Musk’s dog whistle and Trump’s bullhorn
It’s Trump 2.0, and JDCA is your community, political home, and place to take action. Every Friday, I will send you my analysis of the week’s events.
FLOODING THE ZONE
Monday at noon, our world fundamentally changed with the inauguration of Donald Trump. As promised, he is serving as a “dictator on day one” and “flooding the zone” with a flurry of executive actions restricting immigration, denying birthright citizenship and LGBTQ+ rights, eliminating DEI programs and environmental protections, withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization, consolidating control of the executive branch workforce, and initiating acts of retribution against those deemed insufficiently loyal to Trump.
ANTISEMITIC INSURRECTIONISTS PARDONED
While it’s difficult to say which of Trump’s executive actions are most egregious, the most dangerous for Jews is his granting of pardons to more than 1,500 January 6 insurrectionists. Those released from jail include the heads of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, domestic extremists, antisemites, and white supremacists. Proud Boys wear shirts declaring “6MWE,” a reference to “six million wasn’t enough” in the Holocaust. Those pardoned by Trump include the rioter donning a “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt – just in time for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
GREEN LIGHT TO POLITICAL VIOLENCE
Trump’s blanket pardons contradict the public commitment given by JD Vance that violent offenders would not be included. Reportedly, Trump’s team found the case-by-case review too onerous, so Trump abruptly decided to pardon everyone, including those charged with sedition and assaulting the police. When asked about it on Fox, Trump called the violence targeting police “very minor incidents” even though 140 officers were injured and about 600 rioters were accused of assaulting, resisting, or impeding police. Between his pardons and downplaying of the offenses, Donald Trump has effectively given a green light to political violence, so long as it benefits him.
MUSK’S DOG WHISTLE AND TRUMP’S BULLHORN
The message of alignment with antisemitic extremists was signaled by top Trump advisor Elon Musk, who gave the Nazi salute at Trump’s inaugural parade event. Those trying to deny, minimize, or explain away Musk’s gestures should consider that neo-Nazis are embracing it, and his pathetic jokes about Nazism only underscore his bigotry. Additionally, Musk’s dog whistle to extremists must be viewed within the context of Trump’s bullhorn of pardons, which occurred the same night. Their words and actions have normalized right-wing extremism while, at the same time, releasing dangerous antisemites and armed militias from prison. These dangerous extremists now believe they can act with impunity in service to Trump.
NOT ALL “HOSTAGES” ARE THE SAME
Also at his inaugural parade, Trump shook the hands of Israeli and American hostage families. As they stood silently behind him, Trump callously mentioned pardoning “J6 hostages,” equating insurrectionists with innocent civilians held by Hamas in Gaza. This is not the first time Trump has referred to those convicted of crimes associated with January 6 as “hostages,” but it’s the first time he’s done so in front of actual Israeli and American hostages and hostage families whose loved ones have been killed and held captive by Hamas. It was an unconscionable display of Trump’s lack of empathy and caring for the real hostages who remain in Gaza while his so-called “J6 hostages” are now free.
URGENT: ADD YOUR VOICE TO UNIFIED DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION
Democrats have been unified in opposition to Trump’s grossly unqualified nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. Democrats have made a strong and compelling case against him, and at least two Republican senators will oppose his confirmation. According to Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Senator Jack Reed, “I have supported every nominee for this position until now, including Donald Trump’s previous Defense Secretaries…So believe me when I say: This is not a partisan issue. It’s about the safety and security of our country.” We agree and are joining Democrats in sounding the alarm before his final confirmation vote later today. Take action TODAY by writing to your senators, urging them to oppose Hegseth’s confirmation.
WRITE TO YOUR SENATORS: OPPOSE HEGSETH
Praying for the safe return of hostages tomorrow, and wishing you a restorative and restful Shabbat. Thank you for your partnership.
In solidarity,
Halie Soifer
CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America