The following is a timeline of instances of extremism in the Trump administration in October.
President Trump has opened the White House doors to extremism, not only consulting with hate groups on policies that erode our country’s civil rights protections but enabling the infiltration of extremist ideas into the administration’s rhetoric and agenda.
Once relegated to the fringes, the radical right now has a toehold in the White House.
Groups and individuals referenced in the list below are not associated with hate groups and extremist ideology unless indicated by a hate group profile.
Anti-Immigrant
Oct 1
President Trump suggested to aides that his border wall be fortified with an alligator- and snake-filled moat and that border agents shoot migrants in the legs, according to a New York Times report released today.
Anti-Immigrant
Oct 2
Nebane Abienwi, a 37-year-old man from Cameroon, suffers a brain hemorrhage and dies in ICE custody in San Diego. He is the 23rd person to die in ICE custody since President Trump took office.
Anti-Muslim
Hate Group
Oct 4
Hatewatch reports that anti-Muslim hate group Center for Security Policy obtained a permit to host an event at Mar-a-Lago.
Read our extremist group profile
Anti-Muslim
Hate Group
Oct 4
Hatewatch reports that anti-Muslim hate group ACT for America plans to hold a conference at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago. Two days later, the Trump Organization cancels the permit.
Read our extremist group profile
Anti-Immigrant
Oct 4
President Trump issues a proclamation barring immigrants without health insurance from obtaining visas, unless they can become insured within 30 days.
Anti-Immigrant
Oct 11
Federal judges in New York, California and Washington State rule that the Trump administration cannot block immigrants who use public benefits or are likely to in the future from obtaining legal residency in the US.
Anti-LGBT
Hate Group
Oct 11
During Values Voter Summit, FRC President Tony Perkins boasts about working “hand in hand” with Alliance Defending Freedom to influence the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ agenda.
Read our extremist group profile
Read our extremist group profile
Anti-Immigrant
Oct 11
A federal judge in Texas rules that President Trump’s national emergency declaration and use of emergency funds to build a border wall is unlawful.
Anti-LGBT
Hate Group
Oct 12
President Trump gives the keynote speech at anti-LGBTQ hate group Family Research Council’s annual Values Voter Summit.
Read our extremist group profile
Anti-Immigrant
Oct 15
Roylan Hernandez Diaz is the 24th immigrant to die in detention since President Trump took office. He took his own life after four months in a Louisiana facility.
Anti-Immigrant
Oct 15
President Trump vetoes legislation that would end the national emergency at the US-Mexico border. His veto is a rejection of bipartisan objections to using emergency funds to build a border wall.
Anti-Immigrant
Oct 21
President Trump’s staff notifies him that he cannot appoint Ken Cuccinelli as acting secretary of Homeland Security because of federal laws governing agency succession.
Anti-Black
Oct 22
In a tweet, President Trump compares the impeachment inquiry to a “lynching.”
Anti-Immigrant
Oct 23
President Trump announces plans to build a border wall in Colorado, a state that does not border Mexico.