At its essence, people in high federal government positions who make idiotic statements like this should be forced to resign. That would be the best way to "empower Americans."
Bifurcated career in higher education and high-tech marketing/sales. Lover of data-based research, truth telling and Scottish Terriers. Politically open-minded but extremely worried about the future of a country that has given me so much.
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At its essence, people in high federal government positions who make idiotic statements like this should be forced to resign. That would be the best way to "empower Americans."
As usual, everything out of Miller's mouth is a lie. Kennedy's not a health expert. The credible people at the CDC are leaving because he's clueless and a threat to public health. The studies he cites to support his wacky views show he has no understanding or respect for the scientific method.
Yeah, I'm going to take medical advice from a guy, with degrees in American history and law, diagnosing kids with mitochondrial disease on first sight while walking through airports.
Don't buy her "I was cheated" sob story. Saying that Alaska was getting a special concession on wind/solar projects to justify voting for the big, ugly bill and then blaming "somebody" for the concession going away was always the plan. She's a MAGA cult member, slavishly doing Trump's bidding.
Let's just admit what's become obvious: The Supreme Court is part of the executive branch of the US government.
Condemnation of Israel's attack is certainly now warranted since the experts on "unprovoked aggression" have chimed in.
The failure of interviewers to not call out or follow up on his obvious lies is so infuriating. The notion of courtesy and respect for the person who holds the office of president is null and void when that person's comments are a continuous stream of nonsense and untruths.
Trump has been fixated on a Mar-a-Lago version of AF1 for years. Would bet Bondi and her stooges have been working on a way to justify this since Jan 20th. Doubt that Qatar is providing it for "free." Receiving personal gifts and favors for influence is the only kind of deal that Trump is good at.
When history books are written about the downfall of democracy in America, Roberts should get his own chapter. The ultimate enforcer of our constitution failed us, and no amount of backfilling about "independent judiciaries" checking presidential excesses can undo what he and his cronies have done.
This is an absolute lie, and it doesn’t take a degree in immunology to find information that proves it’s a lie. This guy is an ignoramus and should NOT be anywhere near US health policy, let alone in charge of it.
Trump, thanks to Senate confirmations, has surrounded himself with cabinet member toadies who have no equal. The highlight of his day is having a love-in cabinet meeting where the main goal of attendees is to see who can ingratiate themselves the most.
This is where we’re at. A president using his power to overtly demand an interviewer agree to a blatant lie he has repeatedly told. The message is clear: The truth is whatever Trump says it is, and questioning that “truth” means you’re unqualified, a fake newser, disrespectful or just plain nasty.
Every word out of Leavitt’s mouth is pure idiotic nonsense. The “buy American” line, given that a huge portion of the products Amazon customers purchase are not made in America, is foolishness. And the idea that they will be in the future shows complete ignorance of how global economies work.
If he thinks Trump will even see/read, let alone act on, the “very strong letter,“ he’s more out of touch with what’s going on than anyone could imagine. This is not Democrats vs. Republicans quibbling over legislation. It’s democracy vs. oligarchy.
Must read from HCR. While the media focus on the cruelty, lawlessness and ineptitude of Trump’s administration, the corruption, bribery and graft going on behind the scenes is mind boggling.
We need to stop calling Alito and Thomas Supreme Court justices. They're political hacks who have sold their souls for money and favors.
They're people given power, influence and media access they haven't earned and don't deserve. They lie. Then they lie to cover up the prior lie, and the process repeats over and over. Creating chaos and confusion by flooding the media with a never-ending stream of lies is the MAGA way.
You knew this was coming. And, as usual, he telegraphed that it's a lie by referencing "sir." This is nonsense on so many levels but will make its way into any public speaking he does for the foreseeable future.
A must read. DOGE is doing a lot more than hunting for "fraud and abuse," and the implications of their actions should scare all Americans.
This guy's mentally ill and should be nowhere close to people in power -- particularly powerful people who are also mentally ill.
Might have to retract my “lazy” excuse for Golden’s behavior and admit he’s been a MAGA cult member disguised as a Democrat from day 1…
Hard to believe Maine democrats elected this guy. He's obviously joined the MAGA cult and given up any semblance of the progressive political thinking and action we need to help save our democracy. I hope Mainers remember this in 2026.
Hey, Congressman Golden. Before you cast a vote, maybe you ought to fully consider the ramifications of your choice. SAVE legislation will likely lead to more voter suppression than protecting voters’ rights. Your flag-waving, right-to-vote, “simple” explanation is lazy thinking and lazy politics.
A really vile human form who doesn't have to personally worry about economic pain. This "short-term pain, long-term gain" nonsense is now the talking point for Trump's cult to explain the tanked economy. Expect to see it repeated in various forms on Fox News and the other right wing media.
Invoking "the end justifies the means" argument here, where Trump and his DOJ get the public to focus on how successful the "end" was, is how they're covering up their law breaking. It's like saying "we made America safer" deporting these bad people even though we had to break a few laws to do it.
Leavitt's lying and obsequiousness is quickly pushing her up the charts as the worse Trump press secretary ever. Look out Hucka-Sanders!
Comer believes that, if you talk in a loud voice and interrupt the person speaking incessantly, no one will realize you're a clueless, empty suit.
What's also distressing is these juveniles act like the action they're taking is a video game. Texting victory emojis, congratulating themselves, etc. without any realization that attacking and killing people, regardless of their misdeeds or allegiance, is serious business with serious consequences
He forgot to add "with tears in their eyes" after referencing that many people called to complain. He's totally enamored with the trappings of being president. The work? Not so much.
Michigan swing voters: Maybe if you had spent some time and energy to become a truly informed citizen, which our democracy assumes when you enter the voting booth, you wouldn't be so remorseful. You lazily bought into all the lies and misinformation. Sadly, we all now have to live with your mistake.
Hey, JD. Love how you make up a fancy euphemism like "incompatible migrants" to cover up your deep-seated racism for anyone not white.
Yesterday was a green light for Republicans. Future actions will be even more extreme now that they know Democrats tails are between their legs as they back down.
Wow... Incredible writing. A must read for anyone struggling to understand the current ills of the Democratic party and some hard truths about what needs to be done to save it and our country from the current regime.
You need to draw a line in the sand and say "enough is enough." Every time you roll over, get pushed around and look weak, the Republicans take this as a sign that they can continue the dismantling of our democracy. Fight back or please step aside!
Musk has adopted the Trump playbook. Just make stuff up, present it with some bogus numbers, act as if you've uncovered something incredible, and then ignore any requests for sources or verification. MAGAs lap this up because their brains stop processing after hearing the incredible part.
The Democrats lame display at the State of the Union was embarrassing. The party's old guard still believe political dissent is accomplished in a dignified and polite manner. Have they had their heads in the sand for the past four years?
Another senator trying to whitewash her MAGA worship with her "sick to my stomach" tag line. She's no better than the "conflicted and concerned" Susan Collins. When it really counts, they fall in line with the mob. Not buying any of this.
The fact that these states disproportionately contribute to federal revenues is the result of economic forces. The fact that the archaic Electoral College, gerrymandering, etc. allow the other states to control how this money is spent is the Achilles heel of our constitutional democracy.
Note to media: No need to interview Collins anymore about any governmental issue. Make your job easier. Just say she's "very concerned."
Thank you, Governor Mills! Standing up to Trump's bullying takes courage -- something the other spineless governors in the room apparently don't have. My governor is an embarrassing lackey, which made your defiance even more special.
There still a chance, however, that at the last minute she'll vote yes, saying, while she was "conflicted," she's gotten private assurances from Patel that he will not use the position of FBI director as a political tool. I don't trust anything she says.
The lies, narcissism, pompousness, bullying, name-calling, etc. here are too much to unpack. Let’s just summarize by saying a narcissistic psychopath is rewriting history to unconditionally hand over Ukraine to Russia in order to take credit for ending the war.
Democratic leadership still doesn't get it. This isn't debate class. This is the approach that lost the last election. Democracy is slipping away. We all know it and aren't interested in reading lengthy "frameworks." How about focusing on some tangible actions to stop this madness.
It's irritating to see McConnell attempting some sort of moral cleansing by voting no on a few Trump cabinet nominations. He's the reason we're in this mess, and here's hoping history books highlight the villainous role he played in pushing our democracy to the brink of existence.
Another brilliant history lesson from HCR where she explains the evolution of the liberal and conservative movements, starting with Lincoln and ending with our present day political situation. A must read.
Can't you just picture visions of Mar-a-Gaza floating around in his brain? A diversion for the media to get giddy and frothy about, but we shouldn't take our eyes off what his henchman are doing to destroy our democracy.
This list will be given wide airplay across MAGA media outlets. Even if totally true (unlikely given the sources) they probably represent a small fraction of USAID efforts and expenditures. But it's enough red meat for MAGAs to form a negative opinion of USAID's overall mission and value.
Couldn’t agree more. But stating the obvious doesn’t help. You need to use whatever procedural power available to you in the Senate to slow them down. It’s time to stop playing nice. Start bending and breaking the rules like they have that got us in this terrible mess.
