Monika Bauerlein
@monikab.bsky.social
CEO at the Center for Investigative Reporting, where we create the in-depth, rigorous, and free-to-all journalism that you deserve. Follow my amazing colleagues at @MotherJones.com and @Revealnews.org.
Go Oakland bus driver patiently explaining the finer points of Prop 50 to fellow passenger so she can vote with confidence. Democracy is alive
November 5, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Go Oakland bus driver patiently explaining the finer points of Prop 50 to fellow passenger so she can vote with confidence. Democracy is alive
Some day, perhaps this can become the home of a truth and healing commission. wapo.st/3WjyJv8
October 25, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Some day, perhaps this can become the home of a truth and healing commission. wapo.st/3WjyJv8
Are you disappointed by news coverage of the rallies this weekend? Do you wish a great podcast had gone out to really share the voices and sounds of that day? @alletson.bsky.social has you covered with this amazing episode of More To The Story from @revealnews.org. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Al Letson at No Kings: Hope, Fury, and Inflatables
Podcast Episode · Reveal · 10/22/2025 · 24m
podcasts.apple.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Are you disappointed by news coverage of the rallies this weekend? Do you wish a great podcast had gone out to really share the voices and sounds of that day? @alletson.bsky.social has you covered with this amazing episode of More To The Story from @revealnews.org. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
This is almost meta "irony is dead"
Trump posted an AI video of himself dropping raw sewage on the No Kings protesters from a plane. Yes, you read that right. @motherjones.com
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Donald Trump and Mike Johnson are melting down over "No Kings" success
Trump posted an AI video of himself dropping raw sewage on the protesters from a plane. Yes, you read that right
www.motherjones.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:42 PM
This is almost meta "irony is dead"
I came off the DL to check out the big march in little San Leandro, California. Michelle Doppelt had already taken off her inflatable unicorn costume, but was looking forward to bringing him out again for the next protest. "We have to have fun and keep up hope," she said.
October 19, 2025 at 1:58 AM
I came off the DL to check out the big march in little San Leandro, California. Michelle Doppelt had already taken off her inflatable unicorn costume, but was looking forward to bringing him out again for the next protest. "We have to have fun and keep up hope," she said.
@revealnews.org host @alletson.bsky.social and dozens of my colleagues are covering No Kings rallies all over the country. There are inflatables, giant copies of the Constitution, flags, and a lot of joy. And if, like me, you're on the DL today, @motherjones.com will have updates for you all day!
No kings @motherjones.com @revealnews.org p
October 18, 2025 at 7:02 PM
@revealnews.org host @alletson.bsky.social and dozens of my colleagues are covering No Kings rallies all over the country. There are inflatables, giant copies of the Constitution, flags, and a lot of joy. And if, like me, you're on the DL today, @motherjones.com will have updates for you all day!
A lot of casual secession talk is some version of "let's throw the rest of the country [note: most of which did not ask for this either!] to the wolves". @clarajeffery.bsky.social smartly flips that into "let's use the power that we ACTUALLY HAVE to make change." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
It’s time for soft secession
How blue states can use their economic clout to stand up to Trump’s agenda—starting with California.
www.motherjones.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:07 PM
A lot of casual secession talk is some version of "let's throw the rest of the country [note: most of which did not ask for this either!] to the wolves". @clarajeffery.bsky.social smartly flips that into "let's use the power that we ACTUALLY HAVE to make change." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
This. We need to confront and name the dangers. But I grew up around people who remembered Germany in 1935, and Italy in 1923. They could not have imagined the rights that we have—and must use.
I agree with Josh but with one caveat: Words can demoralize people. I have political science-y disagreements with people who say "America is now fascist," but more to the point, I don't want people to internalize the idea that it's all done and dusted. Trump is far weaker than may people realize.
Fighting with each other whether the Trump administration is/is not fascist/totalitarian seems kind of pointless. Labels aside, it is not a fully consolidated dictatorshp, whatever we want to call it and we need to work together to get them out.
October 6, 2025 at 6:12 AM
This. We need to confront and name the dangers. But I grew up around people who remembered Germany in 1935, and Italy in 1923. They could not have imagined the rights that we have—and must use.
I was wondering what happened to Defund the Police www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/n...
October 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I was wondering what happened to Defund the Police www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/n...
