# Citizen Ben

> Citizen Ben – Bringing You News. Truth. No Compromise..


## Posts

- [Memorial Day '25](https://citizenben.net/memorial-day-25/): This Memorial Day, our hearts swell with gratitude as we honor the brave souls who stood tall under our flag—soldiers whose courage blazed across history, reminding us that America’s promise shines brightest when it embraces every voice.
- [Urgent from Citizen Ben](https://citizenben.net/urgent-from-citizen-ben/): On a light note, yesterday morning, Joe Scarborough of The Morning Joe on MSNBC alludes to The Presidential Drinking Game!
- [Freedom of the Press: A Pillar of Democracy](https://citizenben.net/freedom-of-the-press-a-pillar-of-democracy/): We cannot take a free press for granted. When ordinary people stay silent in the face of attacks on journalism, we all lose our check on power. Imagine a world where whistle-blowers shrink back for fear of exposure, where elected officials rewrite the facts to suit their agenda, and where only state-sanctioned narratives reach our ears: that is the very definition of tyranny.
- [Speak Up, Speak Out](https://citizenben.net/speak-up-speak-out/): In an era marked by increasing division and rising intolerance, speaking out in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn't just admirable, it is absolutely essential. Now, in 2025, the urgency is more apparent than ever, as many hard-earned protections face unprecedented erosion from aggressive political movements. The foundations of a fair society rest upon our immediate commitment to uphold protections for marginalized groups and safeguard vital programs that ensure dignity, health, and equality for all.
- [Religious Liberty for All](https://citizenben.net/religious-liberty-for-all/): Imagine a Sunday at the neighborhood dog park.
- [Major Races Speeding into 2026 Midterms](https://citizenben.net/major-races-speeding-into-2026-midterms/): Every midterm election shapes the nation’s political trajectory, but the 2026 cycle might just be one of the most consequential in recent memory (at least mine). From governorships and U.S. Senate seats to critical state legislatures and key battleground House districts, the electoral map is marked by volatility and opportunity. What’s at stake is more than just party control; it's the power to direct state-level voting laws, redistricting, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, veterans affairs, and the federal legislative agenda ahead of the 2028 presidential race.
- [The Presidential Drinking Game](https://citizenben.net/the-presidential-drinking-game/): Trump's frequent mentions of Biden serve to criticize or blame his predecessor for various issues. For instance, he attributed the first-quarter economic downturn to Biden's policies, despite data indicating economic growth at the end of Biden's term. Additionally, Trump has used public events, such as the White House Easter Egg Roll, to mock Biden, referencing past incidents involving the former president.
- [Welcome Back to the Swamp](https://citizenben.net/welcome-back-to-the-swamp/): What follows is a field guide for the brave, the foolish, and the politically doomed who dare venture into this Second-Term Swamp, a place where ethics go to drown, and the rule of law is just a rumor echoing from the drylands. This guide also serves as a warning that the deadly swamp continues to expand, far beyond Washington D.C. and will continue to take innocent victims.
- [DEI Built Modern America](https://citizenben.net/dei-built-modern-america/): Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives have become integral to the fabric of modern American institutions, driving positive outcomes across businesses, educational establishments, government bodies, and our society at large. Here is a deeper dive into how embracing DEI principles fosters growth, innovation, and cohesion.
- [Being Silent is No Longer An Option](https://citizenben.net/being-silent-is-no-longer-an-option/): “Politics is not my thing”, “I am too busy I can’t”, “I am scared”. I get it, I really do, but being silent or doing nothing is no longer an option. Here's what we, as U.S. citizens, can do to help safeguard against that kind of future while we still can:
- [Citizen Ben vs. Donald J. Trump](https://citizenben.net/citizen-ben-vs-donald-j-trump/): Comes now the undersigned, Citizen Ben, a metaphorical representative of the free, democratic spirit of the United States of America, and files this Petition for Dissolution of Union from one Donald J. Trump, on the following grounds:
- [Obituary: Democracy in America (1776–2025)](https://citizenben.net/obituary-democracy-in-america-1776-2025/): Democracy in America, a bold and once-revolutionary experiment in self-governance, passed away in 2025. It was 249 years old. The cause of death was murder orchestrated, executed, and proudly broadcast by the 2025 Trump administration. It did not die peacefully; it was suffocated in plain sight, its cries for justice drowned out by chants of “law and order,” even as the law itself was shredded.
- [ALARM! Trump's Orwellian Society](https://citizenben.net/alarm-trumps-orwellian-society/): In George Orwell’s 1984, the Party's slogan "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength" encapsulates the paradoxical reality of a totalitarian regime.
- [Unsettling Influence](https://citizenben.net/unsettling-influence/): Laura Loomer (31), a figure notorious for propagating unfounded conspiracy theories, including claims that the 9/11 attacks were staged and that various school shootings were fabricated, allegedly played a pivotal role in advocating for the removal of Haugh and Noble. During a meeting with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Loomer reportedly labeled these officials "disloyal" and pushed for their dismissal.
- [Americans Losing Rights](https://citizenben.net/americans-losing-rights/): After my article on lives of LGBTQ in the early 1900s, a relative of mine responded on Facebook, “What has changed so far?” I do not think he was being malevolent, but it gave me thought.
- [What’s an Autocracy?](https://citizenben.net/whats-an-autocracy/): Autocracy Compared to the U.S.
- [The Rise of Oligarchy](https://citizenben.net/the-rise-of-oligarchy/): Oligarchy might sound like an outdated concept, something reserved for history books and ancient regimes, but the truth is, that it's alive and thriving in our society.
- [A World Without Science](https://citizenben.net/a-world-without-science/): Imagine waking up in a world where science doesn’t guide our decisions.
- [Life for Gay Men, Lesbians, and Transgender People in the Early 1900s](https://citizenben.net/life-for-gay-men-lesbians-and-transgender-people-in-the-early-1900s/): The early 20th century was a time of secrecy, fear, and quiet defiance for gay men, lesbians, and transgender individuals.
- [Project 2025](https://citizenben.net/project-2025/): If you’ve been wondering about “Project 2025” and what it is, let’s break it down a little. We are only covering part of it here.
