Julia Barton
@bartona104.bsky.social
Editor, podcaster, script and research consultant at RadioWright.com. Nieman Fellow '24, founding executive editor Pushkin Industries. Newsletter: https://continuous-wave.beehiiv.com/
Pinned
Wonder, Take the Wheel
Jason Loviglio on the role of feelings and magic at This American Life
continuous-wave.beehiiv.com
A media studies prof makes the argument in his new book that feelings are not enough to support a media ecosystem. Believe me when I say that @jasonloviglio.bsky.social's argument is persuasive. Running an excerpt this week: continuous-wave.beehiiv.com/p/wonder-tak...
Reposted by Julia Barton
“We had to deliver them to a detention center,” principal Jason Kuhlman said about the second grader and fifth grader.
‘I don’t have words’: 2 more kids from Liam Ramos’ Columbia Heights school taken into ICE custody
The children were taken into ICE custody after their mother was detained at a court appointment. School leaders say the mother asked them to bring the kids to the detention center because there were n...
www.mprnews.org
January 30, 2026 at 2:39 AM
“We had to deliver them to a detention center,” principal Jason Kuhlman said about the second grader and fifth grader.
Reposted by Julia Barton
Thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Minneapolis in protest of federal immigration enforcement for the second consecutive Friday.
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
January 30, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Minneapolis in protest of federal immigration enforcement for the second consecutive Friday.
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
📷️: Aaron Lavinsky
Reposted by Julia Barton
Leading American companies — including Palantir, Deloitte, and private prison giant GEO Group — raked in over $22B from ICE and CBP contracts last year.
Do not forget who is profiting from cruelty and human suffering.
Do not forget who is profiting from cruelty and human suffering.
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Leading American companies — including Palantir, Deloitte, and private prison giant GEO Group — raked in over $22B from ICE and CBP contracts last year.
Do not forget who is profiting from cruelty and human suffering.
Do not forget who is profiting from cruelty and human suffering.
Reposted by Julia Barton
A lot of people aren't going to like to hear this but this is correct. Protesting is suppose to be a very pro-social thing in which you put yourselves out there with others to show you are a solid community that will stand up for each other. All the focus on "opsec" feels anti-social to me.
The whole fucking point is to accept personal risk as yourself and dare the state to do anything about it.
You are there to be seen, known, and heard. Not to cosplay as an antifa super soldier.
You are there to be seen, known, and heard. Not to cosplay as an antifa super soldier.
If you've given biometrics to TSA (Pre-Check and Global Entry members) and you plan to attend a protest, you should wear a medical mask.
January 30, 2026 at 7:25 PM
A lot of people aren't going to like to hear this but this is correct. Protesting is suppose to be a very pro-social thing in which you put yourselves out there with others to show you are a solid community that will stand up for each other. All the focus on "opsec" feels anti-social to me.
Thread:
A list, in no particular order, of just some of the moves that the Trump administration has made in its ongoing campaign to suppress and deter journalism essential to democracy: Arrest Don Lemon and Georgia Fort for covering an anti-ICE protest. Raid the home of a Washington Post reporter, ...
January 30, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Thread:
Reposted by Julia Barton
Warehouse archipelago wapo.st/49ZKA7W
ICE buys warehouses for mass detention network, rattling locals
ICE officials have quietly begun notifying warehouse owners and local officials of their interest in specific properties, prompting efforts to block the projects.
wapo.st
January 30, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Warehouse archipelago wapo.st/49ZKA7W
Reposted by Julia Barton
As more reporting emerges about the Dilley uprising led by children, I think reporters must clarify what family detention is. These are jails where children and their parents are detained together, and there is a long history of protests at these facilities because of horrendous conditions inside.
January 30, 2026 at 6:43 PM
As more reporting emerges about the Dilley uprising led by children, I think reporters must clarify what family detention is. These are jails where children and their parents are detained together, and there is a long history of protests at these facilities because of horrendous conditions inside.
Reposted by Julia Barton
Going to shout at clouds and ask people who are posting images of files to provide some kind of document ID for the image (or a link to the DOJ file). I'm certain there's horrible stuff in there, but there also are people who will just make stuff up.
BREAKING: The DOJ will be releasing another 3 million pages of Epstein files Jan. 30, including 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, a DOJ official announced.
3 million more Epstein pages with 2,000 images coming, ending review
The DOJ will be releasing another 3 million pages of Epstein files Jan. 30, including 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, a DOJ official announced.
bit.ly
January 30, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Going to shout at clouds and ask people who are posting images of files to provide some kind of document ID for the image (or a link to the DOJ file). I'm certain there's horrible stuff in there, but there also are people who will just make stuff up.
Reposted by Julia Barton
So what I'm hearing is that, in the last five days, two Black Members of Congress have been assaulted in apparent support of the regime's deportation diktat (Rep Frost, punched at Sundance & told he'd be deported; Rep Omar at an ICE townhall) & the regime has arrested four Black journalists.
Huh.
Huh.
The arrests of Don Lemon, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lundy are unacceptable and a clear violation of the Constitution.
This is a dangerous abuse of power that threatens the rights of every single American.
They must be released immediately.
This is a dangerous abuse of power that threatens the rights of every single American.
They must be released immediately.
January 30, 2026 at 6:04 PM
So what I'm hearing is that, in the last five days, two Black Members of Congress have been assaulted in apparent support of the regime's deportation diktat (Rep Frost, punched at Sundance & told he'd be deported; Rep Omar at an ICE townhall) & the regime has arrested four Black journalists.
Huh.
Huh.
Reposted by Julia Barton
Here's an opportunity to support the other journalist arrested today; Georgia Fort, who will have far fewer resources available to her than Don Lemon.
Georgia Fort's is chilling, and it's being overshadowed by the equally chilling arrest of Don Lemon.
A GoFundMe is being set up for Fort. In the meantime, you can support her work directly – without paying massive fundraising platform fees – through her website:
www.georgiafort.com/support
A GoFundMe is being set up for Fort. In the meantime, you can support her work directly – without paying massive fundraising platform fees – through her website:
www.georgiafort.com/support
Support Independent Journalism | GF
www.georgiafort.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Here's an opportunity to support the other journalist arrested today; Georgia Fort, who will have far fewer resources available to her than Don Lemon.
Reposted by Julia Barton
Or how about this headline — “American citizen arrested without cause after exercising his Constitutional rights.” Very important that government propaganda not become the default framing.
Don Lemon has been taken into custody after anti-ICE confrontation in St. Paul, Minnesota, earlier this month. https://cnn.it/4roAO6t
January 30, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Or how about this headline — “American citizen arrested without cause after exercising his Constitutional rights.” Very important that government propaganda not become the default framing.
🔥 "To call Melania vapid would do a disservice to the plumes of florid vape smoke that linger around British teenagers. She calls herself a 'mother, wife, daughter, friend', yet is only depicted preening and scowling." 🚬
You say that like it’s a bad thing
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
Melania Trump is a scowling void of pure nothingness in her ghastly film – review
Hitting cinemas as the streets of America remain filled with the angry and grieving, the vulgar, gilded lifestyle of the Trumps makes them look like Marie Antoinette skulking in her cake-filled chatea...
www.independent.co.uk
January 30, 2026 at 5:50 PM
🔥 "To call Melania vapid would do a disservice to the plumes of florid vape smoke that linger around British teenagers. She calls herself a 'mother, wife, daughter, friend', yet is only depicted preening and scowling." 🚬
Reposted by Julia Barton
Trump's DOJ arresting four reporters who were at a church protest in Minnesota hits harder when illustrated with photos. Of COURSE this was going to be the profile of the first media arrested. Hope reporters realize - the arrests won't stop with your Black colleagues. The time for solidarity is now.
January 30, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Trump's DOJ arresting four reporters who were at a church protest in Minnesota hits harder when illustrated with photos. Of COURSE this was going to be the profile of the first media arrested. Hope reporters realize - the arrests won't stop with your Black colleagues. The time for solidarity is now.
Reposted by Julia Barton
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/25/m... [gift link]
ICE releases Chicago-area mother after seven months. It failed to provide evidence justifying her detention.
While Marina Lopez was in ICE detention for seven months, parishioners in her church stepped up to help care for her family.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:25 PM
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/25/m... [gift link]
Reposted by Julia Barton
Harmeet Dhillon, civil rights assistant AG, has determined that the killings in Minneapolis were lawful and has ordered that no civil rights investigation will occur. More staff members quit in protest. www.ms.now/news/no-civi...
No civil rights violation probe into latest Minnesota shooting, sources tell MS NOW
As DHS takes over the federal investigation, current and former law enforcement agents warn that Trump’s DOJ isn’t committed to facts or fairness.
www.ms.now
January 30, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Harmeet Dhillon, civil rights assistant AG, has determined that the killings in Minneapolis were lawful and has ordered that no civil rights investigation will occur. More staff members quit in protest. www.ms.now/news/no-civi...
I was in parts of the former Soviet Union a lot between 2000-2003, and I am really not enjoying this backsliding rerun.
January 30, 2026 at 5:12 PM
I was in parts of the former Soviet Union a lot between 2000-2003, and I am really not enjoying this backsliding rerun.
Reposted by Julia Barton
DOJ: Can we get an arrest warrant for Don Lemon?
Federal magistrate: No.
Federal district court judge: No.
Federal appeals judge: No.
Federal appeals judge: No.
Federal appeals judge: No.
DOJ: Don Lemon, you are under arrest.
Federal magistrate: No.
Federal district court judge: No.
