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James Finn

@rjamesfinn.bsky.social
1.1K followers 216 following 169 posts

Federal law enforcement/investigative reporter for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans. Se habla español. ✉️: jfinn@theadvocate.com. Signal: Jamesfinn.82 www.nola.com/users/profile/james%20…

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Reposted by James Finn
jon ben-menachem @jbenmenachem.com · 08/10/2026
Link to DOJ release www.justice.gov/opa/pr/coord...
“The NYPD’s counterterrorism work knows no borders,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.  “Our intelligence analysts uncovered this international finance network and built the case that exposed more than $2 million being funneled to Hamas. Saleem Alzaq, a leader in Hamas’ military arm responsible for planning and carrying out terrorist attacks, and the other defendants allegedly solicited donations under the guise of humanitarian aid and then directed that money to Hamas. This is the kind of extraordinary counterterrorism work the NYPD does every day to disrupt threats before they reach New Yorkers, and I thank our law enforcement partners for helping us dismantle this network.”
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Reposted by James Finn
jon ben-menachem @jbenmenachem.com · 08/10/2026
Other other website, @rjamesfinn.bsky.social points out that Mamdani's NYPD (Jessica Tisch) proudly touts its participation in this counter-terrorism investigation regarding alleged fundraising for Hamas www.nola.com/news/courts/...
nola.com
An alleged Hamas fundraising ring spanned 3 continents. The feds say it ran through Louisiana.
Using social media, two brothers who live in the northshore are accused of collecting more than $100,000 from Hamas sympathizers through Bitcoin, PayPal and wire transfers.
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Reposted by James Finn
Andrew Whitehead @andrew-whitehead.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Please read and share this story. Grateful to @nbcnews.com for running this series on how cuts to Medicaid will dramatically alter how families care for disabled sons, daughters, and spouses. Great work, @mikehixenbaugh.com, and thank you for reporting. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
nbcnews.com
Families caring for disabled relatives face unthinkable choices as Medicaid cuts loom
President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” state budget turmoil and new attacks on paid family caregiving have people fearing financial ruin as they fight to keep loved ones out of institutions.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
My latest: How New Orleans' new Trump-appointed federal prosecutor, a Republican but one whose party affiliation was a mystery to many until his nomination, is shaking up the U.S. Attorney's Office here. @nolanews.bsky.social
nola.com
Meet the Trump-appointed prosecutor shaking things up at New Orleans’ U.S. Attorney’s Office
“He is tailor-made for this position,” said New Orleans’ district attorney.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
My latest: As she runs for the New Orleans City Council, State Rep. Delisha Boyd and a group supporting her campaign have paid more than $39,000 in campaign funds to a company she owns with her daughter, state records show. #lalege #lagov @nolanews.bsky.social
nola.com
PAC, foreclosure, family tie: New Orleans candidate faces questions over $39k campaign payments
She's trying to win the City Council seat currently held by mayoral candidate Helena Moreno.
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Reposted by James Finn
Andrea Gallo @aegallo.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
They helped rebuild New Orleans after Katrina, became active members of local churches, built lives and families. Now they're stuck in an ICE detention center as the Trump administration tries to deport them. Important story from @rjamesfinn.bsky.social: www.nola.com/news/politic...
nola.com
They came to rebuild New Orleans after Katrina. Under Trump, ICE is trying to deport them.
Two cousins came from Guatemala to rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Twenty years later they're in Louisiana ICE detention, awaiting deportation.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
Two workers who came to New Orleans to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina nearly 20 years ago built families, careers and lives of faith in the city. Now they’re being held in ICE detention, awaiting deportation to Guatemala. #lalege #lagov www.nola.com/news/politic...
nola.com
They came to rebuild New Orleans after Katrina. Under Trump, ICE is trying to deport them.
Two cousins came from Guatemala to rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Twenty years later they're in Louisiana ICE detention, awaiting deportation.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Story: LaToya Cantrell rejected warnings about relationship with bodyguard years before indictment
nola.com
LaToya Cantrell rejected warnings about relationship with bodyguard years before indictment
Years before her federal indictment, LaToya Cantrell was warned again and again by associates who feared a budding romance with her police bodyguard might one day expose her to criminal charges.
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Reposted by James Finn
NOLA.com @nolanews.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
A federal grand jury has indicted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
bit.ly
Federal grand jury indicts New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell after years-long investigation
A federal grand jury has indicted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
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Reposted by James Finn
NOLA.com @nolanews.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Criminal charges filed against Mayor LaToya Cantrell follow a years-long probe by the FBI into how she and people around her became involved in alleged corruption.
bit.ly
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been indicted. See the players in the corruption probe
Criminal charges filed against Mayor LaToya Cantrell follow a years-long probe by the FBI into how she and people around her became involved in alleged corruption.
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Reposted by James Finn
NOLA.com @nolanews.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
Public officials and political watchers lamented the harsh spotlight on New Orleans after Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted by a federal grand jury.
bit.ly
Officials react to Mayor LaToya Cantrell's indictment: A 'sad day' for New Orleans
Public officials and political watchers lamented the harsh spotlight on New Orleans after Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted by a federal grand jury.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
SCOOP: Louisiana officials are in talks with the Trump administration about opening a state-run immigration jail inside the State Penitentiary at Angola, people familiar with the plan tell me #lalege #lagov www.nola.com/news/politic...
nola.com
Louisiana in talks with Trump to run immigration jail inside Angola, sources say
Kristi Noem recently said she was having conversations with other Republican governors about opening facilities in their states modeled after "Alligator Alcatraz." But the potential immigration locku...
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Reposted by James Finn
Andrea Gallo @aegallo.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Scoop from @rjamesfinn.bsky.social: Louisiana is in talks to open an immigration jail inside of Angola, sources say. Plan is to use an unused wing of the massive prison complex, possibly camp J, to house immigrants. State closed camp J years ago w/ safety concerns www.nola.com/news/politic...
nola.com
Louisiana in talks with Trump to run immigration jail inside Angola, sources say
Kristi Noem recently said she was having conversations with other Republican governors about opening facilities in their states modeled after "Alligator Alcatraz." But the potential immigration locku...
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
NEW from me: The arrest of an Iranian woman in New Orleans almost 50 years shows the need for legislation streamlining how the country treats people who lack legal residency but otherwise follow the law, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said in an interview this week. #lalege #lagov
nola.com
New Orleans woman's ICE arrest shows need for immigration overhaul, Steve Scalise says
Scalise helped secure the release of Donna Kashanian after reviewing his case file. Here's what he thinks needs to happen in Congress.
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Reposted by James Finn
NOLA.com @nolanews.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
The teams have experience in "swift water" rescues.
bit.ly
Louisiana sends first responders to Texas to help recovery from Hill Country floods
The teams have experience in "swift water" rescues.
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Reposted by James Finn
Dana Rubinstein @danarubinsteinbsky.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
"a man who had urged violence against police officers was now responsible for the department’s official effort to exact revenge against those who had tried to hold the rioters accountable" www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/u...
nytimes.com
Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Who Threatened Police Joins Justice Dept.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Trump nominates Jefferson Parish lawyer David Courcelle to be New Orleans' next U.S. Attorney, tapping a well-connected member of New Orleans' trial bar to lead the DOJ's largest Louisiana outpost. My story:
nola.com
Trump taps this prominent attorney to be the New Orleans region's top federal prosecutor
President Trump has tapped a veteran Jefferson Parish attorney as the next federal prosecutor over the New Orleans region. See who.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
BREAKING: on Instagram, State Sen. Royce Duplessis says he’s running for mayor of New Orleans — reversing his decision in January not to run #lalege #lagov
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Reposted by James Finn
Corey Atad @coreyatad.com · 27/06/2025
this is a remarkable interview Mamdani being on message, of course, but also Erin Burnett's combination of detailed preparedness, good faith journalistic antagonism, and real interest in having him expand on his ideas
youtube.com
Erin Burnett asks Zohran Mamdani what it means to be a Democratic Socialist. Hear his response
YouTube video by CNN
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Story from yesterday: An Iranian woman who has lived in the United States for 47 years and has no criminal record was detained by federal agents Sunday morning as she gardened outside her New Orleans home.
nola.com
Iranian immigrant who has lived in New Orleans nearly 50 years arrested outside Lakeview home
Federal agents arrested an Iranian woman who has lived in the United States for more than four decades outside her Lakeview home Sunday.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
Dueling statements issued by the far-right Louisiana Freedom Caucus, which urges people to wield “justifiable use of force” during protests, and Louisiana Democrats, who accuse the Freedom Caucus of fomenting “violence against peaceful protestors” #lalege #lagov
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Reposted by James Finn
WIRED @wired.com · 13/06/2025
NEW: The CBP confirmed to @404media.co that it has been flying Predator drones over LA amid the protests. These Predator B drones are military-caliber UAVs used for aerial reconnaissance that can be armed. It further breaks the seal on federal involvement in civilian matters. More here:
wired.com
The High-Flying Escalation of CBP's Predator Drone Flights Over LA
Custom and Border Protection flying powerful Predator B drones over Los Angeles further breaks the seal on federal involvement in civilian matters typically handled by state or local authorities.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
The FBI's New Orleans field office posted this message ahead of anti-Trump protests planned nationwide tomorrow #lalege #lagov
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
Customs and Border Protection taking out recruitment ads on Twitter
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
"Federal agents make warrantless arrests. Masked agents take people into custody without identifying themselves. And across the U.S., people are disappearing into the federal detention system without notice to families or lawyers, according to attorneys, witnesses and officials." Via @wsj.com
wsj.com
The White House Marching Orders That Sparked the L.A. Migrant Crackdown
After deportations fell short of President Trump’s campaign promises, federal agents summoned to a meeting in Washington were told to “just go out there and arrest illegal aliens.”
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Reposted by James Finn
Andrew Tuozzolo @andrewtuozzolo.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Jimmy Harris delivers better than anyone in Lege, but does it quietly. When I first started, we were both aides to powerful pols who were sometimes at odds. But Jimmy was always awesome to work with. Unpretentious and smart. Great @rjamesfinn.bsky.social piece. www.nola.com/news/politic...
nola.com
How an under-the-radar Democrat brings millions home to New Orleans from GOP-led Legislature
At the state Capitol in Baton Rouge, he's New Orleans' most powerful advocate. Most New Orleanians don't know him.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
An updated table of Louisiana law enforcement agencies with active and pending 287(g) agreements, which have expanded under Trump and allow local police to enforce federal immigration laws. @nolanews.bsky.social
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Reposted by James Finn
Big John @dcbigjohn.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
We asked Mayor Cantrell’s office last night where she was since nobody has seen her for days. Predictably they didn’t respond.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
As Trump pursues a sweeping expansion of ICE's 287(g) program, here's which Louisiana agencies are entering partnerships with ICE under that program, or considering doing so. #lalege #lagov www.nola.com/news/crime_p...
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
NEW: Plainclothes ICE agents entered a Jefferson Parish municipal court building in Metairie on Thursday and detained three people, according to immigrant advocates and a Jefferson Parish official. The arrests within a courthouse mark an escalation of Trump's immigration agenda. #lalege #lagov
nola.com
Plainclothes ICE agents make arrests inside Louisiana courthouse, escalating Trump's crackdown
Plain-clothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered a Jefferson Parish municipal court building in Metairie Thursday and detained three people, according to immigrant advocates and a Jeff...
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
News: The father of a two-year-old Louisiana-born girl deported to Honduras has dismissed a legal challenge against the Trump administration, citing "the traumatizing experiences the families have been through" since the girl was deported with her mother and older sister last month. #lalege #lagov
nola.com
Family of 2-year-old Louisiana girl deported to Honduras drops case against Trump administration
The attorney for the girl's father said the decision was necessary to assess next steps.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Story:
nola.com
He arrived to a citizenship appointment in New Orleans. Under Trump, ICE arrested him.
An undocumented Honduran man married to a U.S. citizen arrived at a customs appointment in New Orleans this month, hoping to secure citizenship himself. Instead, ICE arrested him.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
ICYMI: Criminal prosecutions of immigration-related felonies have surged in Louisiana since Trump took office, per a @nolanews.bsky.social review of federal court records and Justice Department data. #lalege #lagov
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
NEW: A 2-year-old Louisiana girl who is a U.S. citizen was deported by Trump administration officials Friday with "no meaningful process," a federal judge says. #lalege #lagov
nola.com
A 2-year-old U.S. citizen from Louisiana was deported to Honduras, federal judge says
Trump administration officials deported a 2-year-old U.S. citizen from New Orleans to Honduras this week with "no meaningful process," a judge in Louisiana wrote in a court order late Friday.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Story: Trump's Justice Department overhaul has eroded the agency's legacy of independence and brought it nearer to serving as a cudgel against the president's enemies, two former top federal prosecutors for the New Orleans region say #lalege #lagov
nola.com
Here's what 2 former New Orleans U.S. Attorneys think of Trump's Justice Department overhaul
At a Loyola University panel, two former New Orleans U.S. Attorneys weighed in on Trump's sweeping changes to the U.S. Justice Department.
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Reposted by James Finn
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 15/04/2025
The New York City Council sued Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday in an attempt to block an executive order that allows federal immigration agents into the Rikers Island jail complex, calling it “part of a corrupt quid pro quo bargain” between the mayor and President Trump.
nytimes.com
Adams Is Letting ICE Into Rikers. The City Council Is Suing to Stop Him.
A lawsuit argues that an executive order that City Hall issued last week is “part of a corrupt quid pro quo bargain” between Mayor Eric Adams of New York and President Trump.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Link:
nola.com
On newly quiet stretch of US-Mexico border, Louisiana soldiers sit around, watch and wait
EAGLE PASS, Texas — The soldiers from Louisiana stand around, sit in folding chairs and recline on the beds of Humvees, eyeing the thicket of razor wire that blankets the
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
They wouldn't have had to leave, they said, if not for threats by the detained relative. Raging violent crime that had previously made life difficult in El Salvador was down under Bukele. "For us, this was the best decision we could make," Alicia said. #lalege #lagov
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
This seemed to illustrate Bukele's appeal: Though they viewed his policies as the reason they had to leave, the couple still described themselves as strong supporters of the president. They credited him for the country's drop in violent crime. #lalege #lagov
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Fearful he or associates would seek vengeance, Alicia described taking her three young children on a harrowing journey by bus, van and on foot through Guatemala and Mexico. They scheduled an appointment at the U.S.-Mexico border through the now-defunct CBP One app. #lalege #lagov
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Bukele’s policies, Alicia explained, sometimes penalize those who look the other way from gang activity. This made the arrested family member suspect the couple of turning him in. #lalege #lagov
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
The couple, who gave only their first names because they feared retaliation, fled El Salvador after a relative affiliated with a criminal group was arrested amid Bukele's sweeping anti-gang crackdowns. #lalege #lagov
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
With Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele in the news, I'm reminded of a couple from El Salvador I interviewed in Eagle Pass, TX a year ago — Alicia and Moises. 📷: Javi Gallegos for @nolanews.bsky.social/@theadvocatebr.bsky.social #lalege #lagov
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Six months ago, it seemed only a matter of time before New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell would be charged with federal crimes. Here’s why that hasn’t happened, according to sources familiar with the case and legal and political experts I spoke with #lalege #lagov
nola.com
Questions swirl around federal investigation of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell
Will Cantrell be indicted? Observers aren't so sure.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Breaking: El Salvador’s President Says He Won’t Return Man Who Was Mistakenly Deported
nytimes.com
Live Updates: Trump Hosts El Salvador's President Amid Deportation Battle
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
News: Louisiana state Rep. Matthew Willard will run for the @nolacitycouncil.bsky.social seat set to be vacated by Helena Moreno as Moreno runs for mayor #lalege #lagov
nola.com
Another Louisiana state representative will run for Helena Moreno's New Orleans council seat
A New Orleans state representative who has marshaled opposition to Gov. Jeff Landry's conservative agenda as head of the Louisiana House Democratic Caucus is running for the New Orleans City Council.
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Reposted by James Finn
NOLA.com @nolanews.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
PETA will protest meat consumption outside Louisiana restaurants. "As long as they don't disrupt our customers, I'm fine with it," the owner of Central City BBQ said. Here's where else the "Hell on Wheels" truck is going in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and beyond.
nola.com
PETA will protest meat consumption outside Louisiana restaurants. Here's where, when.
"As long as they don't disrupt our customers, I'm fine with it," the owner of Central City BBQ said. Here's where else the "Hell on Wheels" truck is going in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and beyond.
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James Finn @rjamesfinn.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Story: FBI agents are helping carry out immigration arrests in New Orleans, part of the Trump administration's redirection of law enforcement resources towards its immigration crackdown. #lalege #lagov
nola.com
FBI agents are making immigration arrests in New Orleans as part of Trump's crackdown
FBI agents are helping federal Homeland Security officers carry out immigration arrests in New Orleans as part of President Trump's agenda.
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Reposted by James Finn
Jacqueline Sweet @jsweetli.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
NEW: Bari Weiss’s University of Austin, touted as a haven for free academic inquiry, has a dozen scholars and officials with ties to Hungary’s speech-suppressing regime. www.thenation.com/article/soci...
thenation.com
How a Free-Speech University Sidles Up to Orbán’s Strongman Rule
Bari Weiss's University of Austin, touted as a haven for free academic inquiry, has a dozen scholars and officials with ties to Hungary's speech-suppressing regime
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Reposted by James Finn
gwen howerton @kissphoria.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
elected officials who draw government paychecks now following the libs of tiktok playbook of boosting the social media posts of trans people to their followers, who then dox and harass them into hiding
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