Michael Eisenstein
@eisensteinium.bsky.social
Science writer and editor. Philadelphian. Mostly a lurker. Not actually a capybara.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
"NIH has terminated or frozen 116 cancer research grants ($273 million), 65 Alzheimer's research grants ($94 million), 68 diabetes grants ($83 million), and 71 heart disease grants ($111 million)..."
www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
www.sanders.senate.gov
February 8, 2026 at 7:50 PM
"NIH has terminated or frozen 116 cancer research grants ($273 million), 65 Alzheimer's research grants ($94 million), 68 diabetes grants ($83 million), and 71 heart disease grants ($111 million)..."
www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
The current regime took a week to abolish USAID, which is three times as old and was not in the news every day for brutalizing children
“We cannot just abolish ICE!”
Bestie, you are older than ICE.
Bestie, you are older than ICE.
February 8, 2026 at 3:59 PM
The current regime took a week to abolish USAID, which is three times as old and was not in the news every day for brutalizing children
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick.”
Conditions in a San Diego concentration camp, via message hurled out in a bottle.
Conditions in a San Diego concentration camp, via message hurled out in a bottle.
![“Good afternoon. My name is [redacted] and my wife and I have been at OMDC since April 15 2025,” reads a handwritten note, wrapped around a lotion bottle that was thrown by a man held captive inside the Otay Mesa Detention Center (OMDC) on Sunday.
“It’s cold here all the time and the food is poor,” the missive continues. “For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tgw3d4hvw3x5ijrxax7lg26u/bafkreiet46krrk7ovnqxsd6vr7ogw2lgame43jsqw25u2ygi5el5i5toom@jpeg)
February 8, 2026 at 1:29 PM
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick.”
Conditions in a San Diego concentration camp, via message hurled out in a bottle.
Conditions in a San Diego concentration camp, via message hurled out in a bottle.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Primary every Democrat who won’t fight to abolish ICE.
Every one.
Every one.
“I would rather you vote for what is morally correct,” Davidson said.
“Don’t talk to me about my own morality,” DeLauro shot back.
“Don’t tell your constituents what they can and can’t talk to you about,” replied Rev. Nathan Empsall. “What you are voting for is not moral.”
“Don’t talk to me about my own morality,” DeLauro shot back.
“Don’t tell your constituents what they can and can’t talk to you about,” replied Rev. Nathan Empsall. “What you are voting for is not moral.”
DeLauro to pressing clergy: 'I will not vote to abolish ICE'
The Connecticut U.S. representative found herself at odds with faith leaders.
www.ctpublic.org
February 8, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Primary every Democrat who won’t fight to abolish ICE.
Every one.
Every one.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
THE EPSTEIN CLASS
Ossoff: We were told that MAGA was for working-class Americans. But this is a government of, by, and for the ultra-rich. It’s the wealthiest Cabinet ever. This is the Epstein class. They are the elites they pretend to hate.
February 8, 2026 at 12:41 AM
THE EPSTEIN CLASS
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Ossoff: We were told that MAGA was for working-class Americans. But this is a government of, by, and for the ultra-rich. It’s the wealthiest Cabinet ever. This is the Epstein class. They are the elites they pretend to hate.
February 7, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Ossoff: We were told that MAGA was for working-class Americans. But this is a government of, by, and for the ultra-rich. It’s the wealthiest Cabinet ever. This is the Epstein class. They are the elites they pretend to hate.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
ICE has grabbed so many people from their vehicles that there are abandoned cars across Minnesota.
This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.
They hate the helpers.
Which is why must keep helping.
This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.
They hate the helpers.
Which is why must keep helping.
Twin Cities tow truck driver returns abandoned vehicles to families after ICE arrests
Juan Leon sends a "chase" car to check out where abandoned vehicles are located and arranges discreet drop-offs. Since late December, he estimated they have dropped off 250 cars.
www.cbsnews.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:30 AM
ICE has grabbed so many people from their vehicles that there are abandoned cars across Minnesota.
This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.
They hate the helpers.
Which is why must keep helping.
This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.
They hate the helpers.
