I just received a news alert that Newsom has, indeed, filed suit. I haven't read the details, and even if I did, I'll wait for Jay and/or Joyce Vance to comment on it. Stay safe, everyone!
Governor Newsom has tried to play nice with Trump too many times. He needs to take a lesson from Governor Pritzker - "Stop thinking you can reason or negotiate with a madman."
It would be great if someone wrote for each thing that Trump does that Kamala predicted, that Kamala predicted it. Of course, we could also just see her as someone who read Project 2025 like I did, since everything that is happening fits that playbook.
Also, the corporate media did not cover that there was a protest in Chicago on Sunday against ICE and the collaboration of White Supremacist members of our own police force with them, in violation of State Law. Also, Chicago is a sanctuary city. I hope those police officers get fired and sent to a red state to be law enforcement. Indiana has invited them before. Let them go.
I am sure you do not want them. Our police department union head is a White supremacist and he is a big Trump fan. So, you can imagine if he won as union president a lot of people share his POV. Talked to a black ex-cop about being a narcotics detective and how she had to sue twice to get vindicated for having her life put at risk by her colleagues.
You will be someone voting against Southern Illinois seceeding and joining Indiana as I hear they have been invited to. I looked it up and they do not bring in as much money as Chicago does to the state, but they do grow food, so I would not like to lose that.
I think you mean Southern Illinois *seceding.* Also, as a former Chicagoan (which means, in my soul, I'm a Chicagoan), I say the hell with those militant MAGAts in Southern Illinois. Southern Illinois stays. They can learn to become civilized people like the rest of us. No surrender in advance on our part, ever, ever, ever.
Good that you pointed that out about the police union. There isn't enough publicity about the white nationalists at the top of the Chicago police union.
Southern Illinois is not all Republican. There are spots that are not. Like where the University of Illinois at Urbana is located. I think Southern Illinois at Carbondale may be more liberal too. Don't know.
Chicago police are known for corruption. The White Supremacists came to light in a series done by the Chicago Reader of the past, but it is no longer discussed. https://chicagotorture.org/reparations/history/
Hey I'm from Southern Illinois, although a long time transplant to the DC/Maryland region. Lots of my old friends from back home are real progressives, and fighting the good fight against the Magats. Not enough of them, to be sure, but Indiana doesn't get them!
I’m sure that it has occurred to you that the people causing trouble at the demonstrations may indeed be MAGA forces (such as those who stormed the Capitol) in disguise. This is precisely the impetus that Trump needs to move significantly forward with his plan for control.
Yes! Thanks for Mentioning! An old acquaintance of mine, successful social worker, family-man w/grown children, deeper ties to social-reform/protest circles, recently posted something similar. His word was, that this is known MAGA plan. The suggested response: When violent actors start up in the midst of your peaceful protest; lay/sit down, chant/sing, to discern yourselves from instigator plants, for targeting by Law Enforcement.
As I read this, I thought about my cellphone which I'll be carrying on 6/14. It's my wallet as well as phone. So, I decided to once again back up my phone using SmartSwitch (for Android phones) as a just-in-case though I feel it's unlikely that I'll be in danger of having my phone confiscated.
This is why I firmly believe that much of ICE's "agents" are made up of those who were pardoned for 01/06. STEPHEN MILLER'S potent hatred for anyone NOT white is at the root of what's going on. He has the Orange Despot's ear, and because the DonOLD is incapable of educating himself, this is where MILLER steps in to give him the "See Spot Run" version of what to do. STEPHEN MILLER is the proverbial head of the snake. It needs to be removed. He is a very clear and present danger.
exactly what I think- many are provacateurs sent in to create violence. My advice, and I plan to use it Saturday, is stand back and let them do what they will do. The police can handle them. A few Proud Boy types arrested would feel so good!
but those of us peacefully demonstrating can stand back or sit down. Let the violent ones stand out. Let THEM get arrested. I know if a large protest it isn't clear cut, but if someone with a bullhorn or microphone can direct the crowd, the violent ones WILL stand out. Police can scoop them up. And I hope a few Proud Boy types end up in jail.
There are many things that people do not connect to the establishment of a police state, and many concerte steps along that path. It’s important, I believe, to lay them out coherently.
Thank you, once again, for a most intelligent and thoughtful commentary. Your reminder about the importance of peaceful but persistent resistance is very to the point; I do fear, however, that we are seeing the beginning of a conflagration.
