Category: Authoritarian

Trump’s assault on the Smithsonian: ‘The goal is to reframe the entire culture of the US’ | US news | The Guardian

Trump administration officials are systematically dismantling the Smithsonian Institution’s historical narratives through executive orders, intimidation, and threats of funding cuts. On May 30, 2025, Trump personally fired National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet via social media, accusing her of being “a highly partisan person” supporting diversity programs he had banned by executive order on his inauguration day. Despite lacking legal authority to terminate Smithsonian employees—a power held by the institution’s board of regents—Trump succeeded in forcing Sajet’s resignation by June 12, demonstrating his willingness to weaponize presidential authority against cultural institutions.

In March 2025, Trump issued an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” that accused the Smithsonian of promoting “divisive, race-centred ideology” and assigned Lindsey Halligan—a mid-30s Trump aide with no arts background—to remove what Trump labeled “improper ideology.” The order directly contradicts the institution’s congressionally mandated mission to present an unbiased account of American history. Vice President JD Vance personally called for Sajet’s removal during emergency board meetings, signaling coordinated pressure from the administration.

Widespread self-censorship has spread through museums nationwide in anticipation of Trump administration scrutiny. Museum professionals report removing language about slavery being “unjust,” scrubbing references to the Dutch empire’s role in enslavement, replacing “diversity” with “variety” even in scientific contexts, and subjecting exhibitions featuring trans subjects to additional review layers. Artist Amy Sherald withdrew her exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery after learning the Smithsonian was pressuring her to contextualize a portrait of a trans woman, demonstrating how institutional self-censorship functions as a preemptive silencing mechanism without requiring explicit government intervention.

Trump has explicitly stated his goal: reframing American museums to present a nationalist, triumphalist narrative that downplays slavery and celebrates only American success. On August 19, 2025, he declared museums “the last remaining segment of ‘WOKE'” and vowed to apply the same aggressive tactics used against colleges and universities to cultural institutions. The Smithsonian faces an anticipated $131.2 million budget cut in 2026, and Trump threatens to revoke tax-exempt status from private museums—a tactic that functions as intimidation even without legal enforceability, compelling institutions to self-censor rather than risk losing charitable protections.

Museum directors, curators, and senior officials privately acknowledge the transformation but fear retaliation for speaking publicly. Steven Nelson, who recently left the National Gallery of Art, stated bluntly that “the administration don’t really have to do anything, because institutions are doing it all for them.” This systematic capture of cultural institutions reframes the entire narrative of American history from foundational levels, erasing discussions of slavery, racism, and injustice to impose an ideologically mandated version of national identity that serves authoritarian political goals.

(Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/08/donald-trump-smithsonian-reframe-entire-culture-united-states?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=fb_us&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwdGRleAPNDpRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeqGOf7N3A_RR8g6_b7eRWQEJBaE8o7uAtOzYP0CaIP5euVBiS7HpFHc0fr_E_aem_hEk2VO2Y27gNvD9zJLdkPA#Echobox=1767870506)

Trump Slams Woman Killed In ICE Shooting, Contradicts Police

President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social on Wednesday claiming that a woman fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis was a “professional agitator” who “violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer.” Trump’s account directly contradicts statements from Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, who reported the woman was shot in the head while in her vehicle after it began to drive away from a federal agent on foot.

Chief O’Hara’s preliminary findings indicate the woman was blocking a roadway when a federal officer approached on foot, at which point the vehicle began moving and at least two shots were fired. Video evidence does not show the officer being struck or in immediate danger from the vehicle, yet Trump claimed the officer acted in “self-defense.” The Department of Homeland Security characterized the incident as defensive action after claiming the woman “weaponized her vehicle,” a narrative the mayor and local law enforcement have rejected.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey characterized DHS’s official statement as false and told ICE agents to leave the city. Trump’s post falsely blamed the incident on “Radical Left” violence against law enforcement, despite no evidence suggesting political motivation in the shooting or that the woman posed an active threat to the officer’s safety.

The conflicting accounts between federal and local authorities underscore the Trump administration’s deployment of approximately 2,100 ICE agents to Minneapolis for what officials claim is the largest immigration enforcement operation ever conducted. Trump’s statement weaponizes the incident to justify aggressive federal enforcement and to attack perceived political opponents rather than acknowledge the discrepancies documented by local authorities and video evidence.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/just-in-trump-attacks-woman-killed-in-ice-shooting-directly-contradicts-minneapolis-police-statement/)

Trump Makes Sure Everyone Knows Why He Invaded Venezuela

President Trump publicly justified the U.S. invasion of Venezuela by stating the operation would secure control over Venezuelan oil reserves. Trump announced he would personally oversee the sale of 30 to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil at market price following Delta Force operatives’ capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, with the military action resulting in hundreds of deaths in Caracas and surrounding areas.

Trump’s original pretext that the invasion targeted drug trafficking has been abandoned despite continued repetition by right-wing media allies. The administration’s actual focus on Venezuelan oil became unmistakable when Trump suggested American taxpayers would reimburse oil companies for reconstructing Venezuela’s energy infrastructure, explicitly linking military intervention to corporate profit extraction.

The invasion violates international law by overthrowing a foreign government without lawful cause, establishing a precedent that powerful nations can unilaterally remove leaders they deem objectionable. This directly contradicts Trump’s stated support for a rules-based global order, as the administration simultaneously maintains close relationships with authoritarian regimes including Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman, whose government also oppresses its population and controls vast oil reserves.

Trump has installed Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice president from the previous regime, as successor rather than holding promised democratic elections. The administration demanded Rodríguez crack down on drugs, expel foreign operatives from U.S.-designated hostile countries, and cease oil sales to those nations, while explicitly postponing elections indefinitely—revealing the occupation prioritizes geopolitical control and resource extraction over democratic governance.

The military operation, which killed over 100 people in boat bombings designed to provoke Maduro into an aggressive response, demonstrates Trump’s disregard for the sovereignty of nations unable to defend themselves militarily. By stating “We’re going to keep the oil,” Trump discarded pretense and openly acknowledged the invasion as resource seizure justified by military dominance rather than law or humanitarian concern.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/trump-tells-everyone-why-he-illegally-invaded-venezuela-were-going-to-keep-the-oil/)

Minneapolis driver shot and killed by ICE officer during immigration-related operation, DHS says

An ICE agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday during the Trump administration’s largest immigration enforcement operation, which has deployed approximately 2,100 officers to the city. The Department of Homeland Security claimed the woman “weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over” agents, but video evidence and Minneapolis officials directly contradict this narrative, with Mayor Jacob Frey stating the DHS account is false after reviewing footage himself.

Video shows ICE agents approaching a burgundy SUV and ordering the driver out; when an agent grabbed the door handle, the vehicle reversed then moved forward, prompting the agent to fire three shots fatally. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara expressed concern that agents fired into a vehicle at someone who was not armed, calling the tactic inconsistent with professional law enforcement training to minimize deadly force. Witness Aidan Perzana told NBC News there was “plenty of space between the officers” for the vehicle to pass through, contradicting claims the driver was attempting to run down agents.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized the incident as “an act of domestic terrorism,” a designation Mayor Frey rejected, stating the woman appeared to be blocking the street in response to federal law enforcement presence—a pattern occurring nationwide. Frey declared “To ICE, get the f— out of Minneapolis,” condemning the agency for “ripping families apart, sowing chaos in the streets and, in this case, quite literally killing people” through reckless use of power.

The shooting occurred as ICE intensified operations following a December video alleging Somali-run day care centers committed fraud, though Minnesota’s on-site investigation of targeted facilities found them operating normally with children present. The surge has coincided with Trump disparaging Somali immigrants as having “destroyed” Minneapolis, calling Representative Ilhan Omar “garbage” and stating Somalis should leave the country, causing many Somali-American residents and citizens to reduce outdoor activity from fear.

