It's immediately apparent to me that ALL the State officials should decline this 'invitation', lest they in some fashion legitimize this spurious step in the plan to infringe on Constitutionally-mandated state independence in the administration of their residents' elections.
This was my immediate reaction, as well. I wonder what the consequences might be for those who declined, other than to make DJT unhappier with them. I also think it's intended for show, a show of dominance in an area not subject to his constitutional authority.
Exactly! Why lend him the appearance of authority over an area that he - and we - know he's constitutionally excluded from? What would they do if nobody came to their "meeting"?That's an easy thing to do. Although I'm sure some people, understandably, want to discover what he's planned so they can be more effective at resisting them.
I'll be writing and calling my Sec'y of State tomorrow morning, and contacting my local and university newspapers as well to ask them to spread the word with the SOS contact info. I'm also contacting our local supervisor of elections to see if the SOS (of our red state) has contacted them with any unusual requests and to find out what are they plan to do if told to do something out of the norm. We've got some great state and federal judges here, thankfully. I'd like to get our hard-core Senators and Congressional reps interviewed and publicized for their take on trump's unnecessary meeting so they also know we're watching them too.
We've seen that everything we react to en masse he chickens out. His taking over our election can be preventable.
I would be confident nothing they say could turn me, and I would want to know what they say. I'd want to know what others are hearing, and how to counter whatever they are planning so far as it can be surmised from what they say and the "resources" they provide. Knowledge is power.
Good analogy., in that the Hegseth meeting was intended to display dominance. But the difference is that Hegseth did have that authority. Trump has no authority over state election officials. They should just tell Trump to pound sand. But if they do that, Trump will look for other ways to make their states suffer.
It’s a phone call not an in-person meeting. Put it on speaker and record it. All SOS should not speak or respond to questions asked of them during this VIRTUAL meeting.
Unity hasn't been happening yet except for our protests and demonstrations. Universities and law firms could have united but didn't. Yeah, I know it would have been a difficult job, but look at what happened. A Benjamin Franklin quote about unity comes to mind.
This is the inflection point where States need to begin planning to protect polling places from Federal/ICE Interference using State Police and State National guard to detain any illegal attempt at the ballot box. States Atty General should be armed with cease and desist orders from the appropriate courts ahead of time
We know this is going to happen. Tie up Trump’s hands BEFORE, not after. Trump’s entire career exists because of long delayed court proceedings Thats his only power, Supreme Cult pretzel logic that defies precedent
Nope. They need to see what is presented and respond accordingly. Trump and the executive branch have no role in elections. They are trying to intimidate state officials. They should definitely "attend," watch, listen, record every detail and then fight back. Fuck them. The states run elections. Running scared is what they want. Get in their faces and tell them to fuck off. This is our country.
This "Briefing" is trump's way of self-concocting a "Capo di tutti capi" role of election "supervision". Only he could decide what the outcome is. This outrageous "invitseems similar similar to his panicky, childlike Jan 6th call-out to his followers to have them stop the electoral college vote confirmation. I hope he doesn't have a single reply or attendee. Wouldn't that be embarrassing?
Stanley, yes, there is no right in the Federal government to call all state secs. of state. Ignoring the "call" is the best move. I bet most will go, though to appease the white house toddler pool, hoping for some kind of bennies. Trump will just assume they are on board with him and act accordingly, then forget them as though they are irrelevant and to him, in his dementia, they are.
There may be better strategies of resistance than non-attendance. The election officials must bear witness - and record the full proceedings. In order to capture every threat and diktat - to plan their legal and procedural tactics for non-compliance with unconstitutional orders.
I want Oregon's Secretary of State to attend. To be "informed" is to be "forewarned" and armed of the mad mans plan. How better to defend against tRump.
Totally agree, however will the MAGA Secretary of States do so. At this point highly doubt it. They will go to appease, hopefully they will uphold their oath and position to fulfill a free and fair election.. will be contacting my states SoS this am..
The current partisan breakdown for the 47 states that have the office is:
Republican: 26
Democratic: 21
No Secretary of State: 3 states (Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah) do not have this specific office; instead, their Lieutenant Governors perform these duties.
