34 Comments
User's avatar
Muse Tutor's avatar

I would really like someone to explain to me how Obama deported more people than any other president managed to do so without killing civilians, without militarizing ICE, within the law and for a fraction of the cost, even when adjusting for inflation. Even Biden deported more people in his one term than Trump has between his first term and his second term to date.

Obama (2009–2017)

• Total deported: ~3.1 million

• Annual spending (2026 $): ~$7–8 billion

Biden (2021–2025)

• Total deported/expulsions: ~2 million

• Annual spending (2026 $): ~$9–10 billion

Trump (2017–2021, 2025–present)

• Total deported to date: ~1.5 million

• Annual spending (2026 $): ~$10–11 billion (base), higher with expansion funding

Is this really a deportation effort or just political theater intended to terrorize Americans while passing off large percentage of tax dollars to special interest groups like private prisons and foreign governments?

Nancy Chapman's avatar

When you do even the very hard things, they just work out a lot better if you do them the most humane way possible. I sure do miss those two.

Sharon Lee's avatar

I tell everyone the same thing. Obama did it right. No violence unless defense was needed. Obama had dignity. He didn't rip family's apart and he didn't hold vengeance against prior politicians. The fact that he was elected 2 terms in a row tells us what a decent president he was.

BethS's avatar

Steps 2 and 3 combined, with a dash of step 4 as they are doing steps 2 & 3.

Marilena Aquino de Muro's avatar

Fantastic series! I'm learning so much , thank you! ☺️

Phil Barish's avatar

Let’s inform while communicating a motivation to overwhelm the vote turnout: Anthem To Protect Elections:

audio.com/show-up

Protect American Democracy's avatar

Great article on why we need to Fund The Fight. Even a $5-10 donation goes a long way.

https://medium.com/@pavisandhu/the-economics-of-truth-dfb4c83a50aa

David Westbrook's avatar

We do one percent of our income. It feels like too little and yet, if every Democrat would do it, we would overwhelm the billionaires.

SharonP's avatar

Trump is a bully who likes to show off!

David Westbrook's avatar

The problem with calling these steps is that it makes the process seem linear when it’s not. Yes the election has to come first, but after that, they do not need to go sequentially.

We shouldn’t spend our time trying to figure out what step we’re at and whether or not we have time. The situation isn’t hopeless, but it is dire.

“Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” I don’t remember the next line of Kennedy’s speech but I think if he was speaking to us now what he would say is, “Get busy!”

BethS's avatar

Agree. They are doing multiple steps stated simultaneously. Which is the point - overwhelm with 100 bad actions so no one can focus.

Kristina's avatar

Thank you for outlining this for us. Wouldn't you say that most folks in the US are aware of this menace?

Claire Davis ❌👑's avatar

I think we’re between Step 6 and Step 7. 😵 We can’t allow this to become normalized!!!

Jenna bognar's avatar

How do we do what Portugal and South Korea did? I don’t understand why we aren’t doing it? I am willing…

Jenna bognar's avatar

WHY don’t we do what Portugal and South Korea did????????????

Ron Moorhead's avatar

True, our country has done this elsewhere. And “Fat Ass” is trying to do it here.

Michael Corthell's avatar

Eight million made it into the streets, but the real democratic constituency was larger still. This commentary explores the millions kept home by work, illness, caregiving, distance, and fear, and why that hidden majority may place the movement near a threshold where nonviolent resistance becomes historically transformative. https://essayx.substack.com/p/no-kings-iii-what-8-million-really

Jenna bognar's avatar

I went to the other two marches but have a broken hip now or would have been there!