iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jenny Mai Phan, PhD @drjmphan.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Let’s talk about physical health in autism—beyond the stereotypes. Join me + other amazing researchers for an AIR-P webinar on July 15 (2PM PT / 5PM ET) to bust myths on: * GI issues * Obesity * Stress & Hormones * Cervical cancer * Reproductive health Register: uclahs.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Flyer for an AIR-P webinar titled “Autism & Physical Health: Debunking Common Misconceptions” scheduled for Tuesday, July 15th at 2 PM PT / 5 PM ET. The flyer lists five speakers with headshots and affiliations:

Alice Kuo, MD, MBA, PhD – Professor and Chief at UCLA Medicine–Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine, Principal Investigator of AIR-P.

Calliope Holingue, PhD – Assistant Professor, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Center for Autism Services, Science, and Innovation (CASSI™), Department of Mental Health.

Heather Brown, PhD – Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta.

Emily Coombs, MSc, PhD student – University of Alberta.

Jenny Mai Phan, PhD – Research Assistant Professor, George Mason University.

The right side of the flyer lists webinar topics:

obesity
gastrointestinal issues
sexual and reproductive health
cervical cancer
hormones & stress

At the bottom right, there is a QR code labeled "Scan Me" under the header “Register Now!”

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Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 11/05/2025

Happy Mother's Day to those celebrating. Here is an incomplete list of fantastic #ActuallyAutistics mothers for you to follow & respect: @autisticenough.bsky.social, @supernovaparenting.org, @drjmphan.bsky.social, @autisminblack.bsky.social, @fidgetsandfries.bsky.social, @autisticdoctor.bsky.social.

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Jenny Mai Phan, PhD @drjmphan.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

My first #INSAR2025 ✅. There were so many great #autism presentations & meetings. I got to sit beside the amazing TC Waisman, Kristen Gillespie-Lynch and Shoba Meera on a panel for student and trainees talking about participatory research. Then, I co-presented w/ Samantha Harker on #HEARD.

HEARD (Healthy Engagement in Autism Research Dialogue): A poster presentation on an initiative to bridge dialogues on important science topics in autism research, including genetics, animal models, and cell lines. Membership spans multiple countries and representations of self-advocates, family members, scientists, scholars, policy makers, etc.

Jenny Phan, a Southeastern Asian American autistic woman and scientist is standing in front of the poster smiling.

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Center for Advancing Systems Science & Bioengineering Innovation @cassbi-gmu.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Join us May 5, 12–1 PM ET for a virtual seminar with Professor Tawara Goode: “Youth with Disabilities: Transition Through a Cultural Lens.” Hosted by CASSBI at George Mason University. Free and open to all. Register: go.gmu.edu/cassbi

Flyer for the CASSBI Seminar Series at George Mason University, hosted by the Center for Advancing Systems Science and Bioengineering Innovation (CASSBI). The featured speaker is Professor Tawara Goode, presenting “Youth with Disabilities: Transition Through a Cultural Lens” on Monday, May 5, 2025, from 12–1 PM ET via Zoom. The flyer includes a photo of Professor Goode and describes her extensive background in cultural competence, disability research, and leadership at Georgetown University. The seminar will explore the role of culture in transition experiences for youth with disabilities. Link provided: https://go.gmu.edu/cassbi.

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Jenny Mai Phan, PhD @drjmphan.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

The HHS Secretary made big statements about autism today—& missed the mark. He needs our data. Our stories. It’s #AutismAcceptanceMonth. Not Awareness. We’re not going back. Share how autistic people—yourself and/or your kids, students, clients—are showing up & contributing. #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr during a press conference at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC, 16 April 2025. WILL OLIVER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Link to story: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/rfk-jr-says-hhs-will-research-six-environmental-factors-for-potential-link-to-autism/ar-AA1D3D03

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Center for Advancing Systems Science & Bioengineering Innovation @cassbi-gmu.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

Join us on 4/14 12–1 PM ET for a virtual seminar with Dr. Millie Rincón-Cortés on modeling maternal adversity in rodents to study intergenerational effects. Learn how early life adversity affects brain reward systems, maternal behavior, & offspring development. Register at go.gmu.edu/cassbi.

