Maybe because he literally just put an entirely unqualified political hatchet man in charge of the DNI — while we’re at war — and the only reason he could give was that he would look into the “stolen” election bullshit? He’s making hugely important decisions based on a lie. That seems worth paying attention to. He also tried to set up a compensation fund for people who, inspired by his promulgation of that lie, laid siege to the Capitol. Oh and the only legislation he cares about is all wrapped up in his delusions about how elections are stolen. I can keep coming up with reasons. But the fact that the president still thinks his lie should drive policy and personnel (several J6ers work in the administration) that makes it relevant, imho.
@HunterBiden They agree your dad shouldn’t have run for reelection. That was clear as day, but the enablers encouraged it. It’s the biggest reason we have Trump 2.0. It’s the Biden’s legacy
@DanteTheDon I don’t give a shit about hunter’s “transgressions”. The entire Biden family can never be forgiven for allowing Joe Biden to run for reelection. It’s the reason we have Trump 2.0.
@EWErickson All these fake Christians who support men like Trump who is the embodiment of the seven deadly sins. Sins he embraces and holds up as accomplishments. It’s so fucking gross. It undermines any claim of belief these hypocrite supporters have.
@jason_howerton All these fake Christians who support men like Trump who is the embodiment of the seven deadly sins. Sins he embraces and holds up as accomplishments. It’s so fucking gross. It undermines any claim of belief these hypocrite supporters have.
This New York Times piece is worth your time. Here’s what is happening, as simply as I can put it.
Back in January, Trump sued the IRS, an agency he controls, demanding $10 billion over the leak of his tax returns a number of years ago.
IRS lawyers did their jobs. They wrote a memo laying out the defenses that could beat the suit, including the fact that Trump filed too late. His own lawyer was in court when the leaker pleaded guilty in October 2023, more than two years before Trump sued.
The Justice Department never showed up to court. Never argued back. Never used the defenses sitting on their desk.
The judge got suspicious and ordered both sides to explain whether they were actually opposing each other or just colluding. The day before that brief was due, Trump dropped the suit.
Same day, his Justice Department announced a $1.776 billion taxpayer-funded “anti-weaponization fund.”
Trump gets a formal apology. The IRS agrees to drop any audits of him and his family, even though a 2024 Times report found a loss in an ongoing audit could cost him over $100 million.
The acting Attorney General, Trump’s former criminal defense attorney, picks the five commissioners who decide who gets paid. Trump can fire any of them. Proud Boys and Oath Keepers are not ruled out.
This is the most corrupt thing I’ve ever seen from an American president.
Where in the hell are my Republican colleagues?
https://t.co/La0nlLuz1r
Within one 24 hour period, Trump:
- got out of a $100 million IRS fine
- secured "immunity" from all future tax investigations for his family and friends
- created a $1.8 billion slush fund for lawbreaking supporters
- was reported for likely insider trading worth nearly $1 billion
All of the obvious things to say about this are true. It's bad. Nobody even tries to defend it. The closest thing to a defense you get is something about how "but Democrats suck" and "woke was also bad," which is not a defense, but rather a kind of moral blank check made out to the administration to give them the right to do anything.
But what I'm most curious about is whether this sort of lurid corruption creates a countermovement that successfully returns government to rule of law or whether it's establishing a norm of executive imperialism that every future administration will use to achieve its ends, which can always be justified by the moral blank check of "the other side is worse, so let us do whatever we want."
The overall story of the second Trump admin is the abuse of power to enrich his family, reward his friends, and forgive crimes committed on his behalf, while punishing critics, threatening civil society, taxing the rest of us, and piling debt on our children.
The corruption in broad daylight is astounding. He’s not only going to pardon J6ers, he’s going to pay them with our money, too. And use American independence as the branding!
You could start by walking down the hall. See why your boss keeps pardoning people convicted of money laundering, wire fraud, tax evasion, and securities fraud.
The same Duffys who threw endless fits on national television when Pete was working from our son's ICU bedside are now bragging about their multi-month, taxpayer-funded family road trip while gas and grocery prices soar for American families because of Trump's war of choice. How much more unfocused, unserious, and out of touch can you be?
ICE COLD FACT 💎 ‘Life is like the Gym.. Look one way, there’s always someone in better shape than you.. Look the other way, there’s someone who would die to be in Your shape…. You just gotta be the Best YOU. ‘
@chucktodd The Senate should stay be direct vote. House seats should be awarded proportionally based on party vote. You can’t dilute or gerrymander that.