Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his name from consideration as the next Attorney General of the United States today, had previously resigned from the House of Representatives.
Jen, for her, it's worth the dye because "blondes have more fun" and more attention from a toddler-man with far too much power and love of himself. I guess he sees blondes more easily than anyone else.
I’ve met a wonder Bonobo lady recently and have fallen in love with her and we willl tie the knot in holy matrimony soon so I can have blended inter-species offspring and git the hell out of the human race. 😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝
She was going to go after Trump University. Instead she received a $25k donation, and then chose not to pursue charges. The donation was deemed illegal. That should disqualify her.
I guess on a scale of payouts, she’s certainly at a much lower pay scale than his wife who seems to exchange wifely duties a few times a year for what I suspect are huge amounts of pay.
She'll probably be confirmed. The problems we have with her are likely to be seen as features by the Senate Republicans. At least we won't have to worry about Attorney General Habba.
I would have hoped being supportive of overturning a fair election would be disqualifying, though the majority (or all) of the Republicans are on the same page. The Democrats alone can't prevent it. What a flippin' mess we find ourselves in.
Attacking his own government on January 6– a disqualifier no brainer for anyone with common sense. Is there any chance DOJ,FBI or the senate is collecting disqualifying evidence to nullify his election??? Selling the government secrets he stole?? Directing destruction of ballots? 🙏🏼💙🙏🏼💙
Ned I have a lot of respect for Thom Hartman . He doesn't really suffer fools and Spoonamore is very credible.
This level of tampering sounds like child's play for a guy like Musk. He already threw $120M into electing a felon.
The thing with Spoonamore's claim is that it's provable with a hand recount. Having wildly out of normal numbers of bullet ballots in swing states compared to the usual number or count in adjacent states is more than curious.
Another reason for the National popular vote compact. Although that would just spread the opportunity.
Assuming (hoping!) that there's a confirmation hearing, at least one Democratic senator will surely ask if she accepts the outcome of the 2020 election. If she says no, that should be a disqualifier right there. If she waffles or says yes, Trump and MAGA will be pissed off.
Exactly what I was thinking. It will be challenging for me not to mispronounce her last name as Blondi. Trump was also probably remembering his success with Cannon. Come on women, we’re better than being “true” to this Bumstead (forgive me Dagwood, you may be the obtuse, but you’re not dangerous).
That's gotta be his long game. Corruption knows no bounds with that crew, and half the country - the purportedly "Christian" half - said "yeah, that's okay with us".
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO, MOTHERFUCKERS?? WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
Kevin, thanks for the info. I didn't know Bondi was Blondi. I should have known because of Trump's desperate need for affirmation from the blond female segment of society, hoping all of them would be willing to kiss rump whenever asked, to comfort their toddler-man.
Joyce..please do the right thing and boycott Morning Joe by discontinuing your appearances as a guest on the show. Joe and Mika have shamelessly capitulated by bending a knee to Trump after criticizing him as a “Hitler”. Your own criticism of Trump over the course of the campaign should be reason for you to bow out of any future appearances on the show. Joe and Mika have compromised their integrity. You should not do the same. Anything less, would put you the same level of hypocrisy as the disgraced co hosts.
I disagree. For however long "Morning Joe" ,stays on air, it still needs voices that speak the truth about the state of affairs. Joyce has shown us that she is that voice. She should do what she feels is best !
But how can anyone take Mika and Joe at their word ever again? You don't say the things they said about Tump, rightly so, and then go play nice, in hope of what? They know Trump is a liar, will always be one, and because of that, they know that any dialogue is meaningless.
My thought is that they a. Will never ask Trump a challenging question, and b. If they were to ask a hardball question the snake will bite them quickly.
We decided to see how this week would go in Morning Joe. Nothing has changed. They still criticize Trump and all of his nominees. Going to MaL was ridiculous. Trump won’t give them access because they and their guests are still critical of him. It was a waste of time for them. I like hearing Joyce and others on that show and will continue to watch for that reason. Mika and Joe are irrelevant. The show is better when they are t there.
Going to MaL was an error. They could have met with trump anywhere but at a property he owns. I have no problem with journalists meeting with him, as long as they're not throwing their followers out with the toddler water! Really bad judgement on their part, but I bet the pressure was on from their bosses, NBC & Comcast. Sometimes, it's best to quit your job if you're being told to do something against your values....and against your brand. But....$$$$$$$!
There is some serious shit going on behind the scenes (so far) to make all those Senators who blamed Trump for the J6 melee to now support him. Mitch McConnell is the worst of them. I wonder what kind of shit Putin’s cyberwar machine dug up on him? 47-elect and his clown car full of MAGA malcontents are not intellectually capable of doing this kind of oppo research. The same seems to have happened to the MSNBC duo, both of whom I have never watched. I don’t care for mindless shills for either side.
