Racial profiling in immigration stops and detention greenlighted by the Supreme Cort

The 6-3 Supreme Court just gave the green light to ICE to snatch people off the street because they look Hispanic and sound Hispanic. It is racial profiling, pure and simple. I am disgusted. The voice of dissent, Justice Sotomayor, wrote:"We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low-wage job," she wrote. "Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent." Trump's Supreme Court is chipping away at civil rights with no explanation other than "it's not our job to set immigration enforcement policy," and we need to call them out. That should send a chill through anyone who does not look white for the precedent this sets. Supreme Court gives no explanation as it hands Trump another win

The old warning to anyone who looks Hispanic (or even native Americans), carry your papers ready to show them on the spot, is no real protection as even green card holders and those born here have birth certificates, get detained by ICE. ICE is putting many in holding pens while they "sort it out", and even then, whether the detainee can afford an attorney or even speaks English is a question. Their chance for a "due process" hearing after waiting days in a slammer is a roll of the dice and the hope that some non-profit comes to their rescue.

This is sheer terror, as told to me by my Hispanic friends. Even showing an ICE agent your papers is not always helpful. There are no figures released by the Trump regime that report numbers of those wrongfully detained and even deported, but there are past studies that detail that there were plenty of wrongful detentions dating years before ICE was given a quota ot snatch anyone to make their daily tally. Anecdotal evidence that it is happening now is plentiful if you do a Google search.

La Corte Suprema, con 6 votos a favor y 3 en contra, acaba de dar luz verde al Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) para que secuestre a personas en la calle por su apariencia y sonido hispanos. Es discriminación racial, pura y simplemente. Estoy indignada. La voz disidente, la jueza Sotomayor, escribió: "No deberíamos tener que vivir en un país donde el gobierno pueda detener a cualquiera que parezca latino, hable español y parezca tener un trabajo mal pagado". "En lugar de quedarnos de brazos cruzados mientras se pierden nuestras libertades constitucionales, disiento". La Corte Suprema de Trump está socavando los derechos civiles sin más explicación que "no es nuestra responsabilidad establecer políticas de control migratorio", y debemos denunciarlos. Esto debería estremecer a cualquiera que no parezca blanco por el precedente que esto sienta. La vieja advertencia para cualquiera que parezca hispano (o incluso nativo americano): llevar sus documentos listos para mostrarlos en el acto no es una protección real, ya que incluso los titulares de tarjetas de residencia y los nacidos aquí con certificados de nacimiento son detenidos por el ICE, que simplemente los pone en celdas mientras "resuelven sus problemas". Aun así, si el detenido puede pagar un abogado o si habla inglés, tiene la oportunidad de una audiencia de "debido proceso" después de esperar días en una cárcel es una cuestión de suerte, y la esperanza de que alguna organización sin fines de lucro venga a rescatarlo es un juego de azar. Esto es puro terror, como me contaron mis amigos hispanos. Ni siquiera mostrarle los documentos a un agente del ICE sirve de nada. El régimen de Trump no ha publicado cifras que informen sobre el número de detenidos injustamente e incluso deportados, pero sí hay estudios anteriores que detallan que hubo muchas detenciones injustas años antes de que el ICE tuviera una cuota para capturar a cualquiera por día. Hay abundante evidencia anecdótica de que esto está sucediendo ahora si se busca en Google.

Messaging again, Democrats: loser: I'm not Trump. Winner: here's how I will fix your pain

Democrats will lose if they just say," Vote for me because I am not Trump.' Instead, Democrats need to tell what they would do in the future and actions they support instead of vague theories and worn platitudes...Here are examples of what I mean:

I am hearing moe and more voices saying that Democratic candidates will lose if they just say," Vote for me because I am not Trump.' Their platform seems to be that Biden was right by inference. That is no winner, and it was the reason Trump won in 2024. Instead, Democrats need to tell what they would do in the future to fix what's wrong, though the issues are the same as in 2024, and Trump has failed to deliver on some key ones, like the economy, which impacts both red and blue states and individuals regardless of political affiliation, race, or religion. Keep it brief, steer clear of the wonky weeds, and focus on specific actions. Avoid worn platitudes and vague theories.

Mamdani in New York did two things:" I feel your pain, and your pain is you cannot afford to live here, and here is exactly how I will help"...all in one sentence. He dwelt and focused on what actions he would take that would help those who are not rich. Avoid poli sci theories or cultural issues terms, which can devolve to divisive name-calling. The exception to using poli sci terms could be branding Democrats as pro democracy, not pro-dictatorship. Put it in terms of fairness or American values of all to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.. As an obvious issue, independents and even some Trump voters will get why Trump is a wannabe dictator because others will be making that issue on behalf of Democrats. Others will use terms of class warfare, but as a candidate, many elections will hinge on swing voters.