As a very old (age 82) veteran of the demonstrations that took place during the Vietnam War, I want to caution everyone that, no matter what we do and how non-violent we stay, there WILL be violence. That is not in our control. First of all, there will be government "plants" in the crowd with instructions to be violent. Secondly, some young National Guard members, who have not previously done this type of crowd control, get frightened and start using whatever "non-lethal" weapons they have, possibly even if not ordered to do so. Here is an example that I think proves my point: during a major anti-war demonstration in Washington, D.C., my then-husband and I got a leaflet about a Yuppie street theater action at the Pentagon; e.g. they were doing a "ceremony" to "raise" the Pentagon. What could be more non-violent and fun and silly? We decided to go watch it. We had just gotten there when we were teargassed. My point: we need to do what our conscience and resistance to tyranny tell us to do; we can control what we do, but that is all we can control.
Kent State comes to mind; exactly what you described. I had marched to Washington, D.C. that weekend to protest. I got home to learn about students my age killed by national guard members also my age. It was horrible.
I tend to agree with the advice to just sit down. But in Miller's view, just sitting down would be "obstruction" which he seems to define as "objecting" and THAT is really scary. And why do demonstrations that are NOT near either a federal building or ICE personnel still need national guard to "protect" them when neither is THERE? A lot of the violence, including the car at an intersection, was in Compton, several blocks away from the Home Depot. The mayor is right: this is ordinary vandalism and local forces can deal with it--as the Compton Fire Dept promptly did.
Yup. Clearly targeting media, watchdogs, witnesses, don't matter. Police State action all the way. Land of the Free? more like; Land of the Fee. We all Pay for Trumps manufactured "Emergency".
I wrestle with all the facets of this coup, including SCOTUS setting the stage, the almost complete support of every Republican in Congress, and the astonishing number of other Americans who continue to claim nothing bad is happening, judges should be jailed, everyone rounded up is a dangerous criminal, and foreigners should be subjected to inhumane treatment if they are on American soil. I know some. Their advantage, even if we outnumber them, has been that their coordination is not based on shared knowledge, only on a shared hatred for liberals and diversity. As Jay pointed out in the 4-step deliberately destabilizing cycle, disorder is easy to instigate and grow. We have to walk a line between too passive and not being heard; they can be extreme to achieve their goals. Their job is easier than ours!
There is a considerable amount of brainwashing taking place in America. Fox News, Twitter, the Joe Rogan Experience of Dunderheads, the list goes on, and on, and on, and on.
A breaking is starting to happen. I have lived among Trump supporters for a year now. The DOGE cuts are starting to hurt. Food bank money, Social Security offices closed, the list goes on. The threat of people who receive Medicaid having to work 80 hours a month - no one gets Medicaid here who makes anything over $24,000/yr. Try paying for rent (of I forgot DOGE cut the Federal contribution to Housing Assistance - HUD) and SNAP (income below $17,000/yr) is getting cut.
Many people were talked into voting for Trump. They are hearing the bs - but it doesn’t match reality and they are pushing back against the die hards.
I mentioned the income levels because I used to live among the 1%. Circumstances changed - perhaps for a reason. That rich man’s tax cut bill is up for renewal. Medicaid is being cut as are housing etc to pay for the renewal of the tax cuts for the ultra rich????
That’s good to hear. Small sample size, of course, but I’ve read similar reports. I also don’t believe the regime’s propaganda that progressive agitators are raising hell in town halls. Those are Trump voters yelling at their congress critters.
I’ll never understand how they got talked into it, though. It’s not like Trump has ever hidden who he is. I guess when you have Fox news blaring on every TV in a hamlet of 500, that’s how they get talked into it, but we do need, as a nation, to start looking at this at a higher level, and challenge our public school systems to do better at teaching cognitive thinking.
I am also worried. In S. Korea, as Rachel Maddow pointed out last night, martial law was ended rather rapidly and the President who called it impeached. BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE ACTED QUICKLY. Our Congress will NOT ACT. I was in tears as I watched her show, knowing that our Congress will not save us. The Republicans are complicit and the Democrats helpless without help from the Republicans.
It looks that way. I think our only option is to participate in the peaceful protests, contact our legislature, and be as informed as reasonably possible. We have too many Fox "News" organizations and billionaires who own newspapers to be informed without doing work. If the Republicans win, we want the small consolation of saying proudly that we did what we could. Thanks for your comment.
This opposition needs a MLK like leader to focus and channel effective nonviolent protest against the power inherent in the emerging police state. Who can the resistance forces coalesce around? Who can enunciate the ideals of non violent resistance??
I have limited means for donations. This substack is one. I'd like to find a way to donate to an organization leading legal challenges to this administration. Does anyone know of a directory page for such organizations? Any recommendations of individual organizations fighting the good fight?
