Nikki Baszynski
@ntbaszynski.bsky.social
Attorney and former public defender working to shrink carceral systems and create real safety
Now: Wren Collective
Then: OJPC, TJC, OPD
Signal: ntb.28
*Opinions are my own*
Now: Wren Collective
Then: OJPC, TJC, OPD
Signal: ntb.28
*Opinions are my own*
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
NEW: We filed a brief urging a federal appeals court to ensure that veteran survivors of sexual trauma receive the services that they need.
Our government has a moral and legal mandate to support people who have experienced sexual violence while serving in the military.
Our government has a moral and legal mandate to support people who have experienced sexual violence while serving in the military.
December 19, 2025 at 6:48 PM
NEW: We filed a brief urging a federal appeals court to ensure that veteran survivors of sexual trauma receive the services that they need.
Our government has a moral and legal mandate to support people who have experienced sexual violence while serving in the military.
Our government has a moral and legal mandate to support people who have experienced sexual violence while serving in the military.
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
FOUR new deaths in ICE detention. That puts the total this year at 30 people dead; the highest in ICE's history and worse than even during the COVID years.
It's clear that the system is breaking down. Many of these are preventable deaths.
It's clear that the system is breaking down. Many of these are preventable deaths.
In the 90 minutes since I posted this, I've gotten two more death notifications.
ICE has a responsibility to take care of these people, something they are clearly disregarding. This is beyond horrifying. We must ensure dignity and humanity for detained people in this country.
ICE has a responsibility to take care of these people, something they are clearly disregarding. This is beyond horrifying. We must ensure dignity and humanity for detained people in this country.
Within 15 minutes today, I got two back-to-back notifications of deaths at ICE facilities.
28 people have died in ICE custody since Trump took office. These facilities are overcrowded & are putting their own profits over health and safety. We need oversight & accountability NOW.
28 people have died in ICE custody since Trump took office. These facilities are overcrowded & are putting their own profits over health and safety. We need oversight & accountability NOW.
December 18, 2025 at 7:53 PM
FOUR new deaths in ICE detention. That puts the total this year at 30 people dead; the highest in ICE's history and worse than even during the COVID years.
It's clear that the system is breaking down. Many of these are preventable deaths.
It's clear that the system is breaking down. Many of these are preventable deaths.
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
Since Jeanine Pirro became US attorney in Washington, DC, an astonishing one quarter of all criminal cases have ended in dismissal of the case. This reflects a historically unmatched level of prosecutorial incompetence. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Unprecedented errors are eroding the credibility of Trump's Justice Department
In years past, it was relatively rare for a federal court to question the Justice Department's competency or good faith. But such questions are becoming more common.
www.reuters.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Since Jeanine Pirro became US attorney in Washington, DC, an astonishing one quarter of all criminal cases have ended in dismissal of the case. This reflects a historically unmatched level of prosecutorial incompetence. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
Just in: Florida's supreme court today has UPHELD a recent state law that enables juries to sentence someone to death nonunanimously.
Bolts reported on FL's law a few years ago, amid huge concern that nonunanimous convictions have a high error rate, & are likelier to sideline Black jurors.
Bolts reported on FL's law a few years ago, amid huge concern that nonunanimous convictions have a high error rate, & are likelier to sideline Black jurors.
Exonerees Sound the Alarm on New Florida Law Allowing Death Sentences by Split Juries - Bolts
Herman Lindsey braced himself for news that he would be sentenced to death as he sat inside a courtroom in Broward County, Florida in 2006. A jury had convicted Lindsey... Read More
boltsmag.org
December 18, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Just in: Florida's supreme court today has UPHELD a recent state law that enables juries to sentence someone to death nonunanimously.
Bolts reported on FL's law a few years ago, amid huge concern that nonunanimous convictions have a high error rate, & are likelier to sideline Black jurors.
Bolts reported on FL's law a few years ago, amid huge concern that nonunanimous convictions have a high error rate, & are likelier to sideline Black jurors.
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
New @theintercept.com: Georgia was supposed to kill Stacey Humphreys last night. But his execution was abruptly called off by the clemency board after its newest member was exposed as the DA's victim advocate at Humphreys's trial.
Secretive Georgia Clemency Board Suspends Execution After Its Conflicts of Interest Are Exposed
Stacey Humphreys’s death sentence was rooted in juror misconduct. His fate is in the hands of people directly involved in his trial.
theintercept.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:55 PM
New @theintercept.com: Georgia was supposed to kill Stacey Humphreys last night. But his execution was abruptly called off by the clemency board after its newest member was exposed as the DA's victim advocate at Humphreys's trial.
