🌡️ RollingBoil Daily - November 21, 2025
Today, the Supreme Court hears arguments that could fundamentally rewrite what it means to be American. Trump's executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship—a right enshrined in the Constitution for 157 years—now sits before justices whose integrity will be tested like never before. Lower courts have blocked this blatant assault on the 14th Amendment, but with this Court's track record, nothing is guaranteed. Meanwhile, as legal scholars debate constitutional text in marble halls, federal troops are reportedly en route to New Orleans as part of an escalating immigration crackdown that should alarm anyone who values civil liberties and the limits of executive power.
But the constitutional crisis doesn't end there. Trump has crossed yet another line that once seemed unthinkable, openly endorsing violence against Democratic members of Congress. At the same time, Republican senators are weaponizing their oversight power to intimidate researchers who study right-wing extremism—a transparent attempt to silence those documenting the authoritarian playbook as it unfolds. And in Texas, a gerrymandering case offers the Supreme Court another chance to either uphold democratic principles or cement its role in dismantling them. These aren't isolated incidents; they're coordinated attacks on the foundations of American democracy, and they're all happening right now.
⚡ Quick Hits
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Wall Street Journal: Failed Texas gerrymandering push 'could cost' Republicans their House majority
The Wall Street Journal editorial board warns that Trump's push for Texas Republicans to redraw congressional districts before 2026 could backfire and cost Republicans their House majority. This reflects internal Republican tensions between Trump's electoral ambitions and establishment concerns about long-term party viability. The story highlights Trump's continued influence over GOP strategy and potential strategic miscalculations within the party. -
House Democrat knocks 'mealymouthed' Johnson response to Trump sedition post
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for his tepid response to Trump's post suggesting death for six Democratic lawmakers who encouraged military defiance. The incident highlights tensions within Republican leadership regarding Trump's inflammatory rhetoric and the party's approach to condemning extreme statements from the former president. -
Trump: Thanksgiving deadline for Ukraine to commit to peace plan 'appropriate'
President Trump announced a Thanksgiving deadline for Ukraine to accept a U.S. peace proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, representing a significant shift in Republican foreign policy approach. This action demonstrates Trump's executive authority and his administration's prioritization of diplomatic resolution over continued military support, a position increasingly aligned with the America First wing of the Republican Party. The deadline ultimatum reflects Trump's negotiation strategy and signals potential changes to U.S. involvement in the ongoing conflict. -
G.O.P. Redistricting Push May Backfire, Giving Democrats a Midterm Edge
This article analyzes Republican redistricting efforts and their potential failure to secure electoral advantages, which could benefit Democrats in midterm elections. The piece directly addresses GOP strategic initiatives and their unexpected reversal, making it significant for understanding right-wing political maneuvering and electoral strategy. The redistricting outcome has substantial implications for Republican electoral prospects and party power dynamics. -
Trump Promised Lower Prices. His Policies Are Raising Them.
This article directly analyzes Trump administration economic policies and their inflationary effects, contradicting campaign promises on affordability. It is highly relevant to tracking Republican/Trump administration policy outcomes and political accountability on economic issues. -
'I'm not going to be intimidated': Rep. Crow responds to Trump's sedition threat
Rep. Jason Crow, a Democratic congressman and former Army Ranger, defends his participation in a video encouraging U.S. troops to refuse illegal orders after Trump threatened him with sedition charges. This represents a significant escalation in Trump's rhetoric against political opponents and raises questions about executive power, military chain of command, and constitutional limits on presidential authority that are central to right-wing political discourse. -
'I'm not going to be intimidated': Rep. Crow responds to Trump's sedition threat
Rep. Jason Crow, a Democratic congressman and former Army Ranger, publicly defies Trump's sedition threat after participating in a video encouraging U.S. troops to refuse illegal orders. This represents a direct confrontation between Trump's authority claims and Democratic resistance, highlighting tensions over executive power and military chain of command that are central to right-wing political discourse. -
Is President Trump’s Power Over the Republican Party Waning?
This article examines potential fractures within Republican Party unity regarding Trump's influence and control over party members. The piece directly addresses intra-party tensions and instances of Republican defiance against Trump's direction, which is significant for understanding current Republican Party structure and leadership dynamics.
đź“Š By The Numbers
- 125 years - Duration of birthright citizenship understanding under 14th Amendment
- 5,000 - Target arrests for New Orleans immigration operation starting Dec. 1
- $46.5 billion - Congressional funding for Trump's border wall construction
đź“° Today's Big Stories
1. Supreme Court meets to weigh Trump’s birthright citizenship restrictions, blocked by lower courts
SCOTUS to Decide Fate of Trump's Birthright Citizenship Attack
The Supreme Court meets Friday to decide whether to take up Trump's appeal of his birthright citizenship executive order—a sweeping attempt to overturn 125 years of constitutional precedent that has been unanimously rejected by every lower court that's examined it. Trump's day-one executive order declares that children born in the U.S. to undocumented or temporary residents are no longer American citizens, directly challenging the 14th Amendment's guarantee that was originally enacted to ensure citizenship for Black Americans and former slaves.
So far, Trump's radical rewrite of the Constitution has been blocked nationwide, with federal courts across the political spectrum—including the 9th Circuit and a federal judge in New Hampshire—ruling the order unconstitutional or likely unconstitutional. The administration's legal argument hinges on a tortured reading claiming these children aren't "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States, a position legal experts widely view as baseless. If the Court agrees to hear the case, arguments would happen this spring with a ruling by early summer, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of births annually.
This case represents the most direct assault yet on constitutional citizenship rights, part of Trump's broader immigration crackdown that includes invoking an 18th-century wartime law during peacetime and deploying National Guard troops for immigration raids. The Supreme Court has already sent mixed signals on Trump's immigration agenda—blocking the rapid deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members without hearings while allowing racially-targeted immigration stops in Los Angeles to resume. The administration's own Solicitor General revealed the stakes, arguing the order would strip citizenship from "hundreds of thousands" of people.
What's next: The Court could announce as soon as Monday whether they'll hear Trump's appeal. The ACLU, leading the legal opposition, says the administration's arguments are "so flimsy" they're confident of victory if the case proceeds. But the decision to even take up a case where every lower court has ruled against Trump would signal the conservative supermajority's willingness to fundamentally rewrite who counts as American—and who doesn't.
2. Trump Endorses Hanging Democratic Members of Congress
Trump Endorses Hanging Democratic Members of Congress
What Happened
In what marks a dangerous escalation of violent rhetoric, Donald Trump has publicly endorsed the execution of Democratic members of Congress by hanging. This shocking statement comes amid a week already marked by disturbing behavior from the former president, including calling a female reporter "piggy" and denigrating murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—the very leader allegedly responsible for ordering Khashoggi's brutal killing and dismemberment.
Political Context
This latest incident represents Trump's continued normalization of political violence against his opponents, a pattern that has defined his political career and intensified since leaving office. Democratic lawmakers have already faced unprecedented threats and security concerns in recent years, with the January 6th Capitol attack serving as a stark reminder of how Trump's rhetoric translates into real-world violence. By explicitly endorsing execution of elected officials, Trump is crossing a line that even authoritarian-leaning politicians typically avoid in public discourse, signaling to his base that lethal violence against political opponents is acceptable.
Why This Matters
The implications extend far beyond offensive rhetoric. Trump remains the dominant figure in Republican politics and a leading 2024 presidential candidate, meaning his words carry weight with millions of Americans. Law enforcement and security experts have repeatedly warned that this type of stochastic terrorism—where leaders inspire violence without explicitly directing it—creates genuine danger for public officials. Members of Congress already operate under heightened security protocols, and Trump's endorsement of their execution will likely trigger increased threats and potentially inspire actual violence from radicalized supporters.