My take on many of them is fear of his gun-toting malcontents coming after them. When they discussed voting on the second impeachment, I remember a conversation between them (no names were given). One was planning on voting to convict, and another warned him of the danger he and his family would experience. He changed his mind after that conversation. I've heard other stories along those lines of people being afraid of his cult. I have no doubt those concerns are warranted.
I can easily see that as a deterrent to the Republican senators having a spine during a critical vote about 47-elect. Mitch converted more recently and I simply refuse to accept it was due to ‘party loyalty’, but rather, out of fear of either the MAGA gun toters or something far more sinister.
May the ghost of John McCain....his honor, bravery , and integrity, haunt the party of Lincoln ( who may be heard weeping throughout the Capitol building) for their abject cowardice and failure to " protect and defend the Constitution and freedoms stated therein . That is their just due this this " holiday " season.
This is my belief also. They fear the armed mob. They also fear the public shaming and the loss of their livelihoods. Fear is the overwhelming factor in their “loyalty.”
Disagree. If the good people boycott everyone who fears Trump’s revenge, we lose every Republican and half the media. I prefer to have the good folks show up and keep truth-telling. And I celebrate their courage!
Take comfort in the fact that their ratings apparently fell about 40% the day after their pilgrimage. I have no issue with wanting to interview Trump, but letting him spout unchecked nonsense does no one any favor. And the attention just fills him with more hot air and inflates his ego.
I would hope any future appearance might include as a condition of such appearance direct confrontation of the J&M sellout inclusive reminders of Trump’s imminent threats to our democracy.
Even if Dem Senators extract a commitment from Bondi to reject White House interference in the work of the Justice Department, i wouldn’t count on her to honor it. Kavanaugh and Roe as solid precedent come to mind….. sadly none of these folks seem to have the least qualm about lying to achieve any goal…
“President-elect Donald Trump’s new choice to head the Justice Department is reportedly the sister of the lawyer who represented Elon Musk and Tesla against federal charges that Musk committed securities fraud. If confirmed, Trump’s Attorney General nominee Pamela Bondi would be in a position to shut down federal prosecutors’ ongoing investigation of Musk’s company.
Trump is also reportedly considering nominating Bondi’s brother to head the federal agency that brought fraud charges against Musk.
Bradley Bondi was listed in federal documents as Musk and Tesla’s attorney in the company’s 2018 battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over a series of Musk’s tweets that the agency said misled shareholders about the financial status of the company, boosting Tesla’s stock price and leading to “significant market disruption.”
Bondi negotiated a settlement with the SEC and continued to represent Musk and Tesla when the SEC alleged that he violated the terms of the agreement a year later. “ from The Lever
@Joyce: I read an opinion piece today by former FBI Senior Executive Frank Figliuzzi which encouraged President Biden to use the Memorandum of Understanding that exists between his office and the DOJ to request investigations of the President-Elect's cabinet nominees. I have already sent President Biden an email, but thought I would double-check with you, the legal expert here. Is it possible for President Biden to order the DOJ to have the FBI do all background checks, even if the nominees won't comply? The American public deserves to know the full backgrounds of those nominated.
I have been advocating for this also. He could do it as a “favor” to Trump so the vetting would be all done for him when he takes office. And Biden can do anything he wants now!
But the FBI conducts background checks of nominees frequently. And while there is a policy about DOJ "independence" it is not backed by law. The DOJ head officers are still nominated by the President and serve "at his pleasure". Trump certainly intends to use this power over DOJ.
The problem with ordering an FBI investigation is that it takes time and time is on Trump's side. No reasonably detailed Cabinet officer investigation will be complete by the time Trump is sworn in on Jan 20 and he can/will shut down whatever he doesn't like on the 21st. So this sounds good but really had no actual effective purpose.
@ Jon Rosen: I whole-heartedly disagree!! While time may be on Trump's side, it is imperative that we contact President Biden now and urge him to begin the process so that the most unqualified individuals can be filtered out. It sends a message loud and clear to Trump-- and more importantly Republican Senators, many of whom have a tough re-election in two years,-- that the citizens are aware of what is going and we insist that nominees follow the rules for getting background checks or that they are done even if the nominees don't agree to them. We're not striving to filter out nominees who's policy we disagree with, but we are insisting that the nominees are at least minimally qualified to do their jobs. To sit on our hands and say "there's not enough time" is a poor excuse for not trying. And while we cannot chase every little thing Trump says or does, his cabinet positions are very important and need to be addressed. I am making an additional comment with a suggested letter that people can choose to copy if they wish and President Biden's contact information.
If you take the time to actually read the Memorandum of Understanding that governs such "advance" background checks, you will see that it REQUIRES the appointee to consent to the check. Without consent there is no legal basis to conduct any background check. Biden would be violating the law if he ordered such checks on his own.
In past times this was agreed to between the outgoing administration and the incoming one. Those were of course "normal" times when the outgoing administration offered help to the incoming one and it was typically accepted.
