At a Glance
- Attorney General Ken Paxton releases a 74-page opinion on DEI disclosure timed for MLK Day.
- ICE’s new Senate Bill 8 forces Travis County sheriffs to sign 287(g) agreements.
- Trump’s stated “psychological need” for Greenland and a push for multiple bases.
- Republican congressional leaders urged to confront Trump’s authoritarian tactics.
- A call to action based on Niemöller’s poem warns of escalating oppression.
- Why it matters: The letters expose local and national policy shifts that could reshape accountability, immigration enforcement, and civic engagement in Austin.
The following collection of editorials, published on January 23, 2026, presents a cross-section of Austin’s political discourse-from state attorney general ethics to federal immigration contracts, presidential ambitions, congressional responsibility, and a chilling reminder of authoritarianism.
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s DEI Disclosure Opinion
Mark Grayson’s letter opens with a critique of a 74-page opinion issued by Attorney General Ken Paxton. He notes the timing-intended for MLK Day, though some suggest it may have been aimed at Confederate Heroes Day. Paxton’s document asserts that private companies must disclose the potential profit impacts of any DEI initiatives to investors.
Grayson highlights a specific passage on page 71: “(B)oth federal and state frameworks require ‘full and fair disclosure of all relevant information concerning securities offered to the public.’” He calls this hypocrisy, noting that the same legal principle underpinned Paxton’s own felony securities-fraud indictments. After nine years of legal maneuvering, Paxton settled the case, paid restitution, and performed “community service” at a food bank. Grayson points out that Paxton was never found “guilty” or “not guilty.”
The letter underscores a perceived double standard: a public official demanding transparency from private firms while avoiding full accountability for his own actions.
ICE and Senate Bill 8
Heather Clark’s editorial focuses on ICE’s expanding reach. She recounts disturbing videos of ICE in Minneapolis-kidnapping citizens, firing flashbangs, and using chemical weapons-while noting Austin has not yet seen a federal immigration invasion.
Clark warns that Senate Bill 8, passed in the 2025 legislative session and effective as of January 1, 2025, requires any county sheriff with at least one jail to sign 287(g) agreements. These contracts obligate sheriffs to cooperate with ICE: housing ICE arrestees, serving immigration warrants, or conducting joint operations.
She argues that ICE “cannot be trusted with power” and that giving more enforcement authority risks further abuse. Clark urges the Travis County Sheriff’s Office to refuse the agreements for the good of the county and its communities.
Trump’s Greenland Ambitions
C.A. (Al) Lindsey, M.D., writes a scathing letter about President Trump’s declared “psychological need” to acquire Greenland. Lindsey dismisses national security as a pretext, labeling it a real-estate pursuit. She notes Trump’s intention to expand U.S. presence to “five or six bases” rather than the single base that existed.
Lindsey advises Trump to seek a “good psychotherapist”-preferably a woman-to address his “adulterous impulses, misogynistic tendencies, racism, and sexism.” She further accuses him of cruelty toward vulnerable groups and war crimes in the high seas, Iran, and Venezuela. Lindsey calls for Trump to be dissuaded from his “Might Makes Right” and “Power Rules” agenda, aligning him with Kim Jong Un, Orban, Putin, and Xi.
The letter frames Trump’s ambitions as a personal, unpatriotic quest that threatens American values.
Republican Congressional Response
Scott Stalnaker’s letter laments the lack of courage among Texas Republican representatives and senators. He compares their tactics to those of authoritarian governments, urging them to resist Trump’s “racist policies, foreign adventurism, and targeted illegitimate prosecution.”
Stalnaker criticizes Trump’s claim of unlimited power, especially his attempt to control the Federal Reserve and launch special military operations. He calls on Congress to legislate against such overreach and to stop Trump from acting without accountability. Stalnaker concludes that constituents are watching and that the current response is “appalled.”
The letter underscores the perceived failure of Republican leadership to uphold democratic norms.
Niemöller Poem and Call to Action
Michael Carey’s editorial references Pastor Martin Niemöller’s poem, reproducing its structure in a list of cities where protesters and immigrants were targeted. Carey notes that in each city he “did not speak out” because he was not a resident.
He warns that “they are coming for you too” and that no one is safe-regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability-unless they “kiss the ring of Trump.” Carey urges citizens to “speak out loudly and persistently, now, before there is no one left who will speak for you.” The letter concludes that the oppression is happening here in Austin.
Carey’s piece serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of silence in the face of authoritarianism.
Key Takeaways
The letters collectively expose a series of policy moves that could erode transparency, empower questionable federal agencies, and threaten civil liberties. They also highlight a call for accountability-both from elected officials and the public. Austin’s residents are invited to scrutinize these developments and to engage actively in the democratic process.
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