This drivel is absolute craziness, and the media predictably lap it up. His cronies know letting him play real estate mogul diverts public attention from the real democracy destroying damage being done by right wing extremists and nutjobs, with Musk currently running point.
Do you mean Brett Kavanaugh? Totally disagree about his qualifications. I prefer my SC candidates to not have been accused of sexual assault by multiple women. An accusation, by the way, that the FBI was prevented from fully investigating by the Trump administration.
Absolutely. Her voting to confirm Kavanaugh after all her theatrical handwringing is another example of her total lack of character.
As someone posted recently: "The New York Times is written by children." They're more focused on showing off their writing skills than telling readers what's actually happening. "Extraordinary flexing" is just way cooler to them than "unconstitutional."
Unadulterated bribery. I'll go out on a limb here and guess that Trump will settle for the money and then claim "the 60 Minutes producer came to me, with tears in his eyes, saying he was sorry for what he did."
Susan Collins potrays herself as a conflicted, righteous and ethically driven Republican senator, but, when all is said and done, she's a spineless senator no different from the rest of the MAGA cult.
Note that in true narcissistic fashion "Pain? Yes, maybe, maybe not" means he can never be wrong.
I'm not an economist, but this is so dumb. For example, US automakers moved auto assembly to Mexico because of cheap labor - a Mexican production line worker makes around 25% of a US counterpart. Consider the impact of this (and it's only one factor) in his "make your product in the USA" nonsense.
The Times has become a sad shell of its former self. So focused on pandering to Trump to avoid his legal actions, so focused on clicks and views, so focused on making him look sane and enlightened. They've basically abandoned any journalistic integrity they once had.
Trump's modus operandi for handling a crisis on his watch: 1) Spew a bunch of nonsense ending with blame placed on an issue that his followers will lap up; 2) Make up imaginary stuff like "psychological quality," floating the idea that his smarts could have prevented this; 3) Blame Biden, Obama, etc
Couldn't agree more. A major factor in the Nov election continues with Democratic leaders stumbing and bumbling in response to Trump's actions in his first weeks in office. Schumer's senate speeches about "how outrageous" Trump's actions are, delivered to a sparse CSPAN audience, is painful proof.
Leavitt is the latest in Trump's line of vacuous press secretaries who are more theater than substance. In her failed 2022 Congressional campaign, it was reported she accepted $200k of donations that exceeded limits which she never paid back, violating campaign finance laws. A grifter like the rest.
4/ Note to Chuck Schumer: In sum: Fight back!! Stop pointing out how bad things are and how upset you are and DO SOMETHING!! Citizens who believe in our country and our democracy are waiting.
3/ Note to Chuck Schumer: 4. Fight dirty like your opposition. Start a Project 2027 with details not sweeping overgenralizations about the plight of the middle class, etc. Decide upon one person who is the new de facto voice of the Democratic party. Help party officials fund legal challenges. Etc..
2/ Note to Chuck Schumer: 2. Unify your senate colleagues. The fact that 27 Democrats voted in favor of Sean Duffy, another pro-gas/oil Fox Newser to lead the Dept. of Transportation shows you have no control. 3. Start fighting back as a minority party. Stop the "woe is us" routine.
1/ Note to Chuck Schumer: Our democracy is in trouble. Please consider the following: 1. Stop making statements on the Senate floor about how lawless, destructive, mean, cruel etc. Trump's action are. We all know it. It's exactly what Republicans expected -- empty rhetoric, easily ignored.
Pure unadulterated nonsense with a "Biden is to blame" thrown in for good measure.
The goal of the CAFE standards was to increase car/light truck fuel economy over the next two decades, saving consumers 23b in fuel costs, avoiding consumption of 70b gal of gas and preventing 710m metric tons on CO2 emissions. Why would we want to do that? Drill, baby, drill!!
This is a blatant lie as other replies have pointed out. Not sure what's worse, the fact that the chronic lying of a narcissist is now acceptable presidential behavior or that these lies get sanewashed by the press as Trump "suggests" or "floats idea" or "contemplates," etc.
Wow, need to change the definition of conception in all our textbooks on reproduction to "the big cell joins with the small cell." This is what happens when uninformed, bigoted white males write executive orders for a president who would rather just see the illustrations.
If you're not following HCR every day, you should now. She points out the details of significant Trump actions with truth telling, facts and historical analogies. No personal attacks or underlying agenda--just an account of what's happening. It's a living history book of our troubled times.
Not sure if this jerk ever purchased a gun legally, but his presidential pardon restores him that right.