2026 Election Outlook
The partisan balance may change following the November 2026 elections, where 26 seats are up for grabs.
Seats on the Ballot: 13 currently held by Republicans and 13 held by Democrats.
Key Battlegrounds: Analysts at Sabato's Crystal Ball and Ballotpedia have identified several competitive "toss-up" races currently held by Democrats, including Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin.
I bet the red states will attend so I want the blue state election reps to know what those potentially weaker links are being told to do, what "resources" they are being given ... the whole nine yards. I think attending and recording is the better move.
Of course the set up is patently clear. The so-called Federal Election Representative presumes to invite state election officials with constitutional/statutory authority for running elections to hear from federal officials regarding "OUR preparations for the [midterm elecrion] cycle." Those who attend will be sceen as acquiescent by anyone paying attention, and Ms. Hardiman and her bosses certainly will be. It is straight out of the Trumpian playbook -- assert authority that is not enforceable under federal or state law, neuter the perceived opposition with threats that are thinly and falsely veiled as promoting a "partnership," and then "up the ante" repeatedly, demanding further capitulations by all. No state official should be so naive, after living with this administration for more than a year, as to think that attendance can possibly serve his/her state well.
I have faith in Bellows, and I believe attendance will offer more power than absence. I still salute Gov. Mills for her "See you in court," and I'd expect Bellows to offer similar strength and independence.
Of course! This is appalling. Agree that ALL State Election officials, and in particular ALL Sectretaries of State, should respectively remind Trump of his/the executive branch's lack of role in state elections per our Constitution. Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in 2021 is a hero is the fight for our democracy. We need others in RED states to stand strong.
How many Republican-controlled states have already handed him the data on voters just because he asked? I don’t think we want his election strategy discussed only with his base. We have to hear the exact words in order to start building our own wall between federal disruptors and State control of elections.
Absolutely. Band together and refuse to attend as The Constitution gives the running of elections to states, not the federal government, and certainly NOT this executive branch.
It is clear that We the People are going to have to be the ones to protect our voting from an anti-American despot. It would be great if our states would step up and just say "NO" to the white house, DOJ, and the other would-be dictator supporters. Those guys have no rights related to voting and should know it. Ignorance is no excuse. This is a definite reason for impeachment of this entire Trumplandia, every single one of them!
Yes, you are right…we will have to be the ones that push back.
The man who asked Georgia officials to “find him 11,780 votes” is now concerned about election integrity. The man who incited an insurrection to overturn a certified election wants to “nationalize” elections for your protection. The administration that deployed ICE to arrest people first and check immigration status later now wants a friendly chat with secretaries of state about “preparations.”
Nothing suspicious there.
Fairly normal democratic stuff…;(
This is exactly how democratic collapse works: not a sudden coup but incremental normalization of federal control over mechanisms designed specifically to prevent federal control.
Every “unprecedented” meeting, every new “FBI Election Executive” no one has heard of, every request for voter rolls is another tile pulled from the architecture.
Maine’s secretary of state has it exactly right: attend with maximum skepticism, document everything, and make absolutely clear that legitimacy for this overreach will not be granted.
The playbook is visible. The question is whether enough officials have the spine to say no.
—Johan, the projection by this Trump regime is amazing. They think we are all stupid, more stupid than they are. They are wrong. We now have to find ways to prove that we can figure out their moves against our nation. What we need is the American people to wake up sufficiently to see who these jerks are and what they plan to do to this nation if we let them get more control of us. They have proven regularly they care nothing for our Constitution, even grooming lawyers to see if they can find ways to get around it. They have corralled 6 Supreme Court justices and get them to go along with the anti-constitutional BS this regime pumps out. I keep wondering if the Roberts 6 made the "presidential immunity ruling" when they did because they were aware of the AI interference planned for the 2024 election which would pretty much guarantee Trump's victory. Without that it makes no sense. Alas, I can no longer trust Republicans at any level; they demonstrate the need for caution every single day and have that broadcast widely, thinking they have us all cowed. I am pretty sure they are wrong!