Flyer for the CASSBI Seminar Series at George Mason University. Dr. Millie Rincón-Cortés will present “Modeling Maternal Adversity in Rodents to Study Intergenerational Effects” on Monday, April 14, 2025, from 12–1 PM ET via Zoom. The seminar will explore how early life adversity disrupts brain reward systems and impacts maternal behavior and offspring development. Hosted by the Center for Advancing Systems Science and Bioengineering Innovation. Free registration at https://go.gmu.edu/cassbi.

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Jenny Mai Phan, PhD @drjmphan.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

We ended @gatlinburg.bsky.social with more fun and fellowship with Children's National Hospital Center for Autism crew in front of sunset San Diego, CA. #IDDRC #IDDResearch #Autism #AutismResearch #Conference #Pediatrics

Seven women sitting at a restaurant eating and drinking in front of a sunset.

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Jenny Mai Phan, PhD @drjmphan.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

Just wrapped up presenting a poster at the @gatlinburg.bsky.social! We reviewed what we know & don’t know about puberty in youth w/ neurodevelopmental disabilities. Much of puberty research leaves out ND youth. We need more inclusive studies, especially on ND-specific mechanisms.

Jenny Phan is standing in front of her poster, presenting her research on puberty in neurodevelopmental disability populations.

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Center for Advancing Systems Science & Bioengineering Innovation @cassbi-gmu.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

For 2 yrs, @GMU_CASBBI students have been co-developing tools with #Parkinsons patients, care partners, and clinicians to improve communication & care. Partnering with Dance for PD®, they’re tracking #biometrics during Dance Therapy-unlocking the potential of movement. Support student-led research.

A group of diverse individuals, including elderly participants, are engaged in a Dance for Parkinson's® class in a spacious dance studio with mirrors. They are holding hands in a circle with arms raised and extended outward, participating in a movement exercise. The group is led by an instructor, and the studio features a light-filled, open environment with minimal furniture in the background. Participants are dressed in comfortable, active clothing.

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Center for Advancing Systems Science & Bioengineering Innovation @cassbi-gmu.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Team VIRTUE, @GMU_CASBBI NSF Research Traineeship, is breaking barriers to #DomesticViolence prevention in Northern VA. They partnered with local orgs (e.g., DC Peace Team) to bring Restorative Justice to survivors @ The Women’s Center. Support student-led, community-driven solutions like this.

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Center for Advancing Systems Science & Bioengineering Innovation @cassbi-gmu.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

We're proud to spotlight our FIRE initiative—#FirstResponders, Innovation, Research, and Exploration—@GMU_CASBBI for #MasonVisionDay! We're building a research & community partnership model to improve the health and well-being of #firefighters and first responders. Learn more: cassbi.gmu.edu/donate/

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Center for Advancing Systems Science & Bioengineering Innovation @cassbi-gmu.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

#MasonVisionDay is here! For the next 12 hrs, we spotlight community-driven research at the intersection of #SystemsScience & #Bioengineering innovation. Your donation powers: 🔬 Research 🤝 Community engagement 🎓 Student & trainee support 🧪 Cutting-edge tech & tools. Give today: cassbi.gmu.edu/donate

cassbi.gmu.edu

Donate – Center for Advancing Systems Science and Bioengineering Innovation (CASSBI)

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RunningGirl @runninggirl.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

These senators voted to confirm Kennedy. They voted to decimate the world's premier health agency. They own this.

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Skye @simplyskye.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Upcoming Boycotts & Protests 2/28 – Economic Blackout 3/4 – #ProtectOurKids Protests 3/4 – 50501 Protests 3/7 – March for Science 3/7-3/14 – Amazon Boycott 3/21-3/28 – Nestlé Boycott 4/7-4/14 – Walmart Boycott 4/18 – Economic Blackout #2 4/21-4/28 – General Mills Boycott

A protest scene in an urban setting with a crowd of demonstrators holding various signs. One prominent sign in the foreground reads, “So bad, even introverts are here.” in bold red and blue lettering.

