Joe Rojas-Burke
@rojasburke.bsky.social
I'm a #ScienceWriter based in Arizona (most of the time) and in Brooklyn. Sharing stuff about science, journalism, politics, beloved plants and animals, #RockClimbing, #Bicycling, #Gardening...
Hear! Hear!
There hasn't been much media coverage outside the science media of the Epstein scientists. So I wrote about them here for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social. As many in science know, John Brockman was central in linking Epstein to scientific "public intellectuals".
www.thenewworld.co.uk/philip-ball-...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/philip-ball-...
Epstein and the moral rot of US public intellectuals
The disgraced sex offender was able to gather a group of scientists and thinkers around him who shared his anti-woke, anti-women and Silicon Valley techno-fascist views. But it doesn’t end with Epstei...
www.thenewworld.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Hear! Hear!
sickening, unbearable - but we must face it, confront the reported facts and take action
Some children in Dilley were so distraught they cut themselves or talked about suicide, parents told ProPublica.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
The Kids Trump Sent to ICE’s Dilley Detention Center
ProPublica went inside the immigrant detention center for families in Dilley, Texas. Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of...
www.propublica.org
February 12, 2026 at 7:15 AM
sickening, unbearable - but we must face it, confront the reported facts and take action
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Idaho families sue over immigration raid that swept up hundreds, including U.S. citizens — NBC News
About 400 people, including children and U.S. citizens, were detained for four hours while they were denied food and water in the raid, according to the lawsuit.
apple.news
February 12, 2026 at 1:35 AM
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
Ohio State University: "the Chase Center will help propel Ohio State to become the nation’s leader in the burgeoning field of civic thought and leadership"
Chase Center professor: www.wosu.org/politics-gov...
Chase Center professor: www.wosu.org/politics-gov...
Ohio State Chase Center professor placed on administrative leave after assaulting cameraman
The Ohio political blog, The Rooster, published video showing Chase Center Assistant Professor Luke Perez hitting a cameraman and then throwing him to the ground.
www.wosu.org
February 11, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Ohio State University: "the Chase Center will help propel Ohio State to become the nation’s leader in the burgeoning field of civic thought and leadership"
Chase Center professor: www.wosu.org/politics-gov...
Chase Center professor: www.wosu.org/politics-gov...
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
this is a level of complicity that had not occurred to me
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years thehill.com/homenews/med...
February 11, 2026 at 7:28 PM
this is a level of complicity that had not occurred to me
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
NEW: Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, a 36-year-old LA protester, spent six months in jail accused of assaulting a federal officer with a *cloth hat.*
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
Case dismissed against LA protester accused of assaulting federal officer with cloth hat
Judge says US government acted in ‘bad faith’ in case of Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, 36, who spent six months in jail
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:40 AM
NEW: Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, a 36-year-old LA protester, spent six months in jail accused of assaulting a federal officer with a *cloth hat.*
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
“While the FBI field office in Boise initially said in a statement that claims of children being zip-tied were ‘completely false,’ officials there later amended that assertion, telling reporters that no ‘young’ children were zip-tied.”
www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-zi...
www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-zi...
A 14-year-old girl described being zip-tied during Idaho raid, sparking fresh questions about ICE tactics
A 14-year-old girl said she was "crying" and "struggling to breathe" when law enforcement officers herded her onto a racetrack with other detainees and zip-tied her hands.
www.cbsnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:52 PM
“While the FBI field office in Boise initially said in a statement that claims of children being zip-tied were ‘completely false,’ officials there later amended that assertion, telling reporters that no ‘young’ children were zip-tied.”
www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-zi...
www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-zi...
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
This is the second time an ICE employee has been arrested in in a Bloomington, MN underage sex trafficking sting www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...
Police in Bloomington, MN just announced that one of the guys they arrested in an underage sex trafficking sting was a **background checker for ICE agents.**
He had a high security clearance in the Trump administration... and he was caught trying to abuse children. Sickening.
He had a high security clearance in the Trump administration... and he was caught trying to abuse children. Sickening.
February 10, 2026 at 9:26 PM
This is the second time an ICE employee has been arrested in in a Bloomington, MN underage sex trafficking sting www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
NEW: ICE is leasing offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
ICE Is Expanding Across the US at Breakneck Speed. Here’s Where It’s Going Next
ICE plans to lease offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
www.wired.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:07 PM
NEW: ICE is leasing offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
"no deportation officer has been murdered in the line of duty since the creation of ICE after 9/11"
Here's what DHS doesn't want you to know: Working for ICE is one of the safest jobs in America — and last year was the second-safest year for the agency on record.
And the doxxing? It hasn't actually happened even once.
The masks are justified by a lie. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-s-mask...
And the doxxing? It hasn't actually happened even once.
The masks are justified by a lie. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ice-s-mask...
ICE's Masks Are All a Lie
Working for ICE is actually less dangerous than being an elementary school student in America.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
February 10, 2026 at 6:10 PM
"no deportation officer has been murdered in the line of duty since the creation of ICE after 9/11"
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
An incredible turn of events here. 10/10, no notes. 😂
February 9, 2026 at 3:27 PM
An incredible turn of events here. 10/10, no notes. 😂
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
Just a reminder that the Trump administration canceled all of the electrical grid improvement projects the DOE funded for Puerto Rico. Oh, and all of the solar projects, too.
