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Showing posts with label donald trump. Show all posts
Showing posts with label donald trump. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 02, 2025

Rethinking Trade in an Age of Chaos: Why the Trump Tariff Circus Is No Substitute for a Global Blueprint

 



Rethinking Trade in an Age of Chaos: Why the Trump Tariff Circus Is No Substitute for a Global Blueprint

By Paramendra Bhagat

The Trump administration's trade negotiations have never been rooted in sound economic theory. As someone who is not formally trained as an economist but who has followed global trade developments closely, I’ve searched extensively for any credible framework supporting the administration's dismantling of the World Trade Organization (WTO). There is none.

What we’re witnessing is not trade policy—it’s economic roulette. And the chamber is loaded.

Trump’s approach to tariffs and trade agreements mirrors the chaos of Atlantic City’s casinos more than it reflects any rational, strategic economic model. There’s no coherent doctrine, no comprehensive vision. What we have instead is a hollowed-out mercantilism, punctuated by ad hoc threats and photo-op diplomacy. These are not negotiations; they’re stunts. And they’re hurting everyone.

A House of Paper vs. a World of Goods

The U.S. dollar, for all its privilege as the global reserve currency, is still just paper without the backing of goods and services. You can’t eat printed bills. You can’t power an economy on a pile of Treasury notes. When the rest of the world holds bananas, rice, lithium, microchips, and solar panels—and America holds IOUs—who really holds the upper hand?

The illusion of control through tariffs is quickly unraveling. U.S. businesses have temporarily absorbed the shock by frontloading imports, shifting supply chains, and burning through stockpiles. But this is a stopgap, not a strategy. The delayed pain is now metastasizing into cost increases, broken supply lines, and a tidal wave of inflation. Not inflation. Inflation explosions.

Economic Masquerade: When Machines Play Farmers

The administration’s pressure on India to “open up” its agriculture sector is perhaps the most farcical element of this theater. India’s agricultural workforce is massive—about 40% of its population, meaning there are more farmers in India than there are total people in the United States. These are smallholder farmers who rely on agriculture not just for income, but for survival.

Contrast that with U.S. corporate agriculture, the most subsidized sector in any economy anywhere in the world. These aren’t farmers—they're machine operators. Demonic-sized tractors roll over thousands of acres like military tanks, fueled by government subsidies and Wall Street financing. And yet, somehow, it’s India that’s accused of protectionism.

The WTO: Flawed, but Foundational

Critics of the WTO—both from the left and right—aren’t wrong to highlight its inequities. But to tear it down without offering a credible alternative is like demolishing a hospital because the waiting times are too long. You don’t destroy the foundation of global trade because you’re angry about steel imports.

Yes, the WTO needs reform. Yes, developing nations deserve fairer rules. But tariffs are not a solution. They are a weapon. And in this case, they are being fired blindly.

What Keynes Knew in 1944

The irony of all this is that the West had its chance to create a balanced global trade architecture—in 1944. John Maynard Keynes, the brilliant British economist, proposed the creation of a global clearing union and a neutral international currency called the bancor. This would have prevented imbalances by discouraging both trade deficits and surpluses. But the U.S., flush with postwar industrial might, dismissed the idea in favor of dollar dominance.

Now, decades later, that short-term thinking has come full circle. The American middle class has been hollowed out. Manufacturing has fled. And we're trying to reassert control not through innovation or cooperation, but through tantrums and tariffs.

The Real Way Forward: A New Trade Paradigm

We need a reset. Not a retreat.

The only sustainable path forward is multilateral. It requires all countries to come together, not to impose demands or extract concessions, but to co-design a just, sustainable, and thriving global economy. That includes fair rules for agriculture, climate-aligned trade policies, and the empowerment of the Global South.

A starting point? The book Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy offers a timely framework. It doesn’t rely on nostalgia for past power, but on building an inclusive system for the future—one where trade serves people, not just profits.

Final Word

The current approach isn’t policy. It’s a train wreck in progress. The longer we delay course correction, the deeper the damage will be. If we want a trading system that works for workers, farmers, and future generations, we need to build it—together.

