Execution TV? Pete Hegseth Has Taken the Once ‘Greatest Democracy’ to a Horrific New Low

THE GUARDIAN — OP-ED: A proposal to livestream the killing of Nidal Hasan by firing squad opens a window ever wider to the Trump administration’s complete moral vacuity

Screenshot taken from this Guardian op-ed. | ‘The world has become inured to Donald Trump’s monstrous narcissism and maladministration,’ writes Paul Daley Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
More fool me! Here I was thinking nothing that America’s Trump administration could do or say, no matter how politically and morally bankrupt, no matter how venal or violent, was capable of shocking me any longer.

Then I woke to today’s news that one of the Trump cabinet’s bigger boofheads – the uber Christian nationalist, crusader-fantasist and “secretary of war” Pete Hegseth had announced that America would have a public firing squad execution of murderer Nidal Hasan.

Reckless global militarisation including a threat at the UN to annihilate Iran, a litany of sexual misconduct allegations against the commander in chief, claims of blatant presidential corruption … they have all ceased to surprise and shock us, so inured has the world become to Donald Trump’s monstrous narcissism and maladministration.

But now we have execution TV. Tune in to the livestream on Thursday 3 December to watch a military firing squad shoot the life out of Hasan, the former army psychiatrist who killed 13 people at a US army base in 2009.

State-sanctioned killing as entertainment! Yes, the world’s supposedly greatest (or formerly greatest) democracy has arrived at an horrific new moral nadir. » | Paul Daley | Friday, October 9, 2026

What’s not to hate about America under Trump’s misguided leadership? What’s not to be loathed and despised?

The crimes of Trump should have been foreseen and anticipated, because Trump himself is a convicted felon and sex offender. One can but think of silk purses and sows’ ears!

It is difficult to see how America will ever be able to recover from this dark period in the nation’s history, because Trump has destroyed America’s reputation. A reputation once lost is often lost forever. How can anyone look up to America ever again? How can any country look to America for moral leadership? How can America ever be trusted again? I would wager that it isn’t possible. Not at all! At least not in our lifetimes. So, it must surely be so that China is playing the waiting game, preparing for its coming new hegemonic role. — © Mark Alexander

Anne Applebaum | Full Episode 9.25.26 | Firing Line with Margaret Hoover | PBS

Sep 26, 2026 | As Trump addresses the UN and hosts Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum explains how an alliance of ideologues and grifters is remaking U.S. foreign policy from Iran and Ukraine to Venezuela and Cuba.

Trump Has Gone Full Authoritarian | Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Sep 22, 2026 | Has Donald Trump moved from authoritarian rhetoric to an increasingly authoritarian governing style?

Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins the conversation about Trump's expanding executive power, his attacks on the press, and the broader authoritarian patterns she has studied in historical strongman regimes.

The latest confrontation with the media has intensified the debate. Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House after attacking their coverage, prompting the outlets to sue and legal experts to raise First Amendment concerns over viewpoint discrimination.

Ben-Ghiat has described the White House's treatment of the press as part of an “autocratic playbook,” while recent analysis has also highlighted the administration's efforts to expand presidential power.

What does this tell us about where American democracy is heading — and what happens when traditional checks on presidential power begin to weaken?

WTF’ Trump Family’s Russian Money Scandal ‘Stinks’ — and iI Will Only Get Uglier | Sir Bill Browder

Sep 15, 2026 | Sir Bill Browder joins Maddie Hale for an in-depth analysis of Donald Trump Jr.’s Putin-linked wedding scandal, what it could reveal about Trump family corruption, Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries, and how his trade war with Canada could leave America increasingly isolated.

The Democrats Are Going to Bury MAGA in November | Steve Schmidt

Sep 8, 2026 | There are 56 days before the midterms, and Donald Trump spent Labor Day posting AI slop on social media. Steve Schmidt explains the blue tsunami heading to wash away MAGA's filth from coast to coast.

Rid America of this bloody corruption, this bloody filth asap! — © Mark Alexander

America Is at a Dangerous Crossroads | Steve Schmidt

September 1, 2026 | Eighty-seven years ago today, Germany started World War II when it attacked Poland under false pretenses. Steve Schmidt explains how the descent into fascism happens one day at a time and warns that under Donald Trump, America is walking a dangerous path that must be stopped.

Listen to those stupid Americans cheering on JD Vance! Christ Almighty! How bloody dumb and stupid can an audience be? — © Mark Alexander

Democracy Now! US Deports Thousands to Countries They Don't Know Under Secretive "Third Country" Deal

September 1, 2026 | As part of its mass deportation campaign, the Trump administration is secretly deporting immigrants to countries that they have no ties to. CNN correspondent Isobel Yeung recently traveled to the Central African Republic, which in recent months has accepted dozens of immigrants who had previously been granted deportation protections because they risk facing torture in their home countries. Despite the fact that the State Department warns U.S. citizens not to travel to the Central African Republic "under any circumstances," the Department of Homeland Security has now deported dozens of immigrants from countries including Afghanistan, Cuba, Russia and Iran to a legal limbo in a country wracked by civil war between Muslim and Christian militias and officially ruled by a Russia-backed authoritarian dictator.

We play excerpts of Yeung's report, which features interviews with immigrants who now live precarious lives in the Central African Republic capital of Bangui, without family, friends or even a common language, and at risk of malaria, extortion and violence. "Many of them did not know where they were going to until they stepped foot on the flight," Yeung tells Democracy Now! They have been placed in temporary lodgings for three months, but after that, continues Yeung, "I don't think anyone knows where they're supposed to go."

