Victor Shammas
@victorshammas.com
Associate Professor of Sociology—based in Oslo, Norway, with a global perspective. Research: victorshammas.com. Newsletter on politics, culture, and social theory: theorybrief.com.
Pinned
Victor Shammas
@victorshammas.com
· Jun 9
Stephen Miller on California: “Mass migration has brought us to where we are now.”
You mean the world’s fourth-largest economy—vibrant, flourishing, with diverse communities of hard-working people striving to create a better society?
You mean the world’s fourth-largest economy—vibrant, flourishing, with diverse communities of hard-working people striving to create a better society?
Reposted by Victor Shammas
"I let him know that his school, and his community, his family, and our country love him and we’re praying for him."
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D) calls on DHS to release 5-year-old boy.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D) calls on DHS to release 5-year-old boy.
January 28, 2026 at 11:13 PM
"I let him know that his school, and his community, his family, and our country love him and we’re praying for him."
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D) calls on DHS to release 5-year-old boy.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D) calls on DHS to release 5-year-old boy.
The Trump administration seems to think complying with court orders is optional:
"This is one of dozens of court orders with which respondents have failed to comply in recent weeks," Schiltz, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote in his order Monday. “The Court’s patience is at an end.”
"This is one of dozens of court orders with which respondents have failed to comply in recent weeks," Schiltz, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote in his order Monday. “The Court’s patience is at an end.”
Trump administration releases Minnesota detainee after judge threatens to hold acting ICE director in contempt
The judge had ordered acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to appear in court Friday and explain why ICE was violating a court order related to the detainee's case.
www.nbcnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:06 AM
The Trump administration seems to think complying with court orders is optional:
"This is one of dozens of court orders with which respondents have failed to comply in recent weeks," Schiltz, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote in his order Monday. “The Court’s patience is at an end.”
"This is one of dozens of court orders with which respondents have failed to comply in recent weeks," Schiltz, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote in his order Monday. “The Court’s patience is at an end.”
Another world is possible: “Spain’s socialist-led coalition government has approved a decree it said would regularise 500,000 undocumented migrants and asylum seekers, rejecting the anti-migration policies and rhetoric prevalent across much of Europe.”
Spain approves decree to regularise half a million undocumented migrants
Move affecting those who have been in Spain five months or more runs counter to anti-migration policies across Europe
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Another world is possible: “Spain’s socialist-led coalition government has approved a decree it said would regularise 500,000 undocumented migrants and asylum seekers, rejecting the anti-migration policies and rhetoric prevalent across much of Europe.”
Reposted by Victor Shammas
Why Is the Trump Administration Demanding Minnesota’s Voter Rolls?
The Justice Department has urged Minnesota to hand over voters’ private data. It is part of a national push that has raised concerns about the Trump administration’s motives. (GIFTED) www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
The Justice Department has urged Minnesota to hand over voters’ private data. It is part of a national push that has raised concerns about the Trump administration’s motives. (GIFTED) www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
Why Is the Trump Administration Demanding Minnesota’s Voter Rolls?
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Why Is the Trump Administration Demanding Minnesota’s Voter Rolls?
The Justice Department has urged Minnesota to hand over voters’ private data. It is part of a national push that has raised concerns about the Trump administration’s motives. (GIFTED) www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
The Justice Department has urged Minnesota to hand over voters’ private data. It is part of a national push that has raised concerns about the Trump administration’s motives. (GIFTED) www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
A “TV president” used to mean a president who crafted their image with television audiences in mind.
Now it means a president who governs on the basis of remarks heard on TV five minutes ago.
Now it means a president who governs on the basis of remarks heard on TV five minutes ago.
Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade floated the idea of sending Tom Homan into Minneapolis just before Trump announced he was doing so.
Trump Took Fox News Advice on ICE Climbdown Within Minutes
Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade floated the idea of sending Tom Homan into Minneapolis just before Trump announced he was doing so.
trib.al
January 27, 2026 at 2:08 PM
A “TV president” used to mean a president who crafted their image with television audiences in mind.
Now it means a president who governs on the basis of remarks heard on TV five minutes ago.
Now it means a president who governs on the basis of remarks heard on TV five minutes ago.
Reposted by Victor Shammas
This both-sidesing piece by Bishop Robert Barron purports to be balanced but is deeply MAGA-coded: protest becomes "demonizing"; Barron "strongly defends our nation’s right to maintain the border."
In a social crisis created by fascists, unequivocally siding with the oppressed is the bare minimum.
In a social crisis created by fascists, unequivocally siding with the oppressed is the bare minimum.
January 27, 2026 at 11:44 AM
This both-sidesing piece by Bishop Robert Barron purports to be balanced but is deeply MAGA-coded: protest becomes "demonizing"; Barron "strongly defends our nation’s right to maintain the border."
In a social crisis created by fascists, unequivocally siding with the oppressed is the bare minimum.
In a social crisis created by fascists, unequivocally siding with the oppressed is the bare minimum.
“In an undercover operation last year, the FBI recorded Tom Homan, now the White House border czar, accepting $50,000 in cash after indicating he could help the agents — who were posing as business executives — win government contracts in a second Trump administration.” (Sept. 2025)
Tom Homan was investigated for accepting $50,000 from undercover FBI agents. Trump's DOJ shut it down.
The FBI and Justice officials closed the investigation, which a Justice Department appointee had called a “deep state” probe in early 2025.
www.ms.now
January 26, 2026 at 10:19 PM
“In an undercover operation last year, the FBI recorded Tom Homan, now the White House border czar, accepting $50,000 in cash after indicating he could help the agents — who were posing as business executives — win government contracts in a second Trump administration.” (Sept. 2025)
Even if Trump yields a little here, relents a little there, what has been gained—a slightly delayed implementation of the fascist program? Press for the advantage, certainly, but without illusions. This won’t be over until Trump is out of office, which will take mass organization.
January 26, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Even if Trump yields a little here, relents a little there, what has been gained—a slightly delayed implementation of the fascist program? Press for the advantage, certainly, but without illusions. This won’t be over until Trump is out of office, which will take mass organization.
There is a register of journalistic prose, usually reserved for poor countries with oppressive governments, that is all of a sudden applicable to the United States—with words like regime, crackdown, opposition rallies, dissidents, security forces, targeted killings.
January 26, 2026 at 11:17 AM
There is a register of journalistic prose, usually reserved for poor countries with oppressive governments, that is all of a sudden applicable to the United States—with words like regime, crackdown, opposition rallies, dissidents, security forces, targeted killings.
“In a few moments, Pretti’s killing turned some Trump supporters, including members of his administration, against generations of conservative orthodoxy on the Second Amendment.”
Trump administration goes after Second Amendment rights in justifying Minneapolis shooting
A number of pro-gun rights Republicans pushed back on the administration's argument that Alex Pretti was dangerous because he had a gun. Pretti was legally licensed to carry one.
www.nbcnews.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:16 PM
“In a few moments, Pretti’s killing turned some Trump supporters, including members of his administration, against generations of conservative orthodoxy on the Second Amendment.”
Reposted by Victor Shammas
It's time for a truly massive general strike. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/sunday-thought-enough
January 25, 2026 at 3:12 PM
It's time for a truly massive general strike. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/sunday-thought-enough
Reposted by Victor Shammas
This story - about a Democratic congresswoman charged with assault after an encounter at an immigrant detention facility - really makes clear how far Trump has weaponised the justice system. And how the US government can no longer be treated as a reliable source. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
January 25, 2026 at 2:22 PM
This story - about a Democratic congresswoman charged with assault after an encounter at an immigrant detention facility - really makes clear how far Trump has weaponised the justice system. And how the US government can no longer be treated as a reliable source. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
The level, extent, and sheer mendacity of the Trump administration’s coordinated propaganda messaging on the Pretti execution seems particularly intense. They are scared.
January 25, 2026 at 8:50 AM
The level, extent, and sheer mendacity of the Trump administration’s coordinated propaganda messaging on the Pretti execution seems particularly intense. They are scared.
