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Johan's avatar

Pam Bondi demanding Minnesota’s voter rolls while federal agents murder protesters in the streets is textbook authoritarian playbook. I’ve been tracking this exact pattern from Argentina’s Dirty War, and the parallels are chilling.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The sequence is deliberate:

Deploy paramilitary forces (ICE with promised federal immunity).

Commit extrajudicial killings (Renee Good, Alex Pretti).

Blame victims as “domestic terrorists.”

Use the “chaos” to justify escalation.

Demand state compliance or face more violence.

Bondi’s demand for voter rolls isn’t about election integrity. It’s about identifying who to target. Argentina’s dictatorship did the same…used state records to build lists of “subversives” for detention and disappearance.

The Minneapolis resistance we are documenting: the legal observers, the Signal networks, the trained protesters; is exactly what prevented Argentina’s body count from being even higher. The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo did this. They made the invisible visible. They documented every disappearance. They created international pressure.

But here’s what Argentina’s neighbors didn’t do: apply meaningful external pressure while it was still stoppable.

Europe is making the same mistake right now. Mark Carney stood at Davos and spoke truth about building alternatives to American power. Got a standing ovation. Then what? Where’s Macron’s follow-through? Where’s Scholz? Where’s the FIFA World Cup boycott? Where are the sanctions on regime officials operating death squads?

The regime is telling you what comes next. Stephen Miller: “You have federal immunity.” NSPM-7: protesters are domestic terrorists. Secret ICE memos: no judicial warrants needed. Bondi: give us your voter rolls or we escalate.

They’re not hiding it. They’re announcing it. Building the legal fiction. Establishing precedent. Creating permission for what comes after the midterms if they lose them.

This is Argentina 1976, not Argentina 1983. The difference between those years is what happens now. Whether Americans resist (and Minneapolis is showing how). Whether allies apply pressure (and Europe is failing this test).

The body count is rising. The infrastructure is operational. The normalization is happening.

Believe them when they tell you what comes next.

— Johan

Former Foreign Service Officer​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

AnaR737's avatar

I am originally from Argentina. Watch out for when they begin to mess with habeas corpus.

Phyllis D's avatar

They have done that, AnaR. I’m doing what I can, and many Americans are doing what they can to stop the loss of the Republic.

Yesterday, my daughter and granddaughter went to a cheer competition in the red state I live in, they were traveling 90 minutes from home. My son-in-law insisted that my daughter bring their passports, my daughter look’s Italian, with exception of her green eyes. She is Italian, Irish and Scottish.I feel like I’m living in 1938 Germany, “Show me your Papers”. ICE has been active in certain areas of the state.

At 80 years old, and a an American, this is hard for me to accept.

AnaR737's avatar

That is terrible. My husband, who still has a thick accent, is going around with his passport. I would like to know how much we legal, working immigrants contribute in taxes overall. I have no idea of the number but it is a lot. The US used to benefit from talented people whose education had been paid for by another country. Now some of those people are looking to sell what they have and take their money while they can.

Pat Tom's avatar

AnaR737, I feel your sadness. I always felt like being looked at because I am Asian American and served my country, and also a former Immigration Agent, and I remember we had to go through many months of vigorous training before we hit the fields. As I looked at the Minnesota situations is getting out of hand, it's very sad.

Fed-up Republican's avatar

I am a lifelong Republican (NOT a supporter of trump at all!) and am a monthly donor to James Talarico. I think he's terrific, and just the kind of person this country needs- statesmen, not politicians!

Johan's avatar

oh wow…so sad and Argentina is such an incredible and vibrant place

Franca Garofalo's avatar

Sadly, they already have done that.

willsx2's avatar

It's interesting how Bondi basically admitted the regime is responsible for the escalation as violence. Their ineptitude and inability to stop outing themselves is one of the few things working in our favor.

Amy Cohen MD's avatar

I didn’t see that she did that in her letter. Where did you see this?

willsx2's avatar

She didn't state it explicitly, however, the fact that she tied turning over voter rolls to decreasing the chaos in Minnesota can lead one to draw that conclusion. If the chaos is being caused by the citizens, how would giving Bondi voter rolls have an impact? It makes it sound like she is the one that has the ability to calm the chaos.

