Jennifer Rittenhouse West, PhD
@rittenhousewest.bsky.social
Theoretical particle physicist running around this world. She/her. Anti-fascist. Will you be pulling up?
Me: https://rittenhousewest.github.io
Me: https://rittenhousewest.github.io
This is a reporter? This is a newscaster? What kind of KKK framing is this? Nevermind Schumer, he actually seems to be coming around in his response, barely, at least not groveling & practicing abject appeasement for a second. But this CNN guy is disgusting "some people carted off are in CARTELS"
Schumer: "Every other police department in America is unmasked. ICE can do the same. This is a rogue force. They are almost trained it looks like to be nasty and mean and cruel."
February 15, 2026 at 9:19 PM
This is a reporter? This is a newscaster? What kind of KKK framing is this? Nevermind Schumer, he actually seems to be coming around in his response, barely, at least not groveling & practicing abject appeasement for a second. But this CNN guy is disgusting "some people carted off are in CARTELS"
Always.
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
February 15, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Always.
Reposted by Jennifer Rittenhouse West, PhD
You can't... repeal... a scientific finding. At that point it's just called lying about it.
Breaking News: The Trump administration repealed the bedrock scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten human life and well being, meaning that the EPA can no longer regulate them. nyti.ms/4rSszQu
February 12, 2026 at 8:38 PM
You can't... repeal... a scientific finding. At that point it's just called lying about it.
Reposted by Jennifer Rittenhouse West, PhD
This victory belongs to the people of Minnesota who have inspired all of us by transforming crisis into action and tragedy into solidarity. People power works.
The timing of this announcement — shortly before Congress votes on a DHS funding bill — is no accident.
The timing of this announcement — shortly before Congress votes on a DHS funding bill — is no accident.
Trump administration says it is ending its immigration surge in Minnesota
More than 4,000 undocumented immigrants have been apprehended since the operation began in November, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
www.nbcnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:20 PM
This victory belongs to the people of Minnesota who have inspired all of us by transforming crisis into action and tragedy into solidarity. People power works.
The timing of this announcement — shortly before Congress votes on a DHS funding bill — is no accident.
The timing of this announcement — shortly before Congress votes on a DHS funding bill — is no accident.
The kakapo!!! Oh everything I know of these darling birds came from Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams (www.markcarwardine.com/last-chance-...). I think of the komodo dragon chapter, the most horrid scene & also one of the most heartbreakingly funny scenes, fishes hopping up trees & his thoughts 💘
February 12, 2026 at 12:44 PM
The kakapo!!! Oh everything I know of these darling birds came from Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams (www.markcarwardine.com/last-chance-...). I think of the komodo dragon chapter, the most horrid scene & also one of the most heartbreakingly funny scenes, fishes hopping up trees & his thoughts 💘
Still contacting to stop funding ICE! congress.gov and senate.gov, using 5calls.org and also Dems Abroad (secondary). But I do see the point!! Soldier on, soldier on...
This was the concern with the 2 week delay.
The idea of trading some delay for splitting off the DHS bill was OK, but 2 weeks (+ the couple days before the deadline when it was agreed to) is politically forever.
We'll see what happens, protests are still massive, but the vibe does seem lower now.
The idea of trading some delay for splitting off the DHS bill was OK, but 2 weeks (+ the couple days before the deadline when it was agreed to) is politically forever.
We'll see what happens, protests are still massive, but the vibe does seem lower now.
Sadly, this is why Democratic leaders needed to act when the iron was hot — to lead, get out on the streets, and mobilize public opinion.
It may now be that their moment has passed and the public has moved on. If so, what a shame; what a lost opportunity.
It may now be that their moment has passed and the public has moved on. If so, what a shame; what a lost opportunity.
February 12, 2026 at 2:31 AM
Still contacting to stop funding ICE! congress.gov and senate.gov, using 5calls.org and also Dems Abroad (secondary). But I do see the point!! Soldier on, soldier on...
Reposted by Jennifer Rittenhouse West, PhD
For the (shrinking) number of people defending Dem leadership inaction in my mentions, please watch this video.
This is a political scientist who has been a Congressional staffer and clearly outlines the tools of the minority.
This is a political scientist who has been a Congressional staffer and clearly outlines the tools of the minority.
We’ve more than a clue, y’all just conveniently ignore facts.
I was yelling Jan2025 re: Dems making Trump’s transition smooth as butter: unanimous confirmations etc which paved an express lane for Miller et al
@tadstoermer.bsky.social talks 10mins on what Dems can do❗️
(here’s 3mins at 2x)
WAKE UP
I was yelling Jan2025 re: Dems making Trump’s transition smooth as butter: unanimous confirmations etc which paved an express lane for Miller et al
@tadstoermer.bsky.social talks 10mins on what Dems can do❗️
(here’s 3mins at 2x)
WAKE UP
February 12, 2026 at 2:14 AM
For the (shrinking) number of people defending Dem leadership inaction in my mentions, please watch this video.
This is a political scientist who has been a Congressional staffer and clearly outlines the tools of the minority.
This is a political scientist who has been a Congressional staffer and clearly outlines the tools of the minority.
Great analysis.
This is the @economist.com misleading with statistics.
Pull up a chair and let’s do some background.
There are two broad ways Schumer can obstruct in the Senate, ways that don’t change the Senate schedule, and those that do. 1/
Pull up a chair and let’s do some background.
There are two broad ways Schumer can obstruct in the Senate, ways that don’t change the Senate schedule, and those that do. 1/
Again, you can feel your big feelings about Chuck Schumer but I think as an adult citizen it actually is your responsibility to know basic facts about the American legislature
Schumer has been more obstructionist than McConnell was in the minority; that isn’t a value judgement, it’s a fact
Schumer has been more obstructionist than McConnell was in the minority; that isn’t a value judgement, it’s a fact
February 12, 2026 at 2:27 AM
Great analysis.
Dang it is not easy to understand Congress schedules - this bill was scheduled for a vote yesterday, 10 February 2026 at 15:30 EST. But I just heard from my awesome Congressperson - and Congressperson Byer here also says - that it "will" come up, in the future. I will figure it out & come correct!
Republicans' so-called "SAVE America Act" would require every American citizen show a 1) Passport or 2) Government ID AND a birth certificate to vote.
Millions of Americans don't have a passport or ready access to their birth certificate.
This is a voter suppression bill. Plain and simple.
Millions of Americans don't have a passport or ready access to their birth certificate.
This is a voter suppression bill. Plain and simple.
Don Beyer Will Vote NO On Republicans' Voter Suppression Bill
YouTube video by Congressman Don Beyer
youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Dang it is not easy to understand Congress schedules - this bill was scheduled for a vote yesterday, 10 February 2026 at 15:30 EST. But I just heard from my awesome Congressperson - and Congressperson Byer here also says - that it "will" come up, in the future. I will figure it out & come correct!
Reposted by Jennifer Rittenhouse West, PhD
@afsc-org.bsky.social is mapping out the schools, hospitals and corporate offices that have connections and contracts with Palantir. afsc.org/map-palantir...
February 11, 2026 at 7:45 PM
@afsc-org.bsky.social is mapping out the schools, hospitals and corporate offices that have connections and contracts with Palantir. afsc.org/map-palantir...
Agreed!! Bring it up to the light!
Spectacular reporting by @wired.com
NEW: ICE has a plan to lease offices across the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign.
Today, @wired.com is publishing dozens of those locations. Many are near schools, medical offices, and places of worship.
Vital work from @leahfeiger.bsky.social that I'm proud to publish.
Today, @wired.com is publishing dozens of those locations. Many are near schools, medical offices, and places of worship.
Vital work from @leahfeiger.bsky.social that I'm proud to publish.
February 10, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Agreed!! Bring it up to the light!
Reposted by Jennifer Rittenhouse West, PhD
This is horrifying for so many reasons. The one I'm thinking of right now is the billion dollars spent to torture and terrorize and imprison people could easily buy all of us healthcare, child care, parental leave, affordable housing ... all the things the Epstein Class swears we can't afford.
In the last month ICE has bought warehouses in:
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
February 9, 2026 at 10:23 PM
This is horrifying for so many reasons. The one I'm thinking of right now is the billion dollars spent to torture and terrorize and imprison people could easily buy all of us healthcare, child care, parental leave, affordable housing ... all the things the Epstein Class swears we can't afford.
For later tonight, contacting Congress (specifically the House) to fight the voter suppression bill dubbed the Save America Act - did not realize it was coming up so fast: www.democratsabroad.org/urgent_prote...
Urgent: Protect Your Voting Rights - Oppose the SAVE America Act
The House is set to vote this week on a new variant of the anti-voter SAVE Act, now rebranded the “SAVE America Act.” Call now and demand your representative protect your vote!
www.democratsabroad.org
February 9, 2026 at 5:55 PM
For later tonight, contacting Congress (specifically the House) to fight the voter suppression bill dubbed the Save America Act - did not realize it was coming up so fast: www.democratsabroad.org/urgent_prote...
Reposted by Jennifer Rittenhouse West, PhD
Astronomers/physicists: is the postdoc job market this year ultra difficult? I know seven people with no job offers right now, and I feel like they would have had many offers in previous years. In my career, I have never seen this lack of jobs at the postdoc level before. 🔭
February 8, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Astronomers/physicists: is the postdoc job market this year ultra difficult? I know seven people with no job offers right now, and I feel like they would have had many offers in previous years. In my career, I have never seen this lack of jobs at the postdoc level before. 🔭
Reposted by Jennifer Rittenhouse West, PhD
The Marie Skoldowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships had the most applications ever in its history this season. ~17k this season vs. ~10k last season. It is brutal out here for we who love physics beyond measure. marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/news/msca-po...
