Drew Harwell
@drewharwell.com
tech & society @washingtonpost.com
stories: drewharwell.com
videos: tiktok.com/@drewharwell
+ instagram.com/drewharwell
stories: drewharwell.com
videos: tiktok.com/@drewharwell
+ instagram.com/drewharwell
Pinned
The White House is posting fake images of real people and mocking anyone who calls them out
The DHS Pokemon "Gotta Catch 'Em All" video opens with federal agents blowing down someone's door www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VI5...
January 26, 2026 at 5:03 PM
The DHS Pokemon "Gotta Catch 'Em All" video opens with federal agents blowing down someone's door www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VI5...
Reposted by Drew Harwell
Proud to work with the @washingtonpost.com's fearless international reporters. They're the heart of this newsroom, and we'd understand our world less without them. #SaveThePost
January 26, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Proud to work with the @washingtonpost.com's fearless international reporters. They're the heart of this newsroom, and we'd understand our world less without them. #SaveThePost
Reposted by Drew Harwell
My @washingtonpost.com colleagues worked round the clock this weekend to expose the truth of what's happening in Minneapolis and bring urgent weather news to millions facing dangerous cold and snow.
If you value this work, tell Jeff Bezos to #SaveThePost
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
If you value this work, tell Jeff Bezos to #SaveThePost
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Federal agent secured gun from Minn. man before fatal shooting, videos show
A Washington Post analysis of videos sheds light on the encounter that left 37-year-old Alex Pretti dead.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:15 PM
My @washingtonpost.com colleagues worked round the clock this weekend to expose the truth of what's happening in Minneapolis and bring urgent weather news to millions facing dangerous cold and snow.
If you value this work, tell Jeff Bezos to #SaveThePost
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
If you value this work, tell Jeff Bezos to #SaveThePost
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Drew Harwell
What did people think was going to happen? I draw your attention again to this excellent reporting by @drewharwell.com in which I was interviewed on the change in ownership of TikTok as a power grab bsky.app/profile/wash...
#TikTok has begun censoring anti-Trump and anti-Ice content
January 26, 2026 at 11:23 AM
What did people think was going to happen? I draw your attention again to this excellent reporting by @drewharwell.com in which I was interviewed on the change in ownership of TikTok as a power grab bsky.app/profile/wash...
. @vermontgmg.bsky.social: "There is no bright line between democracy and autocracy, it’s a spectrum, and not all of the country will experience that switch at the same moment in the same way" www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-101-ho...
"ICE 101" — How Trump changed ICE and CBP into a fascist secret police
ICE and CBP are fatally flawed products of the post-9/11 War on Terror — now Trump has weaponized those very flaws to occupy America.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
January 25, 2026 at 10:37 PM
. @vermontgmg.bsky.social: "There is no bright line between democracy and autocracy, it’s a spectrum, and not all of the country will experience that switch at the same moment in the same way" www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-101-ho...
Reposted by Drew Harwell
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
January 25, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara: "People have had enough. This is the third shooting in less than 3 weeks. The MPD went the entire year last year recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone ... this is not sustainable."
Reposted by Drew Harwell
The Washington Post published a clear video of federal agents removing Alex Pretti's handgun moments before he was fatally shot. There's nothing in the video to suggest Pretti even reached for his weapon.
wapo.st/49Zqv1L
wapo.st/49Zqv1L
January 25, 2026 at 6:11 PM
The Washington Post published a clear video of federal agents removing Alex Pretti's handgun moments before he was fatally shot. There's nothing in the video to suggest Pretti even reached for his weapon.
wapo.st/49Zqv1L
wapo.st/49Zqv1L
Reposted by Drew Harwell
On this week’s @onthemedia.bsky.social, I spoke with
@josephcox.bsky.social about ICE’s growing arsenal of surveillance tools
&
@drewharwell.com about the agency’s massive recruitment/propaganda campaign:
www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...
@josephcox.bsky.social about ICE’s growing arsenal of surveillance tools
&
@drewharwell.com about the agency’s massive recruitment/propaganda campaign:
www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...
Trump's Plan to Tank America | On the Media | WNYC Studios
Children as young as five have been detained by immigration agents in Minnesota. On this week’s On the Media, how I.C.E. uses technology to surveil the public and recruit more members...
www.wnycstudios.org
January 25, 2026 at 5:16 PM
On this week’s @onthemedia.bsky.social, I spoke with
@josephcox.bsky.social about ICE’s growing arsenal of surveillance tools
&
@drewharwell.com about the agency’s massive recruitment/propaganda campaign:
www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...
@josephcox.bsky.social about ICE’s growing arsenal of surveillance tools
&
@drewharwell.com about the agency’s massive recruitment/propaganda campaign:
www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...
Reposted by Drew Harwell
Here’s the full letter sent from foreign correspondents to Bezos. Comes as rumors are circulating that the Washington Post is set to make significant cuts to its foreign desk and other parts of the newsroom.
January 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Here’s the full letter sent from foreign correspondents to Bezos. Comes as rumors are circulating that the Washington Post is set to make significant cuts to its foreign desk and other parts of the newsroom.
Reposted by Drew Harwell
“.. He cared about people deeply ..,” said Michael Pretti, Alex’s father. “He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong ..”
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
January 24, 2026 at 10:22 PM
“.. He cared about people deeply ..,” said Michael Pretti, Alex’s father. “He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong ..”
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
Reposted by Drew Harwell
NYT says ICE shot him in the back:
An “agent aims his own firearm at Mr. Pretti’s back and appears to fire one shot at close range… A third agent unholsters a weapon. Both agents appear to fire additional shots into Mr. Pretti as he lies motionless… At least 10 shots appear to have been fired…”
🎁🔗
An “agent aims his own firearm at Mr. Pretti’s back and appears to fire one shot at close range… A third agent unholsters a weapon. Both agents appear to fire additional shots into Mr. Pretti as he lies motionless… At least 10 shots appear to have been fired…”
🎁🔗
Videos Show Moments in Which Agents Killed a Man in Minneapolis
www.nytimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:02 PM
NYT says ICE shot him in the back:
An “agent aims his own firearm at Mr. Pretti’s back and appears to fire one shot at close range… A third agent unholsters a weapon. Both agents appear to fire additional shots into Mr. Pretti as he lies motionless… At least 10 shots appear to have been fired…”
🎁🔗
An “agent aims his own firearm at Mr. Pretti’s back and appears to fire one shot at close range… A third agent unholsters a weapon. Both agents appear to fire additional shots into Mr. Pretti as he lies motionless… At least 10 shots appear to have been fired…”
🎁🔗
Reposted by Drew Harwell
We’re supposed to believe this is a domestic terrorist attacking ICE with a gun
January 24, 2026 at 9:35 PM
We’re supposed to believe this is a domestic terrorist attacking ICE with a gun
Another horrific ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Man wrestled to the ground by federal agents, then shot multiple times.
www.reddit.com/r/Minneapoli...
@startribune.com is there: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.reddit.com/r/Minneapoli...
@startribune.com is there: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
January 24, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Another horrific ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Man wrestled to the ground by federal agents, then shot multiple times.
www.reddit.com/r/Minneapoli...
@startribune.com is there: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.reddit.com/r/Minneapoli...
@startribune.com is there: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Reposted by Drew Harwell
Two women trained as first responders were abducted by three ICE agents. One of the agents starts seizing. The other two don’t know what to do. The women jump into action and save the agent’s life, only to be re-handcuffed and processed.
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
Detained by ICE, two women became first responders during agent’s seizure
The women say they guided agents through the emergency, later raising concerns about medical protocols, weapons safety and accountability.
www.startribune.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Two women trained as first responders were abducted by three ICE agents. One of the agents starts seizing. The other two don’t know what to do. The women jump into action and save the agent’s life, only to be re-handcuffed and processed.
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
Reposted by Drew Harwell
📻the show is up📻 @brookegladstone.bsky.social speaks to @vermontgmg.bsky.social about the state of…everything. And @micahloewinger.bsky.social dives into ICE surveillance and recruitment with @josephcox.bsky.social and @drewharwell.com ITS A GOOD ONE 👉 www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...
Trump's Plan to Tank America | On the Media | WNYC Studios
Children as young as five have been detained by immigration agents in Minnesota. On this week’s On the Media, how I.C.E. uses technology to surveil the public and recruit more members...
www.wnycstudios.org
January 24, 2026 at 1:03 AM
📻the show is up📻 @brookegladstone.bsky.social speaks to @vermontgmg.bsky.social about the state of…everything. And @micahloewinger.bsky.social dives into ICE surveillance and recruitment with @josephcox.bsky.social and @drewharwell.com ITS A GOOD ONE 👉 www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...
Reposted by Drew Harwell
The parents of a 7 year old, all of whom are in the process of applying for asylum, took their daughter to the ER when her nose wouldn't stop bleeding. ICE picked them up near the hospital and they are now in detention in Texas, presumably awaiting deportation. www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
ICE detains family seeking emergency care for child at Portland hospital
The Venezuelan parents and their 7-year-old daughter entered the U.S. legally.
www.oregonlive.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:30 PM
The parents of a 7 year old, all of whom are in the process of applying for asylum, took their daughter to the ER when her nose wouldn't stop bleeding. ICE picked them up near the hospital and they are now in detention in Texas, presumably awaiting deportation. www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Reposted by Drew Harwell
Reposted by Drew Harwell
It’s -9 degrees. Downtown Minneapolis is packed for the anti-ICE rally and the crowd keeps growing
January 23, 2026 at 8:16 PM
It’s -9 degrees. Downtown Minneapolis is packed for the anti-ICE rally and the crowd keeps growing
Is it the position of ICE that anyone recording video in public is a domestic terrorist?
ICE agent asked why he's taking pictures of a legal observer's car, replies: "Cuz we have a nice little database and now you're considered a domestic terrorist. So have fun with that."
January 23, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Is it the position of ICE that anyone recording video in public is a domestic terrorist?
Reposted by Drew Harwell
As clergy pray, arrests begin
January 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM
As clergy pray, arrests begin
Reposted by Drew Harwell
At @niemanlab.org we're starting a new series called Creators of Record, where we interview news influencers about how they do their jobs.
Who should we interview next?
Who should we interview next?
“Does this channel have more juice in it?” YouTuber @jj-mccullough.bsky.social on a “sustainable” life as a news creator www.niemanlab.org/2026/01/does...
“Does this channel have more juice in it?” YouTuber J.J. McCullough on a “sustainable” life as a news creator
"I respect mainstream media a great deal. I think they're doing better work than a lot of new media people do. No one has really risen to dethrone them in terms of news-gathering."
www.niemanlab.org
January 22, 2026 at 4:32 PM
At @niemanlab.org we're starting a new series called Creators of Record, where we interview news influencers about how they do their jobs.
Who should we interview next?
Who should we interview next?
Reposted by Drew Harwell
Gotcha—let’s dig into that step by step.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
January 23, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Gotcha—let’s dig into that step by step.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
Reposted by Drew Harwell
"Haidt’s claims of inherent harm are not well-founded, and the policy proposals to ban kids entirely from social media are a bad idea. For older teenage boys, having no social media was associated with *worse* outcomes than having too much of it"
Two Major Studies, 125,000 Kids: The Social Media Panic Doesn’t Hold Up
For years now, we’ve been repeatedly pointing out that the “social media is destroying kids” narrative, popularized by Jonathan Haidt and others, has been built on a foundation of…
www.techdirt.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:16 AM
"Haidt’s claims of inherent harm are not well-founded, and the policy proposals to ban kids entirely from social media are a bad idea. For older teenage boys, having no social media was associated with *worse* outcomes than having too much of it"
For what it's worth, this chunk has been part of TikTok's privacy policy since 2024: archive.ph/GpCeJ
January 23, 2026 at 3:29 PM
For what it's worth, this chunk has been part of TikTok's privacy policy since 2024: archive.ph/GpCeJ