- [The Trump Administration Is Coming for Your Rights: A Dire Warning](https://citizenben.net/the-trump-administration-is-coming-for-your-rights-a-dire-warning/): The erosion of fundamental rights is happening right before our eyes.
- [Free Speech Under Attack](https://citizenben.net/free-speech-under-attack/): Free speech has long been the cornerstone of democratic societies.
- [Impeaching a President](https://citizenben.net/impeaching-a-president/): Impeaching a U.S. president isn’t exactly like kicking someone out of your fantasy football league. It is a long, complicated, and deeply political process.
- [Boycotts: The Art of Not Giving Your Money](https://citizenben.net/boycotts-the-art-of-not-giving-your-money-2/): Originally Posted on Substack Feb.
- [How to Spot and Challenge Fake News](https://citizenben.net/how-to-spot-and-challenge-fake-news/): Originally Posted on Substack Feb.
- [I Am Mad as Hell!](https://citizenben.net/i-am-mad-as-hell/): Originally Published on Substack Feb.
- [Why I Am a Bleeding Liberal](https://citizenben.net/why-i-am-a-bleeding-liberal/): What is a Social Liberal anyways?
- [What is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)](https://citizenben.net/boycotts-the-art-of-not-giving-your-money/): What Does It Mean for You?
- [Reflections on the Las Vegas International Women’s Day Rally](https://citizenben.net/reflections-on-the-las-vegas-international-womens-day-rally/): Yesterday, I had the incredible honor of speaking at the Las Vegas International Women’s Day rally, which took place just outside the iconic New York-New York Casino.
- [Embracing Diversity: The Ongoing Fight for Equality](https://citizenben.net/embracing-diversity-the-ongoing-fight-for-equality/): The history of equal rights is rich with passionate individuals and courageous movements. Understanding these struggles helps us appreciate how far we've come and how far we still need to go. Whether examining the fight for women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, or advocacy for veterans and the handicapped, each story reflects a crucial chapter in our collective journey toward justice.
- [Understanding the Importance of Diversity and Inclusion](https://citizenben.net/understanding-the-importance-of-diversity-and-inclusion/): Diversity in our communities is essential for several reasons.
- [JD Vance Sees No Corruption in Trump](https://citizenben.net/jd-vance-sees-no-corruption-in-trump/): J.D. has claimed twice that he hasn't witnessed any corruption by President Trump. If we believe him, he obviously has poor eyesight. Please help JD Vance by donating your used eyeglasses to him via the White House.
- [Citizen Ben’s Crystal Ball: How Trump’s Presidency Could End](https://citizenben.net/citizen-bens-crystal-ball-how-trumps-presidency-could-end/): I predict that shortly after the 2026 midterm elections, Trump will leave office citing health concerns or a desire to focus on his family and legacy. Vice President J.D. Vance would then become President of the United States.
- [Days Numbered for Kash?](https://citizenben.net/days-numbered-for-kash/): In April, The Atlantic published an explosive investigation alleging that Patel’s behavior had alarmed current and former government officials. According to the report, officials described episodes of excessive drinking, unexplained absences, and concerns that Patel was at times unavailable during periods when the nation’s top law-enforcement official should have been reachable. The report cited more than two dozen current and former officials. Reuters later confirmed that Patel responded by filing a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the magazine and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick. Patel has categorically denied the allegations and accused the publication of publishing false information.
- [Big Beautiful Green Reflecting Pool](https://citizenben.net/big-beautiful-green-reflecting-pool/): Everything Trump touches does not become gold. Some of it becomes litigation. Most becomes debt. Some becomes a tarp. And some, quite literally, become algae.
- [The Drunk Ship LoliTrump](https://citizenben.net/the-drunk-ship-lolitrump/): Pete Hegseth: Secretary of Defense… of the Open Bar At the far end of the table, Pete Hegseth is not just loud—he is historically committed to the bit. Reporting from outlets including The New Yorker and The Washington Post detailed concerns during his leadership of veterans’ organizations, including allegations of financial mismanagement and a workplace culture involving heavy drinking and misconduct. Former colleagues described environments that blurred professional leadership with frat-house chaos.
- [TRUTH VS. TRUMP](https://citizenben.net/truth-vs-trump/): There’s a new genre of content flooding your feed: Not misinformation exactly—something more slippery
- [Impeach Trump, Again?](https://citizenben.net/impeach-trump-again/): If threatening the destruction of an entire civilization does not trigger impeachment…what exactly would? That is the real story. Not whether impeachment succeeds. But whether Congress still remembers what impeachment is for. Because if presidents can threaten war crimes, defy constitutional limits, and dare Congress to stop them, then impeachment is not a constitutional safeguard. It is just decorative wallpaper. And democracy deserves better than wallpaper.
- [When the Crown Meets the Chaos](https://citizenben.net/when-the-crown-meets-the-chaos/): The King is expected to attend a formal state dinner, hold a private meeting with Trump, and participate in ceremonies in Washington, New York, and Virginia. Reuters reports the visit is being framed as diplomatic soft power during a tense moment involving Iran, NATO disputes, and trade friction between the U.S. and the U.K. But not everyone is applauding.
- [When Power Lectures the Pope and Threatens the World](https://citizenben.net/when-power-lectures-the-pope-and-threatens-the-world/): Vice President JD Vance suggested that Pope Leo XIV should be “careful” when speaking about theology and war. Yes, really. Vance criticized the Pope amid the escalating Iran conflict, arguing the Vatican should stick to “morality,” while challenging the Pope’s stance on war. That would be laughable—if it weren’t so revealing. Because here’s the problem: war is a moral issue. Always has been. Always will be.
- [“THE THREAT ITSELF” — WHEN WORDS WALK THE LINE OF WAR CRIMES](https://citizenben.net/the-threat-itself-when-words-walk-the-line-of-war-crimes/): And then, from our United States President, the man who holds our nuclear bomb codes, came the line that should stop everyone cold: “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” — Donald Trump, April 2026 (PBS NewsHour)
- [No Kings 3 Revisted: Las Vegas](https://citizenben.net/no-kings-3-revisted-las-vegas/): On March 28, 2026, the neon glow of Las Vegas dimmed just enough for something louder to take center stage: people power.
