The Chris Hedges Report

Episode: Trump's Crackdown on Anti-War Activists
Guest: Medea Benjamin (Co-founder, CODEPINK)
Date: September 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Chris Hedges discusses the intensifying suppression of dissent under the Trump administration, focusing on the criminalization of anti-war activism, especially targeting groups like CODEPINK. Acclaimed activist Medea Benjamin joins to share firsthand experiences of escalating legal threats, arrests, vilification of protests, weaponization of anti-terror laws, and the broader implications for U.S. democracy and civil liberties. The conversation candidly addresses hypocrisy in U.S. political institutions, the evolving landscape of advocacy for Palestine, and the rise of authoritarian tactics stifling resistance.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Suppression of Protests and Use of Legal Tools

• Incident Description (00:10–01:13): Activists, including CODEPINK, confronted Trump and Cabinet members in D.C. with chants for Palestinian freedom. Trump called protestors “paid agitators” and threatened RICO charges—a law typically used against organized crime.
  • “He claimed one of the activists was a, quote, paid agitator…” – Chris Hedges, (00:35)
  • “The Trump administration will get to the bottom of this vast network inciting violence in American communities…” – Abi Jackson, White House spokeswoman (01:28)
• Escalating Rhetoric: The administration, emboldened by the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination (01:13), uses organized crime statutes and conspiracy theories to frame dissent as subversion.

2. Comparing the Current Moment to Past Resistance

• Medea’s Perspective (03:21): Medea Benjamin notes the current climate is the most repressive she has experienced. Previous waves of lawsuits and threats (e.g., during Iraq War) pale compared to today’s “wholesale attack on free speech.” (03:21–04:41)
  • “This is a much more wholesale attack on free speech, much more than I have seen before.” – Medea Benjamin, (03:21)
• Institutional Dismantling: Hedges and Benjamin compare recent developments to attacks on universities and public figures, emphasizing unprecedented institutional purges (04:09–04:41).

3. Legal and Legislational Harassment of Activists

• Accusations and Lawfare (04:41–06:56): CODEPINK faces lawsuits alleging ties to Hamas, China, Iran, and even being foreign agents—accusations used to chill activism and “sap energy.”
  • “We are one of many, many organizations and it's harassment, it's sapping of our time and energy, and it certainly does make people feel very nervous.” – Medea Benjamin, (06:34)
• Impact on Volunteers: Despite intimidation, CODEPINK has seen increased volunteer support, indicating resistance is growing.

4. Targeting of "Antifa" and Criminalizing Resistance

• Designation as Terrorist Group (06:56–10:02): Trump’s declaration of ANTIFA as a terrorist organization is critiqued as a means to associate all dissent with extremism, a tactic designed to incrementally criminalize protests.
  • “If you can go after this group and nobody stands up, then you can go after the next one and the next one…” – Medea Benjamin, (07:54)
• Global Context: Benjamin cites the UK's crackdown on Palestine Action as a warning and inspiration for collective solidarity (08:24).

5. CODEPINK’s Approach and Tactics

• Behind the Scenes and Confrontations (10:02–14:09):
  • Grassroots Work: CODEPINK operates chapters nationwide, organizing for BDS, legislative advocacy, and coalition-building.
  • "Bird-Dogging": Members directly confront policymakers in hearings and public spaces—recording interactions with those supporting continued military aid to Israel.
  • “I think it's been quite revelatory … seeing how these members of Congress don’t represent the people … they just represent their donors.” – Medea Benjamin, (13:10)
• Public Perceptions: Videos of confrontations reveal undemocratic tendencies in U.S. governance, surprising international observers.

6. Challenging AIPAC’s Political Influence

• AIPAC’s Diminished Clout Post-Genocide (14:58–18:14): Once hosting massive conferences, AIPAC now sees many politicians embarrassed to be associated, some refusing donations.
  • “There are starting to be cracks and that there are members of Congress who are starting to be embarrassed by their affiliation with AIPAC…” – Medea Benjamin, (15:21)
• Power Through Fear: Even politicians receiving modest sums conform out of fear of being targeted by AIPAC.

7. Contrasts in U.S. Foreign Policy: Ukraine vs. Gaza

• Double Standards (18:14–20:22):
  • Ukraine: Early calls for negotiation suppressed—even by Democrats.
  • Israel: “America First” Republicans who oppose Ukraine aid still support Israel without hesitation.
  • “They don’t want to hear that ... the dike is about to break … a new flood of Republicans who start seeing the light.” – Medea Benjamin, (19:38)

8. Medea’s Recent Arrest and Congressional Access

• Incident Recap (20:22–23:28): During routine advocacy, Benjamin questioned Rep. Darrell Issa about Israel’s strikes in Qatar; she was falsely accused and arrested, potentially as part of a bid to ban her from Congress.
  • “I have to go back to court on October 9th. ... they can tell you you can’t go back into Congress. ... I am hoping that the judge will see how ridiculous it is…” – Medea Benjamin, (23:00)

9. Trump’s RICO Threats in His Own Words

• Direct Statement (23:34–24:26): Trump calls CODEPINK activists “professional agitators,” reiterates calls for RICO prosecution, and describes protests as “subversive.”
  • “She was a paid agitator … I’ve asked Pam to look into that in terms of RICO … they should be put in jail. What they’re doing to this country is really subversive.” – Donald Trump, (23:34)
• Medea’s Response: Asserts protests were civil and the administration is cynically using law to quash First Amendment rights (24:26).

