divide and distract

Facing criticism for his failure to respond competently to the COVID-19 crisis and concerned about his declining re-election prospects, President Trump this week returned to his xenophobic comfort zone and issued an attention grabbing immigration proclamation. At a time when immigrants are reminding us of their essential contributions –... Continue »

This week, instead of providing a solution to the states and cities around the country clamoring for COVID-19 tests, Donald Trump again tried to shift blame for his bungled response to the crisis. This week, instead of providing leadership to a nation that is reeling, Donald Trump tried to... Continue »

Originally published February 15, 2018; last updated November 19, 2019 Stephen Miller is a senior adviser to Donald Trump, as well as a white nationalist who has been responsible for some of Trump’s most anti-immigrant policies — and his greatest failures. Miller has played a central role in the... Continue »

So Much for Those Trump’s Coattails… Republicans keep relying on racial incitement and xenophobia in races across the country, but in election after election, the strategy is failing. The latest example comes from the gubernatorial runoff election in Louisiana, won by Democrat John Bel Edwards over Republican Eddie Rispone,... Continue »

Ian Haney López Recommends a Message that Integrates Race and Class In a new op-ed for the New York Times, Ian Haney López, the author of “Merge Left: Fusing Race and Class, Winning Elections and Saving America,” argues that the most effective way to counter Trump’s racism is to... Continue »

A recording of the call is available here. Earlier today immigration experts and advocates discussed the latest developments on immigration, border and asylum policy. Reports have surfaced that a new proposed asylum rule from the Trump administration, if announced, will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis on our southern border, fail... Continue »

Yesterday, the Trump administration announced its latest pathetic attempt to stop immigration: a gradually increasing tariff paid for by Americans on all Mexican products consumed by Americans with the childish hope that this will somehow strongarm Mexico into stemming the flow of Central Americans seeking safety in the U.S.... Continue »

As Trump Leans in to the Same ‘Divide and Distract’ Strategy as 2018, Evidence Mounts That it is Backfiring Against Him and GOP for 2020 President Trump’s campaign rally last night in Pennsylvania reminds us that his 2020 reelection campaign will feature an ugly mix of tough guy talk... Continue »

Texas is ground zero for the fight for and against a border wall. The state has the longest border with Mexico of any American state which is why President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency to build a wall on that border is of vital importance to the Lone... Continue »

On March 14, 2018, the United States Senate delivered a stunning rebuke to President Trump. Fifty-nine Senators, including 12 Republican Senators, stood up for the Constitution and voted to reject Trump’s fake national emergency. On the other hand, 41 Republican Senators chose Trump over the Constitution, and one of... Continue »