The Trump administration's plans to target left-leaning people and groups are being foreshadowed by the prosecution of Casey Goonan, a 35-year-old doctorate holder in African-American Studies who was convicted of using incendiary devices to vandalize police cars during anti-ICE protests.
Goonan, a self-described anarchist, had been involved in various radical political activities since his undergraduate studies at UC-Riverside and his doctoral program at Northwestern University. His actions were motivated by opposition towards Israel's brutal response to the October 7 attacks on Gaza, which he deemed genocidal.
In September 2024, Goonan set fire to a planter of shrubs after smashing a glass office window in downtown Oakland. He also vandalized a police SUV on UC Berkeley's campus. These actions were claimed by federal prosecutors to be part of a larger campaign of domestic terrorism carried out by Goonan.
Goonan was sentenced to 19 and a half years in prison, plus 15 years probation. Prosecutors requested that he be sent to the Communications Management Unit (CMU), a highly restrictive facility reserved for inmates deemed "extremist" or with ties to terrorism.
The decision to prosecute Goonan on these grounds is seen as part of a broader shift by the Trump administration towards targeting left-leaning individuals and groups. National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7) was recently signed, outlining an executive order that targets anti-fascist beliefs, opposition to ICE raids, and criticism of capitalism and Christianity.
Radicalization theory, which posits that terrorists undergo a gradual process of ideological indoctrination before committing acts of violence, is being used by federal prosecutors to justify the targeting of individuals like Goonan. The theory has been criticized for its lack of empirical evidence and its potential for abuse.
Goonan's case highlights the dangers of using such theories to target marginalized communities. According to Mike German, a former FBI agent who spent years infiltrating white supremacist groups, radicalization theory is being used to justify a broader counterterrorism strategy that targets anyone deemed "extremist" or with ties to left-leaning ideologies.
The prosecution of Goonan also raises concerns about the government's attempts to target LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations. In this case, prosecutors are trying to unseal Goonan's correspondence with the Transgender Law Center, which could represent a unique threat to the Trump administration.
Ultimately, the prosecution of Casey Goonan serves as a grim foreshadowing of the Trump administration's plans to target left-leaning individuals and groups.
Goonan, a self-described anarchist, had been involved in various radical political activities since his undergraduate studies at UC-Riverside and his doctoral program at Northwestern University. His actions were motivated by opposition towards Israel's brutal response to the October 7 attacks on Gaza, which he deemed genocidal.
In September 2024, Goonan set fire to a planter of shrubs after smashing a glass office window in downtown Oakland. He also vandalized a police SUV on UC Berkeley's campus. These actions were claimed by federal prosecutors to be part of a larger campaign of domestic terrorism carried out by Goonan.
Goonan was sentenced to 19 and a half years in prison, plus 15 years probation. Prosecutors requested that he be sent to the Communications Management Unit (CMU), a highly restrictive facility reserved for inmates deemed "extremist" or with ties to terrorism.
The decision to prosecute Goonan on these grounds is seen as part of a broader shift by the Trump administration towards targeting left-leaning individuals and groups. National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7) was recently signed, outlining an executive order that targets anti-fascist beliefs, opposition to ICE raids, and criticism of capitalism and Christianity.
Radicalization theory, which posits that terrorists undergo a gradual process of ideological indoctrination before committing acts of violence, is being used by federal prosecutors to justify the targeting of individuals like Goonan. The theory has been criticized for its lack of empirical evidence and its potential for abuse.
Goonan's case highlights the dangers of using such theories to target marginalized communities. According to Mike German, a former FBI agent who spent years infiltrating white supremacist groups, radicalization theory is being used to justify a broader counterterrorism strategy that targets anyone deemed "extremist" or with ties to left-leaning ideologies.
The prosecution of Goonan also raises concerns about the government's attempts to target LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations. In this case, prosecutors are trying to unseal Goonan's correspondence with the Transgender Law Center, which could represent a unique threat to the Trump administration.
Ultimately, the prosecution of Casey Goonan serves as a grim foreshadowing of the Trump administration's plans to target left-leaning individuals and groups.
. It seems like the government is trying to silence anyone who speaks out against things they don't agree with, whether it's Israel's actions in Gaza or even criticizing capitalism 
. I mean, what's next? Will they be targeting people for just having different opinions on social media 
? This radicalization theory is a red flag, imo. It sounds like a bunch of hooey to me 
. The fact that prosecutors are trying to link Goonan's actions to domestic terrorism is a huge stretch 
. And what about all the people who are just passionate about social justice and want to make a difference? Are they supposed to be silenced too? 
This whole thing gives me the chills 
. We need to stand up for our rights and speak out against any attempts to silence us 
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I'm not buying it 
. We need to be careful not to confuse passion with violence. Goonan's actions were extreme, but his motivations weren't 
. The government needs to focus on actual threats, not just people who are trying to make a difference. This whole thing feels like a slippery slope... 
. the idea that someone with strong opinions against israel's treatment of gaza would be targeted for domestic terrorism is totally off the charts 
. it sounds like they're trying to create a narrative that anyone who disagrees with them is a potential terrorist, and that's not how it works 
radicalization theory is just being used as an excuse to silence dissenting voices and stifle free speech 
. it's a slippery slope, for sure 
.
! 
. That's not gonna help anyone, you know? And it's especially concerning when it comes to marginalized communities who are already fighting for their rights 
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), we should be talking about how we can create a more inclusive and empathetic society 
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! I mean, who gets to decide what constitutes "anti-fascist" or "opposition to ICE raids"? 
This whole thing is giving me major "we're watching you" vibes 
. Like, can't we just have a nuanced conversation about politics without throwing people in prison for vandalizing police cars? 
I mean, sure, the guy's actions were problematic, but 19 and a half years in prison feels like an overreaction to me 
. It's also super fishy that he's being targeted under radicalization theory 
. We need to be careful about where our attention is focused - are we fighting for justice or just getting caught up in fear-mongering 
I mean what is it about a little bit of citrus and sugar in a sour candy that just hits the spot every time? I swear I've got like 5 bags stashed away in my freezer right now. My friend Rachel says its because of some science-y thing called "umami" but honestly who cares when its this good?! 
. Not the politics or ideologies involved.
In 2024, there were over 11 million arrests in the US, with the majority of them being for non-violent offenses 
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... and the fact that they're trying to use some sketchy radicalization theory to justify it is just shady 
... we need more community-led initiatives, not government-led crackdowns 
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THE FACT THAT HE'S BEING PUNISHED FOR USING INCENDIARY DEVICES TO VANDALIZE POLICE CARS DURING A PEACEFUL PROTEST SAYS A LOT ABOUT WHERE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION STANDS ON FREE SPEECH AND CIVIL RIGHTS.