We are not in those times anymore and the idea that any of Trump's appointed would consent to such a check is absurd. Trump has said he is ignoring such previous requirements.
So I repeat my contention that it won't happen no matter what any of us would hope for. And ib think Biden would be out of line to conduct checks without consent as required in the MOU even if it makes sense to get that information. It would be particularly a problem if Biden was seen as doing so to embarrass the incoming by President. I do not like the guy at all, but we still are a nation that is supposed to conduct itself in accordance with the law and I can find nothing that would otherwise permit Biden to conduct such checks on his own.
I did take the time to read it and would not have posted had I not thought it worthy. This strategy was suggested by a former FBI Senior Executive which sounds like someone who knows of what they speak. He addresses the "if they don't want to consent" problem by stating:
"What happens if a nominee refuses to cooperate, won’t provide his consent to be investigated or won’t fill out any forms? The MOU has a remedy for that: 'The DOJ and FBI may consider a request from the President for a name check or BI without the consent of the appointee if justified by extraordinary circumstances. 'I’d say with some of these nominees named by Trump, and the fact that Trump may forego FBI vetting of them, we have extraordinary circumstances.'" And I agree with the former FBI executive, as I would think most of the 76+ million individuals who did NOT vote for Trump would.
@Annie Weeks I am attaching the link from Simon Rosenberg's Hopium Chronicles which provides the entire 8 page memorandum signed by Eric Holder in 2010 and co-signed the next day by the White House Counsel to the President Robert Bauer. It looks legit to me.
As I noted on my other response, please read the MOU and you will see that it requires consent from the appointee. I expect that no appointee of Trump's would consent. The MOU was implemented between Bush and Obama as a way of offering help to Obama s incoming team. It was never intended to be a means for the current President to order an investigation to keep a member of the incoming presidents staff from being appointed. That is why it requires consent of the appointee and the president elect. So Biden could offer to conduct the background checks but I see no justification or legal way to order them independent of av request from Trump.
I did take the time to read it and would not have posted had I not thought it worthy. This strategy was suggested by a former FBI Senior Executive which sounds like someone who knows of what they speak. He addresses the "if they don't want to consent" problem by stating:
"What happens if a nominee refuses to cooperate, won’t provide his consent to be investigated or won’t fill out any forms? The MOU has a remedy for that: 'The DOJ and FBI may consider a request from the President for a name check or BI without the consent of the appointee if justified by extraordinary circumstances. 'I’d say with some of these nominees named by Trump, and the fact that Trump may forego FBI vetting of them, we have extraordinary circumstances.'" And I agree with former FBI Senior Executive, as I would think most of the 76+ million individuals who did NOT vote for Trump would.
As you note it says "the FBI MAY consider a request". The FBI had to live with the next President. As noted elsewhere the FBI is designed to be a non political organization. I expect any rational FBI director would NOT choose to "weaponize" the FBI for this purpose in anticipation of a future President coming into office.
In general I think this is tilting at windmills. I am all in favor of taking a stance against Trump running amok (which he is already doing and he isn't even in office yet) but it should be a rational and legal stance, and shouldn't put a variety of civil servants at risk. I think it is a waste of time anyway because it will be difficult to perform a useful and accurate investigating in less than 2 months anyway. I realize that no matter what is done nothing is going to make this Trump presidency "go away" so we'd be best to try to use reasonable tactics, not grandstand plays.
Yeah, Pam, oh boy. Her tenure in FL was riddled with ethics issues, and this from Wikipedia:
‘In 2018, Bondi joined with 19 other Republican-led states in a lawsuit to overturn the ACA's bans on health insurance companies charging people with pre-existing conditions higher premiums or denying them coverage outright.[16]
Bondi opposed same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ rights issues on behalf of the state.[17] Following the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting in June 2016, Bondi was interviewed by CNN reporter Anderson Cooper, who said that Bondi's expression of support for the LGBT community was at odds with her past record.[18][19][17] Cooper said that Bondi was "either mistaken or not telling the truth," while Bondi accused Cooper of fomenting "anger and hate."[18]’
Bondi once launched an inquiry into the Trump University (NOT). Bondi promptly got a fat donation from the orange Florida menace. The inquiry faded away until the state of New York took away the reins, killed Trump's con & got recovery for the marks.
Years and years of blondes used in advertising things to keep women in the home: washing machines, impractical clothes, the latest of everything to be bought for fashion's sake, keeping the femme in feminism. Women still buy the image in all its latest permutations and men tend to reinforce it, which is one factor in why JD Vance did not hold Trump back from being elected. White /
blond imagery of course as some kind of a standard beauty concept. Republican is a choice for people who don't want to embrace changes where they think they would somehow lose their status, which indeed they probably should. The call to return to a perfect past is the code.
