Jack Jenkins
@jackjenkins.me
National Reporter for Religion News Service. "Workaday writer." — The New Yorker. Author of "American Prophets," a book on the religious left. Tips? Try me on Signal: jackmjenkins.60 Website: jackjenkins.me
Pinned
Jack Jenkins
@jackjenkins.me
· Nov 22
American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country
American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country [Jenkins, Jack] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country
www.amazon.com
Hey new followers!
I'm Jack. I write about religion and politics for @rns.org.
I also wrote a book, American Prophets, which is about the modern religious left.
If you've tips or things you'd wanna leak me, my Signal is in my bio!
Also, you can grab my book here: www.amazon.com/American-Pro...
I'm Jack. I write about religion and politics for @rns.org.
I also wrote a book, American Prophets, which is about the modern religious left.
If you've tips or things you'd wanna leak me, my Signal is in my bio!
Also, you can grab my book here: www.amazon.com/American-Pro...
Reposted by Jack Jenkins
The person photographed here who is in their bathrobe filming armed, masked federal agents in St. Paul is MPR News journalist @samstroozas.bsky.social @mprnews.org . She is an incredible journalist and person. We do not deserve her.
A high-speed car chase involving a federal agent in St. Paul ended with a multi-vehicle crash and injuries to the fleeing driver, who was taken away in an ambulance. bit.ly/4kvJo0M
📸: Leila Navidi
📸: Leila Navidi
February 11, 2026 at 9:26 PM
The person photographed here who is in their bathrobe filming armed, masked federal agents in St. Paul is MPR News journalist @samstroozas.bsky.social @mprnews.org . She is an incredible journalist and person. We do not deserve her.
Reposted by Jack Jenkins
The relationship between religion and social activism is far from new. But how is that relationship evolving in the current political moment? Find out on a new episode of @npr.org's 1A with RNS national reporter @jackjenkins.me.
How religious leaders are responding to Trump's immigration crackdown
The actions of faith leaders stand in stark contrast to the conservative Christianity touted by the administration.
the1a.org
February 11, 2026 at 11:30 PM
The relationship between religion and social activism is far from new. But how is that relationship evolving in the current political moment? Find out on a new episode of @npr.org's 1A with RNS national reporter @jackjenkins.me.
FWIW, what I hear most often in lefty (and, increasingly, right wing!) circles isn’t disbelief of the AI hype, but rather deep concern that big pieces of it will prove true and that it’ll be real, real bad.
I understand why people are exhausted by AI hype, and why those of us squarely in the corner of "human dignity uber alles" see AI doomerism as self-serving hype, but I *really* think people on the left broadly need to start thinking seriously about the possibiltiy of the hype being...true.
February 11, 2026 at 10:45 PM
FWIW, what I hear most often in lefty (and, increasingly, right wing!) circles isn’t disbelief of the AI hype, but rather deep concern that big pieces of it will prove true and that it’ll be real, real bad.
Via @ulaakuzi.bsky.social: Leqaa Kordia returned to ICE detention after lawyers say she was 'disappeared' —> religionnews.com/2026/02/11/p...
Leqaa Kordia returned to ICE detention after lawyers say she was 'disappeared'
(RNS) — Lawyers for Kordia say the Department of Homeland Security denied multiple requests asking where she was hospitalized, raising concerns about the agency’s transparency and medical care.
religionnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Via @ulaakuzi.bsky.social: Leqaa Kordia returned to ICE detention after lawyers say she was 'disappeared' —> religionnews.com/2026/02/11/p...
Reposted by Jack Jenkins
February 11, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Okay that’s cool and all but can they do this for sermons, homilies, messages, etc. preached at tens of thousands of houses of worship each week and broadcast on what are often super-broken websites?
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.
"Built in-house and known internally as the 'Manosphere Report,' the tool uses large language models to transcribe and summarize new episodes of dozens of podcasts." www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/how-... by @andrewdeck.bsky.social
How The New York Times uses a custom AI tool to track the “manosphere”
The daily podcast round-up is just one way the Times is adopting in-house AI transcription and summarization tools.
www.niemanlab.org
February 11, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Okay that’s cool and all but can they do this for sermons, homilies, messages, etc. preached at tens of thousands of houses of worship each week and broadcast on what are often super-broken websites?
Asking for a friend.
Asking for a friend.
Happening now: a large group of rabbis and Jewish demonstrators have gathered outside of ICE headquarters in DC to stage a protest.
Organizers are handing out song sheets — and whistles.
Organizers are handing out song sheets — and whistles.
February 11, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Happening now: a large group of rabbis and Jewish demonstrators have gathered outside of ICE headquarters in DC to stage a protest.
Organizers are handing out song sheets — and whistles.
Organizers are handing out song sheets — and whistles.
Reposted by Jack Jenkins
The FAA is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport, for “special security reasons."
The FAA's notice did not provide additional details.
The FAA's notice did not provide additional details.
FAA closes airspace around El Paso, Texas, for 10 days, grounding all flights
The Federal Aviation Administration is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport.
bit.ly
February 11, 2026 at 10:57 AM
The FAA is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport, for “special security reasons."
The FAA's notice did not provide additional details.
The FAA's notice did not provide additional details.
Reposted by Jack Jenkins
Woke up to one of the weirdest TFRs I've ever seen. Shout if you know anything, AlexJamesFitz.58 on Signal. www.axios.com/2026/02/11/f...
Unusual FAA restriction closes El Paso airspace for 10 days
No public explanation has been given.
www.axios.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Woke up to one of the weirdest TFRs I've ever seen. Shout if you know anything, AlexJamesFitz.58 on Signal. www.axios.com/2026/02/11/f...
Reposted by Jack Jenkins
NEW: The F.D.A. refused to accept an application from Moderna for its mRNA flu vaccine.
Its reason: The agency did not think Moderna compared the new vaccine to one of the best flu shots available. The company spent $750M+ on a 41,000 person study.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/h...
Its reason: The agency did not think Moderna compared the new vaccine to one of the best flu shots available. The company spent $750M+ on a 41,000 person study.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/h...
F.D.A. Refuses to Review Moderna Flu Vaccine
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:12 PM
NEW: The F.D.A. refused to accept an application from Moderna for its mRNA flu vaccine.
Its reason: The agency did not think Moderna compared the new vaccine to one of the best flu shots available. The company spent $750M+ on a 41,000 person study.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/h...
Its reason: The agency did not think Moderna compared the new vaccine to one of the best flu shots available. The company spent $750M+ on a 41,000 person study.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/h...
Via @richakarma.bsky.social: As Walk for Peace reaches DC, Buddhist monks share interfaith message with thousands —> religionnews.com/2026/02/10/a...
As Walk for Peace reaches DC, Buddhist monks share interfaith message with thousands
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Dominga Hobbs, who lives in Colombia and lost her husband in the past year, said, ‘I’m here for me, for my family, and to honor the monks for this extraordinary effort. My husband b...
religionnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Via @richakarma.bsky.social: As Walk for Peace reaches DC, Buddhist monks share interfaith message with thousands —> religionnews.com/2026/02/10/a...
Reposted by Jack Jenkins
Increasing autism rates over the last 25 years may just be kids with mild forms getting diagnosed. Rates of moderate to severe impairment due to autism have actually fallen slightly.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
![The autistic community is a large, growing, and heterogeneous population, and there is a need for improved methods to describe their diverse needs. Measures of adaptive functioning collected through public health surveillance may provide valuable information on functioning and support needs at a population level. We aimed to use adaptive behavior and cognitive scores abstracted from health and educational records to describe trends over time in the population prevalence of autism by adaptive level and co-occurrence of intellectual disability (ID). Using data from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, years 2000 to 2016, we estimated the prevalence of autism per 1000 8-year-old children by four levels of adaptive challenges (moderate to profound, mild, borderline, or none) and by co-occurrence of ID. The prevalence of autism with mild, borderline, or no significant adaptive challenges increased between 2000 and 2016, from 5.1 per 1000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.6–5.5) to 17.6 (95% CI: 17.1–18.1) while the prevalence of autism with moderate to profound challenges decreased slightly, from 1.5 (95% CI: 1.2–1.7) to 1.2 (95% CI: 1.1–1.4). The prevalence increase was greater for autism without co-occurring ID than for autism with co-occurring ID. The increase in autism prevalence between 2000 and 2016 was confined to autism with milder phenotypes. This trend could indicate improved identification of milder forms of autism over time. It is possible that increased access to therapies that improve intellectual and adaptive functioning of children diagnosed with autism also contributed to the trends.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j76trmiofvaxxpvx2vnb2vwf/bafkreibeoudvh2b4ifuiqq7pmnzwg6y6n3caschubukvo6kzqcfn2kdf5i@jpeg)
February 10, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Increasing autism rates over the last 25 years may just be kids with mild forms getting diagnosed. Rates of moderate to severe impairment due to autism have actually fallen slightly.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
NEW via me and @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social: Cardinal Blase Cupich, who runs the Archdiocese of Chicago, says that DHS has stopped priests under his purview and demanded proof of citizenship “because of their color.” religionnews.com/2026/02/10/c...