Yes, a convicted felon who swore yesterday to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" immediately pardoning convicted felons who tried to overthrow it. Welcome to the new America.
Good point here. Trump has created his own personal militia to handle any dirty work that he can't get done as commander-in-chief.
My flag will stay at half staff today. I will continue to honor the passing of real presidents and the struggle for equality exemplified by MLK Jr. Also, the half staff today is a symbol of mourning for a great democracy in decline. I'm optimistic we can fight back and save it, but today I mourn.
Today a serial liar, convicted felon, adjudicated rapist and insurrectionist will once again assume the office of president. Any one of these would be disqualifying in the eyes of the signers of our constitution, but wealth, power, and corruption have taken control of our country. A sad day indeed.
Excellent analysis of the absurdity of Trump's buying Greenland fixation. I'm betting that "wanting the U.S. to look bigger on a map" is the number one reason.
*grifting
He couldn't even wait until Monday to begin his gifting and corruption of the presidency. I guess lowering the price of eggs and a beautiful health care plan will have to wait until he can fully line the pockets of him and his cronies.
It's racist nutjobs like Miller who slither around behind the scenes doing the hard lifting to destroy our democracy that I fear the most.
Aesop's fables are riveting storytelling but pure fiction. Glad they're focusing on how to sell the story first rather than its veracity or bias.
From the NY Times yesterday: "After four years in office, President Biden has a long list of accomplishments he takes pride in. But he struggled with inflation, illegal immigration and his own advancing age." Not one specific example of accomplishments but there's the age thing yet again.
Not only is this taking credit for something he didn't do, it is totally ignorant of the facts of the agreement. Thank you!
Not getting a warm, inviting, helpful, uplifting vibe from this photo. More angry and retributive -- scary omen of things to come...
I hope history books give Biden the credit he deserves. I'm embarrassed that a man so dedicated to his country continued to be characterized in the media daily by his health and age instead of his significant accomplishments under very trying circumstances. Well done, President Biden. Well done.
Gaming the democratic system through gerrymandering is now built into the fabric of Republican politics. It's cheating that Republicans see no need to hide nor defend in today's political environment.
Correction: the two leaders of COGE are, sadly, only millionaires...
Resistance is needed at all levels. An incoming Republican governor has announced COGE, a committee on government efficiency headed up by two state billionnares and populated with legislative conservatives. This Muskaswamy-copied approach of unjustified slash and burn will do significant harm.
Appreciate your response. Would love to get your viewpoint.
More evidence that we have two justice systems, one for the ultra-rich and powerful and a second for the other 99.99% of us. The notion that they didn't discuss Trump's appeal is pure nonsense.
To cover their corruption they'll indicate they need time to consider the motion. January 20th will pass. The new president will play his "above the law" card the SC gave him, and we'll simply move on. Our broken justice system at work...
A must read for people (like me) struggling to understand how our country has gotten to where we are today, where lies and anti-science have replaced the societal and personal norms that we once universally accepted to guide and reconcile our behavior.
The corruption of our entire judicial system, from the Supreme Court on down, is again on display.
Biden needs to release Smith's report. Dem leaders need to start gaming our constitutional system (without remorse, regret or hand wringing) like Republicans have been doing since the birth of MAGA. Playing nice isn't working. It has allowed Republicans to corrupt the system and hide the truth.
This gives me hope that our democratic system has enough guardrails to fight off the Muskaswamy DOGE foolishness -- until I see that most roads lead to the Supreme Court.
Johnson is the poster child for the now acceptable social norm of showing unconditional adulation for a person who has characteristics that are the opposite of every value you profess to live your life by.
An incredible and chilling story. Equally impressive is the way it was researched, constructed and reported. A master class in journalism.
There's a term used in academics called "great man's disease." It's an recognized expert in one field believing they're now an expert in other areas. I think Musk exhibits a variant of this called "wealthy man disease."
How Fox News controls the narrative: Headline a false story that is exactly what their audience wants to hear (An illegal immigrant did it!!!). Issue a "retraction" that doesn't really change the impression they've created. Finally, remove all references to the story once maximum damage is done.
Using "sorry" and the delete button to pretend you're not a raging jerk with no empathy for others is right out of the GOP playbook.
The H-1B program is a good thing and agree with Musk that it should not be part of Trump deportation plans. But, come on, Elon. Making "America strong" is not your interest here. Keeping you the richest and most powerful man in the world is.
MAGAs catching on is unlikely to make them regret their support for Trump. They'll reconcile their anguished mental state ("Trump said he'd lower my grocery bill!") by assigning blame to Biden, illegal immigrants, environmentalists, Mexico, etc., and Trump will be there to help them with that.