For the last week, Trump has been spewing racist hate speech directed at refugees from Afghanistan and Somalia. I won’t repeat everything Trump has said or posted, but the summary is that he has engaged in dehumanizing speech that refers to refugees from Somalia as “garbage” and “roving gangs of criminals” who are terrorizing the people of Minneapolis.
Trump repeated and amplified his hateful remarks during a press availability in the Oval Office on Wednesday. See HuffPo, Trump Goes On Another Xenophobic Rant Against Somali Immigrants. (The article repeats most of Trump’s comments.)
On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced that it was suspending immigration applications from 19 nations described as “non-European.” See PBS, Trump administration halts immigration applications for migrants from 19 travel-ban nations, including Afghanistan and Somalia.
Trump is a prolific purveyor of hate speech who has managed to normalize vile attacks on immigrants from dozens of countries. In the beforetimes, it would have been unthinkable for a president to engage in racist hate speech in the Oval Office in front of reporters. Today, that fact did not make the front page of the New York Times.1
It is exhausting to highlight and respond to every instance of Trump’s racial slurs and xenophobia. But we must not allow Trump to normalize hate speech. Doing so will grant permission to others to engage in hate speech, which will have real-world consequences for the human beings who are targets of Trump’s venom.
But the Catch-22 for the targets of Trump’s hate speech is that they are not in a strong position to speak out in their own defense. They are exposed and vulnerable, dependent on the see-saw of Trump’s inattention and malevolence for their safety and continued presence in the US. So, we must stand by their side and speak in their defense as allies.
We must unequivocally condemn Trump’s hate speech and remind all Americans that our strength as a nation is dependent, in part, on centuries of immigration. Today, Trump is attacking Afghans and Somalis; tomorrow it will be another group that drifts into Trump’s zone of resentment and blame. That toxic cycle will continue until Trump’s hate speech is universally condemned by political parties, media outlets, elected officials, and social media users.
We cannot look away in boredom or revulsion. It is up to us to continue to shine a light on the depravity of Trump’s hate speech. It will end only when there is a political cost to Trump and MAGA politicians that they cannot abide—which, for them, is losing their jobs. Let’s make that happen, ASAP.
Trump mocks “the affordability” crisis, showing that he doesn’t understand the financial struggles Americans are facing
A significant portion of the decline in Trump’s favorability ratings stems from his failure to deliver on his promise to “lower prices on day one.” Instead, prices have continued to rise due to tariffs, a situation exacerbated by job insecurity, government layoffs, funding cuts to states, universities, and hospitals, and AI-driven displacement. The American people are anxious and distressed about the economy. Telling them to “stop feeling that way” is a lose-lose proposition.
And yet that is precisely what Trump did on Wednesday. With his campaign promise of “lower prices on day one” exposed as a lie and frustrated by the inability of congressional Republicans to come up with a national healthcare plan in three weeks, Trump told Americans that their financial struggles are a “con job” perpetrated by Democrats. See USA Today, Trump calls ‘affordability’ a ‘Democrat scam’.
Per the above article, Trump said
The word affordability is a con job by the Democrats.
The word affordability is a Democrat scam.
It is never a good idea to tell people how to feel, and the American people feel the pain of higher prices. See CBS News (11/19/25), America’s deepening affordability crisis summed up in 5 charts.
Per CBS News
Although inflation across the U.S. is far cooler than in the post-pandemic years, millions of Americans say they still feel the pinch of rising prices, struggle to pay the bills and express concern about their financial prospects.
Shoppers don’t assess food costs the same way economists do. They focus on their day-to-day spending — which keeps climbing — and compare their out-of-pocket spending today with what they paid several years ago, according to research from the University of Florida.
In other words, people’s experience of inflation and how they measure it in their daily lives may not mesh with official economic measures that paint a more optimistic picture.
Trump compounded the natural tendency of consumers to blame the president for higher prices by making an unrealistic promise of lower prices “on day one.” Trump’s promise was unequivocal and measurable. He broke that promise “on day two,” and has been breaking it every day since.
He is now highlighting his broken promise by claiming that the perception of higher prices is a Democratic “con job” and “scam.” The American people aren’t buying Trump’s b.s. because their lived experience tells them he is lying.
Democrats must continue messaging on affordability as they work toward subsidizing healthcare premiums, increasing tax credits for children and low-wage-earning families, and protecting benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Democrats on the Oversight Committee release photos and videos of Epstein Island.
On Wednesday, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released photos and videos of Jeffrey Epstein’s private island. The photos showed a bedside phone with some of the names on the “speed dial” buttons redacted. Such redactions are improper under the terms of the Epstein Files Transparency Act (unless Epstein had some of the victims on speed dial). See generally, CNN, Photos and video from Epstein’s private island released by House Democrats.
House Democrats are smart to continue releasing information as they receive it. By doing so, they keep the Epstein pedophile ring in the news—which puts pressure on the Trump administration and DOJ to produce the files.
More damning revelations in the “war crime” attack on the Venezuelan boat
It appears that the “long knives” are out for Pete Hegseth within the Trump administration. Additional damning revelations were leaked to the press on Wednesday, most of which undermined Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
First, the Wall Street Journal revealed that the commander of the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Admiral Alvin Holsey, was forced out by Hegseth only 9 months into Holsey’s tour of duty as the head of SOUTHCOM. See Wall Street Journal, Hegseth asked top admiral to resign after months of discord.
Per the WSJ, the ouster of Admiral Holsey arose, in part, from Holsey’s concern over the legality of the attacks on alleged drug boats:
[A]ccording to two Pentagon officials, Hegseth asked Adm. Alvin Holsey to step down, a de facto ouster that was the culmination of months of discord between Hegseth and the officer. It began days after President Trump’s inauguration in January and intensified months later when Holsey had initial concerns about the legality of lethal strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, according to former officials aware of the discussions.
[The WSJ disclosure helped clarify why the September ‘double tap” attack on the alleged drug boat was not carried out by SOUTHCOM, which is under the direction of Admiral Holsey. Instead, the attack was carried out by Special Operations (SOCOM), which was under the direction of Admiral Bradley—who may now stand accused of a war crime.]
Second, multiple outlets are reporting that a Pentagon inspector general will issue a report on Thursday that concludes Pete Hegseth violated security protocol that put the safety of US troops at risk. See WaPo, Watchdog finds Hegseth violated Pentagon protocol in ‘Signalgate’ affair.
Per WaPo,
The Pentagon’s top independent watchdog has determined that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated security protocols and endangered U.S. troops and objectives by using a personal device to share sensitive operational details on the unclassified messaging app Signal, according to people familiar with the findings in a forthcoming report.
A spokesperson for Hegseth claims that the report “completely exonerates” Hegseth because it concludes that “no classified” information was released. Of course, both explanations could be true: Hegseth could have violated communications protocols and endangered troops by sharing non-classified information. Hegseth’s denial has the smell of desperation.
Finally, the admiral who gave the order to initiate the second attack on the alleged drug boat will testify before a small group of congressional intelligence committee members. See AP News, Lawmakers to hear from Navy admiral who ordered attack that killed boat strike survivors.
Per the WSJ, Admiral Bradley will claim that the second strike was justified because survivors were still on the boat and one of them had radioed for help. That fact, according to Admiral Bradley’s expected testimony, meant that the two survivors were “actively continuing the drug mission.” See WSJ, Survivors of Boat Strike Were Actively Continuing Drug Mission, Admiral to Tell Lawmakers.
If Bradley sticks by that explanation, it will be a quick and ignominious end to an illustrious career. It may also seal his fate in a court-martial for committing a war crime or murder.
The alleged drug boat had been hit by two US missiles. It was dead in the water and on fire, and 9 of 11 crew members had been killed. One of the two remaining members radioed for help—an understandable response by someone who had just been struck by two US missiles. The plea for help by the survivors, according to Admiral Bradley, meant that the drug mission would continue.
