The Trump Presidency
Video footage exposes police shooting of 13-year-old autistic boy in Salt Lake City
By Niles Niemuth, 23 September 2020
While Linden Cameron somehow survived being shot 11 times, police in the US are still on track to kill nearly 1,000 people, a grim toll they have exacted every year since 2015.
The CDC retracts its guidance that stipulated the airborne danger of the coronavirus
By Benjamin Mateus, 23 September 2020
Though the CDC said it had erroneously published the unvetted draft, the political fallout faced by the CDC suggests it was a political maneuver to save face.
Trump delivers anti-China tirade to United Nations
By Bill Van Auken, 23 September 2020
The annual opening of the UN General Assembly was held under the shadow of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the growing threat of imperialist war.
Democrats capitulate as Republicans secure votes to install far-right justice on Supreme Court
By Barry Grey and Jacob Crosse, 23 September 2020
For all their bluster, the Democrats were focused on preventing a plunge in the stock market by reaching a government funding deal with the Republicans before the September 30 deadline.
Trump on coronavirus pandemic: “Virtually nobody” affected
By Joseph Kishore—SEP candidate for US President, 23 September 2020
The indifference expressed by Trump to death on a mass scale expresses not only his personal outlook but the social policy of the ruling class.
President Trump gives preliminary approval to takeover of TikTok by Oracle and Walmart
By Kevin Reed, 21 September 2020
In an unprecedented act of imperialist piracy, the assets of Chinese-owned video sharing app TikTok are being handed over to Oracle, Walmart and group of private investors.
Jacobin magazine embraces Trump administration’s murderous “herd immunity” policy
By Andre Damon, 21 September 2020
On Saturday, Jacobin magazine published an extended interview with anti-lockdown activist Martin Kulldorff, who demanded that “schools and universities should reopen” because “young, healthy people contribute to…herd immunity.”
Colorado police conduct militarized arrests of Party for Socialism and Liberation members
By Jacob Crosse, 19 September 2020
The manner of the arrests and the overwhelming charges against the six protesters are a clear act of intimidation against all those determined to put an end to police violence and racism.
US, Colombia stage war games as Pompeo threatens Venezuela
By Bill Van Auken, 19 September 2020
Pompeo’s Latin American tour is aimed both at escalating aggression against Venezuela and countering China’s influence in the region.
White House bans TikTok and WeChat: A major intensification of internet censorship
By Kevin Reed, 19 September 2020
The move is an assault on freedom of expression and an effort to consolidate control of the internet by a handful of massive corporations working in partnership with the American government.
Trump repeats threats of post-election military repression as Barr calls for charging protesters with “sedition”
By Patrick Martin, 17 September 2020
While Trump and his political aides and advisers openly speak of civil war and martial law, the Democrats are largely ignoring and covering up the moves toward dictatorial forms of rule.
As US death toll hits 200,000, Trump calls for herd immunity
By Andre Damon, 17 September 2020
“Herd immunity” has been the guiding principle of Trump’s response to the pandemic, underlying his efforts to downplay the virus, handicap testing and get workers back on the job as quickly as possible.
Trump stages sham Mideast “peace” ceremony on White House lawn
By Bill Van Auken, 16 September 2020
The overriding significance of the Israel-UAE-Bahrain accords is the further consolidation of a US-led anti-Iran axis in the Middle East.
Exposure of Trump’s lies on COVID-19 implicates Spain’s Podemos party
By Alejandro López, 15 September 2020
Though it had access to intelligence briefings on the deadly danger posed by the pandemic, Podemos adopted a criminally negligent policy.
White House announces Oracle Corporation as “trusted tech partner” of TikTok
By Kevin Reed, 15 September 2020
The announcement of a “technology partnership” between Oracle Corporation and TikTok is part of an attempt to whip up anti-Chinese sentiments in advance of the US elections.
Trump, Roger Stone call for violence and repression after Election Day
By Patrick Martin, 14 September 2020
The US president and his oldest political crony called for a police-military crackdown to back his continued rule.
