United States
Wall Street’s Trump euphoria propels Dow above 20,000
By Barry Grey, 26 January 2017
The surge was buoyed by Trump’s promises of massive tax cuts for corporations and the rich, the wholesale lifting of business regulations, a massive expansion of military spending, and the prospect of a full-scale attack on social programs.
Trump launches war against immigrant workers
By Bill Van Auken, 26 January 2017
Signing an executive order to build his wall on the Mexican border, Trump signaled that immigration officials and the Border Patrol will be given free rein to violently repress one of the most oppressed layers of the working class.
“We have to fight fire with fire”
Trump applauds torture in CIA interrogations
By Patrick Martin, 26 January 2017
The interview in which the president made his remarks was taped on the same day that a draft memorandum surfaced suggesting his administration might reopen secret CIA prisons.
“Sure he wants jobs in America—by lowering our wages”
GM autoworkers speak out on layoffs and Trump
By Jerry White and Shannon Jones, 26 January 2017
Amid all the claims about new investments and jobs, General Motors is pressing ahead with the destruction of 3,300 jobs in Michigan and Ohio.
Maryland Democrat vetoes $15 county-wide minimum wage bill
By Nick Barrickman, 26 January 2017
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett said the requirement would place the county at a “competitive disadvantage” in relation to other state jurisdictions.
A governor from and for the super-rich
Jim Justice: A profile of the new governor of West Virginia
By Clement Daly, 26 January 2017
The billionaire Democratic governor has many similarities to the billionaire Republican president Donald Trump.
US and India sharing intelligence on Chinese submarine and ship movements
By Keith Jones, 26 January 2017
The head of the US Pacific Command likened the Indo-US military partnership to a war axe that needs to be “razor sharp,” “because we never know when events will force us to use it.”
Trump’s pro-corporate rampage of reaction
Executive orders approve Dakota, Keystone pipelines
By Patrick Martin, 25 January 2017
The White House ordered the expediting of corporate projects and froze all antipollution regulations by the EPA.
Trump nominee defends administration’s assault on health care
By Kate Randall, 25 January 2017
Price arrogantly dismissed questioning about the new administration’s planned assault on Medicare, Medicaid and health care in general.
Senate moves toward confirmation of billionaire opponent of public schools
By Isabelle Belanger, 25 January 2017
The Senate will vote January 31 on the confirmation of Betsy DeVos, the billionaire proponent of school privatization.
Report reveals deepening poverty in West Virginia
By Joe McGee, 25 January 2017
“Why is West Virginia so poor?” a new report asks. Some answers are to be found in the history of coal mining in the state as well as the severe impact of the 2008 financial crisis.
Sanders backs Trump’s “America First” economic nationalism
By Jerry White, 24 January 2017
After Trump signed an executive order to pull out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, Bernie Sanders praised him and said he would be “delighted” to work with the new president.
The way forward in the fight against Trump
By the Socialist Equality Party, 23 January 2017
The only social force that can settle accounts with the capitalist oligarchy is a politically conscious working class, armed with a socialist and internationalist program.
Trump delivers diatribe against press at CIA headquarters
By Barry Grey, 23 January 2017
Trump’s attack on the corporate-controlled press underscores the degree of tension and conflict within the state as the new administration takes office.
Millions across the US protest Trump
WSWS continuing coverage
By a WSWS reporting team, 23 January 2017
The WSWS continues its coverage of Saturday’s anti-Trump protests, in which millions of people participated in over 600 demonstrations around the world.
Appearance of military officers during Trump’s inaugural address still unexplained
By Jerry White, 23 January 2017
There has been no explanation as to why, in an unprecedented fashion, ten military officers stood prominently behind Trump during his inaugural address before promptly dispersing.
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren support General “Mad Dog” Mattis as head of Pentagon
By Niles Niemuth, 23 January 2017
The former Democratic presidential candidate Sanders also voted to confirm General John Kelly as the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Eighteen killed in Mississippi, Georgia as tornadoes descend on southeastern US
By Shelley Connor, 23 January 2017
A system of storms that developed on the Gulf Coast on Saturday has claimed 18 lives, and continued to threaten through Monday morning.
SEP/IYSSE public meetings
The fight against the Trump administration: The way forward
By , 23 January 2017
At these meetings, representatives of the SEP and IYSSE will speak on the significance of Trump’s election and the political perspective that must guide opposition to war, inequality and dictatorship.
Book review
Lessons from the 1937 Little Steel strike in the US
The Last Great Strike: Little Steel, the CIO, and the Struggle for Labor Rights in New Deal America, by Ahmed White
By Tom Mackaman, 23 January 2017
If the Little Steel Strike has been ignored by historians, it is perhaps because it does not fit the standard narrative of American labor history.