Subscribe to The Contrarian. Besides great independent journalism, your donation over and above operating costs goes to litigation against the tRump dictatorship.
Nonviolent resistance. Do not let them do this without resistance, but make it clear violence is not the way. Do it with a song on our lips. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMYbd2ZhhjE
We need a general strike supported by the major unions; shut down the economy.
Trump's pretty much shut down the economy already.
We need to take it the rest of the way.
Agreed - I have seen coverage from countries that do have more authoritarian regimes have a general strike. It’s one of their few options.
Check out generalstrikeus.com
Thank You!
I just received a news alert that Newsom has, indeed, filed suit. I haven't read the details, and even if I did, I'll wait for Jay and/or Joyce Vance to comment on it. Stay safe, everyone!
Trump has been sued his whole life. He's not intimidated by the law.
As a former atty, let me add - That is because the law has not come down on him with full force yet.
And it's unlikely to do so now.
Governor Newsom has tried to play nice with Trump too many times. He needs to take a lesson from Governor Pritzker - "Stop thinking you can reason or negotiate with a madman."
It would be great if someone wrote for each thing that Trump does that Kamala predicted, that Kamala predicted it. Of course, we could also just see her as someone who read Project 2025 like I did, since everything that is happening fits that playbook.
Also, the corporate media did not cover that there was a protest in Chicago on Sunday against ICE and the collaboration of White Supremacist members of our own police force with them, in violation of State Law. Also, Chicago is a sanctuary city. I hope those police officers get fired and sent to a red state to be law enforcement. Indiana has invited them before. Let them go.
We have enough homegrown white supremacists in Indiana already. We don't need to import any more.
I am sure you do not want them. Our police department union head is a White supremacist and he is a big Trump fan. So, you can imagine if he won as union president a lot of people share his POV. Talked to a black ex-cop about being a narcotics detective and how she had to sue twice to get vindicated for having her life put at risk by her colleagues.
You will be someone voting against Southern Illinois seceeding and joining Indiana as I hear they have been invited to. I looked it up and they do not bring in as much money as Chicago does to the state, but they do grow food, so I would not like to lose that.
I think you mean Southern Illinois *seceding.* Also, as a former Chicagoan (which means, in my soul, I'm a Chicagoan), I say the hell with those militant MAGAts in Southern Illinois. Southern Illinois stays. They can learn to become civilized people like the rest of us. No surrender in advance on our part, ever, ever, ever.
Good that you pointed that out about the police union. There isn't enough publicity about the white nationalists at the top of the Chicago police union.
Yes Charles. Thanks for the correction.
Black Chicago police know who they work with, and I believe even have their own organization. This is who they have as their leader. John Catanzara.
https://chicagojustice.org/2021/07/13/john-catanzara-misconduct-social-media/
This is how they organized.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2021/02/26/black-chicago-police-officers-band-together-for-new-voice-during-reckoning-over-racism-in-law-enforcement/
Southern Illinois is not all Republican. There are spots that are not. Like where the University of Illinois at Urbana is located. I think Southern Illinois at Carbondale may be more liberal too. Don't know.
Chicago police are known for corruption. The White Supremacists came to light in a series done by the Chicago Reader of the past, but it is no longer discussed. https://chicagotorture.org/reparations/history/
I could go on, but I will not.
I would bet that Carbondale remains pretty blue, but I haven’t checked lately. When I was young, SIU was pretty leftish.
I hope it is still. My cousin went to Southern. He told me it was a party school.
Hey I'm from Southern Illinois, although a long time transplant to the DC/Maryland region. Lots of my old friends from back home are real progressives, and fighting the good fight against the Magats. Not enough of them, to be sure, but Indiana doesn't get them!
Lots of progressive Salukis walking around those parts. :-)
I’m sure that it has occurred to you that the people causing trouble at the demonstrations may indeed be MAGA forces (such as those who stormed the Capitol) in disguise. This is precisely the impetus that Trump needs to move significantly forward with his plan for control.
Yes, this is an example of what I mean by fabricated violence.
Yes! Thanks for Mentioning! An old acquaintance of mine, successful social worker, family-man w/grown children, deeper ties to social-reform/protest circles, recently posted something similar. His word was, that this is known MAGA plan. The suggested response: When violent actors start up in the midst of your peaceful protest; lay/sit down, chant/sing, to discern yourselves from instigator plants, for targeting by Law Enforcement.
I had read this before and forgot about it. Great idea! Thanks.
