Weekend Report: What's happening?

Far-right extremists were agitators at campus protests. Clarence Thomas lashes out at "nastiness" toward him and his wife. Giuliani fired from radio program by Trump-supporting station owner.

The scene on the campus of UCLA last week was very disturbing, as counter-protesters violently attacked an encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters. Several people were injured. Researchers who study far-right groups have now confirmed that far-right activists, including anti-LGBTQ hatemongers and anti-vax conspiracy theorists, were among those fomenting violence. Beyond UCLA, white supremacists have joined in gatherings criticizing the campus protests. And it’s important to make a broader connection to MAGA and Donald Trump’s embrace of violence.

Clarence Thomas whined at a judicial conference that he and his wife Ginni are facing attacks from people who will “bomb your reputation.” Clearly responding to the criticisms of his corruption, his wife’s political extremist actions, and his refusal to recuse himself in January 6th cases, Thomas is livid that he and his wife are “in a world” that is just “incredible,” full of “nastiness.” Yet Thomas still hasn’t given even a remotely credible explanation for the actions that have led to the criticism.

And Rudy Giuliani was fired from his New York radio program on the top-rated WABC, prompting many to wonder how the hell he was still employed after all the election lies and lawsuits. The answer is that it’s a right-wing station and owned by a top Trump supporter and donor to Trump’s campaign, who clearly had no problem with Giuliani and other election deniers as hosts. But somehow Giuliani has now apparently gone too far, even for him—or maybe it’s something else.