Michelle R. Smith
@bymichellersmith.com
Reporter at Guardian US. Ex-@APNews
Investigating the forces behind attacks on science and public health
Reach me on Signal: mrsmith.123
michelle.smith@theguardian.com
Based in Providence, Rhode Island
Investigating the forces behind attacks on science and public health
Reach me on Signal: mrsmith.123
michelle.smith@theguardian.com
Based in Providence, Rhode Island
Pinned
Michelle R. Smith
@bymichellersmith.com
· Oct 21
Anti-science bills hit statehouses, stripping away public health protections built over a century
More than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses across the U.S. this year.
apnews.com
NEW: AP investigation finds over 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections have been introduced in statehouses across the US this year, part of an organized, politically savvy campaign to enshrine a conspiracy theory-driven agenda into law. w/ @lauraungar.bsky.social
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
On Thanksgiving, the immigrant children held at the Dilley detention center gathered in the gym for what they thought was a holiday feast.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
February 13, 2026 at 7:41 PM
On Thanksgiving, the immigrant children held at the Dilley detention center gathered in the gym for what they thought was a holiday feast.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Three members of Congress say US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr lied during his Senate confirmation hearings, that newly revealed emails undermine his testimony that a trip he took to Samoa ahead of a deadly measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines”
RFK Jr misled Senate during confirmation, Congress members and Hawaii governor say
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Three members of Congress say US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr lied during his Senate confirmation hearings, that newly revealed emails undermine his testimony that a trip he took to Samoa ahead of a deadly measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines”
NEW reaction to our reporting on Kennedy's trip to Samoa
RFK Jr misled Senate during confirmation, Congress members and Hawaii governor say
Newly revealed emails undermine Kennedy’s testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of deadly measles outbreak
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:03 PM
NEW reaction to our reporting on Kennedy's trip to Samoa
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Reminder of @bymichellersmith.com reporting on this topic of what RFK Jr's former advocacy group stands for www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
February 8, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Reminder of @bymichellersmith.com reporting on this topic of what RFK Jr's former advocacy group stands for www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that his trip to Samoa in 2019 ahead of a deadly measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines.”
But records obtained by @theguardian.com + @apnews.com — stemming from a FOIA lawsuit filed by @rcfp.org attorneys on the outlets' behalf — tell a different story.
But records obtained by @theguardian.com + @apnews.com — stemming from a FOIA lawsuit filed by @rcfp.org attorneys on the outlets' behalf — tell a different story.
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that his trip to Samoa in 2019 ahead of a deadly measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines.”
But records obtained by @theguardian.com + @apnews.com — stemming from a FOIA lawsuit filed by @rcfp.org attorneys on the outlets' behalf — tell a different story.
But records obtained by @theguardian.com + @apnews.com — stemming from a FOIA lawsuit filed by @rcfp.org attorneys on the outlets' behalf — tell a different story.
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Really important work by @bymichellersmith.com @aliswenson.bsky.social
RFK Jr said during his Senate confirmation hearings that his trip to Samoa in 2019 ahead of a devastating measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines." Documents obtained by @us.theguardian.com and @apnews.com undermine that testimony. Details here, by me and @aliswenson.bsky.social ⬇️
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Really important work by @bymichellersmith.com @aliswenson.bsky.social
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
RFK Jr said during his Senate confirmation hearings that his trip to Samoa in 2019 ahead of a devastating measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines." Documents obtained by @us.theguardian.com and @apnews.com undermine that testimony. Details here, by me and @aliswenson.bsky.social ⬇️
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
A must read by @bymichellersmith.com and partners at the AP about RFK Jr's trip to Samoa and what he claimed it was about www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:04 PM
A must read by @bymichellersmith.com and partners at the AP about RFK Jr's trip to Samoa and what he claimed it was about www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
The Guardian redesigned our ICE trackers this week, see the new graphs here: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
The number of people in detention continues to rise. With each data release, there is a new record high number of people in immigration detention
The number of people in detention continues to rise. With each data release, there is a new record high number of people in immigration detention
February 6, 2026 at 2:33 PM
The Guardian redesigned our ICE trackers this week, see the new graphs here: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
The number of people in detention continues to rise. With each data release, there is a new record high number of people in immigration detention
The number of people in detention continues to rise. With each data release, there is a new record high number of people in immigration detention
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
The Guardian and the AP: Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:51 PM
The Guardian and the AP: Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
RFK Jr said during his Senate confirmation hearings that his trip to Samoa in 2019 ahead of a devastating measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines." Documents obtained by @us.theguardian.com and @apnews.com undermine that testimony. Details here, by me and @aliswenson.bsky.social ⬇️
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:49 PM
RFK Jr said during his Senate confirmation hearings that his trip to Samoa in 2019 ahead of a devastating measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines." Documents obtained by @us.theguardian.com and @apnews.com undermine that testimony. Details here, by me and @aliswenson.bsky.social ⬇️
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
I think one thing people outside Minnesota don't understand is that after Good and Pretti were killed by feds while observing, the most normal people you could imagine have made peace with the fact that they could be next, and they are still out there because they say it's the right thing to do.