Also being suggested by our local County Indivisible Group in NC.
As I read this, I thought about my cellphone which I'll be carrying on 6/14. It's my wallet as well as phone. So, I decided to once again back up my phone using SmartSwitch (for Android phones) as a just-in-case though I feel it's unlikely that I'll be in danger of having my phone confiscated.
This is why I firmly believe that much of ICE's "agents" are made up of those who were pardoned for 01/06. STEPHEN MILLER'S potent hatred for anyone NOT white is at the root of what's going on. He has the Orange Despot's ear, and because the DonOLD is incapable of educating himself, this is where MILLER steps in to give him the "See Spot Run" version of what to do. STEPHEN MILLER is the proverbial head of the snake. It needs to be removed. He is a very clear and present danger.
exactly what I think- many are provacateurs sent in to create violence. My advice, and I plan to use it Saturday, is stand back and let them do what they will do. The police can handle them. A few Proud Boy types arrested would feel so good!
10 Resources To Protest Peacefully and De-escalate Situations
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/06/09/10-resources-to-protest-peacefully-and-de-escalate-situations/
No one who is looting is reading about calmly protesting. People come from other states to loot and vandalize.
but those of us peacefully demonstrating can stand back or sit down. Let the violent ones stand out. Let THEM get arrested. I know if a large protest it isn't clear cut, but if someone with a bullhorn or microphone can direct the crowd, the violent ones WILL stand out. Police can scoop them up. And I hope a few Proud Boy types end up in jail.
Anyone who thinks Taco’s desire to create a police state is “news” has been asleep.
There are many things that people do not connect to the establishment of a police state, and many concerte steps along that path. It’s important, I believe, to lay them out coherently.
Yes, and thank you but we're not dealing with rational people creating violence.
Thank you for your daily coherent responses. My apologies. Sadly, my response was to those who are comfortably numb.
Then you shouldn't be using the epithet Taco, should you?! This is hardly an example of trump chickening out. Unfortunately.
I use the term because it drives the idiot up the wall!
I’m only human
Thank you, once again, for a most intelligent and thoughtful commentary. Your reminder about the importance of peaceful but persistent resistance is very to the point; I do fear, however, that we are seeing the beginning of a conflagration.
As a very old (age 82) veteran of the demonstrations that took place during the Vietnam War, I want to caution everyone that, no matter what we do and how non-violent we stay, there WILL be violence. That is not in our control. First of all, there will be government "plants" in the crowd with instructions to be violent. Secondly, some young National Guard members, who have not previously done this type of crowd control, get frightened and start using whatever "non-lethal" weapons they have, possibly even if not ordered to do so. Here is an example that I think proves my point: during a major anti-war demonstration in Washington, D.C., my then-husband and I got a leaflet about a Yuppie street theater action at the Pentagon; e.g. they were doing a "ceremony" to "raise" the Pentagon. What could be more non-violent and fun and silly? We decided to go watch it. We had just gotten there when we were teargassed. My point: we need to do what our conscience and resistance to tyranny tell us to do; we can control what we do, but that is all we can control.
Kent State comes to mind; exactly what you described. I had marched to Washington, D.C. that weekend to protest. I got home to learn about students my age killed by national guard members also my age. It was horrible.
Thank you, Barbara, for sharing this! It's truly inspiring to hear your experience, it reminds me that it's still worth it and we HAVE to fight. 🙌🏻
I'm not sure whether this action was ICE, NG, or cops (from the uniforms, probably cops). But this attack on a reporter was CLEARLY unprovoked.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1955768434958311
I tend to agree with the advice to just sit down. But in Miller's view, just sitting down would be "obstruction" which he seems to define as "objecting" and THAT is really scary. And why do demonstrations that are NOT near either a federal building or ICE personnel still need national guard to "protect" them when neither is THERE? A lot of the violence, including the car at an intersection, was in Compton, several blocks away from the Home Depot. The mayor is right: this is ordinary vandalism and local forces can deal with it--as the Compton Fire Dept promptly did.
Watching that “cop” take aim and then firing on that reporter is absolutely disgusting and terrifying. God almighty.
Ugh, it made me sick. It was so intentional and intentionally cruel. He needs prison time for that.
Yup. Clearly targeting media, watchdogs, witnesses, don't matter. Police State action all the way. Land of the Free? more like; Land of the Fee. We all Pay for Trumps manufactured "Emergency".
somehow the banning of reporters—and shooting at them with non-rubber bullets—in Gaza springs to mind.
And Belfast.
Yup. Intimidation first. If that doesn't 'do the trick'; Terror & death come next. Total control, clearly the aim.