Special report
Massive worldwide protests against Trump presidency
By a WSWS reporting team, 22 January 2017
Millions of people participated in over 600 demonstrations around the world, spanning every continent, in the largest global protests since the run-up to the Iraq war.
Democrats overwhelmingly back nominees
Senate confirms Trump generals to head Pentagon, Homeland Security
By Barry Grey, 21 January 2017
The lopsided support of the Democrats for Trump's military nominees highlights the basic agreement of both big business parties on a policy of expanded militarism and war abroad and increased repression at home.
Trump’s fascistic diatribe: On the road to World War III
By Patrick Martin, 21 January 2017
Trump’s inaugural address combined nationalistic chest-thumping against foreign countries with bullying demands for patriotism and conformity at home.
More than 200 arrested in Washington DC
Dozens of protests against Trump’s inauguration across the US
By our reporters, 21 January 2017
Police arrested 217 protestors at anti-Trump demonstrations in Washington, D.C. on Friday, as thousands rallied across the country against Trump’s inauguration.
Canada’s ruling elite braces for reopening of NAFTA
By Roger Jordan and Keith Jones, 21 January 2017
The Trudeau Liberal government intends to deepen Canada’s military-strategic cooperation with Washington so as to ensure privileged market access for Canada in a Trump-led America.
Declassified reports reveal torture techniques used by Bush-era CIA
By Shelley Connor, 21 January 2017
Newly declassified reports reveal evidence of the CIA’s torture techniques at black sites throughout the world excluded from the official Senate Torture Report released in 2014.
In final acts of bloodletting, Obama orders bombings in Libya, Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 21 January 2017
The renewal of the US air war in Libya came amid signs that Russia is exercising increasing influence in the country.
Mexican government in deep crisis in wake of mass protests
By Don Knowland, 21 January 2017
The recent unrest in Mexico and a nosedive in its president’s approval rating have led to a deepening governmental crisis.
Chicago police officer charged with first-degree murder for killing unarmed man
By Marcus Day, 21 January 2017
Lowell Houser, a 28-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, was charged with first-degree murder Wednesday for fatally shooting and killing an unarmed man earlier this month.
US house fire deaths totaled 2,290 in 2016
By Steve Filips, 21 January 2017
The terrible increase in the number of house fire deaths indicates the poor housing conditions faced by the working class.
Illinois AFSCME sets strike authorization vote
By George Gallanis, 21 January 2017
If a strike is called, the AFSCME leadership will do everything in its power to quickly end it.
US media on inauguration day: Toadyism, triviality, social blindness
By David Walsh, 21 January 2017
In its coverage of the Donald Trump inauguration and surrounding events, the American media performed as expected: horribly.
The inauguration of Donald Trump: An event that will live in infamy
By the Socialist Equality Party, 20 January 2017
History has caught up with American capitalism. The protracted process of economic and social decay has been covered over for decades with democratic phrases that served to disguise the gap between the official political myths and the underlying reality. But the mask has now come off.
Trump prepares to slash federal budget by $10.5 trillion over next decade
By Niles Niemuth, 20 January 2017
The Trump transition team is developing a federal budget proposal containing historic cuts, based on a blueprint drawn up by the right-wing Heritage Foundation.
Automakers announce US investments, anticipate big profits under Trump
By Jerry White, 20 January 2017
Over the past weeks major US- and foreign-based automakers have announced they will maintain or expand production in the US and, in some cases, trim back operations in Mexico.
Corporate donations to Trump inauguration top $100 million
By our reporter, 20 January 2017
The flood of cash from the wealthy and big business is a down payment for tax cuts for the rich that will be worth billions.
Massive police mobilization on eve of Trump’s inauguration
By Shelley Connor, 20 January 2017
Although the Department of Homeland Security cannot identify a “specific, credible threat” to the transfer of power on January 20, security for the inauguration will be particularly stringent.
NYPD to take over security at New York City homeless shelters
By Christopher Tiberio, 20 January 2017
With an explosion of the city’s homeless population, the NYPD has taken control of security in the shelters as a way to monitor and terrorize their temporary residents.
“We should take a stand and reject this contract”
New York transit workers denounce sellout agreement
By a WSWS reporting team, 20 January 2017
New York transit workers will be voting on a tentative agreement that will continue the erosion of their living standards and working conditions.
Roy Innis, black nationalist turned right-wing Republican, dead at 82
By Fred Mazelis, 20 January 2017
The trajectory of Innis provided a stark exposure of the reactionary politics of black nationalism.
