Nazi terminology serves to dehumanize

In June 1942, the entire village of Lidice, in what is now the Czech Republic, was destroyed in retribution for the assassination of Holocaust architect Reinhard Heydrich.

All 173 men were shot and the women and children were sent to concentration camps, except for two who had Arian features.

This was the unwritten Nazi policy of collective retribution, “Sippenhaft.” In January 2026, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had a sign on her podium that read, “One of ours, All of yours.”

We have a Nazi problem.

The administration’s continued use of dehumanizing and degrading language toward immigrants and fascist and Nazi terminology in describing their goals is no coincidence.

A recent speech by Stephen Miller was rife with Nazi terminology. Snopes noted the striking similarities between it and “The Storm is Coming” by Hitler’s propaganda chief, Joseph Goebbels, in 1932.

The Department of Labor recently posted a video with the caption, “One Homeland, One People, One Heritage.” In 1938, when the Nazis took Austria, they repeated the slogan, “Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer” (“one people, one realm, one leader.”)

The same department also told us, “America is for Americans.” The Nazis proudly stated, “Deutschland den Deutschen (“Germany for Germans.”)

ICE commander Gregory Bovino likes to dress like an SS officer. The German magazine “Der Spiegel” certainly thinks so, saying, “…all that’s missing for the perfect cosplay is a monocle.”

To look at this administration’s admiration of the Nazis, one might think they won the war. But they were all hanged.

Guthrie response reveals class divide

According to the FBI, Besalynn Mary James, a tribal member, was last seen on Jan. 20, 2025.

Wesley Dixon Jones was last seen on camera at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Oct. 5, 2025.

The nightly news has not mentioned Besalynn nor Wesley. But we are hearing 24/7 about Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today Show” host Savannah Guthrie.

Ms. Guthrie’s apparent abduction is tragic. Yet this incident shows how the rich and powerful are treated compared to just ordinary citizens.

President Trump offered his help because, “Savannah has been nice to me.” Additional FBI resources are being sent to Arizona to help with the investigation.

How many agents are working to find Besalynn or Wesley?

Our country is a deeply divided, class-based society built on power, money, privilege, and influence.

The case of missing Nancy Guthrie reinforces the class divide.

Response to Trump reveals who we are

In his Jan. 20, 2025, inauguration speech, Donald Trump declared that, “national unity is now returning to America.”

In fact, Trump’s promise of a “new spirit of unity” was a featured moment in the new “Melania” documentary.

Now we have Trump making headlines for sharing a video with the Obamas portrayed as apes. It was vile and racist, but not the least bit surprising.

Trump’s long history of words and actions fueled by racism goes back to 1973. In response to intense criticism, including from prominent Republicans, Trump removed the video, but said, “I didn’t make a mistake.” In a way, I agree. This is Trump, once again, showing us exactly who he is.

How we respond says something about who we are and what we value as individuals and as a nation.

We have a race underway to determine who will next represent us in Congress.

Right now, we have two local Republican candidates fighting tooth and nail to claim the title of being “Trump’s guy.”

I suggest that any candidate who still aims to be Trump’s “Mini-Me” has no business representing us.

© The Leader Herald