Franca Garofalo's avatar

I love your optimism but you are using common logic and that’s absolutely missing from their way of thinking.

Roger D. Hess's avatar

What you say is SO true!!

Nancy's avatar

She didn't use the word "shakedown," but that's what it is as they come after voter roles--like any good gangster knows how to do!

Amy Cohen MD's avatar

We read her letter differently. She said explicitly that the chaos in Minnesota was due to the actions of democratic leaders and gave them remedies for this which included complete cooperation with the behaviors of ICE and turning over voter rolls which “somehow” got thrown in under the heading of the fraud that she claims leaders have failed to deal with. I read that letter (multiple times) as saying that it’s all Walz and Frey’s fault and here are the things THEY need to do to correct it.

willsx2's avatar

I see where you are coming from and that is why I said she didn't explicitly state that. The fact that she is including turning over voter rolls as part of the solution to reducing the chaos (which I believe is the main purpose), to me, reads like an acknowledgment that the feds have some responsibility.

Amy Cohen MD's avatar

I guess we just see it differently. I think she’s just exploiting the moment to make a move toward destroying the coming elections. She putting in a total nonsequetor under the heading of “clean up your lawless fraudulent state because Minneapolis and St Paul have lost Trump that state 3 times and getting the voter rolls is away to manipulate the truth of those losses.

But that’s OK. People who basically agree can sometimes see certain things differently. You took a “glass half full” approach. Mine is more cynical.

Diane1's avatar

sounds like extortion

Amy Cohen MD's avatar

That’s what the judge thought…only she called it “quid pro quo

Diane1's avatar

I think that is called extortion.

Pat Tom's avatar

Not really. Donald Trump wants to ramp up the chaos so he can say that we should cancel the midterm election. It's not Bondi's fault.

Margaret's avatar

I hope you are as optimistic after Tom Homan arrives today in Minneapolis to take over control of ICE.

Valerie's avatar

Rumor is that Homan and Noem loathe each other. Rumor but hopeful. Not that I think Homan is any better but infighting within MAGA is always good.

Amy Cohen MD's avatar

Ah yes, Homan…that brilliant font of moderation and good sense.

Diane1's avatar

they are just trying to deflect. they haven't changed the ICE policy. THAT's what needs to happen.

Gail Talbot's avatar

I like what you have written but I do not feel the EU is failing. They are awakening and stretching and have finally come to a realization that Trump is a bully and they have to protect themselves from Him. Carney's speech was a beginning.

Johan's avatar

You’re right that Carney’s speech matters, but I need Europe to prove words lead to action. Germany’s discussing a World Cup boycott while France already ruled it out. That’s not awakening, that’s hedging.

The regime is murdering people on camera in Minneapolis. If Europe’s response is “let’s talk about this” while still planning to legitimize Trump’s tournament, they’re not protecting themselves, they’re calculating how much authoritarianism they can tolerate.

I want to be wrong. And I agree that they are doing something.

I want Europe to show they’ve learned from history. But right now I’m watching them applaud Carney, then go home and wait. Argentina’s neighbors did the same….careful statements, no pressure. By the time they acted, 30,000 had disappeared.

I am cautiously optimistic at this point…

Prove me wrong, Europe. Act, don’t discuss.

— Johan​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Gail Talbot's avatar

I remember in France the people choice against the right during their election.

Amy Cohen MD's avatar

Well and “Europe” is not a monolith. The UK has been incredibly weak under Starmer (though perhaps our object lesson will succeed in keeping Farage and his Miller aspirations out), Rutte’s been a bit of an ass, but Germany has seemed to get it as does Denmark and Sweden and France. Denmark’s held fast and appropriately smacked Rutte’s knuckles.

And yes, refusing to do WC in the US is absolutely called for. Carney has offered accommodations there. So much for Trump’s “peace prize”.

Liz's avatar

Wow, that is terrifying and the parallels are impossible to ignore. :(

A.M. Geever's avatar

Thank you for your perspective having served as an FSO. It's incredibly helpful.

Scott Campbell's avatar

You are a grounding force Adam.

Thank you so much

Adam Kinzinger's avatar

That is the biggest compliment. Thanks!

Charlotte Bryan's avatar

A terrific supporter of Democracy!:)):)):))

Janet D's avatar

Let’s boycott the Trump supporting businesses and call senators to investigate the shootings and not fund Ice

willsx2's avatar

There have been ongoing boycotts - Target, Home Depot, Amazon, Walmart, Menards, Spotify, etc. We need to work on getting a whole lot more people on board

David Holst-Grubbe's avatar

It takes an implacable effort to defund FOX. And the strategy works when ONE brand is punished for advertising on FOX. Punished in ways that assure the CEO, board and executives do not get their annual bonuses. Once that is achieved via boycott, legal strategy, labor unrest, Wall Street analyst involvement and social media blitz every other brand supporting FOX via ad buys will cave with just a call from someone like Adam, or Rick, or Liz, or Kamala, or Barack….

We need a leader with an organization and name brand to strategically change the playing field.

Start with Home Depot!!!

Skepticat's avatar

I've been boycotting for months, and my congressional delegation is certain to be sick of hearing from me. I'm not stopping.

Charlotte Bryan's avatar

A wise idea; do a private autopsy! :)):)):))

Chuck Munn's avatar

I recall DHS calling Kyle Rittenhouse a patriot for walking around Kenosha with an AK.

Richard's avatar

One key difference between the MAGA reaction to the Good and Pretti murders is the gender and sexual orientation of the victim, and the fact that Pretti had a concealed-carry permit. The videos show that both were murders.

Charlie's avatar

There are also multiple videos, clearer videos, and sworn affidavits from multiple witnesses, BECAUSE more people were out Observing & Filming, BECAUSE of the death of Renee Good.

Plus, once again, the regime has managed to piss on veterans.

Charles Welsh's avatar

“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

Winston Churchill

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

Sorry, I didn’t see your comment before I wrote my own along the same lines

Mary Gavin's avatar

We so appreciate your thoughtfulness and forthright thoughs.

Mary Gavin

Sheila's avatar

Adam, you and Liz Cheney will always be heroes in my eyes!!! You both have my deepest respect and admiration!!! I cannot understand why other Republicans are supporting Trump? Is the money and position so important to these people?? Don’t they see what it’s costing our country? These lies and exaggerations they came up with during Jack Smiths testimony were unconscionable!! Sorry, I can’t see what I’m writing anymore. Gotta stop!!!

Terry Westby's avatar

They see it and agree with project 2025 and the basic principles of white christian nationalism. Sometimes they get a little squeamish around the particulars, but if we all went off to the prisons without a whimper, they would be fine. Remember that the law allows for prisoners to be turned into slave labor.

Julie Shippey's avatar

I hope his family does an independent autopsy as well.

Sharon Turner's avatar

And they should absolutely sue the shit out of this corrupt regime. The proceeds of their suit (and yes, they would win big) could be used to honor their son and support causes that he particularly loved and supported. That would be a wonderful legacy.

Skip shuda's avatar

Thanks Adam. It is helpful to hear your perspective - especially about the tunnel-vision that happens when a full-on authoritarian collapse has occurred. We are definitely not seeing that - and I'm seeing the MAGA diehards rallying on social media in a desperate attempt to "what about" and Noem-splain away this horrific event. And the thunderous response to them when they do. It does feel different.

However, if I'm DJT, I'm going to hold that "Insurrection Act" in my back pocket as long as I can. If DJT invokes it now, court battles might nullify it and defang it before the mid-terms. Come September or October, he can use that as a Ace in the hole to stop or interrupt the mid-terms. I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to resist that!

Susan Sommer's avatar

In regard to MAGA diehards "what abouting" - all my elderly relative immediately says about the killing of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti is, "I'm so glad that Walz is not our Vice President. He has done terrible things." (This relative is not MAGA; rather this relative is a life-long Republican who has believed their entire life that Democrats are Communists and Socialists.)

Terry Westby's avatar

My maga relative is posting about how terrible it is that the Minnesota national guard is handing out donuts.

Charlie's avatar

TY! It's always reinvigorating to learn that MAGAs are made unhappy by our happy gestures! Be joyful! It triggers them 😉

Susan Troccolo's avatar

Is this the end of Noem, Bovino and Patel?

