Trump Administration’s ‘Spitballs,’ Seeking To Shrink the Press
American children have a game called “spitball.” A piece of paper is chewed like gum, covered with spit and then thrown at the wall like a ball. Often, the ball doesn’t stick and falls to the ground, but if it sticks to the wall, it is a success. I spent my childhood in the U.S. and was shocked by the culture of seeing my classmates dirty up the walls this way, thinking what a dirty game!
Spitball is also used as a political term to speak about and implement foolish policies and plans without any deep thought.
The administration of President Donald Trump, whose second term is approaching 10 months, is often compared to spitball because of its unprecedented, legally dubious and undemocratic words and actions. Illegal immigration policies that disregard due process, armed attacks on vessels purported to be “drug boats," and prosecuting political opponents are only some examples.
The pressure on free speech and the media continues. In September, the Department of Defense demanded that the news media agree to a new rule restricting the reporting of information without official approval. The Defense Department later revised the wording of the agreement, but most media outlets refused to go along with the restrictions and turned in their press passes. Currently, the only news media that have retained their credentials are a handful of right-wing reporters who support the Trump administration.
Moreover, Trump has been suing major newspapers including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, seeking huge amounts of damages for defamation. He has also threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of television networks that criticize him personally. Trump is openly hostile with respect to views that do not agree with his administration's policies, justifying the detention of a man who led protests against Israel's attacks on the Palestinian territory of Gaza, summarily deeming the protest leader as “pro-terrorist.”
Naturally, these actions are controversial and are being challenged in court. Trump has also faced a succession of unfavorable rulings. Yet Trump remains unconcerned because his objective is to intimidate his “enemies.”
When a wet paper ball sticks to the wall and dries out, it is not so easy to get it off. Even if it falls to the ground without sticking, it leaves a mark. How long will the Trump administration continue to throw spitballs? An American friend sighed and said he hopes we’ll be able to at least clean it up.
Spitball is also used as a political term to speak about and implement foolish policies and plans without any deep thought.
The administration of President Donald Trump, whose second term is approaching 10 months, is often compared to spitball because of its unprecedented, legally dubious and undemocratic words and actions. Illegal immigration policies that disregard due process, armed attacks on vessels purported to be “drug boats," and prosecuting political opponents are only some examples.
The pressure on free speech and the media continues. In September, the Department of Defense demanded that the news media agree to a new rule restricting the reporting of information without official approval. The Defense Department later revised the wording of the agreement, but most media outlets refused to go along with the restrictions and turned in their press passes. Currently, the only news media that have retained their credentials are a handful of right-wing reporters who support the Trump administration.
Moreover, Trump has been suing major newspapers including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, seeking huge amounts of damages for defamation. He has also threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of television networks that criticize him personally. Trump is openly hostile with respect to views that do not agree with his administration's policies, justifying the detention of a man who led protests against Israel's attacks on the Palestinian territory of Gaza, summarily deeming the protest leader as “pro-terrorist.”
Naturally, these actions are controversial and are being challenged in court. Trump has also faced a succession of unfavorable rulings. Yet Trump remains unconcerned because his objective is to intimidate his “enemies.”
When a wet paper ball sticks to the wall and dries out, it is not so easy to get it off. Even if it falls to the ground without sticking, it leaves a mark. How long will the Trump administration continue to throw spitballs? An American friend sighed and said he hopes we’ll be able to at least clean it up.
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