Justin Braun
@jusbraun.bsky.social
Political Science PhD student at Stanford and data reporter at Lighthouse Reports | Dried mango connoisseur
Reposted by Justin Braun
DISASTROUS. This means they will send people to horrific situations with no due process — in direct violation of promises the Solicitor General made to the Court in previous cases.
This greenlights sending people to be enslaved in Libya or tortured in any random foreign country.
This greenlights sending people to be enslaved in Libya or tortured in any random foreign country.
#BREAKING: Over a (sharp) public dissent from the three Democratic appointees, #SCOTUS clears the way for the Trump administration to remove migrants to third countries *without* giving them an additional opportunity to contest whether they face persecution or other forms of mistreatment there:
www.supremecourt.gov
June 23, 2025 at 8:36 PM
DISASTROUS. This means they will send people to horrific situations with no due process — in direct violation of promises the Solicitor General made to the Court in previous cases.
This greenlights sending people to be enslaved in Libya or tortured in any random foreign country.
This greenlights sending people to be enslaved in Libya or tortured in any random foreign country.
Reposted by Justin Braun
We got unprecedented access to the AI model that Amsterdam developed to try to fairly detect welfare fraud.
The result is one of the first in-depth looks at a system using responsible AI guidelines—and what happens when those big promises meet messy reality.
The result is one of the first in-depth looks at a system using responsible AI guidelines—and what happens when those big promises meet messy reality.
Inside Amsterdam’s high-stakes experiment to create fair welfare AI
The Dutch city thought it could break a decade-long trend of implementing discriminatory algorithms. Its failure raises the question: can these programs ever be fair?
www.technologyreview.com
June 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
We got unprecedented access to the AI model that Amsterdam developed to try to fairly detect welfare fraud.
The result is one of the first in-depth looks at a system using responsible AI guidelines—and what happens when those big promises meet messy reality.
The result is one of the first in-depth looks at a system using responsible AI guidelines—and what happens when those big promises meet messy reality.
Reposted by Justin Braun
Most reporting on AI examines worst-case systems deployed under the guise of efficiency. But what would a good faith effort at Ethical AI look like? For two years, we’ve been looking over the shoulder of a city trying to do things differently.
June 11, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Most reporting on AI examines worst-case systems deployed under the guise of efficiency. But what would a good faith effort at Ethical AI look like? For two years, we’ve been looking over the shoulder of a city trying to do things differently.
Reposted by Justin Braun
So happy that our project «Inequality for the law» is on the shortlist. 🏆 Lucky to have been collaborating with the talented people at @lighthousereports.com. @elenadebre.bsky.social @gabrielgeiger.bsky.social @jusbraun.bsky.social
💫 NEW! GIJN, the new home of the Sigma Awards, is proud to announce the 2025 shortlist for the best data journalism projects and portfolios in the past year.
👏 50 data journalism projects from 24 countries made it to the final round of the competition. https://twp.ai/9PSjQG
👏 50 data journalism projects from 24 countries made it to the final round of the competition. https://twp.ai/9PSjQG
gijn.org
Announcing the Sigma Awards 2025 Shortlist
twp.ai
May 9, 2025 at 6:19 PM
So happy that our project «Inequality for the law» is on the shortlist. 🏆 Lucky to have been collaborating with the talented people at @lighthousereports.com. @elenadebre.bsky.social @gabrielgeiger.bsky.social @jusbraun.bsky.social
Reposted by Justin Braun
🎙️ New episode of #Backlight is out! Want to dig deeper into financial investigations, but not sure where to start?
In our latest episode, @margotgibbs.bsky.social and @giacomoza.bsky.social share how reporters can use financial clues to crack open investigations.
In our latest episode, @margotgibbs.bsky.social and @giacomoza.bsky.social share how reporters can use financial clues to crack open investigations.
Become a moneytrails expert
Find out what it takes to lead financial investigations with tips from Lighthouse reporters.
www.lighthousereports.com
May 2, 2025 at 2:19 PM
🎙️ New episode of #Backlight is out! Want to dig deeper into financial investigations, but not sure where to start?
In our latest episode, @margotgibbs.bsky.social and @giacomoza.bsky.social share how reporters can use financial clues to crack open investigations.
In our latest episode, @margotgibbs.bsky.social and @giacomoza.bsky.social share how reporters can use financial clues to crack open investigations.
Reposted by Justin Braun
NEW: @bloomberg.com analysis of +13 years of ICE detentions shows immigrants transferred to the South and SW from interior US at unprecedented rates. Reducing the odds of winning their cases. w/ @elenamejia.bsky.social @racheladhe.bsky.social
@pollymosendz.bsky.social
bloom.bg/43am95w
@pollymosendz.bsky.social
bloom.bg/43am95w
May 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM
NEW: @bloomberg.com analysis of +13 years of ICE detentions shows immigrants transferred to the South and SW from interior US at unprecedented rates. Reducing the odds of winning their cases. w/ @elenamejia.bsky.social @racheladhe.bsky.social
@pollymosendz.bsky.social
bloom.bg/43am95w
@pollymosendz.bsky.social
bloom.bg/43am95w
Reposted by Justin Braun
It shouldn't matter if Trump’s victims have criminal records. If we only defend the “innocent,” the fascists will argue that their victim “was no angel.” An anti-fascist rhetoric that carves out exceptions for imperfect victims is a gift to our opponents.
New from me for @us.theguardian.com:
New from me for @us.theguardian.com:
What is a ‘criminal’ immigrant? The word is an American rhetorical trap | Jonathan Ben-Menachem
Labels like ‘gang members’ and ‘terrorist supporters’ are an easy way to make humans disposable
www.theguardian.com
April 17, 2025 at 6:44 PM
It shouldn't matter if Trump’s victims have criminal records. If we only defend the “innocent,” the fascists will argue that their victim “was no angel.” An anti-fascist rhetoric that carves out exceptions for imperfect victims is a gift to our opponents.
New from me for @us.theguardian.com:
New from me for @us.theguardian.com:
Reposted by Justin Braun
Good job, Stanford admin. More of this.
“America’s univs are a source of great national strength, creating knowledge and driving innovation and economic growth,” they also wrote. “This strength has been built on government investment but not government control.“
stanforddaily.com/2025/04/15/l...
“America’s univs are a source of great national strength, creating knowledge and driving innovation and economic growth,” they also wrote. “This strength has been built on government investment but not government control.“
stanforddaily.com/2025/04/15/l...
Stanford president and provost back Harvard in funding fight
The president and provost said Harvard’s rejection of government demands was “rooted in the American tradition of liberty.”
stanforddaily.com
April 15, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Good job, Stanford admin. More of this.
“America’s univs are a source of great national strength, creating knowledge and driving innovation and economic growth,” they also wrote. “This strength has been built on government investment but not government control.“
stanforddaily.com/2025/04/15/l...
“America’s univs are a source of great national strength, creating knowledge and driving innovation and economic growth,” they also wrote. “This strength has been built on government investment but not government control.“
stanforddaily.com/2025/04/15/l...
Reposted by Justin Braun
Europe frames migration as a crisis—but this masks the reality of its aging population and skills shortages. Over 18 months, with 20+ journalists, across 7 countries we answered:
What’s the true cost of shutting migrants out of jobs?
Hear from the reporters:
What’s the true cost of shutting migrants out of jobs?
Hear from the reporters:
The cost of Europe’s structural racism
Europe frames migration as a crisis—but this masks the reality of its aging population and skills shortages.
www.lighthousereports.com
March 26, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Europe frames migration as a crisis—but this masks the reality of its aging population and skills shortages. Over 18 months, with 20+ journalists, across 7 countries we answered:
What’s the true cost of shutting migrants out of jobs?
Hear from the reporters:
What’s the true cost of shutting migrants out of jobs?
Hear from the reporters:
Reposted by Justin Braun
Many people rightly point to the core role that mainstream right parties play for defending liberal democracy against the far-right threat. However, solely focusing on the centre-right ignores the errors that leftwing parties have committed that have empowered the far right. A few thoughts …
March 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Many people rightly point to the core role that mainstream right parties play for defending liberal democracy against the far-right threat. However, solely focusing on the centre-right ignores the errors that leftwing parties have committed that have empowered the far right. A few thoughts …
Reposted by Justin Braun
I just sent our university president and provost an urgent request to defend First Amendment freedoms at Stanford, given this administration’s willingness to punish those who disagree with it.
I urge you to do the same with your university leaders.
I urge you to do the same with your university leaders.
March 10, 2025 at 8:56 PM
I just sent our university president and provost an urgent request to defend First Amendment freedoms at Stanford, given this administration’s willingness to punish those who disagree with it.
I urge you to do the same with your university leaders.
I urge you to do the same with your university leaders.
Reposted by Justin Braun
Here’s the reality: This government—despite what they’d have us believe—cannot simply do whatever it wants. The moment we accept that bullshit, we become complicit in this blatantly authoritarian move by the president and his administration.
With a loud, collective voice, we must say: fuck this!
