This week, we joined 130 organizations in denouncing the Trump administration’s bigoted and cruel scapegoating of immigrant communities in the wake of the Nov. 26 attack on National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.
Following that tragic attack, we have been deeply pained to see how our government has villainized and punished entire groups of people — Afghans, Somalis, refugees, asylum seekers, and all immigrants. The president has unleashed vile, racist attacks on Somalis, “demonizing an entire group of people who came here, fleeing civil war, and created a vibrant community that makes Minnesota and this country better,” as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said.
We’ve seen the administration disparage people from dozens of majority non-white countries as “killers” and “leeches,” vowing to expand their racist travel ban.
We’ve seen people arriving for their citizenship ceremonies pulled out of line and told to go home simply because they came from a country that the president deems to be “of concern.”
We’ve seen the administration halt all asylum cases and implement sweeping new restrictions on immigration from “Third World Countries.” This comes after the administration had already stopped all refugee admissions, with the notable exception of white South Africans.
Sadly, dehumanizing rhetoric and scapegoating is nothing new for this administration. We must not allow this kind of racism and hatred from our government to become normalized or accepted.
Insulting and crass language denies the inherent worth and dignity of all people and has been deployed to justify wanton violence and cruelty both at home and abroad.
We’ve seen the Department of Homeland Security post memes rooted in white nationalism to glorify the terrorizing of our neighbors.
We’ve seen the Secretary of Defense evoke a children’s cartoon to flippantly celebrate the murder of people abroad.
As Phil Klay writes in the New York Times, this violence and cruelty is “wounding” our “national soul.”
“The president inhabits a position of moral leadership,” Klay wrote. “When the president and his officials sell their policies, they’re selling a version of what it means to be an American.”
We must continue to defend a different version of our national values held by a strong majority of Americans – one defined by compassion, respect, and solidarity, not cruelty, racism, and xenophobia.
Elsewhere
Health insurance costs to rise as Senate vote fails
A measure to extend health insurance subsidies failed in the Senate this week. Many families are going to face incredibly steep hikes in Affordable Care Act plans in the new year. This was a major concern in the government shutdown earlier this year. Congress is far from a resolution.
We need action so people can afford the health care they need to survive and thrive.
Tensions rising with Venezuela
The U.S. military seized an oil tanker this week that was smuggling oil in violation of U.S. sanctions placed on Venezuela. The Venezuelan government is calling this an act of piracy.
We are hearing reports of soldiers being concerned about their legal and moral responsibility for the strikes against civilian boats in the Caribbean and Pacific – reaching out to Quaker House and the GI Rights Hotline.
Congress has the responsibility to push back against these escalations. We must not sleepwalk into another forever war!
No Nuclear Arms Race!
When the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between the United States and Russia expires in February 2026, so will the last legally binding agreement in place to limit nuclear weapons production. We can’t afford another nuclear arms race, but it’s not too late!
On Wednesday, December 17 – to mark 50 days from New START’s expiration date – FCNL is mobilizing peace advocates for a call-in day urging members of Congress to push for diplomacy to replace the agreement and stop a new nuclear arms race. Learn more about New START and the call-in effort here.