Cardinal Cupich says feds stopped priests, demanded citizenship proof
(RNS) — ‘I’ve had some priests who are of a different color being targeted and arrested — stopped — because of their color and asking them to prove that they’re citizens. That’s not America,’ the Chic...
religionnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:53 PM
NEW via me and @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social: Cardinal Blase Cupich, who runs the Archdiocese of Chicago, says that DHS has stopped priests under his purview and demanded proof of citizenship “because of their color.” religionnews.com/2026/02/10/c...
NEW: Clergy arrested while protesting outside a DHS facility last fall have had their charges dropped.
But one told me another person arrested — a local organizer who works w/faith communities — is still facing charges, as is a pastor arrested at a separate protest. religionnews.com/2026/02/10/s...
But one told me another person arrested — a local organizer who works w/faith communities — is still facing charges, as is a pastor arrested at a separate protest. religionnews.com/2026/02/10/s...
Charges dropped against some clergy arrested for protesting DHS in Chicago
(RNS — The state attorney’s office of Cook County, Illinois, announced it was dropping charges against 19 of the 21 people who were arrested at a demonstration in Broadview, Illinois, in November.
religionnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:33 PM
NEW: Clergy arrested while protesting outside a DHS facility last fall have had their charges dropped.
But one told me another person arrested — a local organizer who works w/faith communities — is still facing charges, as is a pastor arrested at a separate protest. religionnews.com/2026/02/10/s...
But one told me another person arrested — a local organizer who works w/faith communities — is still facing charges, as is a pastor arrested at a separate protest. religionnews.com/2026/02/10/s...
Reposted by Jack Jenkins
SCOOP: Tensions at Palantir have grown in recent weeks over the company's work with ICE.
On Friday, CEO Alex Karp tried to calm concerns in an hourlong video that offered few specifics—instead offering NDAs to workers who want to understand how it's empowering ICE.
www.wired.com/story/palant...
On Friday, CEO Alex Karp tried to calm concerns in an hourlong video that offered few specifics—instead offering NDAs to workers who want to understand how it's empowering ICE.
www.wired.com/story/palant...
Palantir CEO Alex Karp Recorded a Video About ICE for His Employees
In a video shared with Palantir employees, Alex Karp did not explain how ICE is utilizing the company's products. Instead, workers were told they can sign NDAs if they want detailed information.
www.wired.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:04 PM
SCOOP: Tensions at Palantir have grown in recent weeks over the company's work with ICE.
On Friday, CEO Alex Karp tried to calm concerns in an hourlong video that offered few specifics—instead offering NDAs to workers who want to understand how it's empowering ICE.
www.wired.com/story/palant...
On Friday, CEO Alex Karp tried to calm concerns in an hourlong video that offered few specifics—instead offering NDAs to workers who want to understand how it's empowering ICE.
www.wired.com/story/palant...
Per @wired.com, it appears ICE is setting up shop near multiple places of worship across the U.S.
February 10, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Per @wired.com, it appears ICE is setting up shop near multiple places of worship across the U.S.
Reposted by Jack Jenkins
SCOOP from @leahfeiger.bsky.social— a look at where exactly ICE is expanding: www.wired.com/story/ice-ex...
ICE Is Expanding Across the US at Breakneck Speed. Here’s Where It’s Going Next
ICE plans to lease offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
www.wired.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:08 PM
SCOOP from @leahfeiger.bsky.social— a look at where exactly ICE is expanding: www.wired.com/story/ice-ex...
Religion angles, forever:
McIVER: Do you consider yourself a religious man?
LYONS: Yes mam
McIVER: How do you think judgment day will work for you with so much blood on your hands?
LYONS: I'm not going to entertain that question
McIVER: Do you think you're going to hell, Mr Lyons?