- [A Nation Says Goodbye to Rev. Jesse Jackson](https://citizenben.net/901-2/): Today I ran across another photo of Rev. Jesse Jackson and me—a moment frozen in time.
- [Rev. Jesse Jackson died Tuesday at the age of 84](https://citizenben.net/rev-jesse-jackson-died-tuesday-at-the-age-of-84/): I found myself standing at the National Press Club during the March on Washington, sharing the podium with Jesse Jackson. The room was filled with reporters’ cameras, microphones, and the weight of history. I carried with me not just a question, but a need—for clarity, for courage, for reassurance that we were not alone. After I made brief remarks to the press, I asked Rev. Jackson, who was standing beside me, directly whether he supported gay marriage. There was no pause for calculation. No hedging for headlines. No searching for safe language. He simply answered: “And why not?”
- [When the Silence Wasn’t Silence](https://citizenben.net/when-the-silence-wasnt-silence/): Independent journalism is not a hobby. It is not noise. It is a necessity.
- [The 51st State](https://citizenben.net/the-51st-state/): A man who equates power with possession. A leader who believes legacy is something you seize, not earn. A president who cannot imagine a world where he is not the centerpiece. He doesn’t want to be remembered as a steward of democracy. He wants to be remembered as the man who expanded America — even if it meant breaking it first.
- [TAKEOVER TWEETS & PEACE PRIZE FEVER](https://citizenben.net/takeover-tweets-peace-prize-fever/): My apologies for not keeping up with the whirlwind news as often as I should.
- [2026 - Hope in Sin City](https://citizenben.net/2026-hope-in-sin-city/): Las Vegas ends every year the same way: fireworks over the Strip, champagne in plastic cups, promises shouted over bass-heavy countdowns. But when 2026 arrives, the hope here won’t live on the Strip. It’ll wake up early. It’ll clock in. It’ll ride the bus. Because Las Vegas isn’t just where America comes to escape — it’s where millions are trying to hold on.
- [MERRY EPSTEIN, DONALD TRUMP](https://citizenben.net/merry-epstein-donald-trump/): On December 23, 2025, the Department of Justice released another tranche of Epstein documents, following intense pressure from lawmakers and the public. But instead of clarity, the release delivered confusion: Heavy redactions with no explanation Documents appearing, disappearing, then reappearing References to powerful figures — including Donald Trump — without context or accountability According to reporting, victims’ advocates say many of the documents appear to have been pre-redacted before public release, with no accompanying justification explaining who ordered the redactions or why certain names, locations, and timelines were removed. That silence is not procedu
- [](https://citizenben.net/839-2/): From the White House press pit to Truth Social, Donald Trump and J.D. Vance are weaponizing misogyny, and women journalists are on the front lines.
- [Trump vs Science and Truth](https://citizenben.net/trump-vs-science-and-truth/): Last week, I was gasping for air, I was fighting every breath in fear I would not live. I was frantically playing charades to communicate since I could not speak. My throat was getting tighter. My asthma is triggered by air quality outside or indoors. I am not alone. There are twenty-eight million children and adults who suffer from Asthma in the United States. Now, Donald Trump wants to dump millions of particles from multiple industries into our air, and his administration is covering up science and the facts.
- [VIDEO: Are you better off today than the same time last year?](https://citizenben.net/video-are-you-better-off-today-than-the-same-time-last-year/): Citizen Ben took to the streets of Las Vegas, Nevada, and asked, “Are you better off today than the same time last year?”
- [Support Change This Giving Tuesday](https://citizenben.net/support-change-this-giving-tuesday/): Because real power isn’t built on consumption, it’s built on solidarity, on community. When we withhold money from institutions that traffic in influence, and invest in people who invest in communities, we don’t just make a statement. We build a foundation. In a moment when so much feels broken, from rising inequality to democratic backsliding, giving thoughtfully and intentionally becomes a quiet act of resistance. On this Giving Tuesday, let’s turn our wallets into tools for justice. Strip the receipts from corporate giants. Replace them with democracy receipts.
- [“WE AIN’T BUYING IT” HOW A HOLIDAY BOYCOTT TURNED INTO A NATIONWIDE RECKONING](https://citizenben.net/we-aint-buying-it-how-a-holiday-boycott-turned-into-a-nationwide-reckoning/): In the Midwest, organizers with the No Kings Alliance joined forces with We Ain’t Buying It, calling for shoppers to boycott Amazon, Home Depot, and Target as an “economic protest” against corporations they say are enabling Trump’s abuses of power. In Las Vegas, two dozen protesters under the Indivisible banner made a showing in Target’s driveway. The joint boycott urges Americans to withhold their purchasing power across Thanksgiving weekend from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, turning the country’s busiest shopping days into an economic blackout.
- [Boycott Black Friday](https://citizenben.net/boycott-black-friday/): While America tramples each other for “doorbusters,” three mega-brands are quietly rolling back inclusion, cozying up to power, and looking the other way when vulnerable people are targeted.
- [Your U.S. Visa Revoked](https://citizenben.net/your-u-s-visa-revoked/): Suppose the old-Republican playbook is getting a replay.
- [When Elon Builds a “Data Center” - and You Pay the Price](https://citizenben.net/when-elon-builds-a-data-center-and-you-pay-the-price/): The monster in your backyard: data-consuming fortresses of AI power that are devouring America one substation at a time.
- [President Trump Calls for Death of Democrats](https://citizenben.net/president-trump-calls-for-death-of-democrats/): In a jaw-dropping, democracy-shattering moment, President Donald Trump declared that a group of Democratic lawmakers’ actions were “seditious behavior, punishable by DEATH!” And when pressed, House Speaker Mike Johnson responded with tepid non-critique that the President was merely “defining a crime.” Let’s be clear — this is not acceptable from a sitting president of the United States.