The other issues not addressed by Mamdani on crime and immigration cannot be ignored, either. Admit there is a crime problem in red and blue cities; i.e., put a cop on every block in high crime areas; good, the border is closed but let us treasure the good migrants who contribute to our economy and are our neighbors.

For the affordability issues, restore the health care cuts to Medicaid and ACA and make Medicare sounder, but reduce the costs to consumers by competitive bidding of prescription drugs and charges for participating in these popular programs.

..support early childhood education and give financial support to those. providing childcare to make it affordable.

.. support making groceries more affordable by supporting market competition and opposing monopolies, stopping tariffs on imported food, and providing enduring work permits for migrant farm workers (the old bracero method?).

.. support the building of more affordable housing and housing for the homeless. including tax breaks and some funding, etc.

...To the question of how we should pay for all of this? Reverse the outrageous tax breaks to the very rich. ...(this is one way to address class warfare by emphasizing the result of Trump's actions without talking about it that would be a turnoff to moderates needed to win)

'''reverse Trump's tariffs to what they were before and use tariffs in the future to support national security interests, not as a government fundraising project,

...Under the topic of fairness to everyone, not just to billionaires and those who pledge and show loyalty to one president:

.. will not govern by using the iron fist of the military against our own citizens or threaten criminal accusations against opponents without any evidence

..improve our free and fair elections, and make sure your vote will be counted, no matter who you vote for (if needed: this is why I support democracy, not dictatorship)

... end political and racial gerrymandering, end untraceable

campaign money,

... work to keep the federal government and a single man from controlling state-run elections, limiting ballot access, and managing the tabulations of votes.

(Note the lack of reference to the damage done by MAGA in cultural and racial issues; those victimized by such, we hear plenty of that from other organizations, but in a federal election campaign, fairness is a value all can subscribe to.)

The false pretext: President loses a power grab strategy with Harvard, California, migrant due process rulings

The President is losing a power grab strategy with his action on Harvard, the deployment of military in California, and migrant due process ICE policies. The courts are not buying his use of pretexts to justify his actions.   Is Trump using false pretexts to justify military actions to seek regime change and revisit denied court actions, as he kills 11 Venezuelan drug sailors and floods the Caribbean with US military assets in a Wag the Dog scenario and reclassifies drug smugglers as "terrorists"? His most flagrant example of a false pretext is the misuse of revenge on Colorado's mail-in ballot system as a pretext for moving the space command center to Alabama. Trump has been trying to move the center since 2016, but had never tied it to mail-in ballots until now.

  One of the tools of terror to force institutions, private and public, to bend to Trump's power grabs is to use unrelated issues in order to get compliance with his policies and to justify anti-constitutional acts of withholding funding.  The pretext is false, and courts are not being fooled in recent lower court decisions. Most of these rulings will end up in the Supreme Court. (Oxford dictionary:Pretext: a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason.)  I would add that even the pretext itself can be used and abused and distorted, and it can be just as false as the issue and facts to which they are referring are false, as well.("False Pretense"is the word used in common language, but it also has a meaning  in the law closely associated with criminal real estate transactions so I am using "pretext" to avoid any confusion.)

Trump's attempt to force Harvard to change their curriculum and admissions polices, contrary to Trump's interests, by using the issue of anti-Semitism, just hit the fan.  A judge ruled that Trump's withholding of $2 billion in federal research grants unless Harvard complied with demands that were unrelated to anti-Semitism actions on campus was illegal. Judge says Trump administration unlawfully blocked $2 billion from Harvard | CNN Politics This ruling will be appealed, but in the meantime, the Trump strategy to scare all, including private institutions, engaged in higher ed that dare teach a liberal viewpoint, and the intellectual debate of multiple views, to change curriculum and staff to support his one-sided view, is being stopped.  Trump's attempt to control the ability of all Americans at any level of education to hear or learn views other than Trump is also obvious from attempts to force the Smithsonian to remove or reduce references to the ills of slavery in American history and the resulting civil rights movement. 

