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Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025

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Trump's hypocritical demand of potential citizens

It should be obvious why the news from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that the agency will give be focusing more on applicants' "good moral character" is problematic. First, it follows previous moves by the Trump administration to tighten and whiten the bottleneck of people entering the United States and to ramp up the number of people it can deport or order out.

But there's another, glaring reason it's problematic. Imagine doing everything objectively necessary to become a citizen of the United States of America and then being told you're about to have your character assessed by an administration led by President Donald Trump. You might wonder exactly what you're supposed to pass. Be honest or dishonest? Charitable or greedy? Neighborly or narcissistic?

The president was found liable of sexual abuse and defamation. The president falsified business records. The president was impeached twice. The president is a prolific prevaricator. Loyalty to Trump — and a commitment to parroting the lies that Trump tells — has become a prerequisite for some federal positions. Surely, no one with Trump's track record could pass any legitimate test of moral character, but we're supposed to accept his administration as the arbiter of who's good enough to become a citizen?

This is a preview of Jarvis DeBerry's latest column. Read the full column here.

TOP STORIES

ZEESHAN ALEEM

Trump's D.C. takeover is more than political theater — Democrats should act like it

Democrats are afraid of seeming soft on crime. But Trump's actions have nothing to do with crime. Read more.

STEVE BENEN

Trump's crusade against mail-in ballots isn't doing Republicans any favors

Republican officials want their party's voters to cast their ballots through the mail. The president's rhetoric is undermining his party's message. Read more.

ERUM SALAM

Texas Democrat spends night on House floor, alleges 'illegal confinement'

"It's just wrong to require grown people to get a permission slip to roam about freely, so I resisted," Rep. Nicole Collier told MSNBC's Ali Vitali. Read more.

HANNAH HOLLAND

New Netflix series breaks down the toxic disaster that was 'The Biggest Loser'

The docuseries helps illuminate what "The Biggest Loser" was always really about: spectacle and humiliation, not health and sustainable habits. Read more.

TOP VIDEOS

KATY TUR

White House says Putin has promised to meet with Zelenskyy

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DEADLINE WHITE HOUSE

Trump's approval rating falls on issues that got him elected

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KATY TUR

Questions mount about Dan Bongino after Trump appointed another FBI co-deputy director

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MORNING JOE

Hamas accepts an Arab ceasefire proposal on Gaza

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MORE FROM MSNBC

This week on "The Best People," Nicolle Wallace speaks with Jon Lovett, co-founder of "Crooked Media" and co-host of "Pod Save America," to discuss the "vandalism" Donald Trump is unleashing on American institutions, why the Epstein scandal poses a threat to his supporters, and the hard truths Democrats need to face. Listen now, and subscribe to MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts for early access, ad-free listening, and bonus content.

On Saturday, October 11, don't miss the chance to attend "MSNBCLIVE '25," our second live community event featuring more than a dozen of our hosts in New York City. "MSNBCLIVE '25" will unite anchors, experts, and fans in an immersive, in-person experience centered on the pressing issues facing Americans today. Go to msnbc.com/live25 to buy your tickets now.

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