to overstate how much *everyone* is watching the US threats towards Greenland, not just Europe. If you want to break not just NATO but Five Eyes and maybe our Asian defense alliances too, taking Greenland is how you do it.
Forcibly annexing Greenland would be a strategic catastrophe—for Europe, for Canada, and perhaps most especially for the United States itself.
My latest in @foreignpolicy.com on how we're all sleep-walking into a disaster: foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/06/g...
My latest in @foreignpolicy.com on how we're all sleep-walking into a disaster: foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/06/g...
January 7, 2026 at 9:51 AM
That there’s not a massive, credible, instant, bipartisan impeachment/25th Amendment move over these senseless and destructive Greenland threats is a sign of how broken our politics are — and especially how broken the Republican Party is.
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
January 17, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
A rare photograph of Chuck in his Strongly Worded Memo Chair.
January 16, 2026 at 10:08 PM
A rare photograph of Chuck in his Strongly Worded Memo Chair.
Make America Healthy Again
'Staring over the edge': South Carolina measles outbreak doubles in a week www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
'Staring over the edge': South Carolina measles outbreak doubles in a week
More than 500 people are in a 21-day quarantine and about 200 are "actively infected." The largest outbreak currently in the U.S. has spread to at least three other states.
www.nbcnews.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Make America Healthy Again
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
These are prisons.
The criminalization of homelessness and push towards mandated, coerced medical interventions and civil commitment—a bipartisan project—was always going to lead us here.
This is why when we talk about, strategize and organize around abolition, we must include ALL carceral spaces.
The criminalization of homelessness and push towards mandated, coerced medical interventions and civil commitment—a bipartisan project—was always going to lead us here.
This is why when we talk about, strategize and organize around abolition, we must include ALL carceral spaces.
Under Trump, the draconian future of homelessness policy is coming into focus: mass internment. Utah is building a 16-acre site to detain up to 1,300 homeless people inside locked "accountability centers." This is profoundly alarming.
Vital reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social and Jason DeParle:
Vital reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social and Jason DeParle:
In Utah, Trump’s Vision for Homelessness Begins to Take Shape
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:18 PM
These are prisons.
The criminalization of homelessness and push towards mandated, coerced medical interventions and civil commitment—a bipartisan project—was always going to lead us here.
This is why when we talk about, strategize and organize around abolition, we must include ALL carceral spaces.
The criminalization of homelessness and push towards mandated, coerced medical interventions and civil commitment—a bipartisan project—was always going to lead us here.
This is why when we talk about, strategize and organize around abolition, we must include ALL carceral spaces.
Reposted by Susan Rinkunas
It's been six months since the last round. This company hasn't known what it's doing for a long time, and getting rid of the DEI team screams it's about to be sold off. Solidarity to my former colleagues forever 🌺
Another year, another round of layoffs at Vox Media. In solidarity with our laid-off colleagues, here is our full statement:
January 16, 2026 at 9:39 PM
It's been six months since the last round. This company hasn't known what it's doing for a long time, and getting rid of the DEI team screams it's about to be sold off. Solidarity to my former colleagues forever 🌺