‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is a concentration camp

Plus, Trump signed his "big beautiful bill" into law |

VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Saturday, Jul. 05, 2025 THE LATEST The GOP megabill fulfills JD Vance's incredibly depressing vision of patriotism By Paul Waldman The GOP megabill fulfills JD Vance's incredibly depressing vision of patriotism By Paul Waldman The megabill President Donald Trump just signed is remarkably unpopular. Even Fox News admits that according to polls, "Americans are far from thrilled with the measure." On Monday, Vice President JD Vance took to social media to put some steel in GOP spines. "The thing that will bankrupt this country more than any other policy is flooding the country with illegal immigration and then giving those migrants generous benefits," he wrote. The bill "fixes this problem....Everything else — the CBO score, the proper baseline, the minutiae of the Medicaid policy — is immaterial compared to the ICE money and immigration enforcement provisions."   Vance has a point, sort of: The legislation will enormously increase the resources the government will devote to rounding up and incarcerating immigrants, providing tens of billions of dollars for nothing less than a redefinition of American identity. Those provisions are at least as important as the tax giveaways to the wealthy or the brutal cuts to Medicaid, which will take health insurance from as many as 16 million people. Vance has done as much as anyone in the administration to create the philosophical justification for this rejection of not just centuries of history, but America's very ideals.   This is a preview of  Paul Waldman's latest column. Read the full column here.  TOP STORIES JARVIS DEBERRY Trump triumphantly signs bill that shows his hold on the GOP After the bill passed Thursday, Trump wrote on social media, "Our Party is UNITED like never before." Read more.  ANTHONY L. FISHER I'm proud of America — and ashamed of what's happening to it A poll showed fewer Americans than ever feel "very" or "extremely" proud to be Americans. That got me thinking about my own sense of patriotism. Read more.  ANDREA PITZER Don't call it 'Alligator Alcatraz.' Call it a concentration camp. This facility's purpose fits the classic model, and its existence points to serious dangers ahead for the country. Read more. HENNA HUNDAL Fourth of July weekend temperatures are a painful reminder of Trump's climate apathy The searing heat is a tragic reminder of how much President Donald Trump's administration has stripped away climate tools and protections. Read more.  TOP VIDEOS ALL IN Trump's 'popular' law is actually the most unpopular in 30 years WATCH NOW CHRIS JANSING REPORTS Texas officials pressed over evacuation plans after unexpected flooding WATCH NOW THE WEEKEND 'Just cruel': Minn. Rep. Angie Craig calls out GOP for gutting safety net programs WATCH NOW ALL IN 'Overwhelming enthusiasm': Inside Zohran Mamdani's stunning victory WATCH NOW MORE FROM MSNBC Nicolle Wallace is sitting down with some of the smartest, funniest, and wisest people she knows in her chart-topping podcast, "The Best People with Nicolle Wallace." This week, she speaks with best-selling author Glennon Doyle and American soccer legend Abby Wambach on how putting our bodies into uncomfortable places is the antidote to the dehumanization of immigrants, and why fighting for democracy needs to be a team sport. Listen now, and subscribe to MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts for early access, ad-free listening, and bonus content. Go beyond the headlines with the MSNBC app. Read, listen and watch live breaking news and analysis, anytime, anywhere. Download the MSNBC app now.   MSNBC INSIGHTS Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! Join the MSNBC Insights Community.   Download the MSNBC App: 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE