The Trump Presidency
Top US diplomat in Ukraine tells impeachment inquiry Trump tied military aid to Biden probe
By Niles Niemuth, 23 October 2019
The effort to impeach Trump has gained steam in the aftermath of his decision to order the withdrawal of troops from northeastern Syria.
US troops withdraw across Syrian border into Iraq
By Patrick Martin, 22 October 2019
While Trump has sought to strike a phony antiwar posture with his pullout order, the troops leaving Syria will remain in the Middle East.
Military brass denounce Trump’s withdrawal of troops from Syria
By Barry Grey, 21 October 2019
The extraordinary intervention of high-ranking retired generals is a breach of the core constitutional principle of the subordination of the military to civilian authority.
As president delivers fascistic speech in Dallas
Democrats link Trump impeachment drive to dissent in military over Syria pullback
By Barry Grey, 19 October 2019
Retired Special Operations Commander William McRaven published an op-ed piece in the New York Times Thursday calling for Trump’s removal “the sooner, the better.”
US claims “ceasefire” deal in Turkey’s invasion of Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 18 October 2019
After US Vice President Pence and Turkish President Erdogan met Thursday, Turkish officials bragged that Ankara got everything it wanted.
Trump defends US pullback in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 17 October 2019
Amid mounting opposition from within Congress and the military, Trump defended his order to withdraw a small contingent of US special forces from northeastern Syria.
Testimony highlights key role of Bolton in impeachment inquiry against Trump
By Barry Grey, 16 October 2019
The forces with which the Democrats are aligned include Bolton, who speaks for the most rabidly militaristic factions of the neo-conservative right wing.
Trump conference video incites violence against opponents
By Patrick Martin, 15 October 2019
The gruesome video imagines Trump using guns, knives, spears and other weapons to slaughter his critics in the media and the Democratic Party.
US Supreme Court term begins with new threats to democratic rights
By Ed Hightower, 15 October 2019
The newly consolidated 5-4 far-right majority on the court is poised to hand down rulings imposing further restrictions on abortion rights, gay rights and basic civil liberties.
US impeachment inquiry: State Department official testifies in defiance of Trump ban
By Patrick Martin, 14 October 2019
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch is the first Trump administration official to testify before the House Intelligence Committee since the White House declared its policy of noncooperation with the impeachment inquiry.
Trump backs China’s handling of Hong Kong protests
By Peter Symonds, 14 October 2019
Trump’s comments demonstrate that US imperialism, far from defending democratic rights, cynically and selectively exploits “human rights” as the means for prosecuting its own interests.
No to American fascism! Build a mass movement to force Trump out!
By the Political Committee of the Socialist Equality Party, 14 October 2019
The defeat of Trump’s efforts to create an extreme rightwing authoritarian regime and the defense of democratic rights require the political mobilization of the working class.
Oppose the Turkish military offensive in Syria!
By the International Committee of the Fourth International, 14 October 2019
As Ankara seeks a militarist solution to ethnic and class conflicts inflamed by decades of imperialist interventions, the Middle East and the world are on the brink of all-out war.
US sends 3,000 more troops to defend Saudi monarchy
By Bill Van Auken, 12 October 2019
The escalation of the US troop deployment in the region followed on the heels of a missile attack on an Iranian oil tanker in the Red Sea.
US and China reach limited trade deal
By Nick Beams, 12 October 2019
The markets responded enthusiastically with the Dow finishing up by more than 300 points, but for all the celebrations, the agreement is very limited.
US immigration policies sending thousands of children, including babies, back to Mexico
By Kevin Martinez, 12 October 2019
The Trump administration has ordered 16,000 migrants under the age of 18 to await their US immigration court hearings in Mexico, including nearly 500 infants.
Trump makes fascistic appeal to police and military at Minneapolis rally
By Patrick Martin, 11 October 2019
The president spoke at his first rally since the start of the impeachment inquiry with dozens of red-shirted police as a backdrop, and any protesters physically removed.
Immigrants shut down Matamoros-Brownsville border crossing in protest over US-Mexico asylum ban
By Eric London, 11 October 2019
The protest is a powerful indication of growing opposition among the estimated 40,000 immigrants being held in inhumane conditions in Northern Mexico.
WikiLeaks source Jeremy Hammond held in contempt by grand jury
By Kevin Reed, 11 October 2019
Information activist Jeremy Hammond has been found in contempt of court for refusing to answer questions before the same judge and grand jury that imprisoned Chelsea Manning.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's “Just Society”: Palliatives that will never be implemented
By Genevieve Leigh, 11 October 2019
Most of the proposals involve tweaks and adjustments to existing laws, with little new funding to address social needs.
