All Quotes

"The United States exists in a new-old universe. After nearly 250 years of democracy, it seems infected with totalitarianism, racial superiority, anti-communism and all the petrified theories advanced by another populist politician, Adolph Hitler. Donald Trump did say he would be a dictator on day one. History will be the judge, but things look rather bleak right now for the democracy side of the equation."

"Take art and culture. During the 12 years of Hitler’s corruption of the concepts of law and order, he also attacked what we now call “creatives” and cultural institutions. The backlash against artistic Modernism had begun earlier in Germany’s Weimar era, but the Führer fully enforced his own ideas of what comprised art. He banned “degenerate art”: Bauhaus, Cubism, Dada, Expressionism, Fauvism, Impressionism and Surrealism. And the regime supported only official painters, sculptors, architects, writers and even actors. Things are trending in the same direction in the 21st-century United States. Trump, having gotten himself elected chair of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, has vowed to end “woke political programming” at Washington’s premier arts venue. As an example of what this means, the Kennedy Center hosted a screening this week of “The Revival Generation,” a documentary about a “nationwide campus revival movement” drawing Gen Z Americans. Billed as a “call to faith and a message of hope” that “(c)aptures a spiritual awakening among today’s youth,” the program included a one-hour worship service with “a local worship collective.”"

"Next Trump ordered a review of exhibits at the Smithsonian Museums that has sent curators scrambling to “fix” exhibits Mr. Trump finds too woke. The list of things needing repair at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of the American Latino focuses on mentions of race, slavery, immigration and sexuality. The artwork that offends the curator-in-chief is not Cubism or Dadaism or Impressionism. Unlike Hitler, Trump has not put Picasso, Duchamp and Monet on the banned lists. Rather, it is Rigoberto Gonzalez’s extraordinary “Refugees Crossing the Border Wall into South Texas.” The list goes on. Some of it is, well, edgy. But it is not of the order of “Immersion (Piss Christ),” Andres Serrano’s 1987 photograph of a crucifix submerged in a container of his own urine. Despite an outcry from politicians who tried to defund its sponsors, the piece won an award in a competition partly sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Ronald Reagan was president then."

"If only Trump would confine his new strictures to art and culture, his populism would be an affront only to the pursuit of beauty. But they cross several lines, assaulting truth as well. As several mainline faith leaders and the U.S. Catholic bishops have pointed out, the derisive oppression of poor immigrants by members of the current administration is sickening. That some administration officials continue to publicly espouse Christian ethics is mind-boggling. Government spokespeople bend the truth and present an alternate reality. Then, there are the humorless bureaucrats who can change numbers to suit the master’s will. The administration is efficient and punctual, and its leader can do no wrong. The American republic is aiming for a head-on collision with democracy, and not incidentally is becoming an enigma, if not a laughingstock, to the rest of the free world. It has to stop."

"The Pentagon has insisted the U.S. military is retooling to prepare for a potential war with China. But sending American troops to patrol their own cities will “distract warfighters from actually training to fight and win” against Beijing, said a fourth defense official. Several Trump allies, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), said a face-to-face meeting like Hegseth’s helped reinforce the administration's visions. “There needs to be more warfighter training,” he said in an interview. “We don't do enough of it. We don't do enough flying training. I like this approach … I thought it was a strong speech.” Democrats, on the other hand, attacked the event as purely vanity-driven. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) called the resources used for the meeting “totally unjustified” and an exercise in chest thumping. “This comes at the expense of real national security,” she said in an interview. “But obviously they don’t give a rip.”"

"Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Sunday that the Trump administration plans to expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in major cities, including Chicago. Asked about plans to expand ICE operations in Chicago specifically, Noem told CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” “We’ve already had ongoing operations with ICE in Chicago and throughout Illinois and other states, making sure that we’re upholding our laws, but we do intend to add more resources to those operations.” Asked about what an expansion of ICE operations would look like in Chicago and whether it would involve a mobilization of National Guard troops to assist with immigration raids and arrests, Noem demurred, saying, “That always is a prerogative of President [Donald] Trump and his decision. I won’t speak to the specifics of the operations that are planned in other cities.” Her remarks come one day after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order directing his city’s legal department to explore ways to counter a potential surge in federal law enforcement and National Guard troops to Illinois. During a press conference Saturday, Johnson warned that Chicago officials had “received credible reports that we have days, not weeks, before our cities see some type of militarized activity by the federal government.”"