Before it’s too late.





व्यापार की पुनर्कल्पना इस अराजक युग में: क्यों ट्रंप की टैरिफ नीति एक वैश्विक खाका नहीं है

लेखक: परमेंद्र भगत

ट्रंप प्रशासन की व्यापार वार्ताएं कभी भी किसी ठोस आर्थिक सिद्धांत पर आधारित नहीं रही हैं। मैं एक प्रशिक्षित अर्थशास्त्री नहीं हूँ, लेकिन मैंने महीनों तक समाचारों का अध्ययन किया है यह देखने के लिए कि क्या विश्व व्यापार संगठन (WTO) को नष्ट करने के पीछे कोई वैकल्पिक आर्थिक सिद्धांत है। मुझे ऐसा कोई सिद्धांत नहीं मिला।

जो कुछ हम देख रहे हैं, वह व्यापार नीति नहीं है — यह आर्थिक रूले है। और पिस्तौल में गोली भरी हुई है।

ट्रंप की टैरिफ और व्यापार समझौतों की रणनीति अटलांटिक सिटी के कैसीनो जैसी अराजकता को दर्शाती है, न कि किसी रणनीतिक आर्थिक सोच को। यहाँ कोई स्पष्ट सिद्धांत नहीं है, कोई व्यापक दृष्टिकोण नहीं है। यह एक खोखला व्यापारवाद है — अनिश्चित धमकियों और फोटो-ऑप कूटनीति से भरा हुआ। यह कोई वास्तविक वार्ता नहीं, बल्कि राजनीतिक नाटक है। और यह सबको नुकसान पहुँचा रहा है।

कागज़ की मुद्रा बनाम वास्तविक वस्तुएँ

अमेरिकी डॉलर, चाहे वह वैश्विक रिज़र्व मुद्रा क्यों न हो, अंततः सिर्फ़ कागज़ ही है — जब तक उसके पीछे वस्तुएँ और सेवाएँ न हों। आप प्रिंटेड डॉलर खा नहीं सकते। आप अर्थव्यवस्था को केवल ट्रेजरी नोट्स के बल पर नहीं चला सकते। जब बाकी दुनिया के पास केले, चावल, लिथियम, चिप्स और सोलर पैनल हों — और अमेरिका के पास सिर्फ़ कर्ज़ के कागज़ — तो असली ताक़त किसके पास है?

टैरिफ से नियंत्रण की यह मृग-मरीचिका अब टूट रही है। अमेरिकी कंपनियाँ कुछ समय के लिए झटका झेल चुकी हैं — पहले से आयात करके, आपूर्ति श्रृंखला को शिफ्ट करके, या स्टॉक जमा करके। लेकिन यह एक अस्थायी उपाय है, कोई दीर्घकालीन रणनीति नहीं। अब यह संकट लागतों में वृद्धि, आपूर्ति संकट, और मुद्रास्फीति की सुनामी के रूप में प्रकट हो रहा है। यह केवल मुद्रास्फीति नहीं है। यह विस्फोटक मुद्रास्फीति है।

जब किसान नहीं, मशीनें खेती करें

भारत पर दबाव डालना कि वह अपनी कृषि प्रणाली को "खोले", इस तमाशे का सबसे हास्यास्पद हिस्सा है। भारत की लगभग 40% जनसंख्या कृषि में कार्यरत है — यानी भारत में अमेरिका की पूरी जनसंख्या से भी अधिक किसान हैं। ये छोटे किसान हैं, जिनकी आजीविका और अस्तित्व खेती पर निर्भर है।

इसके विपरीत, अमेरिका की कॉर्पोरेट कृषि — जो शायद दुनिया की सबसे अधिक सब्सिडी प्राप्त क्षेत्र है — किसानों द्वारा नहीं, बल्कि विशाल मशीनों द्वारा संचालित होती है। ये "किसान" नहीं हैं — ये मशीन ऑपरेटर हैं, और इन मशीनों का आकार राक्षसों जैसा है। फिर भी अमेरिका भारत को संरक्षणवादी कहता है?