Yes, me too!
Holy crap! That's disgusting!
General strike. Nationwide protest. Days of no work.
I wrestle with all the facets of this coup, including SCOTUS setting the stage, the almost complete support of every Republican in Congress, and the astonishing number of other Americans who continue to claim nothing bad is happening, judges should be jailed, everyone rounded up is a dangerous criminal, and foreigners should be subjected to inhumane treatment if they are on American soil. I know some. Their advantage, even if we outnumber them, has been that their coordination is not based on shared knowledge, only on a shared hatred for liberals and diversity. As Jay pointed out in the 4-step deliberately destabilizing cycle, disorder is easy to instigate and grow. We have to walk a line between too passive and not being heard; they can be extreme to achieve their goals. Their job is easier than ours!
There is a considerable amount of brainwashing taking place in America. Fox News, Twitter, the Joe Rogan Experience of Dunderheads, the list goes on, and on, and on, and on.
A breaking is starting to happen. I have lived among Trump supporters for a year now. The DOGE cuts are starting to hurt. Food bank money, Social Security offices closed, the list goes on. The threat of people who receive Medicaid having to work 80 hours a month - no one gets Medicaid here who makes anything over $24,000/yr. Try paying for rent (of I forgot DOGE cut the Federal contribution to Housing Assistance - HUD) and SNAP (income below $17,000/yr) is getting cut.
Many people were talked into voting for Trump. They are hearing the bs - but it doesn’t match reality and they are pushing back against the die hards.
I mentioned the income levels because I used to live among the 1%. Circumstances changed - perhaps for a reason. That rich man’s tax cut bill is up for renewal. Medicaid is being cut as are housing etc to pay for the renewal of the tax cuts for the ultra rich????
You have the perspective of both sides, which I think qualifies your credentials to give an opinion. Thanks for your comment.
That’s good to hear. Small sample size, of course, but I’ve read similar reports. I also don’t believe the regime’s propaganda that progressive agitators are raising hell in town halls. Those are Trump voters yelling at their congress critters.
I’ll never understand how they got talked into it, though. It’s not like Trump has ever hidden who he is. I guess when you have Fox news blaring on every TV in a hamlet of 500, that’s how they get talked into it, but we do need, as a nation, to start looking at this at a higher level, and challenge our public school systems to do better at teaching cognitive thinking.
Social media is not what it started out to be. Just family and friend connections. Now that Zuckerberg became MAGA, nothing is civilized.
You must pick your platform carefully! I think BlueSky is filling the hole for now. Thank you for your comment.
My contacts aren't on Bluesky. Facebook is different in other counties.
I am also worried. In S. Korea, as Rachel Maddow pointed out last night, martial law was ended rather rapidly and the President who called it impeached. BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE ACTED QUICKLY. Our Congress will NOT ACT. I was in tears as I watched her show, knowing that our Congress will not save us. The Republicans are complicit and the Democrats helpless without help from the Republicans.
It looks that way. I think our only option is to participate in the peaceful protests, contact our legislature, and be as informed as reasonably possible. We have too many Fox "News" organizations and billionaires who own newspapers to be informed without doing work. If the Republicans win, we want the small consolation of saying proudly that we did what we could. Thanks for your comment.
Gird up your loins and prepare to nonviolently, but vehemently, oppose Tyrant Donnie Smallhands and his thuggish minions.
This opposition needs a MLK like leader to focus and channel effective nonviolent protest against the power inherent in the emerging police state. Who can the resistance forces coalesce around? Who can enunciate the ideals of non violent resistance??
Donate to Marc Elias’ Democracy Docket. Key resistor in our court actions.
I have limited means for donations. This substack is one. I'd like to find a way to donate to an organization leading legal challenges to this administration. Does anyone know of a directory page for such organizations? Any recommendations of individual organizations fighting the good fight?
In addition to the Contrarian, the ACLU files an enormous number of lawsuits against the unlawful regime.
Subscribe to The Contrarian. Besides great independent journalism, your donation over and above operating costs goes to litigation against the tRump dictatorship.
CREW and Democracy Forward
https://www.citizensforethics.org/legal-actions/
https://democracyforward.org/lawsuits/
Nonviolent resistance. Do not let them do this without resistance, but make it clear violence is not the way. Do it with a song on our lips. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMYbd2ZhhjE
My biggest concern at this point would be that the administration will use agents provocateurs at protests to escalate the situation.
I have no doubt they will, as they did in Minneapolis, Portland and elsewhere during the Black Lives Matter protests.