Erin Cunningham
@erinmcunningham.bsky.social
🪬Middle East News Editor @washingtonpost; previous life as a correspondent in Cairo, Kabul, Gaza, Istanbul, Baghdad. Now in D.C. All the pieces matter.
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
Our just-published investigation into Assad's surveillance state which revealed how the former regime urged friends, spouses, and neighbors to inform on each other, leaving a legacy of broken trust that will take years to unravel. www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Families, Neighbors Informed on Each Other in Assad’s Syria, With Deadly Consequences
Intelligence files found in a Damascus prison complex reveal cases that led to brutal detentions; a wife records a husband.
www.wsj.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Our just-published investigation into Assad's surveillance state which revealed how the former regime urged friends, spouses, and neighbors to inform on each other, leaving a legacy of broken trust that will take years to unravel. www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
OF ALL THE VESSELS SUNK BY THE U.S. it was the likeliest to have been carrying drugs: a semisubmersible with at least one convicted trafficker on board. The U.S. blew it up, destroyed the evidence and let the survivors go GIFT LINK @schmidtsam.bsky.social @alexhorton.bsky.social
wapo.st/4qq5ymS
wapo.st/4qq5ymS
The U.S. sank the alleged narco-terrorists’ boat — and let them go
In blowing up the vessel, destroying evidence and repatriating the survivors, the U.S. cut short a process that’s helped bring down traffickers.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:58 PM
OF ALL THE VESSELS SUNK BY THE U.S. it was the likeliest to have been carrying drugs: a semisubmersible with at least one convicted trafficker on board. The U.S. blew it up, destroyed the evidence and let the survivors go GIFT LINK @schmidtsam.bsky.social @alexhorton.bsky.social
wapo.st/4qq5ymS
wapo.st/4qq5ymS
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
A small (personal) example of this book’s intellectual dishonesty:
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
December 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A small (personal) example of this book’s intellectual dishonesty:
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
“Like Prime, but with human beings.”
December 24, 2025 at 5:42 PM
“Like Prime, but with human beings.”
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
“I’m 84 years old. Threats against my life expectancy are kind of hollow. I don’t have much time anyway. I’m more concerned that our democracy is at risk because of the trends against the rule of law.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...
Judges who ruled against Trump say harassment and threats have changed their lives
More than 100 pizzas were delivered to the homes of judges and their families this year, some with signs of foreign involvement. Judges say the message is clear: We know where you live.
www.nbcnews.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
“I’m 84 years old. Threats against my life expectancy are kind of hollow. I don’t have much time anyway. I’m more concerned that our democracy is at risk because of the trends against the rule of law.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
Re this 2-post thread: No journalists, including those at 60 Minutes, are obliged to include non-responsive quotes in pieces. Was the question to the White House "What should 60 Minutes cover?" If not, you do not have to grant them free airtime in a story in the name of "balance" or anything else.
As "60 Minutes" finalized its "Inside CECOT" report last Thursday, CBS sent the White House a request for comment. A WH spokesperson responded within a few hours. The quote was not included in the "60" report – so, judge for yourself whether it should have been included or not >>>
December 23, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Re this 2-post thread: No journalists, including those at 60 Minutes, are obliged to include non-responsive quotes in pieces. Was the question to the White House "What should 60 Minutes cover?" If not, you do not have to grant them free airtime in a story in the name of "balance" or anything else.
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
New: We obtained thousands of internal chat messages from the ICE team creating viral videos of raids and "EPIC takedowns."
A scramble to satisfy the White House and "feed the beast" spawned a new "propaganda" machine, current and former officials told us.
"It's a war!"
wapo.st/4s6YnC5
A scramble to satisfy the White House and "feed the beast" spawned a new "propaganda" machine, current and former officials told us.
"It's a war!"
wapo.st/4s6YnC5
‘It’s a war’: Inside ICE’s media machine
Thousands of internal ICE messages show how its public affairs team has coordinated with the White House to satisfy Trump administration demands for viral arrest videos
wapo.st
December 23, 2025 at 11:28 AM
New: We obtained thousands of internal chat messages from the ICE team creating viral videos of raids and "EPIC takedowns."