WTO: दोषपूर्ण, फिर भी आवश्यक

WTO की आलोचना उचित है — वाम और दक्षिण दोनों पक्षों से। लेकिन बिना किसी वैकल्पिक व्यवस्था के इसे तोड़ देना, जैसे अस्पताल को इसलिए गिरा देना कि इंतज़ार लंबा है। आप वैश्विक व्यापार की नींव को नष्ट नहीं करते क्योंकि आप स्टील आयात से नाराज़ हैं।

हां, WTO को सुधार की ज़रूरत है। हां, विकासशील देशों के लिए नियमों को और न्यायपूर्ण बनाना होगा। लेकिन टैरिफ इसका हल नहीं हैं। वे हथियार हैं। और इस मामले में, उन्हें अंधाधुंध चलाया जा रहा है।

1944 में केन्स ने जो समझाया था

विडंबना यह है कि पश्चिम के पास एक न्यायपूर्ण व्यापार व्यवस्था की रचना का अवसर 1944 में ही था। ब्रिटिश अर्थशास्त्री जॉन मेनार्ड केन्स ने एक वैश्विक क्लियरिंग यूनियन और एक अंतरराष्ट्रीय मुद्रा "बैंकोर" का प्रस्ताव रखा था। यह न केवल व्यापार घाटे बल्कि अधिशेष को भी हतोत्साहित करता। लेकिन अमेरिका, उस समय की औद्योगिक शक्ति से घमंड में चूर, ने उस विचार को ठुकरा दिया और डॉलर की प्रधानता कायम रखी।

अब दशकों बाद, उसी सोच के कारण अमेरिका की मध्यम वर्गीय रीढ़ टूट चुकी है। विनिर्माण समाप्त हो गया है। और हम नवाचार या सहयोग के माध्यम से नहीं, बल्कि गुस्से और टैरिफ के ज़रिए नियंत्रण फिर से हासिल करने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं।

असली समाधान: एक नई व्यापार व्यवस्था

हमें पुनरारंभ की ज़रूरत है, पीछे हटने की नहीं।

स्थायी समाधान केवल बहुपक्षीय हो सकता है। इसके लिए सभी देशों को एक साथ आना होगा, ताकि वे जबरदस्ती नहीं, बल्कि एक न्यायसंगत, टिकाऊ और समृद्ध वैश्विक अर्थव्यवस्था की सह-रचना कर सकें। इसमें कृषि के लिए न्यायपूर्ण नियम, जलवायु-संरेखित व्यापार नीति, और वैश्विक दक्षिण को सशक्त बनाना शामिल होगा।

एक आरंभिक बिंदु? यह पुस्तक Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy इस दिशा में एक उपयुक्त खाका प्रस्तुत करती है। यह अतीत की शक्ति के प्रति मोह नहीं, बल्कि भविष्य की समावेशी संरचना के निर्माण पर केंद्रित है — जहाँ व्यापार लोगों की सेवा करे, सिर्फ़ मुनाफे की नहीं।

अंतिम विचार

वर्तमान नीति कोई दीर्घकालीन योजना नहीं है। यह एक धीरे-धीरे होता हुआ रेल हादसा है। यदि हम समय रहते दिशा नहीं बदलते, तो नुकसान गहरा होगा। यदि हम एक ऐसी व्यापार प्रणाली चाहते हैं जो श्रमिकों, किसानों और आने वाली पीढ़ियों के लिए कारगर हो — तो हमें उसे मिलकर बनाना होगा।

जब तक बहुत देर न हो जाए।


 


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Tuesday, July 01, 2025

Could Trump Deport Elon Musk? A Legal and Political Analysis

1: Musk Vs. Trump
The Tesla Of Political Parties
U.S. Budget Deficit, U.S. Trade Deficit
The US Dollar's Special Place
The Tax Cut Illusion: Why Borrowing Trillions for the Rich Makes No Economic Sense
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Could Trump Deport Elon Musk? A Legal and Political Analysis

The question of whether Donald Trump, as the 47th President of the United States, could deport Elon Musk hinges on Musk’s immigration status, U.S. law, and the practical application of immigration enforcement. Below is a clear and concise analysis of the legal feasibility, based on available information and legal principles, while critically examining the narrative and avoiding unsupported assumptions.