Since December, ICE arrests in Minneapolis have risen to approximately 1,400 people, a sharp increase from roughly 300 by mid-December, marking a significantly larger operation than previous city-specific enforcement surges. In September, an ICE agent fatally shot a man during a Chicago-area traffic stop, with the family demanding justice and the FBI investigating the death, establishing a pattern of lethal force escalation under the current administration’s immigration enforcement strategy.

(Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/federal-law-enforcement-involved-ice-related-shooting-minneapolis-rcna252812)

The 5 Most Unhinged Claims From Trump’s January 6 Website

President Trump’s White House launched a website on January 6, 2026, reframing the Capitol riot five years after the attack. The site advances false narratives about the January 6 insurrection, contradicting documented evidence and official investigations.

The website claims Democrats staged a “real insurrection” by certifying the 2020 election and “weaponizing federal agencies” against dissenters, despite no evidence supporting Trump’s assertion that the election was stolen. It attributes the Capitol breach to Capitol Police escalation rather than rioters’ actions, alleging officers “aggressively” deployed tear gas and “inexplicably” removed barricades while simultaneously firing on crowds. These claims contradict the documented timeline of events and sworn testimony from law enforcement present that day.

The site characterizes the fatal shooting of rioter Ashli Babbitt by Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd as murder “in cold blood,” omitting that the Department of Justice determined in April 2021 that Byrd acted in self-defense and defense of Members of Congress evacuating the House Chamber as rioters broke through glass doors. The website also falsely attributes deaths solely to non-law-enforcement individuals, though four Capitol Police officers who responded to the riot died by suicide in subsequent months.

Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence is branded a “coward” for declining to reject electoral votes, a power he did not constitutionally possess. The site misrepresents Pence’s role; his stated duty was to “count the votes of the Electoral College for President and Vice President in a manner consistent with our Constitution, laws, and history,” which he executed on January 6.

The website concludes by labeling January 6 defendants political prisoners held in “harsh conditions” and celebrates Trump’s 2024 election as a triumph over “relentless Deep State efforts to imprison, bankrupt, and assassinate him” through “fabricated indictments” and “rigged show trials.” This narrative contradicts Trump’s criminal convictions and documented legal proceedings.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/the-5-most-unhinged-claims-made-on-trumps-jaw-dropping-new-january-6-website/)

DHS deploys 2K federal agents to Minneapolis area to carry out ‘largest immigration operation ever’ | The Independent

The Trump administration has deployed approximately 2,000 federal agents to the Minneapolis area in what officials characterize as the largest immigration enforcement operation ever conducted, according to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons. The operation, which began over the weekend, represents one of the largest single-city mobilizations of Department of Homeland Security personnel in years and has dramatically expanded the federal law enforcement footprint in Minnesota amid heightened political and community tensions.

Roughly three-quarters of the personnel come from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, which executes immigration arrests and deportations, while agents from Homeland Security Investigations conduct door-to-door investigations into allegations of fraud, human smuggling, and unlawful employment practices. Specialized tactical units are also involved, with HSI agents focusing on identifying suspected fraud while deportation officers arrest immigrants accused of violating immigration law. The operation includes personnel from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including Commander Gregory Bovino, whose involvement in previous federal operations has drawn scrutiny from local officials and civil rights advocates.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accompanied ICE officers during arrests in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, appearing in tactical gear in a video where she told a handcuffed arrestee from Ecuador, “You will be held accountable for your crimes.” The Department of Homeland Security reported the arrested man faced charges in Ecuador and Connecticut including murder and sexual assault. When asked for deployment figures, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin declined to specify numbers, citing officer safety, but stated the operation has already resulted in more than 1,000 arrests of individuals described as killers, rapists, child sexual offenders, and gang members.