Reposted by Victor Shammas
This is how fascism comes to America. It’s the endless events, day after day, until one day you wake up in a different country. Anti-immigrant rhetoric, censorship, attacks on universities, masked terror squads murdering people in the streets, enemy lists, denaturalization, camps
January 24, 2026 at 7:24 PM
This is how fascism comes to America. It’s the endless events, day after day, until one day you wake up in a different country. Anti-immigrant rhetoric, censorship, attacks on universities, masked terror squads murdering people in the streets, enemy lists, denaturalization, camps
Reposted by Victor Shammas
Rep. Bennie Thompson demands the Senate vote against CBP and ICE funding and for the House to immediately take up the impeachment of Kristi Noem.
January 24, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Rep. Bennie Thompson demands the Senate vote against CBP and ICE funding and for the House to immediately take up the impeachment of Kristi Noem.
Reposted by Victor Shammas
Abolish ICE is now the moderate minimum position,
Prosecute ICE is where Dems should be at next.
Prosecute ICE is where Dems should be at next.
January 24, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Abolish ICE is now the moderate minimum position,
Prosecute ICE is where Dems should be at next.
Prosecute ICE is where Dems should be at next.
Reposted by Victor Shammas
Alex from our time working together, while he was in nursing school. Later, he moved to ICU, working as a nurse to support critically ill Veterans. He had such a great attitude. We’d chat between patients about trying to get in a mountain bike ride together. Will never happen now
January 24, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Alex from our time working together, while he was in nursing school. Later, he moved to ICU, working as a nurse to support critically ill Veterans. He had such a great attitude. We’d chat between patients about trying to get in a mountain bike ride together. Will never happen now
Reposted by Victor Shammas
If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.
January 24, 2026 at 8:29 PM
If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.
Republicans will lose the midterms.
Videos From Minnesota Show How Aggressive ICE Has Gotten During Arrests and Encounters With Protesters (Gift Article)
For weeks, residents have documented the impact of President Trump’s mass deportation campaign and captured many violent confrontations on camera.
www.nytimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Republicans will lose the midterms.
ICE has become a fascist paramilitary force: beyond oversight, manned by provocateurs and militants, willing to use violence—sometimes lethal violence—to advance an extreme nativist-nationalist cause.
January 24, 2026 at 6:04 PM
ICE has become a fascist paramilitary force: beyond oversight, manned by provocateurs and militants, willing to use violence—sometimes lethal violence—to advance an extreme nativist-nationalist cause.
Reposted by Victor Shammas
NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer about tariffs, the security of upcoming elections and the prospects of a female president.
Gretchen Whitmer says it's not 'paranoia' to fear Trump disrupting elections
NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer about tariffs, the security of upcoming elections and the prospects of a female president.
n.pr
January 24, 2026 at 3:09 PM
NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer about tariffs, the security of upcoming elections and the prospects of a female president.
File under “Trump’s final warning.”
Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariffs over its new China trade deal
Canada this month negotiated a deal to lower tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in return for lower import taxes on Canadian farm products.
www.cbsnews.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:51 PM
File under “Trump’s final warning.”
MLK: “Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored.” (Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963)
Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]
www.africa.upenn.edu
January 24, 2026 at 9:49 AM
MLK: “Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored.” (Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963)
Amid all the Davos/Greenland noise this week, the Trump-brokered TikTok deal remains crucial. Larry Ellison’s Oracle, Abu Dhabi’s MGX and Silver Lake will own 80.1% of the new entity.
At stake is the power to algorithmically sculpt key segments of U.S. public opinion ahead of the midterms.
At stake is the power to algorithmically sculpt key segments of U.S. public opinion ahead of the midterms.
TikTok announces it has finalized deal to establish US entity, sidestepping ban
Majority US-owned venture includes Larry Ellison’s Oracle, private-equity group Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi’s MGX
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Amid all the Davos/Greenland noise this week, the Trump-brokered TikTok deal remains crucial. Larry Ellison’s Oracle, Abu Dhabi’s MGX and Silver Lake will own 80.1% of the new entity.
At stake is the power to algorithmically sculpt key segments of U.S. public opinion ahead of the midterms.
At stake is the power to algorithmically sculpt key segments of U.S. public opinion ahead of the midterms.