The end of DOE’s grid work in Puerto Rico
The Trump administration has canceled all eight of the remaining awards devoted to distributed energy on the island.
www.latitudemedia.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Just a reminder that the Trump administration canceled all of the electrical grid improvement projects the DOE funded for Puerto Rico. Oh, and all of the solar projects, too.
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
Is there some sort of award for perfectly missing the point?
February 9, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Is there some sort of award for perfectly missing the point?
February 9, 2026 at 10:26 PM
so much to love in Bad Bunny's performance, and this thred illuminates many of the best moments
First shot: sugarcane
The backbone of Puerto Rico's agricultural economy since colonial times
Still used to make rum of course!
The backbone of Puerto Rico's agricultural economy since colonial times
Still used to make rum of course!
February 9, 2026 at 6:43 AM
so much to love in Bad Bunny's performance, and this thred illuminates many of the best moments
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
Texas fully deserves to be treated like the Cursed Earth from the Judge Dredd comics
On the left, the Texas Teamsters endorsing Greg Abbott yesterday.
On the right, Greg Abbott's campaign website denouncing Big Labor.
On the right, Greg Abbott's campaign website denouncing Big Labor.
February 8, 2026 at 4:07 AM
Texas fully deserves to be treated like the Cursed Earth from the Judge Dredd comics
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
As you watch MAGAs lose their minds, remember:
1. MAGAs voted unanimously AGAINST banning gerrymandering—Democrats voted unanimously to BAN gerrymandering.
2. MAGAs can stop all this by passing HR 1 to ban gerrymandering. But they won’t. They don’t care about democracy—only raw power.
Hypocrites.
1. MAGAs voted unanimously AGAINST banning gerrymandering—Democrats voted unanimously to BAN gerrymandering.
2. MAGAs can stop all this by passing HR 1 to ban gerrymandering. But they won’t. They don’t care about democracy—only raw power.
Hypocrites.
February 8, 2026 at 4:30 AM
As you watch MAGAs lose their minds, remember:
1. MAGAs voted unanimously AGAINST banning gerrymandering—Democrats voted unanimously to BAN gerrymandering.
2. MAGAs can stop all this by passing HR 1 to ban gerrymandering. But they won’t. They don’t care about democracy—only raw power.
Hypocrites.
1. MAGAs voted unanimously AGAINST banning gerrymandering—Democrats voted unanimously to BAN gerrymandering.
2. MAGAs can stop all this by passing HR 1 to ban gerrymandering. But they won’t. They don’t care about democracy—only raw power.
Hypocrites.
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
Concentration camps:
“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."
“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."
Exclusive: Detention Center Captives Are Throwing Lotion Bottles Wrapped With Notes to Organizers Outside Otay Mesa Facility ~ L.A. TACO
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh," an Otay Mesa captive communicated through handwritten note. "We are all in one big room with no doors...
lataco.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Concentration camps:
“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."
“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."
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
the most impactful thing Elon Musk has ever done or will ever do regarding science and innovation in this country is illegally cut billions of dollars of research funds for literally no reason
February 8, 2026 at 3:01 AM
the most impactful thing Elon Musk has ever done or will ever do regarding science and innovation in this country is illegally cut billions of dollars of research funds for literally no reason
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
Watergate, but if someone was killed.
NYT confirming MS NOW reporting:
Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.
Prosecutors began investigating Renee Good's killing, then Washington told them to stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Good's vehicle, but Trump leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have since departed.
Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good’s Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop.
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Watergate, but if someone was killed.
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
ICE told nurses this Minneapolis man “purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall.”
What actually happened is that they pulled him from a car, beat him so viciously with a steel baton that he had 8 skull fractures, 5 life-threatening brain hemorrhages, and couldn’t remember he had a daughter.
What actually happened is that they pulled him from a car, beat him so viciously with a steel baton that he had 8 skull fractures, 5 life-threatening brain hemorrhages, and couldn’t remember he had a daughter.
February 7, 2026 at 5:54 PM
ICE told nurses this Minneapolis man “purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall.”
What actually happened is that they pulled him from a car, beat him so viciously with a steel baton that he had 8 skull fractures, 5 life-threatening brain hemorrhages, and couldn’t remember he had a daughter.
What actually happened is that they pulled him from a car, beat him so viciously with a steel baton that he had 8 skull fractures, 5 life-threatening brain hemorrhages, and couldn’t remember he had a daughter.
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
can't say which i find more appalling, remnick handing him a "fair enough" on the left and right being equally antisemitic or saying there was "no immigration policy" under dems. either way, super embarrassing for remnick to get steamrolled this hard by the right's pre-eminent midwit
In an interview with David Remnick, Ben Shapiro discusses his break with figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, and why he condemns President Trump as corrupt yet sticks with him. www.newyorker.com/news/the-new...
Ben Shapiro Is Waging Battle Inside the MAGA Movement
In an interview with David Remnick, Ben Shapiro discusses his break with figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, and why he condemns President Trump as corrupt yet sticks with him.
www.newyorker.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:31 PM
can't say which i find more appalling, remnick handing him a "fair enough" on the left and right being equally antisemitic or saying there was "no immigration policy" under dems. either way, super embarrassing for remnick to get steamrolled this hard by the right's pre-eminent midwit
Reposted by Joe Rojas-Burke
Remember Not Me in the Family Circus comic strip? He is now a staffer at the White House.
February 6, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Remember Not Me in the Family Circus comic strip? He is now a staffer at the White House.