“If I am killed doing this, throw my body at the White House, martyr the shit out of me & raise hell. Do not be sad. Do not think I would do anything differently. I would do it over & over again — this is too important to sit down & shut up and not do anything.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved
After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 4:30 PM
I think one thing people outside Minnesota don't understand is that after Good and Pretti were killed by feds while observing, the most normal people you could imagine have made peace with the fact that they could be next, and they are still out there because they say it's the right thing to do.
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
NEW: A government attorney who was detailed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota is no longer on that detail after telling a judge “this job sucks” and asking to be held in contempt so she could get 24 hours of sleep: www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Attorney for government tells judge in ICE case: 'This job sucks'
Julie Le made the remark while she was representing the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota, where federal officers are conducting a massive immigration crackdown.
www.nbcnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:30 PM
NEW: A government attorney who was detailed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota is no longer on that detail after telling a judge “this job sucks” and asking to be held in contempt so she could get 24 hours of sleep: www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
An 11-year-old girl from Columbia Heights remains in ICE detention at the Dilley, Texas facility — where measles cases have been reported — sparking concern among family, community members and advocates.
Columbia Heights girl, 11, remains in ICE detention in Texas during measles outbreak
Elizabeth Zuna Caisaguano was detained nearly a month ago with her mother on their way to school in Columbia Heights, the same district as 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. A measles outbreak at the deten...
www.mprnews.org
February 3, 2026 at 11:23 PM
An 11-year-old girl from Columbia Heights remains in ICE detention at the Dilley, Texas facility — where measles cases have been reported — sparking concern among family, community members and advocates.
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
New: Together with colleagues I’ve been testing Grok.
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
Exclusive: Despite new curbs, Elon Musk’s Grok at times produces sexualized images - even when told subjects didn’t consent
Elon Musk’s flagship artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, continues to generate sexualized images of people even when users explicitly warn that the subjects do not consent, Reuters has found.
www.reuters.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:37 AM
New: Together with colleagues I’ve been testing Grok.
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
A 2007 FBI memo said further investigation was needed to determine if they ‘engaged in referring possible victims to each other’. Copperfield has never been charged with illegal conduct and has denied any wrongdoing
Epstein and magician David Copperfield had ‘close relationship’, newly released files say
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:18 PM
A 2007 FBI memo said further investigation was needed to determine if they ‘engaged in referring possible victims to each other’. Copperfield has never been charged with illegal conduct and has denied any wrongdoing
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
BREAKING: ICE has halted "all movement" at a Texas detention facility due to measles infections, DHS confirms.
ICE halts "all movement" at Texas detention facility due to measles infections
The measles cases at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center were detected Friday, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to CBS News.
cbsn.ws
February 2, 2026 at 1:21 AM
BREAKING: ICE has halted "all movement" at a Texas detention facility due to measles infections, DHS confirms.
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
this week’s cover by Till Lauer
February 1, 2026 at 2:18 PM
this week’s cover by Till Lauer
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
All childhood vaccine recommendations are being reconsidered by ACIP, according to chair Kirk Milhoan, who slammed vaccination requirements for attending school and said vaccines should be taken on the advice of an individual’s doctor. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
US committee is reconsidering all vaccine recommendations
Move is dramatic departure for advisory group under Kirk Milhoan, who says he doesn’t like the term ‘established science’
www.theguardian.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:05 PM
All childhood vaccine recommendations are being reconsidered by ACIP, according to chair Kirk Milhoan, who slammed vaccination requirements for attending school and said vaccines should be taken on the advice of an individual’s doctor. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident."
St. Peter police chief intervenes, prevents federal agents from arresting resident
The police chief of St. Peter intervened to prevent federal agents from taking a local resident who was observing ICE enforcement actions into custody. It is believed to be the first time local police...
www.mprnews.org
January 31, 2026 at 4:02 PM
"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident."
Two more kids from Liam Ramos's school are detained and shipped to Texas
ICE detains two more students from Liam Ramos’s school, officials say
The brothers’ mother was taken by ICE and Minnesota educators were forced to bring the children to her
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Two more kids from Liam Ramos's school are detained and shipped to Texas
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
I went to the vigil for Alex Pretti at the VA HQ in DC. I will not soon forget the crowd's death wail that echoed against the federal buildings - I heard in it remembrance, rage, determination.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Nurses remember Alex Pretti and vow to ‘bring the care our patients need’
Flowers and candles laid by VA building in Washington as killing reverberates through nursing community
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:26 PM
I went to the vigil for Alex Pretti at the VA HQ in DC. I will not soon forget the crowd's death wail that echoed against the federal buildings - I heard in it remembrance, rage, determination.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Journalists should never be arrested for covering the news.
The Minnesota Star Tribune, @mprnews.org @minnesotareformer.com , @spokesmanrecorder.bsky.social, @sahanjournal.bsky.social, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement:
January 31, 2026 at 1:24 AM
Journalists should never be arrested for covering the news.
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
ALERT: Per CBS News
Feds have arrested Don Lemon
Feds have arrested Don Lemon
January 30, 2026 at 12:59 PM
ALERT: Per CBS News
Feds have arrested Don Lemon
Feds have arrested Don Lemon
Reposted by Michelle R. Smith
Cardinal Joseph Tobin, one of the country's highest-ranking Catholic leaders, called for the defunding of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to "concern for the common good."
January 29, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Cardinal Joseph Tobin, one of the country's highest-ranking Catholic leaders, called for the defunding of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to "concern for the common good."