It's important that Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth and Gaetz, go through the Senate review process, and be rejected! This is Trump's test to see just how much he can push the senate around, and allowing recess appointments is the first step to enabling authoritarianism. It's a slippery slope from there.
In view of this parade of unfit terribles, I wonder if Thune might start almost hoping for one long recess. Where Trump can go ahead with his single handed approach to the appointments. And Thune's senate will never have to share in the blame. So much for advise and consent. But what a relief not to have had to participate. I can see how he could get desperate enough to almost hope for that scenario.
He Told Us What He Will Do—Watch for Yourself. Trump had 2024 policy statements on his campaign site in 2023 with videos. Even though he removed them, they were available on YouTube/social media. The focus on Project 2025 was important—but a diversion. The videos (text and transcript) are available at https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/. It’s clear why Trump wants recess appointments and Matt Gaetz, and the rest (see Dismantle the Deep State and Firing Prosecutors). The YouTube reactions to Trump’s policies were flashing red warning lights for the election outcome. The policies have elements that people like (school vouchers, power to parents, get rid of “woke, safe borders). But, like Trump’s snake, they seem harmless until the venom kills you—and “truth, justice, and the American way.”
Russian state media is mocking Trump for how they've played him - and mocking all of America for falling into the trap again.
Many Trump voters had already been gulled by the Kremlin's long-game influence operation to discredit our democratic institutions and portray Eurasian autocracy as superior guardian of "Western civilization." Some of the people who rail against "deep state corruption" are partial to Russia and open to the idea of a caesar who rules without restraint of law, while blowing up the western alliances that have guarded liberal democracy against tyranny.
And it’s getting tiresome to make fun of them for “ not going on Joe Rogan.” They made it clear that they would but that they would not give up crucial campaigning time to meet his 3-hour demand (plus travel time to and from Austin). It’s like he knew she would not be able to accommodate those demands. DJT had been campaigning for over 3 years at that point, and was basically killing time. So tired of the different standards for one vs. the other.
Just heard. The STUPID Orange Snake wants RFK Jr as the Health secretary! I don't know who's crazier - the Snake or or any MAGA Senator who would ever vote for him!
Just make sure your kids have fluoride from some source and get them vaccinations. Ignore anything he says, and if you need services that are not provided, go get them on your vacation in another country.
Unfortunately, many people can't go to another country, can't find doctors in their areas, can't pay for medical services that aren't provided by insurance. I'm lucky I have insurance, but that still doesn't mean it won't cost a lot. Those grocery bills really ARE a lot. And I know damn well they'll go higher when the Orange Snake destroys our economy.
I personally think the democratic party needs to start their own social media platform and make it so that young men want to get on it by forbidding anyone under 25 from going on it. Then spread the word that that is because there is real information and they cannot handle it.
Agreed but i think it needs to be more like a network of people in the opposition, regardless of party or ideology. Like the Cenk Uygur on Tim Miller's podcast and vice-versa. Jon Stewart and Bill Maher having a knock-down drag-out over who is the more realistic liberal. Entertaining stuff. The opposition needs to replicate the MAGA-sphere. Flood the zone with truth. Present too many moving targets for Matt Gaetz to hit.
Really not sure what it should look like but i do know that in my too-long life this country has proven, overall, just to the right of center. There's a huge vacuum in that space right now which means a huge opportunity.
As shocking as every appointment Trump has made so far, let's not forget his first appointment: J.D. Vance.....Trump is pretty old, and J.D. is just a whisper away from becoming President...think about that. Have a nice day!
"Will Republicans and conservatives now stand up to Trump?" Not publicly, but they will engage in The Lord of the Flies IRL. They'll engage in political sabotage, backstabbing and leaking everything to the press. Republicans can't govern and will spend their time with committee investigations and hearings even though they do these in a very incompetent way. I do suspect that Democrats will use every delay tactic and I don't think Republicans want to actually accede power to Trump. Don't forget, they'll also be battling Musk and Ramaswamy (R&K) who think they're co-Presidents (this term should be used all the time as it'll make Trump's head explode) and who want to take budgetary control from them. I think most if not all of Trump's nominees will be confirmed but none of them have any idea what it'll be like when they run into the bureaucratic wall. Their hubris and arrogance isn't going to work and Trump doesn't accept blame. Republicans up for re-election in 2026 will see the fallout when Biden's economy starts to tank. This will negatively affect voters and donors. M&R will, of course, lean into "let them eat cake" which is very popular among voters. The Republican Party will implode.