For some relief and hope this weekend, I highly recommend @timothypmurphy.bsky.social's excellent profile of a fighting Dem, www.motherjones.com/politics/202...; and @pemalevy.bsky.social's great look at former federal workers who maintain "alt" agency accounts. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
How to survive a Republican power grab
Texas Democrat Greg Casar spent his summer fighting for his job—and plotting a progressive revival.
www.motherjones.com
September 27, 2025 at 3:53 PM
For some relief and hope this weekend, I highly recommend @timothypmurphy.bsky.social's excellent profile of a fighting Dem, www.motherjones.com/politics/202...; and @pemalevy.bsky.social's great look at former federal workers who maintain "alt" agency accounts. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
I've been thinking about why the Jimmy Kimmel moment was such a gut punch, and it's partly because the government pressure for corporate self-censorship is so obvious. It's the logical continuation of the Paramount settlement–but also a significant escalation.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Good night and good luck
Why corporate media—including CBS owner Paramount—is bending the knee.
www.motherjones.com
September 21, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I've been thinking about why the Jimmy Kimmel moment was such a gut punch, and it's partly because the government pressure for corporate self-censorship is so obvious. It's the logical continuation of the Paramount settlement–but also a significant escalation.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
If you find yourself looking for something to do to protect freedom of the press and expression in this country, I urge you to support newsrooms that are not caving or compromising. We can stay strong, but only when you have our back. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY. secure.motherjones.com/flex/mj/key/...
Support Nonprofit Journalism - Donate to Mother Jones
Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.
secure.motherjones.com
September 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
If you find yourself looking for something to do to protect freedom of the press and expression in this country, I urge you to support newsrooms that are not caving or compromising. We can stay strong, but only when you have our back. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY. secure.motherjones.com/flex/mj/key/...
The delightful @tonymartignetti.bsky.social invited me on his Nonprofit Radio podcast—we talked about the IRS going after Mother Jones in the 1980s (MoJo prevailed), this scary moment for nonprofits (and nonprofit media), and why not all is lost. tony.ma/NonprofitRad...
September 15, 2025 at 4:17 PM
The delightful @tonymartignetti.bsky.social invited me on his Nonprofit Radio podcast—we talked about the IRS going after Mother Jones in the 1980s (MoJo prevailed), this scary moment for nonprofits (and nonprofit media), and why not all is lost. tony.ma/NonprofitRad...
Social media plus tragedy amplifies the worst. Look at someone you love and remind yourself that there is much more good in people than digital road rage would have you believe.
September 10, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Social media plus tragedy amplifies the worst. Look at someone you love and remind yourself that there is much more good in people than digital road rage would have you believe.
This is a smart piece by @abbyvesoulis.bsky.social that applies to DC, but also more widely. Protest and resistance don't necessarily take the form of big marches, but that's what we (and media in particular) have conditioned ourselves to expect. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The resistance is active in DC—you’re just not looking closely enough
It's not massive protests on Pennsylvania Avenue, but happenstance hecklers and Nextdoor posts.
www.motherjones.com
August 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
This is a smart piece by @abbyvesoulis.bsky.social that applies to DC, but also more widely. Protest and resistance don't necessarily take the form of big marches, but that's what we (and media in particular) have conditioned ourselves to expect. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
@isabelaalhadeff.bsky.social and @nlanard.bsky.social first broke the story of Neri Alvarado and others sent to El Salvador for their tattoos celebrating love and family. Now they're sharing the stories of families who went through this four-month ordeal.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
"We were kidnapped"
On Friday, more than 200 Venezuelans disappeared to a megaprison in El Salvador returned home. The horror stories are already emerging.
www.motherjones.com
July 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
@isabelaalhadeff.bsky.social and @nlanard.bsky.social first broke the story of Neri Alvarado and others sent to El Salvador for their tattoos celebrating love and family. Now they're sharing the stories of families who went through this four-month ordeal.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
This is a must-read story—even if you vaguely know about Canary Mission, you'll learn a lot.
I spent months investigating the Canary Mission blacklisting website — and today, a senior ICE official confirmed in court that the Department of Homeland Security has been using Canary Mission to target students. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
How a shadowy online blacklist became a legal threat to pro-Palestinian activists
“Are you familiar with the Canary?”
www.motherjones.com
July 9, 2025 at 11:22 PM
This is a must-read story—even if you vaguely know about Canary Mission, you'll learn a lot.
