The New Normal: Racism Without Consequence

October 22, 2025

A Politico investigation has uncovered thousands of leaked messages from a private Telegram group of Young Republican officials across multiple states containing antisemitic, racist, and violent content. The participants, who included state chairs, campaign strategists, and individuals with Trump administration connections, joked about gas chambers, used racial slurs against Black people, and celebrated Hitler while coordinating their plan to control the Young Republican National Federation. Sociologist Joe Feagin noted that Trump's political rise has created a "liberating atmosphere" for expressing bigoted views.

Who is affected

Young Republican National Federation members (a group of more than 15,000)
Black government officials who were purged from positions, including Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. and Carla Hayden
Black communities and cities like Washington, D.C., targeted by federal crackdowns
Black voters and citizens concerned about civil rights rollbacks
Lisa Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve's board
Minorities affected by the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs

What action is being taken

Young Republican officials are coordinating to seize control of the Young Republican National Federation while exchanging racist and antisemitic messages
Trump's administration is systematically removing Black officials from government positions
The Department of Justice and Department of Education are being weaponized to investigate "anti-white" discrimination
Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are being dismantled across the country
National Guard troops have been deployed to Washington, D.C., under claims of addressing crime

Why it matters

The leaked messages reveal racist and violent attitudes among rising GOP leaders who are gaining political power and influence. These revelations align with broader concerns about systemic racism becoming embedded in government policy under Trump's administration. The combination of private hate speech and public policy actions demonstrates how prejudice is being normalized and institutionalized. The ACLU warns that these actions are rolling back decades of civil rights protections and entrenching systemic racism. This represents a significant shift in American politics where racist views are increasingly expressed openly and incorporated into official government actions.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint