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Julia Métraux

@juliametraux.bsky.social

30K followers 1.3K following 5.7K posts

Disability Reporter @ Mother Jones • [email protected] • She/her • Berkeley Journalism alum • Signal: @juliametraux.49 Author page: https://www.motherjones.com/author/julia-metraux/ Free monthly newsletter: bit.ly/3Ee9lRO

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 24d

Re-introducing myself 👋

I'm @motherjones.com's disability reporter, where I cover politics as it relates to disability. I am also chronically ill/disabled myself.

You can get in contact with me at [email protected] or via Signal: juliametraux.49

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 1h

If you were just laid off by the Department of Education and your job was to help distribute IDEA funds, please be in touch for a @motherjones.com article. I can protect your identity in an article, though I'll have to confirm who you are. My signal is juliametraux.49. Reposts appreciated.

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 2h

Actually waking up refreshed? That's not the chronically ill life.

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 14h

I expect there to be lawsuits over this.

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 14h

“States have a patchwork of laws, and things are enforced differently,” Michael Gilberg said. “You need the federal government to oversee and make sure all the states are doing the same."

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 14h

This article I had published at @motherjones.com in January feels very relevant with federal special ed office layoffs. Project 2025 targeted disability education services. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

Project 2025's plan to dismantle public education—and screw over disabled kids

Nearly nine million students rely on DOE-backed disability accommodations.

www.motherjones.com

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Reposted by Julia Métraux

Lynn Becker @cmgiulini.bsky.social · 16h

After spending 43 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, evidence hidden by the prosecution reversed his conviction. Rather than finally enjoying freedom, ICE abducted him for deportation

Depraved.

www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...

He was wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years. Moments after being released, ICE took him

Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam now faces deportation.

www.miamiherald.com

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USA TODAY @usatoday.com · 22h

The Education Department laid off nearly everyone at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

Education Department wipes out special ed office in shutdown layoffs, union says

The Education Department laid off nearly everyone at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

bit.ly

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 23h

I'm sorry

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 23h

We already have such inequity in $$$ between school districts in blue states. I have a hard time believing there's a backup plan for this.

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 23h

I'm not sure how poorer districts in any state will be able to stomach the costs from IEPs. I expect disability support staff (i.e. paraprofessionals) may be furloughed.

Leah 🐸 McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 1d

⚠️ USAToday reporter confirms the office in charge of special education funding has been “decimated”:

Zach Schermele
Follow
@ZachSchermele
NEW: The Education Dept. layoffs continued overnight, w/ the main office in charge of special ed funding being
"decimated," as one person described.
"They cut just about everyone that works with IDEA funding," said another.
"I'm not sure how these programs exist moving forward."
10:21 AM • 10/11/25 • 2.1K Views

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Reposted by Julia Métraux

C.H. Romatowski @chromatowski.bsky.social · 23h

Long Covid and IACC advocacy cannot be condoning a regime that’s undertaking this project. There is no version that ends well for us.

Julia Carrie Wong @joolia.bsky.social · 23h

The promotion of pseudoscience about a supposed “cause” or “cure” of autism and the destruction of special education (and all of public education, really) are part of the same project. It is a fascist attempt to expel certain people from the body politic, based in eugenics.

Sara Partridge, Ph.D. @sarapartridge.bsky.social · 1d

There are reports that the *entire* office of special education at the US Dept of Education has been cut. These hardworking folks ensure kids with disabilities get equal access to a quality education.

America’s children deserve better than this.

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 1d

Lol close but there were leggings

Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 1d

Virtual panels for the win, for chronic pain and avoiding Covid purposes.

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 1d

Adulting this morning (going on a panel)

A white woman with brown hair in a golden shirt

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Maryn McKenna @marynmck.bsky.social · 1d

Extremely bad news if true (and unlikely this reporter would run with it if not). The MMWR has been the earliest warning bell for outbreaks since it announced the first US cases, in 1981, of what was later identified as AIDS.

This will be a grievous shock to what remains of US public health.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg @sherylnyt.bsky.social · 1d

BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:

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Ed @notdred.bsky.social · 1d

He got the shots that his own HHS is telling you are not necessary

Meg Tirrell @megtirrell.bsky.social · 1d

President Trump got an updated Covid vaccine & flu shot at Walter Reed today www.cnn.com/2025/10/10/p...

Trump received Covid vaccine and flu shot during second physical of the year | CNN Politics

President Donald Trump received a Covid vaccine and flu shot during his visit to Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday, his physician said in a memo released by the White House.

www.cnn.com

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HELLody SchreiBOO @melodyschreiber.com · 1d

Trump just got his Covid and flu shots, so should you!

PHYSICIAN TO THE PRESIDENT
THE WHITE HOUSE
MEMORANDUM
October 10, 2025
TO: KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
PROSIC TO ME PREE, D.O. J
PHYSICIAN TO THE PRESIDENT
affa 0.o.
CAPTAIN, U.S. NAVY
SUBJECT: President Donald J. Trump Completes Comprehensive Follow-Up Evaluation at
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
President Donald J. Trump successfully completed a scheduled follow-up evaluation today at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The visit was part of his ongoing health maintenance plan and included advanced imaging, laboratory testing, and preventive health assessments conducted by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. These evaluations were performed in coordination with leading academic and medical consultants to ensure optimal cardiovascular health and continued wellness.
Comprehensive laboratory studies performed in conjunction with the visit were exceptional, including stable metabolic, hematologic, and cardiac parameters.
In preparation for upcoming international travel, President Trump also received preventive health screenings and immunizations, including annual influenza and updated COVID-19 booster vaccinations.
President Trump continues to demonstrate excellent overall health. His cardiac age-a validated measure of cardiovascular vitality via ECG-was found to be approximately 14 years younger than his chronological age. He continues to maintain a demanding daily schedule without restriction.
SUMMARY: President Donald J. Trump remains in exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and physical performance.

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tony romm @tonyromm.bsky.social · 1d

NEW: It looks like the number of federal layoffs -- so far -- is over 4,000, we've learned from court documents

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...

White House Signals Federal Layoffs Have Begun During Government Shutdown

www.nytimes.com

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 1d

I put a photo of Lucky the dog into a journalism presentation I'm doing tomorrow. My co-presenter encouraged me to add a second photo of Lucky to our presentation so you know it's going to be a good one.

Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 2d

Lucky prefers admiration of his costume and not anyone to eat it, though

Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 2d

Would you fancy an avocado?

A white fluffy dog in an avocado costume

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@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 2d

Journalists who live in the world of signal chats and off the record sources surely know better than to answer any of these questions ON PAPER especially "what's broken or substandard."
That one is a call to throw your colleagues under the bus.

Oliver Darcy @oliverdarcy.bsky.social · 2d

Here's the full memo.

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 2d

and I have no plans to with my chronic illness life, but good on reporters who do

Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 2d

Agreed. It's similar to researching how to lower rates of Alzheimer's in people with Down syndrome is different than trying to get rid of people with DS.

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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 2d

(Also for first comment, not denying that autistic people may have comorbid conditions like epilepsy which can prove fatal, but autism isn't like...Tay-Sachs or something).

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