Came here to say exactly this. The build up frightens me because we can all see where it’s going. His own army to keep himself In power,no matter what. How can this be stopped? We can’t let this continue!
Congress voted for this MASSIVE increase in the budget. Is there any way that HOW it is spent can be questioned? Does ICE REALLY need "guided missile warheads and explosive components?"
From the article.
$71,515,762. Most of the spending was on guns and armor, but there have also been significant purchases of chemical weapons and “guided missile warheads and explosive components.”
A vital report on a terrifying state of affairs. These are not professional soldiers—these are thugs with weapons in search of a bonus. Thank you, Judd and team!
Hahahaha. Then that damn goose flies over mara-lardo to release a "generous" payload. Touchdown! And what a splash it made! Wow! Just look at all that nasty cash! Look! There! Hahaha! Alright, alright, I'm going to go sit down. Damn. Trying to have some fun.
I don't think one can overstate the harm this chapter in American history represents, not merely in terms of physical violence but also with respect to lasting psychic trauma. The magnitude of the No Kings protests this past weekend suggests we're better than this, but I don't know how you can be a full-throated proud American at a time like this.
Sounds like Trump has an army to aim at his own people. I wonder what people inside ICE on the ground think of all this? Do they even realize what laws they are breaking? Or is he using Proud Boys and others like them as personal cannon fodder?
As deadly as these weapons and men in black are now, this purchase and use of small arms will continue long after the ICE offices have been shuttered. These guns and these men will become the future's mass shootings tools. I have watched guns in America closely for 60 years and this trove of weapons and sick men who will own them, will kill your grandchildren in their schools, and LGBTQ in their nightclubs, women in their homes, and Black Americans in their churches.
No other reason for the proliferation in small arms than to cause mayhem. This time we have to put them and their lost cause down for once and for all then salt the earth from sea to shining sea. Easy to say harder to do.
Trump and Stephen Miller are building an Army of mercenaries that only report to those two. They are not restricted by articles in the Constitution or Military Oaths or the Rule of Law.
How can this unfold right before our eyes and Congress does nothing? Republicans don't say anything. If the Republicans think Trump will keep them around, think again. When Trump no longer needs you or use you will, Trump discard you. Ask Rudy Giuliani.
They think they will never be held to account because they wear masks. They are wrong. And when justice comes, as it will, they are all going to prison...and there will be no Trump to pardon them.
Jim C said it best along with MuckL, Joseph and Therese!
Do not waver, do not blink …
Judd Will provide the light in these darkest of times. A handbook ‘Political Intimidation and Public Bullying’ by Prof. Roddey Reid gives some great guidance but we must remain steadfast. Keep cracking this darkness Judd. Thank you all!
We are in the middle of the end. The slope of hill to fascist authoritarianism is still small enough to slow the course of the rolling stone to least harm. Fascist authoritarianism is not a given. But we do know how this can end. Germany was here in 1933.
She now has two brand new Gulf Stream Jets so that she can visit cities and lie about what she sees there. And ICE has these weapons. But could they afford body cameras? Oh, no, play the shutdown card.
Strong evidence that the government is building a lethal army to eventually use against its own citizens.
Came here to say exactly this. The build up frightens me because we can all see where it’s going. His own army to keep himself In power,no matter what. How can this be stopped? We can’t let this continue!
Great question Susan, "How can this be stopped?"
Congress voted for this MASSIVE increase in the budget. Is there any way that HOW it is spent can be questioned? Does ICE REALLY need "guided missile warheads and explosive components?"
From the article.
$71,515,762. Most of the spending was on guns and armor, but there have also been significant purchases of chemical weapons and “guided missile warheads and explosive components.”
Yes, and I believe that they should be in uniform for identification. May I suggest brown shirts?
And jackboots. :-(
A vital report on a terrifying state of affairs. These are not professional soldiers—these are thugs with weapons in search of a bonus. Thank you, Judd and team!
"A vital report on a terrifying state of affairs. These are not professional soldiers—these are thugs with weapons in search of a bonus."
Indeed! I was a US Marine and these pukes are merely that. Pukes and societal rejects.
