Thought Police in Trump’s America
Stephen Miller’s wife Katie on X Wednesday afternoon, sans evidence, accused liberals of being responsble for Charlie Kirk’s death. (I deliberately did not amplify hers and related tweets by reposting them.) She complained that liberals had likened “us” (presumably the Trump administration) to Hitler and the Nazis. She might have included Stasi if the shoe fits.
Christopher Landau, Trump’s deputy secretary of state, posted this to X on Thursday:
In light of yesterday’s horrific assassination of a leading political figure, I want to underscore that foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country. I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action. Please feel free to bring such comments by foreigners to my attention so that the @StateDept can protect the American people.
The MAGA faithful responded to Landau by turning in anyone who posted snide or dismissive posts about Kirk’s death. Landau acknowledged receipt of informants’ tips by posting this image. Translation per Grok: “The Visa Remover.”
The Trump administration earlier this year announced it would screen visa applicants for “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States” or for any “who advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists and other threats to national security; or who perpetrate unlawful anti-Semitic harassment or violence.” Including by examining visa holders’ public social media accounts.
The BBC reported:
While the State Department did not specify what they meant by “support for terrorism”, the Trump administration has targeted some students who have protested in support of Palestine, arguing they had expressed antisemitic behaviour.
The Guardian adds:
Expanding such social media vetting to encompass commentary on an event such as Kirk’s death would be a significant expansion of the administration’s efforts to restrict dissenting views and opinions, particularly of “foreigners” in the US.
As we’ve seen since January, those who overstay their visas, have them revoked, or have their green cards cancelled are now subject to deportation, some with extreme prejudice to God knows where.
I warned you that thought crimes were next.
Update: The Washington Post published this just after post time.
President Donald Trump, following the death of GOP activist and close friend Charlie Kirk, vowed to unleash the weight of his administration onto those he said contributed to an environment of “radical left political violence.”
Meaning?
Other senior administration officials spoke of a broad plan to focus on public speech and rhetoric, declaring that those who speak in violent terms about Trump and his allies will face consequences. Some suggested a more expansive campaign, calling out schoolteachers and college instructors who have made public statements criticizing Kirk since his death, and promising to deport noncitizens who do the same.
Chief of Staff Susie Wiles told a radio host:
“So in the coming days, the president will be telling the American people about what we plan to do,” she continued. “It will not be easy. There’s layer upon layer upon layer, and some of this hate-filled rhetoric is multigenerational, but you’ve got to start somewhere.”
Wiles stressed that the administration intends to protect free speech as it continues to develop its plans.
Ask the people the State Department plans to deport about protecting free speech.
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