What to Watch
Monitor whether Republican leadership condemns these remarks or continues their pattern of silence and complicity. Track any uptick in threats against Democratic lawmakers in the coming days and whether security measures are enhanced. Most critically, watch how this affects Trump's legal exposure—calls for violence against government officials may finally push his rhetoric into prosecutable territory, particularly given his ongoing legal battles and the Justice Department's stated commitment to protecting election workers and officials from threats.
3. New Orleans braces for arrival of federal troops in immigration crackdown
Federal Troops Deploy to New Orleans in Escalating Immigration Crackdown
The Trump administration is deploying 250 federal troops to New Orleans starting December 1st in an operation ominously titled "Swamp Sweep." Led by Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino, the operation aims to arrest 5,000 people in what represents a dramatic escalation of militarized immigration enforcement in American cities—far from any international border.
This deployment marks a significant expansion of Trump's immigration agenda, transforming local communities into enforcement zones and raising serious constitutional questions about the use of military forces for domestic law enforcement. The Posse Comitatus Act traditionally restricts such deployments, though the administration appears to be leveraging loopholes or using federal agents in military-style operations. The choice of New Orleans—a majority-Black city with a complex history of federal intervention—is particularly loaded, potentially setting a precedent for similar operations in other urban centers.
The implications extend beyond immigration policy into fundamental questions about civil liberties, local autonomy, and the militarization of American life. Residents face potential racial profiling, family separations, and community destabilization. Local businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities may see decreased engagement as fear spreads through immigrant communities. The operation also strains local resources and forces city officials into difficult positions regarding cooperation with federal authorities.
What to watch: Monitor whether New Orleans officials resist or cooperate with federal forces, track reports of civil rights violations or overreach, and watch for legal challenges from advocacy groups. This operation could serve as a blueprint for nationwide enforcement—making the next few weeks critical for understanding the administration's broader strategy.
4. The Texas Gerrymandering Case Is a Test of the Supreme Court’s Integrity
President Donald Trump’s quest to gerrymander red states so that the Republican Party cannot lose the House of Representatives in 2026 hit a snag on Tuesday when a federal district court blocked Texas’ redrawn map from taking effect. Republican state legislators designed the infamous map to give their party five new congressional seats. Its passage […]
5. Senators Want Extremism Researchers to Surrender Documents Linked to Right-Wing Grudges
Senators Want Extremism Researchers to Surrender Documents Linked to Right-Wing Grudges
Senate Republicans are escalating their campaign against researchers who study disinformation and extremism. The chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee has demanded that academic researchers turn over extensive documentation related to their work on the January 6 Capitol attack, vaccine misinformation, and other topics that have become flashpoints in right-wing media. According to a letter obtained by WIRED, this sweeping document request targets the very institutions that have worked to track and expose the spread of dangerous conspiracy theories and extremist content online.
This move represents a troubling inversion of accountability. Rather than investigating the actors behind January 6 or those who spread deadly health misinformation during the pandemic, Republican senators are instead targeting the researchers who documented these phenomena. The effort appears designed to intimidate academic institutions and chill future research into right-wing extremism and disinformation networks. It follows a familiar playbook: when confronted with uncomfortable findings about radicalization and misinformation in conservative spaces, attack the messenger rather than address the message.
The implications extend far beyond academia. If researchers can be hauled before Congress and forced to surrender their work simply because their findings embarrass powerful political actors, the independent study of extremism and disinformation will face an existential threat. Universities may become reluctant to support this research, and individual scholars may self-censor rather than risk becoming targets. This creates a dangerous blind spot precisely when understanding online radicalization and coordinated disinformation campaigns is most critical to democratic health.
What to watch: Monitor whether other Republican-led committees pile on with similar demands, and whether academic institutions stand firm in protecting their researchers. Also watch for any connections between the specific research being targeted and ongoing right-wing grievances about "censorship" and content moderation. This could be the opening salvo in a broader campaign to dismantle the infrastructure that tracks extremism and disinformation.
RollingBoil • Tracking right-wing actions and accountability
Stay informed. Stay vigilant.