With a loud, collective voice, we must say: fuck this!
UPDATE—Mahmoud's attorney says they do NOT know where he is.
They were first told he was sent to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, NJ. But when his 8-month-pregnant wife tried to visit him, she was told he's not there.
They've received reports he may be sent as far away as Louisiana.
They were first told he was sent to an ICE facility in Elizabeth, NJ. But when his 8-month-pregnant wife tried to visit him, she was told he's not there.
They've received reports he may be sent as far away as Louisiana.
March 10, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Here’s the reality: This government—despite what they’d have us believe—cannot simply do whatever it wants. The moment we accept that bullshit, we become complicit in this blatantly authoritarian move by the president and his administration.
With a loud, collective voice, we must say: fuck this!
With a loud, collective voice, we must say: fuck this!
Reposted by Justin Braun
Bellingcat's new US division is looking for an executive director to make Bellingcat US the best Bellingcat it can be. Details of the role and compensation can be found here:
www.on-ramps.com/jobs/3408
www.on-ramps.com/jobs/3408
Bellingcat US | Executive Director
On-Ramps is a full-service executive search firm that exclusively serves the social sector, working with innovative, mission-driven organizations across diverse issue areas.
www.on-ramps.com
February 27, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Bellingcat's new US division is looking for an executive director to make Bellingcat US the best Bellingcat it can be. Details of the role and compensation can be found here:
www.on-ramps.com/jobs/3408
www.on-ramps.com/jobs/3408
Reposted by Justin Braun
I’ll keep pushing this line of analysis because I’m increasingly convinced the clearest path out of this mess is for Dems to adopt a relentless anti-corruption, anti-inequality, anti-oligarchy, pro-democracy platform. The Dem leadership hasn’t realized it yet, but they’re now a reform party.
How many federal workers would DOGE need to fire to make up for Musk not paying his fair share of taxes?
Answer: 677,000. That's 44% of the entire non-DoD federal workforce.
Again, this power grab is not about the budget. It’s about politics.
Answer: 677,000. That's 44% of the entire non-DoD federal workforce.
Again, this power grab is not about the budget. It’s about politics.
February 21, 2025 at 3:38 AM
I’ll keep pushing this line of analysis because I’m increasingly convinced the clearest path out of this mess is for Dems to adopt a relentless anti-corruption, anti-inequality, anti-oligarchy, pro-democracy platform. The Dem leadership hasn’t realized it yet, but they’re now a reform party.
Reposted by Justin Braun
February 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Reposted by Justin Braun
New episode of #Backlight is out! This month, we are talking about how journalists can incorporate AI reporting into their beat and hold companies and governments to account.
Don’t leave AI reporting to the experts
You don’t have to be a tech reporter to cover AI
www.lighthousereports.com
February 17, 2025 at 9:27 AM
New episode of #Backlight is out! This month, we are talking about how journalists can incorporate AI reporting into their beat and hold companies and governments to account.
Reposted by Justin Braun
If you’re a reporter looking to take on AI accountability investigations, consider giving this a listen!
New episode of #Backlight is out! This month, we are talking about how journalists can incorporate AI reporting into their beat and hold companies and governments to account.
Don’t leave AI reporting to the experts
You don’t have to be a tech reporter to cover AI
www.lighthousereports.com
February 17, 2025 at 4:59 PM
If you’re a reporter looking to take on AI accountability investigations, consider giving this a listen!
Reposted by Justin Braun
The IRS was a simple test for DOGE: was it really interested in efficiency and state capacity? If so, you support the tax enforcement, the biggest ROI in govt.
Or did it want to minimize parts of the state that bothered billionaires?
We have our answer.
open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
Or did it want to minimize parts of the state that bothered billionaires?
We have our answer.
open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
🚨NEWS: Massive layoffs are about to hit the IRS -- around 10,000 employees -- potentially in the middle of filing season.
Of particular interest to the DOGE: Cutting IRS enforcement capabilities.
-- with @jeffstein.bsky.social + Hannah Natanson
Of particular interest to the DOGE: Cutting IRS enforcement capabilities.
-- with @jeffstein.bsky.social + Hannah Natanson
Layoffs to hit IRS as DOGE targets tax collections
Several people briefed on the matter said cuts to the IRS cuts numbering in the thousands. One target is tax collections.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 14, 2025 at 9:50 PM
The IRS was a simple test for DOGE: was it really interested in efficiency and state capacity? If so, you support the tax enforcement, the biggest ROI in govt.
Or did it want to minimize parts of the state that bothered billionaires?
We have our answer.
open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
Or did it want to minimize parts of the state that bothered billionaires?
We have our answer.
open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
Reposted by Justin Braun
New paper with @ankuepfer.bsky.social accepted at EJPR🎉
When do MPs debate each other & when do they avoid discourse? Applying a new framework to study the emergence of elite discourse, we find that ideology and gov/opp dynamics shape MPs incentives to seek & avoid dialogical interactions. #polisky
When do MPs debate each other & when do they avoid discourse? Applying a new framework to study the emergence of elite discourse, we find that ideology and gov/opp dynamics shape MPs incentives to seek & avoid dialogical interactions. #polisky
February 11, 2025 at 9:09 AM
New paper with @ankuepfer.bsky.social accepted at EJPR🎉
When do MPs debate each other & when do they avoid discourse? Applying a new framework to study the emergence of elite discourse, we find that ideology and gov/opp dynamics shape MPs incentives to seek & avoid dialogical interactions. #polisky
When do MPs debate each other & when do they avoid discourse? Applying a new framework to study the emergence of elite discourse, we find that ideology and gov/opp dynamics shape MPs incentives to seek & avoid dialogical interactions. #polisky
Reposted by Justin Braun
Ich musste an diese Kontroverse um Laschet denken und wie ähnlich die Struktur der Position der CDU heute ähnelt:
Die CDU würde nie mit der extremen Rechten zusammenarbeiten, sonst würde sie die ja normalisieren. Das hat sie ausgeschlossen. Also kann, was passiert ist, keine Zusammenarbeit sein.
Die CDU würde nie mit der extremen Rechten zusammenarbeiten, sonst würde sie die ja normalisieren. Das hat sie ausgeschlossen. Also kann, was passiert ist, keine Zusammenarbeit sein.
February 9, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Ich musste an diese Kontroverse um Laschet denken und wie ähnlich die Struktur der Position der CDU heute ähnelt:
Die CDU würde nie mit der extremen Rechten zusammenarbeiten, sonst würde sie die ja normalisieren. Das hat sie ausgeschlossen. Also kann, was passiert ist, keine Zusammenarbeit sein.
Die CDU würde nie mit der extremen Rechten zusammenarbeiten, sonst würde sie die ja normalisieren. Das hat sie ausgeschlossen. Also kann, was passiert ist, keine Zusammenarbeit sein.
Reposted by Justin Braun
Wow! Demo für Demokratie in München: „Die Polizei spricht von 200 000 Menschen, die Veranstalter sogar von 320 000 Teilnehmern.“
February 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Wow! Demo für Demokratie in München: „Die Polizei spricht von 200 000 Menschen, die Veranstalter sogar von 320 000 Teilnehmern.“
Reposted by Justin Braun
The list is mostly black people. This is KKK shit folks. Out in the open.
Federal health workers are expressing fear and alarm after a website called “DEI Watch List” published the photos, names and public information of a number of workers across health agencies, describing them as “targets.”
Federal health workers terrified after ‘DEI’ website publishes list of ‘targets’
The site calls out workers who have been involved with DEI initiatives. A majority are Black.
www.nbcnews.com
February 5, 2025 at 2:51 AM
The list is mostly black people. This is KKK shit folks. Out in the open.
Reposted by Justin Braun
NEW: A 25-year-old engineer tied to Elon Musk now has direct access (admin privileges) to a Treasury Department system that controls Social Security payments, tax returns, and more.
W/ @telliotter.bsky.social, @leahfeiger.bsky.social, @timmarchman.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
W/ @telliotter.bsky.social, @leahfeiger.bsky.social, @timmarchman.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
A 25-Year-Old With Elon Musk Ties Has Direct Access to the Federal Payment System
The Bureau of the Fiscal Service is a sleepy part of the Treasury Department. It’s also where, sources say, a 25-year-old engineer tied to Elon Musk has admin privileges over the code that controls So...
www.wired.com
February 4, 2025 at 11:30 AM
NEW: A 25-year-old engineer tied to Elon Musk now has direct access (admin privileges) to a Treasury Department system that controls Social Security payments, tax returns, and more.
W/ @telliotter.bsky.social, @leahfeiger.bsky.social, @timmarchman.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
W/ @telliotter.bsky.social, @leahfeiger.bsky.social, @timmarchman.bsky.social
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Reposted by Justin Braun
Norway’s criminal justice system has often received high praise for its equity and fairness; it has rarely been under scrutiny in data-driven criminal justice journalism.
February 3, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Norway’s criminal justice system has often received high praise for its equity and fairness; it has rarely been under scrutiny in data-driven criminal justice journalism.