The grand daddy of false pretexts: to deploy military, national guard, or active duty contrary to the Posse Comitatus Act as applied to states' rights, is that there is a "national emergency", a loophole that would give him the power to do it. That one also was shot down in flames regarding the deployment of troops to California, and my also echo in other incidents, including his attempt to hype up the crime issue in blue states, when ignoring the even worse rate of crime in red states. After ruling against LA Guard use, Trump vows more deployments : NPR   Next on  Trump's plans: send troops into Chicago.  The use of federal troops in DC is a different situation, since Washington, DC, is not a state, but is subject to degrees of federal control and home rule.. It is obvious that such a declaration of national emergency serves his political ambitions to pull a trick out of the magic political hat." Democrats are always soft on crime, so fear them, and Republicans are hard-nosed." Watch that controversy to be on the top burner if Trump continues with plans in Chicago and Baltimore.

 So far, lower courts have ruled against the pretext of a "national emergency" as a means to circumvent the Constitutional provisions that Trump sees as standing in the way of his power grabs. Many of these rulings will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court.  The terms "abuse of power " and"overreach" are too kind. Recent cases are examples of power grabs by strong leaders who seek to wield the same powers as a dictator, ruling by one person who declares what the law is, rather than being established through a democratic process, subject to compliance and interpretations to justify Trump's real power grab attempts.

 As a recent example, Trump's order to move the space command from Colorado Springs to Alabama because Colorado defied his newest anti-voter access to the ballot box by mail. Trump says he's moving Space Command HQ to Alabama because of Colorado's mail-in voting system. This is purely a matter of revenge (against a blue state) to favor a supporter (red Alabama). In reality, the location of the space command has always been a matter of politics, since his first term, regardless of any financial or military considerations, and mail-in ballots were never linked to the move until now. The false pretext  Trump made in his announcement was not even disguised: He was moving it because of Colorado's mail-in system as retaliation.

 In fact, the anti-mail-in ballots argument rests on a false pretext itself.  There was widespread fraud, ballot harvesting, etc in 2020, caused by mail-in ballots, when nearly every opportunity in courts (at least a minimum of 60 court rulings), or for John Q Public to provide evidence in the past five years has failed.  Conservative group finds ‘absolutely no evidence of widespread fraud’ in 2020 election

Is he now planning military action against Venezuela (yes, we are at war now) to justify defying the Constitution clauses regarding due process and/or breaking international maritime laws and/or force regime change in that country?   Trump announced our military attacked a drug smuggling boat, and now he wants to get Venezuela's drug smugglers classified as terrorists, though, why? I suspect it is either to give legal cover to the US violating territorial waters, or to justify his illegal attempt to violate Venezuelan migrants' due process rights by zealous ICE action, already claiming Venezuela was at war with the US.  under the Alien Enemies Act.  An appeals court rejected the abuse of that act. US appeals court rejects Trump's use of Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans | Reuters  For those engaged in conspiracy theories, it would not be put past Trump to declare the US was at war against Venezuela in order to take even more action against migrant mass deportation, regardless of whether they had committed any crimes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio from Florida has also had a long held desire to end the Maduro dictatorship. Wag the dog, the use of a false pretext for war can even itself be a false pretext. Inventing and provoking an incident is not just a strategy found in literature and movies.

Sometimes, the pretext to justify an action is not due to a scheme or grand plan, but sheer ignorance or perceived opportunity to make a point without knowing the facts. Within the same 24 hours, Trump confused 5-year-old videos with current facts, and AG Pam Bondi tried to cherry-pick examples of dangerous migrants in big blue cities, when the incidents did not happen in the city she claimed they did. It may also happen because Trump has only yes people advising him, who could intervene and correct him before he opens his mouth and sticks his foot in it. Here is an example of that: Trump, watching FOX, did not realize he was watching a 5-year-old video of George Floyd protests and claimed "last night" he saw Portland being destroyed, so it was time to threaten to send the military into the city and put that city on his list to try to oppress. I wonder how many in MAGAland thought that Portland, Oregon, was being destroyed last night?    https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-threatens-to-send-troops-to-city-he-says-he-saw-being-destroyed-last-night-but-it-wasn-t/  In the same24 hour span, AG Pam Bondi claimed migrants committed horrific crimes to justify military action on blue cities when the examples she used took place miles from the city of Boston.  https://www.thedailybeast.com/pam-bondi-takes-aim-at-boston-citing-crimes-from-elsewhere/

Will the Supreme Court's legacy be they killed off democracy?