COVID-19 outbreak at Virginia migrant detention center caused by repression of anti-police brutality protesters
By Joe Williams, 14 September 2020
The outbreak at the Farmville detention center demonstrates the capitalist class’s disdain for democratic rights and the lives of the entire population.
Democrats and media silent on execution of Michael Reinoehl by US Marshals
By Kevin Reed, 10 September 2020
New details on the September 3 killing of Michael Reinoehl by a task force led by federal Marshals confirm that the Portland protester was executed in a hail of police bullets.
The plot against America and the world: How the US government and the media suppressed the truth about the COVID-19 pandemic
By Bryan Dyne and Andre Damon, 10 September 2020
Newly released recorded conversations between Donald Trump and reporter Bob Woodward make clear that the White House, abetted by the media, made a calculated decision to suppress information about the pandemic that has cost nearly 200,000 lives.
The Civil War Election
Statement of the Socialist Equality Party (US) Political Committee, 9 September 2020
The US election, now less than two months away, is entering its final stages under conditions of unprecedented social, economic and political crisis.
Political furor erupts over Trump slurs against dead and wounded US soldiers
By Patrick Martin, 7 September 2020
The US president only states in a particularly crude and vulgar fashion what the capitalist class as a whole thinks about those it treats as cannon fodder.
Trump administration overpays, underdelivers on USDA food box program for the hungry
By Alex Findijs, 7 September 2020
Millions of dollars that could be utilized to feed struggling workers have been wasted all while millions of American families go hungry and millions of pounds of food have gone to waste in the fields.
US enters new phase of coronavirus pandemic: Report estimates more than 400,000 deaths by January
By Joseph Kishore—SEP candidate for US President, 7 September 2020
The policy that has been adopted by the Trump administration and the ruling class is “herd immunity”—that is, the abandonment of any organized measures aimed at safeguarding public health.
Federal task force kills suspect in slaying of right-wing Trump supporter in Portland
By Niles Niemuth, 5 September 2020
Michael Forest Reinoehl, gunned down by a fugitive task force in Washington State on Thursday, had said he was being “hunted” by far-right groups coordinating with the police.
Trump campaign enlists army of poll-watchers to intimidate Democratic voters
By Barry Grey, 5 September 2020
The Trump campaign hopes to mobilize among its “poll watchers” the militia and vigilante types who have been attacking those protesting police violence and racism.
New pandemic projections place US death toll at over 400,000 by end of the year
By Benjamin Mateus, 5 September 2020
The IHME prediction would see COVID-19 deaths comparable to the 1918 influenza pandemic, which took 675,000 lives in the US.
US joblessness crisis worsens as nearly 900,000 file new unemployment claims
By Jacob Crosse, 4 September 2020
Millions of families’ daily existence has been reduced to the struggle for bare necessities as hunger continues to grow.
School and college outbreaks make Iowa the US COVID-19 hotspot
By Benjamin Mateus, 4 September 2020
Rural communities in Midwest states are seeing a surge of new infections that are a byproduct of the murderous back-to-school policy being implemented by every state.
Drive to play college football continues as evidence mounts that games could be “superspreader” events
By Andy Thompson, 4 September 2020
Dozens of schools are still moving forward with plans to play games in front of tens of thousands of fans, and 77 of the 130 major college football programs will play their seasons in some form this fall.
The Socialist Equality Party denounces Trump’s mass arrest of 2,000 immigrants!
By Norissa Santa Cruz—SEP candidate for US vice president, 4 September 2020
The assault on immigrants across the United States is a threat to the entire working class.
As protests against police violence continue across the US
Trump visits Kenosha to defend killer police and vigilantes
By Barry Grey, 2 September 2020
Trump’s efforts to project an image of authoritarian strength during his visit were belied by the extraordinary security measures taken to wall him off from the population.
US-China conflict over TikTok intensifies as Trump’s forced divestiture deadline approaches
By Kevin Reed, 2 September 2020
The drive to force the Chinese-owned video sharing app to be sold to a US company was countered by Beijing’s imposition of export restrictions on software components of the platform.
