Jennifer Mascia
@jenmascia.bsky.social
Miami-born, California-bred New Yorker
Alum: Columbia Journalism School, Hunter College, Mission Viejo H.S.
Senior news writer: The Trace
Contributor: CNN
Past: NYT
Alum: Columbia Journalism School, Hunter College, Mission Viejo H.S.
Senior news writer: The Trace
Contributor: CNN
Past: NYT
Since President Trump deployed National Guard troops and federal agents to D.C. in August, shootings are down by 2/3 compared to last year.
But when they pull back, shootings rise.
Experts and violence interrupters tell me these short-term gains aren't sustainable
But when they pull back, shootings rise.
Experts and violence interrupters tell me these short-term gains aren't sustainable
What Have Trump’s Troops Done for Crime in D.C.?
The president has taken credit for reducing crime in the capital, but a new analysis by The Trace shows that a decline was already underway.
www.thetrace.org
November 2, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Since President Trump deployed National Guard troops and federal agents to D.C. in August, shootings are down by 2/3 compared to last year.
But when they pull back, shootings rise.
Experts and violence interrupters tell me these short-term gains aren't sustainable
But when they pull back, shootings rise.
Experts and violence interrupters tell me these short-term gains aren't sustainable
Claim: President Trump says Portland is "war-ravaged" and "on fire."
Fact-check: Gun violence in Portland has been plummeting since the pandemic — and shootings in the neighborhood around the ICE facility are rare
Fact-check: Gun violence in Portland has been plummeting since the pandemic — and shootings in the neighborhood around the ICE facility are rare
October 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Claim: President Trump says Portland is "war-ravaged" and "on fire."
Fact-check: Gun violence in Portland has been plummeting since the pandemic — and shootings in the neighborhood around the ICE facility are rare
Fact-check: Gun violence in Portland has been plummeting since the pandemic — and shootings in the neighborhood around the ICE facility are rare
Reposted by Jennifer Mascia
The same shooter profile. The same headlines. Less shock.
@jenmascia.bsky.social explains.
This week's show: youtu.be/6vNIGSod4Ck
@jenmascia.bsky.social explains.
This week's show: youtu.be/6vNIGSod4Ck
October 5, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The same shooter profile. The same headlines. Less shock.
@jenmascia.bsky.social explains.
This week's show: youtu.be/6vNIGSod4Ck
@jenmascia.bsky.social explains.
This week's show: youtu.be/6vNIGSod4Ck
8 years ago today someone fired into a crowd of concertgoers from a hotel in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and wounding 422 others. 2 other people have since died from their injuries.
It is the deadliest shooting in modern American history
It is the deadliest shooting in modern American history
October 2, 2025 at 2:12 AM
8 years ago today someone fired into a crowd of concertgoers from a hotel in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and wounding 422 others. 2 other people have since died from their injuries.
It is the deadliest shooting in modern American history
It is the deadliest shooting in modern American history
Mass shootings you may have missed this weekend:
3 killed, 8 wounded in N.C.
2 killed, 8 wounded in Michigan
2 killed, 5 wounded in Texas
1 killed, 3 wounded in New Orleans
4 wounded in Louisiana
4 wounded in N.C.
via Gun Violence Archive
3 killed, 8 wounded in N.C.
2 killed, 8 wounded in Michigan
2 killed, 5 wounded in Texas
1 killed, 3 wounded in New Orleans
4 wounded in Louisiana
4 wounded in N.C.
via Gun Violence Archive
September 29, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Mass shootings you may have missed this weekend:
3 killed, 8 wounded in N.C.
2 killed, 8 wounded in Michigan
2 killed, 5 wounded in Texas
1 killed, 3 wounded in New Orleans
4 wounded in Louisiana
4 wounded in N.C.
via Gun Violence Archive
3 killed, 8 wounded in N.C.
2 killed, 8 wounded in Michigan
2 killed, 5 wounded in Texas
1 killed, 3 wounded in New Orleans
4 wounded in Louisiana
4 wounded in N.C.
via Gun Violence Archive
Unlike many forms of public gun violence, sniper attacks evade most security measures like metal detectors and armed guards.
It's hard to defend yourself from a bullet coming from 200 yards away.
My latest for @thetrace.org w/ @bychipbrownlee.com and Champe Barton:
It's hard to defend yourself from a bullet coming from 200 yards away.
