American Authoritarianism

Trump Calls New York Times a “Serious Threat” After Epstein Piece

Trump says the New York Times is a ‘serious threat’ to national security, and well, here’s what that boils down to. It’s pretty clear that when Trump makes this kind of statement, it’s not really about the country’s well-being. It’s almost always about his personal interests and how he perceives threats to himself. In this case, it seems the piece in question, presumably about Jeffrey Epstein, has ruffled his feathers.

It’s becoming a pattern, isn’t it? Anything that paints him in a negative light, or that exposes some uncomfortable truths, is immediately labeled a danger to national security. The irony, of course, is that many people see *him* as the real threat, what with his past actions and alleged behaviors.… Continue reading

Nicaragua Bans Bibles and Other Items for International Visitors

Nicaragua has implemented a ban on international visitors bringing Bibles, newspapers, and cameras into the country. This policy, confirmed by a regional bus company, is part of a broader trend of increasing authoritarianism and repression by the Nicaraguan government, which has led to the country’s rise on the Open Doors persecution watchlist. The ban, in place for at least six months, coincides with the government’s crackdown on civil society, including shutting down over 1,300 faith-based organizations since 2018 protests. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has condemned the ban, urging the Nicaraguan government to lift it and calling on the international community to support independent voices.

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Trump Administration Aims to Denaturalize Thousands of US Citizens in 2026

In a move reflecting a broader crackdown on immigration, the Trump administration has set a goal to strip citizenship from over a thousand naturalized Americans in fiscal year 2026. This directive, issued to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices, demands a significant increase in denaturalization cases, a process that has historically been rare. Experts suggest that fulfilling this directive will be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, due to the legal hurdles involved and the need for federal court approval. This aggressive pursuit of denaturalization, viewed as a tool to instill fear, comes amidst unprecedented censorship and attacks on progressive media, making support for independent journalism like Truthout crucial.

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Cassandras Ignored: The Foresight of Those Who Saw Trump’s Fascism Coming

The article examines a group of individuals, “Cassandras,” who were early to recognize the dangers of political trends and are now advocating for a more assertive response. These individuals are characterized by their clear thinking, strong values, and courage, often clashing with “anti-alarmists” who prioritize cynicism and a “savvy” approach. The Cassandras criticize the media’s complacency and urge Democrats to adopt a more aggressive stance against rising authoritarianism. This perspective has resonated with a growing base of Democratic voters, emphasizing the need for decisive action and a willingness to “fight” to protect core values. Ultimately, the article celebrates the courage of the Cassandras for speaking up and inspiring others to do the same.

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Yale Historian: Trump’s Policies Risking World War III

Yale historian Greg Grandin posits that President Trump’s foreign policy is destabilizing the international order established after World War II. Grandin highlights the administration’s embrace of the Monroe Doctrine, suggesting a return to a world divided into spheres of influence, particularly in Latin America. Evidence includes military actions and political interference in the region, including military build-up in the Caribbean. Grandin warns that this shift toward a more aggressive, sphere-of-influence approach increases the risk of global conflict and “brinkmanship” similar to what was seen leading up to World War II.

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General Says Military Would Attack “Designated Terrorist Organizations” Within U.S. Borders

In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, General Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command, stated he would execute orders to attack designated terrorist organizations within the U.S. if he had no concerns about the lawfulness of the order. This revelation comes amid reports of the military conducting extrajudicial killings of alleged “narco-terrorists” in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, raising concerns about the legal justification for such actions. The White House and Justice Department have refused to rule out summary executions of Americans, with the Justice Department announcing arrests of a “far-left, anti-government, domestic terror cell” and a directive from the President to target U.S. progressive groups. The administration’s rhetoric, coupled with the executive order to root out domestic terrorist organizations, raises concerns about the potential for military action within U.S. borders and the suppression of dissent.

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US Actions Echoing 1930s Concerns Amidst Political Polarization

British MPs expressed serious concerns about the US’s national security strategy, criticizing its use of “extreme rightwing tropes” reminiscent of the 1930s and its potential interference in European democracies. The House of Commons specifically scrutinized the strategy’s language, which described Europe as facing “civilisational erasure” and vowed to support “patriotic European parties.” While some ministers acknowledged areas of agreement with the US, others, including the Liberal Democrats, explicitly condemned the document’s ideology, with some describing it as rooted in “racist, white supremacist ideology”.

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Sen. Murphy: Trump’s Rhetoric Fuels Violence, Critics Say

Sen. Murphy’s assertion that Trump is engaged in a “dizzying campaign to increase violence” in the US cuts right to the heart of a deeply concerning reality. The comments paint a picture of a political climate where inflammatory rhetoric, veiled threats, and the constant stoking of division have become the norm. This isn’t just about harsh words; it’s about the potential consequences of those words, the real-world impact they have on a society already grappling with deep-seated tensions.

The idea that some are actively trying to provoke the masses to benefit from economic chaos and social unrest is a chilling thought.… Continue reading

US Resembles Putin’s Russia: Growing Authoritarianism Concerns

The author, drawing from their experiences studying Russia, observes concerning parallels between Putin’s Russia and the current state of the United States. They highlight how Russia, through policies, marginalized certain groups and enriched the elite, a characteristic of a fascist regime. This marginalization manifested in the removal of certain groups from public spaces and the prioritization of superficial consumerism over basic human needs. The author fears that the US is headed down a similar path, mirroring the social stratification and inequities observed in Putin’s Russia.

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Trump’s “New Normal”: Silencing Dissent and Redefining Legality

The New Normal: Trump Decides Which Beliefs Are ‘Legal’: When dissent becomes an “indicator,” the First Amendment stops being a right and starts being a risk.

It’s a chilling prospect: a government actively seeking out and investigating its own citizens based on their beliefs. This isn’t the premise of a dystopian novel; it’s the reality unfolding under a directive that, frankly, sounds like something out of a satirical newspaper. National Security Presidential Memorandum-7 (NSPM-7) orders the FBI and other agencies to target individuals and groups based on a list of “indicators” – markers of potential domestic terrorism. These indicators, however, aren’t about violent acts.… Continue reading