- [SHOCK RAID: Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center - North Center Daycare](https://citizenben.net/shock-raid-rayito-de-sol-spanish-immersion-early-learning-center-north-center-daycare/): Witnesses describe it as chilling. Two officers — one masked, both in vests labelled “POLICE ICE” — chased a woman, identified as the teacher, into the school after what was allegedly a traffic stop. Video shows her pleading, “I have papers!” (en español) as they force her face-first through glass doors, handcuff her, and load her into an SUV parked in front of anxious parents.
- [“The Most Transparent Administration”—With the Doors Nailed Shut](https://citizenben.net/the-most-transparent-administration-with-the-doors-nailed-shut/): Donald Trump says he’s running “the most transparent administration in history.” His press office repeats it like a jingle. “Most transparent & accessible President in American history,” they bragged this spring. On Feb. 23, they even packaged the line for the Sunday shows: most transparent, full stop. Now let’s hold that up to the light.
- [October 18 NO KINGS Las Vegas](https://citizenben.net/october-18-no-kings-las-vegas/): Las Vegas was just one spark in a national wildfire. On October 18, 2025, seven million rallied in 2,700 events from D.C. to L.A., a coast-to-coast repudiation of creeping authoritarianism and the “King Trump” fantasy—one of the biggest mobilizations in recent years, according to major outlets covering the day’s scope.
- [TRUMP’S WAR ON TRUTH](https://citizenben.net/trumps-war-on-truth/): Trump’s War on Truth underscores a disturbing trend that threatens the core tenets of democracy, particularly free speech and freedom of the press.
- [Five Sparks of Democracy](https://citizenben.net/five-sparks-of-democracy/): Why it matters: When the country shows up everywhere at once, would-be kings remember who’s boss.
- [](https://citizenben.net/717-2/): When Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025, it wasn’t just a political shock; it became a financial and rhetorical opportunity. Within days, his death was transformed from tragedy into a fundraising engine, a rallying cry, and a justification for broad censorship of critics. He often framed his opponents, progressives, “woke” activists, and LGBTQ activists as aggressors who are suppressing speech, identity, or traditional values. He portrays himself and his movement as under siege and therefore in moral high ground when pushing back.
- [ABC’s Panic Button](https://citizenben.net/abcs-panic-button/): Let’s not kid ourselves: the chill is the point. The White House megaphone is already blasting reporters. On the White House lawn, Trump snapped at ABC’s Jonathan Karl, sneering that AG Pam Bondi would “probably go after people like you,” a slashing threat caught and reported by Deadline and boosted across right-leaning media that same day. Within 48 hours, he escalated, publicly urging Bondi to prosecute named enemies (Letitia James, Adam Schiff, James Comey) in a Truth Social broadside, according to Politico and the New York Post.
- [The Silencing of America](https://citizenben.net/the-silencing-of-america/): America, meet your new vibe: censor first, explain later.
- [Further Erosion of Free Speech in America](https://citizenben.net/further-erosion-of-free-speech-in-america/): This morning, President Trump held a news conference before boarding his helicopter on the White House lawn. He was on his way to Europe.
- [Trump’s Tragedy Playbook](https://citizenben.net/trumps-tragedy-playbook/): Trump isn’t just seizing on tragedy, he’s manufacturing a political dragnet out of it, using blood and headlines as cover to go after his real targets: the press, Democratic-led cities, and Democratic leaders themselves. Every murder, every crime, every so-called “emergency” becomes less about justice for victims and more about branding opponents as complicit—turning journalists into “enemy propagandists,” mayors into “failed generals,” and lawmakers into “suspects.” It’s not law enforcement, it is vengeance dressed up in uniform, and the endgame isn’t safety, it’s silencing dissent.
- [Trump's Tail](https://citizenben.net/trumps-tail/): First, I want to share some good news, at least for me. You may or may not know I am an actor and started this part of my life on Hollywood backlots eons ago.
- [Citizen Ben Exposé: Trump’s “Ghost War”](https://citizenben.net/citizen-ben-expose-trumps-ghost-war/): A covert team of Navy SEALs slipped into North Korea in early 2019 on a mission straight out of a spy thriller: plant a device to eavesdrop on Kim Jong Un’s inner circle.
- [Farmer Crisis Across America: Arkansas Is Not Alone](https://citizenben.net/650-2/): When you hear the phrase “heartland hero,” what comes to mind?
- [Citizen Ben’s Week in Review: Chaos, Cover-Ups, and Cracks in the System](https://citizenben.net/citizen-bens-week-in-review-chaos-cover-ups-and-cracks-in-the-system/): From slammed doors in courthouses to tanks in front of City Hall; from starving children abroad to activists demanding change at home, power fears accountability this week. Trump kills for headlines, Kennedy implodes from the inside, Texas radicalizes vigilantism, and Gaza bleeds as the world looks away. But resistance is rising on the streets, in courts, in every brave voice.
- [Public Health Mutiny: 1,000+ HHS Workers Tell RFK Jr. to Quit Before He Kills Us All](https://citizenben.net/public-health-mutiny-1000-hhs-workers-tell-rfk-jr-to-quit-before-he-kills-us-all/): The walls are closing in on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- [Workers Over Billionaires](https://citizenben.net/workers-over-billionaires-2/): On Labor Day, a sweeping wave of activism enveloped the nation. Across all 50 states, nearly 1,000 protests and events were held under the banner “Workers Over Billionaires,” a grassroots effort to push back against federal policies perceived as favoring the ultra-wealthy. Below are three protests held in Las Vegas. The videos are available on Substack.
- [China’s Bid to Dethrone America as Economic Superpower](https://citizenben.net/chinas-bid-to-dethrone-america-as-economic-superpower/): When Donald Trump stormed back into the White House in 2025, he rolled out the patriotism hard: “Our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world,” he thundered at his inauguration. Great line, weak backdrop. Because while he talked respect, the dollar sank, over 10% in the first half of 2025, marking its steepest fall since the 1970s, according to Morgan Stanley (Morgan Stanley). Goldman Sachs warned that from a still-elevated base, a further 25–30% drop is entirely plausible. And Time noted the greenback recently hit a three-year low, citing tariff shocks, policy whiplash, and investor skittishness. Talk about poetic irony: the President screams respect while the dollar melts.
