Tag Archives: authoritarianism

NBC News reports: A senior U.S. official appointed by President Donald Trump has scrapped a federal regulation designed to protect the editorial independence of Voice of America and other U.S.-funded media outlets, amid accusations he is undermining the journalistic credibility of the broadcasters. Michael Pack, CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media who rescinded the editorial “firewall” regulation late …

Courthouse News reports: Federal police are now under a court order not to arrest or assault journalists and legal observers for doing their jobs, after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Thursday that the government said it would appeal. “An open government has been a hallmark of our democracy since our nation’s founding,” U.S. District Judge Michael Simon …

Oregon Public Radio reports: The Oregon Department of Justice is suing several federal agencies for civil rights abuses, and state prosecutors will potentially pursue criminal charges against a federal officer who seriously injured a protester. The federal lawsuit names the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Marshals Service, the United States Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Protective …

CNN reports: The US Attorney for the Oregon District today requested an investigation into the masked, camouflaged federal authorities without identification badges who are arresting protesters in Portland. The request is aimed specifically at DHS personnel who have been captured on various videos arresting protesters and putting them in unmarked SUVs. Demonstrators in Portland have been protesting racial inequality and …

“Who is attacking us? Mr. Esper should know this. It’s antifa. Department of Justice, NYPD, others are saying this very clearly. These are people, by the way, that we faced back in 1960’s, 70’s, and early 80’s. “These were people who were far leftists, Marx, Lenin, folks who embraced that ideology. They’ve allied with Black Panther movement and it took …

Axios reports: A New York Times spokesperson said in a statement Thursday that the paper will be changing its editorial board processes after a Wednesday op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), which called for President Trump to “send in the troops” in order to quell violent protests, failed to meet its standards. The shift comes after Times employees began a …

Via email from the Trump campaign: When you become a member of the Trump Army today, we’ll give you access to our never-before-seen Limited Edition Camo Keep America Great Hat. The President wants YOU and every member of our exclusive Trump Army to have something to identify yourselves with, and to let everybody know that YOU are the President’s first …

From the Lincoln Project: The Lincoln Project recognizes the long and distinguished national service of General Milley and honors him for it. Likewise, the Lincoln Project appreciates the service of Secretary of Defense Esper. Nevertheless, their participation in the infamous events of June 1st was an egregious lapse in judgement, and they should resign their offices. On that day, in …

Former Defense Secretary James Mattis writes: I have watched this week’s unfolding events, angry and appalled. The words “Equal Justice Under Law” are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court. This is precisely what protesters are rightly demanding. It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should be able to get behind. We must …

More expensive masturbatory jingoism: The administration is working with the South Dakota governor’s office to plan a military flyover at Mount Rushmore during President Donald Trump’s visit to the national landmark on July 3 as part of Independence Day celebrations, a spokesperson for the governor confirmed to POLITICO. “We do anticipate there being a military flyover of some kind,” said …

Sen. Tom Cotton writes in the New York Times: These rioters, if not subdued, not only will destroy the livelihoods of law-abiding citizens but will also take more innocent lives. Many poor communities that still bear scars from past upheavals will be set back still further. One thing above all else will restore order to our streets: an overwhelming show …

The Washington Post reports: President Trump for months has griped, complained and tweeted about what he says is the unfair Russia “witch hunt” investigation that has consumed nearly half of his presidency. Now, the president has floated a possible solution: two bonus years. White House officials and others close to the president said he was joking and is not serious …

“Here’s actually what Trump said. He said, ‘I can tell you I have the support of the police, the support of the military, the support of the Bikers for Trump, I have the tough people, but they don’t play it tough until they go to a certain point, and then it would be very, very bad.’ Why did the media …

The Guardian reports: Russia’s parliament has approved a controversial law that allows courts to jail people for online “disrespect” of government or state officials, including the president, Vladimir Putin. The law, which critics say is reminiscent of Soviet-era legislation used to target political dissidents, stipulates fines of up to 100,000 roubles (£1,155) for “indecent” online posts that demonstrate a “blatant …

The Hill reports: The National Rifle Association (NRA) claims in a new video that President Trump and his supporters are being subjected to the most “ruthless” attack against a U.S. president and his supporters in the history of the country. “We are witnesses to the most ruthless attack on a president and the people who voted for him, and the …

The Guardian reports: The Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, has said he would have his son killed if drug trafficking allegations against the younger politician were true, and that the police who carry out the hit would be protected from prosecution. Paolo Duterte, 42, appeared this month before a senate inquiry to deny accusations made by an opposition lawmaker that he …

The Guardian reports: Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday asked the head of the country’s Commission on Human Rights (CHR) if he was a paedophile for focusing on the killing of teenagers in the government’s bloody war on drugs. Duterte also suggested to lawmakers using CHR’s proposed 678 million pesos budget to buy the police body cameras if they do …

Channel News Asia reports: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte joked Friday that soldiers could rape up to three women, as he reassured them of his full support under his newly imposed regional martial law. Duterte, who often peppers his language with man-on-the-street curses, made the comments in jest during a speech at a military base to lift the spirits of troops …

Newsweek reports: Footage has emerged of a mass brawl outside the Turkish embassy in Washington during which men believed to be Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s bodyguards are seen attacking protesters just hours after the Turkish president’s meeting with Donald Trump. The brawl ensued as Erodgan’s security detail and pro-Erdogan supporters confronted Kurdish and Armenian demonstrators. A video—posted by Voice of America—showed …

The New York Times reports: Only seven days after Donald J. Trump was sworn in as president, James B. Comey has told associates, the F.B.I. director was summoned to the White House for a one-on-one dinner with the new commander in chief. The conversation that night in January, Mr. Comey now believes, was a harbinger of his downfall this week …