Let's not blame Norma Jean. I think the blonde appeal is the opposite of dark-haired women and also dark-skinned women which can include not only Blacks, Indians, Muslims, but also Jews, Italians, anyone who has a darker complexion or hair.
Can you not see that the Hollywood machine looked for and promoted the Norma Jeans? She knew herself to be an image, she was not stupid. But/And consider the status of women at that time. If you haven't yet.. It didn't go well for her in case you don't know that she had an early death. Not a happy one.
Oh please, spare me the “let’s hope” and “constitutional oath” pandering to her better angel side. She is bought and paid for by 47-elect and his MAGA disciples. All I expect from her is to carry out his retribution promises. Anyone who gets their picture taken hugging 47-elect’s plane, the way he hugs the American flag, is figuratively, if not literally, in bed with him and his ideas.
This is not your typical clown car that has a ‘capacity’. It is a stretch limo clown car big enough to allow the passengers to procreate and grow their progeny into loyal MAGA disciples in an infinite, downward, spiraling loop.
When I was in Taos in 2016 there was an art piece on the wall of a local restaurant that was a driftwood clown car with a bunch of them falling out of it. I really should have bought it. No idea it would have a 12 year relevance.
If you are referring to Hegseth, he says that she extorted him and blackmailed him, and he offered her a settlement simply to avoid trouble with Fox. He has never admitted wrong.
Gaetz was only a staking horse for _rump to nominate a ‘more reasonable’ (but should not be acceptable except for maga-ites) who is a capable right wing odd duck.
Wow. We are now at the "not awful by comparison" standards level? LOL. In the distance I hear the sounds of large amounts of soil movement as every Founding Father and every actual US patriot is turning over (and over) in their graves.
I would never expect Gaetz to do anything noble like leave his House seat open. As chief House rock thrower and Speaker deposer, his role cannot be reprised by another. Watch your back Mike? Or not. I wouldn’t shed a tear if you got deposed.
My understanding per Lawrence's "The Last Word" tonight is that Gaetz was reelected to the U.S. House for the next Congressional Session.
We all need to be precise here & for the next 50 months. Gaetz did reign his House seat to stop the publication of the Ethics Committee list of Matt's admissions against his civil & criminal interests.
Far from over & absolutely nothing noble is possible.
I suspect that the public will see the contents of that report soon enough. I never thought I would agree with Representative Marjorie flailing Spleen . . . but . . . release all of the reports behind the settlements and even a redacted version of the Epstein files, if possible. Accountability.
Wishful thinking. He comes from money. He won't be on the street. Daddy will always bail him out. That's why he feels so "entitled". Entitled to use drugs and far worse, rape underage girls.
No doubt in my mind she will do whatever trump wants. No way would he consider a fair and impartial person for DOJ -wait that doesn’t sound like anyone he would associate with..
Crooks don’t surround themselves with honest people. They want smaller crooks who would never dare squeal. Or they might end up sleeping with the fishes.
Pam Bondi was not well respected during her tenure in the Florida AG seat but at least she has experience, unlike the collection of misfits the President elect has nominated. I would be shocked if he nominated anyone who expects to be independent.
That’s the problem with autocrats. You either kiss their ass and do what they want or you’re fired. Not that complicated. The burden of proof rests upon every Trump nominee to prove that they can act independently. And in the world of Trump, nobody can meet that burden without paying a heavy price. In the world of criming this is omertà. Loyalty to your master. Screw up (by doing the right thing instead of what big boss wants) and you find your horse’s severed head on the pillow next to your own. Source: The Godfather, Part II.
No one should be surprised by the foul assortment of depraved individuals who Trump has proposed for Cabinet Secretaries. Like all common criminals he is attracted to others who have the same degenerate aims as does he. And it is further evidence that the grifter-in-chief has not changed one iota. Now his mark is the entire population and he has selected henchmen who will be his lieutenants. The idea that these positions are supposed to advance the common good would be incomprehensible to this motley crew. Joyce is probably right in suggesting that the Gaetz nomination was so preposterous that it was intended to distract from other heinous choices such as a Russia sympathizer for DNI. Maybe he’ll get his Moscow tower yet but he should be careful - he is no match for the murderous Putin and such egomaniacs never share - he should remember Pregogzin.
The cabinet members were picked to wreck our democracy and to allow trump to be dictator. they have only one qualification and that is to destroy the institution they will be running
all else is pretense. Bannon called for the destruction of the state. Trump will be king of the ashes. The rich king
Bondi? Let's be honest, Trump only sees Blondie.
She looks so good on TV; there’s a qualification!
Another faux noose fake blonde
Jen, for her, it's worth the dye because "blondes have more fun" and more attention from a toddler-man with far too much power and love of himself. I guess he sees blondes more easily than anyone else.
I’ve met a wonder Bonobo lady recently and have fallen in love with her and we willl tie the knot in holy matrimony soon so I can have blended inter-species offspring and git the hell out of the human race. 😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝😜😂😝
Do you think a "Bonobo lady" would have you? Bonobos are female led. They do the choosing.
Good point. With a little tickle, maybe. After all, girls just want a little tickle isn’t that right?
Ewww
Hmm you must know different girls than me. Or maybe you’re talking about toddlers? I think they adore tickling.
Bill, Would it be OK if I suggested you see someone and get some help ?
What kind of help would you suggest for me? Drugs and alcohol?
mulled wine and a shrink......
no offense meant, just your post was a little more odd than usual....
Congratulations, Bill! All great hopes to you and your delight!
Can not really see how she can be turned down, though it does not feel good for me to admit that.
She was going to go after Trump University. Instead she received a $25k donation, and then chose not to pursue charges. The donation was deemed illegal. That should disqualify her.
At least we know she can be bought at a relatively bargain price.
I guess on a scale of payouts, she’s certainly at a much lower pay scale than his wife who seems to exchange wifely duties a few times a year for what I suspect are huge amounts of pay.
“If you marry for money, you’ll earn every penny”
Well, that sounds damning.
She'll probably be confirmed. The problems we have with her are likely to be seen as features by the Senate Republicans. At least we won't have to worry about Attorney General Habba.
Yes, though awful, she could be worse. That's high praise in Trumpworld.
I suspect Alina doesn’t like her now
Can we call her Dabba? Who’s DOO?
Are you sure? As Bondi is an agent of Qatar, some might think she is not qualified and Habba is next on the list.
I would have hoped being supportive of overturning a fair election would be disqualifying, though the majority (or all) of the Republicans are on the same page. The Democrats alone can't prevent it. What a flippin' mess we find ourselves in.
Attacking his own government on January 6– a disqualifier no brainer for anyone with common sense. Is there any chance DOJ,FBI or the senate is collecting disqualifying evidence to nullify his election??? Selling the government secrets he stole?? Directing destruction of ballots? 🙏🏼💙🙏🏼💙
Thom Hartmann recently had this interview, though I take it with a grain of salt.
https://youtu.be/RJR5uQpweko
Ned I have a lot of respect for Thom Hartman . He doesn't really suffer fools and Spoonamore is very credible.
This level of tampering sounds like child's play for a guy like Musk. He already threw $120M into electing a felon.
The thing with Spoonamore's claim is that it's provable with a hand recount. Having wildly out of normal numbers of bullet ballots in swing states compared to the usual number or count in adjacent states is more than curious.
Another reason for the National popular vote compact. Although that would just spread the opportunity.
That was garland's job.......
If only....
Not everyone who felt the election was stolen is stupid.
Assuming (hoping!) that there's a confirmation hearing, at least one Democratic senator will surely ask if she accepts the outcome of the 2020 election. If she says no, that should be a disqualifier right there. If she waffles or says yes, Trump and MAGA will be pissed off.
Senator Whitehouse will ask.
I can see almost any one of them asking. I expect they'll have it worked out in advance.
She shows not ONE OUNCE of impartiality.
Absolutely! She's his type.
Aryan.
Yeah, Trump is racially superior by at least eighty-five pounds.
You are correct. And she is not stupid but a lot of drama goes with the woman. It's bad news.
Yes he surrounds himself with "lookers" and maybe hookers as well
Exactly what I was thinking. It will be challenging for me not to mispronounce her last name as Blondi. Trump was also probably remembering his success with Cannon. Come on women, we’re better than being “true” to this Bumstead (forgive me Dagwood, you may be the obtuse, but you’re not dangerous).
Will Trump claim droit du seigneur?
He must be saving Aileen Cannon for SCOTUS. Lifetime appointments are required for the mob and she will sway every case in his favor.
That's gotta be his long game. Corruption knows no bounds with that crew, and half the country - the purportedly "Christian" half - said "yeah, that's okay with us".
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO, MOTHERFUCKERS?? WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
Kevin, thanks for the info. I didn't know Bondi was Blondi. I should have known because of Trump's desperate need for affirmation from the blond female segment of society, hoping all of them would be willing to kiss rump whenever asked, to comfort their toddler-man.
Joyce..please do the right thing and boycott Morning Joe by discontinuing your appearances as a guest on the show. Joe and Mika have shamelessly capitulated by bending a knee to Trump after criticizing him as a “Hitler”. Your own criticism of Trump over the course of the campaign should be reason for you to bow out of any future appearances on the show. Joe and Mika have compromised their integrity. You should not do the same. Anything less, would put you the same level of hypocrisy as the disgraced co hosts.
I disagree. For however long "Morning Joe" ,stays on air, it still needs voices that speak the truth about the state of affairs. Joyce has shown us that she is that voice. She should do what she feels is best !
But how can anyone take Mika and Joe at their word ever again? You don't say the things they said about Tump, rightly so, and then go play nice, in hope of what? They know Trump is a liar, will always be one, and because of that, they know that any dialogue is meaningless.
My thought is that they a. Will never ask Trump a challenging question, and b. If they were to ask a hardball question the snake will bite them quickly.
We decided to see how this week would go in Morning Joe. Nothing has changed. They still criticize Trump and all of his nominees. Going to MaL was ridiculous. Trump won’t give them access because they and their guests are still critical of him. It was a waste of time for them. I like hearing Joyce and others on that show and will continue to watch for that reason. Mika and Joe are irrelevant. The show is better when they are t there.
Going to MaL was an error. They could have met with trump anywhere but at a property he owns. I have no problem with journalists meeting with him, as long as they're not throwing their followers out with the toddler water! Really bad judgement on their part, but I bet the pressure was on from their bosses, NBC & Comcast. Sometimes, it's best to quit your job if you're being told to do something against your values....and against your brand. But....$$$$$$$!
We usually give a sigh of relief when Joe & Mika take the day off.
How do we judge Joe and Mika? Are they considered liars, too?
Maybe they just want to spend New Year’s Eve at Mar-a-Lago! Again?
Amen,Margaret.
There is some serious shit going on behind the scenes (so far) to make all those Senators who blamed Trump for the J6 melee to now support him. Mitch McConnell is the worst of them. I wonder what kind of shit Putin’s cyberwar machine dug up on him? 47-elect and his clown car full of MAGA malcontents are not intellectually capable of doing this kind of oppo research. The same seems to have happened to the MSNBC duo, both of whom I have never watched. I don’t care for mindless shills for either side.
My take on many of them is fear of his gun-toting malcontents coming after them. When they discussed voting on the second impeachment, I remember a conversation between them (no names were given). One was planning on voting to convict, and another warned him of the danger he and his family would experience. He changed his mind after that conversation. I've heard other stories along those lines of people being afraid of his cult. I have no doubt those concerns are warranted.
I can easily see that as a deterrent to the Republican senators having a spine during a critical vote about 47-elect. Mitch converted more recently and I simply refuse to accept it was due to ‘party loyalty’, but rather, out of fear of either the MAGA gun toters or something far more sinister.
May the ghost of John McCain....his honor, bravery , and integrity, haunt the party of Lincoln ( who may be heard weeping throughout the Capitol building) for their abject cowardice and failure to " protect and defend the Constitution and freedoms stated therein . That is their just due this this " holiday " season.
Hey, that sounds like a great idea for another version of A Christmas Carol! McCain can play the ghost of Marley.
Mr Dickens...and I thank your for your superb " casting" , Wayne T.!
I can’t wait to see my name on the credit roll at the end of the show!
This is my belief also. They fear the armed mob. They also fear the public shaming and the loss of their livelihoods. Fear is the overwhelming factor in their “loyalty.”
Well, they have no shame so it's only fear, the great motivator.
I wish the threats folks say they get would be more publicized. It is really hearsay at this point. I don't doubt for a second that they happen.
Disagree. If the good people boycott everyone who fears Trump’s revenge, we lose every Republican and half the media. I prefer to have the good folks show up and keep truth-telling. And I celebrate their courage!
Agree!!!!
Take comfort in the fact that their ratings apparently fell about 40% the day after their pilgrimage. I have no issue with wanting to interview Trump, but letting him spout unchecked nonsense does no one any favor. And the attention just fills him with more hot air and inflates his ego.
I would hope any future appearance might include as a condition of such appearance direct confrontation of the J&M sellout inclusive reminders of Trump’s imminent threats to our democracy.
Even if Dem Senators extract a commitment from Bondi to reject White House interference in the work of the Justice Department, i wouldn’t count on her to honor it. Kavanaugh and Roe as solid precedent come to mind….. sadly none of these folks seem to have the least qualm about lying to achieve any goal…
“President-elect Donald Trump’s new choice to head the Justice Department is reportedly the sister of the lawyer who represented Elon Musk and Tesla against federal charges that Musk committed securities fraud. If confirmed, Trump’s Attorney General nominee Pamela Bondi would be in a position to shut down federal prosecutors’ ongoing investigation of Musk’s company.
Trump is also reportedly considering nominating Bondi’s brother to head the federal agency that brought fraud charges against Musk.
Bradley Bondi was listed in federal documents as Musk and Tesla’s attorney in the company’s 2018 battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over a series of Musk’s tweets that the agency said misled shareholders about the financial status of the company, boosting Tesla’s stock price and leading to “significant market disruption.”
Bondi negotiated a settlement with the SEC and continued to represent Musk and Tesla when the SEC alleged that he violated the terms of the agreement a year later. “ from The Lever
@Joyce: I read an opinion piece today by former FBI Senior Executive Frank Figliuzzi which encouraged President Biden to use the Memorandum of Understanding that exists between his office and the DOJ to request investigations of the President-Elect's cabinet nominees. I have already sent President Biden an email, but thought I would double-check with you, the legal expert here. Is it possible for President Biden to order the DOJ to have the FBI do all background checks, even if the nominees won't comply? The American public deserves to know the full backgrounds of those nominated.
I have been advocating for this also. He could do it as a “favor” to Trump so the vetting would be all done for him when he takes office. And Biden can do anything he wants now!
I like your thinking. 😉 Look for a separate post I made where I offer a letter and contact information people can use if it makes it easier for them.
I think DOJ is meant to stay at arms length from the Presidency isn’t it? The DOJ works for “the people”, not the President.
But the FBI conducts background checks of nominees frequently. And while there is a policy about DOJ "independence" it is not backed by law. The DOJ head officers are still nominated by the President and serve "at his pleasure". Trump certainly intends to use this power over DOJ.
The problem with ordering an FBI investigation is that it takes time and time is on Trump's side. No reasonably detailed Cabinet officer investigation will be complete by the time Trump is sworn in on Jan 20 and he can/will shut down whatever he doesn't like on the 21st. So this sounds good but really had no actual effective purpose.
@ Jon Rosen: I whole-heartedly disagree!! While time may be on Trump's side, it is imperative that we contact President Biden now and urge him to begin the process so that the most unqualified individuals can be filtered out. It sends a message loud and clear to Trump-- and more importantly Republican Senators, many of whom have a tough re-election in two years,-- that the citizens are aware of what is going and we insist that nominees follow the rules for getting background checks or that they are done even if the nominees don't agree to them. We're not striving to filter out nominees who's policy we disagree with, but we are insisting that the nominees are at least minimally qualified to do their jobs. To sit on our hands and say "there's not enough time" is a poor excuse for not trying. And while we cannot chase every little thing Trump says or does, his cabinet positions are very important and need to be addressed. I am making an additional comment with a suggested letter that people can choose to copy if they wish and President Biden's contact information.
If you take the time to actually read the Memorandum of Understanding that governs such "advance" background checks, you will see that it REQUIRES the appointee to consent to the check. Without consent there is no legal basis to conduct any background check. Biden would be violating the law if he ordered such checks on his own.
In past times this was agreed to between the outgoing administration and the incoming one. Those were of course "normal" times when the outgoing administration offered help to the incoming one and it was typically accepted.
We are not in those times anymore and the idea that any of Trump's appointed would consent to such a check is absurd. Trump has said he is ignoring such previous requirements.
So I repeat my contention that it won't happen no matter what any of us would hope for. And ib think Biden would be out of line to conduct checks without consent as required in the MOU even if it makes sense to get that information. It would be particularly a problem if Biden was seen as doing so to embarrass the incoming by President. I do not like the guy at all, but we still are a nation that is supposed to conduct itself in accordance with the law and I can find nothing that would otherwise permit Biden to conduct such checks on his own.
I did take the time to read it and would not have posted had I not thought it worthy. This strategy was suggested by a former FBI Senior Executive which sounds like someone who knows of what they speak. He addresses the "if they don't want to consent" problem by stating:
"What happens if a nominee refuses to cooperate, won’t provide his consent to be investigated or won’t fill out any forms? The MOU has a remedy for that: 'The DOJ and FBI may consider a request from the President for a name check or BI without the consent of the appointee if justified by extraordinary circumstances. 'I’d say with some of these nominees named by Trump, and the fact that Trump may forego FBI vetting of them, we have extraordinary circumstances.'" And I agree with the former FBI executive, as I would think most of the 76+ million individuals who did NOT vote for Trump would.
@Annie Weeks I am attaching the link from Simon Rosenberg's Hopium Chronicles which provides the entire 8 page memorandum signed by Eric Holder in 2010 and co-signed the next day by the White House Counsel to the President Robert Bauer. It looks legit to me.
https://perma.cc/YKP5-UBFQ?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
As I noted on my other response, please read the MOU and you will see that it requires consent from the appointee. I expect that no appointee of Trump's would consent. The MOU was implemented between Bush and Obama as a way of offering help to Obama s incoming team. It was never intended to be a means for the current President to order an investigation to keep a member of the incoming presidents staff from being appointed. That is why it requires consent of the appointee and the president elect. So Biden could offer to conduct the background checks but I see no justification or legal way to order them independent of av request from Trump.
Sorry but I think you aren't correct here.
I did take the time to read it and would not have posted had I not thought it worthy. This strategy was suggested by a former FBI Senior Executive which sounds like someone who knows of what they speak. He addresses the "if they don't want to consent" problem by stating:
"What happens if a nominee refuses to cooperate, won’t provide his consent to be investigated or won’t fill out any forms? The MOU has a remedy for that: 'The DOJ and FBI may consider a request from the President for a name check or BI without the consent of the appointee if justified by extraordinary circumstances. 'I’d say with some of these nominees named by Trump, and the fact that Trump may forego FBI vetting of them, we have extraordinary circumstances.'" And I agree with former FBI Senior Executive, as I would think most of the 76+ million individuals who did NOT vote for Trump would.
