'Barbarism': Analyst says this new Trump policy proves he was 'never about law and order'

In an article published Tuesday in The Washington Post, columnist Catherine Rampell argued that President Donald Trump is intensifying efforts to isolate the United States from the rest of the world—not just economically, but demographically and culturally.

She highlighted a sweeping expansion of travel bans this month, with Trump blocking nearly all entry from 12 countries and partially restricting citizens from nine more. A leaked State Department memo suggests 36 additional countries could soon be added.

Rampell questioned the credibility of the administration’s stated reasons — such as preventing visa overstays — noting that high-overstay nations like Canada are conspicuously absent from the list.

Instead, she argues, the bans disproportionately target lower- and middle-income countries with majority non-White populations, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa.

"It was never about 'law and order' or hunting down criminal gangbangers or making sure people came in 'the right way' through the 'big beautiful door' in Trump’s wall. It is and always was about humiliating and discarding immigrants — regardless of their legal status or contributions to their communities, and especially if they are Black or Brown," Rampell wrote.

She pointed out that while a handful of major companies have acknowledged the risks posed by federal immigration measures, the broader business community has remained notably silent. Most top executives and industry leaders, Rampell noted, have avoided speaking out about these immigration policies and other economically harmful actions linked to Trump.

"That’s the thing about walls: They keep the supposed barbarians out. But they also keep the real barbarism in," the author said.

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Last week, Trump pushed for an intensified immigration crackdown in several major Democratic-run cities, a move widely seen as retaliation for the massive “No Kings” protests against his administration over the weekend, which drew millions nationwide.

However, questions loom over whether the agency tasked with carrying out the effort — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)— has the financial means to do so.

Axios reported Monday that ICE is currently $1 billion over budget and could run out of funds within one to three months.