Key Points on Musk’s Status and Deportation Law

  1. Musk’s Citizenship
    Elon Musk, born in South Africa, became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2002 after immigrating first to Canada and then to the United States. As a naturalized citizen, Musk enjoys the same constitutional protections as native-born citizens, with the exception that he is not eligible to become president.

  2. Grounds for Deportation of a U.S. Citizen

    • Denaturalization: A naturalized citizen can only be deported if their citizenship is first revoked through a legal process known as denaturalization. Under U.S. law (8 U.S.C. § 1451), this can occur if citizenship was obtained through fraud or willful misrepresentation of material facts, or if the individual engaged in certain serious crimes such as treason, terrorism, or membership in subversive organizations within five years of naturalization.

    • Material Misrepresentation: Reports suggest that Musk may have worked in the U.S. without proper authorization during the mid-1990s while on a student visa, which he did not use to enroll at Stanford as initially planned. If Musk failed to disclose this during his naturalization process, it could theoretically constitute a material misrepresentation. However, legal experts argue that such minor violations from decades ago would likely be considered immaterial and would not have disqualified him from citizenship.

  3. Legal Process for Denaturalization

    • Denaturalization must be pursued through a federal court by the Department of Justice (DOJ), with a high burden of proof required to show clear and convincing evidence of fraud or criminal conduct. The president cannot unilaterally order denaturalization.

    • Even if Musk’s citizenship were revoked, deportation would require a separate immigration process, complete with due process and opportunities for appeal.

    • Historical precedent shows that during Trump’s first term, the DOJ initiated an increased number of denaturalization cases, but these typically involved clear and recent fraud or serious criminal activity.

  4. Trump’s Statements and Political Context

    • In July 2025, Trump suggested he might “take a look” at deporting Musk amid a political feud over a federal spending bill. He also hinted at using the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk once led, as a tool for retribution. However, Trump made no specific legal allegations.

    • Steve Bannon, a close Trump ally, also called for Musk’s deportation, citing his South African origin, past immigration issues, and unverified allegations of drug use. These claims appear politically motivated and lack credible legal basis.

    • Some viral posts on X (formerly Twitter) from progressive-leaning accounts have suggested that Democrats might support Musk’s deportation under Trump’s proposed mass deportation policies, but these posts appear satirical or speculative, not grounded in fact.

  5. Practical Challenges

    • Minor Violations: Legal analysts such as Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council argue that minor infractions like unauthorized employment decades ago are unlikely to justify denaturalization.

    • Time Factor: While there is technically no statute of limitations for denaturalization based on fraud, courts generally treat older cases with greater skepticism unless they involve egregious misconduct or national security concerns.

    • Political and Economic Implications: Musk is the CEO of major American companies such as Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, all of which have deep ties to national infrastructure and federal contracts. Deportation proceedings against him would provoke political backlash, economic disruption, and likely legal resistance.

Is Deportation a Legal Option?

  • Theoretically Possible: If clear evidence emerged that Musk knowingly lied about material facts during his naturalization process, the DOJ could initiate denaturalization proceedings. If successful, Musk could be stripped of his citizenship and subjected to immigration proceedings.

  • Highly Unlikely in Practice:

    • The alleged unauthorized work dates back to the 1990s and is based on secondhand reports and disputed documentation. Musk has denied any wrongdoing and insists he was authorized to work.

    • Experts such as attorney Greg Siskind assert that even if Musk had worked illegally, disclosure would not have automatically disqualified him from citizenship—thus, it likely doesn’t rise to the level of “material misrepresentation.”

    • The legal process is long, complex, and requires judicial approval, making politically motivated attempts difficult to pursue.

    • Trump’s remarks appear to be retaliatory in nature, driven by political disagreements with Musk rather than grounded legal strategy. As of July 2025, there is no public evidence that the DOJ is investigating Musk’s citizenship.

