Unbreaking
@unbreaking.org
How the administration is breaking the government, and what that means for all of us. All of our content is free to republish and remix. https://unbreaking.org/
You can sign up here for a brisk, rigorously cited weekly briefing on what’s happening to the basic public goods that our government is supposed to provide—plus who’s pushing back, and how.
buttondown.com/unbreaking
buttondown.com/unbreaking
Unbreaking
buttondown.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:57 PM
You can sign up here for a brisk, rigorously cited weekly briefing on what’s happening to the basic public goods that our government is supposed to provide—plus who’s pushing back, and how.
buttondown.com/unbreaking
buttondown.com/unbreaking
In her opening remarks, the judge specifically noted the human toll these layoffs have already taken. Roughly 4,000 people have been laid off since the shutdown began on October 1, with an unknown number hired back. This and more in our explainer:
unbreaking.org/issues/equal...
unbreaking.org/issues/equal...
Equality at Work: Explainer — Unbreaking
How the administration is breaking the government, and what that means for all of us.
unbreaking.org
November 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
In her opening remarks, the judge specifically noted the human toll these layoffs have already taken. Roughly 4,000 people have been laid off since the shutdown began on October 1, with an unknown number hired back. This and more in our explainer:
unbreaking.org/issues/equal...
unbreaking.org/issues/equal...
Our explainer puts these events and lines of attack into context, addressing how federal funding agencies and higher education institutions have been targeted and how they’re fighting back:
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
Medical Research Funding: Explainer — Unbreaking
How the administration is breaking the government, and what that means for all of us.
unbreaking.org
November 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Our explainer puts these events and lines of attack into context, addressing how federal funding agencies and higher education institutions have been targeted and how they’re fighting back:
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
Federal judges are holding off National Guard deployments in Chicago and Portland, and District Judge Sara Ellis has just issued a preliminary injunction forbidding federal agents from brutalizing protesters and reporters in Chicago:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/06/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/06/o...
‘The use of force shocks the conscience’: Judge issues sweeping injunction on Chicago tactics of immigration agents
The incoming preliminary injunction replaces a temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis in early October that was set to expire at 11:30 a.m.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Federal judges are holding off National Guard deployments in Chicago and Portland, and District Judge Sara Ellis has just issued a preliminary injunction forbidding federal agents from brutalizing protesters and reporters in Chicago:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/06/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/06/o...
The administration also slashed the number of refugees it will admit to the US to just 7500 next year (down from 125,000 in 2022–2025), reserving most of the slots for white Afrikaners:
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Trump sets refugee admissions cap for coming year at record low
The president sets the limit at 7,500 for the coming year, a dramatic cut from 125,000.
www.bbc.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The administration also slashed the number of refugees it will admit to the US to just 7500 next year (down from 125,000 in 2022–2025), reserving most of the slots for white Afrikaners:
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
The Trump administration purged ICE field office directors and will replace many with leaders from the even more aggressive Customs and Border Patrol:
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
Trump plans to install Border Patrol officials to lead a more aggressive migrant crackdown
The White House has approved a list of ICE leaders to be replaced by Border Patrol officials in coming days amid disappointment with arrest numbers.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The Trump administration purged ICE field office directors and will replace many with leaders from the even more aggressive Customs and Border Patrol:
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
The public comment period on the biometrics expansion is open until January 2, 2026:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Collection and Use of Biometrics by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to amend its regulations governing biometrics use and collection. DHS proposes to require submission of biometrics by any individual, regardless...
www.federalregister.gov
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The public comment period on the biometrics expansion is open until January 2, 2026:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
The new DHS rules would for the first time allow data—including DNA—to be collected from kids under 14 and stored for future surveillance and use by law enforcement:
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
DHS offers “disturbing new excuses” to seize kids’ biometric data, expert says
Sweeping DHS power grab would collect face, iris, voice scans of all immigrants.
arstechnica.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The new DHS rules would for the first time allow data—including DNA—to be collected from kids under 14 and stored for future surveillance and use by law enforcement:
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
DHS is simultaneously proposing to expand its biometric data collection—including DNA taken from both adults and children and kept on file—to include many more immigrants and people connected to them:
fedscoop.com/dhs-biometri...
fedscoop.com/dhs-biometri...
DHS seeks vast expansion of biometrics collection for immigration benefits
In a proposed rule issued Monday, the agency said it wants to broaden the pool of individuals whose data it can collect and administer DNA testing of immigrants.
fedscoop.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
DHS is simultaneously proposing to expand its biometric data collection—including DNA taken from both adults and children and kept on file—to include many more immigrants and people connected to them:
fedscoop.com/dhs-biometri...
fedscoop.com/dhs-biometri...