Trump endorses right-wing violence in Kenosha, Portland
By Patrick Martin, 1 September 2020
While Trump seeks to mobilize fascistic elements, his Democratic opponent Joe Biden condemns “looting and rioting” and directs his main appeal to big business and the military.
Trump incites vigilante violence against peaceful protests in Wisconsin
By Joseph Kishore—SEP candidate for US President, 31 August 2020
The murders in Kenosha are the first major attempt to use right-wing vigilante groups to carry out violent attacks on domestic opposition within the United States.
Social crisis, class struggle and the 2020 election
By Andre Damon, 29 August 2020
The 2020 election is taking place against the backdrop of the greatest social, economic and political crisis in the modern history of the United States.
Reddit moderators censor WSWS article on Trump’s speech at Republican convention
By Kevin Reed, 29 August 2020
After the article appeared on the front page of Reddit with over 9,000 upvotes, moderators removed it on the grounds that the WSWS is an “unacceptable source.”
Trump runs for Führer
By Jacob Crosse and Andre Damon, 28 August 2020
Trump delivered a fascistic tirade from the White House lawn Thursday night, painting his reelection as the last bastion against “agitators” and “socialists.”
The Republican National Convention: A frightened ruling class incites fascist violence
By Patrick Martin, 27 August 2020
The convention, dominated by hysterical threats against left-wing political opposition, took place against the backdrop of a shooting of demonstrators by a right-wing vigilante.
Under pressure from the White House, CDC issues guidelines for less COVID-19 testing
By Benjamin Mateus, 27 August 2020
The change in guidelines has been met with a barrage of anger and dismay among various health experts and physician groups who have repeatedly stated that the key to suppressing the infection is broad, mass testing of the population.
TikTok files federal lawsuit against the Trump administration
By Kevin Reed, 27 August 2020
TikTok, the massively popular social media platform owned by China-based ByteDance, has filed a lawsuit seeking to block President Trump’s executive order banning the app and forcing its sale to a US owner.
Trump continues assault on democratic norms at Republican convention
By Barry Grey, 26 August 2020
The event marks the evolution of one of the two major parties of American capitalism into an instrument for the development of a personalist and authoritarian movement with increasingly fascistic characteristics.
Trump, aides embrace fascist Republican candidates
By Patrick Martin, 25 August 2020
At a press briefing last week, the US president delivered an extraordinary thumbs-up to the QAnon online grouping, which justifies violence against his political opponents.
The Republican convention: Four nights of fascist filth begin
By Patrick Martin, 25 August 2020
The convention opened Monday with the renomination of President Trump and a series of diatribes against socialism.
Coronavirus testing remains at reduced levels in the US
By Bryan Dyne, 22 August 2020
To fully map spread of the pandemic, and contain the disease, the US should be doing 6–10 million tests per day. It currently does about 700,000.
Justice Department accuses Yale of discriminating against Asian American and white students
By Trévon Austin, 22 August 2020
The lawsuit is a cynical provocation by an administration that seeks to stir the pot of racial antagonisms.
Trump administration brands educators “critical infrastructure workers” to force schools to open
By Evan Blake, 21 August 2020
The move comes in response to the growing opposition of educators, parents and students to the catastrophic reopening of schools, which has already infected over 2,500 students and staff across the country.
Who is Scott Atlas, Trump’s new adviser on the COVID-19 pandemic?
By Benjamin Mateus, 18 August 2020
Dr. Scott Atlas, a former neuroradiologist and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution was selected as the new presidential adviser on the pandemic to “counter” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading US epidemiologist.
Responding to US provocations, Chinese officials appeal for “peaceful coexistence”
By Peter Symonds, 18 August 2020
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang warned that relations between the US and Beijing were facing “the gravest challenge since the establishment of diplomatic ties” in the 1970s.”
The Biden/Harris campaign and the dead-end of “lesser evil” politics
By Joseph Kishore—SEP candidate for US president, 17 August 2020
As the US election enters its final stage, enormous pressure is being brought to bear to convince workers and youth that the only way to oppose Trump is to support Biden and Harris.