Will the Supreme Court's legacy be" they killed off democracy'?"Trump's "I can do anything I want" attitude had at first been fed by the friendly Supreme Court ruling that he cannot be prosecuted for a crime while in office, and recent 6-3 Court decisions. Those are now on full display and a matter of public record. Trump is now consolidating power and seeking more, acting and ruling as if he is already a dictator, with little in sight to stop him. Over the years, during and since Trump's first term, the GOP Senate leadership has managed to install a Court dominated by ideologues of various extreme think tanks, such as those favored by the Heritage Foundation and screened by other think tanks for ideological purity. With this kind of control by ideologues who want a unitary or much stronger executive branch, no wonderTrump feels comfortable he can gamble by letting "his' Supreme Court decide whether his power grabs have gone too far. In the upcoming session, the Supreme Court will decide whether its 6-0 majority, with a recent track record of usually granting the power he desires whenever the issue is before it, will continue to do so. Three major decisions will be looming, if not more, that will decide if the Court caves to his power grab or not. The Supreme Court's heritage could be known as the enabler of the end of democracy, of, by, and for the people, and instead gives the permission slip to a power-hungry president, allowing it to become a government of, by, and for Trump. There are some crucial tipping point decisions soon before the Supreme Court this fall. With such power in his hands, Trump has the luxury of being able to ignore the economic needs of those who voted for him and other campaign promises made in 2024, especially those thinking that he would reduce their cost of living. 

This is a Supreme Court, comprising those with a 6-3 Trump-favoring majority, packed over recent years with ideologues who are presumed to be loyal to the concept of a more powerful executive branch, a unitary system that undermines checks on executive power. They were screened by "conservative" think tanks like the Federalist Society for their tilt before they were nominated, and their Senate approval process was strategized by GOP leadership to prevent even other nominees from being considered. 

Those who have advocated for years for the extremist goal of turning the executive branch into a "unitary" government, which is another term for eliminating the checks and balances that Congress and the Judiciary once had, is a goal of the Heritage Foundation. Until the emergence of Trumpism and Trump himself, who seeks to accumulate more power and wealth for himself (no secret at all), the inclination of the Court was to prevent a wannabe from becoming a full-blown dictator. They are now in control of the appointments to keep power positions, and fellow traveler Trump is using the hammer of a totally politicized justice department to threaten and control past and present "enemies".

 The goals of the Heritage Foundation in the 2024 elections were also no secret. It was in print and online, available for all to read.  The irony is that the name of this foundation is not a reflection of the democratic heritage of the republic founded by our forefathers, but rather the opposite. It has been the promotion of the executive branch's power, aiming to turn it into a form of dictatorship, while maintaining the form of checks and balances, yet subverting the judiciary's and legislature's ability to effectively check the executive branch's power. The founders of our Republic warned us against exactly what Trump is trying to do and set up a form of government that kept the executive branch in check, giving the power of the purse to Congress, and an executive branch that was concerned about whether laws or governmental actions were in keeping with the intent of the Constitution. The Supreme Court and the independent judiciary were tasked with ruling on whether laws conformed to the Constitution. The duties of the executive branch were outlined in the "take care" clauses throughout the document.

 It was the rule of law, not the rule of a king, a tyrant, foreign or domestic, that shaped the founders in devising the Constitution in 1789. Kings and tyrants were to be feared and prevented. That is the heritage we have, not the one the Heritage Foundation's deceptively named think tank supports and now dominates the Trump administration, in tune with their leader, who also wants to be an autocrat, too. (Autocrat: another name for a dictator, as "autocrat" sounds to a degree to be less all-powerful or threatening). 

  Trump is now consolidating his power in various ways that resemble those of a dictator, testing the limits of his authority until the Supreme Court intervenes.  He has indicated he will stand by what the Supreme Court rules, but on that promise, we should not trust, as he has a history of breaking promises to get elected. (i.e., I will reduce your cost of living, end the Ukraine war on day one). Instead he has been obsessed and consumed by getting revenge and frightening with threats into keeping mouths shut or into actual verbal compliance with his purposes

.Now Trump is hell bent by tariffs, labor shortages due to mass deportation, and making sure everyone in government or receiving federal funds, top to bottem is loyal to him but not to the empty pledges of loyalty oaths to the constitution, his attempt to put the federal governent in control of tabulation and methods of voting instead of the states, his attempted firing of officials of once hands off independent agencies, his trampling of civil rights and due process, his attempt to frighten so many into subservience to him by using his department of justice to launch investigations without probable cauise except for the crime of being disloyal to him. and his ordering state governors to rediscrt to give him continued control of the House..  

Update: 9 9 2025. The 6-3 Supreme Court just gave the green light to ICE to snatch people off the street because they look Hispanic and sound Hispanic. It is racial profiling, pure and simple. I am disgusted. The voice of dissent, Justice Sotomayor, wrote:"We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low-wage job," she wrote. "Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent." Trump's Supreme Court is chipping away at civil rights with no explanation other than "it's not our job to set immigration enforcement policy," and we need to call them out. That should send a chill through anyone who does not look white.

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: So is Trump now appealing for the pro dictator vote while he says he is not one?

 The Supreme Court has expanded Trump’s power. He’s seeking much more.

Full List as Supreme Court Rules for Donald Trump 15 Times in a Row - Newsweek

Supreme Court Keeps Ruling in Trump’s Favor, but Doesn’t Say Why - The New York Times

Project 2025 Tracker | 

Meet the powerful group behind Trump’s judicial nominations   about the Federalist Society

McConnell went 'nuclear' to confirm Gorsuch. But Democrats changed Senate filibuster rules first.

Congratulations, MAGA, you have now turned America into the nightmare our founders warned us about

 Congratulations, MAGA, you have now turned America into the very nightmare our founders warned us about. In modern terms, per this opinion piece, we have turned into a fascist state (no ovens yet, just concentration camps and military occupation). Horrors, you say, how dare you call this fascism. If it isn't, what is it? Give me a better word. Then tell me how this benefits your daily life with a president obsessed with amassing power to the extent he can ignore your needs, whether it is affordable and effective modern health care, groceries, shelter, and the ability to object and be heard or to get him to change course. The more power he gets, the less he has to listen to us and how we live our daily lives. We once had a form of government of, by, and for the people. Now we have a government that has become the government of, by, and for, an all-powerful individual. He is taking away ordinary people's ability to cope and the right to object, complain, without fear or favor, or fairness, and affect what he does. He's got his agenda and if it is not yours, or in the future it turns out not to be yours, you are SOL. Did you vote for this?

 What kind of dictator, this wannabe (per Gov. Pritzker) aspires to be: a fascist one?  From, a prior post: MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: What is fascism and does Trump meet the definition rev.8/13/2025 updated 8/14- 15/2025 Trump is acting like a dictator and, in many respects, like a fascist one, depending on the definition or criteria. An Australian political scientist in 2013 published a study of 1930s fascist dictators and identified some common characteristics.  In any case, you do not have to have Nazi extermination ovens to still be called a fascist. Are those who support Trump fascists, too? Take the Britt test below. Dr. Lawrence Britt, an Australian political scientist, wrote "14 Defining Characteristics of Fascism" after studying the fascists of the 1930s.

For those who wonder where they fit in, take the Britt test

In bold print are Britt's defining characteristics of fascism. In Italics, my reason for contending Trump is meeting or not meeting those characteristics.

Nationalism: saying one's own country is better than other countries. Not exactly: Trump contends the US is failing and other countries are taking advantage of us.

Disdain for human rights: The core issues are around due process, and cruelty in imprisonment and snatching off the street because a person looks like a "Mexican". Trump would welcome those from Norway, however, to migrate to the US. Obviously, white people are not targeted.

Scapegoating: blaming someone else for the country's problems: Trump is constantly whining about migrants from south of the border who are rapists and murderers and criminals; now he and his supporters are hinting they want to stop birthright citizenship and revoke refugee status, as well as revoke already granted citizenships.

Putting the military first: Only if it pledges loyalty to Trump, passes his test for that, or is not led by women, non white people, gays, etc. The assumption is that black and brown people and women are inherently not as competent as men. More faith is put in paramilitary ICE, masked, not in uniform, pardoning militias, unregulated, from violent acts that were found guilty by juries for insurrection. Insurrection is fine if it is done in support of Trump, is the message. His use of the national guard on streets does not address underlying problems of homelessness and crime, but is only for show, a temporary drama, and an attempt to see if he can get away with declaring a bogus emergency, nationally or locally as a way to assert his willingness to use the military against their own fellow citizens as his campaign of fear and suppression of demonstrations of opposition. (His use of the military to get us used to armed occupation to put down any demonstrations and the pretension and show that he cares about crime, as he grants pardons to criminals who supported him.)

Sexism: saying men are better than women: End DEI, equal rights for genders, and a mantra incompetent in military (as above) and tolerates Hegseth's religion that women shouldn't even be able to vote; found in civil suit Trump was liable for rape, has: boasted of p grabbing and now his relationship with Epstein, his attempt to sidestep and hide evidence. is causing suspicion as he is hiding something and apparently fears exposure.

