America has fought fascism before. Let us not forget : Shared by Tony Lake

Fort Snelling National Cemetery - Minneapolis

Opinion | The Greatest Generation fought fascism. Let's not forget their lessons.

The Minnesota Star Tribune

February 6, 2026

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Authors: 

Anthony Lake was the executive director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). He has been a foreign policy advisor to several U.S. presidents and presidential candidates. He served as US National Security Advisor under U.S. President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997. Lake is known as being one of the individuals who developed the policy that led to the resolution of the Bosnian War.

Steven Andreasen served as director for defense policy and arms control on the U.S. National Security Council at the White House from February 1993 to January 2001. He was the principal advisor on strategic policy, nuclear arms control, and missile defense to the National Security Advisor and the President. During the Bush Sr. and Reagan administrations,

Summary

Not far from the Minneapolis detention center where the Trump Administration holds those caught up in the current deportation surge lies Fort Snelling National Cemetery where thousands of Americans who fought fascism during WWII are buried.  In this opinion essay, two former National Security Council officials compare current US immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota to the ideals of America's 'Greatest Generation' who fought in that war. 

The authors reference a 1945 War Department pamphlet that warned soldiers about fascist tactics, including racism and fearmongering. They contrast today's approach with the post-WWII era when the United States supported the Marshall Plan, United Nations, expanded immigration, and welcomed refugees. 

The authors criticize federal immigration enforcement tactics in Minneapolis, including detention operations conducted by armed, masked officers, and praise Minnesota residents who are organizing mutual aid, food banks, and shelters to support detained individuals and their families.

Quotes

"Fascism, as explained in the document, 'is government by the few and for the few. The objective is seizure and control of the economic, political, social and cultural life of the state.' 'The people run democratic governments, but fascist governments run the people.'"

"We must never forget that our Greatest Generation not only helped defeat fascism in Europe and beyond, but also worked to secure our own vibrant democracy here at home."

"Our foreign policies combined idealism, realism and, yes, self-interest — including our interest in a more peaceful world, where the rule of law could be increasingly defined and applied not just at home, but abroad."

"Among them are those who, in freezing cold, are picking up and returning home people who had been detained by masked, unnamed and armed federal officers."

"Cameras held by peaceful protesters in Minnesota make clear that the struggle for America's free future is not only against our adversaries abroad, but also our government at home."