The Venezuelan Migrant Torture: A Glimpse into American-Sanctioned Atrocities
In a chilling exposé from Rolling Stone magazine, the harrowing experiences of Venezuelan migrants, "kidnapped" by the Trump administration from American streets and homes, have come to light. Over 230 men were sent to CECOT in El Salvador, a facility notorious for its brutality. Months after their transfer, these freed migrants are finally speaking out, detailing horrific accounts of torture.
What makes this even more egregious is that, as 60 Minutes previously reported, 90% of these men had no criminal record whatsoever. Their "crime" was simply "being brown, having tattoos, and being at the right place at the wrong time." The Trump administration orchestrated a "cinematic domestic terrorism" spectacle, releasing a video designed to project strength and power, demonstrating their willingness to dispose of "brown people in a hellhole that activists [and] humanitarians have been writing about forever." Donald Trump, with El Salvador's President Bukele by his side in the Oval Office, chillingly declared, "we’re going to need five more CECOTs for the homegrowns. The homegrowns are next." These men reportedly "laughed" at the pain and "certain death" awaiting the 230 men, knowing full well the torture they would endure.
After four months in El Salvador's brutal prison system, the over 250 Venezuelan migrants deported in March and released earlier this month as part of a prisoner swap between the U.S. and the Maduro government, described psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. They were deprived of due process rights and contact with lawyers and families. Andre Omar Blanco Bonilla, a man with no criminal record, recounted how men who refused to have their heads shaved were beaten by guards, their screams serving as a warning. Blanco himself was beaten to the point of passing out and dragged to a cell, restrained with excruciatingly tight cuffs and shackles.
A Lifetime of Treachery: The Confirmation of Emile Bove
Perhaps the most damning aspect of this is the elevation of one of the architects of this cruelty. Just recently, the Senate confirmed Emile Bove as a federal judge in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, a lifetime appointment. This confirmation occurred despite two whistleblower complaints alleging that Bove and other Justice Department officials conspired to mislead courts about the administration's intent to deport migrants under the Alien Enemies Act.
Erez Reuveni, a former Justice Department official who was fired, alleged that Bove told lawyers they would need to "consider telling the courts, 'fuck you,' and ignore any such court order, blocking efforts to remove immigrants to El Salvador." Despite Bove's denial, Reuveni provided supporting text messages, and another former Justice Department lawyer corroborated his claim to the inspector general.
This appointment highlights a disturbing trend: individuals who openly advocated for breaking the law and defying federal judges are now granted lifetime positions within the judiciary. This echoes other instances of disregard for the rule of law within the Trump administration, where officials suggested that the only legitimate law was their "modified Supreme Court." The current Supreme Court, itself deemed "absolutely illegitimate" by some, further compounds this problem by granting excessive power to the executive branch, as seen in their decision to grant Donald Trump broad immunity while simultaneously restricting President Biden's ability to provide student loan debt relief.
The stark contrast is infuriating: President Biden required congressional approval to address student loan debt because Congress "created the Department of Education," yet Donald Trump could unilaterally "gut the entire Department of Education" without such restrictions. This legal double standard is symptomatic of a broken system. The theft of three Supreme Court seats by Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump, and the subsequent lack of forceful action or "pushback from Democrats" further demonstrates their "complacency" and failure to "create safety and guardrails for the courts" and for "the future of democracy." Instead of anticipating a return to normalcy, Democrats seemingly allowed Republicans to "double down and created Project 2025," solidifying their path to autocracy.
Kamala Harris and the Democratic Crossroads: A Path to 2028?
Against this backdrop of eroding democratic norms, the political landscape for 2028 is already taking shape. Recent news confirms that former Vice President Kamala Harris will not be running for governor of California in 2026, fueling speculation about a potential presidential bid in 2028.
Harris's previous 2024 presidential campaign, though short-lived and facing significant challenges (a mere 107 days to campaign against Donald Trump), injected a brief sense of hope. However, many argue that she was "set up to fail" by the Biden administration, which "hid her" and prevented her from taking the lead on crucial issues. She was not put "out front on something so basic like the overturning of Dobbs and Roe v. Wade and affirmative action."
For a successful 2028 run, there's a strong consensus that Harris must break free from the "centrist establishment bullshit" and "puppeteering" that hindered her previous campaigns. She needs to "run her own campaign in her own voice," embracing a truly progressive platform. This includes taking a clear and strong stance on critical issues like Gaza, moving beyond platitudes like "Israel has a right to defend itself.” Her previous willingness to "hold hands with Republicans like she did with Liz Cheney," while seemingly avoiding progressive voices like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez alienated parts of the base.
The Democratic Party's tendency to stifle authentic voices, as seen with the alleged "toning down" of Tim Walz's "folkiness" during his vice-presidential debate, reveals a fear of genuine connection with the electorate. Americans are tired of being "placated" and are exhausted after a "decade" of "Trumpism." They seek leaders who offer "authenticity," "policies that are going to address the fucking billionaire oligarchs," and solutions for issues like "clean air, clean water," AI regulation, and quality education. Critically, voters demand accountability for the fact that "America has been funding genocide with $3 billion of our tax dollars a year."
The Democratic Party's current polling numbers, at a 33% approval rating (the worst in 25 years), underscore the urgency of this shift. As one observer starkly puts it to Kamala Harris, "Don't take your cue from fucking losers. Go with your gut. Figure out what that is. And if you don't know what your gut is, then talk to the people and figure out what the fuck they want."
A Call to Action: Remembering, Resisting, Rebuilding
The pervasive "willful ignorance" and "short memories" of the American public, often distracted by entertainment or personal preoccupations, allow these injustices to persist. Yet, "politics always has time for you," impacting healthcare, education, clean water, and even life itself. The interconnectedness of issues, from migrant abuse and judicial appointments to foreign policy and electoral integrity, cannot be overstated.
America is now on an "autocrat watch list" for the second time, with international human rights advocates observing a rapid "backsliding democracy." In just six months, Donald Trump has allegedly "rolled back about 60 years of progress on civil rights and civil liberties." The path forward is not through "voting our way out of this" alone, as "no country ever has." Instead, it requires a fundamental shift within the Democratic Party: "kick the people out, the establishment fucking people out that have been satisfied and fed by the status quo."
The solution lies in embracing self-determination, recognizing that "everyone deserves to live free," and ensuring that "everyone deserves fucking food and medicine." The truth, however uncomfortable, must be confronted directly. Only by acknowledging the deep-seated issues and actively fighting for a more just and equitable society can America hope to reclaim any semblance of its purported democratic ideals.
What steps do you believe are most critical for the Democratic Party to take right now to genuinely address the concerns of a disillusioned electorate?
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