Federal authorities have been increasing immigration arrests in the Minneapolis area since late last year, with Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel announcing last week that federal agencies would intensify operations in Minnesota with emphasis on fraud investigations. President Donald Trump has repeatedly connected the administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota to fraud cases involving federal nutrition and pandemic aid programs, many linked to defendants with Somali backgrounds. A source familiar with the operation cautioned that its scope and duration could shift as it develops.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/dhs-donald-trump-kristi-noem-minnesota-minneapolis-b2895689.html)

U.S. launches military strikes on Venezuela, Trump says Maduro captured and flown out of the country

President Trump announced early Saturday that Delta Force operatives captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were then flown out of the country following large-scale U.S. military strikes on Caracas and other locations. Trump confirmed the operation via Truth Social post and scheduled a press conference at Mar-a-Lago for 11 a.m. ET, stating U.S. law enforcement was involved without specifying which agencies. This operation follows Trump’s announcement of a “total and complete blockade” of Venezuelan oil tankers announced just weeks prior.

Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated Maduro would face criminal charges in the U.S., where he was indicted in 2020 on narco-terrorism allegations. Rubio reportedly told Lee that “no further action in Venezuela” was anticipated now that Maduro was in U.S. custody, and that the military operation was deployed to protect those executing the arrest warrant. The Trump administration has maintained a $50 million bounty for information leading to Maduro’s capture, doubled from $25 million last summer.

U.S. military strikes targeted major installations including Fuerte Tiuna military base, La Carlota airbase, signal antenna at El Volcán, and La Guaira Port on the Caribbean coast. The operation represents the culmination of Trump’s rapid military expansion across Latin America through recent security agreements signed with multiple nations. The FAA banned U.S. commercial aircraft from Venezuelan airspace due to ongoing military activity, effective through Sunday morning Caracas time.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez demanded proof of life and Maduro’s location on state television, while Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced military deployment across the country and declared a state of external emergency. The Venezuelan government called supporters to the streets to resist what it termed an “imperialist attack,” though the defense minister made no mention of Maduro’s reported capture.

Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona denounced the strikes as “illegal,” calling it the “second unjustified war in my lifetime,” while Republican Senator Mike Lee expressed constitutional concerns about military action absent a declaration of war or authorization for use of military force. Congressional measures to require approval for Venezuelan strikes have been voted down in recent months despite bipartisan pushback against the administration’s military buildup in the region.

(Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/venezuela-us-military-strikes-maduro-trump/)

Trump Tells Jared Polis and Colorado ‘RINO’ to ‘Rot in Hell’

President Trump attacked Colorado Governor Jared Polis and a Republican district attorney in a December 31st Truth Social post, calling Polis a “scumbag” and the DA “disgusting” while telling both to “rot in Hell.” Trump’s outburst targeted officials responsible for prosecuting former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who is serving nine years in prison for seven state-level charges related to 2020 election interference, including providing MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell’s associate unauthorized access to county election software.

Trump falsely claimed earlier in December that he had pardoned Peters, stating she was being “relentlessly” targeted for “demanding honest elections.” However, Trump lacks authority to pardon individuals convicted of state-level crimes; Peters’ conviction and imprisonment remain valid regardless of any presidential pardon claim. Trump characterized her prosecution as evidence that Democrats prosecute election-security advocates while ignoring their own alleged mail-in ballot fraud, assertions contradicted by documented fact patterns showing no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Colorado or nationally.

Trump previously weaponized disaster aid to Colorado, denying federal assistance following wildfires and flooding while Governor Polis governed the state. This pattern of targeting Colorado’s Democratic leadership demonstrates Trump’s use of presidential authority to punish political opponents, further illustrating the authoritarian consolidation of power through weaponized governance.

Trump’s attack on a fellow Republican official as a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only) reflects his ongoing purge of party members who do not demonstrate absolute loyalty to him personally. His refusal to accept Peters’ lawful conviction—despite her documented actions undermining election integrity through unauthorized system access—prioritizes Trump’s electoral narrative over institutional accountability and rule of law.