Judy, that's the way it is always done at first, through protests, demands, petitions. Then it may require something else, but it is critical to begin with the weapons we have. We do have more, but it seems Republicans in Congress are OK with our nation being taken over by thugs and jerks with nothing to offer anyone but lies, cheating, and fearmongering. Well, we do have to stand strong against the Trump toddler pool until we get them out of office.
Question: Is this a command performance or can one have "a previous" engagement?
First there is the fake official and then there is the question of will Pamela Jo take this occasion of giving repeat performance of her Congressional escapade as the most incompetent AJ in the entire history of the country?
I think it might feel like a command performance to some red state SOS's. Blue states might not see the point. They can't successfully withhold funding or anything else because there isn't any emergency requiring these agencies' involvement. I'm curious as to whether GA's SOS, Brad Raffensperger is going to attend, especially since he initially blew the feds off but they raided GA's election hub anyway.
Thanks Joyce for bringing this to our attention. I believe that there should be a countervailing centralized non-partisan organization, such as the National Attorneys General Association, that should reach out to these state officials whom Trump is trying to intimidate into restricting eligible voters, and advise them that Trump has no authority to dictate such measures or any other election related measures to them, and that they should follow their own state's laws.
Our secretary of state, Denny Hoskins ( Missouri) , is a moron. So of course he will take the call.
Thanks so much, Joyce. Your ability and willingness to stay on top of the million unsettling things that happen each day? It's remarkable. And brave. We are better "We the People" because of you.
Look into the FirstEnergy corruption trial, going on now. Defendants SHOULD include Gov. DeWeenie, Sen. Jon Husted, SoS LaRose, and SO MANY others. And this is just the tip of the corruption iceberg!
Wow!!! I had no idea. I can't wait to read more about it. As taxpayers, you should be able to sue the fuck out of these people. At the very least, write a book. Murder and white collar criminals. My fiction favs!
So you like to read the likes of James Patterson too? Yeah, Ohio has quite the checkered recent history. Everyone looks at Gov DeWine as the kind, old, grandpa type. He's as evil and underhanded as anyone in politics today. He and Sen Husted are both neck-deep in all the various corruption going on here, from the FirstEnergy mess, to the destruction of the public schools, and especially the theft of the teacher's retirement funds. But, like trump and what used to be the DOJ, here in Ohio, the AG, the SoS, and the state Supreme Court are ALL involved, so there's not too many avenues open for us to make them pay. Heck, it's SO bad here, the Gov's SON is a 'Justice' on the Supreme Court, and refuses to recuse himself on anything involving Dear Old Dad. People talk about Florida, Texas, N. Carolina, etc., but none of them has anything over THESE criminals! I've said, Ohio is the Nazi testing ground; once it flies here, they ship it out to all the other willing states! If it wasn't for caring for my aging parents, I'd a'been outa here a long time ago!
I must be a generation or two older than you. I dealt with the decline and subsequent death of my parents about 12 years ago. I'm glad your caring for your parents. It's hard. Definitely worth it. I'm glad my parents aren't around to see what has happened to their beloved country.
Carol, I can only imagine that idiot Hoskins is thrilled with this upcoming meeting. He’s probably online right now waiting. My god the last 50 years in Missouri have been a nightmare. I can remember several years ago when Claire McCaskill was on with Nicolle Wallace, and NW was flabbergasted by election stuff they were trying to do. Claire was “we’ve been living through that for years in Missouri. Have to do that.” No early voting, no absentee ballot without an excuse and must be notarized, etc. I’ve had a passport for years because of those idiots. And of course the, “signatures required to get it on the ballot, vote in favor for it, and MOLEG says ‘fuck no we’re not doing that.’” Yeah, excuse the grammar on that. My dog is terrorized daily because I yell at the tv. I hate this state. It’s sheer lunacy.
I agree with you 100 percent. The Claire days are unfortunately long gone. No more purple.
I belong to a women's roundtable group. The facilitator often invites MO representatives to speak to our group. I know these reps are choosing their words very carefully. Still, we get the gist. The MO government is full of racist, no morals, idiots. I will never understand how our state and country moved so far to the right. That's a convo for another time.
By the way, I just called Denny's office. I spent 5 minutes spouting off to the person who answered the phone. After I finished, there was silence. I waited a bit and asked if she wanted my name, phone number and location. She said no. If I wanted him to get the message, I should send an email. !!!???!!?? Yep, sounds about right.
I love your grammar! My cats can commiserate with your dog.
This meeting would be a good occasion to raise those points--why was the election security staff eliminated? Please restore it! What was the purpose of the Georgia raid and what is being done with what was taken? Why do you want states' voter data? And please keep federal officers away from the polls this November.
Do we even know if the FBI taking Georgia election documents to DC is legal ???? Shouldn’t any questions arising from that election have been investigated on a state level?!
But the chain of custody has been broken. The Feds took everything—paper ballots, tapes, computer records—all of it. Never mind it had all been counted 3 times before; each time co ing up with the same result.
Now, when Fulton County gets it back—if they get it back—who knows what they’ll get back.
I did contact my Secretary of State and let him know that I know for sure that Donald Trump isn’t entitled to “nationalize” our elections and I expect hm to uphold the law.
I'm looking forward to seeing what Jena Griswold -- our heroine Colorado Secretary of State -- does with this brazen effort to corrupt the 2026 general election.
Drumpf will use any and every means to stop, subvert, corrupt, delay or suspend the midterm election. A successful clean, fair election means Republicans will certainly lose the House Majority. TFG cannot afford that! He will be impeached (again!) If convicted in the Senate, he will be forced to resign or thrown out of office and if not right to prison, put on trial for one or many of his crimes.
His attempts at delaying the release of the Trump- Epstein Files have just about run their course.
Could be even worse…. The monster could be a younger man… imagine! Now, at least, we have some hope that Father Time & Mother Nature will stop the monster.
Yes, they certainly can refuse and I'm sure lots of blue state SOS's will. As he always does though, trump will have his usual temper tantrum. Depending on how strongly we've all publicly reacted across the country, he could wind up being the one who feels intimidated and realizes he's got a losing proposition. Our courts are still working too.
An executive order has no force outside of the executive branch and works only when people choose to follow it. If the collected Secretaries of State gave the administration the middle finger, figuratively or otherwise, the feds would have no legal recourse. Any overt or forceful action at that point would like be met with fierce local resistance.
It's immediately apparent to me that ALL the State officials should decline this 'invitation', lest they in some fashion legitimize this spurious step in the plan to infringe on Constitutionally-mandated state independence in the administration of their residents' elections.
This was my immediate reaction, as well. I wonder what the consequences might be for those who declined, other than to make DJT unhappier with them. I also think it's intended for show, a show of dominance in an area not subject to his constitutional authority.
As in most matters with this kind of aggressively deviant Federal behavior, unity in defiance offers some protection from retaliatory measures.
Exactly! Why lend him the appearance of authority over an area that he - and we - know he's constitutionally excluded from? What would they do if nobody came to their "meeting"?That's an easy thing to do. Although I'm sure some people, understandably, want to discover what he's planned so they can be more effective at resisting them.
I'll be writing and calling my Sec'y of State tomorrow morning, and contacting my local and university newspapers as well to ask them to spread the word with the SOS contact info. I'm also contacting our local supervisor of elections to see if the SOS (of our red state) has contacted them with any unusual requests and to find out what are they plan to do if told to do something out of the norm. We've got some great state and federal judges here, thankfully. I'd like to get our hard-core Senators and Congressional reps interviewed and publicized for their take on trump's unnecessary meeting so they also know we're watching them too.
We've seen that everything we react to en masse he chickens out. His taking over our election can be preventable.
If enough people stand up to a BULLY..it weakens him.
I would be confident nothing they say could turn me, and I would want to know what they say. I'd want to know what others are hearing, and how to counter whatever they are planning so far as it can be surmised from what they say and the "resources" they provide. Knowledge is power.
reminds me of hegseth's "meeting of the Generals" where they were all told to get their hair cut.
