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Dale of Green Gables's avatar

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims... but accomplices”

--- George Orwell

"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything."

--- Albert Einstein

LiverpoolFCfan's avatar

In addition to being an eyewitness on January 6, 2021 (sitting on my couch in front of the TV sobbing in disbelief and shock), I watched all of the Congressional January 6 hearings that summer.

The overwhelming majority of the witnesses who testified under oath in those hearings were people who had voted/worked for Trump! Their testimony was stark and damning.

If I were a rich person, I would run constant ads on TV and social media, just of those Trump voters who were so appalled by the reality of January 6, that they risked their careers and personal safety to tell the TRUTH about that man's crimes.

progwoman's avatar

One of the advantages of retirement is that I could watch, as you did, while the insurrection unfolded and the testimony of witnesses at the Congressional hearings. What I miss is my old TiVO, which would have let me record it all. But I did buy Cassidy Hutchinson's book, Enough, in which she gives a blow by blow of the day unfolding from the White House. Periodically, I read that she is in jeopardy, but the attention shifts, in part at least because she strengthens the case against her bosses (Meadows and Trump). And even if the Supremes pardon Trump as he pardoned his fellow insurrectionists, you won't doubt that what you saw was treason.

Jennifer Phillips's avatar

me too. (And I also am sorry about Liverpool FC this year and Mo's departure).

Patient to Purpose's avatar

They literally don't care. Save your money. He still has a 35% approval rating and I suspect it's even higher since polls these days are useless. I truly believe if he ran again, he would win, and not by cheating either. There are sick people among us who don't talk about their votes or if they do, lie about it.

Nancy's avatar

As I find relevant to repeat: I read once that monsters will be monsters. They can't help themselves (DJT). The others have a choice. Not only do the others in the US today stand by and watch, they proactively encourage the behaviors. They are choosing!

Ivan White's avatar

Indeed, yes to both ideas expressed by Orwell and Einstein ... YET ... The aberrant and deviant behavior of members of Trump's administration, misuse by them in the administration of the programs they manage and oversee continues, unabated.

As I've said before, "We are witnessing the destruction of our nation in daily doses."

David J. Sharp's avatar

Due process — something the Jan 6 rioters got, the “illegal” immigrants don’t.

Swbv's avatar

And now, under Stephen Miller's gentle ministrations, even green card holders are being told: what were the rules are no longer the rules. The US is telling you to look elsewhere for opportunity, safety, and the rule of law.

David J. Sharp's avatar

And, sadly, good advice … given the current state of things in the U.S.

Marcia Battin's avatar

Great, great article. When all the dust from this vile volcano has settled I truly hope the real architects of the payment scheme are revealed. Because we sure as hell know it was not Donald J Trump, who was caught on camera sleeping through this solemn day’s ceremony at Arlington earlier, before tootling of to Walter Reed for his 3rd ‘annual’ physical in 13 months.

Debbie Smith's avatar

It was so hard watching him pontificating about our fallen soldiers at Arlington. Didn't he call these same fallen soldiers suckers and losers once? What a politically hypocritical pontificating bastard!

Jen Andrews's avatar

I never watch him. Sorry you did

Nancy's avatar

And his followers cheer when he denigrates and lies! Amazing!

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

I agree with everything you said and it is a wonderful and thorough analysis from you. The sentence that struck me most that you quoted was this: “members of Congress fled the building in fear for their lives.”

How soon they forget. Some of those very members are now insisting it was nothing like an insurrection, it’s Alice in Wonderland through the Looking Glass.

Swbv's avatar

ORWELL's writings are ever more spot on.

Judith Swink (CA)'s avatar

One sign at demonstrations here in San Diego said "Make 1984 fiction again!"

Heidi L 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🇬🇱's avatar

I find myself almost wishing, in retrospect, that something had befallen a Congressional member on that day; something that they could not whitewash away, something that they would have been forced to consider happening to themselves on a daily basis.

Deepak Puri's avatar

Who could make millions from Trump's $1.8 Billion slush fund from stealing your tax dollars? Check this map of Jan 6th Insurrectionists, pedophiles, Trump mega donors, Clarence Thomas and White Christian Nationalists.

https://thedemlabs.org/blog/?search=Jan%206

No tax payer money should go to pedophile Jan 6th insurrectionists slush fund. Call your Guardian of Pedophile (GOP) rep to stop Trump's $1.8 billion slush fund.

https://thedemlabs.org/2026/05/20/mapping-jan-6-recipients-1-7-billion-fund-pedophiles/

JK's avatar

Because this is the Turd Reich--Making America Septic--it's the Flush Fund, whereby our tax dollars flow into the cesspool with all those J-6 turds.

Keith Wheelock's avatar

TRUMP HAS FINALLY TRUMPED HIMSELF

As a 92 year old with boots on the ground in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, I thought that I had witnessed most of the possible dastardly political machinations.

Oophs, that was before Trump. Murdering ‘fishermen’, his whimsical tariffs, the Iranian military ‘excursion, and the Department of Injustice were simply prelude to his most brazen acts:

1) ‘weaponizing’ against those who legally prosecuting him for his 2020 election nonsense and January 6th;

2) pardoning over 1500 participants in the January 6th Capitol Hill insurrection, including convicted Proud Boys and Oath Takers;

3) Pursuing an illegal $10 billion suit against the IRS that resulted in an illegal political slush fund that permits Trump to hand out $1.776 billion to whomever pleases him; and

4) obtain absolution from the IRS (this stated only in a Department of Injustice memo) from any IRS tax action against the Trump family forever.

WOW! Even Putin would finally somewhat admire his patsy Trump for such a remarkable feat of criminality.

I am pleasantly surprised that some of Trump’s political sycophants express shock at such over-the-top Trumpism. This will play badly in the November elections. Even now some of the sycophant senators are squealing.

Trump appears to be f++k you to even his closest sycophants. Might Congress even vote against his Iranian military ‘excursion?’

P. S. His pair of deuces look weak against the Strait of Hormuz.

Phil Johnson's avatar

Well stated. Six No Trump, doubled and NOT redoubled. Down at least one.

Keith Wheelock's avatar

Phil When I play bridge I enjoy bidding THREE NO TRUMP.

Nancy Luque's avatar

The creation of this fund is an overt action in Trump’s continuing conspiracy to commit insurrection. He rewards his former henchmen/co-conspirators and keeps them loyal for the next time (November). It re-invigorates the 1/6 conspiracy which is past the statute of limitations. I think he could be sued civilly for the ongoing conspiracy (1/6 and continuing…). I also don’t think the Supremes’ immunity for crimes will work either—creating slush funds is not an official act.

joan's avatar

exactly. the orange moron himself said he sued the IRS in his personal capacity, then "settled" the case to include the slush fund and the even more outrageous immunity from tax liability. All outside the realm of official acts as president.

Sharon C Storm's avatar

Everything about this is unlawful. He is an illegitimate president due to the 14th amendment, section III. He is unqualified exactly as he would be if he were born in a foreign country or under the age of 35.

Nancy's avatar

People are suing to stop this! We'll see what happens!

Nancy Luque's avatar

Yes—but no-one has sued him personally for conspiracy

David Warburton's avatar

Not a "would be" authoritarian. He IS one. No question at all.

patricia's avatar

I hope we make it to there

Cindy Wiggins's avatar

Excellent analysis. Everyone needs to learn this lesson in how democracy is lost bit by bit.

GreenChile's avatar

Thank you for the reminder and the call to action! An excellent memorial for this day when we honor those who fought and died for our country.

Caroline Karp's avatar

Part of § 4 of the 14th Amendment [Emphasis added] sure seems to completely invalidate use of the Orange Shyster's proposed $1.776B fund to pay even $.01 to anyone associated with the Jan 6 attack on the US Capitol.

The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law ... shall not be questioned. BUT NEITHER THE UITED STATES NOR ANY STATE SHALL ASSUME OR PAY ANY DEBT OR OBLIGATION INCURRED IN AID OF INSURRECTION OR REBELLION AGAINST THE UNITED STATES, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; BUT ALL SUCH DEBTS, OBLIGATIONS AND CLAIMS SHALL BE HELD ILLEGAL AND VOID.

Jon Rosen's avatar

Well, that is a VERY interesting take on Amendment 14 Section 4. Generally, the courts have seen that clause in the amendment as referring to the debts incurred by the Confederacy (which had, in a number of cases, made attempts to have their debts assumed by the United States). However, as you note (and I went and reread the amendment just to be sure) it does NOT limit the debts to those from the civil war. I am sure it will be arguable whether A14S4 will apply to those who attacked the Capitol on Jan 6th, because of course we were NOT "at war" strictly speaking. J6 was more like an internal attack on our government, but there are definitely differing opinions.

But, yes, it would be an interesting argument to make to try to get the so-called $1.776b fund declared invalid.

Of course, if Trump distributes the money, it won't be easy to get it back.

Patricia Dempsey's avatar

Actually in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment it discusses the inability of electors, representatives, etc. to serve if they had violated the oath to the Constitution by participating in a rebellion or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove such disability... I thought there was another very specific wording within the Constitution that the president and his Cabinet could all be removed but can't find it at the moment. But a lot of good it would do... members of Congress were complicit with Trump in 2021!

Jon Rosen's avatar

Clearly the "inability" clause of the 14th Amendment was referring to the civil war, which was a clear rebellion. Jan 6 wasn't anything close to that, and I highly doubt any of the actual "rebels" in that "rebellion" would ever be electors anyway. As much as we would wish it to be true, it just doesn't hold up.

