Category: Authoritarian

Smithsonian scrubs negative info about Trump from caption of presidential portrait: report – Raw Story

The Smithsonian Institution removed references to Trump’s two impeachments and the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection from his official presidential portrait caption at the National Portrait Gallery, according to The Washington Post. A Trump official had previously complained about the caption, which documented his impeachments on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection, as well as his Senate acquittal in both trials. The institution also replaced the portrait photograph itself with a new image showing Trump with his fists on the Resolute Desk, removing the prior photo by Washington Post photojournalist Matt McClain.

The revised caption now contains only Trump’s years in office, making it substantially shorter than the previous text and leaving a visible outline of the old placard on the wall beneath it. This alteration contradicts the Smithsonian’s treatment of other former presidents’ portraits, which continue to include significant events from their administrations. Former President Bill Clinton’s portrait caption, for example, still mentions his impeachment, demonstrating the selective erasure applied only to Trump’s historical record.

The action reflects ongoing Trump administration efforts to systematically dismantle the Smithsonian’s historical narratives through pressure and institutional control. The removal of documented facts about impeachment proceedings and the Capitol attack from the official record demonstrates direct censorship of American history within a federal institution.

This revision represents a factual omission that rewrites the historical record available to the public visiting the National Portrait Gallery. By removing impeachment documentation from Trump’s portrait while preserving it for Clinton, the Smithsonian has created an inconsistent standard that privileges Trump’s image over historical accuracy and transparency about presidential conduct.

(Source: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-portrait-2674872324/)

Trump orders ‘my representatives’ to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds in effort to lower housing costs | CNN Business

President Trump announced on January 8, 2026, that he ordered “my representatives” to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds to lower housing costs and mortgage rates. Trump claimed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, government-owned mortgage entities he did not sell during his first term, are now worth “an absolute fortune” and possess sufficient cash reserves to fund the directive.

Historically, the Federal Reserve has been the primary purchaser of mortgage-backed securities, with large-scale purchases during the pandemic contributing to historically low mortgage rates. When entities purchase mortgage bonds, interest rates on mortgages typically decline, though the mechanism is indirect—the Fed does not directly control mortgage loan rates, and other factors influence pricing. Trump’s framing of the action as executive authority ignores that such major financial operations typically require congressional approval.

Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac operations, stated his agency would implement the initiative, writing “We are on it, Mr. President!” immediately after Trump’s announcement. Trump provided no details regarding the identity of his representatives, implementation timeline, or execution methodology, creating uncertainty about feasibility and legal authority for the purchase directive.

The housing market faces structural challenges independent of Trump’s mortgage bond purchases. America has a shortage of approximately 4 million homes according to Goldman Sachs Research, and current inventory and sales remain near their lowest levels since the 2010 financial crisis, indicating supply constraints rather than interest rate problems as the primary affordability driver.

Trump has previously considered privatizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac through initial public offerings during both his first term and recently, with reports indicating Trump uses government entities and appropriations to fund priorities while claiming alternative funding sources. His use of possessive language—”my representatives,” “my military,” “my generals”—demonstrates his treatment of government institutions as personal assets rather than independent entities accountable to law and constitutional process.

(Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/08/business/mortgage-bonds-trump-purchase-rates?Date=20260108&Profile=CNN+Politics&utm_content=1767910276&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwdGRleAPOXvFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeoJRnKbPnWzIqjBVI2QXlOSMrn84-JBArpue4hMNxT0KIRv_148M8S6HTD8Y_aem_9IAlfe8jwKHuyECCp-wLrg)

‘His dementia is acting up’: Internet skewers Trump for bizarre new ‘elections’ claim – Raw Story

During a Fox News interview Thursday night, Trump claimed Venezuela “wouldn’t know how to have an election,” despite the country conducting elections as recently as last year. When asked by Sean Hannity whether Venezuela would hold free and fair elections, Trump pivoted to stating his administration would control Venezuelan oil infrastructure and “make a lot of money” from the operation.

Social media users and political observers immediately flagged the statement as disconnected from reality. Veteran Frank C stated Trump’s remark indicated cognitive decline, while activist Matthew J Shochat pointed out that Venezuela held an election last year and that Trump’s preferred replacement leader was involved in that election’s irregularities. Former foreign correspondent Roland Ley characterized Trump’s position as “US colonization” rather than liberation.

Political analyst WarMonitor summarized Trump’s stated priorities as replacing one dictatorship with another, with Trump personally running the country. Former Navy wife Rebecca Clester directly challenged Trump’s claim, asking what “closet” he had been living in and highlighting that his explicit focus remains extracting Venezuelan oil rather than establishing democratic governance.

The remarks underscore Trump’s stated intention to personally control Venezuelan oil revenues following the U.S. invasion of Venezuela. Trump has publicly outlined plans to sell 30 to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil at market rates under his personal oversight, while also proposing that U.S. taxpayers reimburse oil companies for Venezuelan infrastructure reconstruction.

Trump’s election claim contradicts documented Venezuelan electoral processes and reflects his administration’s framing of military intervention as resource extraction rather than democratic restoration.

(Source: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-venezuela-2674863947/)

Trump dials Collins with ‘profanity-laced rant’ over Venezuela war powers vote

President Trump conducted a profanity-laden phone call with Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) on Thursday after she voted with Democrats on a war powers resolution blocking military action against Venezuela. According to two Senate GOP sources, Trump verbally attacked Collins during the call, which passed 52-47, stating the resolution undermined his authority as commander-in-chief. The call came unexpectedly, as Trump and Collins do not communicate regularly.

Following the vote, Trump posted on Truth Social that Collins and four other Senate Republicans who supported the resolution—Josh Hawley, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Todd Young—”should never be elected to office again.” Trump claimed the vote “greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security” and strips him of powers necessary to defend the country. Senate Majority Leader John Thune characterized Trump as “fired up” before the vote and described the social media posts as a “short-term, immediate reaction.”

Collins responded to Trump’s public condemnation by telling reporters his reaction indicates he would prefer to see her replaced by a Democratic opponent in November’s election. The Maine senator, widely viewed as the most vulnerable Republican incumbent seeking reelection, did not engage further with Trump’s attacks but suggested his preference for her loss by referencing potential challengers including Democratic Governor Janet Mills.

This episode demonstrates Trump’s willingness to weaponize both direct intimidation and public statements against members of his own party who exercise independent judgment on national security matters. The incident reflects a pattern of Trump attacking opponents through name-calling and intimidation when they oppose his directives, extending that approach to Senate Republicans who deviate from his preferred policy positions.

(Source: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5682106-trump-collins-call-venezuela-vote/)

Trump Declares He Is the Absolute Law

During a January 8, 2026 interview with The New York Times, President Trump declared that his power as commander in chief is constrained only by his “own morality,” explicitly rejecting international law as a binding constraint on military action. When asked if any limits exist on his global powers, Trump stated: “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me,” and added, “I don’t need international law.” This represents Trump’s most direct acknowledgment of his worldview that national strength, rather than laws and treaties, should determine outcomes when powers collide.

When pressed on whether his administration must abide by international law, Trump affirmed compliance while immediately undermining that commitment by declaring himself the arbiter of when such constraints apply to the United States. “It depends what your definition of international law is,” Trump said, signaling his refusal to accept external legal frameworks as binding. This pattern reflects Trump’s broader approach to governance: acknowledging formal constraints while asserting personal authority to override them based on his subjective judgment.

Trump’s framing of unrestricted executive power extends across military, economic, and political instruments. He acknowledged deploying the National Guard to cities against state and local objections and has pursued what he describes as a maximalist strategy targeting institutions he dislikes, exacting retribution against political opponents, and coercing foreign nations through threatened military action. During the interview, Trump took a call from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who expressed concern over Trump’s repeated threats of military action, mirroring Trump’s pattern of using unpredictability and force as coercion tools.

Trump’s rejection of international law as limiting his authority eliminates foundational constraints on executive power that have structured U.S. foreign policy for decades. His explicit statement that only his personal morality constrains his actions removes any institutional, legal, or constitutional check on military decisions, invasion, or coercion of other nations. This stance directly contradicts the constitutional framework requiring checks and balances and the international legal obligations the United States has accepted.

The interview reveals Trump’s authoritarian conception of presidential authority unchecked by law, institutional independence, or external legal frameworks. His assertion that he personally determines the meaning and applicability of international law consolidates decision-making power entirely in his hands, eliminating separation of powers and the rule of law as governing principles of his administration.

(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/trump-interview-power-morality.html)

JD Vance Declares: ICE Agent Has ‘Absolute Immunity’

Vice President JD Vance declared during a White House press conference on Thursday that an ICE agent who fatally shot Minneapolis poet and mother Renee Good is protected by “absolute immunity,” a legal claim that is factually incorrect. Vance asserted that the federal law enforcement official conducting federal law enforcement action cannot be prosecuted, stating the officer “was doing his job” and that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz pursuing charges would be “preposterous.”

Vance’s statement misrepresents the actual legal protections available to federal agents. ICE officers are covered under “Supremacy Clause immunity,” which shields them from state prosecution only when acting within the bounds of their lawful federal duties in a manner that is “necessary and proper,” according to the State Democracy Research Initiative. This protection does not constitute absolute immunity and explicitly does not apply when federal officials act beyond their duties, violate federal law, or behave in an egregious or unwarranted manner.

The legal determination of whether the ICE officer’s use of deadly force was justified has not yet been evaluated in court, meaning any declaration of immunity is premature. Until a court determines whether the shooting fell within the scope of the officer’s official duties and constituted a lawful use of force, claims of protection remain unresolved. Vance’s invocation of “absolute immunity” bypasses this necessary judicial review.

Vance further claimed that Minnesota officials are “encouraging people to commit violence against I.C.E. officials” and characterized state involvement in the investigation as an “unprecedented” overreach. The reporter’s question had addressed the FBI’s decision to exclude Minnesota officials from accessing evidence in the federal investigation, a procedural issue distinct from Vance’s sweeping immunity assertion.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/jd-vance-declares-ice-agent-involved-in-fatal-shooting-has-absolute-immunity/)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trump Slams Woman Killed In ICE Shooting, Contradicts Police

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

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

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

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

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

Trump Makes Sure Everyone Knows Why He Invaded Venezuela

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 2 3 … 155