Trump asserts unchecked presidential powers
By Patrick Martin, 10 October 2019
Trump’s attorneys are arguing that neither state prosecutors nor Congress have any power over the chief executive.
Turkey launches US-backed offensive targeting Kurdish forces in Syria
By Alex Lantier, 10 October 2019
Turkish air raids and artillery bombardments hit cities and military and civilian targets along approximately 100 kilometers of the Turkey-Syria border.
US-North Korean nuclear talks stall again
By Peter Symonds, 10 October 2019
Negotiations in Sweden on Saturday broke up with North Korea declaring that it would not take part in another session of “sickening negotiations” unless the US offered a substantial concession.
Trump admits US killed millions in war based on lies
By Bill Van Auken, 10 October 2019
Whatever his immediate intentions, Trump has admitted that successive US governments have engaged in war crimes resulting in mass murder.
Trump White House declares it will not cooperate with impeachment inquiry
By Joseph Kishore, 9 October 2019
The Democrats have chosen quite deliberately to base their opposition to Trump on the most reactionary, anti-democratic grounds possible: support for the intelligence agencies and American imperialism.
“Meet the Press” anchor Chuck Todd grills senator: “You don’t trust the FBI and CIA?”
By Barry Grey, 8 October 2019
An exchange between “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd and Senator Ron Johnson sums up the right-wing basis on which the Democratic Party is conducting its impeachment drive against Trump.
Trump issues proclamation to deny immigration visas to workers lacking health insurance
By Casey Gold, 8 October 2019
Last Friday, the White House released a presidential proclamation suspending immigration visas for applicants “who will financially burden the United States health care system.”
Little prospect of agreement as US-China trade talks set to resume
By Nick Beams, 8 October 2019
China is reported to be opposed to any all-encompassing deal on trade and changes to its economic programs along the lines being demanded by the US.
US impeachment campaign escalates with claim of second whistleblower
By Patrick Martin, 7 October 2019
The Democratic Party continues to draw support from the intelligence agencies for its anti-Trump effort.
Pompeo signs US-Greek military alliance and threatens Iran, Russia, China
By Alex Lantier and V. Gnana, 7 October 2019
Aggressive US and European foreign policy is intensifying the risk that great-power conflict over the Balkans and the Middle East can trigger a global war.
Where’s My Roy Cohn?: A documentary on McCarthy’s right-hand man, mentor to Trump
By Fred Mazelis, 7 October 2019
There are definite reasons why Cohn remained influential almost to the end of his life, and why he remains a potent symbol long after his death.
Trump continues to defy Democrats’ impeachment inquiry
By Barry Grey, 5 October 2019
On Friday, President Donald Trump stepped up his defiance of the impeachment inquiry launched by the Democrats with the support of the intelligence agencies.
New US tariffs escalate trade war with Europe
By Alex Lantier, 4 October 2019
The Trump administration’s announcement of tariffs on $7.5 billion on EU goods is only the latest shot in a spiraling trade war that is dragging the global economy toward recession.
Trump announces plan to further privatize Medicare
By Patrick Martin, 4 October 2019
The Democrats are basing their impeachment drive not on opposition to Trump’s fascistic attack on immigrants and pro-corporate social policies, but on claims that he is not pursuing US foreign policy aggressively enough.
Impeachment crisis: Trump, Democrats exchange threats and warnings
By Patrick Martin, 3 October 2019
Two press conferences Wednesday gave sharp expression to the divisions within the US political establishment.
Democrats exclude Trump’s fascist anti-immigrant policies from impeachment inquiry
By Eric London, 3 October 2019
According to the New York Times, Trump called for electrifying the border fence and shooting immigrants as they entered the US.
Trump, Democrats dig in as impeachment drive escalates
By Barry Grey, 2 October 2019
Many within the ruling class are taking Trump’s talk of civil war as a serious threat.
Ukrainian oligarchy in crisis over Zelensky-Trump call
By Clara Weiss, 2 October 2019
The scandal lays bare the utter dependence of the Ukrainian oligarchy on US imperialism.
Trump threatens “civil war” as Democrats escalate impeachment campaign
By Andre Damon, 1 October 2019
President Donald Trump, in an implicit threat of violence against his political opponents, suggested late Sunday that the Democrats’ efforts to remove him from office could precipitate a “civil war.”
Hunter Biden made $850,000 on board of Ukraine gas company
By Patrick Martin, 1 October 2019
Joe Biden’s son cashed in on his father’s position in the Obama-Biden administration.
Pentagon shifts Mideast command center to US in preparation for war on Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 1 October 2019
The shift of CENTCOM’s command and control center to US territory was a rehearsal for a war in which US bases would become targets for Iranian retaliation.
Democrats frame impeachment drive as defense of “national security”
By Patrick Martin, 30 September 2019
There is not the slightest democratic content to the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.
Democrats praise CIA whistleblower on Ukraine, persecute Manning, Assange and Snowden
By Andre Damon, 30 September 2019
While the Democrats declare that “Congress must do all it can to protect… all whistleblowers,” they support exile and prison for the men and women who have exposed the crimes of US imperialism.
CIA sets terms for Democrats’ impeachment inquiry into Trump’s crimes
By Joseph Kishore, 28 September 2019
Both factions in the political warfare that has erupted in Washington are hostile to the democratic and social rights of the working class.
Trump lowers cap on refugees to record low of 18,000
By Barry Grey, 28 September 2019
This latest move tightens the virtual ban on people fleeing poverty, violence and persecution around the world.
Release of CIA whistleblower complaint intensifies political civil war in Washington
By Andre Damon, 27 September 2019
The complaint by the CIA agent assigned to the White House alleges that US President Trump “is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 US election.”
Washington uses UN session to unveil new sanctions against Iran and Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 26 September 2019
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo made it clear that the target of the latest sanctions was not just Iran, but China, which accounts for half of Iran’s sharply reduced oil exports.
Impeachment drive against Trump deepens US political crisis
By Patrick Martin, 26 September 2019
The working class must break free of both reactionary political factions—the Democratic Party, aligned with the military-intelligence apparatus and Wall Street, and the Trump administration.
House Democrats launch formal impeachment inquiry against Trump
By Patrick Martin, 25 September 2019
The action is a major escalation in the factional warfare within the US ruling elite, which revolves largely around differences over foreign policy.
Trump delivers fascist tirade at United Nations
By Andre Damon, 25 September 2019
The American president, echoing neo-Nazi tropes about the “replacement” of national identity, raved against socialism and threatened the whole world with trade war and military violence.
UN debate begins under shadow of war and dictatorship
By Bill Van Auken, 24 September 2019
The fraud of the UN and the descent of capitalist rule into outright criminality is personified by the General Assembly debate’s first three speakers: Bolsonaro, Trump and Sisi.
Trump-Modi lovefest in Houston underscores Indo-US alliance of war and reaction
By Keith Jones, 23 September 2019
By taking a starring role at Modi’s Houston rally Sunday, Trump put Washington’s support for India’s brutal assault on Jammu and Kashmir on full display.
US drone massacre in Afghanistan
By Jacob Crosse, 21 September 2019
At least 30 Afghan farmers and day laborers were killed and 40 others injured Wednesday night in a US drone attack, despite previous notification given to local officials of farming activity in the area.
US sending more troops to Saudi Arabia amid rising war tensions
By Bill Van Auken, 21 September 2019
The announcement followed a White House meeting between US President Donald Trump and his National Security Council to discuss proposals for military action against Iran.
Trump meets with security council on Iran war plans
By Bill Van Auken, 20 September 2019
Washington has yet to produce a shred of evidence of Iran's responsibility for the Saudi attacks, which have been seized upon as a pretext for preparing a war for regime change.
Immigrant shot by ICE agents two weeks ago detained in lawyer’s parking lot in Nashville, Tennessee
By Casey Gold, 20 September 2019
ICE agents forced Jose Fernando Andrade-Sanchez to the ground, despite attempts to inform the agents that he was still injured from ICE’s previous attack.
Confrontation with China focus of Australian prime minister’s state visit to Washington
By James Cogan, 20 September 2019
US-Australia relations are predicated on and aggressively seek to protect and extend immense corporate interests.
Julian Assange: The great unmentionable as Australian leader wines and dines with Trump
By Oscar Grenfell, 20 September 2019
Were Assange imprisoned by the Chinese, Russian or Iranian regimes, the response of the Australian government would doubtless be very different.
Trump reviewing target lists as Iran war threat mounts
By Bill Van Auken, 19 September 2019
US Secretary of State Pompeo described Saturday’s attacks on Saudi oil installations as “an act of war,” attributing them—still with no evidence—to Iran.
US seeks to intimidate Beijing in the South China Sea
By James Cogan, 19 September 2019
The US Navy has now carried out two “freedom of navigation” incursions into Chinese-claimed waters in less than three weeks.
Trump administration intervenes in bid to shut down GM strike
By Tom Hall, 18 September 2019
Autoworkers must be warned: the intervention by the Trump administration is not in their interests. All of their demands will be swept aside on the basis of lying promises about “saving” American jobs.
No letup in Trump’s war on immigrants as 37-year-old Mexican man dies in ICE custody
By Kevin Martinez, 14 September 2019
The recent Supreme Court ruling effectively eliminating the right to asylum is but the latest and sharpest expression of the attack on the rights of immigrants.
The bipartisan attack on the right to asylum
By Eric London, 13 September 2019
The US Supreme Court’s decision abolishes the right to asylum for hundreds of thousands fleeing imperialist war and violence.
Trump administration and California Democrats conspire to place the homeless in internment camps
By Rafael Azul, 13 September 2019
Democratic and Republican officials met this week in Los Angeles to discuss the removal of homeless people from the second largest city in the US.
Trump administration announces plan to ban flavored e-cigarettes
By Benjamin Mateus, 13 September 2019
The move is in reaction to the developing epidemic that has seen more than 450 people develop severe lung illnesses attributable to “vaping” e-cigarettes, with six now confirmed dead.
Trump fires Bolton as national security advisor
By Patrick Martin, 11 September 2019
Disagreement over a proposed deal with the Taliban in Afghanistan was apparently the final straw in the internal White House conflict.
Washington Post pushes xenophobic campaign against Chinese-Americans
By Andre Damon, 10 September 2019
The Washington Post has published an editorial giving its stamp of approval to a report by the Hoover institution arguing that Chinese nationals and ethnic Chinese Americans potentially pose a national security threat to the United States.
Washington Post pushes xenophobic campaign against Chinese-Americans
By Andre Damon, 10 September 2019
The Washington Post has published an editorial giving its stamp of approval to a report by the Hoover institution arguing that Chinese nationals and ethnic Chinese Americans potentially pose a national security threat to the United States.
Trump blocks refugees from Bahamas as humanitarian catastrophe unfolds
By Kate Randall, 10 September 2019
The massive hurricane that unleashed its wrath on the Bahamas earlier this month has produced a catastrophe as a result of social inequality and political indifference.
New York court hears argument from “John Doe” that documents related to Jeffrey Epstein should remain sealed
By Kevin Reed, 7 September 2019
In a hearing before a Manhattan judge, arguments were presented on Wednesday for keeping the identity of individuals named in the court record of a defamation lawsuit filed against a confidante of Jeffrey Epstein in 2015 either sealed or redacted.
Washington escalates “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 6 September 2019
More than a year after re-imposing a punishing sanctions regime, and no closer to achieving regime change, the US is adopting increasingly reckless measures.
Pentagon begins second phase of diverting funds to Trump’s border wall
By Patrick Martin, 5 September 2019
Defense Secretary Mark Esper has selected $3.6 billion worth of military construction projects that will be deferred to help pay for the wall on the US-Mexico border.
Massive blast hits Kabul as US envoy announces draft deal with Taliban
By Bill Van Auken, 4 September 2019
The draft agreement would reportedly include a phased, “conditions-based” withdrawal of US troops.
Courts back Trump administration as ICE continues to force-feed immigrants
By Adam McLean, 3 September 2019
Force-feeding typically can causes excruciating pain, is dangerous when performed on unwilling participants, and is recognized by international doctors’ associations as a form of torture.
Trump imposes new tariffs on China
By Nick Beams, 2 September 2019
The new measures, to be followed by further imposts in December, have hit a wide range of consumer products, amid growing concerns of a recession in the global economy and the US.
Trump administration to reverse methane rules for energy industry
By Daniel de Vries, 2 September 2019
EPA’s climate sabotage continues with plans to drop methane leakage rules.
Former Fed official calls on central bank to end accommodation to Trump
By Nick Beams, 31 August 2019
An extraordinary intervention by former New York Federal Reserve president Bill Dudley reflects rising political tensions, fuelled by the growing prospect of a US recession.
Trump promises pardons for crimes committed to build border wall
By Patrick Martin, 30 August 2019
The report in the Washington Post underscores the criminal character of the Trump administration.
Harvard student deported over friends’ social media posts
By Trévon Austin, 30 August 2019
Ismail Ajjawi’s deportation is part of a campaign against immigrants and international students over purported concerns over “national security.”
US operation aggravates tensions over South China Sea disputes
By James Cogan, 30 August 2019
The latest operation is intended to either provoke or intimidate the Beijing regime and Chinese military.
US alarmed over end to South Korea-Japan intelligence sharing
By Peter Symonds, 30 August 2019
Seoul’s decision to withdraw from a key intelligence-sharing agreement with Tokyo is part of the deepening rift between Washington’s two military allies in North East Asia over economic and strategic issues.