A scramble to satisfy the White House and "feed the beast" spawned a new "propaganda" machine, current and former officials told us.
"It's a war!"
wapo.st/4s6YnC5
A scramble to satisfy the White House and "feed the beast" spawned a new "propaganda" machine, current and former officials told us.
"It's a war!"
wapo.st/4s6YnC5
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
Van Hollen, Schatz, 15 other Dems demand Trump-Vance-Rubio get press into Gaza.
"The world has relied on brave Palestinian journalists…for uncensored reporting," citing 200+ Israel has killed.
They add Israel only lets in controlled media "who are not permitted to freely engage with Palestinians."
"The world has relied on brave Palestinian journalists…for uncensored reporting," citing 200+ Israel has killed.
They add Israel only lets in controlled media "who are not permitted to freely engage with Palestinians."
December 23, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Van Hollen, Schatz, 15 other Dems demand Trump-Vance-Rubio get press into Gaza.
"The world has relied on brave Palestinian journalists…for uncensored reporting," citing 200+ Israel has killed.
They add Israel only lets in controlled media "who are not permitted to freely engage with Palestinians."
"The world has relied on brave Palestinian journalists…for uncensored reporting," citing 200+ Israel has killed.
They add Israel only lets in controlled media "who are not permitted to freely engage with Palestinians."
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
Thread of stories run by Bari Weiss's group blog that did not ask the targets of (frequently uncorroborated) accusations for comment, let alone give them a preemptive veto over the story:
In 2022, Bari Weiss ran this viral first-person piece by a top Levi’s executive. She claimed she was hounded out of the company because of her vocal stance on COVID restrictions.
There are no quotes from the company. Or her colleagues.
Not even a “no comment.”
www.thefp.com/p/yesterday-...
There are no quotes from the company. Or her colleagues.
Not even a “no comment.”
www.thefp.com/p/yesterday-...
Yesterday I Was Levi’s Brand President. I Quit So I Could Be Free.
I turned down $1 million severance in exchange for my voice.
www.thefp.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Thread of stories run by Bari Weiss's group blog that did not ask the targets of (frequently uncorroborated) accusations for comment, let alone give them a preemptive veto over the story:
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
iCloud, Mega, and as a torrent. Archivists have uploaded the 60 Minutes episode Bari Weiss spiked.
Archivists Posted the 60 Minutes CECOT Segment Bari Weiss Killed
iCloud, Mega, and as a torrent. Archivists have uploaded the 60 Minutes episode Bari Weiss spiked.
www.404media.co
December 23, 2025 at 12:15 AM
iCloud, Mega, and as a torrent. Archivists have uploaded the 60 Minutes episode Bari Weiss spiked.
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
UPDATE
I have updated my story linked below with a high-quality broadcast version of the 60 Minutes segment that was pulled by Bari Weiss.
Here it is (no paywall): bit.ly/4qn6Jn5
I have updated my story linked below with a high-quality broadcast version of the 60 Minutes segment that was pulled by Bari Weiss.
Here it is (no paywall): bit.ly/4qn6Jn5
December 23, 2025 at 12:52 AM
UPDATE
I have updated my story linked below with a high-quality broadcast version of the 60 Minutes segment that was pulled by Bari Weiss.
Here it is (no paywall): bit.ly/4qn6Jn5
I have updated my story linked below with a high-quality broadcast version of the 60 Minutes segment that was pulled by Bari Weiss.