LYONS: Yes mam
McIVER: How do you think judgment day will work for you with so much blood on your hands?
LYONS: I'm not going to entertain that question
McIVER: Do you think you're going to hell, Mr Lyons?
February 10, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Religion angles, forever:
Update: While charges against *these* clergy were dropped, sources tell me charges against *other* people arrested at various protests *haven't.*
Namely: Rev. Hannah Kardon, who was arrested at a similar protest outside the Broadview DHS facility weeks earlier. religionnews.com/2025/10/21/a...
Namely: Rev. Hannah Kardon, who was arrested at a similar protest outside the Broadview DHS facility weeks earlier. religionnews.com/2025/10/21/a...
February 10, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Update: While charges against *these* clergy were dropped, sources tell me charges against *other* people arrested at various protests *haven't.*
Namely: Rev. Hannah Kardon, who was arrested at a similar protest outside the Broadview DHS facility weeks earlier. religionnews.com/2025/10/21/a...
Namely: Rev. Hannah Kardon, who was arrested at a similar protest outside the Broadview DHS facility weeks earlier. religionnews.com/2025/10/21/a...
Reposted by Jack Jenkins
In one 30-minute stretch, three legal observers were arrested — as Trump’s Border czar Tom Homan calls on locals to “end the resistance.”
“Uptick In Abductions”: ICE Ramps Up Targeting of Minneapolis Legal Observers
In one 30-minute stretch, three Minneapolis legal observers were arrested as ICE ramped up its targeting of community volunteers.
interc.pt
February 9, 2026 at 6:19 PM
In one 30-minute stretch, three legal observers were arrested — as Trump’s Border czar Tom Homan calls on locals to “end the resistance.”
Reposted by Jack Jenkins
Super Bowl viewers Sunday speculated that 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos appeared in the halftime show. In fact, he has been in hiding with his family.
“He can’t sleep well at night. He wakes up three or four times a night screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy,’” Liam's father Adrian Conejo Arias, said.
“He can’t sleep well at night. He wakes up three or four times a night screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy,’” Liam's father Adrian Conejo Arias, said.
‘He’s not the same’: Father of Liam Conejo Ramos says 5-year-old continues to suffer
Some people thought they say the 5-year-old during the Super Bowl halftime show. But Liam is still in hiding with his family, after he and his father were detained and then released from a Texas deten...
www.mprnews.org
February 10, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Super Bowl viewers Sunday speculated that 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos appeared in the halftime show. In fact, he has been in hiding with his family.
“He can’t sleep well at night. He wakes up three or four times a night screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy,’” Liam's father Adrian Conejo Arias, said.
“He can’t sleep well at night. He wakes up three or four times a night screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy,’” Liam's father Adrian Conejo Arias, said.
Reposted by Jack Jenkins
An immigration court dropped its case against Turkish graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk, a little less than a year after federal agents arrested her on a street near Tufts University
Immigration Court Drops Case Against Tufts Student Rumeysa Ozturk
The Turkish national had been arrested by plainclothes federal officers outside her apartment.
on.wsj.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:53 PM
An immigration court dropped its case against Turkish graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk, a little less than a year after federal agents arrested her on a street near Tufts University
For the curious: I spoke with @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social (the pastor in this photograph) right after he got out of jail following his arrest back in November.
"I've got bruises all over my body," he told me. He said an officer told him: “Shut the f–k up.” religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
"I've got bruises all over my body," he told me. He said an officer told him: “Shut the f–k up.” religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
February 10, 2026 at 1:16 AM
For the curious: I spoke with @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social (the pastor in this photograph) right after he got out of jail following his arrest back in November.
"I've got bruises all over my body," he told me. He said an officer told him: “Shut the f–k up.” religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
"I've got bruises all over my body," he told me. He said an officer told him: “Shut the f–k up.” religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
Via @yonat.bsky.social: 140 rabbis train in Washington on how to resist authoritarian governments, ICE —> religionnews.com/2026/02/09/r...
140 rabbis train in Washington on how to resist authoritarian governments, ICE
(RNS) — The convening will train rabbis on practical tools for non-violent resistance — both to disrupt systems with tactics such as boycotts and strikes, and to create alternative processes to help v...
religionnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Via @yonat.bsky.social: 140 rabbis train in Washington on how to resist authoritarian governments, ICE —> religionnews.com/2026/02/09/r...