In Trump’s executive orders it’s possible to see how he could build an authoritarian infrastructure under the guise of protecting Americans from an invasion.
A fine summary of what's going on. Hard to know where to start responding to Trump project. Reading this piece brought the Hitlerian concept of "lebensraum" to mind. Only this time, the plan is focused internally, i.e., to get rid of non-white or un-American people to create more mental space in the "homeland" (What a nauseating concept!) for real Americans. The root of this project is nativism and white supremacy, supported by Christian nationalism. The resemblances to Nazi fascism are too obvious to ignore. Thank you, Melissa, for all you do.
The comparison to lebensraum is astute, and I agree about the resemblances to Nazi fascism. I also agree that nativism is the root of Project 2025, though I don't believe that to be Trump's motivation. I think he's an unapologetic opportunist capitalizing on (and stoking the flames of) surging nativism and white supremacy to consolidate his power and to enrich himself and the ascendant billionaire kleptocracy. He just doesn't care who gets hurt in the process.
Putin is choking with laughter. Xi is delighted knowing how many US allies are going to turn to China for trade and economic support. And Americans are being treated to movie magic, with so many of them swallowing it hook, line and sinker. They'll learn what an invasion is when it's too late. But the extremist magas will approve, even as they get turned out of their own homes. Trump is weakening our defenses, literally, on all fronts: international, health, economic, domestic, intellectual, all because he wants control. Have you seen his eyes lately? They're empty. Whatever soul he had is gone. Thanks for this story, Melissa.
Our decentralized system serving as the chief bulwark against the rise of fascism is cold comfort. Excellent work as always, Melissa. Thank you for the work you do.
If it’s possible to represent a different point of view here.
It’s still not clear to me exactly why the Biden administration decided that it was a good idea to open our borders to millions of unskilled, uneducated people. Allowing a relative small number of the well educated in each year is probability a good idea. This was one of the most disastrous policies the country has seen in my long lifetime and I hope that our representatives in Congress will grill those responsible to determine its origin. It undermined the wages of all workers and exacerbated our national housing crisis when we can’t house our own citizens. It was a major factor in the election of Donald Trump. It consumed billions of our tax dollars which could have been put to better use. I still don’t understand those who say that we should not deport the majority of these interlopers. They violated our laws and continue to violate them and they should be removed not rewarded by allowing them to stay. There’s no statute of limitations on this illegal behavior. No one believes that they have a right to move to Paris and live their life there without the permission of the French and no one would argue that the French have no right to kick their sorry asses out of that country. Why do the same rules not apply to the United States? They clearly do.
Hi Dave, immigration policy is complex and there's been a lot of misinformation so people are rightly confused. This recent congressional testimony by an immigration expert at the Cato Institute, a Libertarian think tank, does a good job of describing the different policies and measures during Trump's first admin and the Biden administration https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25507145-hhrg-119-ju01-wstate-bierd-20250122/
A fine summary of what's going on. Hard to know where to start responding to Trump project. Reading this piece brought the Hitlerian concept of "lebensraum" to mind. Only this time, the plan is focused internally, i.e., to get rid of non-white or un-American people to create more mental space in the "homeland" (What a nauseating concept!) for real Americans. The root of this project is nativism and white supremacy, supported by Christian nationalism. The resemblances to Nazi fascism are too obvious to ignore. Thank you, Melissa, for all you do.
Absolutely. This is the story. The media that are not captured by MAGA need to widen their lens.
The comparison to lebensraum is astute, and I agree about the resemblances to Nazi fascism. I also agree that nativism is the root of Project 2025, though I don't believe that to be Trump's motivation. I think he's an unapologetic opportunist capitalizing on (and stoking the flames of) surging nativism and white supremacy to consolidate his power and to enrich himself and the ascendant billionaire kleptocracy. He just doesn't care who gets hurt in the process.
Putin is choking with laughter. Xi is delighted knowing how many US allies are going to turn to China for trade and economic support. And Americans are being treated to movie magic, with so many of them swallowing it hook, line and sinker. They'll learn what an invasion is when it's too late. But the extremist magas will approve, even as they get turned out of their own homes. Trump is weakening our defenses, literally, on all fronts: international, health, economic, domestic, intellectual, all because he wants control. Have you seen his eyes lately? They're empty. Whatever soul he had is gone. Thanks for this story, Melissa.
Thank you Carolea. It's hard to watch this unfold. You sum up the outcome pretty well.
Hi Melissa, we just reposted your commentary in both English and Spanish on Havana Times.
https://havanatimes.org/opinion/trumps-invasion-theatrics-act-1/
https://havanatimesenespanol.org/mundo/la-teatralidad-de-la-invasion-de-trump-acto-1/
Our decentralized system serving as the chief bulwark against the rise of fascism is cold comfort. Excellent work as always, Melissa. Thank you for the work you do.
Thank you Pablo!
Everything Milley says is true. Chump has initiated an "investigation" into the former head of the Joint Chiefs. Badge of Honor.
Smart post. Keep 'em coming!
If it’s possible to represent a different point of view here.
It’s still not clear to me exactly why the Biden administration decided that it was a good idea to open our borders to millions of unskilled, uneducated people. Allowing a relative small number of the well educated in each year is probability a good idea. This was one of the most disastrous policies the country has seen in my long lifetime and I hope that our representatives in Congress will grill those responsible to determine its origin. It undermined the wages of all workers and exacerbated our national housing crisis when we can’t house our own citizens. It was a major factor in the election of Donald Trump. It consumed billions of our tax dollars which could have been put to better use. I still don’t understand those who say that we should not deport the majority of these interlopers. They violated our laws and continue to violate them and they should be removed not rewarded by allowing them to stay. There’s no statute of limitations on this illegal behavior. No one believes that they have a right to move to Paris and live their life there without the permission of the French and no one would argue that the French have no right to kick their sorry asses out of that country. Why do the same rules not apply to the United States? They clearly do.
Hi Dave, immigration policy is complex and there's been a lot of misinformation so people are rightly confused. This recent congressional testimony by an immigration expert at the Cato Institute, a Libertarian think tank, does a good job of describing the different policies and measures during Trump's first admin and the Biden administration https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25507145-hhrg-119-ju01-wstate-bierd-20250122/