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Top Dem blasts Bondi hearing as ‘blatant defiance, a coverup and a creep toward authoritarianism’
MSNBC· 2025-10-08 01:25
It is exactly the opposite of what should be a standard oversight hearing which we do every year with every attorney general and we ask questions about policy and practice and past incidents and every attorney general under Republican and Democratic administrations has been responsive factually. What you saw today was just blatant defiance of the norms, a cover up and a creep toward authoritarianism that comes with singling out people for prosecution because they are personal adversaries or there's some kin ...
Sen. Chris Murphy warns America is 'in the middle' of an authoritarian takeover
MSNBC· 2025-10-08 01:19
Political Landscape & Democratic Erosion - The analysis suggests a concern that the cumulative impact of actions by the Department of Justice and the media resembles state-run entities, potentially suppressing dissent [1] - The report posits that the aim is to suffocate the opposition's operational space, rigging the rules to prevent them from winning national elections, similar to the situation in Hungary [2] - The document indicates that actions across the DOJ, FCC, and Department of Defense are designed to discourage participation in protests, running for office, and voting, potentially undermining democracy [3] - The analysis highlights the risk of a party, specifically Donald Trump's party, becoming increasingly dominated by oligarchs benefiting financially from the government [4] - The report underscores that retribution is a central focus, with open discussion of the Insurrection Act without significant pushback [6] - The document expresses concern that the deployment of National Guard troops in various states without the governors' consent may indicate a slide into authoritarianism [6][7] - The analysis suggests that a plan is being executed to transition the country from democracy to something fundamentally different, possibly autocracy [8] - The report emphasizes that engaging in peaceful civic action, with approximately 2% of the population participating, can help safeguard democracy [9] Legal & Insurrection Act Implications - The document raises concerns about the president's use of presidential pardons for individuals involved in the January 6th insurrection [11] - The analysis questions whether the definition of militia in section 332 of the Insurrection Act is broad enough to include groups like the Proud Boys, potentially offering them protection for using force [12] - The report suggests that committing violence in support of Donald Trump may lead to impunity, while criticizing him could result in severe legal consequences [13][14][15]
'We live in a free country': Steve Schmidt condemns Trump’s war on Americans
MSNBC· 2025-10-04 19:34
And I want to begin this hour by setting a scene. Quote, "We're under siege. We're being invaded by our own military." End quote. Now, you'd be forgiven for thinking those were words were words describing or North Korea, but they came from a witness describing a scene unfolding in Chicago this week.Those were the words of a man named Daryl Ballard speaking to the ABC affiliate in Chicago. Earlier this week, federal agents stormed an apartment complex in the Southshore neighborhood of Chicago. Witnesses say ...
‘We should be deeply skeptical’: How George Orwell’s writing mirrors Trump's authoritarianism
MSNBC· 2025-10-04 13:14
We're in a moment right now in this country where our government itself is pushing out false information. It's something that George Orwell warned us about years ago. When I sit down to write a book, I write it because there is some lie that I want to expose.Again, how many fingers. My starting point is always a feeling of injustice. The very concept of objective truth is fading out of this world.I'm going to set down what I dare not say aloud to anyone. This prospect frightens me much more than bombs. That ...
Red alert! Troops enter more cities as Trump suggests some citizens are ‘enemies’
MSNBC· 2025-10-02 00:00
On day one of the government shutdown, Donald Trump is trying to exert some presidential pressure, but top Democrats are defiant. >> For decades, Republicans have consistently shut the government down as part of their efforts to try to extract and jam their extreme right-wing agenda down the throats of the American people. Already Trump is targeting blue states in a way that some Democrats claim is an abuse of power.We will get into that and more. But we start tonight with a red alert for the country as fed ...
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker slams Trump over ICE raids, ‘authoritarianism’
NBC News· 2025-10-01 03:25
They're not targeting violent criminals or gang members. They're arresting tamalei vendors and delivery men and shaking down families. Donald Trump and Christy Gnome and Tom Hman said they were targeting the worst of the worst criminals.They lied and they continue to lie. 60% of the individuals that ICE has taken in Illinois this year have no criminal convictions of any kind. ICE is running around the loop harassing people for not being white.Just a year ago, that was illegal in the United States. Now, ICE ...
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker slams Trump over ICE raids, ‘authoritarianism’
NBC News· 2025-09-30 03:39
Building tradesmen near Tribune Tower simply doing their jobs were detained by federal agents while working on a construction site. Separately, two dozen federal agents chased down a man, handcuffed him, and asked him for his papers. Meanwhile, ISIS chief offender, Gregory Bo, has been leading the disruption and causing mayhem while he gleefully poses for photo ops and Tik Tok videos.Bovino even admitted on the record that they are making arrests based on how you look. They're not targeting violent criminal ...
Historian warns: 'A chill spreads' as Trump admin follows familiar authoritarian playbook
MSNBC· 2025-09-30 02:38
there's a kind of chill that spreads. So, as people begin to worry, what if I'm investigated. What if I'm arrested.Uh what if my company gets in trouble. What if my university is singled out. Uh what if my television show is is thrown off the air.Then people begin to self censor. And so you hear less and less clarity about what's going on. You see more and more people fall silent.And it's not as if there's a single date or a moment. there's just a slow slide. Uh and I should say in this America is not excep ...
Saikat Chakrabarti on why he's running against Nancy Pelosi & the 'appetite for change'
MSNBC· 2025-09-28 02:00
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emora, who has represented San Francisco in Congress since 1987, is facing multiple challengers for her seat, including 39-year-old Democrat Shika Chakraarti, who served as Congresswoman Alexandria Okaziocortez's chief of staff and managed her campaign. He recently told Politico about how his tactics have changed since Okaziocortez won in 2018, saying, quote, "The view was, let's get a few more people into the Democratic party and try to push the establishment. I think that time is ove ...
Congressional Black Caucus chair: Trump’s Comey indictment a ‘slippery slope into authoritarianism’
MSNBC· 2025-09-27 12:47
Political Landscape - Political reactions to the indictment are divided along party lines, with Democrats viewing it as a red line and Republicans celebrating it [1] - Some Democratic lawmakers warn about the abuse of power and the potential demise of democracy if such actions are allowed to go unpunished [2][3][7] - The administration is accused of being lawless and engaging in actions that could lead to authoritarianism [6] Democratic Response - Democrats are urged to stand up to the perceived bully and not back down or bend [2][7] - There is a call for transparency to educate the American people about the potential dangers of the current situation [10][13] - The situation is compared to Richard Nixon's era, suggesting a repeat of history but potentially more ferocious [10][11] Concerns and Targets - There are concerns that the administration is weaponizing its power to seek retribution against political opponents [12] - The President has expanded his target list to include individuals like Lisa Monaco, Fonnie Willis, George Soros, and Reed Hoffman [14] - There are worries that members of Congress who speak out against the administration could be targeted [14] Resilience and Action - Individuals are encouraged to turn their fear into power and reject the current state of affairs [16] - The American people will ultimately make decisive decisions about preserving and strengthening democracy [11] - It is emphasized that the current situation is not an exception but has become the rule, requiring a strong response [15]