Charlotte Bryan's avatar

I surely hope and pray for their reign to end expeditiously. :)):)):))

Jay Jay Eh's avatar

Let us hope that Alex Pretti’s demise precipitate the demise of this

🦎 repulsive regressive reptilian Trump admin! 🐍

CNN : https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/26/politics/republican-concerns-trump-immigration-minnesota?cid=ios_app

🔻♦️Now it’s not just ‘the usual’ GOP questioning the Trump admin approach to immigration etc.

Livin the national nightmare's avatar

Unfortunately, the bench is likely to be deep with radicals willing to sell their souls for power.

Charlie's avatar

Yup, but because Trump needs power, he is looking for an exit now as this murder is causing his supporters to walk away. NRA, WSJ--unhappy...

Diane1's avatar

it needs to be the end of the policy. different face same cruelty

Guy Greco's avatar

So Tom Homan, the subject of a federal bribery investigation and who is widely reported to have been recorded accepting a bag containing $50,000 from undercover FBI agents, is now our savior for the problems in Minnesota. Could the bar be any lower? God help us...

Charlie's avatar

No, he's not our savior-- he's a glaring sign the regime is shuffling the deck because they know they've screwed up badly.

And, my understanding of God: God is on the streets of Minneapolis. God is inside every one of tens of thousands of people, in MN and elsewhere 🤗

Guy Greco's avatar

I get your point. thanks.

David Holst-Grubbe's avatar

I agree. If you want to make a strategic difference help us defund FOX. MAGA dies without RW media. Eviscerate FOX with an indirect strategy that works fast. Deny FOX ad $ by denying the ad buying company CEO and execs bonuses. For example Home Depot. Boycott them for a full fiscal quarter and maybe more while keeping Wall Street analysts apprised. Get all on line influencers to post every day for the entire time ending every post every day with “Don’t forget - boycott Home Depot, they fund FOX rage and hate”

Allen B from MD's avatar

Cosplay Action Kristi may be able to evade the Federal justice system, but not the State of Minnesota. Her callous lying to "stay on message" is both disgusting and disturbing. We have always assumed regularity, meaning giving the officer the benefit of the doubt, in confrontations with citizens. No more. Cosplay Kristi didn't have any of the facts on the ground before she began smearing both Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Our eyes don't lie sweetie, but you sure do. We need to get government officials we can trust, not a bunch of @$$-kissing acolytes who do the "Dear Leader's" bidding without any sense of remorse.

Do y'all remember The statement made by army attorney Joseph Welch to Wisconsin Senator McCarthy?

"The army hired Boston lawyer Joseph Welch to make its case. At a session on June 9, 1954, McCarthy charged that one of Welch's attorneys had ties to a Communist organization. As an amazed television audience looked on, Welch responded with the immortal lines that ultimately ended McCarthy's career: "Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness." When McCarthy tried to continue his attack, Welch angrily interrupted, "Let us not assassinate this lad further, senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency?""

Overnight, McCarthy's immense national popularity evaporated. Censured by his Senate colleagues, ostracized by his party, and ignored by the press, McCarthy died three years later, 48 years old and a broken man.

We can only hope the same for Action Cosplay Noem, "Gestapo wannabe" Bovino, "Lie as easily as I breathe" Blanche, "Bug eyes" Patel, Pamela Jo "Bullshit" Bondi, and Tom "Shrek" Homan.

BTW, Tom, where's the $50,000 you are on tape taking in an FBI sting? Ka$h got your cash?

Terry Westby's avatar

Minnesota should just say they are out of paper bags.

Charlie's avatar

Puppy-killer Kristi has pulled the trigger again.

This time, she has blasted her own foot.

Mary Silva Watkins's avatar

Adam, I always appreciate you quickly giving us your perspective. It is so grounding and encouraging!

Linda Morland's avatar

The large and loud protests resulting from Alex Jeffrey Pretti RN being murdered has given me hope. These were in many more places than Minneapolis. I worked in the VA system as a psych nurse in the VA Travel Nurse Corp on locked mental health units. Serving veterans, especially those who have been damaged by the horrors of far is difficult but extremely rewarding. That said, the murder hit me so very hard. Alex could easily have been someone I worked with. As nurses we take care of patients and people no matter what. At graduation and our pinning ceremony this is the Nightingale Pledge that I and so many other have taken.

"I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care." https://www.nurse.com/nursing-resources/nursing-history/what-is-the-nightingale-pledge/

J H's avatar

Thank you for the important work you're doing.