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Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

New from me: A MacArthur genius fellow grantee has worked on helping #Neurodivergent and #ActuallyAutistic people enter the STEM fields. He was set to receive a $4 million grant. But Trump's war on DEI killed the grant. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...

independent.co.uk

Trump’s war on DEI comes for programs helping autistic students find jobs in STEM

Programs meant to help autistic students study science have been caught in the Trump administration’s war on DEI, Eric Garcia reports

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Center for Advancing Systems Science & Bioengineering Innovation @cassbi-gmu.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Join us for a free virtual seminar on Minority Stress in Autism with @drjlgreenlee.bsky.social! Learn about the challenges autistic young adults face in education, employment, and mental health. 📅 Monday, March 3, 12 PM ET. Link: go.gmu.edu/cassbi

A flyer for the CASSBI Seminar Series hosted by George Mason University's Center for Advancing Systems Science and Bioengineering Innovation. The seminar, titled "Minority Stress in Autism: Challenges and Resilience in Transition-Age Youth," will be presented by Dr. Jessie Greenlee on Monday, March 3rd, 2025, from 12 PM to 1 PM (ET) on Zoom. The flyer includes Dr. Greenlee's bio, highlighting her research on autism-related minority stress, mental health disparities, and intersectional identities. It also includes an abstract discussing challenges faced by autistic young adults in education, employment, and mental health. A photo of Dr. Greenlee is included on the right side of the flyer, where she is smiling outdoors wearing glasses. The flyer encourages attendance at the free seminar and provides links to CASSBI's website and social media pages.

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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @aoc.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

It may not be cool or hip in some circles, but we legitimately do need a massive amount of people to run for office. Flood the school boards, councils, county seats, state legislatures, Congress, etc. Big changes at the top happen when the ground shifts at the bottom. And that can start now.

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Gregg Gonsalves @gregggonsalves.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

The presidents of all universities should hold a press conference together at the National Press Club in Washington DC condemning the attacks on science and universities and outline the stakes for all Americans. 1/

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Jenny Mai Phan, PhD @drjmphan.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Check your studentaid.gov account ppl. To my surprise, a $2k addition appeared in my account balance that I supposedly owed back in 2013. I wasn't enrolled in college during 2012-2013 because I took a gap year to work. I wasn't eligible to take out student loans during that period.

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Maryam Webster @maryamwebster.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

We, the People stand with you. And are SO sorry this is disrupting your lives. Go follow @altnps.bsky.social and @altcdc.bsky.social for further actions to take & keep the faith in a kinder, more heart-centered nation.

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Jenny Mai Phan, PhD @drjmphan.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

To all the civil servants who were unjustly fired from federal jobs, you didn't deserve this. We thank you for your service to this country and the world. We are a less safe nation today without you. May you find work where you will be appreciated for your talents, skills, and expertise.

Former HHS Agency Heads Highlight the Critical Role of HHS Staff In Securing America’s Health and Well-being and Economic Strength

We are honored to have worked with dedicated and skilled public servants who have been leading the fight for a healthier America at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Trump Administration now has begun arbitrarily removing HHS staff from their positions, leaving no doubt that the health and well-being of families and communities across the country will suffer as a result. The work of the members of the HHS team is not just important to the health of this country, it is also vital to the economic security of our nation. These are the dedicated public servants who have been:

making sure your food and water are safe;
running the health insurance programs that cover nearly half of all Americans;
making sure hospitals, dialysis centers and nursing homes provide quality care;
finding cures and treatments for diseases like pediatric cancer;
standing up the 988 Suicide and Crisis lifeline and other mental health services;
combatting the overdose and fentanyl crisis;
getting primary care to rural communities;
providing support for new moms and babies;
ensuring families have access to affordable high-quality child care;
ensuring that new drugs and devices are safe and effective;
detecting and responding to infectious disease threats in communities around the country;
serving survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and children in foster care;
and so much more.

These individuals are not numbers on a spreadsheet. They are dedicated and passionate public servants who have committed their careers to working on behalf of the American people. We owe them a debt of gratitude, not a pink slip.

Signed by:
Dr. Monica Bertagnolli (NIH)
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure (CMS)
Dr. Robert Califf (FDA)
Dr. Mandy Cohen (CDC)
January Contreras (ACF)
Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon (SAMHSA)
Carole Johnson (HRSA)
Dawn O’Connell (ASPR)

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e.w. niedermeyer @niedermeyer.online · 16/02/2025

I feel like I'm going insane every time I see a media story about DOGE that doesn't also mention the fact that the Government Accountability Office exists and performs the exact function that DOGE pretends to, only in a credibly constitutional, non-partisan, and conflict-of-interest-free manner

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Cameron S. Pumpkins @sweetcammymac.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

In an episode of The Pitt, one of the docs asks an autistic patient how much pain he was in on a scale from 1 to 10 and his response was to ask if 10 was taking into account all of human history or just the most pain he ever experienced. I felt so seen. Like an 8 out of 10.

