During the first Trump administration there was often the feeling of being unable to escape the news. Every day, a new presidential proclamation via Twitter. Every day, a comment made in a press gaggle with potentially staggering implications. For many, the impact was immediate; but more often than not, the threat remained conceptual. This time around is different; things are actually getting materially worse each day, and the human brain is unequipped to notice, let alone process, all of it.

From the continued genocide in Gaza and the disappearing of immigrants off our streets by federal agents, to the dismantling of our health care infrastructure and the ever-growing scourge of gun violence, the pace of news is relentless. Even so, it’s crucial to take stock of events that each on their own would have once been considered a catastrophe, especially when much of major American media would give you the impression that the only thing that happened over the weekend was Charlie Kirk’s hagiographic memorial.

Let’s walk through a few important stories you may have missed—

  • ReallyActuallyFrankenstein@lemmynsfw.com
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    1 day ago

    If you needed any more proof Stephen Miller is a white supremacist psychopath:

    The day after the first strike, Miles Taylor, a former chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security during the first Trump presidency, shared a telling exchange. In his newsletter, Taylor said the exchange took place after Trump visited a counter-drug command center in Florida.

    On the flight home, Stephen Miller — then a senior advisor to the president — sat down across from me and the head of the U.S. Coast Guard. What followed was a conversation I’ll never forget.

    “Admiral,” Miller asked, “the military has aerial drones, correct?”

    “Yes,” the Admiral answered.

    “And some of those drones are equipped with missiles, correct?”

    “Sure,” the Admiral said, beginning to catch on.

    Miller pressed further: “And when a boat full of migrants is in international waters, they aren’t protected by the U.S. Constitution, right?”

    The Admiral clarified that while technically true, international law still applied.

    “Then tell me why,” Miller said, “can’t we use a Predator drone to obliterate that boat?”

    The Admiral, a veteran of military command, was dumbfounded. “Because it would be against international law,” he replied. You can’t kill unarmed civilians just because you want to.

    Stephen Miller didn’t appear interested in the legal implications. Indeed, he seemed more interested in whether anyone could stop Trump from committing such acts.

    “Admiral,” he concluded, “I don’t think you understand the limitations of international law.”

      • Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        22 hours ago

        Most undocumented immigrants in the US came legally overland or via plane from Canada or Europe and then overstayed their visas.

        The focus isn’t on the US-Mexico border (which is already the most heavily guarded border between two countries that aren’t at war with each other in the world) because of any real problem. It’s purely for xenophobic propaganda reasons.

        But yes, the vast majority of refugees and other immigrants from South and Central America come to the US by land or air rather than by sea.

      • apenstaartje@lemmy.cafe
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        1 day ago

        Canadians can be here illegally. Chinese. Australians. But yes, the southern border is a popular place for such activities.