TRUMP’S WORDS OF OPPRESSION—ETYMOLOGY PART 1

SOME OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S WORDS OF OPPRESSION are corruptions of previously lofty ones: diversity, equity, inclusion are paramount among these. Others are contortions of obscure legalities: misapplying the rarely invoked Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as an example. Still others are based on perverted strands of misinformation: the 2020 election and January 6 insurrection, to name two. Others evoke mob-boss retaliations akin to 1930s gangster flicks. And yet another is chillingly reminiscent of absolutist rulers of the past. Here, in Parts 1 and 2 today and tomorrow, are etymological tidbits of each, derived, alas, from recent news reports.

D.E.I. Firings. This is a two-step process, beginning with Trump’s Presidential Action of January 20, 2025: “Section 1.  Purpose and Policy.  The Biden Administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the Federal Government, in areas ranging from airline safety to the military.”

By a stroke of a Sharpie, Trump transformed ordinarily respected words into pejoratives, with nary a wit of legalese concerning their alleged “illegal and immoral discrimination.” 

The rest of this Presidential Action dictates that any mention of diversity, equity, and inclusion is reason for termination. Previously customary justifications for firing—things like incompetence, insubordination, theft, excessive absences—need not be applied.

East Targets. Andrea Hsu described this in “They Left Their DEI Roles. Trump Still Fired Them,” NPR, April 7, 2025. As Hsu reported, “Instead, they believe they are among hundreds and possibly thousands of federal employees targeted because of their past involvement with government DEIA programs and initiatives—or perhaps because the Trump administration merely associated them with the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Many of these workers say they’ve never received an explanation for why they’re being fired.”

The Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The Bill of Rights Institute takes us back to 1798: “The foreign policy crisis [with the French] and threat to American sovereignty and neutral rights resulted in a contentious partisanship between the Federalists and Jeffersonian-Republicans, often referred to as Democratic-Republicans. In the spring of 1798, the Federalists in Congress embargoed trade with France and expanded the Army and Navy. Jeffersonian-Republicans voted against these measures, hoping to end hostilities with America’s sister republic, and they accused the Federalists of manipulating the crisis to turn the federal government into a monarchy.”

Hmm…. 

The Institute continues, “Congress then passed two separate Alien Acts. The Alien Enemies Act said that if there was a declared war, the president could deport enemy aliens. This bill easily passed with bipartisan support and is still in effect today. The Alien Friends Act, passed by Federalists over Jeffersonian-Republican opposition, authorized the president to use extraordinary powers to deport aliens from any nation.Those targeted could not have a hearing or appeal the president’s decision, a violation of the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment. The law was set to remain in effect for two years. Adams never actually deported anyone under the Alien Friends Act, but some aliens fled the country, and some foreigners decided not to immigrate.”

A key phrase is “if there was a declared war.” With Venezuela?? Is there an invasion by MS-13 gang members?

This Just In. Antonio Pequeño IV reports, “Supreme Court Says Trump Cannot Resume Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act,” Forbes, May 16, 2025:  “The Supreme Court, which voted 7-2 in favor of an injunction against the removal of Venezuelan nationals, said in an unsigned decision the Trump administration did not provide detainees enough time to challenge their removal in court.” Only Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito wrote dissenting arguments. 

Also, it’s noted, “The Supreme Court did not explicitly rule on whether the Alien Enemies Act was properly applied by Trump, which will be determined by an appeals court.”

Needless to say, “Trump reacted to the Supreme Court’s decision, saying in a Truth Social post, ‘THE SUPREME COURT WON’T ALLOW US TO GET CRIMINALS OUT OF OUR COUNTRY!’ ”

Speaking of misinformation, I note that tomorrow in Part 2 we’ll continue with discussions of other ALL CAPs propaganda, the Queens felon’s retribution, his administration’s assessment of a catch-all “country’s critical interests,” and a particularly chilling pronouncement. ds

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2025