Good analogy., in that the Hegseth meeting was intended to display dominance. But the difference is that Hegseth did have that authority. Trump has no authority over state election officials. They should just tell Trump to pound sand. But if they do that, Trump will look for other ways to make their states suffer.
Of course, Secretart Hegseth did not have the authority to diminish their sworn oath to place Constitution before him, or even the POTUS.
Right!
Exactly!
Also to ditch their allegiance to the Constitution.
Yes, decline to attend, and simply suggest that if the FRP* has some information and recommendations, send them by email.
* .... Fascist Republican Party
It’s a phone call not an in-person meeting. Put it on speaker and record it. All SOS should not speak or respond to questions asked of them during this VIRTUAL meeting.
Yes, I suppose so - everything the presenters say can and will be used against them at some point. Why turn that opportunity away...
I call them the Red Russian Republican Party.
Unity hasn't been happening yet except for our protests and demonstrations. Universities and law firms could have united but didn't. Yeah, I know it would have been a difficult job, but look at what happened. A Benjamin Franklin quote about unity comes to mind.
Yeah. Something about hanging separately if we didn’t hang together. That quote?
Also, formerly honorable news media and entertainment providers.
This is the inflection point where States need to begin planning to protect polling places from Federal/ICE Interference using State Police and State National guard to detain any illegal attempt at the ballot box. States Atty General should be armed with cease and desist orders from the appropriate courts ahead of time
We know this is going to happen. Tie up Trump’s hands BEFORE, not after. Trump’s entire career exists because of long delayed court proceedings Thats his only power, Supreme Cult pretzel logic that defies precedent
Nope. They need to see what is presented and respond accordingly. Trump and the executive branch have no role in elections. They are trying to intimidate state officials. They should definitely "attend," watch, listen, record every detail and then fight back. Fuck them. The states run elections. Running scared is what they want. Get in their faces and tell them to fuck off. This is our country.
This "Briefing" is trump's way of self-concocting a "Capo di tutti capi" role of election "supervision". Only he could decide what the outcome is. This outrageous "invitseems similar similar to his panicky, childlike Jan 6th call-out to his followers to have them stop the electoral college vote confirmation. I hope he doesn't have a single reply or attendee. Wouldn't that be embarrassing?
Yes! This is OUR country.
Stanley, yes, there is no right in the Federal government to call all state secs. of state. Ignoring the "call" is the best move. I bet most will go, though to appease the white house toddler pool, hoping for some kind of bennies. Trump will just assume they are on board with him and act accordingly, then forget them as though they are irrelevant and to him, in his dementia, they are.
God help the person or persons that try to keep me from voting. I've had it with these assholes.
The horrid “SAVE” act is trying to keep many citizens from voting.
There may be better strategies of resistance than non-attendance. The election officials must bear witness - and record the full proceedings. In order to capture every threat and diktat - to plan their legal and procedural tactics for non-compliance with unconstitutional orders.
I want Oregon's Secretary of State to attend. To be "informed" is to be "forewarned" and armed of the mad mans plan. How better to defend against tRump.
Totally agree, however will the MAGA Secretary of States do so. At this point highly doubt it. They will go to appease, hopefully they will uphold their oath and position to fulfill a free and fair election.. will be contacting my states SoS this am..
Are there more red states than blue?
The current partisan breakdown for the 47 states that have the office is:
Republican: 26
Democratic: 21
No Secretary of State: 3 states (Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah) do not have this specific office; instead, their Lieutenant Governors perform these duties.
2026 Election Outlook
The partisan balance may change following the November 2026 elections, where 26 seats are up for grabs.
Seats on the Ballot: 13 currently held by Republicans and 13 held by Democrats.
Key Battlegrounds: Analysts at Sabato's Crystal Ball and Ballotpedia have identified several competitive "toss-up" races currently held by Democrats, including Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin.
I bet the red states will attend so I want the blue state election reps to know what those potentially weaker links are being told to do, what "resources" they are being given ... the whole nine yards. I think attending and recording is the better move.
That’s a thought to record but doubt that’s available. Maybe taking notes, but can see a peeling off with some on how to circumvent come November..
This reminds me of Hegseth’s and Trump’s assembling all the generals and admirals for an unnecessary pep talk.