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
With diffusion of #medsky #healthpolicy across platforms, at times miss hearing about work posted by people on other media.
Want to share this post & study from Justin Berk @brownmedicine.bsky.social on discrimination in post acute care re: incarceration:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Want to share this post & study from Justin Berk @brownmedicine.bsky.social on discrimination in post acute care re: incarceration:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 30, 2025 at 3:23 AM
With diffusion of #medsky #healthpolicy across platforms, at times miss hearing about work posted by people on other media.
Want to share this post & study from Justin Berk @brownmedicine.bsky.social on discrimination in post acute care re: incarceration:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Want to share this post & study from Justin Berk @brownmedicine.bsky.social on discrimination in post acute care re: incarceration:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
Just a devastating investigation by Anat Rubin @calmatters.org
on the impact of flat-fee defense contracts, as told through the lens of one firm in the state. One stat: of 2,000 cases resolved, they investigated just 9.
calmatters.org/investigatio...
on the impact of flat-fee defense contracts, as told through the lens of one firm in the state. One stat: of 2,000 cases resolved, they investigated just 9.
calmatters.org/investigatio...
The WalMart of public defense: How justice goes to the lowest bidder in rural California
The Ciummo firm has become the face of the privatization of California’s public defense. Even their courtroom adversaries wish they’d put up more of a fight.
calmatters.org
December 17, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Just a devastating investigation by Anat Rubin @calmatters.org
on the impact of flat-fee defense contracts, as told through the lens of one firm in the state. One stat: of 2,000 cases resolved, they investigated just 9.
calmatters.org/investigatio...
on the impact of flat-fee defense contracts, as told through the lens of one firm in the state. One stat: of 2,000 cases resolved, they investigated just 9.
calmatters.org/investigatio...
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
A reminder tonight that Venezuela has nothing to do with fentanyl. The vast majority of the fentanyl supply begins as precursor chemicals in China, is manufactured in Mexico, and makes it to the U.S. by land, mostly smuggled by U.S. citizens hiding it within lawful trade and traffic at entry points.
Fentanyl smuggling: Most seizures occur at ports of entry where U.S. citizens are the primary smugglers - American Immigration Council
Most fentanyl enters the U.S. through ports of entry, not via migrants. U.S. citizens are the primary smugglers, often recruited by criminal networks. Effective solutions focus on better screening at ...
www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:00 AM
A reminder tonight that Venezuela has nothing to do with fentanyl. The vast majority of the fentanyl supply begins as precursor chemicals in China, is manufactured in Mexico, and makes it to the U.S. by land, mostly smuggled by U.S. citizens hiding it within lawful trade and traffic at entry points.
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
Spoke with @nickturse.bsky.social.
“That is one of the concerns with the administration asserting that the President essentially has a license to kill outside the law based on his own say so. That prerogative might be wielded elsewhere — including inside the US.”
theintercept.com/2025/12/16/t...
“That is one of the concerns with the administration asserting that the President essentially has a license to kill outside the law based on his own say so. That prerogative might be wielded elsewhere — including inside the US.”
theintercept.com/2025/12/16/t...
U.S. Military Willing to Attack “Designated Terrorist Organizations” Within America, General Says
“If I had no concerns and I was confident in the lawful order, I would definitely execute that order.”
theintercept.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Spoke with @nickturse.bsky.social.
“That is one of the concerns with the administration asserting that the President essentially has a license to kill outside the law based on his own say so. That prerogative might be wielded elsewhere — including inside the US.”
theintercept.com/2025/12/16/t...
“That is one of the concerns with the administration asserting that the President essentially has a license to kill outside the law based on his own say so. That prerogative might be wielded elsewhere — including inside the US.”
theintercept.com/2025/12/16/t...
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
The Columbus City school board voted to cut hundreds of jobs, district programs and close four buildings to patch a $50 million hole in its budget. However, the board did not vote to remove school bus transportation for high school students
by Cole Behrens
www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...
by Cole Behrens
www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...
Columbus school board votes to slash jobs, close schools to save $50M
The Columbus City school board voted to cut hundreds of jobs, district programs and close four buildings to patch a $50 million hole in its budget
www.dispatch.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:09 PM
The Columbus City school board voted to cut hundreds of jobs, district programs and close four buildings to patch a $50 million hole in its budget. However, the board did not vote to remove school bus transportation for high school students
by Cole Behrens
www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...
by Cole Behrens
www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
On Monday afternoon, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani told Hell Gate that the NYPD infiltrating and spying on courtwatch groups would not be acceptable under his administration.