Here it is (no paywall): bit.ly/4qn6Jn5
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
On left:
Bari Weiss: 60 Minutes segment failed to show Government view that CECOT detainees are due judicial review
On right:
Judge Boasberg Dec 22: "The Government itself has not even contested that the detainees who now make up the CECOT class received inadequate process prior to their removal"
Bari Weiss: 60 Minutes segment failed to show Government view that CECOT detainees are due judicial review
On right:
Judge Boasberg Dec 22: "The Government itself has not even contested that the detainees who now make up the CECOT class received inadequate process prior to their removal"
December 23, 2025 at 12:23 AM
On left:
Bari Weiss: 60 Minutes segment failed to show Government view that CECOT detainees are due judicial review
On right:
Judge Boasberg Dec 22: "The Government itself has not even contested that the detainees who now make up the CECOT class received inadequate process prior to their removal"
Bari Weiss: 60 Minutes segment failed to show Government view that CECOT detainees are due judicial review
On right:
Judge Boasberg Dec 22: "The Government itself has not even contested that the detainees who now make up the CECOT class received inadequate process prior to their removal"
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
Yes, CECOT is a concentration camp in the guise of a prison. The Venezuelans were the first people to *ever* be released from CECOT since Bukele opened the prison in January 2023. Seriously. The first.
These are concentration camps. No other way to describe them. Truly horrific, and none of it surprising in the least.
30 minutes. Some deportees described sexual assault. Detainee describes the guard sexually assaulting most detainees. Lights left on all day. Prisoners not given clean water.
Now the DHS tour. Nobody spoke to the detainees. Noem's video was in a different area of the prison.
Now the DHS tour. Nobody spoke to the detainees. Noem's video was in a different area of the prison.
December 23, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Yes, CECOT is a concentration camp in the guise of a prison. The Venezuelans were the first people to *ever* be released from CECOT since Bukele opened the prison in January 2023. Seriously. The first.
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
Fed. judge (Boasberg) holds that the U.S. had constructive custody of the AEA detainees that were deported to CECOT and that they were denied due process.
Orders U.S. to facilitate their opportunity to contest their designation as AEA detainees.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Orders U.S. to facilitate their opportunity to contest their designation as AEA detainees.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
December 22, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Fed. judge (Boasberg) holds that the U.S. had constructive custody of the AEA detainees that were deported to CECOT and that they were denied due process.
Orders U.S. to facilitate their opportunity to contest their designation as AEA detainees.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Orders U.S. to facilitate their opportunity to contest their designation as AEA detainees.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
CBS didn't run the 60 Minutes segment on CECOT, but over here at @propublica.org we've been working on the story since March, including finding out who each and every man sent to that maximum security prison was.
You can see our reporting here: www.propublica.org/series/depor...
You can see our reporting here: www.propublica.org/series/depor...
Deported and Imprisoned Archives
A case-by-case investigation that examines the Trump administration’s claims that these immigrants are all “sick criminals” and “terrorists” and that shows what they suffered during months in one of t...
www.propublica.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:08 PM
CBS didn't run the 60 Minutes segment on CECOT, but over here at @propublica.org we've been working on the story since March, including finding out who each and every man sent to that maximum security prison was.
You can see our reporting here: www.propublica.org/series/depor...
You can see our reporting here: www.propublica.org/series/depor...
60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi says Bari Weiss decision to pull segment on U.S. deportations to a Salvadoran gulag hands the White House a “kill switch” for coverage it doesn’t like. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
‘60 Minutes’ correspondent says CBS’s Bari Weiss abruptly pulled segment on Trump deportations
CBS News postponed a ‘60 Minutes’ segment about El Salvador’s CECOT prison one day before it was set to air because the Trump administration declined to participate.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 22, 2025 at 12:49 PM
60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi says Bari Weiss decision to pull segment on U.S. deportations to a Salvadoran gulag hands the White House a “kill switch” for coverage it doesn’t like. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
“The fundamentals of journalism haven’t changed as much as some people want to believe.”
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/ai-m...
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/ai-m...
December 22, 2025 at 12:35 PM
“The fundamentals of journalism haven’t changed as much as some people want to believe.”
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/ai-m...
www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/ai-m...
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
Hours before 60 Minutes was set to air a story on deportees who were sent by the Trump administration to prison in El Salvador, describing “brutal and torturous conditions,” 60 Minutes announced that it has pulled the segment and will air it in the future.
December 21, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Hours before 60 Minutes was set to air a story on deportees who were sent by the Trump administration to prison in El Salvador, describing “brutal and torturous conditions,” 60 Minutes announced that it has pulled the segment and will air it in the future.