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Jenny Mai Phan, PhD @drjmphan.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

For 20 yrs, I have fought for our children's rights & am exhausted. Our disabled children don't deserve this. If these bills pass into law, our children will grow up in the same old world that institutionalized disabled people. Please call your Repub reps. (images cred: IG worldsokayestschoolpsych)

Posted on IG by worldsokayestschoolpsych:

I never thought I’d live to see the day when politicians and policymakers would openly describe children with disabilities as a burden. But here we are in 2025, and they’re not even trying to hide it.

Just for example:

Texas House Bill 2168 proposes a study to identify which parts of federal special education law place an “unreasonable burden” on the state and school districts.

Texas v. Becerra, a lawsuit from 17 states, argues that disability protections like Section 504 create burdens on states—implying that enforcing civil rights is too much effort.

Project 2025, a policy blueprint endorsed by conservatives, calls federal education protections a “regulatory burden” that outweighs their cost—essentially saying schools should be freed from having to comply.

Posted on IG by worldsokayestschoolpsych:

This isn’t just some one-off bad take. This is a pattern. This is an agenda. The idea that disabled children are burdens to schools, to budgets, to society—that’s what they’re pushing. They’re laying the groundwork to undo everything that made education more inclusive and accessible.

And I take this personally. Because I am a School Psychologist. And I’ll be damned if I sit back and let these people devalue my son and my students.

Children with disabilities don’t hold us back—they make us better. The real burden? The politicians, donors, and lobbyists who think these kids are disposable. The ones who see inclusion as an inconvenience. The ones actively trying to erase decades of progress.

They are scum. They are the burden. They are the problem. And if they have their way, the world will be a worse, crueler, emptier place. But we’re not going to let them win.

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Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

ATTENTION (PLEASE SHARE) If anyone has or knows of any positions that might be appropriate for the NIH staff members who were terminated, please post the information in this thread. There are lots of talented and accomplished people who may be looking for new opportunities.

media.tenor.com

a poster that says if life gives you lemon make lemonade on it

ALT: a poster that says if life gives you lemon make lemonade on it

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Scott Thompson, PhD @sthom003.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

From one of my NIH scientist/administrator friends yesterday. This the very real real-time cruelty of the thugs who have seized control of our government from us! #resist

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Jenny Mai Phan, PhD @drjmphan.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

This is the list of senators who voted to confirm RFK Jr. as head of HHS. If you are dissatisfied by their vote, call them today to express your dissatisfaction. They work for you. Download the 5 Calls app. It has your senator’s number to call and scripts you can use.

HOW DID YOUR SENATOR VOTE?

YES VOTES: Banks (R-IN), Barrasso (R-WY), Blackburn (R-TN), Boozman (R-AR), Britt (R-AL), Budd (R-NC), Capito (R-WV), Cassidy (R-LA), Collins (R-ME), Cornyn (R-TX), Cotton (R-AR), Cramer (R-ND), Crapo (R-ID), Cruz (R-TX), Curtis (R-UT), Daines (R-MT), Ernst (R-IA), Fischer (R-NE), Graham (R-SC), Grassley (R-IA), Hagerty (R-TN), Hawley (R-MO), Hoeven (R-ND), Husted (R-OH), Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Johnson (R-WI), Justice (R-WV), Kennedy (R-LA), Lankford (R-OK), Lee (R-UT), Lummis (R-WY), Marshall (R-KS), McCormick (R-PA), Moody (R-FL), Moran (R-KS), Moreno (R-OH), Mullin (R-OK), Murkowski (R-AK), Paul (R-KY), Ricketts (R-NE), Risch (R-ID), Rounds (R-SD), Schmitt (R-MO), Scott (R-FL), Scott (R-SC), Sheehy (R-MT), Sullivan (R-AK), Thune (R-SD), Tillis (R-NC), Tuberville (R-AL), Wicker (R-MS), Young (R-IN).