Such testimony will be complete and utter ******** that will bring further disgrace on the Navy, SOCOM, SEAL Team Six, and the US Naval Academy. Such patent quibbling and misdirection are beneath the dignity of someone who has sworn an oath to the Constitution, is bound by the UMCJ, and swore that he “would**not lie, cheat or steal, oor tolerate those who do.”
Moreover, it is no justification for the killings to say that the purpose of the second strike was to sink the alleged drug boat. The Geneva Convention and the law of war forbid collateral deaths and injuries of civilians that are disproportionate to the military objective of destroying a target. IHL Treaties - Additional Protocol (I) to the Geneva Conventions, 1977 - Article 85. The boat was incapacitated in the open ocean; sinking it did not justify the killing of two civilians.
Admiral Bradley’s patently baseless justification for the attack will be studied for decades at the US Naval Academy as an example of a war crime and a case study in how military commanders can lose their moral compass when serving a corrupt and depraved civilian leader.
Opportunity for Reader Engagement
Help take back the House and change California’s Central Valley!
Hear Dolores Huerta (iconic activist) & Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka in the Madalorian & founder of Voto Latino) talk about Cultivating Activism and the importance of flipping CA22 from Red to Blue!
When/Where: Thursday, December 4, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm PST - Online
Your contributions will fund organizers in California’s House District-22 (CD-22) who will energize underrepresented voters, leading to victories for leaders who will represent their communities. And your support helps hardworking residents find ways to improve healthcare, working conditions, and the environment.
Register here: Central Valley Matters sign up link
Can’t attend? Donate to CD 22 grassroots groups here
Concluding Thoughts
The next government shutdown crisis will occur on January 30, 2026. Although the 2026 calendar has not yet been set, there are only about 19 legislative days remaining before the next funding deadline. In that time, Republicans will be fighting over a non-existent “concept of a plan” for a healthcare proposal, which means they will do nothing to prevent he expiration of ACA subsidies.
The House is in turmoil, with rumors of more high-profile resignations among MAGA stalwarts. See, e.g., NYTimes, Republican Anger Erupts at Johnson as Party Frets About Future (Reporting that Nancy Mace is considering an early exit from Congress.)
It is likely that the public will once again hold Republicans accountable for the failure to govern. And Trump’s reflexive action to blame consumers for their belief that prices are rising (they are) will be like salt in the wound.
All of the above will give Democrats a prime opportunity to drive home their messages of affordability, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law. The weather is cold, and the holidays are upon us. We should enjoy the year-end with celebration and reflection. But we should not disengage from the daily battle to defend and restore democracy.
The wind will be at our back as Trump struggles through the Epstein scandal, the war crimes scandal, and the affordability crisis. Let’s make the most of our opportunity!
Pro-democracy protest photos:
Portland, OR(?)
Today 200 of us showed up by the Portland ICE facility for an interfaith protest. Speakers were a Jewish rabbi and ministers from local Methodist, Unitarian and Lutheran churches. Neighbors showing up for neighbors is our theme standing in solidarity with those being kidnapped and separated from their families.
Jamaica Plain, MA
Sending photos from the weekly standout in Jamaica Plain, MA
Ice Facility at Burlington, MA
Ballard (Seattle), WA
Our group has been rallying every Saturday, noon-1, since Feb 15, usually 40-60 intrepid patriots, where we have a great and uplifting time.
Defenders of Democracy had a special theme last Saturday in Ballard (neighborhood of Seattle) when many folks from the local organization, Ukraine Defense Support, joined us. UDS is doing incredible work, sending medical and other supplies to Ukraine-- worthwhile to check them out.
Daily Dose of Perspective
M33 lies about 3 million light-years from Earth and has an estimated 40 billion stars.
I am using the NYTimes as a “for instance.” Here, the Times’ coverage reflected the general disinterest of the major media in Trump’s hate speech. The Times should do better, but so should every major media outlet.
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