This Week on the Soapbox: Intimidation Everywhere

Here's a roundup of the stories I was covering — with the common thread of democracy on the ropes

Today, I’m introducing what will become a weekly feature of my Substack: “This Week on the Soapbox.”

I’ll be catching up with you here every Saturday to review the posts I made. And I invite you to share your comments on the posts and your suggestions for how I can improve each week. Some would call that a low bar.

That said, I do hope you’ll consider becoming a paid subscriber — it costs as little as $5/month (and you can always cancel). I really need your support to have the time and resources to produce content almost every day.yo

Please click here if you’re willing to help make that possible.

Here’s what I covered this week. If you didn’t have a chance to read these, you can check them out here:

1. ICE Probably Won’t Come for You. That Doesn’t Mean You Won’t Be Its Victim.
Even if you’re not the target, ICE’s tactics reveal how easily fear becomes policy — and how few Americans are truly insulated.

2. TV News Is Helping Trump Kill the First Amendment — to Guard Its Profits
Corporate news is increasingly caving to Trump’s attacks on a free press — with the bottom line mattering more than principle to those at the top.

3. Donald Trump Joins the Dictators’ Birthday Club
Trump’s birthday wish? A gaudy military parade — putting him in some frightening company. I provide the gory details.

4. Mike Kehoe Just Sent a Message—And It’s Chilling
Though faced with no credible threats of violence or unrest from the ongoing “No Kings” protests, Missouri’s governor still deployed the National Guard — political preening disguised as public safety.

Thanks for your time!

Once again, subscribe here to get every post delivered and unlock exclusive content.

— Ray