As Rep. Troy Nehls (R–Tex.) said yesterday, “His mission, and his goals and objectives, whatever that is, we need to embrace it. All of it. Every single word. . . . If Donald Trump says, ‘Jump three feet high and scratch your head,’ we all jump three feet high and scratch our heads. That’s it.” Now there's a very moronic, simple minded yahoo duly elected by the moronic, simple minded people of Texas, a guy who had legal issues when he was the sheriff of Fort bend County, Texas. But what a Republican. Must be making Abe and Ronnie so proud.
I’m sharing this document everywhere I can (link below). Bill is spot on about everything, but I’m surprised he’s surprised at Trump’s speed. Please reshare (and read) this. It isn’t comprehensive. It’s meant for a general audience. Maybe there are nuggets of wisdom in there that will change a few minds and get them to come over from the dark side:
Based upon what's happened so far, I'm guessing that these guys will consider the head of the Genovese crime family for FBI director. After all, If one is look for law enforcement experience, this would be a perfect fit.
Congressional Democrats should not save the Republicans from themselves. If Republican senators want to make Matt Gaetz the A.G., Pete Hegseth the DefSec, Tulsi Gabbard the D.N.I--so be it. No obstruction, no delays, the Rs own it 100%.
Democrats have gotten no thanks from anyone for trying to be responsible participants in governing and for honoring their oath of office. If they try to impede trump now, they will get nothing but nonstop attacks for blocking the will of the people--for being the enemy within. Enough. The people have made their choice. They must live with it.
It's important that Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth and Gaetz, go through the Senate review process, and be rejected! This is Trump's test to see just how much he can push the senate around, and allowing recess appointments is the first step to enabling authoritarianism. It's a slippery slope from there.
In view of this parade of unfit terribles, I wonder if Thune might start almost hoping for one long recess. Where Trump can go ahead with his single handed approach to the appointments. And Thune's senate will never have to share in the blame. So much for advise and consent. But what a relief not to have had to participate. I can see how he could get desperate enough to almost hope for that scenario.
He Told Us What He Will Do—Watch for Yourself. Trump had 2024 policy statements on his campaign site in 2023 with videos. Even though he removed them, they were available on YouTube/social media. The focus on Project 2025 was important—but a diversion. The videos (text and transcript) are available at https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/. It’s clear why Trump wants recess appointments and Matt Gaetz, and the rest (see Dismantle the Deep State and Firing Prosecutors). The YouTube reactions to Trump’s policies were flashing red warning lights for the election outcome. The policies have elements that people like (school vouchers, power to parents, get rid of “woke, safe borders). But, like Trump’s snake, they seem harmless until the venom kills you—and “truth, justice, and the American way.”
Russian state media is mocking Trump for how they've played him - and mocking all of America for falling into the trap again.
Many Trump voters had already been gulled by the Kremlin's long-game influence operation to discredit our democratic institutions and portray Eurasian autocracy as superior guardian of "Western civilization." Some of the people who rail against "deep state corruption" are partial to Russia and open to the idea of a caesar who rules without restraint of law, while blowing up the western alliances that have guarded liberal democracy against tyranny.
And it’s getting tiresome to make fun of them for “ not going on Joe Rogan.” They made it clear that they would but that they would not give up crucial campaigning time to meet his 3-hour demand (plus travel time to and from Austin). It’s like he knew she would not be able to accommodate those demands. DJT had been campaigning for over 3 years at that point, and was basically killing time. So tired of the different standards for one vs. the other.
Who listens to 3-hr podcasts?
The bros do. They have nothing else to do, probably.
Oh. My. Golly. Bobby gets HHS. This is going to be amazing.
Just heard. The STUPID Orange Snake wants RFK Jr as the Health secretary! I don't know who's crazier - the Snake or or any MAGA Senator who would ever vote for him!
Just make sure your kids have fluoride from some source and get them vaccinations. Ignore anything he says, and if you need services that are not provided, go get them on your vacation in another country.
Unfortunately, many people can't go to another country, can't find doctors in their areas, can't pay for medical services that aren't provided by insurance. I'm lucky I have insurance, but that still doesn't mean it won't cost a lot. Those grocery bills really ARE a lot. And I know damn well they'll go higher when the Orange Snake destroys our economy.
