Anyone who has studied the history of the rise of Hitler in Germany could see the rise of Hitler 2.0 right here in the USA. I saw it. When I heard trump won again in 2024 a visceral scream came from the depths of my soul and I screamed until I got hoarse. My poor husband was beside himself with concern over my reaction. I knew trump 2.0 would be a revenge game. I knew what was coming.
It's unfortunate that more whistles weren't blown after the first administration and you saw into the future. Clearly, more and louder voices were needed.
In addition to your thoughts on how to dismantle/transform the agency I believe one thing must preface this: We need a Congress that will do the job we pay them to do. Of course, we hope the midterms will put us in that direction but as of right now, there are too many in Congress who align with the authoritarian ideals. Your comment regarding bad actors of the future is one we must keep in mind. We must find a way to get past these bad actors and restore Congress. Too, I believe new laws must be put into place.
I don't expect that things will return to "normal" - if there is such a thing - in what remains of my lifetime. But my hope is for the following generations and, of course, my children and grandson.
This was a comprehensive history lesson on DHS, and I appreciate your involvement Miles since its inception. I imagine it isn't easy to ponder the thought or even to say it in print, that the entire department may be a mistake from the jump. Thank you for saying it anyways 😉
For those clamoring for the Senate to defend ICE by voting against the DHS Appropriations Bill, I recommend listening to this interview where Senator Sheldon Whitehouse explains how Republicans structured the One Big Beautiful Bill to shield ICE funding. Basically we got played once again. This doesn't mean Democrats can't refuse to approve this week's Appropriations Bill until restraints on ICE's conduct are written into the legislation. Here's Senator Whitehouse's explanation of the problem; https://substack.com/@contrarian/note/p-185464339?r=18auiy
It's entirely possible that I'm wearing rose colored glasses, but as a 76 yr old retiree and life long Dem, I believe that when Dems are back "in power", that they will codify the rights that Republicans have been stripping from Americans AND act to hold Trump and cronies to account for their lawless, brutal behavior.
I’m 73 and I hope the Democrats win. I don’t trust Trump and the election process. I don’t believe he legitimately won in November 2024. The question is what can Democrats do to prevent Trump from interfering with the elections in November?
Thank you! With your insider's knowledge, you have given us a most eloquent, detailed explanation for the need to restructure the DHS. As painful as it is for you to see an organization you helped to build for our protection now turned into a police-state operation against us, millions of us appreciate the clear-eyed instructions you have spelled out.
“I came to Washington after 9/11 because I believed the government had to be rebuilt fast.”
But was it the government or just parts of the government that had to be rebuilt? And why did the word “fast” enter into the conversation? Did no one ever consider that old adage, “Marry(or do anything)in haste, repent at leisure”, especially in our labyrinthine government agencies, as being a dangerous thing to do in a hurry? The goal should have been to get the reform right. If memory serves, the legislation was massive and concerns about overreach were voiced but in the dust and ashes of the towers those concerns were dismissed. As with most government agencies, it just grew and grew adding more and more layers to its underpinnings.
So with hindsight now Miles, since you helped create this monster, where are its weaknesses, its soft spots that can be attacked now? We’ve seen how trump’s Cabinet heads have worked to gut the middle out of their respective agencies but we have no power at this point to do that but surely there are legislative moves than can start the process? Asking for a friend here.
Dear Xander and Miles, I attended the National Press Club meeting with Jim Acosta on Jan. 6, and was happy to hear Miles speak like, but these tickets to your event are just too expensive. I'll watch online.
I'm a paid subscriber to Defiance.org and wonder why I'm not seeing videos of your 5:00 meetings later in the day. I used to attend at 7:30 a.m. live in the mornings, but 5:00 is not a good time for those of us having to get dinner ready for the family, etc.
Scroll down to Defiance Daily, you'll find them there. If you need to go back further in time, there isa "View All" button at page right, above the first item in the list.
ALOHA. On the ONE FINGER COCONUT WIRELESS. ........... ICE funding bill is coming up in congress.. Call (202)-224-3121. NO FUNDS FOR ICE. They are KILLING U.S. citizens on OUR DIME..They are not answering to our demands. Call this number.. "Chucky" better be firm and aggressive and not just say NO and let evey body else make their own mind about it..MUST BE UNITED AND SHOT THE GOV. DOWN IF NOT.
This provides an excellent description of the DHS organization and its weapinization under Trump in easily digestible language that everyone should read. Most people don't realize how many functions are contained within DHS or how
extremely complex its organzational structure is.
When someone who was so involved in building DHS now calls for its destruction, it sends a powerful message to which we should all pay close attention. Even more impressive are his practical well thought out solutions to how DHS should be rebuilt from the ground up with the necessary checks and balances to prevent its weaponization in the future. I look forward to the day, after we rid ourselves of the Trump regime, when we have legislators in office who would be willing to work with Miles on the complete recreation of DHS in accordance with what he has proposed here.
I have been an opponent of DHS since its inception. Just the name, so reminiscent of SciFi with the use of Homeland, gives me shivers. We must break it up soonest possible.
Anyone who has studied the history of the rise of Hitler in Germany could see the rise of Hitler 2.0 right here in the USA. I saw it. When I heard trump won again in 2024 a visceral scream came from the depths of my soul and I screamed until I got hoarse. My poor husband was beside himself with concern over my reaction. I knew trump 2.0 would be a revenge game. I knew what was coming.
It's unfortunate that more whistles weren't blown after the first administration and you saw into the future. Clearly, more and louder voices were needed.
In addition to your thoughts on how to dismantle/transform the agency I believe one thing must preface this: We need a Congress that will do the job we pay them to do. Of course, we hope the midterms will put us in that direction but as of right now, there are too many in Congress who align with the authoritarian ideals. Your comment regarding bad actors of the future is one we must keep in mind. We must find a way to get past these bad actors and restore Congress. Too, I believe new laws must be put into place.
I don't expect that things will return to "normal" - if there is such a thing - in what remains of my lifetime. But my hope is for the following generations and, of course, my children and grandson.
This was a comprehensive history lesson on DHS, and I appreciate your involvement Miles since its inception. I imagine it isn't easy to ponder the thought or even to say it in print, that the entire department may be a mistake from the jump. Thank you for saying it anyways 😉
For those clamoring for the Senate to defend ICE by voting against the DHS Appropriations Bill, I recommend listening to this interview where Senator Sheldon Whitehouse explains how Republicans structured the One Big Beautiful Bill to shield ICE funding. Basically we got played once again. This doesn't mean Democrats can't refuse to approve this week's Appropriations Bill until restraints on ICE's conduct are written into the legislation. Here's Senator Whitehouse's explanation of the problem; https://substack.com/@contrarian/note/p-185464339?r=18auiy
I’m going to listen to it when I have time. This just makes me sick that ICE funding is shielded.
Damned Autocorrect again! I wrote "defund ICE" not "defend ICE."
It's entirely possible that I'm wearing rose colored glasses, but as a 76 yr old retiree and life long Dem, I believe that when Dems are back "in power", that they will codify the rights that Republicans have been stripping from Americans AND act to hold Trump and cronies to account for their lawless, brutal behavior.
I’m 73 and I hope the Democrats win. I don’t trust Trump and the election process. I don’t believe he legitimately won in November 2024. The question is what can Democrats do to prevent Trump from interfering with the elections in November?
Thanks Miles. Stay safe.
Thank you Miles for all you do. You are truly a blessing in these times.
Thank you! With your insider's knowledge, you have given us a most eloquent, detailed explanation for the need to restructure the DHS. As painful as it is for you to see an organization you helped to build for our protection now turned into a police-state operation against us, millions of us appreciate the clear-eyed instructions you have spelled out.
Thank you Miles for all you are doing to spread the truth and cut through the bullshit of the Trump Regime. Keep up the great work.
Pragmatic piece, MT! Let’s go, America!🕊️
“I came to Washington after 9/11 because I believed the government had to be rebuilt fast.”
But was it the government or just parts of the government that had to be rebuilt? And why did the word “fast” enter into the conversation? Did no one ever consider that old adage, “Marry(or do anything)in haste, repent at leisure”, especially in our labyrinthine government agencies, as being a dangerous thing to do in a hurry? The goal should have been to get the reform right. If memory serves, the legislation was massive and concerns about overreach were voiced but in the dust and ashes of the towers those concerns were dismissed. As with most government agencies, it just grew and grew adding more and more layers to its underpinnings.
So with hindsight now Miles, since you helped create this monster, where are its weaknesses, its soft spots that can be attacked now? We’ve seen how trump’s Cabinet heads have worked to gut the middle out of their respective agencies but we have no power at this point to do that but surely there are legislative moves than can start the process? Asking for a friend here.
Dear Xander and Miles, I attended the National Press Club meeting with Jim Acosta on Jan. 6, and was happy to hear Miles speak like, but these tickets to your event are just too expensive. I'll watch online.
I'm a paid subscriber to Defiance.org and wonder why I'm not seeing videos of your 5:00 meetings later in the day. I used to attend at 7:30 a.m. live in the mornings, but 5:00 is not a good time for those of us having to get dinner ready for the family, etc.
Thank you,
Claire
Hi Claire! the daily meetings can be found on the Defiance News page, https://www.defiance.news
Scroll down to Defiance Daily, you'll find them there. If you need to go back further in time, there isa "View All" button at page right, above the first item in the list.
Hope this helps!
Thank you!
Always happy to help. 🙂
ALOHA. On the ONE FINGER COCONUT WIRELESS. ........... ICE funding bill is coming up in congress.. Call (202)-224-3121. NO FUNDS FOR ICE. They are KILLING U.S. citizens on OUR DIME..They are not answering to our demands. Call this number.. "Chucky" better be firm and aggressive and not just say NO and let evey body else make their own mind about it..MUST BE UNITED AND SHOT THE GOV. DOWN IF NOT.
This provides an excellent description of the DHS organization and its weapinization under Trump in easily digestible language that everyone should read. Most people don't realize how many functions are contained within DHS or how
extremely complex its organzational structure is.
When someone who was so involved in building DHS now calls for its destruction, it sends a powerful message to which we should all pay close attention. Even more impressive are his practical well thought out solutions to how DHS should be rebuilt from the ground up with the necessary checks and balances to prevent its weaponization in the future. I look forward to the day, after we rid ourselves of the Trump regime, when we have legislators in office who would be willing to work with Miles on the complete recreation of DHS in accordance with what he has proposed here.
My concern is what Bovino might do next after he “retires.” Who will watch him? Who will control him?
I have been an opponent of DHS since its inception. Just the name, so reminiscent of SciFi with the use of Homeland, gives me shivers. We must break it up soonest possible.