My latest for @thetrace.org w/ @bychipbrownlee.com and Champe Barton:
The Dallas ICE Shooting Underscores How Hard It Is to Stop Sniper Attacks, Experts Say
“There really is not anything you can do to secure a public place 100 percent,” said Caylen Wojcik, a former Marine sniper.
www.thetrace.org
September 25, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Unlike many forms of public gun violence, sniper attacks evade most security measures like metal detectors and armed guards.
It's hard to defend yourself from a bullet coming from 200 yards away.
My latest for @thetrace.org w/ @bychipbrownlee.com and Champe Barton:
It's hard to defend yourself from a bullet coming from 200 yards away.
My latest for @thetrace.org w/ @bychipbrownlee.com and Champe Barton:
In 2020 the gun industry urged the ATF to add a nonbinary category to the federal background check form for gun sales. The Trump administration made the change.
Now the 2nd Trump administration is reversing it. My colleague @vansant.bsky.social has the scoop:
Now the 2nd Trump administration is reversing it. My colleague @vansant.bsky.social has the scoop:
Buying a Gun Is About to Get More Complicated for Nonbinary People
The ATF has told The Trace that the federal background check form for gun sales is being revised to recognize only two sexes.
www.thetrace.org
September 19, 2025 at 3:42 PM
In 2020 the gun industry urged the ATF to add a nonbinary category to the federal background check form for gun sales. The Trump administration made the change.
Now the 2nd Trump administration is reversing it. My colleague @vansant.bsky.social has the scoop:
Now the 2nd Trump administration is reversing it. My colleague @vansant.bsky.social has the scoop:
When did we start debating a gunman's politics after high-profile shootings?
I tried to make sense of our acrimonious political discourse in the wake of Charlie Kirk's killing:
I tried to make sense of our acrimonious political discourse in the wake of Charlie Kirk's killing:
Why the Political Blame Game Starts Moments After a Shooting
The aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s killing has devolved into a national guessing game over the shooter’s politics. Experts say that’s missing the point.
www.thetrace.org
September 18, 2025 at 7:41 PM
When did we start debating a gunman's politics after high-profile shootings?
I tried to make sense of our acrimonious political discourse in the wake of Charlie Kirk's killing:
I tried to make sense of our acrimonious political discourse in the wake of Charlie Kirk's killing:
Startling new reporting from @amendelson.bsky.social at @thetrace.org:
Americans 70+ have the highest suicide rates of any age group. Gun suicide is a greater killer of men over 70 than car crashes
Americans 70+ have the highest suicide rates of any age group. Gun suicide is a greater killer of men over 70 than car crashes
The Quiet Crisis: What’s Driving Gun Suicides Among Older Americans?
More and more older Americans are dying by firearm suicide, a new analysis from The Trace and GQ reveals. Older white men and those in rural areas experience alarmingly high rates.
www.thetrace.org
September 18, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Startling new reporting from @amendelson.bsky.social at @thetrace.org:
Americans 70+ have the highest suicide rates of any age group. Gun suicide is a greater killer of men over 70 than car crashes
Americans 70+ have the highest suicide rates of any age group. Gun suicide is a greater killer of men over 70 than car crashes
The politics of the gunman are now questioned after every high-profile shooting, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Experts told me this right-left paradigm is a distraction from deeper issues, like how to prevent these tragedies.
My latest for @thetrace.org:
Experts told me this right-left paradigm is a distraction from deeper issues, like how to prevent these tragedies.
My latest for @thetrace.org:
Why the Political Blame Game Starts Moments After a Shooting
The aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s killing has devolved into a national guessing game over the shooter’s politics. Experts say that’s missing the point.
www.thetrace.org
September 17, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The politics of the gunman are now questioned after every high-profile shooting, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Experts told me this right-left paradigm is a distraction from deeper issues, like how to prevent these tragedies.
My latest for @thetrace.org:
Experts told me this right-left paradigm is a distraction from deeper issues, like how to prevent these tragedies.