They sat through it, however; didn’t they? OBEYED.
They HAD to by order. Secretaries of State can NOT be ordered!!
Of course the set up is patently clear. The so-called Federal Election Representative presumes to invite state election officials with constitutional/statutory authority for running elections to hear from federal officials regarding "OUR preparations for the [midterm elecrion] cycle." Those who attend will be sceen as acquiescent by anyone paying attention, and Ms. Hardiman and her bosses certainly will be. It is straight out of the Trumpian playbook -- assert authority that is not enforceable under federal or state law, neuter the perceived opposition with threats that are thinly and falsely veiled as promoting a "partnership," and then "up the ante" repeatedly, demanding further capitulations by all. No state official should be so naive, after living with this administration for more than a year, as to think that attendance can possibly serve his/her state well.
To attend is to legitimize. Every spectator at a lynching is complicit.
also a witness
That's right. You can't speak up if you stayed home. It's the same as with protest.
Agreed! It’s obeying in advance.
I wrote to Shenna Bellows, my rep, and asked her to please not go! It's a trap I am sure!
I have faith in Bellows, and I believe attendance will offer more power than absence. I still salute Gov. Mills for her "See you in court," and I'd expect Bellows to offer similar strength and independence.
I trust Shenna too, but I think this "summons" is an ambush, and think all should decline to go!
You may be right—that is the way Chump rolls, after all. Let's see how the issue develops; cross your paws.
All paws firmly crossed!
All four
The way I’m reading it, it’s a phone call meeting. Or the SOS can “attend” via phone.
You're entirely right; I didn't read carefully enough. Thanks.
Of course! This is appalling. Agree that ALL State Election officials, and in particular ALL Sectretaries of State, should respectively remind Trump of his/the executive branch's lack of role in state elections per our Constitution. Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in 2021 is a hero is the fight for our democracy. We need others in RED states to stand strong.
How many Republican-controlled states have already handed him the data on voters just because he asked? I don’t think we want his election strategy discussed only with his base. We have to hear the exact words in order to start building our own wall between federal disruptors and State control of elections.
Absolutely. Band together and refuse to attend as The Constitution gives the running of elections to states, not the federal government, and certainly NOT this executive branch.
It is clear that We the People are going to have to be the ones to protect our voting from an anti-American despot. It would be great if our states would step up and just say "NO" to the white house, DOJ, and the other would-be dictator supporters. Those guys have no rights related to voting and should know it. Ignorance is no excuse. This is a definite reason for impeachment of this entire Trumplandia, every single one of them!
Yes, you are right…we will have to be the ones that push back.
The man who asked Georgia officials to “find him 11,780 votes” is now concerned about election integrity. The man who incited an insurrection to overturn a certified election wants to “nationalize” elections for your protection. The administration that deployed ICE to arrest people first and check immigration status later now wants a friendly chat with secretaries of state about “preparations.”
Nothing suspicious there.
Fairly normal democratic stuff…;(
This is exactly how democratic collapse works: not a sudden coup but incremental normalization of federal control over mechanisms designed specifically to prevent federal control.
Every “unprecedented” meeting, every new “FBI Election Executive” no one has heard of, every request for voter rolls is another tile pulled from the architecture.
Maine’s secretary of state has it exactly right: attend with maximum skepticism, document everything, and make absolutely clear that legitimacy for this overreach will not be granted.
The playbook is visible. The question is whether enough officials have the spine to say no.
—Johan
—Johan, the projection by this Trump regime is amazing. They think we are all stupid, more stupid than they are. They are wrong. We now have to find ways to prove that we can figure out their moves against our nation. What we need is the American people to wake up sufficiently to see who these jerks are and what they plan to do to this nation if we let them get more control of us. They have proven regularly they care nothing for our Constitution, even grooming lawyers to see if they can find ways to get around it. They have corralled 6 Supreme Court justices and get them to go along with the anti-constitutional BS this regime pumps out. I keep wondering if the Roberts 6 made the "presidential immunity ruling" when they did because they were aware of the AI interference planned for the 2024 election which would pretty much guarantee Trump's victory. Without that it makes no sense. Alas, I can no longer trust Republicans at any level; they demonstrate the need for caution every single day and have that broadcast widely, thinking they have us all cowed. I am pretty sure they are wrong!