Critical Perspective

The conversation around Musk’s potential deportation appears to be more political theater than legal reality. Musk was a prominent Trump supporter in 2024, reportedly donating over $250 million to his campaign. Their falling out over policy matters, including Musk’s public opposition to Trump’s recent budget, seems to have triggered retaliatory rhetoric rather than genuine legal action.

Calls for deportation—whether from Trump allies like Bannon or online provocateurs—lack solid legal footing. The Washington Post’s reporting on Musk’s immigration history adds nuance but does not offer compelling evidence of fraud that would withstand legal scrutiny. Moreover, Musk’s economic and strategic value to the U.S. government likely makes any action against him unpalatable for political and institutional actors alike.

Conclusion

While it is technically possible to denaturalize and deport a U.S. citizen like Elon Musk, doing so would require strong, recent, and material evidence of fraud or criminal activity—something that does not appear to exist in Musk’s case. The alleged immigration violations are decades old, minor, and legally insufficient to trigger denaturalization. Trump’s threats seem more like political bluster than actionable legal moves. For a clearer understanding of the issue, one should consult immigration attorneys or official government resources—rather than rely on partisan media or social media speculation.




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Monday, June 30, 2025

Robert Reich’s Three Myths

The Worst Bill in History Trump’s giant budget-busting, Medicaid-shattering, shafting-the-poor-and-working-class, making-the-rich-even richer bill is a travesty..... the Senate bill would add at least $3.3 trillion to the already out-of-control national debt over a decade. That’s nearly $1 trillion more than the House-passed version. ........ it will cause 11.8 million Americans to lose their health coverage. ....... Federal spending on Medicaid, Medicare, and Obamacare would be reduced by more than $1.1 trillion over that period — with more than $1 trillion of those cuts coming from Medicaid alone. ......... it will cut food stamps and other nutrition assistance for lower-income Americans. ....... the legislation will not only cut Medicaid by about 18 percent, it will cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) by roughly 20 percent. These cuts will constitute the most dramatic reductions in safety net spending in modern U.S. history. ........ The bill also makes permanent the business tax cuts from the 2017 legislation, further benefiting the largest corporations. ....... it will not help the economy. Trickle-down economics has proven to be a cruel hoax. Over the last 50 years, Congress has passed four major bills that cut taxes: the 1981 Reagan tax cuts; the 2001 and 2003 George W. Bush tax cuts; and the 2017 Trump tax cuts. Each time, the same three arguments were made in favor of the tax cuts: (1) They’d pay for themselves. (2) They’d supercharge economic growth. (3) They’d benefit everyone. ............ Rather than paying for themselves, the Reagan, Bush, and Trump tax cuts each significantly increased the federal deficit. In total, those tax cuts have added over $10.4 trillion to the federal deficit since 1981 ........... Rather than growing, the economy shrank after passage of the Reagan tax cuts. And unemployment surged to over 10 percent. Following the enactment of the Bush and Trump tax cuts .......... the savings from the Reagan, Bush, and Trump tax cuts flowed mainly to the richest Americans. The average tax cut for households in the top 1 percent under the Reagan tax cut ($47,147) was 68 times larger than the average tax cut for middle-class households ($695). The Bush tax cut for households in the top 1 percent was 16 times larger than the average tax cut for the middle class. The 2017 Trump tax cut for households in the top 1 percent was 36 times larger than for middle-class households. ........... If the bill now being considered by the Senate is enacted, 11.8 million Americans will lose their health insurance, millions will fall into poverty, and the national debt will increase by $3.3 trillion, all to provide a major tax cut mainly to the rich and big corporations. There is no justification for this. .......... Never before in the history of this nation has such a large redistribution of income been directed upward, for no reason at all. It comes at a time of near-record inequalities of income and wealth. ...... help ensure that senators who vote in favor of this monstrosity are booted out of the Senate as soon as they’re up for reelection.

The Worst Bill in History by Robert Reich

Trump’s giant budget-busting, Medicaid-shattering, shafting-the-poor-and-working-class, making-the-rich-even richer bill is a travesty.