According to Third Country Deportation Watch, the United States has signed so-called third-country deportation agreements with as many as 35 governments around the world. Most of the over 20,000 people deported under these agreements have been turned back at ports of entry to Mexico, but an increasing number are being placed on deportation flights and sent to countries like Costa Rica and Ghana, far from their countries of birth. By carrying out this scheme and by threatening other immigrants with the possibility of third-country deportation to coerce them into choosing to "self-deport," the Trump administration "is really attacking and undermining the entire architecture of refugee protection," says Yael Schacher, a co-lead of Third Country Deportation Watch.



Democracy Now! can be supported here »

Trump’s Latest Puppet Is a Disaster for America | Steve Schmidt

Aug 27, 2026 | As Darlene Graham’s Senate nomination exposes the rot inside today’s Republican Party, Steve Schmidt breaks down her candidacy, Trump’s control, and what it means for America’s future.

It is impossible to support America whilst it is led by this orange excuse for a president. The country is falling apart. — © Mark Alexander

How the US Is Using Iran’s Economy to Fight the War in the Middle East | BBC News

Aug 21, 2026 | US Vice President JD Vance says the Iran War is in a ‘new phase’ of economic pressure.

It comes as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said: “You are either with us or against us," as he urged US allies to support Washington's efforts to "squash" the Iranian economy.

But the Iranian Foreign Ministry has called the measures ‘economic terrorism’. The BBC has also heard from people inside Iran on what life is like for them.

Trump Spending Millions to Spread ‘Trumpism’ across Europe!

Farron explains.

Jon Ossoff Calls Trump ‘Uniquely Despicable’ over Handling of Iran War in Rousing Atlanta Speech.

August 18, 2026 | FULL SPEECH: Georgia Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff sharply criticized Donald Trump’s handling of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, describing it as "uniquely despicable" and alleging that the president is "re-rigging" a corrupt system for personal gain. As Ossoff campaigns for re-election in Georgia this November, his persistent attacks against the Trump administration have fueled growing speculation that he is building momentum for a potential 2028 presidential run.

ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.

IHIP News: Vance Slammed by Scandal as Leaked Messages Expose Usha! Doctor Warns on Trump's Health

August 13, 2026 | Leaked texts allege Usha Vance may be just as insane as JD.

Very strong language alert!

Karoline Leavitt Corrupted the Truth | Steve Schmidt

August 13, 2026 | Karoline Leavitt is one of the most prolific liars in the history of the United States to ever stand behind a government seal. Steve Schmidt explains her departure and how she degraded the truth as Donald Trump's ultimate shill.

When is the world going to be rid of this poisonous administration? I don’t know about you, but I have maxed out on the garbage emanating from this White House. I’m almost sure you must have too. — © Mark Alexander

Trump’s Most Dangerous Threat Yet | Steve Schmidt

Aug 7, 2026 | As Donald Trump suggests he may not leave office when his final term ends, the threat to America’s democracy grows. Steve Schmidt breaks down Trump and Stephen Miller’s rhetoric and explains why Americans cannot become numb or back down.

The Trumps belong in prison. The bloody lot of them! And the chumps that follow them and do their bidding. — © Mark Alexander

Paul Krugman: An Explosion of Misery

Aug 5, 2026 | Making American hungry and uninsured again

Trump and his acolytes are disgusting, cruel, people who are devoid of all compassion, mercy, decency and honesty. They should never have been entrusted with the levers of power in the first place. — © Mark Alexander

A New McCarthyism? Republicans' Escalating War on Leftist Groups

July 28, 2026 | As the Trump administration threatens to intensify its "global campaign to crush radical left terrorism," we look at a new 100-page report issued by the State Department last week accusing the Cuban government of waging a "sustained campaign of subversion against the United States." The report claims Cuba has backed a number of groups in the United States, including the National Lawyers Guild, Pastors for Peace, the National Network on Cuba and the feminist anti-war organization CodePink.

Meanwhile, the Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee subpoenaed BreakThrough News last week, demanding the independent online news outlet hand over internal communications and financial records. BreakThrough News says it's being targeted over its coverage of U.S. mass deportations, ICE abuses, Cuba and Palestine solidarity and U.S. foreign policy.


Democracy Now! can be supported here.

Stephen Miller is such an objectionable, cruel … ! — © Mark Alexander

A Dark Night for the American Media | Steve Schmidt

July 24, 2026 | As the White House Correspondents’ Dinner brings the media élite together with Donald Trump, the consequences of normalizing his attacks on democracy grow clearer.

Steve Schmidt breaks down the media’s surrender to Trump and warns of what comes next.


Donald Trump has turned America into a sh**h**e country. It is hard to see how it will ever be able to recover from this assault on its decency. — © Mark Alexander

More Pearls of Wisdom from Father David

Click here to listen to them

Lincoln Project: Confessions of the Dear Leader

Jul 22, 2026 | If you think this ad is ridiculous, you don’t know Trump.

Stephen Miller Announces Trump's Plan to Imprison Democrats

July 17, 2026 | The Trump Administration has announced its sinister plan to go after political opponents. Jesse Dollemore reacts...

I wonder why I am immediately reminded of Goebbels each and every time I see that odious man, Stephen Miller? I wonder if he realises just how objectionable and evil he is? — © Mark Alexander