Fauci warns against herd immunity: “the death toll would be enormous”
By Bryan Dyne, 15 August 2020
Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of world’s leading experts on infectious disease, warned against the relaxation of efforts to combat COVID-19, declaring, “The death toll would be enormous and totally unacceptable.”
Fascistic candidate wins Republican congressional nomination in Georgia
By Trévon Austin, 14 August 2020
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a multi-millionaire businesswoman and supporter of the QAnon conspiracy, will likely enter Congress from the heavily Republican 14th District of Georgia.
US Attorney General Barr gives fascistic tirade against Antifa, Black Lives Matter
By Patrick Martin, 11 August 2020
Barr made a political amalgam connecting the Democratic Party, Black Lives Matter, Antifa and terrorism.
Top US health official makes provocative trip to Taiwan
By Peter Symonds, 11 August 2020
With the visit by US Secretary of Health Alex Azar to Taiwan, the Trump administration is taking another step towards overturning the “One China” policy and breaking US diplomatic relations with China.
USPS centralizes leadership as step towards privatization and possible election fraud
By Shuvu Batta, 11 August 2020
The moves announced by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a major Trump donor, raise questions about the integrity of mail-in ballots in November's presidential election.
Trump executive orders set stage for tens of millions of evictions
By Jacob Crosse, 10 August 2020
An analysis released Friday by the Aspen Institute estimates that between 28,900,000 and 39,900,000 tenants in the US are at risk of eviction by the end of the year.
Trump’s illegal power grab and the specter of American Bonapartism
By Andre Damon, 10 August 2020
Trump’s usurpation of the congressional prerogative to tax and spend is the latest act in his years-long effort to destroy all Constitutional guardrails on the power of the presidency.
US coronavirus death toll predicted to reach 295,000 by December
By Bryan Dyne, 8 August 2020
The IHME projection of nearly 300,000 deaths by December exposes the lie that it is safe to reopen the schools.
President Trump signs executive orders banning Chinese social media apps TikTok and WeChat
By Kevin Reed, 8 August 2020
On Thursday, the US president signed two executive orders that will ban the operation of TikTok and WeChat in the US unless they are acquired by US-based companies within 45 days.
US moves to delist Chinese companies from stock exchanges
By Nick Beams, 8 August 2020
The move has been couched in terms of protecting “investor safety,” but it is another component of the economic warfare being carried out by Washington.
Altered CDC guidelines provide unscientific basis for reopening schools
By Mitch Marcus, 6 August 2020
The CDC guidelines were adjusted in mid-July to suit the demands of the Trump administration that schools reopen, as part the broader campaign to reopen the economy.
US imposes new sanctions on China over alleged Uyghur abuses
By Peter Symonds, 5 August 2020
US propaganda now includes allegations of Uyghur “genocide,” based on sensational accounts of forced birth control and the sterilization of Uyghur women in Xinjiang province.
Trump installs ex-general and anti-Islam bigot in top Pentagon post
By Patrick Martin, 4 August 2020
The appointment of retired Gen. Anthony Tata was carried out by means of a maneuver designed to bypass opposition from both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate.
Who decides the fate of the US Postal Service?
By Kayla Costa and Shuvu Batta, 4 August 2020
The assortment of former Wall Street executives, private CEOs, union financial advisors and major Republican and Democratic Party donors who sit on the USPS Board of Governors is the clearest sign of the ruling class’s plans to privatize the USPS.
White House engineering a takeover of TikTok by Microsoft
By Kevin Reed, 3 August 2020
Under the White House’s direction, Microsoft is preparing to acquire the video-sharing app TikTok in a forced-divestiture from its China-based company ByteDance.
Department of Homeland Security assembles intelligence reports on US journalists covering Portland protests
By Jacob Crosse, 1 August 2020
Such reports have been traditionally used to share information regarding wanted criminals or terrorists across federal and local law enforcement agencies.
Socialist Equality Party (US) National Congress adopts resolution on the coronavirus pandemic and the fight for socialism
The Political Committee of the Socialist Equality Party (US), 1 August 2020
The Congress resolution provides an unequaled analysis of the crisis triggered by the pandemic, directed toward the development of socialist class consciousness and the independent action of the working class.
Trump floats delaying election, both parties appeal to military as umpire
By Eric London, 31 July 2020
Trump baselessly claimed the election would be tainted by voter fraud as his poll numbers sank to all-time lows.
Plainclothes NYC police grab protester and throw her into unmarked car
By Niles Niemuth, 30 July 2020
The illegal seizure of the protester in broad daylight signaled the readiness of the New York Police Department to use the authoritarian methods made infamous by Trump’s paramilitary forces in Portland.
In congressional testimony
Attorney General Barr aggressively defends violent attacks on protesters in Portland
By Barry Grey, 29 July 2020
The White House remains the cockpit of a conspiracy to destroy democratic rights and establish authoritarian rule in the United States.
US Park Police chief defends unconstitutional June 1 assault on protesters outside the White House
By Jacob Crosse, 29 July 2020
Monahan denied that police used “excessive” force to clear out protesters from Lafayette Square despite testimony, video evidence and eyewitness accounts.
Trump uses quack science to promote back-to school, back-to-work drive
By Kate Randall, 29 July 2020
The US president continues to promote hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 based on disproven scientific claims.
US adopts policy of regime-change in Beijing
By Peter Symonds, 29 July 2020
By declaring the defeat of Chinese “tyranny” the aim of American foreign policy, the Trump administration has greatly intensified confrontation with China, with an all-but explicit call for regime-change.
Trump deploys more federal agents in Portland crackdown
By Jacob Crosse, 28 July 2020
One hundred US Marshals and 50 Customs and Border Patrol agents specializing in “riot control” are en route or have already arrived as protests continue.
Stop Trump’s coup d’état! Mobilize the working class against authoritarianism and dictatorship!
Statement of the Socialist Equality Party, 27 July 2020
The Trump administration’s deployment of paramilitary forces throughout the United States is a major escalation of the attempt to organize a coup d’état in advance of the November presidential elections.
US secretary of state sets out case for conflict with China
By Peter Symonds, 25 July 2020
By ruling out a return to the policy of “containment,” Pompeo’s speech marks a strategy aimed at regime change in Beijing.
Illinois Democrats embrace Trump’s law enforcement “surge”
By Kristina Betinis, 25 July 2020
Illinois Democratic lawmakers have made public statements aimed at assuaging public fears that the federal forces will crack down on anti-police violence protesters in Chicago, just as they have in Portland.
Trump signs executive order on 2020 Census declaring undocumented immigrants are not persons
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 25 July 2020
The order would affect the distribution of federal funding as well as the apportionment of congressional seats.
Judge orders former Trump enforcer Michael Cohen to be released from prison
By Jacob Crosse, 25 July 2020
In a slap at President Trump and Attorney General Barr, Federal District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein has ordered the release of former Trump confidant and disbarred lawyer Michael Cohen.
150,000 dead in the US and no end in sight
By Andre Damon, 25 July 2020
The resurgence of COVID-19 is a result of the campaign by the Trump administration—with the assistance of the Democrats and the media—to force workers back on the job as the pandemic continues to rage.
As paramilitary police tear gas Portland mayor and protesters
Trump orders federal police to more cities
By Barry Grey, 24 July 2020
The Trump administration is stepping up its unconstitutional moves toward dictatorial rule, tear gassing the mayor of Portland, Oregon and announcing the deployment of federal police to additional cities.
Trump orders hundreds of federal agents into Chicago
By Patrick Martin, 23 July 2020
The White House is escalating the drive toward an authoritarian regime in America.
Senate committee gives nod to Trump Fed nominee
By Nick Beams, 23 July 2020
The main qualification of Judy Shelton in Trump’s eyes is that she has changed her economic views in line with changes in the occupancy of the White House.
US orders closure of China’s Houston consulate, raising the danger of war
By Mike Head, 23 July 2020
The White House, facing a massive domestic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, is seeking to divert internal tensions outward.
