To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

DHS to White Supremacists: We’ve Got Your Backs

Jan 17, 2026
Olivia Troye, a former Department of Homeland Security official under Trump, shares her insights on the dangerous implications of DHS messaging on social media. She discusses how these messages may inadvertently signal support for white supremacist themes. Olivia also highlights the erosion of trust between communities and federal agents due to uncoordinated tactics, and the chilling effects on press freedom following the FBI raid on a reporter. Their conversation delves into how political actions create an environment ripe for radicalization and real-world violence.
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INSIGHT

Erosion Of Norms And Checks

  • Donald Trump shows repeated disregard for norms and checks, signaling he doesn't care about opposition or legal limits.
  • Charlie Sykes warns this behavior erodes institutional constraints and risks executive overreach.
ANECDOTE

Inside Policy Meetings On Venezuela

  • Olivia Troye recalls meetings where Trump abruptly shifted policy on Venezuelan opposition leaders.
  • She notes Marco Rubio and others were blindsided when support was withdrawn.
ANECDOTE

Venezuela Policy U-Turns

  • Olivia Troye recounts working on Venezuela policy where Trump abruptly reversed support for the opposition.
  • She describes the betrayal of opposition figures like Juan Guaidó as a pattern tied to Trump's oil-driven decisions.
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