One MEU would go through the entire ICE/DHS like sh*t through a goose.
Hahahaha. Then that damn goose flies over mara-lardo to release a "generous" payload. Touchdown! And what a splash it made! Wow! Just look at all that nasty cash! Look! There! Hahaha! Alright, alright, I'm going to go sit down. Damn. Trying to have some fun.
I don't think one can overstate the harm this chapter in American history represents, not merely in terms of physical violence but also with respect to lasting psychic trauma. The magnitude of the No Kings protests this past weekend suggests we're better than this, but I don't know how you can be a full-throated proud American at a time like this.
Sounds like Trump has an army to aim at his own people. I wonder what people inside ICE on the ground think of all this? Do they even realize what laws they are breaking? Or is he using Proud Boys and others like them as personal cannon fodder?
My guess is that there is substantial overlap in the Venn Diagram of ICE thugs, J6 terrorists, Proud Boys, 3 percenters, and other MAGA militias.
“The reason you never see ICE arresting the Proud Boys is the same reason you never see Miley Cyrus hanging out with Hannah Montana.” — Liam Nissan
Judging simply by the state of their uniforms, I'd say you are correct.
These are racist thugs salivating from permission to inflict harm upon non-whites.
Yep, his own SA.
Just guessing they do not think.
"His own people"? We are not "his people". We are antifa terrorists, remember?
Sad but true.
As deadly as these weapons and men in black are now, this purchase and use of small arms will continue long after the ICE offices have been shuttered. These guns and these men will become the future's mass shootings tools. I have watched guns in America closely for 60 years and this trove of weapons and sick men who will own them, will kill your grandchildren in their schools, and LGBTQ in their nightclubs, women in their homes, and Black Americans in their churches.
No other reason for the proliferation in small arms than to cause mayhem. This time we have to put them and their lost cause down for once and for all then salt the earth from sea to shining sea. Easy to say harder to do.
There is no question they are building an armed force loyal only to Trump which will be beholden to him and an instrument of authoritarianism.
It will be a perfect complement to one party rule and a subservient Supreme Court.
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
Holy Sh@t! This needs to be shared widely. We have to stop this regime!
Trump and Stephen Miller are building an Army of mercenaries that only report to those two. They are not restricted by articles in the Constitution or Military Oaths or the Rule of Law.
How can this unfold right before our eyes and Congress does nothing? Republicans don't say anything. If the Republicans think Trump will keep them around, think again. When Trump no longer needs you or use you will, Trump discard you. Ask Rudy Giuliani.
Supposedly, Rudy is going to be given a Presidential Medal of Freedom, probably because it would cost Trump nothing.
Excessive force is not an accident, it's a policy.
They think they will never be held to account because they wear masks. They are wrong. And when justice comes, as it will, they are all going to prison...and there will be no Trump to pardon them.
I hope you're right but I fear you're not.
And the corporate “legacy” media is fucking NOWHERE.
Thank you for this excellent reporting. We will stand strong in spite of these awful tactics.
Jim C said it best along with MuckL, Joseph and Therese!
Do not waver, do not blink …
Judd Will provide the light in these darkest of times. A handbook ‘Political Intimidation and Public Bullying’ by Prof. Roddey Reid gives some great guidance but we must remain steadfast. Keep cracking this darkness Judd. Thank you all!
King’s day was a start!
Please don't abbreviate: it was NO Kings Day.
Sorry…Never A Kings Day!
Gun dealers must be in pig heaven. Everyone is arming themselves.
A P(r)o(bl)em for the Moment
Here the mob boss has raised his own army
With the goal to suppress, if not harm me;
Harm to put us on edge so we all know
If one steps out of line, we will all go.
We are in the middle of the end. The slope of hill to fascist authoritarianism is still small enough to slow the course of the rolling stone to least harm. Fascist authoritarianism is not a given. But we do know how this can end. Germany was here in 1933.
Krusty Gnome, secretly desiring to come out as the reincarnation of Heinrich Himmler.
She now has two brand new Gulf Stream Jets so that she can visit cities and lie about what she sees there. And ICE has these weapons. But could they afford body cameras? Oh, no, play the shutdown card.