"Earlier this month, the Trump administration directed federal law enforcement officers, including those employed by ICE, to assist police in Washington, D.C., with crime-fighting operations. That surge of resources included thousands of National Guard troops who were deployed to the nation’s capital with the stated goal of lowering crime rates. Following the movement of troops and law enforcement officers to Washington, Trump threatened to send federal officers and troops to other major American cities, including Baltimore. Later in the Sunday interview, Noem was asked whether Boston would be one of the cities where the federal government would surge immigration enforcement agents. “There’s a lot of cities that are dealing with crime and violence right now, and so we haven’t taken anything off the table,” she said, adding later: “I’d encourage every single big city — San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, whatever they are — if they want to help make their city safer, more prosperous, allow people the opportunity to walk in freedom like the people of Washington, D.C., are now ... they should call us.”"

"Other Democratic officials, including a group of over a dozen governors, have condemned plans to deploy troops to their states. In a statement last week, they said, “Whether it’s Illinois, Maryland and New York or another state tomorrow, the President’s threats and efforts to deploy a state’s National Guard without the request and consent of that state’s governor is an alarming abuse of power, ineffective, and undermines the mission of our service members.”"

"And in an interview that aired Sunday on “Face the Nation,” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, said, “We don’t want troops on the streets of American cities. That’s un-American. Frankly, the president of the United States ought to know better.” Pritzker also accused the Trump administration of targeting states run by Democrats rather than those run by Republicans, telling CBS, “Notice he never talks about where the most violent crime is occurring, which is in red states. ... Their violent crime rates are much worse in other places, and we’re very proud of the work that we’ve done.” Asked whether there are plans in place to deploy troops and federal law enforcement officials to states and cities run by Republicans, Noem said, “Absolutely.” “Every single city is evaluated for what we need to do there to make it safer. So we’ve got operations that, again, I won’t talk about details on, but we absolutely are not looking through the viewpoint at anything we’re doing with a political lens,” she added."

"In their initial doubts, what some Guardsmen were really asking was existential: Are we becoming something different? After all, the National Guard appears to have a new kind of mission, one that began in Los Angeles when Trump federalized the Guard over immigration concerns; moved to D.C. under the auspices of addressing “rampant violence and disorder”; and, according to Trump, could soon expand to Chicago and Baltimore. This ambiguity not only invites confusion and raises fears of troops conducting more police-like functions, but it also thrusts the National Guard into the middle of political disputes. The more often it is deployed in politically divisive missions—instead of the more routine apolitical assignments to disaster zones—the more perilous the Guard’s standing becomes among the American public."

"By the time we headed home, after several hours spent wandering the city’s various quadrants, it was clear that almost no one felt particularly good about the arrangement: not the National Guardsmen, many of whom clearly didn’t want to be there, leaving their families and jobs in order to spread mulch and pick up trash; and not the residents, many of whom were furious with the occupation of their city or, worse, terrified of what the military’s presence portended for them and their loved ones. Even those residents who welcomed the troops did so from a place of discontent, so fed up with crime and quality-of-life issues that they felt relieved that someone was finally doing something, anything to help."

"According to research by the libertarian Cato Institute published earlier this month, one in five people arrested by ICE have been Latinos with no criminal past or removal orders against them from the government, which they called a "telltale sign of illegal profiling." Karkatsanis warns that through his latest order, Trump has created a "vigilante portal" where anyone can "sign up to be a Brownshirt to brutalize poor people, immigrants, people of color, and anyone else who might dare to, say, go to a protest." He says that it "should be a nonstop emergency news alert," but that "instead, mainstream news and Democrats are barely mentioning it.""

"I'm a firm believer that President Trump will run and win again in 2028, so I've already endorsed President Trump. A man like this comes along once every century, if we're lucky. We've got him now."

