Eric Umansky
@ericumansky.bsky.social
Editor-at-Large @ProPublica. I ❤️ evidence-based journalism, and good trouble. Tips/ideas: eric.umansky@propublica.org and securely on Signal EricUmansky.04.
More about me: https://www.propublica.org/people/eric-umansky
More about me: https://www.propublica.org/people/eric-umansky
“DHS would not comment on the specific incident, instead sending a similar statement to one it sent the day before.”
“The agency would not answer questions about whether the action violated use-of-force policy — which states that agents “should not use [pepper spray],” on small children.
“The agency would not answer questions about whether the action violated use-of-force policy — which states that agents “should not use [pepper spray],” on small children.
Rafael Veraza was trying to leave a Sam’s Club parking lot when a federal agent drove alongside a line of cars, spraying chemical irritants occupants of the vehicles through open windows — including his 1-year-old daughter, Ariana.
“My daughter didn’t have to go through this."
“My daughter didn’t have to go through this."
1-year-old, pepper sprayed by federal agent in Cicero: 'My daughter didn't have to go through this'
Video shows federal agents spraying chemical irritants from a moving vehicle at a line of cars waiting to leave a Cicero Sam's Club on Saturday morning. The action appears to violate a judge's restric...
chicago.suntimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:11 AM
“DHS would not comment on the specific incident, instead sending a similar statement to one it sent the day before.”
“The agency would not answer questions about whether the action violated use-of-force policy — which states that agents “should not use [pepper spray],” on small children.
“The agency would not answer questions about whether the action violated use-of-force policy — which states that agents “should not use [pepper spray],” on small children.
November 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
"Are you jealous that George Santos is the president's new favorite criminal?"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Cm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Cm...
ERIC ADAMS IS AN ICONIC GUEST | ZIWE INTERVIEW
YouTube video by Ziwe
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:52 AM
"Are you jealous that George Santos is the president's new favorite criminal?"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Cm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Cm...
So immigration agents drove off in a citizen’s car with a toddler in the back.
**Then DHS refused to answer questions about it.**
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
**Then DHS refused to answer questions about it.**
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
November 8, 2025 at 2:14 AM
So immigration agents drove off in a citizen’s car with a toddler in the back.
**Then DHS refused to answer questions about it.**
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
**Then DHS refused to answer questions about it.**
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
November 7, 2025 at 5:41 PM
DHS stopped automatically archiving officials’ text messages.
Now to save messages — as law requires— officials gotta…
-take a screenshot.
-send it to their work computer
-run the file through a program there
-repeat
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Now to save messages — as law requires— officials gotta…
-take a screenshot.
-send it to their work computer
-run the file through a program there
-repeat
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
November 7, 2025 at 12:32 PM
DHS stopped automatically archiving officials’ text messages.
Now to save messages — as law requires— officials gotta…
-take a screenshot.
-send it to their work computer
-run the file through a program there
-repeat
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Now to save messages — as law requires— officials gotta…
-take a screenshot.
-send it to their work computer
-run the file through a program there
-repeat
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Last week, I reported the Trump admin has made it harder for male vets w/ breast to get their care covered
The admin invoked a presidential order on "Restoring Biological Truth"
Now, two dozen House members have written VA demanding the admin reverse course
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
The admin invoked a presidential order on "Restoring Biological Truth"
Now, two dozen House members have written VA demanding the admin reverse course
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Trump’s VA Made It Harder for Male Veterans to Get Treatment for Breast Cancer. Lawmakers Want to Fix That.
After ProPublica revealed changes to how the Department of Veterans Affairs covers men with breast cancer, House members demanded the agency reverse its decision. Separately, new Senate legislation wo...
www.propublica.org
November 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Last week, I reported the Trump admin has made it harder for male vets w/ breast to get their care covered
The admin invoked a presidential order on "Restoring Biological Truth"
Now, two dozen House members have written VA demanding the admin reverse course
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
The admin invoked a presidential order on "Restoring Biological Truth"
Now, two dozen House members have written VA demanding the admin reverse course
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
That daycare teacher who agents snatched yesterday?
She also has two young kids, and according to a GoFundMe, they now are left without a caregiver.
www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with...
She also has two young kids, and according to a GoFundMe, they now are left without a caregiver.
www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with...
November 6, 2025 at 12:43 PM
That daycare teacher who agents snatched yesterday?
She also has two young kids, and according to a GoFundMe, they now are left without a caregiver.
www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with...
She also has two young kids, and according to a GoFundMe, they now are left without a caregiver.
www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with...
So, Rubio and Stephen Miller are pushing Trump to go all in on Regime Change in Venezuela.
The only one holding them back at the moment: Trump.
He apparently wants to make sure the U.S. gets a cut of Venezuela's oil.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
The only one holding them back at the moment: Trump.
He apparently wants to make sure the U.S. gets a cut of Venezuela's oil.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
November 6, 2025 at 12:28 AM
So, Rubio and Stephen Miller are pushing Trump to go all in on Regime Change in Venezuela.
The only one holding them back at the moment: Trump.
He apparently wants to make sure the U.S. gets a cut of Venezuela's oil.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
The only one holding them back at the moment: Trump.
He apparently wants to make sure the U.S. gets a cut of Venezuela's oil.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
"Witnesses and school employees said they thought the school was under attack and scrambled into rooms and vehicles outside in search of safety."
One mother who walked in right after described "a room of crying kids, crying parents and crying teachers"
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
One mother who walked in right after described "a room of crying kids, crying parents and crying teachers"
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Armed ICE officers chase teacher into preschool in Chicago
The arrest appears to be one of the first in which immigration officers entered school grounds as part of an enforcement operation during Trump’s second administration.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:06 AM
"Witnesses and school employees said they thought the school was under attack and scrambled into rooms and vehicles outside in search of safety."
One mother who walked in right after described "a room of crying kids, crying parents and crying teachers"
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
One mother who walked in right after described "a room of crying kids, crying parents and crying teachers"
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
November 4, 2025 at 11:03 PM
News you could really use:
Here’s How TurboTax Just Tricked You Into Paying to File Your Taxes
www.propublica.org/article/turb...
Here’s How TurboTax Just Tricked You Into Paying to File Your Taxes
www.propublica.org/article/turb...
👀 Scoop: IRS Direct File, the free government-backed program that let you file your taxes for free, is dead.
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS tests free e-filing system that could compete with tax-prep giants
The tax agency has quietly built its own prototype system for filing tax returns digitally and free of charge, according to current and former officials.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:47 PM
News you could really use:
Here’s How TurboTax Just Tricked You Into Paying to File Your Taxes
www.propublica.org/article/turb...
Here’s How TurboTax Just Tricked You Into Paying to File Your Taxes
www.propublica.org/article/turb...
Why would anyone think that men in masks are criminals?
“.. the bulletin cites five 2025 incidents involving fake immigration officers and says criminals are using Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s heightened profile to target vulnerable communities ..”
@wired.com
www.wired.com/story/fbi-wa...
@wired.com
www.wired.com/story/fbi-wa...
November 4, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Why would anyone think that men in masks are criminals?
Dec 2024 - Costa Rican man crosses into U.S.
Feb. 2025 - ICE detains him.
He talks to his family daily.
June - He disappears.
Aug - His family finally finds him detained and in a vegetative state.
Sept. - He's air ambluenced home.
Oct. 26th - He dies.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Feb. 2025 - ICE detains him.
He talks to his family daily.
June - He disappears.
Aug - His family finally finds him detained and in a vegetative state.
Sept. - He's air ambluenced home.
Oct. 26th - He dies.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Family speaks out after death of man deported by ICE in vegetative state
Randall Alberto Gamboa Esquivel’s family alleges negligence and inhumane treatment
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Dec 2024 - Costa Rican man crosses into U.S.
Feb. 2025 - ICE detains him.
He talks to his family daily.
June - He disappears.
Aug - His family finally finds him detained and in a vegetative state.
Sept. - He's air ambluenced home.
Oct. 26th - He dies.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Feb. 2025 - ICE detains him.
He talks to his family daily.
June - He disappears.
Aug - His family finally finds him detained and in a vegetative state.
Sept. - He's air ambluenced home.
Oct. 26th - He dies.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Bad news for billionaires.
Great news for the rest of is.
@jeisinger.bsky.social is going to be envisioning and executing far more journalism. Including into the super-sized businesses that have wormed their way into our lives.
www.propublica.org/atpropublica...
Great news for the rest of is.
@jeisinger.bsky.social is going to be envisioning and executing far more journalism. Including into the super-sized businesses that have wormed their way into our lives.
www.propublica.org/atpropublica...
Jesse Eisinger Named Assistant Managing Editor
www.propublica.org
November 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Bad news for billionaires.
Great news for the rest of is.
@jeisinger.bsky.social is going to be envisioning and executing far more journalism. Including into the super-sized businesses that have wormed their way into our lives.
www.propublica.org/atpropublica...
Great news for the rest of is.
@jeisinger.bsky.social is going to be envisioning and executing far more journalism. Including into the super-sized businesses that have wormed their way into our lives.
www.propublica.org/atpropublica...
Trump was asked by 60 Minutes about immigration agents using aggresive"H tactics like busting people's windows.
"Have those tactics gone too far?"
"No", Trump said, "I think they haven't gone far enough."
This is what that looks like in the real world.
projects.propublica.org/trump-ice-sm...
"Have those tactics gone too far?"
"No", Trump said, "I think they haven't gone far enough."
This is what that looks like in the real world.
projects.propublica.org/trump-ice-sm...
“We’ll Smash the Fucking Window Out and Drag Him Out”
We’ve documented nearly 50 incidents of immigration officers shattering car windows to make arrests — a tactic experts say was rarely used before Trump took office. ICE claims its officers use a “mini...
projects.propublica.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Trump was asked by 60 Minutes about immigration agents using aggresive"H tactics like busting people's windows.