Control of mass media: telling newspapers and other sources of news what they can and cannot tell the people: Threatens to yank broadcast licenses, forces broadcast media mergers until they fire objectionable comedians; cuts funding the public broadcasting; stops access to White House briefings if he does not like the reporter.

Focus on national security: Crickets on this one. Trump undermines cybersecurity funding, trusts Russia's CRU more than the US CIA,... Uses bogus claims of national emergency to bring in active military and national guard; once, Trump tried to get the military to shoot black lives matter protestors in the legs. Ok if Russia interferes in elections or land-grabbing aggression, undermines NATO. Hints would not honor article 5, does not care if Europe feels threatened if Russia takes all of Ukraine, advocates peace at any price, even if it endangers world or regional peace. Thinks appeasement works.

Close ties between religion and government: Follows and achieves white nationalist Christian plan (Project 2025) to replace the personnel in the various branches and agencies with their ideologues..

Protection of businesses and corporations: Destroys or subverts consumer and environmental protection agencies; gives special tax breaks to corporations; tells lies that tariff costs are not passed on to customers in higher prices

Suppression of labor power: preventing labor unions from becoming powerful: against right-to-work laws; promotes non-union auto assembly shops, puts flunkies in charge of the NLRB

Disdain for intellectuals and the arts: telling people not to listen to scientists, scholars, and artists, took over the Kennedy Center; trashes White House historical decor with gold gilt; anti-science in control of scientific agencies like Robert Kennedy Jr.; calls any evidence of global warming a fraud; disbands key climate and weather forecasting agencies. Dictates to Harvard and Columbia what curriculum should be, or lose government contracts, and then uses them to cow every other research institute associated with a private university with similar threats

Focus on crime and crimefighting: Ignores crimes that are committed by supporters or pardons those convicted of crimes who he likes, January 6 rioters, and even criminals and murderers imprisoned in foreign prisons. Using "national security" bogus excuses to crack down on local enforcement agencies in DC and LA, while threatening other major cities that have black mayors.

Corruption: conducted in plain sight with his cryptocurrency, with sales and investments based on his name and position, selling access to foreign interests to him for dinners, etc, hiding campaign contributions in crypto; accepts gifts (747) from princes;

.Fraudulent elections: Claims any vote where the tally goes against him is always because the election was stolen or there was fraud, always without evidence. Tried to get loyalists to get control of voting machines; claimed over 60 state elections were fraudulent in 2020, and no court found evidence of it; Still claims the 2020 election was stolen but never coughed up evidence after 5 years of trying.. Instructed Texas to start gerrymandering districts to get 5 more House seats and in order to misrepresent voters' will, deprive racial minorities of Congressional representation, and fix the 2026 elections. They want to federalize elections and take the administrative power away from states, giving Trump the power to more easily control the outcome to benefit him. Trump wants to control the vote count by federal control of voting machines and banning mail in ballots. He got his advice from Putin, per the New York Times. MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Trump's newest attack democracy's rule by people via a vote. ban mail in ballots and voting machines

Messaging again: Is it time to position the Democratic party as the pro-democracy party?

 With all of Trump's words recently regarding the value of being a dictator and his hihts he will run for a third term in 2028 (in violation of the Constitution which he ignores and gets away with), is it time for the Democrats to position themselves as a pro-democracy party?

Democrats have been floundering around in search of a positive message.  This is one and Trump's recent dog whistle to MAGA dictatorship lovers is an opening.  The implied contrast with the GOP is rich. MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: So is Trump now appealing for the pro dictator vote while he says he is not one?

If you want to reach ordinary people with ordinary words, please, I have some pet peeves that need to be retired

Overreach: as President Trump overreaches his power. It is worse than that. How about "power grab" and if appropriate," unconstitutional power grab:"

Unprecedented: So what. Some want to try something new since the old way didn't work:...If the historical reference is the point, how about "never in the history of our democracy" and if appropriate, "never in the history of our country did we have a president who wanted to be a dictator"

Existential: It meant one thing to Camus and other European novelists of the last century..and it sounds like the speaker has got to be some sort of a fancy intellectual, but how about" happening now" or if appropriate," 3 alarm fire"; or" the threat is right now"

There is a flood of great speaking out by others:  here are two that particularly hit me. 

