Now that Donald Trump’s tariffs have been halted, his big, beautiful bill has been stymied, and his multi-billionaire tech bro has turned on him, how does he demonstrate his power?
On Friday morning, federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted raids across Los Angeles – including at two Home Depots and a clothing wholesaler – in search of workers who they suspected of being undocumented immigrants.Though figures vary, they reportedly arrested 121 people.
They were met with protesters who chanted and threw eggs before being dispersed by police wearing riot gear, holding shields, and using batons, guns that shoot pepper balls, rubber bullets, teargas, and flash-bang grenades.
On Saturday, Trump escalated the confrontations, ordering at least 2,000 national guard troops to be deployed in Los Angeles county to help quell the protests.
He said that any demonstration that got in the way of immigration officials would be considered a “form of rebellion.” Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, called the protests an “insurrection”.
On Saturday evening, the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, threatened to deploy active-duty marines, saying: “The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil. A dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK. Under President Trump, violence and destruction against federal agents and federal facilities will NOT be tolerated.”
Pure Fascist propaganda. The violence was deliberately provoked by police, then Trump squalled and called in the Guard. Next he will invoke the Insurrection Act (ironically enough) and may use Federal troops.
You see the Nazi-style language of his henchman Miller here.
We will have to fight these thugs, in the end.-greenman
He finds language in the US Code that he can twist to defend the felon's acts on his whispers. Miller had his ear the first time, and has it now. I don't know if he's loyal to the felon, or just uses that appearance because trump is that vain and stupid. You can look away from a painting, but you can't listen away from a symphony
Absolutely! Here's the rest of his piece from Substack
I was going to post this then I noticed you'd posted a piece of it.
Trump’s Police State It endangers all of us
Robert Reich - Jun 9
Friends,
Now that Trump’s tariffs have been halted, his One Big Beautiful Bill has been stymied, and his multibillionaire tech bro has turned on him, how does he demonstrate his power?
On Friday morning, federal agents from ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted raids across Los Angeles, including at two Home Depots, a doughnut shop, and a clothing wholesaler, in search of workers they suspected of being undocumented immigrants.
They arrested 121 people.
They were met with protesters who chanted and threw eggs before being dispersed by police wearing riot gear, holding shields, and using batons, guns that shot pepper balls, rubber bullets, tear gas, and flash bang grenades against the protesters.
On Saturday, Trump intentionally escalated the confrontations, ordering at least 2,000 National Guard troops to be deployed in Los Angeles County to help quell the protests.
He said that any demonstration that got in the way of immigration officials would be considered a “form of rebellion.” Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, called the protests an “Insurrection.”
Saturday evening, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened to deploy active-duty Marines, saying, “The violent mob assaults on ICE and Federal Law Enforcement are designed to prevent the removal of Criminal Illegal Aliens from our soil. A dangerous invasion facilitated by criminal cartels (aka Foreign Terrorist Organizations) and a huge NATIONAL SECURITY RISK. Under President Trump, violence and destruction against federal agents and federal facilities will NOT be tolerated.”
--- THE REST OF HIS PIECE:
Friends, we are witnessing the first stages of Trump’s police state.
Last week, raids in San Diego and Massachusetts — in Martha’s Vineyard and the Berkshires — led to standoffs as bystanders angrily confronted federal agents who were taking workers into custody.
Trump’s dragnet also includes federal courthouses. ICE officers are mobilizing outside courtrooms across America and are immediately arresting people — even migrants whose cases have been dismissed by judges.
History shows that once an authoritarian ruler establishes the infrastructure of a police state, that same infrastructure can be turned on anyone.
Trump is rapidly creating such an infrastructure:
(1) declaring an emergency on the basis of a so-called “rebellion,” “insurrection,” or “invasion,”
(2) using that “emergency” to justify bringing in federal agents with a monopoly of force (ICE, DHS, FBI, DEA, and National Guard) against civilians inside the nation,
(3) allowing those militarized agents to make dragnet abductions and warrantless arrests and detain people without due process,
(4) creating additional prison space and detention camps for those detained, and
(5) eventually, as the situation escalates, declaring martial law.
