“There’s a saying that truth is the first casualty of war. And for sure, the war that the Trump administration is waging against people it calls the enemy within is grounded in shamelessly repeated lies.
“President Trump’s public life is one long war against the truth. He lies relentlessly and blatantly. He uses political intimidation and legal extortion to suppress critical media coverage, while rewarding outlets that are willing to promote official propaganda.
“The truth is dangerous to tyrants. That’s why they suppress the media and squelch freedom of speech.
“And let’s remember one very important truth: Even though Trump is willing to abuse his access to immense power, he does not have the power to suppress the truth, so long as there are people willing to bear witness. . . .
“It may well be that the Trump regime’s strategy is to use official violence to provoke responses they can use to justify even greater repression, not only against people on the streets but also against community groups, nonprofits and funders who oppose the nation’s slide into authoritarianism and fascism. . . .
“Oregon officials have repeatedly denied claims that the war-ravaged“city of Portland is burning to the ground — language used by White House officials to justify turning the U.S. military against the people living there. . . .
“The Trump administration’s war on the mainstream media and the capture of media outlets by Trump-aligned billionaires highlight the importance of independent outlets and journalists as well as on-the-ground documentation by individuals who are committed to defending truth, justice, and the American Way.
“So keep the cameras rolling.” — Truth and Witnesses Are Dangerous to Tyrants, So Keep Filming, Svante Myrick, The Hill, 10/13/25 [Link]
Fact Check of Above Quote: It’s humorous that Svante Myrick, the writer of this unhinged rant, regards “the mainstream media” as a source of truth. In reality, there’s scarcely a shred of truth in this screed, published by a “mainstream” publication. That’s not surprising because Myrick is president of the disingenuously named People for the American Way, a radical-left activist group.
As is typical of radical leftists, Myrick inverts reality, specifically by claiming that President Trump is a “fascist” and an “authoritarian” for trying to enforce immigration law in places like Portland, Oregon. His action is not “an abuse of power,” but a legitimate action in keeping with the rule of law. Our federal government has the authority to enforce Immigration law, which includes the arrest and deportation of illegal aliens.
Unfortunately, Portland has elected officials and residents who defy that authority. Among the latter are gangs of Communist criminals who call themselves Antifa. Recently designated by the government as a terrorist organization, Antifa tries to stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from doing their jobs. On orders from Portland city Hall, local police do nothing to stop this interference.
As long as Portland and the state of Oregon remain part of the Union, they are subject to federal law—which President Trump legitimately aims to enforce. Sometimes this enforcement has to be forceful, which Myrick labels “official violence.” He ignores the violence by Antifa and other criminals who seek to provoke an overreaction.
People who promote violent resistance to legitimate authority are lying when they claim to support the American Way. The pathway they’re following leads to insurrection and anarchy.