10. Importance and Impact of Confronting Power

• Direct Action Legacy (25:23–28:34):
  • Historical Consistency: CODEPINK has confronted all administrations, Republican or Democrat.
  • Effectiveness: Personal confrontations can shape the debate, inspire others, and alter power-holders’ narratives.
  • “I think those direct confrontations do have an impact.” – Medea Benjamin, (28:22)

11. Rise of American Authoritarianism

• Dangers Ahead (29:20–31:31):
  • Authoritarian Tactics: Courts, police, ICE, and the National Guard all part of broad repression.
  • Gutting of Education and Dissent: Crackdowns on universities (especially around pro-Palestine activism) erode rights for future generations.
  • “We’ve got to hold on to our seats and go through a very, very hellish period ahead, but we’re going to come out on the other side.” – Medea Benjamin, (31:25)

12. Weaponizing Accusations of Antisemitism and Other Myths

• Institutional Repression (31:31–35:31): False claims of antisemitism used to justify suppression, especially on campuses; manufactured threats from “the radical left” and migrants as pretexts for escalation.
  • “So many of [these hearings] are just ridiculous ... It's a distraction from the genocide that's going on.” – Medea Benjamin, (33:08)
• Generational Hope: Benjamin sees optimism in young activists who are not deceived by these tactics.

13. Political Change and the Democratic Party

• Emergence of New Leaders (35:31–36:21): New progressive leaders like Mamdani inspire hope, reflecting a generational shift.
  • “It just feels so good being here knowing that he will be the next mayor ... That is so hopeful.” – Medea Benjamin, (35:33)
• Irredeemability of the Democratic Party (36:05–37:38):
  • “It’s pathetic … It was disgusting under Biden. It’s disgusting under Trump ... It's irredeemable ... So we work with what we have, but we build for something much better in the future.” – Medea Benjamin, (36:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Assessing the Current Crackdown:
  • “This is a much more wholesale attack on free speech, much more than I have seen before.” – Medea Benjamin, (03:21)
• On Lawfare and Accusations:
  • “Code Pink was funded by the Chinese Communist Party ... we've been accused of being foreign agents of Iran, of being foreign agents of China.” – Medea Benjamin, (04:50)
• Trump’s Threats on Protesters:
  • "She was a paid agitator ... I’ve asked Pam to look into that in terms of RICO ... they should be put in jail." – Donald Trump, (23:34)
• On AIPAC and Policy Control:
  • “There are starting to be cracks ... members of Congress ... are starting to be embarrassed by their affiliation with AIPAC…” – Medea Benjamin, (15:21)
• On Confronting Power:
  • “It’s up to us. And I feel that it’s a duty of citizens to confront our officials when they are doing such horrible things.” – Medea Benjamin, (25:35)
• On the Democratic Party:
  • "It's pathetic. It's disgusting. It was disgusting under Biden. It's disgusting under Trump ... It's irredeemable.” – Medea Benjamin, (36:29)
• Generational Optimism:
  • “There’s a new generation of young people … that generational gap is what will save us.” – Medea Benjamin, (34:54)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• CODEPINK confrontation and Trump administration threats: 00:10–01:13
• Comparing current climate with past resistance: 03:21–04:41
• Sustained lawfare and foreign agent accusations: 04:41–06:56
• Trump’s terrorist designation of Antifa: 06:56–10:02
• CODEPINK’s grassroots and confrontational tactics: 10:02–14:09
• AIPAC’s declining public standing: 14:58–18:14
• Ukraine vs. Gaza policy discussion: 18:14–20:22
• Medea's arrest and congressional access: 20:22–23:28
• Trump's own words on protestors/RICO: 23:34–24:26
• The importance of direct action: 25:23–28:34
• Warnings of encroaching authoritarianism: 29:20–31:31
• Weaponization of antisemitism, suppression on campuses: 31:31–35:31
• Prospect of democratic reform and third parties: 36:05–37:38

Conclusion

This episode is an urgent chronicle of escalating political repression, legal intimidation, and the narrowing of public dissent under the Trump administration, as seen through the eyes of a veteran activist. Benjamin and Hedges outline both the dangers and the persistent, hopeful resistance among younger generations and grassroots organizers. Their discussion underscores the crucial role of direct confrontation, collective solidarity, and the need to challenge institutional power structures in the fight to preserve democratic freedoms.