Read on Substack


Here’s a balanced critique of Robert Reich’s “The Three Myths of Trickle-Down Economics”. First, we will outline his main arguments and provide the strongest counters. Then, we will offer a final take and verdict.

🌟 Reich’s Three Myths

  1. Myth: Wealth for the wealthy gets invested and everyone benefits.
    Reich argues that tax breaks for the rich don’t reliably lead to productive investment. Instead, wealth accumulates at the top without “trickling down” to wages, jobs, or broader economic growth.

    • Evidence: IMF studies show tax cuts for top earners fail to boost GDP or employment, and tend to widen inequality (robertreich.substack.com).

  2. Myth: Tax cuts pay for themselves.
    Reich contends that slashed tax rates for the wealthy reduce government revenue and increase deficits—creating more debt burden rather than funding public services.

    • Evidence: Historical episodes like Reagan’s and Bush’s tax cuts didn’t pay for themselves; deficits ballooned instead .

  3. Myth: Historical “supply-side” triumphs.
    The blog pokes holes in classic supply-side cases (Reagan, Thatcher, etc.), showing that growth was uneven, temporary, and accompanied by stagnating wages and rising inequality (robertreich.substack.com).

⚖️ Counterarguments & Context

  1. On Investment vs. Consumption:
    Proponents of supply-side economics argue that high earners, facing lower marginal tax rates, are more likely to save and invest—fueling innovation, business expansion, and long-term economic growth. Critics (like Thomas Sowell) note the “trickle-down” label mischaracterizes supply-side logic: it's not about charity from rich to poor but about enabling productive capital formation (en.wikipedia.org).

  2. Behavioral and Dynamic Effects:
    Advocates say reduced tax rates can incentivize entrepreneurship and increase work effort. Some contend that even small investment boosts can compound over time, especially in high-growth sectors. But these dynamic benefits are often modest, delayed, speculative—and contested in empirical studies.

  3. Complexity of Broader Tax Reform:
    Supporters of various tax cuts may include provisions for middle-income brackets or aim to simplify tax codes, rather than solely helping the rich. These broader packages blur attribution: growth effects might be due to credits, capital gains, or simplified filings—not top-end rate reductions alone.

🏛️ My Stand and Verdict

Reich’s critique is persuasive and empirically grounded. A broad consensus in modern economics—spanning the IMF, Nobel Laureate Stiglitz, and peer-reviewed journals—is that trickle-down policies have not reliably generated sustainable growth, improved employment, or bolstered wages (en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org).

Does this mean higher taxes or no supply-side incentives at all? Not necessarily. But any pro-growth tax policy should be targeted, well-evaluated, and part of a comprehensive strategy:

  • Lower taxes can be useful when targeted toward investment incentives, R&D, or small businesses—not as blanket cuts for high incomes.

  • Middle- and lower-income tax relief often provides a more direct route to boosting consumption, strengthening labor markets, and reducing debt via increased revenue.

  • Public investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare often outperform broad supply-side tax cuts in terms of growth and equity.

✅ Verdict

Reich's critique is solid. Blanket trickle-down approaches are ineffective, inequitable, and fiscally irresponsible. Tax policy should be smarter—not just smaller. Packages should be strategic, evidence-based, and inclusive of those who most reliably spend and contribute to growth. A mixed model—supporting both productive investment and middle-income prosperity—will likely outperform trickle-down orthodoxy.

Final Takeaway

My endorsement of Reich’s position is firm—universal tax breaks for the wealthy lack justification based on outcome. If you want to stimulate economic vitality, focus on targeted incentives and broadened benefits, especially for those who drive demand and economic stability.


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Tuesday, June 10, 2025

America’s Political Culture and the Power of Protest


America’s Political Culture and the Power of Protest 

There’s something deeply ingrained in American political culture that sets it apart on the world stage—a fierce, almost instinctive reverence for free speech and the right to protest. While many nations claim to uphold democratic principles, the practical space for dissent and public demonstration varies widely. In the United States, these rights are not only protected by the Constitution but actively exercised by citizens who see protest as both a civic duty and a cultural expression.