- [Bread, Bombs, and Bullshit](https://citizenben.net/bread-bombs-and-bullshit-2/): Trump once promised “full transparency” on the Jeffrey Epstein files. Instead, the release has been slow, redacted, and incomplete. Survivors are left in limbo while headlines pivot elsewhere. Conveniently, the documents that have surfaced confirm what many thought: Trump’s name does appear in Epstein’s orbit.
- [Veto Joe Has Got To Go](https://citizenben.net/veto-joe-has-got-to-go/): VIDEO: Thursday afternoon, several groups, including Plan Nevada, Battle Born Progress, Make The Road Nevada, Indivisible, Moms Demand Action, and Democratic Socialists of America, convened to protest Governor Joe Lombardo at the MacDonald Highland Country Club. Lombardo was attending a wine tasting and fundraiser at the Country Club in Henderson, NV.
- [Bread, Bombs, and Bullshit](https://citizenben.net/bread-bombs-and-bullshit/): Steve Bannon once described the tactic bluntly: “Flood the zone with shit.” Trump has perfected it. Every week comes a new spectacle: a feud with Hollywood, an inflammatory rally speech, or a half-baked executive order destined to be struck down. The effect? No single scandal sticks. Americans are trapped in a cyclone of noise while the truth is buried.
- [Workers Over Billionaires](https://citizenben.net/workers-over-billionaires/): Monday, a sweeping wave of activism is set to envelop the nation. Across all 50 states, nearly 1,000 protests and events are lined up under the banner “Workers Over Billionaires,” a grassroots effort to push back against federal policies perceived as favoring the ultra-wealthy.
- [Human Rights Campaign Las Vegas Gala, 2025](https://citizenben.net/human-rights-campaign-las-vegas-gala-2025/): VIDEO: Journalist Ben Cable asks guests what HRC means to them at the Human Rights Campaign 2025 Las Vegas Dinner and Gala at Paris Hotel and Casino, August 23, 2025.
- [Fear As A Weapon](https://citizenben.net/fear-as-a-weapon/): The strategy is unsettlingly simple: intimidate, destabilize, dismantle structures.
- [Podcast: Unraveling the Threads of Authoritarianism](https://citizenben.net/podcast-unraveling-the-threads-of-authoritarianism/): Federal workers on leave from FEMA for speaking out, healthcare, painting over crosswalks, vaccinations, contraception…and how all these topics and more are related in a framework by design to implement authoritarian rule in the United States.
- [Everglades Unbarred: The Final Verdict on Alligator Alcatraz](https://citizenben.net/everglades-unbarred-the-final-verdict-on-alligator-alcatraz/): Late Thursday night, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams finally threw a wrench into the wolf’s machinery. Her 82-page ruling ordered the closure of Alligator Alcatraz within 60 days and demanded that the barbed wire, fencing, and diesel-spewing infrastructure be ripped out of Big Cypress National Preserve. A small victory, yes, but in a country where watchdogs have been turned into lapdogs, any victory is worth savoring.
- [](https://citizenben.net/591-2/): Maine has a chance to send a very different kind of leader to Washington, one who knows the weight of war, the grind of small business, and the cost of living paycheck to paycheck. The 2026 race isn’t just about one Senate seat. It’s about whether Mainers and Americans still believe in the promise of government by and for the people.
- [Las Vegas - Fight the Trump Takeover](https://citizenben.net/las-vegas-fight-the-trump-takeover/): In Las Vegas, Nevada, about one hundred protesters met in front of the Fountains of Bellagio despite 104-degree heat. Several of the protesters shared with Citizen Ben why they came. The issues ranged from Immigration and Healthcare to Veterans and LGBTQ+. Here are some of their voices…
- [First They Came for Women’s Rights…](https://citizenben.net/first-they-came-for-womens-rights/): In 2025, under the second Trump administration and the authoritarian blueprint known as Project 2025, the United States is watching decades of civil progress unravel. What began as an assault on reproductive freedom has rapidly spread to public education, science, journalism, and now, unsurprisingly, to LGBTQ+ rights. And at the top of the hit list? Marriage equality.
- [Trump vs. the Mailbox](https://citizenben.net/trump-vs-the-mailbox/): This week, Trump stood up and announced: “I’m the Postmaster General of Chaos now.” On August 18, 2025, he bragged that lawyers are drafting an executive order to end mail-in voting nationwide and put voting machines on the chopping block, too. Instead, he wants everyone to vote on “watermarked paper ballots”, because nothing screams 21st-century democracy like a counterfeit-bill detector from a strip-mall payday lender.
- [Democracy and A Thousand Cuts](https://citizenben.net/democracy-and-a-thousand-cuts/): Warning: Democracy doesn't die with tanks in the streets or burning constitutions - it dies through a thousand small cuts that most people barely notice. Today, Citizen Ben explores how America's democratic institutions are being methodically dismantled, piece by piece.
- [Podcast: Trump's Economy](https://citizenben.net/podcast-trumps-economy/): Podcast (S2 EP 11): The economy was supposed to be Trump's golden ticket back to the White House, with 54% of Americans trusting him over Biden or Harris to handle their wallets. But seven months in, that economic promise is unraveling faster than a sweater caught in a wood chipper. - Citizen Ben
- [It’s the Economy… STUPID](https://citizenben.net/its-the-economy-stupid/): Last week, Trump unveiled plans to build a $200 million ballroom at the White House, a separate 90,000-square-foot gilded space for hosting state dinners and ceremonies. Though privately funded, it’s still taxpayer-tracking level extravagance; after all, the building is publicly owned and maintained, just like the Great Mexican Wall and the “gifted” Boeing Plane, America will have to pay.
- [“90 Deals in 90 Days”: Trump’s Latest Broken Promise in a Long Line of Fantasies](https://citizenben.net/90-deals-in-90-days-trumps-latest-broken-promise-in-a-long-line-of-fantasies/): While Trump’s base may shrug off these failures as “just Trump being Trump,” the consequences are very real: Families deported mid-application for asylum. Veterans are confused and denied care due to broken VA reforms. LGBTQ youth left without crisis support as 988 program cuts take effect. Markets destabilized by unserious trade threats. Journalists and whistleblowers are silenced or exiled under vague national security claims. This is more than broken promises.