Which is why must keep helping.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Anytime you read anything I’ve ever written, just know that — thanks to my tireless editors — the number of em dashes in there is almost certainly way less than however many were kicking around in the original draft.
Y’all, if you think em dashes are a sign of AI writing—let me introduce you to journalists.
February 7, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Anytime you read anything I’ve ever written, just know that — thanks to my tireless editors — the number of em dashes in there is almost certainly way less than however many were kicking around in the original draft.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Spoke with a PI whose postdoc is trapped abroad because of social media vetting. It appears the postdoc missed disclosing one account and it's unclear if they can come back… ever.
This is the country we live in now.
This is the country we live in now.
February 7, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Spoke with a PI whose postdoc is trapped abroad because of social media vetting. It appears the postdoc missed disclosing one account and it's unclear if they can come back… ever.
This is the country we live in now.
This is the country we live in now.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
I'm sorry the guy changing the rules on the fly is named what
I stand with County Executive Calvin Ball as he signs emergency legislation today prohibiting privately owned buildings from being used as ICE detention centers.
Howard County chose dignity, accountability, and its people. Tune into our event now:
bit.ly/4a2VtHw
Howard County chose dignity, accountability, and its people. Tune into our event now:
bit.ly/4a2VtHw
Redirecting...
bit.ly
February 7, 2026 at 2:34 PM
I'm sorry the guy changing the rules on the fly is named what
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
GM: Charisma check.
Mamdani: [rolls natural 20]
GM: that’s a d6 how did you
Mamdani: [direct to camera] Did you know you can check out board games at your local public library? 😊
Mamdani: [rolls natural 20]
GM: that’s a d6 how did you
Mamdani: [direct to camera] Did you know you can check out board games at your local public library? 😊
February 7, 2026 at 5:01 AM
GM: Charisma check.
Mamdani: [rolls natural 20]
GM: that’s a d6 how did you
Mamdani: [direct to camera] Did you know you can check out board games at your local public library? 😊
Mamdani: [rolls natural 20]
GM: that’s a d6 how did you
Mamdani: [direct to camera] Did you know you can check out board games at your local public library? 😊
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
By the way, for those of you not in MN: Homan’s strategy was to withdraw some agents, so it felt like we were in the denouement of the crisis, and then escalate hard against observers. They’re being incredibly aggressive with observers now. National media may not want to check out just yet
February 7, 2026 at 3:38 AM
By the way, for those of you not in MN: Homan’s strategy was to withdraw some agents, so it felt like we were in the denouement of the crisis, and then escalate hard against observers. They’re being incredibly aggressive with observers now. National media may not want to check out just yet
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
I just signed an executive order instructing @boston.gov departments to take a range of actions to protect our residents and make clear that we will hold anyone accountable who commits violence, property damage, or any criminal conduct in the City of Boston—including federal officials.
February 5, 2026 at 6:36 PM
I just signed an executive order instructing @boston.gov departments to take a range of actions to protect our residents and make clear that we will hold anyone accountable who commits violence, property damage, or any criminal conduct in the City of Boston—including federal officials.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
The campaign is among the largest anti-ICE protests by workers at a single company since federal agents shot and killed two people in Minneapolis last month. www.wired.com/story/hundre...
Over 800 Google Workers Urge Company to Cancel Any Contracts With ICE and CBP
The campaign is among the largest anti-ICE protests by workers at a single company since federal agents shot and killed two people in Minneapolis last month.
www.wired.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:08 PM
The campaign is among the largest anti-ICE protests by workers at a single company since federal agents shot and killed two people in Minneapolis last month. www.wired.com/story/hundre...
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
AOC: We are going to have to reckon, as a country, with this time. And I hope that that reckoning includes prosecution of people who are involved with the lawbreaking and human rights violations they are knowingly engaging in right now.
February 6, 2026 at 1:04 AM
AOC: We are going to have to reckon, as a country, with this time. And I hope that that reckoning includes prosecution of people who are involved with the lawbreaking and human rights violations they are knowingly engaging in right now.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Pour one out for every professional political pundit, writer, consultant whatever that has spent the last decade trying to pretend that the Trump phenomenon was about trade or opiates and not a big chunk of white america losing its mind over having a black president bsky.app/profile/kyle...
A screenshot from a video posted on Trump's Truth Social account: truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
February 6, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Pour one out for every professional political pundit, writer, consultant whatever that has spent the last decade trying to pretend that the Trump phenomenon was about trade or opiates and not a big chunk of white america losing its mind over having a black president bsky.app/profile/kyle...
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
We put on an all-Yiddish community production of fiddler on the roof in Philadelphia and cast member and local artist Sofie Rose Seymour created the most amazing show poster that ever was
February 6, 2026 at 5:10 AM
We put on an all-Yiddish community production of fiddler on the roof in Philadelphia and cast member and local artist Sofie Rose Seymour created the most amazing show poster that ever was
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
They're Abrego-Garcia-ing a child -- punishing him because his very existence is inconvenient to them. It's gutter bigotry and petulant sadism all the way down.
BREAKING: The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
DHS has requested expedited deportation proceedings against family of Liam Conejo Ramos
The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 1:29 PM
They're Abrego-Garcia-ing a child -- punishing him because his very existence is inconvenient to them. It's gutter bigotry and petulant sadism all the way down.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
NEW: since last year, a pair of "highly trained" feds have been involved in an array of incidents attacking crowds with chemical weapons.
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
Identified: the El Paso BORTAC crew rampaging through the Midwest
One violent duo in particular, U.S. Border Patrol agents Michael Sveum (EZ-2) and Edgar Vazquez (EZ-17), have been frequently seen alongside former commander-at-large Greg Bovino terrorizing crowds wi...
unraveledpress.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:24 PM
NEW: since last year, a pair of "highly trained" feds have been involved in an array of incidents attacking crowds with chemical weapons.
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
We used public records and open source analysis to identify Edgar Vazquez and Michael Sveum, alongside some other members of their tactical team.
Read more:
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
The banality of evil is shocking. An ex-Big Lots warehouse for cheap consumer junk is bought by ICE to ship as many as 7,500 handcuffed human beings, as the Trump regime builds a U.S. gulag archipelago
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
From Big Lots to warehousing humans: ICE plan sparks fear in Schuylkill County | Will Bunch
A massive warehouse in Tremont. Pa. that once moved cheap goods will now detain migrants in an $119 million ICE deal.
www.inquirer.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:54 PM
The banality of evil is shocking. An ex-Big Lots warehouse for cheap consumer junk is bought by ICE to ship as many as 7,500 handcuffed human beings, as the Trump regime builds a U.S. gulag archipelago
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
February 5, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Not enough. Every single ICE and CBP agent should be out of Minnesota. The terror campaign must stop.
ICE must be abolished.
ICE must be abolished.
February 4, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Not enough. Every single ICE and CBP agent should be out of Minnesota. The terror campaign must stop.
ICE must be abolished.
ICE must be abolished.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
what a godawful day for journalism, following a great many other godawful days for journalism
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
what a godawful day for journalism, following a great many other godawful days for journalism
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Are there limitations to recording ICE? What's the deal with ICE and facial recognition tech? How do you protect your privacy while protesting? If you or loved ones are exercising your rights to demand justice, join our ICE and CBP town hall livestream on Thursday at 10 am PT eff.org/livestream-ice
EFF Town Hall: ICE, CBP, and Digital Rights
You see it. We see it. ICE and CBP are out of control. Many people are exercising their right to say it's unacceptable. But what are the limitations around recording immigration agents? Is it true
www.eff.org
February 4, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Are there limitations to recording ICE? What's the deal with ICE and facial recognition tech? How do you protect your privacy while protesting? If you or loved ones are exercising your rights to demand justice, join our ICE and CBP town hall livestream on Thursday at 10 am PT eff.org/livestream-ice
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
In the past week we've learned ICE has secured property to build human warehouses in Merrimack, NH and Williamsport, MD. Just some facts I think bear repeating.
February 4, 2026 at 4:57 PM
In the past week we've learned ICE has secured property to build human warehouses in Merrimack, NH and Williamsport, MD. Just some facts I think bear repeating.