US escalates regime-change machinations against Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 30 August 2019
Having failed to instigate a military coup, the US and its puppet Juan Guaidó are attempting to flesh out a parallel government loyal to Washington.
Department of Homeland Security using $155 million in FEMA disaster relief to fund Trump’s immigrant crackdown
By Kevin Martinez, 29 August 2019
The shuffling of funds comes one week after the Trump White House announced an end to the Flores settlement, as a result, the government will be using FEMA funds to imprison immigrant families indefinitely.
Washington invokes "domestic terrorism" to justify police state rule
By Eric London, 28 August 2019
Trump and the Democrats’ threats to create a new apparatus to combat “domestic terrorism” is part of renewed plans to violently strangle the class struggle.
Prison camera footage outside Epstein’s cell is reported to be “unusable”
By Kevin Reed, 28 August 2019
In further evidence of conspiracy in the death of Epstein, a security camera in the hallway outside his federal prison cell—where he supposedly committed suicide—reportedly “had footage that is unusable.”
Trump escalates economic confrontation with China
By Andre Damon, 24 August 2019
Trump’s “order” for American companies to leave China marks a milestone in the global descent into economic nationalism and preparations for military conflict.
Wall Street falls as US-China trade conflict intensifies
By Nick Beams, 24 August 2019
Tweets by Trump in response to tariff measures by Beijing were his most belligerent to date, taking aim not only against China, but US corporations and the Federal Reserve.
Trump’s bid for Greenland and the imperialist redivision of the world
By Bill Van Auken, 23 August 2019
While the media has focused on Trump’s crude methods, underlying the proposal to buy Greenland is a deadly serious imperialist scramble for control of the Arctic.
Why is the New York Times still trying to sweep the Epstein case under the rug?
By Patrick Martin, 23 August 2019
Amid reports of “stunning” violations of protocol by prison officials in the death of America’s most famous prisoner, the Times claims that questions regarding the well-connected sex trafficker are “conspiracy theories.”
Trump orders indefinite jailing of detained immigrant families, attacks birthright citizenship
By Eric London, 22 August 2019
Democrats have largely backed Trump’s attacks on immigrants, with the New York Times describing his concentration camps as “family detention centers.”
Trump denounces Jews for “disloyalty” if they do not vote for him
By Patrick Martin, 22 August 2019
First voiced Tuesday, and repeated Wednesday, Trump’s remark is a thinly veiled appeal to his fascist and white supremacist supporters.
American media shuts down the Epstein story
By Patrick Martin, 19 August 2019
Despite many unanswered questions, virtually all reporting on the death of multi-millionaire sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein has halted following the verdict of suicide by the medical examiner.
Trump administration calls for permanent restoration of bulk phone communications surveillance
By Kevin Reed, 19 August 2019
The outgoing director of National Intelligence appealed to Congress for the restoration of the surveillance program that was exposed by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
Amy Klobuchar: The favorite Democrat of Senate Republicans
By George Gallanis, 19 August 2019
Underneath the banality of Klobuchar’s presidential campaign are pro-war, right-wing politics.
Tlaib agrees to Israeli terms, then reverses herself on West Bank visit
By Barry Grey, 17 August 2019
The events of the past two days have provided a fresh demonstration of the cowardice of the Democratic Party and the absence within it of any principled opposition to Donald Trump’s authoritarian agenda.
As China masses troops on border, Trump calls for end to Hong Kong “problem”
By Mike Head, 16 August 2019
The US president solidarised himself with his Chinese counterpart in the “tough business” of dealing with social unrest.
A dictatorial move: Trump blocks travel to Israel by two congresswomen
By Patrick Martin, 16 August 2019
The intervention by the president to block travel by representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar is another blow against the US constitutional framework.
Protesters pepper-sprayed outside Rhode Island ICE facility after officer drives truck into crowd
By Trévon Austin, 16 August 2019
At least one demonstrator was seriously injured in the attack, suffering a broken leg, internal bleeding, and a back injury.
Autopsy indicates death of Jeffrey Epstein likely due to strangulation
By Matthew Taylor, 16 August 2019
The report based on the autopsy explodes the ongoing efforts by the media, led by the New York Times, to dismiss all questions about the death of Epstein as “conspiracy theories.”
Iran tanker released in Gibraltar despite US bid to seize it
By Bill Van Auken, 16 August 2019
The decision to release the tanker, formally declared by Gibraltar, but clearly made in London, exposes rising tensions over Washington’s “maximum pressure” policy.
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