"The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, explicitly states: "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice." This amendment was adopted following Franklin D. Roosevelt's unprecedented four terms in office, establishing a formal limit on presidential tenure that had previously been only a tradition dating all the way back to America's first president, George Washington. In March, Trump told NBC News that "a lot of people would like me to do that," regarding a third term, adding, "There are methods which you could do it, as you know." He reiterated these sentiments in subsequent interviews, though he has also occasionally denied interest in pursuing such a path. Some Trump allies, like podcast host Steve Bannon, adviser during Trump's first term, have suggested unconventional workarounds. One theory involves Trump running as vice president on a ticket where the presidential nominee would then step aside after winning, allowing Trump to assume the presidency. Legal experts, however, broadly agree this would violate both the letter and spirit of the Constitution."

"Donald Trump was recently asked about negotiating with the Democrats to avoid a government shutdown. “Don’t even bother dealing with them,” the president said. “If you gave them every dream, they would not vote for it.” Well, I don’t know about Democrats, Mr. President, but as an Independent I am prepared to vote with you if you simply do what the American people want. At a time when 60% of our people are living paycheck to paycheck I don’t think it’s a “dream” to ask that you: Not slash Medicaid and throw 15 million people off their health insurance, resulting in over 50,000 deaths a year. Not raise health care premiums by 75%, on average, for over 20 million Americans due to cuts to the Affordable Care Act. Not, at a time of unprecedented income and wealth inequality, give the richest people in America a trillion dollars in tax breaks. Not cut nutrition programs for hungry kids. Not make it harder for young people to get a higher education. Mr. President, your party controls the House, the Senate and the White House. Do not shut down the government. If you come to an agreement on these issues, you’ve got my vote."

"One of highest honors of my life."

"It was an extraordinary week. The slumbering giant of America is awakening. Americans forced Disney to put Jimmy Kimmel back on the air. Over 6 million people watched Kimmel’s Tuesday monologue assailing Trump’s attempt to censor him. Another 26 million watched it on social media, including YouTube. (Kimmel’s usual television audience is about 1.42 million.) Trump’s dictatorial narcissism revealed itself nearly as dramatically in the criminal indictment of former FBI director James Comey, coming immediately after Trump fired the U.S. attorney who refused to indict him. As did Trump’s demand that prosecutors go after philanthropist George Soros, Senator Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and other perceived enemies. As did Trump’s order yesterday, directing the “Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth” to use “full force, if necessary” to “protect War ravaged Portland” Oregon and any “ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.” He is escalating his use of the U.S. military against Americans. There was also his bonkers speech to the United Nations telling delegates that their nations are “going to hell.” His attribution of autism to Tylenol, even though doctors say it is safe for pregnant women in moderation. His unilateral imposition of tariffs as high as 100 percent on imports of pharmaceuticals and kitchen cabinets. Friends, his neofascism and his dementia are both in plain sight."

"His polls continue to drop. Voters are turning against him and his Republican party. On Tuesday, Democrat Adelita Grijalva won Arizona’s 7th Congressional District in a special election — leaving House Republicans with a majority of just five. Grijalva’s victory comes on the heels of another Democratic win: James Walkinshaw’s in Virginia. Two more special elections are coming, in Texas and Tennessee. Speaker Mike Johnson is struggling to hold House Republicans together, facing rebellion on issues such as the release of files relating to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Democrats are refusing to go along with Republicans to fund the government beyond Tuesday unless Republicans agree to extending Affordable Care Act subsidies — now set to expire at the end of the year and cause 24 million people to lose coverage or pay skyrocketing premiums."

"Friends, I can’t tell you exactly when the tipping point will occur — when elected Republicans will rebel against him, or when his dementia becomes so apparent he’s forced to resign, or when so much of the nation rises up against his dictatorship that he’s impeached and convicted of high crimes — but we’re getting closer. As I said a few days ago, I’ve been in and around politics for 60 years and have developed a sixth sense about the slumbering giant of America. That giant is now stirring. He about to stand. He’s angry. Soon he will roar. Your activism is working. Be strong. Be safe. Hug your loved ones. We’ll get through this."

"I had the time of my life singing my heart out for all of you, while quite literally praying my voice would get through the entire concert because THAT SETLIST! lol it’s my greatest pleasure reliving so many musical highlights but also making new memories with each of the songs that I had the privilege of interpreting and the courage of creating."

"“I'm really excited when I think that I'll soon be able to [march] and my mother's long-held dream will come true,”"

"“There were always a lot of warnings, but I chose to ignore them—I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that it could be done to me."

"“You just brush it under the rug, until one day, it all blows up in your face,”"

"“I’m a woman and I protect what’s mine, I don’t touch what’s not mine."

"“If I were the kind of girl [who’d steal a boyfriend], I’d understand completely, but I cherish those things,”"

"“Nobody told me to stay a virgin, or because I’m a stuck-up prude na holy-holy. It’s my choice."

"“In hindsight, thank you! Thank you, people around him, for causing this to happen, because if it didn’t, it would have lasted longer."

"“I was made to believe I was making up these things in my head—I thought we were just plateau-ing.”"

"“My arms are open wide, catching all the good karma coming my way,”"

"Of course, my friends, they're all love prospects. I'm at that point."

"I am really happy now because with the help of therapy, she went to therapy for six months continuously and then it's very helpful for her because of her panic attacks and anxiety attacks. When she went to therapy, she immediately started home schooling because I pulled her out right away because of course that's what I felt I had to protect her. I had to remove her from that environment. If it's toxic, it's toxic. Remove it,"

"I am really happy for Ayesha though there are still episodes that still trigger her and all but you know when that happens we go back to therapy again. But you know, we're healing slowly."

"I encourage open communication with the child all the time and kids really need to tell their mommy and daddy everything. They shouldn't be afraid, they shouldn't be shy. There's nothing to be ashamed of here. Like, you don't have to be ashamed of anything."

"“Thirteen years of marriage, and we’ve been through it all, ups, downs, laughs, tears 🥹 and yet, here we are… still standing strong, still together, a family of four. Sheesh! 😂”"

"When I first met you, I was instantly drawn to your looks. (Naks! Hey, that smile!) I remember meeting you on numerous @flypal flights, where I used to be your passenger,"

"“But as I got to know you more, I realized there’s so much more to you than just your good looks. You’re really smart, kind, and a man of your word. I love that you always have the final say in our family decisions,”"

"“I admit, I’m stubborn sometimes… well, all the time 🤣 because I love sharing my opinions. But I’ve learned that no argument wins with you because you always listen, explain, and stay calm… calm ba talaga?! 😂,”"

"“So sometimes, our conversations get heated over simple things… actually, useless things 🙃. But now I think we’ve matured a little… 😂 Let’s ask Ayesha if that’s true? It’s a good thing AZ is used to us! 😅.”"

"Today, I just want to say how grateful I am to walk this life with you. I may not be a perfect wife; I'm always busy taking care of our Baby Raya, assisting Ayesha with her activities, and preparing for her new school year. I'll get back to you next time! Haha! 🤣☺️,"

"“Thank u pangga 😍 luv u so much 😘.”"

"“Happy birthday papa! Thank you very much for being with me every step of my homeschooling journey. Thank you for being my teacher at the same time. I will always love you with all my heart❤️ Love, Ayesha 😝,”"

"“Happy 1st birthday to my sweet girl! 🌸 Today, you look absolutely beautiful in your pink gown, just like the little princess you are. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a year since I first laid eyes on your precious face. After waiting 11 years for you, it felt like my first pregnancy all over again, filled with excitement and joy,”"

"“You are such a little bundle of joy and love, always wanting to be close to me, and I savor every snuggle and giggle we share. Your radiant smile lights up my days and fills my heart with happiness.”"

"my dear Raya. I can’t wait to create wonderful memories together with your Ate Ayesha Zara and Papa in the years ahead,”"

"“I cherish the strength, kindness, and bravery my grandma embodied, and I hope you grow to reflect those qualities. We waited for you, and you are such a precious gift to our family. We love you Baby Raya Layla 😘,”"

"“I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you who has reached out to share your stories about your children facing bullying. Your bravery in opening up means so much to me, and it’s a reminder of the challenges so many families are facing,”"

"“Together, we can shine a light on this issue and empower our kids to stand strong. Let’s fight bullying and protect our children,”"

"“For the long time I spent in college, for all the hardships, the sleepless nights I went through in life just to study while working to support my family, for the number of units I earned, for the courses that felt like I had already completed a Master’s degree… I’m finally close to [graduating],”"

"“I don’t care what they say. As long as I’m here, I’m protecting my son,”"

"We filed, this thick (the documents) because of the number of complaints I have,"