Take a step back and compare it with India—another vibrant democracy, and one of the largest. Despite its democratic structure, freedom of speech there is often tempered by social sensitivities and historical trauma. You can be taken to court for remarks deemed offensive to a religious group. And there is context—India has lived through the scars of communal violence, including the horrific partition riots of 1947 that left deep wounds still visible in the national psyche. Maintaining social harmony is often prioritized, sometimes at the expense of absolute free expression.

America is different. Here, even the mere suggestion of sending federal troops into a civilian city—say, downtown Los Angeles—evokes not silence, but a response. Not just from legal institutions, which would examine the constitutionality of such a move, but from everyday citizens. Protest is not a fringe act—it’s mainstream. It’s a reflex.

That reflex is alive again.

In moments of national crisis or moral outrage, Americans don’t wait for permission to respond. They organize, march, speak out, and act. It happened after the murder of George Floyd in 2020. It happened after the 2016 election of Donald Trump, when millions poured into the streets across all 50 states, in demonstrations that were enormous in scale yet largely peaceful in nature.

And it is happening again.

We may be entering another summer of protests. One can only hope that this time, like before, the demonstrations are peaceful, imaginative, and inclusive. It’s not just about rage—it’s about resilience. And strategy.

Protest leaders and organizers must take note. There is power in preparation. Organize not just emotionally, but tactically. Train protestors in de-escalation. Make space for art, music, poetry, and powerful symbolism. Let marches become expressions not just of dissent, but of vision—what we do want, not just what we reject.

The American tradition of protest is not a disruption of democracy—it is democracy, in its most vital, most visible form.

And in that sense, it might just be one of the most patriotic things a person can do.
























Maddow Blog | As Trump melts down over L.A. protests, Americans prep for nationwide ‘No Kings’ rallies That question will be answered not by Trump or his actions, but by the people of this country. And so the most important story of our time is this one: What is this country going to allow him to do? .......... This is an attempted authoritarian overthrow of the United States Constitution and the U.S. government. This is the attempted imposition of a dictatorial regime. ....... The answer won’t come from the White House; it will come from the streets, the courts, the states and in Congress. The strength of the movement against Trump is what will determine our fate as a country. Because what we’re seeing over and over again is that organizing against him works. Fighting him in court works. Pushing back works. Protesting in the streets works. ......... On Friday, large-scale protests broke out in Los Angeles over the administration’s militarized immigration raids. By Saturday, Trump was fulminating against those protests and announced he would federalize the National Guard, the first time a president has done that against the wishes of a state’s governor in 60 years. (When it was done 60 years ago, it was to protect protesters, not to threaten them with military force.) .......... The response of the American people to that move is exactly what you would expect: In Los Angeles, bigger protests than ever, and across the country, solidarity protests in Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Chicago; Tampa, Florida; Raleigh, North Carolina; and in Washington, D.C., outside the Justice Department headquarters. ......... this coming Saturday, we will likely see the largest protests yet against Trump and his administration. As the president holds his military parade in Washington, people across the country are set to take part in what organizers are calling the “No Kings Day of Defiance.”

More than 1,800 rallies are planned nationwide — peaceful, organized and united.

......... What we are seeing right now in California is a president panicking. Since polling began, we have never in the history of the U.S. presidency seen a president who is less popular than this one at this point in his presidency, and we have never seen a president less politically equipped than this one to turn that around. ......... Someone convinced Trump that attacking immigrants would work for him, that the American people would love it; that the crueler he was, the more political capital he would accrue. Instead, the opposite has happened: In town after town, school after school, city after city, it has run him into a wall — and he has no idea what to do. .......... Remember, in Trump’s first term, when he reportedly suggested nuking hurricanes to stop them from hitting the U.S.? Now in his second term, he’s trying the equivalent: Trump has no idea what to do with the sustained, growing, intractable and indomitable protest and opposition of the American people against him, so he's decided to try to stop it by using the Army......... What we’re learning, now more than ever, is that the movement against Trump is unstoppable.

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