- [Profits & Prisons](https://citizenben.net/profits-prisons/): It’s a pattern that should disturb us all. Private companies with past offenses are lining up for billion-dollar paydays under the Trump administration’s crackdown. But it’s not just the hypocrisy of someone once penalized for exploiting immigrants now profiting from their imprisonment. It’s how normalized this revolving door of grift has become. Under the "Big Beautiful Bill" (H.R. 1), a sweeping legislative bludgeon passed on July 4th, the federal government has expanded enforcement funding while gutting immigrant access to healthcare, nutrition, tax credits, and fundamental rights. H.R. 1 is now the law of the land after Trump's signature in Sharpie. Under that umbrella, contracts like the one Albers just landed are not the exception. They are the point.
- [Pam Bondi’s "Justice"](https://citizenben.net/pam-bondis-justice/): In February 2025, Bondi unveiled what she theatrically dubbed “The Epstein Files: Phase I”, promising shocking revelations implicating political elites in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. MAGA influencers, QAnon types, and conservative media rejoiced, expecting a bombshell. Instead, what the DOJ released was a heavily redacted document dump with no list of names, no videos, and no new charges. The FBI stated that the “client list” didn't exist in the promised format and that the remaining evidence was sealed to protect victims and preserve ongoing investigations.
- [Gaza - The Hunger War](https://citizenben.net/gaza-the-hunger-war/): American policy has not just failed Gaza, it has helped build the machinery of its suffering. The language of freedom and democracy rings hollow when it is accompanied by silence in the face of famine, or worse, the funding of it. Speaking from his golf course in Scotland this week, President Trump complained that he never received a thank you for "$60 million" worth of food to Gaza. To put this into perspective, President Trump has spent over $60 million on golf outings with taxpayer money since taking office on January 20th. Until the U.S. matches its rhetoric with
- [The Mirror Presidency](https://citizenben.net/the-mirror-presidency/): Psychologists refer to it as projection, a defense mechanism in which a person denies their flaws by attributing them to someone else. In simpler terms: “I didn’t do it—you did.” For narcissists, projection isn’t just an occasional behavior—it’s a core survival tactic. Trump has turned it into an entire political strategy. He accuses others of election fraud while pressuring Georgia officials to “find 11,780 votes.” He attacks Joe Biden’s memory while Trump was forgetting which city he’s in or mixing up world leaders. He condemns the mishandling of classified documents while storing top-secret materials in his bathroom. And now, he accuses Obama of treason, the gravest crime against the nation, while he is under indictment for conspiracy and obstruction tied to an actual attempt to overturn an election.
- [The Promise Betrayed](https://citizenben.net/the-promise-betrayed/): On July 18, 2025, after immense public pressure and a quiet prisoner exchange, Andry was released from CECOT and flown, not to the U.S., but back to Venezuela. He is now once again in a country where his life is in danger. Ari Shaw, Senior Fellow and Director of International Programs at the Williams Institute, told Citizen Ben, “LGBTQ+ asylum seekers face documented risks of persecution, violence, and discrimination when returned to countries with poor records on sexual and gender minority rights. In many cases, individuals who have fled their home countries due to their sexual orientation or gender identity may face increased danger upon return because their asylum claims can expose them to additional scrutiny and targeting. The principle of non-refoulement in international law exists precisely to protect vulnerable individuals from being returned to situations where they face serious harm.”
- [American Nero](https://citizenben.net/american-nero/): Just like Nero, Trump’s indulgence was paid for by the people, without apology or restraint. History will show roads crumbled, rural clinics closed, veterans went without care, and Americans lost insurance coverage… while the palace shone. The parallels go far beyond gold veneer and marble floors. They lie in personality cults, self-deification, historical erasure, and an utter disregard for the suffering below.
- [Civil Rights State of Emergency: Trump’s ‘Big Ugly Bill’ and the Assault on America’s Freedoms](https://citizenben.net/civil-rights-state-of-emergency-trumps-big-ugly-bill-and-the-assault-on-americas-freedoms/): “We are in a state of emergency.” That is not a phrase tossed lightly into the wind. It is the urgent declaration from the National Urban League, one of America’s most respected civil rights organizations, delivered with solemn clarity on July 17, 2025. This isn’t political theater. This isn’t partisanship. This is a siren. A full-throated alarm that civil rights, individual freedoms, and even the fundamental protections of democracy are under coordinated assault.
- [Trump’s Purge State](https://citizenben.net/trumps-purge-state/): Trump’s disdain for experts is well documented. He once said, “I love the poorly educated.” And now, in 2025, he’s made sure they’re the only ones left running the government. Entire teams of climatologists at NOAA have been dismissed or replaced by political loyalists with no scientific background. FEMA’s top disaster response coordinators are gone. The CDC? Hollowed out. National security analysts? Purged for questioning pro-Russia policies. The State Department? It might as well be a reality show audition call.
- [Qué hacer si te enfrentas a agentes de ICE (Inmigración y Control de Aduanas)](https://citizenben.net/que-hacer-si-te-enfrentas-a-agentes-de-ice-inmigracion-y-control-de-aduanas/): Qué hacer si te enfrentas a agentes de ICE (Inmigración y Control de Aduanas) in Spanish and English including FREE "Red Card" template
- [What to Do if You Encounter ICE Agents (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)](https://citizenben.net/what-to-do-if-you-encounter-ice-agents-immigration-and-customs-enforcement/): What to Do if You Encounter ICE Agents (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in English and in Spanish. Free printable "Red Card".
- [Trump: Lier in Chief](https://citizenben.net/trump-lier-in-chief/): Trump’s tale about his uncle and the Unabomber isn’t just a misremembering, it’s an illustration of his broader pattern of self-aggrandizing myth-making. Like many of his claims, it contains a kernel of truth, a brilliant uncle, and a connection to Tesla, but quickly veers into the fantastical, unanchored by reality or a clear timeline.
- [“The New Class War: What It Is and Why It Matters”](https://citizenben.net/the-new-class-war-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/): the top 1% of Americans control over two-thirds of the country’s wealth? Meanwhile, the bottom half of the population owns just 2.5%. That’s not just unfair, it’s socially unstable. We’re back to Gilded Age levels of inequality. And people feel it. The Big Beautiful Bill that President Trump just signed is a big handout to the top tier while gutting programs for us low-life middle class. They (the Republicans who backed the Bill) say it is cutting waste, fraud, and abuse. This means they will cut anything they want and assign a label to justify the pain caused by their actions.
- [“Happy Birthday—and May Every Day Be Another Wonderful Secret”](https://citizenben.net/happy-birthday-and-may-every-day-be-another-wonderful-secret/): If you thought the Jeffrey Epstein saga was dead and buried, think again. The ghosts of Palm Beach, pedophile islands, and billionaire orgies just came screaming back to life—this time with a naked woman, a Sharpie, and Donald J. Trump’s signature as pubic hair.
- [Only Mid-Week News](https://citizenben.net/only-mid-week-news/): This week in America continues this year’s feeling of a pressure cooker ready to blow. From deadly floods in Texas and secret Epstein files rattling Washington, to a Republican power grab in the middle of a disaster zone, every headline feels like the opening scene of a political thriller. Meanwhile, inflation ticks upward, the dollar falls, deportation raids spark street protests, and Trump realizes his boyfriend, Putin, is playing him. Buckle up: the stories shaping the nation this week aren't just dramatic, they're defining.
- [UNMASK THE STATE](https://citizenben.net/unmask-the-state/): Masked, heavily armed men dragging civilians into unmarked vehicles used to be a dystopian image we associated with dictatorships. Russia. Iran. North Korea. Now, it’s happening in Fresno. In Tampa. In East L.A. Right here. Right now. In America. And it began with Trump’s second term.
- [The Dollar Just Dropped 10% in 6 months, Here’s Why That Matters for You, Me, All of Us](https://citizenben.net/the-dollar-just-dropped-10-in-6-months-heres-why-that-matters-for-you-me-all-of-us/): The United States dollar is losing its power. I know the economy can feel like something that only Wall Street or politicians talk about but this latest news?
- [INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: How the “Big Beautiful Bill” and Project 2025 Are Waging War on Women’s Health](https://citizenben.net/investigative-report-how-the-big-beautiful-bill-and-project-2025-are-waging-war-on-womens-health/): This isn’t just about one bill. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is the first wave of a larger ideological war being driven by Project 2025—a right-wing policy playbook produced by the Heritage Foundation and backed by Trump allies.
- [Citizen Ben: July 4–11, 2025](https://citizenben.net/citizen-ben-july-4-11-2025/): Last week has been one of the most politically charged, emotionally raw, and unflinchingly honest yet at Citizen Ben.
- [Who Is Joe Rogan—and Why Is He Taking Aim at Trump’s ICE Raids?](https://citizenben.net/who-is-joe-rogan-and-why-is-he-taking-aim-at-trumps-ice-raids/): In a July 2, 2025 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with tech CEO Amjad Masad, Rogan let loose on Trump’s expanded interior enforcement policy. “Going after gardeners and construction workers?” Rogan asked incredulously. “That’s f***ing nuts. That’s insane.” His outrage wasn’t limited to rhetoric. In April, Rogan addressed the controversial deportation of Venezuelan asylum-seekers to El Salvador under questionable gang classifications. One case involved Andry José Hernández, a gay makeup artist and dancer, who was reportedly deported under provisions tied to the Alien Enemies Act—a rarely invoked relic of 18th-century law.
- [You Win Some, You Lose Some in Trump's Chaotic Legal World](https://citizenben.net/you-win-some-you-lose-some-in-trumps-chaotic-legal-world/): This past week saw a slew of court rulings, most of them hammering the Trump administration. From ICE raids and Planned Parenthood to press freedoms and immigrant protections, the courts have begun to push back loudly. Here is a breakdown—plain English, no legalese—of the biggest courtroom wins and losses for the administration over this week.
- [This Week on Citizen Ben: July 4–11, 2025](https://citizenben.net/this-week-on-citizen-ben-july-4-11-2025/): This week has been one of the most politically charged, emotionally raw, and unflinchingly honest yet at Citizen Ben. From the front lines of Gaza to the backrooms of budget cuts, we (I am a Gemini, so “we” is appropriate) covered it all — with clarity, conviction, and yes, a little satire.
- [Sex, Drugs, and How Politicians Roll: The Sins of Trump’s Second Administration](https://citizenben.net/sex-drugs-and-how-politicians-roll-the-sins-of-trumps-second-administration/): Forget "drain the swamp." In Trump’s second term, he filled it with televangelists, pill-popping propagandists, serial cheaters, born-again fascists, and conspiracy influencers dressed up as public servants. The self-proclaimed party of morality has become a twisted circus of sin, where sex scandals, drug abuse, and holy hypocrisy are no longer footnotes, but feature presentations.
- [“Dear President Boakai: Sorry Our President Is an Idiot”](https://citizenben.net/436-2/): We’re sorry that during your state visit, a moment meant to deepen ties between two long-standing allies, President Donald J. Trump turned to you and, with his signature smirk of ignorance, asked, “How is it that you speak English so well?” Our American President is either an idiot, a racist, or both. You, Mr. President, stood there with the grace of a diplomat and the patience of a saint. But make no mistake: that wasn’t a compliment. It was a micro-aggression wrapped in a macro-embarrassment. A slap in the face to you, your nation, and to every African leader whose intelligence and sovereignty deserve more than cheap surprise from a man who’s never read a history book that didn’t mention himself.
- [The Big Beautiful DISASTER](https://citizenben.net/the-big-beautiful-disaster/): I want to talk to you heart to heart, not as a pundit or a political junkie, but as a neighbor, a fellow American.
- [Masked Men Dragging Families Into Hell](https://citizenben.net/masked-men-dragging-families-into-hell-2/): What if these weren’t punishment raids, but criminals scaring you into silence? Many convicted crypto kidnappers and rapists dress the same: black masks, tactical gear, plain‑clothes, guns, unmarked cars. They pose as law enforcement to enter homes or pull over cars. They detain, torture, and demand ransom. If someone comes at you in camouflage and doesn’t show a badge, how do you know who’s real?