Ali Velshi 8/30/25 on MSNBC delivered a blistering, first class opinion asking "Where's the party'. The party: Democrats This is well worth while for you to hear. It expresses the same frustration I have felt regarding a party that can't stop examining its navel and wringing hands, but they are not providing any real leadership to save our democracy. Where is the Party?: Time for Democratic leaders to ‘fight with both hands’ or ‘step aside’

In Trump's words about his views of beging called a dictator, he instead glorifies the concept of becoming one:   From Don’t be fooled by Trump’s dictatorship jokes "In comments he recently made at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, he said that instead of calling him a dictator, “they should say we’re going to join him and make Washington safe.” This week, he brought it up again — several times. On Monday, during a meeting at the White House, he complained, “They say, ‘We don’t need him, freedom, freedom… He’s a dictator. He’s a dictator.’ A lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we like a dictator.’” He made a similar comment the next day: “The line is that I’m a dictator, but I stop crime. So a lot of people say, ‘You know, if that’s the case, I’d rather have a dictator.’” He added later, “Most people say, “If you call him a dictator, if he stops crime, he can be whatever he wants.’ I’m not a dictator, by the way.”

But since he believes he has unlimited power to do anything he chooses, it’s pretty clear that he is open to entertaining the notion. As he said on Tuesday during a Cabinet Meeting, “I have the right to do anything I want to do. I’m the president of the United States. If I think our country is in danger, and it is in danger in these cities, I can do it.” 

If those aren’t the words of a would-be dictator, I don’t know what would be.

Trump is raising the prospect of a dictatorship over and over again to normalize it, to make it something from which the American people will no longer recoil — and that it’s accepted and even supported by many Americans. Will it work? CNN has reported that Trump’s followers are increasingly in favor of dictatorship — as long as he is the dictator. The question is whether the rest of the country will be so sanguine. 

In the meantime, even if he’s not quite embracing the term itself, the president is behaving like a dictator. And so far, he’s getting away with it. ..

Now, Trump senses an opening — and he is going for it."

Another great op ed from the Raw Story:  These two factors — and no others — will lead to Trump's defeat | Opinion

Here is my take on whether to keep on the pro-Democracy track or not. Read it.

This Raw Story op-ed is on target, in my opinion. To comment and agree with Raw Story: 1.) Whatever public polls there are, most have Trump's approval rating at mid-40s and disapproval at low 50's. not good enough to cause a blue wave.. That is despite everything thrown at him from calling a dictator, fascist, to Epstein, to being inhumane, and polls showing disapproval of every one of his issue policies. 2) The only two that will make the difference in 2026-2028, his obvious signs of aging (it worked against Biden, too) and the economy, with or without the tariffs. Consumers will still feel the pain and his failure to deliver. Prices will remain high if they do not get higher.

I will continue to beat the drum for democracy. Maybe someone besides a (D) will listen and care, but so far, that one seems to be preaching to the choir. The choir needs a director, and it has not found its voice, but it is at least attentive and still searching for the right notes.

However, that one... keeping democracy as my drumbeat.. is dear to my heart because I am old enough and have personal experiences with dictatorships to wish it on no one, especially Americans who do not realize or have taken for granted the gem of the system of governance we have had for 250 years. Any American who thinks strongmen, autocrats, and dictators are better than the system we have is...to put it rawly...an ignorant fool. Fundamentally in any of those degrees of dictatorships, people lose their ability to complain without repercussions and to influence or make changes to the policies of the big guy in charge. The big guy controls the power buttons, including the ballot box results and the media message. Instead of government of, by, and for the people, it is government of, by, and for the great leader whose main goal is to stay in power by any means. That is still why I think it is important to brand the Democratic Party as the pro-democracy party, too. In the long term, it will be what counts in our lives. It is the right thing to do.

msn.com

These two factors — and no others — will lead to Trump's defeat | Opinion

Despite the inarguably awful actions this administration has taken during its first eight months in office, Donald Trump remains largely impervious in the polls — low to be sure but hardly politically threatening, right in his zone. This despite taking some of the most unpopular and undemocratic a...

A proposal to save lives from deranged mass shooters: involve social media users

A proposal to save lives from deranged mass shooters:  involve social media users in a "if you see something, say something" campaign. The campaign would urge users to report disturbing postings and videos, a mechanism to report and make referrals, and private and public funding suggestions..