My latest for @thetrace.org:
According to texts surfaced during the investigation of the Kirk shooting, the engravings on the bullets are "mostly a big meme"
Initial reports said the engravings were "transgender and antifascist ideology"
Initial reports said the engravings were "transgender and antifascist ideology"
September 16, 2025 at 8:13 PM
According to texts surfaced during the investigation of the Kirk shooting, the engravings on the bullets are "mostly a big meme"
Initial reports said the engravings were "transgender and antifascist ideology"
Initial reports said the engravings were "transgender and antifascist ideology"
How international media is covering Charlie Kirk's murder:
In America, Kirk’s supporters still love guns, despite his violent death
The killing of Kirk Wednesday, while speaking at Utah Valley University, highlighted the extreme levels of gun violence in the United States.
www.ctvnews.ca
September 15, 2025 at 6:37 PM
How international media is covering Charlie Kirk's murder:
Former Reps. Jeff Flake (R) and Gabby Giffords (D):
"Those with power and influence – from the president on down – must realize that fanning the flames of division will only make things worse and lead to even more violence and crime."
"Those with power and influence – from the president on down – must realize that fanning the flames of division will only make things worse and lead to even more violence and crime."
We're a Republican and a Democrat. After Charlie Kirk's death, we agree on this. | Opinion
If we Americans allow ourselves to be dragged further down this path of violence and retribution, we will lose ourselves – and our country.
www.usatoday.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Former Reps. Jeff Flake (R) and Gabby Giffords (D):
"Those with power and influence – from the president on down – must realize that fanning the flames of division will only make things worse and lead to even more violence and crime."
"Those with power and influence – from the president on down – must realize that fanning the flames of division will only make things worse and lead to even more violence and crime."
Reposted by Jennifer Mascia
Today marks three months since Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert were assassinated.
“A lot of leaders show up to events and doorknocks, give the rah-rah speeches, and then they leave. That was not Melissa.”
“A lot of leaders show up to events and doorknocks, give the rah-rah speeches, and then they leave. That was not Melissa.”
‘Fearless’ Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman, Assassinated by Firearm, Leaves a Legacy of Gun Reform
The former state House speaker had a role in passing several bills to curb violence.
www.thetrace.org
September 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Today marks three months since Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert were assassinated.
“A lot of leaders show up to events and doorknocks, give the rah-rah speeches, and then they leave. That was not Melissa.”
“A lot of leaders show up to events and doorknocks, give the rah-rah speeches, and then they leave. That was not Melissa.”
Political violence like the Charlie Kirk assassination accelerates our march toward civil unrest — but it's not to late to stop it, @jeffsharlet.bsky.social tells my colleague @bychipbrownlee.com
Narratives About the Killing of Charlie Kirk May Be More Powerful Than the Facts
Jeff Sharlet, the author of ‘The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War,’ talked to The Trace about making sense of this tense moment.
www.thetrace.org
September 12, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Political violence like the Charlie Kirk assassination accelerates our march toward civil unrest — but it's not to late to stop it, @jeffsharlet.bsky.social tells my colleague @bychipbrownlee.com
Reposted by Jennifer Mascia
In just two weeks, more than 20 U.S. colleges received false active shooter reports, triggering lockdowns and heavy police responses. These swatting incidents may be fake, but the fear and trauma they create are real.
Strong reporting from @jenmascia.bsky.social
Strong reporting from @jenmascia.bsky.social
More Than 20 Active Shooting Hoaxes Have Locked Down Colleges Over the Past Two Weeks
Experts said swatting incidents can traumatize students and first responders.
www.thetrace.org
September 5, 2025 at 2:09 PM
In just two weeks, more than 20 U.S. colleges received false active shooter reports, triggering lockdowns and heavy police responses. These swatting incidents may be fake, but the fear and trauma they create are real.
Strong reporting from @jenmascia.bsky.social
Strong reporting from @jenmascia.bsky.social
"This precedent being used against trans people could be used against veterans with PTSD. It’s a slippery slope to make anyone lose their 2nd amendment rights."
Trump DOJ is looking at ways to ban transgender Americans from owning guns, sources say | CNN Politics
Senior Justice Department officials are weighing proposals to limit transgender people’s right to possess firearms, according to two officials familiar with the internal discussions.
www.cnn.com
September 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
"This precedent being used against trans people could be used against veterans with PTSD. It’s a slippery slope to make anyone lose their 2nd amendment rights."
Reposted by Jennifer Mascia
Most of the states backing Trump’s crime crackdown have areas with higher gun homicide rates than the nation’s capital, a Trace analysis shows.
At least 17 Mississippi counties endured more gun homicides per capita than the nation’s capital in 2024.
Read: www.thetrace.org/2025/08/nati...
At least 17 Mississippi counties endured more gun homicides per capita than the nation’s capital in 2024.
Read: www.thetrace.org/2025/08/nati...
August 29, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Most of the states backing Trump’s crime crackdown have areas with higher gun homicide rates than the nation’s capital, a Trace analysis shows.
At least 17 Mississippi counties endured more gun homicides per capita than the nation’s capital in 2024.
Read: www.thetrace.org/2025/08/nati...
At least 17 Mississippi counties endured more gun homicides per capita than the nation’s capital in 2024.
Read: www.thetrace.org/2025/08/nati...
Can President Trump militarize crimefighting in Democrat-run cities like Chicago and Baltimore?
Not legally. But that doesn’t mean he won't try, a policing expert told me. My latest for @thetrace.org:
Not legally. But that doesn’t mean he won't try, a policing expert told me. My latest for @thetrace.org:
Legal Constraints Could Stymie Trump’s Plans to Police Other Cities
We spoke with a policing expert from Yale Law School about whether a federal takeover could come to New York or Chicago.
www.thetrace.org
August 26, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Can President Trump militarize crimefighting in Democrat-run cities like Chicago and Baltimore?
Not legally. But that doesn’t mean he won't try, a policing expert told me. My latest for @thetrace.org:
Not legally. But that doesn’t mean he won't try, a policing expert told me. My latest for @thetrace.org:
Washington D.C.'s 12-day murder-free streak ended early this morning with the shooting death of a man just after midnight www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-n...
August 26, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Washington D.C.'s 12-day murder-free streak ended early this morning with the shooting death of a man just after midnight www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-n...
Claim: Washington D.C. hasn't had a murder since Trump sent in the troops on August 11.
Fact: There was a murder on August 13.
No murders since then — but there have been 7 shootings. A total of 8 people were wounded
www.gunviolencearchive.org/query/3378d4...
Fact: There was a murder on August 13.
No murders since then — but there have been 7 shootings. A total of 8 people were wounded
www.gunviolencearchive.org/query/3378d4...
August 26, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Claim: Washington D.C. hasn't had a murder since Trump sent in the troops on August 11.
Fact: There was a murder on August 13.
No murders since then — but there have been 7 shootings. A total of 8 people were wounded
www.gunviolencearchive.org/query/3378d4...
Fact: There was a murder on August 13.
No murders since then — but there have been 7 shootings. A total of 8 people were wounded
www.gunviolencearchive.org/query/3378d4...
National Guard troops in D.C. have been ordered to carry weapons. Why might that make some people nervous?
Kent State.
Kent State.
With Troops in Los Angeles, Echoes of the Kent State Massacre
The 1970 shooting of student demonstrators shows the risks of Trump’s decision to deploy the military against protesters, a history professor explains.
www.thetrace.org
August 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
National Guard troops in D.C. have been ordered to carry weapons. Why might that make some people nervous?
Kent State.
Kent State.
President Trump took over D.C.'s police force — and suggested other cities could be next — because of "out of control" crime.
But crime in these cities is decreasing. @bychipbrownlee.com and I crunched the numbers:
But crime in these cities is decreasing. @bychipbrownlee.com and I crunched the numbers:
August 14, 2025 at 2:32 PM
President Trump took over D.C.'s police force — and suggested other cities could be next — because of "out of control" crime.
But crime in these cities is decreasing. @bychipbrownlee.com and I crunched the numbers:
But crime in these cities is decreasing. @bychipbrownlee.com and I crunched the numbers:
How can someone can have a "documented mental health history" and still own a gun?
They weren't involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility.
You can even have an emergency mental health hospitalization — a "5150" or "Baker Act" hold — and still buy a gun in 45 states
They weren't involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility.
You can even have an emergency mental health hospitalization — a "5150" or "Baker Act" hold — and still buy a gun in 45 states
July 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM
How can someone can have a "documented mental health history" and still own a gun?
They weren't involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility.
You can even have an emergency mental health hospitalization — a "5150" or "Baker Act" hold — and still buy a gun in 45 states
They weren't involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility.
You can even have an emergency mental health hospitalization — a "5150" or "Baker Act" hold — and still buy a gun in 45 states
Celebratory gunfire results in injuries and deaths every 4th of July. This year was no different — though there appear to be fewer instances than in years’ past 🧵
July 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Celebratory gunfire results in injuries and deaths every 4th of July. This year was no different — though there appear to be fewer instances than in years’ past 🧵