- [Independence Day Letter from Ben](https://citizenben.net/independence-day-letter-from-ben/): We need to find things that fit within our agenda, beliefs, schedules, and abilities. We fight in our own ways. The point is to do something. Bring flowers to give masked ICE agents at a protest, go to 5calls.org to call your local representatives on an issue you care about (scripts are available), attend local school board or City Hall meetings, and have conversations with your family and friends, or attend a rally or protest (you can find one near you on 50501, No Kings, or Indivisible.
- [Masked Men Dragging Families Into Hell](https://citizenben.net/masked-men-dragging-families-into-hell/): Mothers clutching children, trembling behind doors. Workers are too afraid to show up for shifts. Entire communities are paralyzed by fear of armed men who look like terrorists or kidnappers, in the world of an authoritarian President Trump. Reports surfaced in Los Angeles of masked agents in plain clothes, barreling through neighborhoods in unmarked vehicles, weaving through vendors and shoppers, seizing people at gunpoint without identifying themselves. One mother remembers how they pinned down her car, pepper-sprayed her toddler, then whisked her husband away in front of her younger children.
- [The Oracle’s Warning: A Future We Already Chose](https://citizenben.net/the-oracles-warning-a-future-we-already-chose/): Medicaid cuts will shutter rural clinics and urban hospitals alike. Emergency rooms will become lines—long, endless, despairing. Mothers with fevered babies, veterans in distress, grandpas gasping for air, waiting hour after hour. Doctors will turn away uninsured mouths; survival will depend on wealth or prayer.
- [The United States of Trump: Rename It. Rebrand It. Ruin It.](https://citizenben.net/401-2/): Every renaming edict comes with a price tag. Signs must be replaced. Documents reprinted. Databases, maps, training materials, and digital systems all require updates. Military installations and federal agencies operate under strict protocols, meaning even a single name change can cascade into millions of dollars in bureaucratic overhead.
- [The Oracles Warning](https://citizenben.net/394-2/): Because the path we are on is not a mystery. It is unfolding in laws, headlines, and calculated acts. And without urgent reversal, it becomes inevitable suffering. Let me tell you what is coming, not as speculation, but as certainty, unless we act.
- [The Big Brutal Budget Bill: What’s In It and Why Every Generation Should Be Alarmed](https://citizenben.net/the-big-brutal-budget-bill-whats-in-it-and-why-every-generation-should-be-alarmed/): While Americans watch news on the bombings in Iran, plan fireworks and BBQs, the Senate is quietly prepping its own explosive surprise: a rushed, sweeping, high-stakes budget bill that could impact your healthcare, your retirement, your community, and your future. They’re calling it a “budget fix.” Let’s call it what it is: The Big Brutal Budget Bill.
- [Stephen Miller: The Architect of Autocracy](https://citizenben.net/stephen-miller-the-architect-of-autocracy/): Stephen Miller is not merely an advisor. He’s the architect of America’s democratic collapse in real time. And unless we name it, confront it, and stop it, the next generation may only read about democracy in the past tense.
- [From Uprisings to Curfews: Inside L.A.’s Ongoing Protest Movement](https://citizenben.net/from-uprisings-to-curfews-inside-l-a-s-ongoing-protest-movement/): It has been just over two weeks since a series of aggressive ICE raids across Los Angeles ignited one of the most intense protest movements the city has seen in decades.
- [Donald Trump Will Never Get the Nobel Peace Prize — And Here’s Why](https://citizenben.net/donald-trump-will-never-get-the-nobel-peace-prize-and-heres-why/): Diplomacy is hard. Peace is hard.
- [A Nation United in Defiance](https://citizenben.net/a-nation-united-in-defiance/): On Saturday, June 14, coinciding with Flag Day, Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, and the U.S.
- [Open Letter to LGBTQ+ Communities](https://citizenben.net/open-letter-to-lgbtq-communities/): Let’s name names: today, the Southern Baptist Convention, 13 million strong, voted to carve marriage equality out of the Constitution. They proudly declared gay marriage a “cultural aberration” and want federal law rewritten to match. This isn’t a fringe group: it’s the largest Protestant denomination in America, and they’ve got clout in state legislatures and on Capitol Hill. Ask yourself: Would anyone dare push for a ban on interracial marriage today? Of course not. Yet here we are, in 2025, fighting off the same hateful arguments we defeated decades ago. They’re wielding “religious freedom” as a cudgel to lash out at queer families, families no different in love, commitment, or resilience.
- [Trump's Clash with Californians](https://citizenben.net/trumps-clash-with-californians/): The unexpected deployment has only fanned the flames, spurring widespread anger and fear across Los Angeles, as residents found heavily armed National Guard units patrolling familiar streets, many describe feeling more threatened than protected in their neighborhood. Adding to the public alarm, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton were on high alert and ready to be mobilized should unrest continue, an unmistakable signal that peaceful protest may now be met with even fiercer, military-style force.
- [Dear Younger (than me) Generation](https://citizenben.net/nokingsday/): In this administration, Trump's second term, there are plenty of reasons to protest, from women’s rights, the erosion of LGBTQ rights, the rights of people of color, veterans' benefits, immigration law, and healthcare.
- [I'm with Harvard](https://citizenben.net/im-with-harvard/): I enrolled at Harvard this week and have started my first online course on Democracy for free. Yes, it's free.
- [The Dismantling of Democracy](https://citizenben.net/the-dismantling-of-democracy/): Imagine waking up one morning to find that the dusty playbook you ignored on your shelf has become the rulebook for the Oval Office.

## Pages

- [PRESS RELEASES](https://citizenben.net/political-writer-ben-cable-declares-obituary-of-democracy-in-stark-new-essay/): Las Vegas, NV – Best of Best Review has named journalist, videographer, and award-winning actor Ben Cable the Best Free Speech Advocate in Journalism of 2025, recognizing his uncompromising commitment to truth, independence, and diversity in media.
- [Community](https://citizenben.net/community/): J.D. has claimed twice that he hasn't witnessed any corruption by President Trump.
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