And the clause you are thinking about is the Article II Section 4 clause which states:

"The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

It is kind of cumbersome wording. Its meaning (as interpreted) is to put the Pres, VP and all civil officers in the class of people who can be impeached and removed. It can be misread to think that it means all of them at once, but it has never been held to mean that. Confusing yes, but unlikely to result in the end you want... Sorry about that :-)

Judith Swink (CA)'s avatar

Treason requires the U.S. to be at war with another country. The U.S. does not have to be "at war" for the Constitution or laws related to insurrection to be applied. I'm pretty sure, in fact, that several of the insurrectionists on Jan. 6 were convicted of insurrection. And everyone who participated the entire attack on Congress in an effort to stop the Constitutional transfer of power to the legally elected incoming president committed insurrection whether or not all of them were charged or convicted of insurrection.

There's a lot more in this linked article but

"Key Takeaways At-a-Glance:

A Grave Federal Crime: Insurrection is a specific federal crime defined in 18_usc_2383 as inciting, assisting, or engaging in a rebellion against the authority of the United States or its laws.

More Than a Riot: Insurrection involves a direct challenge to governmental authority, aiming to obstruct or overthrow a government function, which distinguishes it from a general riot or unlawful assembly. riot_law.

Severe Consequences: A conviction for insurrection carries a sentence of fines, up to ten years in federal prison, and a lifetime ban on holding any office in the United States, a consequence rooted in the fourteenth_amendment."

https://uslawexplained.com/insurrection

Jon Rosen's avatar

Just for the record, no one from Jan 6 was charged specifically with the crime of Insurrection. They were charged with specific actions, like trespass, engaging in physical violence in a public building, etc. Unless you plead or are found guilty of actual insurrection, you can't be penalized for that crime, as it is (as you note) a specific crime in the USC. The most serious crime charged for Jan 6 offenses was seditious conspiracy, and that charge resulted in the most serious jail sentences given out until the pardons were issued, including the charges against most of the Oath Keepes and Proud Boys. But again, to be clear, NO ONE was ever charged with insurrection OR treason.

And I believe you are wrong that treason "requires" the US to be at war. Treason can (and has been) charged during peacetime. The definition in the USC of Treason is:

"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. "

Note the second part of the act, which says "in adhering to their Enemies". Since the US has many enemies despite the fact that we are often NOT at war, this covers treason outside of an actual war. While it is not common, there have been people charged with treason for adhering to the enemies of the US.

What is also disallowed by the Aaron Burr decision of 1807 was that "conspiracy to levy war" was NOT treason because the law specifically states that only actually levying war is a crime of treason (or adhering to the US' enemies). It could be argued that what Burr did constituted adherence to our enemies, but that wasn't the charge, it was conspiracy to levy war, and as decided by the Supreme Court, that was not treason.

A complicated area of the law, especially as it is used so seldomly.

Judith Swink (CA)'s avatar

Thank you for this detailed clarification.

John D. Cooper's avatar

Post this on billboards throughout the United States.

Bruce Katz's avatar

I’d love to see it but invocation of the Fourteenth Amendment won’t work. The J6-ers were never charged with insurrection. I believe that was on purpose. Claiming the Fourteenth Amendment to block payment would get tossed out of court very quickly.

Debbie Smith's avatar

Yeah, but who will call him on it? Not the first time he trashed the Constitution. Im still waiting for the other (fill in the blank) times he's done it and they're still looking away.

USNewsLink.com's avatar

Bullies do it because they get away with it. He came up with the slush fund because he knew he could get away it.

Mary-Chilton van Hees's avatar

He hasn’t gotten away with it, yet. Suggesting it is a done deal already is very dangerous. FIGHT, FOR GOD’S SAKE!

John D. Cooper's avatar

I hope he does not get away with it. Call or write every member of Congress.

Judith Swink (CA)'s avatar

No, his handlers came up with it because they thought they could get away with it. But Mary-Chilton van Hees has it right: He hasn't gotten away with it yet.

Congress has the power of the purse. There appear to be a number of Republicans in both Houses of Congress who are horrified and disgusted by this so-called "slush fund". Every American must press their Senators and Representatives, especially Republicans, to reject and cancel this disgusting and highly dangerous pay-out of your and my tax dollars to insurrectionists and others who have committed crimes against the U.S. government.

This is equally true about the Acting AG's opinion (it's only his opinion) that the president and every member of his family should have permanent immunity from audits or investigations by the IRS. The AG, acting or not, does not have the legal power to do this. And, g*d forbid that a Supreme Court majority rule that the AG has that power, when and if the already filed litigation reaches them.

Barbara E's avatar

This is a powerful message. Many thanks!

David J. Sharp's avatar

Right on piece. And that caption!

Lor's avatar

Ahhh Joyce it’s true in so many ways that he’s trying everything possible to avoid being impeached again. Ive heard that ICE will be a deterrent to voting at the polls. And that he may cancel the election due to the Iran war. Sounds peculiar?

Also this slush funding is our taxpayer dollars. Hell no!

Judith Swink (CA)'s avatar

There already is a coalition of District Attorneys in a number of states that will fight back against violation of state laws that forbid any and all actions intended to intimidate voters at the polls. I expect the current number participating in FAFO (love that re-interpretation) will increase as we get closer to the midterm elections. https://www.federaloverreach.org/