"Have those tactics gone too far?"
"No", Trump said, "I think they haven't gone far enough."
This is what that looks like in the real world.
projects.propublica.org/trump-ice-sm...
"Have those tactics gone too far?"
"No", Trump said, "I think they haven't gone far enough."
This is what that looks like in the real world.
projects.propublica.org/trump-ice-sm...
Reposted by Eric Umansky
One might think that after Amnesty, B'Tselem, the UN and the International Association of Genocide Scholars have accused Israel of genocide, rabbis would feel some need to answer their arguments. Instead, they simply waive them away.
November 2, 2025 at 4:07 PM
One might think that after Amnesty, B'Tselem, the UN and the International Association of Genocide Scholars have accused Israel of genocide, rabbis would feel some need to answer their arguments. Instead, they simply waive them away.
Reposted by Eric Umansky
Trump threatens to attack [spins wheel] Nigeria
November 1, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Trump threatens to attack [spins wheel] Nigeria
Jeff Bezos’ wealth grew by $24 billion *yesterday.*
Meanwhile, the VA now is asking for donations so veterans can *eat.*
www.va.gov/northern-ind...
Meanwhile, the VA now is asking for donations so veterans can *eat.*
www.va.gov/northern-ind...
November 1, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Jeff Bezos’ wealth grew by $24 billion *yesterday.*
Meanwhile, the VA now is asking for donations so veterans can *eat.*
www.va.gov/northern-ind...
Meanwhile, the VA now is asking for donations so veterans can *eat.*
www.va.gov/northern-ind...
If you're a NYer, or interested in, say, democracy, you should read this. 👇🏻
***Prop 6***
We could double voter turnout in our city elections by making one change: timing. Prop 6 moves NYC elections to presidential years, once state law allows.
TL,DR: More people voting is better for *everybody.*
My take for @vitalcitynyc.bsky.social
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/mov...
We could double voter turnout in our city elections by making one change: timing. Prop 6 moves NYC elections to presidential years, once state law allows.
TL,DR: More people voting is better for *everybody.*
My take for @vitalcitynyc.bsky.social
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/mov...
Vital City | A True Mandate for New York City
What moving local elections to even years will do for local politics
www.vitalcitynyc.org
November 1, 2025 at 6:59 PM
If you're a NYer, or interested in, say, democracy, you should read this. 👇🏻
Reposted by Eric Umansky
How did @propublica.org reporter @ericumansky.bsky.social learn that the Trump administration had just gone ahead and made it significantly harder for male vets with breast cancer to get coverage? This crucial info was not made public. Read his 🧵 for the details👇
One night recently, I got a Signal message
Would I be interested in seeing an internal Trump admin memo?
I said yes (duh). Then, I couldn’t believe what I was looking at.
The memo shows how the VA is making access to health coverage header for just one group:
Male vets w/ breast cancer….
Would I be interested in seeing an internal Trump admin memo?
I said yes (duh). Then, I couldn’t believe what I was looking at.
The memo shows how the VA is making access to health coverage header for just one group:
Male vets w/ breast cancer….
November 1, 2025 at 6:12 PM
How did @propublica.org reporter @ericumansky.bsky.social learn that the Trump administration had just gone ahead and made it significantly harder for male vets with breast cancer to get coverage? This crucial info was not made public. Read his 🧵 for the details👇
One night recently, I got a Signal message
Would I be interested in seeing an internal Trump admin memo?
I said yes (duh). Then, I couldn’t believe what I was looking at.
The memo shows how the VA is making access to health coverage header for just one group:
Male vets w/ breast cancer….
Would I be interested in seeing an internal Trump admin memo?
I said yes (duh). Then, I couldn’t believe what I was looking at.
The memo shows how the VA is making access to health coverage header for just one group:
Male vets w/ breast cancer….
November 1, 2025 at 4:59 PM
One night recently, I got a Signal message
Would I be interested in seeing an internal Trump admin memo?
I said yes (duh). Then, I couldn’t believe what I was looking at.
The memo shows how the VA is making access to health coverage header for just one group:
Male vets w/ breast cancer….
Would I be interested in seeing an internal Trump admin memo?
I said yes (duh). Then, I couldn’t believe what I was looking at.
The memo shows how the VA is making access to health coverage header for just one group:
Male vets w/ breast cancer….
“I can still hardly believe that people who should have remained unremarkable ended up memorialized on lists and monuments,” she wrote. “We were ordinary people plunged into extraordinary circumstances.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/w...
Selma van de Perre, Dutch Jew Who Resisted Nazis, Dies at 103
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:34 PM
“I can still hardly believe that people who should have remained unremarkable ended up memorialized on lists and monuments,” she wrote. “We were ordinary people plunged into extraordinary circumstances.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/w...
October 31, 2025 at 5:01 PM
My new least-part of airporting: listening to my fellow air travelers talk on speakerphone.
October 31, 2025 at 2:29 PM
My new least-part of airporting: listening to my fellow air travelers talk on speakerphone.