John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 9hThe first school shooting I wrote about happened 10 years and 17 days ago. First-graders on a playground. Shooter was 14. It lasted 12 seconds. One child died. It faded from front pages by week's end. Those kids and teachers, their families, that town. They're not over it. They'll never be over it. 0106
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 20/09/2026At a time when many Americans have embraced Trump’s crusade to jail his political enemies, legions of online activists insisted that, in a small South Carolina town, one of their political enemies should be jailed, too. And law enforcement listened. wapo.st/3V4lD7Bwapo.stShe cheered a teen protest against ICE. Police charged her with a crime.A local political feud over a high school protest became a brief national fixation when police charged a woman with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. 000
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 21/05/2026In February, @washingtonpost.com revealed that DHS had subpoenaed a retiree's Google account after he urged mercy for an asylum seeker. Now, a bipartisan coalition has introduced a bill that would dramatically reform how and why the federal government can issue those subpoenas. wapo.st/4v0vM1Ewapo.stSubpoena bill would curtail secretive tool used to target government criticsThe bipartisan legislation, which comes after a Washington Post investigation, would also limit the federal government’s ability to obtain phone records without a judge’s order. 03613
Reposted by John Woodrow CoxDrew Harwell @drewharwell.com · 05/03/2026Kristi Noem is out at DHS. Here's a TV commercial of her on a horse, filmed five months ago at Mount Rushmore, for an ad campaign that cost more than $200 million 4024274
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 06/02/2026www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...gofundme.comDonate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel SiegelOn Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund 010
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 03/02/2026My latest, on the secretive legal weapon Homeland Security is using to target Americans. Last fall, Jon, 67, emailed a DHS attorney, urging mercy for an asylum seeker. Hours later, DHS subpoenaed his Google account. Then it sent investigators to his home. wapo.st/4rtfCw8wapo.stHomeland Security is targeting Americans with this secretive legal weaponUnder Trump, the Department of Homeland Security has weaponized administrative subpoenas to attack free speech, according to privacy and civil rights groups. 310741
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 06/01/2026“USA!” chanted the would-be saboteurs of a 244-year-old democracy. What actually happened five years ago, from the journalists who were there: www.washingtonpost.com/local/trump-...washingtonpost.comTrump supporters storm U.S. Capitol, with one woman killed and tear gas firedThe chaotic, violent scene was like no other in modern American history. 033
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 07/11/2025Free link: wapo.st/3Lwidpiwapo.stICE indefinitely holds man facing no charges in high-stakes asylum caseIf he’s deported to Afghanistan, he expects the Taliban to kill him. The Trump administration says he remains under a “National Security” investigation. 040
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 07/11/2025When H learned that he would continue to be held, with no resolution on the horizon, he made a plea: 140
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 07/11/2025Late on the afternoon before the hearing, DHS had filed an FBI memo that said H was under a “National Security investigation” and was considered “a potential threat.” In court, the judge questioned the prosecutor about the memo. I've never before seen an exchange like this over evidence. 130
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 07/11/2025Last week, a DHS attorney announced in court that the government has not finished his background check and could not estimate when it would. The frustrated immigration judge acknowledged that, by law, she doesn’t have the option to grant him asylum without a finalized check. 130
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 07/11/2025ICE is now indefinitely holding the Afghan father of two — who hasn't been charged with any crime — in his high-stakes asylum case we've written about over the past two months. wapo.st/3Lwidpiwapo.stICE indefinitely holds man facing no charges in high-stakes asylum caseIf he’s deported to Afghanistan, he expects the Taliban to kill him. The Trump administration says he remains under a “National Security” investigation. 144
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 30/10/2025And a link to our original story on the man, who supported the war in Afghanistan, came to the U.S. legally, applied for asylum, had two kids, became a bookkeeper, bought an American flag bumper sticker. Then ICE arrested him. If he's deported, he expects the Taliban to kill him. wapo.st/4oomFoUwapo.stHe supported the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Now he may be deported to the Taliban.He supported America’s war, escaped Afghanistan and started a family in the U.S. Then ICE arrested him. If he is deported, he expects the Taliban to kill him. 012
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 30/10/2025My latest: The Trump administration has presented misleading evidence and arguments in a high-stakes asylum hearing—and it could lead to the execution of a father of two who helped the U.S. cause in Afghanistan The case may have sweeping consequences for thousands of migrants. wapo.st/433Qsunwapo.stTrump administration makes misleading case in high-stakes asylum hearingHomeland Security asked a judge to deport a man to Afghanistan, where he expects the Taliban to kill him. The case could affect thousands of asylum seekers. 125
Reposted by John Woodrow CoxLongreads @longreads.com · 17/10/2025In this week's #LongreadsTop5 ⬇️ • The American Dream, dashed (@washingtonpost.com) • Remembering D’Angelo (@the-ringer.bsky.social) • DIY DNA (@noemamag.com) • What media bias really looks like (@motherjones.com) • Mummy dearest (Edify) longreads.com/2025/10/17/l...longreads.comThe Top 5 Longreads of the Week - LongreadsFeaturing stories by John Woodrow Cox, Justin Sayles, Aryn Baker, Moran Barkai and Paul Tullis, and Russell Cobb and Sarah Brandvold. 152
Reposted by John Woodrow CoxLongreads @longreads.com · 16/10/2025"At a time when the courts are denying a record number of asylum claims, a judge will soon decide whether he should be deported. If he is returned, he expects the Taliban to be waiting for him." @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social for @washingtonpost.com: www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...washingtonpost.comHe supported the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Now he may be deported to the Taliban.He supported America’s war, escaped Afghanistan and started a family in the U.S. Then ICE arrested him. If he is deported, he expects the Taliban to kill him. 052
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 15/10/2025My latest, on a man who supported the war in Afghanistan, came to the U.S. legally, applied for asylum, had two kids, became a bookkeeper, bought an American flag bumper sticker. Then ICE arrested him. If he's deported, he expects the Taliban to kill him. wapo.st/49aGaw2wapo.stHe supported the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Now he may be deported to the Taliban.He supported America’s war, escaped Afghanistan and started a family in the U.S. Then ICE arrested him. If he is deported, he expects the Taliban to kill him. 813672
Reposted by John Woodrow CoxAmanda Katz @katzish.bsky.social · 14/10/2025Unbelievable story of Afghan refugee, a highly vetted fluent English speaker who helped the US against the Taliban and now lives here with his US citizen kids, declared “illegal” and perhaps about to be shipped home by the Trump admin to his likely death 29912434
Reposted by John Woodrow CoxDrew Harwell @drewharwell.com · 05/08/2025New on the backlash to Jim Acosta's "interview" of a dead Parkland teen's AI avatar, with its clunky phrases ("so much fun to the series") and "ghoulish" display. "Can't possibly represent what that child wants to say in any reasonable way" www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2... @willoremus.comwashingtonpost.comJim Acosta sparks fury with ‘interview’ of dead Parkland teen’s AI avatarThe video adds to the growing list of AI-video resurrections that people have called “unsettling” and “grotesque.” 67719
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 31/07/2025Last month, we profiled JJ Ficken, a Colorado farmer whose life was upended by Trump's policies. Four days later, the USDA called: The grant money he feared would never come was on its way. Checks for dozens of other desperate farmers should soon follow: wapo.st/3ISIUDuwapo.stThe Post exposed this farmer’s struggle. Then the USDA called.JJ Ficken signed up for a federal grant along with 140 other farmers across the country. In January, Trump froze the funding, upending many of their lives. 276
Reposted by John Woodrow CoxLongreads @longreads.com · 25/07/20251. “Abandoned by Trump, a Farmer and a Migrant Search for a Better Future” @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social, Sarah Blaskey, Matt McClain "To survive the administration’s cuts and cruelty, a Trump voter and an immigrant needed each other." www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...washingtonpost.comAbandoned by Trump, a farmer and a migrant search for a better futureWith grants canceled and billions of dollars in jeopardy, Trump’s cuts are devastating American farmers and plunging families into uncertainty. 202
Reposted by John Woodrow CoxBarton Gellman @bartongellman.bsky.social · 12/07/2025This heartbreaking story by @JohnWoodrowCox.bsky.social is gorgeously, empathetically written. The details could only have come from extraordinary reporting. This piece will be taught in journalism schools. wapo.st/44pck4qwapo.stIn the dark, amid screams, a Camp Mystic counselor had 16 girls and one headlampAs the Texas floodwaters rushed into their Camp Mystic cabins, the teen counselors braved the unknown. 33416
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 12/07/2025My latest, from Camp Mystic: The story of one teenage counselor's extraordinary courage amid so much loss. Deeply grateful to Ainslie Bashara for sharing. wapo.st/44pck4qwapo.stIn the dark, amid screams, a Camp Mystic counselor had 16 girls and one headlampAs the Texas floodwaters rushed into their Camp Mystic cabins, the teen counselors braved the unknown. 4154
Reposted by John Woodrow CoxBarry Yeoman @barryyeoman.com · 21/06/2025. @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social consistently writes humanizing narrative, but this article is next-level good. It's about a farmer who was promised a federal grant to hire a Guatemalan worker—only to have the Trump administration freeze the funds as "DEI." With Sarah Blakely; photos by Matt McClain.wapo.stAbandoned by Trump, a farmer and a migrant search for a better futureWith grants canceled and billions of dollars in jeopardy, Trump’s cuts are devastating American farmers and plunging families into uncertainty. 084
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 22/06/2025On today's front page, the story of a farmer, a migrant and what it means to make a commitment. Part of our examination into how President Trump’s policies are reshaping the lives of Americans, with reporting from Sarah Blaskey and photos from Matt McClain. wapo.st/4liDorFwapo.stAbandoned by Trump, a farmer and a migrant search for a better futureWith grants canceled and billions of dollars in jeopardy, Trump’s cuts are devastating American farmers and plunging families into uncertainty. 072
John Woodrow Cox @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social · 03/02/2025After threats against schools exploded last year, police arrested hundreds of students. This is the story of what happened in one Florida county where the sheriff perp walked, and publicly shamed, children as young as 11. w/ @hannahnatanson.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...washingtonpost.comChildren joked about school shootings. Then the sheriff sent them to jail.Thousands of students made threats after the Apalachee High shooting in Georgia, a Post analysis finds. Nearly 500 were arrested. 084