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Jonathan Lambert @jonlambert.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Is your NSF grant on this list? Reach out if so! Ted Cruz released a list of grants flagged for DEI or "neo-Marxist class warfare propaganda" from his Oct. report. NSF is using keywords from that report for their review, though Cruz's list is likely larger. www.commerce.senate.gov/2025/2/cruz-...

commerce.senate.gov

Cruz-Led Investigation Uncovers $2 Billion in Woke DEI Grants at NSF, Releases Full Database

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Jenny Mai Phan, PhD @drjmphan.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

In the meantime, please go to your local town hall and share your stories with your elected officials. They need to hear from us. www.usa.gov/local-govern...

usa.gov

Local governments | USAGov

Find your local town, county, or city government's website. Get information on local elections and officials, services, taxes, schools, and more.

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Mark A. Hanson @hansonmark.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

This is a shortfall overnight of ~35% of operating revenue. It's like yoinking $80 million out from under the rug of a university operating on $220 million. The UK🇬🇧 uni landscape is in crisis mode bc last year a temp hit of ~20% sent unis into severe austerity. The US just slashed ~35% #SaveTheNIH

bbc.co.uk

Fears for hundreds of Cardiff University jobs due to funding hole

Staff at Meetings are being held amid concern that hundreds of jobs are under threat at Cardiff University.

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Alt NIH Bluesky 🧪 @altnih4science.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Dear US scientists, We've been hearing a lot of questions of the form "Why aren't universities doing anything!? They need to speak out!" We can explain. It's bad news. We're on our own. But understanding why can help us all figure out our plan. Read along in thread 1/x 🧪

"The first rule of research administration is [generally scientists don't know much about it]"
Time for that to change

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Trish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Indirect costs = the costs of keeping a university running. Heating and lighting it, the library, the IT department, HR, cleaning etc. The actual costs are perhaps 50-100% of the direct costs of research. This is a pillow on the face of academic research in USA.

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Charles Gaba ✡️ @charlesgaba.com · 07/02/2025

📣 Since the response to my archive index of the CDC & FDA websites has been so positive, I'm tackling a much larger site: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The CMS site is 10x larger than either the CDC or FDA sites, so this may take awhile... acasignups.net/25/02/07/lin...

acasignups.net

Links to archived versions of every CMS.gov page available pre-purge

Since my Internet Archive indexes of both CDC.gov and FDA.gov seem to have gotten a lot of positive responses, I'm following up by tackling a much larger federal healthcare department website: The Cen...

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Jenny Mai Phan, PhD @drjmphan.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Exactly! This includes many illegal EOs that either give the impression of "must comply" or unlawful compliance enforcement.

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Jenny Mai Phan, PhD @drjmphan.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

We came together and told them that this is a failed leadership. We, the people, have real power. We're going to keep the pressure. #50501 #buildtheresistance r/50501 (reddit)

Image of protests in all 50 states. It reads: "This is what hope looks like: 50 states, 50 capitols, 1 protest. Real photos of real protests from #50501 Feb 05 2025. Posted in r/50501."

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APHA @apha.org · 05/02/2025

THIS ⬇️ "We at the American Journal of Public Health have no interest in following the president's prohibitions on language," APHA's Georges Benjamin tells Medpage Today. "We will publish things under our guidelines, under our ethical principles." www.medpagetoday.com/special-repo... 🔥

medpagetoday.com

Public Health Journal Won't Be Complicit in Trump Admin's Censorship

'We will publish things under our guidelines, under our ethical principles'

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Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Jeffries: The constitution requires the president has the responsibility to take care that the laws are faithfully executed. Spending agreements passed through the appropriations process are law. When those laws are violated, the constitution has been violated.

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Terri LeGrand @terrilegrand.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Constituents attempting to visit Senator Tillis at his office in Greensboro were refused entry. That’s the people’s office paid for by the people. How dare they lock us out? #indivisible

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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 04/02/2025

Breaking news: Lambda Legal and ACLU are suing on behalf of PFLAG and GLMA to end Trump's illegal executive order banning trans care under 19 years old. The suit has been brought in Maryland. A similar suit was brought on behalf of PFLAG to end child abuse investigations in TX 3 years ago.

apnews.com

Families and doctors sue over Trump's order to halt funding for gender-affirming care

President Donald Trump's effort to ban federal funding for gender-affirming care for young people is facing a legal challenge.

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