There were comments this morning on cable that the Minneapolis shooter left warning signs on social media, in this case, YouTube. If that was so, why didn't someone report it or even know where to report it? Unlike China or dictators, we do not have a cadre of many monitors of social media, but the real army in the US is the users of social media, from elementary school to citizens of all ages. The effective use of citizens to be alert and report those who are posting plans and comments that are the warning signs, is as applicable to warning about a person carrying a gun as they are entering a public space, as it is to those using social media.  So many of the shooters have no criminal record because they are young or clever, so those legally buying weapons escape detection through databases when they fill out the required paperwork.  What about a national campaign by private and public entities to promote "see something, say something" on social media and report it to some hotline run by, say the the FBI or ATF,911, or a mental health agency tied to a national website/telephone number/ ?. The campaign should include what are warning signs are as well as where to report it. For those who do not want to be accused of being a snitch, or even a fearful parent not knowing what to do, the ads should contain the concept that your report could save the life of both the prospective shooter and the victims. Like all hotlines answered in person or from an email, good screening needs good judgment, and knowledge about which police or mental health agency the referral is made to depends upon good training.  Social media companies and the Ad Council could be sources of funding for the campaign and hotline training and manning, as well as federal funding, to make this a long term campaign.

The old GOP trick: Whenever in doo doo, the GOP invokes law and order

 Fear is sweeping DC that Democrats will take over the House in 2026. Pulling the panic button the GOP not only tries to cut expected losses by gerrymandering to gain seats, they are pulling their old rabbit out of the magic hat: Democrats are soft on crime; the GOP is tough on crime. President makes provocative claim during Cabinet meeting as National Guard patrols DC streets | Fox News Trump will make crime the top issue in 2026.

Willie Horton in 1988? GOP ads in 2022? The GOP mouths familiar words, but their Big Beautiful Bill cuts funding to after-school programs and adds nothing to local policing. Instead, Trump cut billions from local police reforms and improvements and Gov. Pritzker charged he "defunded police". Trump Reverses Biden Directive on Policing Reforms | Brennan Center for Justice. Trump's big beautiful bill diverted funding from policies that shift funds away from some policing and crime-prevention programs. So, Trump threatens to send in the military just to make the point that he is the big muscle caring about your safety and protection against crime.  As usual, the perception by the loyal GOP followers is that crime is always out of control whenever there are black mayors in blue states.  The statistics show crime rates are as bad to worse in red states' cities, but who in the GOP cares about statistics? Perception is all that counts. 

  In the meantime, if there was a crime wave to justify such military intervention, the Big Beautiful Bill added nothing to support of urban policing and instead yanks funds from community-based policing and taking guns off the street beginning in 2026..  Instead, all law enforcement increases were for combating immigration.  Trump loves crime committed on his behalf  or by those who support him enough as he issues pardons and gets immunity to commit crimes himself, a gift from the Supreme Court. 

The next question is how Democrats should counter this Trump strategy to make crime the issue: One way is to show that Democrats don't like crime either, and then come up with a plan that makes sense. It may vary from one area to another, but it isn't just strategy and collaboration, or solving urban social problems caused by poverty.  I have served in big city local government, have had close friends in law enforcement, and sat through interminable city council debates.  There is no silver bullet. However, more cops on the beat on foot or bike do two things: one, make a visible statement, giving reassurances to residents,  and two, get on the ground response more quickly in high crime urban areas. The difference is that Democrats would extend such programs not only to cities with high crime rates in blue states but also to cities in need in red states.

In politics, visibility counts in shaping perception.  I could see some smart candidate proposing an idea like "a cop a block" in targeted high crime areas or something catchy and visible like that, and then proposing funding more cops visible on the streets.  That may be where Congress fits into the picture. That may not be the best and highest use, but at least it would provide something better than a soldier on every block for only 30 days. What happens when they leave, anyway?  Soldiers are not trained to be cops of civilians, make arrests, and intervene to defuse hot conflicts.  It is like the concept of community cop policing in schools. or a cop on every subway train or bus stop. 

 https://www.nlc.org/article/2025/07/11/local-impacts-from-congress-one-big-beautiful-bill #:~:text=The%20bill%20maintains%20the%20direct,2034%20period%20by%20$3.4%20trillion.%E2%80%9D 

  MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: So is Trump going to send troops into crime ridden cities located in red states?

To keep kids out of trouble, the Big Beautiful bill also It is also withholds nearly $7 billion in gran is to admit t funding to school districts – for before- and after-school programs, teacher training, ... https://www.nlc.org/article/2025/07/11/local-impacts-from-congress-one-big-beautiful-bill/: 

The Campaign Ad that Reshaped Criminal Justice | The Takeaway | WNYC Studios   Willii Horton

Local crime news coverage and concerns about crime | Pew Research Center  2022

https://giffords.org/press-release/2025/05/trump-budget-defunds-the-police/

Trump loves criminals convicted of crimes committed on his behalf  or by those who support him enough as he issues pardons and gets immunity to commit crimes himself, a gift from the Supreme Court. List of people granted executive clemency in the second Trump presidency - Wikipedia