We The People are apparently expected to be the Cavalry..coming to the rescue..but without speedy steeds or loaded cannons.
3 cannons on my town's museum lawn still work...
It’s a start!
Judy, that's the way it is always done at first, through protests, demands, petitions. Then it may require something else, but it is critical to begin with the weapons we have. We do have more, but it seems Republicans in Congress are OK with our nation being taken over by thugs and jerks with nothing to offer anyone but lies, cheating, and fearmongering. Well, we do have to stand strong against the Trump toddler pool until we get them out of office.
And none of this comes from the dementing Trump, all of this comes from that horrible Miller-Vought duo.
Miller…that rarity…an actual JEWISH NAZI.
Question: Is this a command performance or can one have "a previous" engagement?
First there is the fake official and then there is the question of will Pamela Jo take this occasion of giving repeat performance of her Congressional escapade as the most incompetent AJ in the entire history of the country?
I think it might feel like a command performance to some red state SOS's. Blue states might not see the point. They can't successfully withhold funding or anything else because there isn't any emergency requiring these agencies' involvement. I'm curious as to whether GA's SOS, Brad Raffensperger is going to attend, especially since he initially blew the feds off but they raided GA's election hub anyway.
Thanks Joyce for bringing this to our attention. I believe that there should be a countervailing centralized non-partisan organization, such as the National Attorneys General Association, that should reach out to these state officials whom Trump is trying to intimidate into restricting eligible voters, and advise them that Trump has no authority to dictate such measures or any other election related measures to them, and that they should follow their own state's laws.
Our secretary of state, Denny Hoskins ( Missouri) , is a moron. So of course he will take the call.
Thanks so much, Joyce. Your ability and willingness to stay on top of the million unsettling things that happen each day? It's remarkable. And brave. We are better "We the People" because of you.
Almost as bad as Frank LaRose here in Ohio, known as 'The Most Corrupt State in the Union'.
I'll be doing a bit of research today!
Look into the FirstEnergy corruption trial, going on now. Defendants SHOULD include Gov. DeWeenie, Sen. Jon Husted, SoS LaRose, and SO MANY others. And this is just the tip of the corruption iceberg!
Wow!!! I had no idea. I can't wait to read more about it. As taxpayers, you should be able to sue the fuck out of these people. At the very least, write a book. Murder and white collar criminals. My fiction favs!
So you like to read the likes of James Patterson too? Yeah, Ohio has quite the checkered recent history. Everyone looks at Gov DeWine as the kind, old, grandpa type. He's as evil and underhanded as anyone in politics today. He and Sen Husted are both neck-deep in all the various corruption going on here, from the FirstEnergy mess, to the destruction of the public schools, and especially the theft of the teacher's retirement funds. But, like trump and what used to be the DOJ, here in Ohio, the AG, the SoS, and the state Supreme Court are ALL involved, so there's not too many avenues open for us to make them pay. Heck, it's SO bad here, the Gov's SON is a 'Justice' on the Supreme Court, and refuses to recuse himself on anything involving Dear Old Dad. People talk about Florida, Texas, N. Carolina, etc., but none of them has anything over THESE criminals! I've said, Ohio is the Nazi testing ground; once it flies here, they ship it out to all the other willing states! If it wasn't for caring for my aging parents, I'd a'been outa here a long time ago!
I'm currently reading Michael Stagg.
I must be a generation or two older than you. I dealt with the decline and subsequent death of my parents about 12 years ago. I'm glad your caring for your parents. It's hard. Definitely worth it. I'm glad my parents aren't around to see what has happened to their beloved country.
Good luck! I'll keep reading about Ohio politics!
Will do! Thanks!
I just resarched Hoskins. Y'all have your hands full with that guy.
I appreciate you!!