US Senate panel rubber stamps “Mad Dog” Mattis for Pentagon chief
By Patrick Martin, 19 January 2017
All but one Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to approve Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense.
Trump nominee reaffirms support for assault on Medicare and Medicaid
By Zaida Green, 19 January 2017
Representative Tom Price, named to head the Department of Health and Human Services, testified before a Senate committee.
Obama uses final press conference to smooth transition to Trump
By Barry Grey, 19 January 2017
Obama portrayed the new government of billionaires, ex-generals and ultra-right ideologues as part of the normal “ebb-and-flow” of politics.
Trump signals shift on “strong dollar”
By Nick Beams, 19 January 2017
Trump’s remarks to the Wall Street Journal were in line with the anti-China rhetoric that marked his election campaign.
Corporate donations to Trump inauguration top $100 million
By Shelley Connor, 19 January 2017
The flood of cash from the wealthy and big business is a down payment for tax cuts for the rich that will be worth billions.
Immigrant rights protests held across the United States
By Clodomiro Puentes, 19 January 2017
Amidst a broader wave of anti-Trump protests leading up to the inauguration on Friday, demonstrations targeting the incoming administration’s immigration policies were held last weekend.
Canada appoints anti-Russia hawk as foreign minister
By Roger Jordan, 19 January 2017
Freeland’s appointment exemplifies the Canadian elite’s support for intensifying Washington’s reckless military-strategic offensive against nuclear-armed Russia.
Three Florida construction workers killed on the job
By Matthew Taylor, 19 January 2017
The three employees of a private utilities contractor were killed when they were exposed to a poisonous mixture of hydrogen sulfide and methane gas in an underground drainage ditch.
Chelsea Manning sentence commuted after seven years of brutal imprisonment
By Patrick Martin, 18 January 2017
Manning’s trial and imprisonment for leaking evidence of war crimes was itself a crime, for which the US military and Obama administration are responsible.
Unanimous US Supreme Court insists on broad immunity for police
By Tom Carter, 18 January 2017
The eight justices on the US Supreme Court complained that lower federal courts are not granting immunity to police officers often enough.
Union reaches deal to block New York transit workers from recouping concessions
By Alan Whyte, 18 January 2017
Transport Workers Union Local 100 announced an agreement Monday that will do nothing to stop the erosion of living standards for 38,000 bus and subway workers in New York.
New York transit workers denounce sellout
By our reporting team, 18 January 2017
Transit workers spoke to the World Socialist Web Site after the Transport Workers Union announced a deal for a new four-year agreement covering 38,000 bus and subway workers employed by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA).
United States ends “Wet Foot, Dry Foot” policy for Cuban migrants
By Alexander Fangmann, 18 January 2017
The immediate end of preferential immigration policies for Cubans is entirely in line with Obama’s role as deporter-in-chief and Trump’s anti-immigrant stance.
Pledging “insurance for everybody,” Trump prepares to escalate attack on health care
By Kate Randall, 17 January 2017
The president-elect gave no specifics on how he will achieve “much lower deductibles,” and a less expensive system in which all Americans are “beautifully covered.”
IRS to delay tax refunds for millions of working class families
By Marcus Day, 17 January 2017
The IRS is planning to delay processing billions of dollars in tax refunds to low-income recipients under the pretext of combating tax fraud and identity theft.
Four homeless dead in Portland, Oregon since beginning of 2017
By Hector Cordon, 17 January 2017
Record cold and snowfall are leading to perilous conditions for the city’s growing homeless population.
Protests lead to cancellation of alt-right speaking event at UC Davis
By Evan Blake, 17 January 2017
The hosting of far-right Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos, and the event's cancellation due to protests, mark the politically charged atmosphere leading up to Trump's inauguration.
Dayton transit workers set to vote on sellout contract
By Shannon Jones, 17 January 2017
Published details of the agreement include a major attack on health care benefits and a derisory pay increase.
From Selma to the CIA
John Lewis, Donald Trump and the demise of the “civil rights” establishment
By Patrick Martin, 16 January 2017
The former civil rights leader and longtime Democratic congressman has now joined the campaign to prepare US public opinion for war with Russia.
Thousands attend Democratic Party health care rally in Warren, Michigan
By Shannon Jones, 16 January 2017
The rally, addressed by former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, was part of a series throughout the country, with Democrats posturing as opponents of Republican plans to attack health care.
US Millennials face higher unemployment, lower income than parents’ generation
By Shelley Connor, 16 January 2017
While the media glowingly reviews Obama’s legacy over the last eight years, sobering reports point to significant declines in living standards among young people.