Mayor-Elect Mamdani Says NYPD Spying on ICE Courtwatch Group Under Commissioner Tisch Is 'Deeply Troubling'
Mamdani said he will be speaking with Tisch, whom he is retaining in his administration, about the investigation.
hellgatenyc.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:16 PM
On Monday afternoon, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani told Hell Gate that the NYPD infiltrating and spying on courtwatch groups would not be acceptable under his administration.
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
November 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
November 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
ICE deported a woman who owned a home in the US for 30 years. A judge banned ICE from deporting her to Sierra Leone where she had been tortured, so it deported her to Ghana, which kidnapped her and sent her back Sierra Leone anyway. ICE is part of this illegal conspiracy.
November 25, 2025 at 4:40 PM
ICE deported a woman who owned a home in the US for 30 years. A judge banned ICE from deporting her to Sierra Leone where she had been tortured, so it deported her to Ghana, which kidnapped her and sent her back Sierra Leone anyway. ICE is part of this illegal conspiracy.
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
“The more that marginalized voices disappear from legacy outlets, the more it matters to fight for our corner instead of abandoning it.
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
“Texas desperately needs a place where we can tell our stories, where we can be ourselves, mourn our losses, and celebrate our victories,” writes @kitoconnell.com.
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
Meet our newest newsletter writer and contributor, who’ll be spearheading our queer coverage 💕
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/25/t...
I’m a Trans Journalist Choosing to Live in Texas. Here’s Why That Matters.
My name is Kit O’Connell. I’ll be covering queer and trans life in Texas for Big & Bright — The Barbed Wire’s first underwritten vertical.
thebarbedwire.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
“The more that marginalized voices disappear from legacy outlets, the more it matters to fight for our corner instead of abandoning it.
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
It matters to have places in journalism, in media, where we belong and where we can see ourselves.”
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
BREAKING: Judge rules Lindsey Halligan's appointment was not valid, thus, she had no authority to present the James Comey or Letitia James indictments and the indictments are dismissed without prejudice.
November 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM
BREAKING: Judge rules Lindsey Halligan's appointment was not valid, thus, she had no authority to present the James Comey or Letitia James indictments and the indictments are dismissed without prejudice.
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
"$1,000 a month as part of a state program experimenting with giving homeless youths cash payments for two years with no strings attached."
"Of the 117 youths [..] who completed Oregon's two-year pilot program, 91% reported being in stable housing."
#Oregon #USA #Housing #Nonprofit
"Of the 117 youths [..] who completed Oregon's two-year pilot program, 91% reported being in stable housing."
#Oregon #USA #Housing #Nonprofit
Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees staggering reduction in homelessness
The state program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years. At the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
www.streetroots.org
November 23, 2025 at 11:10 PM
"$1,000 a month as part of a state program experimenting with giving homeless youths cash payments for two years with no strings attached."
"Of the 117 youths [..] who completed Oregon's two-year pilot program, 91% reported being in stable housing."
#Oregon #USA #Housing #Nonprofit
"Of the 117 youths [..] who completed Oregon's two-year pilot program, 91% reported being in stable housing."
#Oregon #USA #Housing #Nonprofit
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
The Trump admin submitted a sworn declaration under oath that Costa Rica had changed its mind and would no longer take Mr. Abrego.
Costa Rica has now said publicly that that this is false, that they have not changed their position at all, and that they will still take him.
Costa Rica has now said publicly that that this is false, that they have not changed their position at all, and that they will still take him.
Unpacked:
In Aug., Govt said if Abrego pled guilty he could go to Costa Rica, where he's okay with going. Abrego said no to plea. Govt now wants to send him to Liberia. Why not Costa Rica? Govt told judge Thurs that Costa Rica wouldn’t take him anymore. @mariasacchetti exposed them.
In Aug., Govt said if Abrego pled guilty he could go to Costa Rica, where he's okay with going. Abrego said no to plea. Govt now wants to send him to Liberia. Why not Costa Rica? Govt told judge Thurs that Costa Rica wouldn’t take him anymore. @mariasacchetti exposed them.
Costa Rica will accept Abrego, per @washingtonpost.com .
If true, DOJ, DHS, and Dept of State caused lies to be disseminated to Judge Xinis all day Thursday, where an ICE official testified about info sent him by Dept of State, claiming Costa Rica wouldn't take Abrego.
1/2
If true, DOJ, DHS, and Dept of State caused lies to be disseminated to Judge Xinis all day Thursday, where an ICE official testified about info sent him by Dept of State, claiming Costa Rica wouldn't take Abrego.
1/2
November 23, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The Trump admin submitted a sworn declaration under oath that Costa Rica had changed its mind and would no longer take Mr. Abrego.
Costa Rica has now said publicly that that this is false, that they have not changed their position at all, and that they will still take him.
Costa Rica has now said publicly that that this is false, that they have not changed their position at all, and that they will still take him.
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
“Being able to help others while serving my prison sentence was a dream come true. Then I learned that my ICE hold disqualified me from accessing the same college classes I tutored others for," writes Olsen. Story via @thenation.com.
How Washington State Discriminates Against Incarcerated Immigrants
People with immigration detainers want to build a better life, but state policies make it difficult or impossible.
www.thenation.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:16 PM
“Being able to help others while serving my prison sentence was a dream come true. Then I learned that my ICE hold disqualified me from accessing the same college classes I tutored others for," writes Olsen. Story via @thenation.com.
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
November 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
Tomorrow morning, the DC Circuit will consider whether Trump violated the First Amendment by ejecting @apnews.com from the White House press pool after it refused to call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Very glad that the AP is fighting this. knightcolumbia.org/blog/the-fig...
November 23, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Tomorrow morning, the DC Circuit will consider whether Trump violated the First Amendment by ejecting @apnews.com from the White House press pool after it refused to call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Very glad that the AP is fighting this. knightcolumbia.org/blog/the-fig...
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
"[C]aste system in prison."
"Being able to help others while serving my prison sentence was a dream come true."
"Then I learned that my ICE hold disqualified me from accessing the same college classes I tutored others for."
#Washington #USA #Education #Incarceration #Deportation #EthnicCleansing
"Being able to help others while serving my prison sentence was a dream come true."
"Then I learned that my ICE hold disqualified me from accessing the same college classes I tutored others for."
#Washington #USA #Education #Incarceration #Deportation #EthnicCleansing
How Washington State Discriminates Against Incarcerated Immigrants
If incarcerated noncitizens want to get a college degree, as Nguyen longed to do for years, they must do something no other prisoners in the state have to in order to receive that opportunity: They need to pay for it themselves.
www.typeinvestigations.org
November 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"[C]aste system in prison."
"Being able to help others while serving my prison sentence was a dream come true."
"Then I learned that my ICE hold disqualified me from accessing the same college classes I tutored others for."
#Washington #USA #Education #Incarceration #Deportation #EthnicCleansing
"Being able to help others while serving my prison sentence was a dream come true."
"Then I learned that my ICE hold disqualified me from accessing the same college classes I tutored others for."
#Washington #USA #Education #Incarceration #Deportation #EthnicCleansing
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
Beginning sometime in the first quarter of 2026, The Tribune’s reporting will be free to access online.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/11/21/newsmakers-2025-gala-salt-lake
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/11/21/newsmakers-2025-gala-salt-lake
November 22, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Beginning sometime in the first quarter of 2026, The Tribune’s reporting will be free to access online.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/11/21/newsmakers-2025-gala-salt-lake
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/11/21/newsmakers-2025-gala-salt-lake
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
When judges get Kavanaugh stopped #KavanaughStop
“ICE agents then surrounded (Superior Court Judge McBurney’s) car and demanded everyone to exit the vehicle, threatening to smash in the windows if they did not comply.”
#BREAKING: A student intern at Rhode Island Superior Court was briefly taken into custody by ICE this afternoon before a judge intervened, 12 News has learned. Story by @jusolyn.bsky.social and @timwhiteri.bsky.social: ⤵️
November 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM
When judges get Kavanaugh stopped #KavanaughStop
Reposted by Nikki Baszynski
This is seismic news. It's hard to overstate how big the implications are for both future prosecutions and wrongful convictions. This NJ decision could reshape how courts across the country treat shaken-baby expert testimony.
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/n...
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/n...
NJ Bans ‘Shaken Baby Syndrome’ Evidence in Nationwide First (1)
Criminal prosecutors can’t build murder cases on medical diagnoses that the mere shaking of a baby, without further evidence of trauma, resulted in a child’s death, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled ...
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
This is seismic news. It's hard to overstate how big the implications are for both future prosecutions and wrongful convictions. This NJ decision could reshape how courts across the country treat shaken-baby expert testimony.
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/n...
news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/n...