Despite withdrawal of ICE ruling, international students in the US remain at risk
By Sam Dalton, 22 July 2020
Amid an intensifying anti-immigrant and anti-China campaign, Trump’s tactical retreat from the July 6 ruling putting international students at risk of deportation is not any cause for celebration.
Trump’s plan to send paramilitary police throughout the US: The ruling class prepares for civil war
By Patrick Martin, 22 July 2020
The Trump administration’s plans to deploy federal paramilitary forces in major American cities is a sharp escalation of the assault on democratic rights and the establishment of police state forms of rule.
President Trump sending federal police agents into major American cities
By Kevin Reed, 21 July 2020
Trump said on Monday that he was extending the use of federal law enforcement officers to New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Baltimore and Oakland to arrest protesters.
Trump’s police-state attack in Portland, Oregon
By Patrick Martin, 20 July 2020
The crackdown on demonstrators by Trump’s fascistic border agents is the latest move in his administration’s years-long assault on democratic rights in the United States.
US escalates economic warfare against Russia and China
By Nick Beams, 18 July 2020
After securing a decision by the UK government to ban the Chinese firm Huawei from its 5G rollout, the US is pressuring the Merkel government in Germany to take the same decision.
US moving to ban China-based TikTok social media app
By Kevin Reed, 18 July 2020
There is bipartisan support in Congress for the Trump administration’s aggressive efforts against the Chinese app.
Trump replaces campaign manager as poll numbers plunge
By Patrick Martin, 17 July 2020
Brad Parscale seems to have paid the price for the debacle of Trump’s campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last month.
White House in disarray as coronavirus numbers explode
By Patrick Martin, 16 July 2020
The one-day total of infections has set a new record of 71,670 and deaths are once again climbing.
Federal agents in Portland, Oregon shoot and critically injure protester
By Hector Cordon and Julio Patron, 16 July 2020
Portland is being used by the Trump administration as a test case for the deployment of heavily armed federal agents to suppress popular protests against police brutality.
Charter schools cash in on “small business” Paycheck Protection Program
By Mitch Marcus, 16 July 2020
PPP has been a boondoggle of monumental proportions, funneling essentially free cash to major corporations.
Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approves anti-encryption EARN IT Act
By Kevin Reed, 16 July 2020
The bipartisan vote passed to the floor of the Senate a redraft of the bill which exploits online child sexual abuse as a cover to attack free speech and encrypted electronic communications.
Judge denies bail for Ghislaine Maxwell, charged with aiding Epstein’s abuse of underage girls
By Kevin Reed, 15 July 2020
Maxwell pleaded not guilty to charges that she participated in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring in the 1990s and was denied bail.
Trump wages war against science and Dr. Fauci, not coronavirus
By Patrick Martin, 14 July 2020
At an appearance Monday, Trump continued to deny that the coronavirus is actually spreading in the United States, claiming the skyrocketing number of cases is due entirely to more testing.
Trump commutes prison term for political crony Roger Stone
By Patrick Martin, 13 July 2020
Stone’s convictions on perjury and other federal charges stemmed from the bogus anti-Russia campaign launched by the Democratic Party and sections of the military-intelligence establishment.
“The decision to reopen schools shouldn’t be political. It should be made by medical experts.”
Teachers speak out against Trump’s push to reopen schools
By Mitch Marcus and Kimie Saito, 11 July 2020
The WSWS spoke with two teachers about the dangerous push by the Trump administration to reopen schools in the fall as the COVID-19 pandemic spirals out of control.
Supreme Court rules against Trump on releasing tax returns, but allows delay
By John Burton, 10 July 2020
While Trump failed in his effort to assert absolute presidential immunity, the court rulings will push back any release of his financial documents until after the election.
Mr. López Obrador goes to Washington
Mexican president kowtows to his “friend” Donald Trump
By Eric London, 9 July 2020
Obrador’s appearance with Trump yesterday will rank in history as among the most demeaning and sycophantic Washington visits by any Latin American head of state.
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