The Truth Social post exemplifies Trump’s pattern of attacking state officials and judicial processes when outcomes conflict with his interests, framing legitimate prosecutions as political persecution while simultaneously attempting to overturn state convictions through false pardon claims that carry no legal weight.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-tells-scumbag-governor-and-disgusting-rino-to-rot-in-hell/)

Kennedy Center president claims ‘legacy media’ is encouraging artists to boycott performances over Trump name change | The Independent

Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell accused major news outlets CNN, The Washington Post, and The New York Times of encouraging artists to boycott performances in response to the Trump administration’s attempt to rename the institution the Trump-Kennedy Center. Grenell made these claims without providing evidence across multiple X posts, stating that “legacy media are left wing activists.” Critics, including former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger, demanded Grenell produce the alleged emails, which would violate journalistic standards.

Multiple artists have canceled performances at the Kennedy Center since the board’s controversial February vote to add Trump’s name to the statutorily protected institution. Jazz supergroup The Cookers canceled New Year’s Eve concerts, with saxophonist Billy Harper stating he would not perform at a venue “bearing a name (and being controlled by the kind of board) that represents overt racism and deliberate destruction of African American music and culture.” The Doug Varone and Dancers troupe withdrew from an April 2026 performance, and drummer Chuck Redd canceled a longstanding Christmas Eve jazz concert in protest. In response to Redd’s cancellation, Grenell demanded $1 million from the artist, labeling the withdrawal a “political stunt.”

Trump attacked the Kennedy family on social media hours after the death of JFK’s granddaughter, amplifying MAGA supporters’ mockery of their objections to the name change. The administration installed MAGA-friendly board members in February and named Trump chairman of the center, abandoning the institution’s bipartisan tradition. Some observers dispute the legality of the board’s voting process, noting that a congresswoman was muted during the call and prevented from voicing criticism.

The attempted renaming has damaged the Kennedy Center’s financial performance and viewership. Ticket sales reached their worst levels in years following Trump’s takeover, according to October analysis by The Washington Post. The Kennedy Center Honors viewership dropped 35 percent year-over-year when Trump became the first president to host the event.

The Trump administration defended the name change as necessary to save the institution from deterioration, disregarding criticism from Kennedy family members and the broader artistic community. Grenell’s unsubstantiated allegations of media coordination appeared designed to shift focus from the substantive objections raised by canceling artists regarding Trump’s control of the culturally significant venue.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-kennedy-center-artist-boycott-b2892457.html)

Trump threatens lawsuit against Fed Chair Jerome Powell

President Trump announced he is considering filing a lawsuit against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, citing “gross incompetence” over renovations to Federal Reserve buildings. During a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump claimed the construction project was poorly managed and that the costs ballooned unnecessarily, calling Powell’s oversight of the work his “baby” and describing the outcome as incompetent.

Powell has disputed Trump’s characterization of the renovation expenses. The Federal Reserve published a FAQ addressing the claims, clarifying that the project was first approved in 2017 and has undergone annual budget review by the Fed’s board of governors since its inception, contradicting Trump’s narrative of unchecked spending under Powell’s watch.

Trump has previously threatened legal action against Powell and has repeatedly demanded his resignation, stating “He should resign. It would be a favor to the nation.” However, Trump indicated he would allow Powell to complete his term, which ends in May, noting he was “so close” to the term’s conclusion and acknowledged Powell’s impending departure even as he suggested he might still remove him.

Trump originally nominated Powell to lead the Federal Reserve during his first presidency, and President Biden subsequently renominated Powell for a second four-year term. Trump’s ongoing fixation on the Federal Reserve leadership and his repeated attacks on Powell reflect his broader pattern of targeting the institution when monetary policy decisions conflict with his economic demands.

This lawsuit threat represents another instance of Trump weaponizing the legal system against federal officials who do not comply with his directives. The Federal Reserve’s independence from presidential control is foundational to U.S. economic stability; Trump’s repeated attempts to intimidate, remove, or sue the Fed chair directly undermine that institutional autonomy.

(Source: https://thehill.com/business/5665840-trump-powell-lawsuit-fed-buildings/amp/)

1 2 3 … 154