We are not at martial law yet, thankfully. But once in place, the infrastructure of a police state can build on itself. Those who are given authority over aspects of it — the internal militia, dragnets, detention camps, and martial law — seek other opportunities to invoke their authority.
As civilian control gives way to military control, the nation splits into those who are most vulnerable to it and those who support it. The dictatorship entrenches itself by fomenting fear and anger on both sides.
Right now, our major bulwarks against Trump’s police state are the federal courts and broad-based peaceful protests — such as the one that many of us will engage in this coming Saturday, June 14, on the No Kings Day of Action (information here).
If you are in the National Guard or active-duty military and you believe you are being ordered to violate the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens, I urge you to call the GI Rights Hotline for advice and support, at 877-447-4487.
It is imperative that we remain peaceful, that we demonstrate our resolve to combat this tyranny but do so nonviolently, and that we let America know about the emerging infrastructure of Trump’s police state and the importance of resisting it.
These are frightening and depressing times. But remember: Although it takes one authoritarian to establish a police state, it takes just 3.5 percent of a population to topple him and end it.
‐-------
Sia: We MUST join the peaceful protests
I will just say that we're playing into Trump's hands.
Not because we're opposing him, which we absolutely should be doing, but because we've picked the wrong issue.
Opposing Trump on the deportation of illegal immigrants is a HUGE mistake, IMO, because Americans overwhelmingly don't want illegals pouring in to the country (even if that's a bit exaggerated).
Opposing Trump on Musk and DOGE was fine. This one will turn the clock back and give Trump an undeserved break.
Illegal aliens are NOT a voting base. Defending their deportation gives Trump a victory.
FWIW-greenman
It does. However, the laws being violated to throw them out can also be used against citizens
It falls under the adage about 'not speaking out against injuries against groups one doesn't below to and then being all alone when the government comes for you'.
Protests should be VERY specific as to the regime breaking the LAW and gross violations of rights, rather than being seen as defending the "right" of people to break immigration laws and then to be allowed to stay here.
However, those who have gone through the entry ports and are documented as being here while waiting for their day in court, especially those who are regularly reporting to immigration offices as required by law should NOT be targeted. DON'T arrest law-abiding, asylum seeking immigrants. Anyone who is reporting to their immigration hearings as required is NOT ILLEGAL. LEAVE THEM THE HELL ALONE! Increase the ability of immigration offices to speed up the process. Don't punish those who follow the rules!
I wholeheartedly oppose raiding schools to target minor children! That is WRONG. Children can and will be seriously traumatized. Not just the immigrant children, but their friends and classmates who witness those raids and experience the terror of the immigrant children being dragged off or handcuffed. This regime is even targeting children born here, who are LEGAL citizens, and deporting them with their "illegal" immigrant parents.
I'm NOT ok with unlimited right of asylum (from what? Poverty?) and I'm open to discussion about citizenship birthright being dependent on at least one legal parent.-greenman
I'm not okay with unlimited asylum either. However, each person should have the opportunity to
Posted by Sia on June 9, 2025, 7:49 pm, in reply to "Agreed, but" ADMIN
plead their case at the immigration court, which IS the law, and dt's regime is totally violating that.
Those who get asylum usually are escaping violence in their home countries. Millions in Mexico and Central America are leaving due to horrific violence and gangs. Others are political "exiles" who'd be killed upon return.
For those who want to escape poverty, there should be a guest worker program where they CAN work here legally, in the jobs that they often gravitate to now, and be given the opportunity to EARN citizenship that way.
Since birthright citizenship is specifically built into the constitution, it would take an amendment to change that. At this point in time, I don't see that succeeding, but it's possible in the future when space and resources are much tighter. IDK?
I believe trump resorts employs and hires immigrants en route to citizenship
Out here in the west, they do jobs Americans won't. Roofing, road construction, general construction, food service...
Locally ICE has been raiding homeless camps, destroying them in the process. They don't disclose how many people they arrest. You can look away from a painting, but you can't listen away from a symphony
on June 9, 2025, 8:35 am