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
Doctors Without Borders urges Israel to let critical aid into Gaza as children freeze to death. "At least 13 people, including two-week-old and one-month-old babies, have died from winter weather and a lack of adequate shelter and aid – blocked by Israel"
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
MSF urges Israel to let critical aid into Gaza as children freeze to death
At least 13 people in Gaza, including two-week-old and one-month-old babies, have died from winter weather.
www.aljazeera.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Doctors Without Borders urges Israel to let critical aid into Gaza as children freeze to death. "At least 13 people, including two-week-old and one-month-old babies, have died from winter weather and a lack of adequate shelter and aid – blocked by Israel"
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
FACT CHECK American companies never owned oil or land in Venezuela, and officials didn’t kick them out. Venezuela, following Mexico, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, nationalized its most lucrative sector in 1976 and developed mutually beneficial partnerships with American and other firms
wapo.st/4jblLKs
wapo.st/4jblLKs
Trump says Venezuela stole U.S. oil, land and assets. Here’s the history.
The government of the oil-rich nation took control of its petroleum industry in 1976, nationalizing hundreds of private businesses and foreign-owned assets.
wapo.st
December 21, 2025 at 6:34 PM
FACT CHECK American companies never owned oil or land in Venezuela, and officials didn’t kick them out. Venezuela, following Mexico, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, nationalized its most lucrative sector in 1976 and developed mutually beneficial partnerships with American and other firms
wapo.st/4jblLKs
wapo.st/4jblLKs
Trump has scrapped plans for commemorative coins honoring women’s suffrage and Frederick Douglass. Instead, we’ll get George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, and a Pilgrim couple — all of whom have already appeared on U.S. currency www.washingtonpost.com/nation/inter...
U.S. anniversary coins won’t feature any Black Americans or notable women
The Trump administration has scraped plans for coins honoring Frederick Douglass and Ruby Bridges opting for all Whites to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Trump has scrapped plans for commemorative coins honoring women’s suffrage and Frederick Douglass. Instead, we’ll get George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, and a Pilgrim couple — all of whom have already appeared on U.S. currency www.washingtonpost.com/nation/inter...
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
Inside the federal government as Trump and DOGE pushed it past its breaking point in 2025, as told by some of the more than 1,200 federal workers @hannahnatanson.bsky.social and @merylkornfield.bsky.social have spoken to this year
The year Trump broke the federal government
How DOGE and the White House carried out a once-unthinkable transformation of the nation’s sprawling bureaucracy.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Inside the federal government as Trump and DOGE pushed it past its breaking point in 2025, as told by some of the more than 1,200 federal workers @hannahnatanson.bsky.social and @merylkornfield.bsky.social have spoken to this year
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
An NPR analysis of the Epstein files shows some documents, originally available on Friday, are no longer on the Department of Justice's "Epstein Library" website as the DOJ releases more files. n.pr/4pO8hXB
Available to download Friday, some Epstein files no longer there Saturday afternoon
An NPR analysis of the Epstein files shows some documents, originally available on Friday, are no longer on the Department of Justice's "Epstein Library" website as the DOJ releases more files.
n.pr
December 20, 2025 at 8:08 PM
An NPR analysis of the Epstein files shows some documents, originally available on Friday, are no longer on the Department of Justice's "Epstein Library" website as the DOJ releases more files. n.pr/4pO8hXB
Reposted by Erin Cunningham
"There is also precedent for prosecuting the systematic killing of drug traffickers by government officials as a crime against humanity, with the recent arrest of Rodrigo Duterte, former president of the Philippines, by the ICC," writes Charlie Trumbull.
The Administration’s Drug Boat Strikes Are Crimes Against Humanity
Members of Congress are wrong to call the strikes war crimes in the absence of an armed conflict, but the strikes are serious crimes under international law.
www.lawfaremedia.org
December 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM
"There is also precedent for prosecuting the systematic killing of drug traffickers by government officials as a crime against humanity, with the recent arrest of Rodrigo Duterte, former president of the Philippines, by the ICC," writes Charlie Trumbull.