Bill, Andrew- you need to go on Joe Rogan. His audience needs to hear from reasonable, informed, honest individuals.
According to Aaron Roper of Public Notice, Joe Rogan is part of the right-wing media scape that attracted young men to voting for Trump.
https://www.publicnotice.co/p/how-tiktok-x-helped-trump-beat-harris-2024
I personally think the democratic party needs to start their own social media platform and make it so that young men want to get on it by forbidding anyone under 25 from going on it. Then spread the word that that is because there is real information and they cannot handle it.
Agreed but i think it needs to be more like a network of people in the opposition, regardless of party or ideology. Like the Cenk Uygur on Tim Miller's podcast and vice-versa. Jon Stewart and Bill Maher having a knock-down drag-out over who is the more realistic liberal. Entertaining stuff. The opposition needs to replicate the MAGA-sphere. Flood the zone with truth. Present too many moving targets for Matt Gaetz to hit.
Really not sure what it should look like but i do know that in my too-long life this country has proven, overall, just to the right of center. There's a huge vacuum in that space right now which means a huge opportunity.
As shocking as every appointment Trump has made so far, let's not forget his first appointment: J.D. Vance.....Trump is pretty old, and J.D. is just a whisper away from becoming President...think about that. Have a nice day!
Even if Harris had gone on Joe Rogan it would have changed exactly zero votes in his audience.
"Will Republicans and conservatives now stand up to Trump?" Not publicly, but they will engage in The Lord of the Flies IRL. They'll engage in political sabotage, backstabbing and leaking everything to the press. Republicans can't govern and will spend their time with committee investigations and hearings even though they do these in a very incompetent way. I do suspect that Democrats will use every delay tactic and I don't think Republicans want to actually accede power to Trump. Don't forget, they'll also be battling Musk and Ramaswamy (R&K) who think they're co-Presidents (this term should be used all the time as it'll make Trump's head explode) and who want to take budgetary control from them. I think most if not all of Trump's nominees will be confirmed but none of them have any idea what it'll be like when they run into the bureaucratic wall. Their hubris and arrogance isn't going to work and Trump doesn't accept blame. Republicans up for re-election in 2026 will see the fallout when Biden's economy starts to tank. This will negatively affect voters and donors. M&R will, of course, lean into "let them eat cake" which is very popular among voters. The Republican Party will implode.
As Rep. Troy Nehls (R–Tex.) said yesterday, “His mission, and his goals and objectives, whatever that is, we need to embrace it. All of it. Every single word. . . . If Donald Trump says, ‘Jump three feet high and scratch your head,’ we all jump three feet high and scratch our heads. That’s it.” Now there's a very moronic, simple minded yahoo duly elected by the moronic, simple minded people of Texas, a guy who had legal issues when he was the sheriff of Fort bend County, Texas. But what a Republican. Must be making Abe and Ronnie so proud.
Idiocracy, moral impunity and cravenness now define the GOP.
I’m sharing this document everywhere I can (link below). Bill is spot on about everything, but I’m surprised he’s surprised at Trump’s speed. Please reshare (and read) this. It isn’t comprehensive. It’s meant for a general audience. Maybe there are nuggets of wisdom in there that will change a few minds and get them to come over from the dark side:
Democracy in the U.S.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SRMmEEaP-UlhwY3DqB6lpTZzdUfBZtRtYL66xo1ulTw/edit
Mr. White makes an excellent point, and provides Gaetz solution at the same time.
Jeff Clark or Ken Paxton, one or the other deputy AG
Based upon what's happened so far, I'm guessing that these guys will consider the head of the Genovese crime family for FBI director. After all, If one is look for law enforcement experience, this would be a perfect fit.
Congressional Democrats should not save the Republicans from themselves. If Republican senators want to make Matt Gaetz the A.G., Pete Hegseth the DefSec, Tulsi Gabbard the D.N.I--so be it. No obstruction, no delays, the Rs own it 100%.
Democrats have gotten no thanks from anyone for trying to be responsible participants in governing and for honoring their oath of office. If they try to impede trump now, they will get nothing but nonstop attacks for blocking the will of the people--for being the enemy within. Enough. The people have made their choice. They must live with it.