In wake of Trump election victory
US banks report massive fourth quarter profits
By Gabriel Black, 16 January 2017
Bank share prices and profits have surged in anticipation of the installation of Trump, who has packed his cabinet with Wall Street insiders and pledged to remove regulations.
New York City transit workers and riders made to pay for system’s ballooning debt
By Philip Guelpa, 16 January 2017
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs New York City’s buses and subways, is tens of billions of dollars in debt.
US Congress moves to repeal Obamacare in order to impose even deeper health cuts
By Kate Randall, 14 January 2017
Trump and the Republicans are opposing Obamacare, itself a pro-corporate attack on health care for working people, from the right, moving to dismantle Medicaid and strip more people of health coverage.
Only days before Trump’s inauguration
Obama expands NSA spying
By George Gallanis, 14 January 2017
Under new rules imposed by the Obama administration, the NSA can share the personal communications data of millions of people with 16 other US intelligence agencies.
FBI informant at Best Buy’s Geek Squad conducted warrantless searches of customers’ devices
By Zaida Green, 14 January 2017
Best Buy’s “Geek Squad” central repair team had at least one supervisor that was an active FBI informant who was paid $500 and subsequently discovered allegedly incriminating evidence.
Ford contract worker killed at Rouge complex outside of Detroit
By Tim Rivers, 14 January 2017
A contract worker, Ricky Mcintosh, died Wednesday morning after a fall from an overhead crane.
“The union is not for us”
Detroit autoworkers speak out against GM layoffs
By Shannon Jones, 14 January 2017
With layoffs scheduled for March 5, workers are facing temporary plant closures that play havoc with their lives and finances.
With bipartisan support, Trump defense nominee outlines plans for global war
By Tom Eley, 13 January 2017
The Senate Armed Services Committee voted 24-3 to waive the legal restriction preventing the approval of a secretary of defense who has not been out of the military for at least seven years.
Trump taps anti-vaccine activist to chair vaccine safety panel
By Brad Dixon, 13 January 2017
Robert F. Kennedy has for the past decade promoted the debunked claim that vaccinations are linked to autism, which was also supported by Trump during his campaign.
Inspector general to probe FBI role in 2016 elections
By a reporter, 13 January 2017
The wide-ranging investigation will include FBI Director Comey’s letter to Congress on October 28, which Democrats claim tipped a closely fought election to Trump.
Six children dead in Baltimore house fire
By Shelley Connor, 13 January 2017
Firefighters arrived at the scene quickly, but the three-storey, 107-year-old home was already completely engulfed in flames.
Outpouring of anger at Flint town hall meeting
By James Brewer, 13 January 2017
An overflow crowd of anxious and angry residents wasn’t buying the rosy scenario presented by officials on the Flint water crisis.
Judge orders Michigan to stop collections relating to alleged unemployment insurance fraud
By Debra Watson and Zac Corrigan, 13 January 2017
State officials used aggressive collection measures to force tens of thousands of unemployed workers to pay back benefits based on false accusations of fraud.
Anti-Russian war-mongering dominates Senate hearing on Trump nominee for secretary of state
By Andre Damon, 12 January 2017
Senators from both parties took turns denouncing Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal, autocrat and murderer.
Union reaches deal, moves to end Dayton, Ohio transit strike
By Vernon Stevens, 12 January 2017
Transit workers, who have not had a raise since 2014, will be voting on the agreement, which undoubtedly contains major concession on pay and out-of-pocket health expenses.
Illinois man dies after police shootout on commuter train
By George Marlowe, 12 January 2017
Jamal Parks died from a gunshot wound to the head in Deerfield, Illinois, in the midst of a dangerous police shootout aboard a passenger-filled train.
US trails other developed countries in access to health care
By Esther Galen, 12 January 2017
A recent survey of adults in 11 advanced countries placed the United States dead last in access to medical care and affordability.
Trump press conference: The oligarchy rules
By Patrick Martin, 12 January 2017
Trump’s press conference Wednesday morning was an hour-long demonstration of oligarchic arrogance and contempt for democratic principles that has no parallel in modern American history.
The Chicago Facebook torture video: A symptom of social decay in capitalist America
By George Gallanis, 12 January 2017
The issues raised by this violent and cruel incident can be properly understood only by placing it within its socio-economic and political context.
Trump nominee for attorney general defends right-wing, anti-democratic agenda
By Patrick Martin, 11 January 2017
The confirmation hearing for Senator Jeff Sessions made clear that the Trump administration will be the most right-wing in American history, and Democrats will do nothing to oppose it.