Trump doesn't need to censor corporate media. It's enough to threaten their bottom line. There is no better illustration of why we need (and need to support) independent newsrooms. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Good night and good luck
Why corporate media—including CBS owner Paramount—is bending the knee.
www.motherjones.com
July 8, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Trump doesn't need to censor corporate media. It's enough to threaten their bottom line. There is no better illustration of why we need (and need to support) independent newsrooms. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
I can't stop thinking about this image either, and none of us should.
Photo caption: "Children flee a mass shooting"
As long as I've covered gun violence, I'm still gobsmacked by this image Pete Luna captured in Uvalde. I've never forgotten it. And now...
Texas Forbids Law That Keeps Guns Away From Unhinged People www.motherjones.com/politics/202... @motherjones.com
As long as I've covered gun violence, I'm still gobsmacked by this image Pete Luna captured in Uvalde. I've never forgotten it. And now...
Texas Forbids Law That Keeps Guns Away From Unhinged People www.motherjones.com/politics/202... @motherjones.com
Texas forbids law that keeps guns away from unhinged people
Despite recent massacres in the state, GOP leaders ban a proven tool to help stop them.
www.motherjones.com
July 8, 2025 at 12:21 AM
I can't stop thinking about this image either, and none of us should.
"We can celebrate the imperfect start of our national enterprise, despite the dark turn it has taken. As we do so, we ought to keep in mind a fundamental fact: There are more of us than them.... The question is whether the majority can triumph." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
A July 4 reflection
There are more of us than them.
www.motherjones.com
July 5, 2025 at 5:11 PM
"We can celebrate the imperfect start of our national enterprise, despite the dark turn it has taken. As we do so, we ought to keep in mind a fundamental fact: There are more of us than them.... The question is whether the majority can triumph." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Happy (Media) Independence Day. Corporate owners may bend the knee, but as one of my journalism heroes showed, there's so much more power in the truth. Support the journalism you want to see. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The Bill Moyers that obituaries missed
The “secular preacher” of TV journalism was also a ferocious critic of corrupt politicians and corporate titans—and the spineless media that enable them.
www.motherjones.com
July 4, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Happy (Media) Independence Day. Corporate owners may bend the knee, but as one of my journalism heroes showed, there's so much more power in the truth. Support the journalism you want to see. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
“Who will show us that corruption is not just episodic, but systemic? That capitalism has democracy by the throat because democracy no longer has any balls?” www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The Bill Moyers that obituaries missed
The “secular preacher” of TV journalism was also a ferocious critic of corrupt politicians and corporate titans—and the spineless media that enable them.
www.motherjones.com
July 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
“Who will show us that corruption is not just episodic, but systemic? That capitalism has democracy by the throat because democracy no longer has any balls?” www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Read what @timothypmurphy.bsky.social says about the smears on Mamdani and Democrats' "alarming lack of having-each-other’s-back." Wipe the tears of rage, then read it again, then put that blood-boiling energy into whatever good you can do in the world. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
It never stopped being birtherism
Donald Trump is repackaging a familiar smear against Zohran Mamdani.
www.motherjones.com
July 1, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Read what @timothypmurphy.bsky.social says about the smears on Mamdani and Democrats' "alarming lack of having-each-other’s-back." Wipe the tears of rage, then read it again, then put that blood-boiling energy into whatever good you can do in the world. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Monika Bauerlein
I disagree with this premise. Yes, we’re in a time of heightened political violence, and it’s important to scrutinize why. But there’s nothing “routine” about assassinations or school shootings. I’ve long reported on these and know many working to stop them. This is not a premise we should accept.
June 15, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I disagree with this premise. Yes, we’re in a time of heightened political violence, and it’s important to scrutinize why. But there’s nothing “routine” about assassinations or school shootings. I’ve long reported on these and know many working to stop them. This is not a premise we should accept.
If, after all these images of joyful protest that I've shared, you're curious how the parade is going in DC, my colleague @dfriedman.bsky.social (who's also done amazing reporting on the Jan 6 figures being paid to organize Trump's birthday party) is there, and "desultory" is a word that came up.
June 15, 2025 at 12:33 AM
If, after all these images of joyful protest that I've shared, you're curious how the parade is going in DC, my colleague @dfriedman.bsky.social (who's also done amazing reporting on the Jan 6 figures being paid to organize Trump's birthday party) is there, and "desultory" is a word that came up.