Trump Is Building His Own Paramilitary Force

Ezra Klein interviews Radley Balko about the Trump administration's approach to immigration and law enforcement. Balko argues that the administration is building a paramilitary force loyal to the president, eroding due process for immigrants, and militarizing police in response to manufactured crises. They discuss the budget cuts to traditional law enforcement agencies and the massive increase in funding for ICE and Customs and Border Protection. Balko highlights the administration's appeals to white supremacy, the use of masked agents, and the targeting of those who provide aid to immigrants. They explore the potential for the military to be deployed in cities and the erosion of accountability for federal agents. The conversation also covers the Insurrection Act and the changes in the military's chain of command, expressing concerns about the potential for a violent flashpoint between the government and its citizens and the role of civil society in resisting authoritarianism.