@404media.co's reporting on the Mobile Fortify facial recognition app—which is being used as “definitive” proof of immigration status and which no one can refuse—has been invaluable:
www.404media.co/tag/ice/
www.404media.co/tag/ice/
ICE - 404 Media
www.404media.co
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
@404media.co's reporting on the Mobile Fortify facial recognition app—which is being used as “definitive” proof of immigration status and which no one can refuse—has been invaluable:
www.404media.co/tag/ice/
www.404media.co/tag/ice/
Before the Trump administration took office, our food safety system was mostly functional, but already under strain. Our explainer lays out how the moves since January 20, 2025, have worked together to threaten the under-resourced systems that keep our food safe:
unbreaking.org/issues/food-...
unbreaking.org/issues/food-...
Food Safety: Explainer — Unbreaking
How the administration is breaking the government, and what that means for all of us.
unbreaking.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Before the Trump administration took office, our food safety system was mostly functional, but already under strain. Our explainer lays out how the moves since January 20, 2025, have worked together to threaten the under-resourced systems that keep our food safe:
unbreaking.org/issues/food-...
unbreaking.org/issues/food-...
A White House spokesperson has now extended the deal to *all* US colleges and universities and threatened that those who don’t agree won’t receive future federal research funding:
www.thedp.com/article/2025...
www.thedp.com/article/2025...
Penn rejects White House proposal for special funding treatment
With the decision, Penn became the third university to decline the offer.
www.thedp.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:54 AM
A White House spokesperson has now extended the deal to *all* US colleges and universities and threatened that those who don’t agree won’t receive future federal research funding:
www.thedp.com/article/2025...
www.thedp.com/article/2025...
Despite the administration’s efforts to get elite universities to sign a deal offering priority access to research funding in return for ideological compliance, 7 of the 9 targeted universities rejected the proposal: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/u...
All but 2 Universities Decline a Trump Offer of Preferential Funding
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Despite the administration’s efforts to get elite universities to sign a deal offering priority access to research funding in return for ideological compliance, 7 of the 9 targeted universities rejected the proposal: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/u...
You can find details on these and more events in our Immigration timeline:
unbreaking.org/issues/immig...
unbreaking.org/issues/immig...
Immigration — Unbreaking
How the administration is breaking the government, and what that means for all of us.
unbreaking.org
October 24, 2025 at 2:53 AM
You can find details on these and more events in our Immigration timeline:
unbreaking.org/issues/immig...
unbreaking.org/issues/immig...
And this week in “absurd authoritarianism remains both authoritarian and absurd,” the comedian arrested while wearing a giraffe onesie and singing “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” to ICE officers in Portland has been released:
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10...
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10...
Political jester Robby Roadsteamer, despite ICE arrest, still hopes humor can keep the peace
Salem native Robby Roadsteamer was arrested after taunting ICE while wearing a giraffe costume during a protest in Portland last week. Underneath his absurdity, there's a serious aim: bringing laughte...
www.wbur.org
October 24, 2025 at 2:53 AM
And this week in “absurd authoritarianism remains both authoritarian and absurd,” the comedian arrested while wearing a giraffe onesie and singing “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” to ICE officers in Portland has been released:
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10...
www.wbur.org/news/2025/10...
The lawsuits over National Guard deployments in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland are in varied and confusing states this week. Our briefing links to details, and Steve Vladeck’s summary of all three cases is so helpful:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/185-the-st...
www.stevevladeck.com/p/185-the-st...
185. The State of Play in the National Guard Cases
It's hard to keep track of the whirlwind of litigation surrounding President Trump's unprecedented deployments of federalized National Guard troops. Here's a quick update on where things stand.
www.stevevladeck.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:53 AM
The lawsuits over National Guard deployments in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland are in varied and confusing states this week. Our briefing links to details, and Steve Vladeck’s summary of all three cases is so helpful:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/185-the-st...
www.stevevladeck.com/p/185-the-st...
Apple removed an app used to archive photo and video evidence of ICE abuses and arrests from its app store, but NY Attorney General Letitia James just launched a website to do the same for raids across New York State:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
New York unveils portal for public to share ICE footage after four US citizens arrested
Attorney general Letitia James urges residents to share video and photos amid outcry over Chinatown raid
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Apple removed an app used to archive photo and video evidence of ICE abuses and arrests from its app store, but NY Attorney General Letitia James just launched a website to do the same for raids across New York State:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...