“Never again” / What is the legacy of 9/11?
Summary
This episode of Long Shadow examines how the post-9/11 creation of the Department of Homeland Security led to a massive, poorly vetted Border Patrol force plagued by corruption and excessive force. It traces the agency’s evolution from a security-focused entity to one used for domestic suppression, highlighting scandals like the killing of Anastasio Hernandez Rojas and the deployment of agents against protesters in Portland. The narrative connects the "never again" mantra to current civil rights abuses by federal law enforcement.
Topics discussed
Introduction: 9/11 aftermath and Trump's early comments
Creation of DHS and rise of federal police force
Intelligence failures and the Moussaoui case
Post-9/11 security overhaul and border focus
Border security gaps and the elephant smuggling story
Rapid hiring surge leads to corruption and misconduct
Excessive force incidents and the Hernandez Rojas case
Kurlikowski's reforms and internal affairs overhaul
2014 migrant crisis and humanitarian challenges
Trump's first term: Family separation and policy shifts
Federal deployment during 2020 George Floyd protests
Biden administration's immigration management struggles
Trump's second term: Mass raids and aggressive tactics
Conclusion: Legacy of fear and current protests
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