Federal appeals judge: No.
Federal appeals judge: No.
Federal appeals judge: No.
DOJ: Don Lemon, you are under arrest.
January 30, 2026 at 5:07 PM
DOJ: Can we get an arrest warrant for Don Lemon?
Federal magistrate: No.
Federal district court judge: No.
Federal appeals judge: No.
Federal appeals judge: No.
Federal appeals judge: No.
DOJ: Don Lemon, you are under arrest.
Federal magistrate: No.
Federal district court judge: No.
Federal appeals judge: No.
Federal appeals judge: No.
Federal appeals judge: No.
DOJ: Don Lemon, you are under arrest.
Reposted by Julia Barton
The national Press Club released the following statement on the arrest of Don Lemon:
"The world is watching closely, and the implications of this case extend far beyond any one reporter."
"The world is watching closely, and the implications of this case extend far beyond any one reporter."
January 30, 2026 at 3:19 PM
The national Press Club released the following statement on the arrest of Don Lemon:
"The world is watching closely, and the implications of this case extend far beyond any one reporter."
"The world is watching closely, and the implications of this case extend far beyond any one reporter."
Reposted by Julia Barton
BIG news from @bloomberg.com, which confirms that ICE has gone ahead and *purchased* multiple commercial warehouses with the aim of converting them into mass detention camps.
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
ICE Begins Buying ‘Mega’ Warehouse Detention Centers Across US
Plans for such centers and jails in nearly two dozen communities have sparked protests over suitability, proximity to homes and schools.
www.bloomberg.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:47 PM
BIG news from @bloomberg.com, which confirms that ICE has gone ahead and *purchased* multiple commercial warehouses with the aim of converting them into mass detention camps.
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by Julia Barton
the arrest of journalists in minneapolis, including don lemon, is more evidence that the only move the administration knows how to make is to use force, and does not know how to respond when that force is met with defiance and indifference.
January 30, 2026 at 4:40 PM
the arrest of journalists in minneapolis, including don lemon, is more evidence that the only move the administration knows how to make is to use force, and does not know how to respond when that force is met with defiance and indifference.
Meanwhile in human trafficking.
"When we told the commanders that we hadn’t come to do these things,the people who were training us said, 'We bought you’ "
Bangladeshi workers were lured to Russia under the false promise of civilian work or military positions far from the frontline,only to be thrust into the battlefield in Ukraine
Bangladeshi workers were lured to Russia under the false promise of civilian work or military positions far from the frontline,only to be thrust into the battlefield in Ukraine
January 30, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Meanwhile in human trafficking.
Reposted by Julia Barton
The charges against Don Lemon are ridiculous. He’s a target because he’s black, because he’s media, and because he’s a Trump critic, and because Trump and his minions cannot accept any dissent. It’s deeply pathetic, unamerican, and lawless.
January 30, 2026 at 2:19 PM
The charges against Don Lemon are ridiculous. He’s a target because he’s black, because he’s media, and because he’s a Trump critic, and because Trump and his minions cannot accept any dissent. It’s deeply pathetic, unamerican, and lawless.
Remember when this kind of disinfo was novel and outlets would devote lots of resources to forensic analysis? Feels like we are swimming in it all the time now thanks to AI. www.nytimes.com/2020/08/11/u...
A Bible Burning, a Russian News Agency and a Story Too Good to Check Out (Published 2020)
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Remember when this kind of disinfo was novel and outlets would devote lots of resources to forensic analysis? Feels like we are swimming in it all the time now thanks to AI. www.nytimes.com/2020/08/11/u...
Reposted by Julia Barton
The flights are also getting longer. My analysis of public flight data shows that since Stonepeak's purchase of Omni, nearly half of its ICE trips lasted longer than 24 hours.
All adult migrants and some children are shackled are ICE flights.
All adult migrants and some children are shackled are ICE flights.
January 30, 2026 at 1:03 PM
The flights are also getting longer. My analysis of public flight data shows that since Stonepeak's purchase of Omni, nearly half of its ICE trips lasted longer than 24 hours.
All adult migrants and some children are shackled are ICE flights.
All adult migrants and some children are shackled are ICE flights.
Reposted by Julia Barton
NEW: Meet the private-equity firm -- and its billionaire immigrant CEO -- making millions off some of ICE's cruelest deportation flights.
After a five-month investigation, my story for @motherjones.com:
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
After a five-month investigation, my story for @motherjones.com:
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
ICE Deportation Flights Are Getting Longer and Crueler
A private equity-owned airline profits off Trump’s migrant crackdown.
www.motherjones.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:42 PM
NEW: Meet the private-equity firm -- and its billionaire immigrant CEO -- making millions off some of ICE's cruelest deportation flights.
After a five-month investigation, my story for @motherjones.com:
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
After a five-month investigation, my story for @motherjones.com:
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...