Carol, I can only imagine that idiot Hoskins is thrilled with this upcoming meeting. He’s probably online right now waiting. My god the last 50 years in Missouri have been a nightmare. I can remember several years ago when Claire McCaskill was on with Nicolle Wallace, and NW was flabbergasted by election stuff they were trying to do. Claire was “we’ve been living through that for years in Missouri. Have to do that.” No early voting, no absentee ballot without an excuse and must be notarized, etc. I’ve had a passport for years because of those idiots. And of course the, “signatures required to get it on the ballot, vote in favor for it, and MOLEG says ‘fuck no we’re not doing that.’” Yeah, excuse the grammar on that. My dog is terrorized daily because I yell at the tv. I hate this state. It’s sheer lunacy.
RBD,
I agree with you 100 percent. The Claire days are unfortunately long gone. No more purple.
I belong to a women's roundtable group. The facilitator often invites MO representatives to speak to our group. I know these reps are choosing their words very carefully. Still, we get the gist. The MO government is full of racist, no morals, idiots. I will never understand how our state and country moved so far to the right. That's a convo for another time.
By the way, I just called Denny's office. I spent 5 minutes spouting off to the person who answered the phone. After I finished, there was silence. I waited a bit and asked if she wanted my name, phone number and location. She said no. If I wanted him to get the message, I should send an email. !!!???!!?? Yep, sounds about right.
I love your grammar! My cats can commiserate with your dog.
He will inevitably be joined by Indiana’s Diego Morales, as moronic and corrupt as they come.
Bet I can beat that one… live in FloriDuh….our politicians are “special”.
Yes they are! I'm sorry for your loss. I imagine you have some Pam Bondi stories before she went "global"!
This meeting would be a good occasion to raise those points--why was the election security staff eliminated? Please restore it! What was the purpose of the Georgia raid and what is being done with what was taken? Why do you want states' voter data? And please keep federal officers away from the polls this November.
Love the reporting here.
The actual highly unusual "briefing" is obviously irrelevant. It's another attempt to intimidate state election officials.
Exactly. Power Play.
Do we even know if the FBI taking Georgia election documents to DC is legal ???? Shouldn’t any questions arising from that election have been investigated on a state level?!
Fulton County is suing to get the stuff taken returned.
But the chain of custody has been broken. The Feds took everything—paper ballots, tapes, computer records—all of it. Never mind it had all been counted 3 times before; each time co ing up with the same result.
Now, when Fulton County gets it back—if they get it back—who knows what they’ll get back.
Or know what's been left in a bathroom, or ...
I did contact my Secretary of State and let him know that I know for sure that Donald Trump isn’t entitled to “nationalize” our elections and I expect hm to uphold the law.
I'm looking forward to seeing what Jena Griswold -- our heroine Colorado Secretary of State -- does with this brazen effort to corrupt the 2026 general election.
Me too. It'll be interesting to see the trouble those who attend get into with their voters back home.
Drumpf will use any and every means to stop, subvert, corrupt, delay or suspend the midterm election. A successful clean, fair election means Republicans will certainly lose the House Majority. TFG cannot afford that! He will be impeached (again!) If convicted in the Senate, he will be forced to resign or thrown out of office and if not right to prison, put on trial for one or many of his crimes.
His attempts at delaying the release of the Trump- Epstein Files have just about run their course.
He is cornered and desperate...and dangerous!
Yes, and it's now public knowledge that his name appears in those Epstein files over one million times.
Could be even worse…. The monster could be a younger man… imagine! Now, at least, we have some hope that Father Time & Mother Nature will stop the monster.
Wounded animals are the most dangerous.
I hope to hell he is unsuccessful! We know where he is going with this! Can they legally decline?
Yes, they certainly can refuse and I'm sure lots of blue state SOS's will. As he always does though, trump will have his usual temper tantrum. Depending on how strongly we've all publicly reacted across the country, he could wind up being the one who feels intimidated and realizes he's got a losing proposition. Our courts are still working too.
An executive order has no force outside of the executive branch and works only when people choose to follow it. If the collected Secretaries of State gave the administration the middle finger, figuratively or otherwise, the feds would have no legal recourse. Any overt or forceful action at that point would like be met with fierce local resistance.
Bondi sure gave the middle finger with that “release”….