Documents alleging Trump-Moscow ties leaked to media, intensifying conflict in US state
By Joseph Kishore, 11 January 2017
The release of the documents appears to be a last-ditch effort by sections of the intelligence apparatus to prevent the inauguration of Trump, which is only 10 days away.
Obama’s farewell address: One last round of clichés and lies
By Niles Niemuth, 11 January 2017
In a speech as banal as dishonest, Obama boasted of the supposed progress achieved during his eight years as president while warning that the social inequality he has helped foster poses a threat to democracy.
Low turnout for University of California workers’ one-day strike
By our reporters, 11 January 2017
Teamsters Local 2010, which represents over 12,000 UC administrative, support and clerical staff, staged a limited one-day strike Tuesday.
An attempt to appease anger over student loan debt
New York Governor Cuomo proposes free tuition for state and city university systems
By Josh Varlin, 11 January 2017
Whether or not Cuomo’s proposal is enacted this year, it is clearly aimed at appeasing the anger among workers and young people at growing inequality and attacks on living standards.
Ohio workers face precedent-setting pension and retiree health cuts
By Evan Winters, 11 January 2017
Members of Cleveland Iron Workers Local 17 are being forced by their union to vote on whether to cut current pensions in half, or lose everything within ten years.
In town hall broadcast, Sanders declares his readiness to work with Trump on trade war agenda
By Tom Hall and Barry Grey, 11 January 2017
The main thrust of Sanders’ remarks was to assure the incoming administration that he and his Democratic Party allies will do nothing to seriously challenge Trump’s right-wing policies.
As Senate confirmation hearings begin
Trump names son-in-law to White House post
By Patrick Martin, 10 January 2017
Jared Kushner will be the seventh billionaire to take a top position in the Trump administration.
Dayton, Ohio transit workers strike over wages, health care
By Shannon Jones, 10 January 2017
The walkout by 463 drivers and mechanics is the first by transit workers in Dayton in nearly 60 years.
Details emerge of Fort Lauderdale shooter’s experience in military
By Genevieve Leigh, 10 January 2017
Reports from friends and family continue to emerge regarding the toll that Esteban Santiago’s time in Iraq took on his mental state.
Massachusetts governor cuts social programs, continues corporate tax giveaways
By John Marion, 10 January 2017
According to official statistics, the Massachusetts economy is booming, but Republican Charlie Baker will not consider corporate tax increases to pay for lifesaving social programs.
Obama's legacy of war, repression and inequality
By Joseph Kishore, 10 January 2017
For Obama and the privileged social layers that surround the Democratic Party, a legacy can be crafted with honeyed phrases and clever marketing. Millions of people, however, will judge the administration by its actions.
Racial politics in the service of the CIA
New York Times columnist Charles Blow’s McCarthyite rant on Russian hacking
By Tom Hall, 10 January 2017
Blow’s column is a demonstration of the pro-imperialist, right-wing orientation of the liberal, upper-middle class Democratic Party layers that are obsessively focused on racial and identity politics.
Hail to the Chief—wealthy celebrities bid farewell to Obama
By Hiram Lee, 10 January 2017
The Obama administration hosted an all-star farewell party at the White House this weekend, and celebrities from throughout the film and music industries came to pay their respects.
New year opens with wave of layoffs in the US
By Jerry White, 9 January 2017
The Ohio-based retailer The Limited’s decision to close 250 stores and eliminate 4,000 jobs follows store-closing announcements by Macy’s and Sears.
As contract expiration nears, union moves to block fight by New York transit workers
By Alan Whyte, 9 January 2017
Transport Workers Union Local 100 officials have praised state Democrats who have overseen the attack on workers’ wages and pensions.
“The working class needs better health care, wages, and retirement.”
New York transit workers discuss issues in contract battle
By a WSWS reporting team, 9 January 2017
Transit workers who came to the mass membership meeting spoke to the WSWS about their most pressing concerns.
Cleveland to pay $2.25 million settlement over 2011 police killing
By E.P. Milligan, 9 January 2017
While it is clear that the use of lethal force by the officer who shot Daniel Ficker was excessive and illegitimate, criminal charges were quickly ruled out.
Child abuse and neglect soar in US military families
By Shelley Connor, 9 January 2017
For years, the Pentagon has maintained that child abuse is less common and less severe in military homes than it is among the civilian population.
The media campaign on Russian hacking and the US debacle in Syria
By Andre Damon, 9 January 2017
Despite the absence of any factual evidence in the report released last week by US intelligence agencies on alleged Russian hacking, the media campaign for war shows no signs of abating.
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