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 receives record number of 17,058 proposals
This year’s annual MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships call has attracted considerable interest from the research community with 17,058 proposals submitted.
marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu
February 8, 2026 at 10:51 PM
The Marie Skoldowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships had the most applications ever in its history this season. ~17k this season vs. ~10k last season. It is brutal out here for we who love physics beyond measure. marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/news/msca-po...
Reposted by Jennifer Rittenhouse West, PhD
When Republicans do it / When Democrats do it
February 7, 2026 at 11:41 PM
When Republicans do it / When Democrats do it
💚
I’ve caught glimpses of a decent aurora once, nowhere near this spectacular, but the thing that struck me most was that the light flowed in a way that was very conspicuously NOT like a liquid but like electricity. It felt like being inside one of those plasma globe lamps. Eerie and breathtaking.
The aurora last night in Beaver, Alaska was just incredible. This is a real-time video (not sped up) of the crazy motion I saw. Also, look how BRIGHT it is, wow!
February 8, 2026 at 3:15 AM
💚
Reposted by Jennifer Rittenhouse West, PhD
It really pays to remind ourselves frequently that this whole immigration "crisis" is made up out of whole cloth. There was no emergency,danger or problem, only a demagogue stirring up racist grievances for political advantage.
February 7, 2026 at 3:38 AM
It really pays to remind ourselves frequently that this whole immigration "crisis" is made up out of whole cloth. There was no emergency,danger or problem, only a demagogue stirring up racist grievances for political advantage.
I just found out that Indivisible also exists in Europe. Hm. I like it.
Proud to join @indivisible.org to make clear that Colorado will protect our elections, not give in to the Trump administration’s illegal bullying, and will defend our republic.
February 7, 2026 at 4:37 PM
I just found out that Indivisible also exists in Europe. Hm. I like it.
Digging into the GOP's SAVE Act. There will be others coming along. Calling + writing. Bird by bird. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
February 7, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Digging into the GOP's SAVE Act. There will be others coming along. Calling + writing. Bird by bird. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
I deeply appreciate people like Jenny Cohn who link to source files, such as the steal-the-vote act called the SAVE Act. There are many places to focus but this is #1 for me, the midterm votes (followed very closely by ICE OUT): www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr...
February 7, 2026 at 4:26 PM
I deeply appreciate people like Jenny Cohn who link to source files, such as the steal-the-vote act called the SAVE Act. There are many places to focus but this is #1 for me, the midterm votes (followed very closely by ICE OUT): www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr...
Super interesting. State senator WIN in Texas & interesting statistics. I also really like the football analogy to winning and losing, which we all do all the time, specifically the reaction we have towards our losses + wins - INTROSPECTION and RECKONINGS!! Gotta do it. Chin up, GET IN DARLINGS ❤️
Our top story: “He’s a union leader, veteran, very disciplined on his messaging and very hyper-focused on the working class and making life better for people. Leigh is a zealot who spends all of her time denigrating public school teachers and trying to dismantle public school institutions.”
Does Taylor Rehmet’s Victory Foreshadow an Anti-MAGA Wave?
As the dust settles, Texas Dems and Republicans weigh the lessons from the shock upset in Senate District 9.
www.texasobserver.org
February 7, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Super interesting. State senator WIN in Texas & interesting statistics. I also really like the football analogy to winning and losing, which we all do all the time, specifically the reaction we have towards our losses + wins - INTROSPECTION and RECKONINGS!! Gotta do it. Chin up, GET IN DARLINGS ❤️
GET IN WE-THE-PEOPLE ❤️
Maryland is seen as a Democratic stronghold and the fact this man has been able to operate uncontrolled by the elected establishment is all you need to know about establishment Dems
Primary them all. Find pastors, teachers, activists, librarians, fucking YouTubers and run their campaigns
Get in
Primary them all. Find pastors, teachers, activists, librarians, fucking YouTubers and run their campaigns
Get in
February 6, 2026 at 11:47 PM
GET IN WE-THE-PEOPLE ❤️
Frederick, Maryland back in the day was the only place more backwards/rural-ish than my own town. Not so now, but this sheriff is a monster and also not surprising. Will be on top of his reelection attempt.
The man in this image is Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, a known white supremacist and supporter of ICE. His department in Frederick Maryland has a 287g agreement with ICE and his deputies actively help with kidnappings. An ICE Camp is being built 30 minutes for Frederick. He’s up for reelection this year.
Don’t sleep on prosecutor races this year. There’s a wide-open race to replace Minneapolis’ retiring prosecutor, and likely clashes between reformers and reform critics from Burlington and Baltimore County to Las Vegas.
February 6, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Frederick, Maryland back in the day was the only place more backwards/rural-ish than my own town. Not so now, but this sheriff is a monster and also not surprising. Will be on top of his reelection attempt.