As you note it says "the FBI MAY consider a request". The FBI had to live with the next President. As noted elsewhere the FBI is designed to be a non political organization. I expect any rational FBI director would NOT choose to "weaponize" the FBI for this purpose in anticipation of a future President coming into office.
In general I think this is tilting at windmills. I am all in favor of taking a stance against Trump running amok (which he is already doing and he isn't even in office yet) but it should be a rational and legal stance, and shouldn't put a variety of civil servants at risk. I think it is a waste of time anyway because it will be difficult to perform a useful and accurate investigating in less than 2 months anyway. I realize that no matter what is done nothing is going to make this Trump presidency "go away" so we'd be best to try to use reasonable tactics, not grandstand plays.
That's my $.03 anyway.
Yeah, Pam, oh boy. Her tenure in FL was riddled with ethics issues, and this from Wikipedia:
‘In 2018, Bondi joined with 19 other Republican-led states in a lawsuit to overturn the ACA's bans on health insurance companies charging people with pre-existing conditions higher premiums or denying them coverage outright.[16]
Bondi opposed same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ rights issues on behalf of the state.[17] Following the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting in June 2016, Bondi was interviewed by CNN reporter Anderson Cooper, who said that Bondi's expression of support for the LGBT community was at odds with her past record.[18][19][17] Cooper said that Bondi was "either mistaken or not telling the truth," while Bondi accused Cooper of fomenting "anger and hate."[18]’
Bondi once launched an inquiry into the Trump University (NOT). Bondi promptly got a fat donation from the orange Florida menace. The inquiry faded away until the state of New York took away the reins, killed Trump's con & got recovery for the marks.
The perfect nominee for Trump—good looking
Blonde!! Why do so many Republican women have that look?!
Years and years of blondes used in advertising things to keep women in the home: washing machines, impractical clothes, the latest of everything to be bought for fashion's sake, keeping the femme in feminism. Women still buy the image in all its latest permutations and men tend to reinforce it, which is one factor in why JD Vance did not hold Trump back from being elected. White /
blond imagery of course as some kind of a standard beauty concept. Republican is a choice for people who don't want to embrace changes where they think they would somehow lose their status, which indeed they probably should. The call to return to a perfect past is the code.
Thank you Hollywood and Norma Jean for showing shallow men what their preferred sex partner should look like.
Let's not blame Norma Jean. I think the blonde appeal is the opposite of dark-haired women and also dark-skinned women which can include not only Blacks, Indians, Muslims, but also Jews, Italians, anyone who has a darker complexion or hair.
Can you not see that the Hollywood machine looked for and promoted the Norma Jeans? She knew herself to be an image, she was not stupid. But/And consider the status of women at that time. If you haven't yet.. It didn't go well for her in case you don't know that she had an early death. Not a happy one.
The treadmill exacts a heavy toll.
Handmaidens
Roger Ailes of Fox "News" preferred it and seemingly made it a condition of hiring female employees.
Pretty soon her face will be bottomed to look like Lara et al.
Not my type
She seems a questionable candidate and it appears there may be plenty of conflict of interest issues. It also appears that she is less than truthful.
Oh please, spare me the “let’s hope” and “constitutional oath” pandering to her better angel side. She is bought and paid for by 47-elect and his MAGA disciples. All I expect from her is to carry out his retribution promises. Anyone who gets their picture taken hugging 47-elect’s plane, the way he hugs the American flag, is figuratively, if not literally, in bed with him and his ideas.
Bondi would definitely NOT stand up for principles or against Trump. She’s a big NO.
Correct. She is a really explosive mess.
Any woman who supports a rapist is unqualified. Period.
One clown down; let’s see what happens with the rest….
This is not your typical clown car that has a ‘capacity’. It is a stretch limo clown car big enough to allow the passengers to procreate and grow their progeny into loyal MAGA disciples in an infinite, downward, spiraling loop.
When I was in Taos in 2016 there was an art piece on the wall of a local restaurant that was a driftwood clown car with a bunch of them falling out of it. I really should have bought it. No idea it would have a 12 year relevance.
I love Sante Fe and Taos. Sounds like a missed opportunity.
Like the clown car at the circus; the sh*ts just keep on coming.
Which begs the question, Is an NDA legal if it hides a crime or misdeed?
They all do, yes?
If you are referring to Hegseth, he says that she extorted him and blackmailed him, and he offered her a settlement simply to avoid trouble with Fox. He has never admitted wrong.
If you didn’t do it, you don’t make a hush money payment. I believe Stormy Daniels. Why this is controversial for anyone is beyond me.
Gaetz was only a staking horse for _rump to nominate a ‘more reasonable’ (but should not be acceptable except for maga-ites) who is a capable right wing odd duck.
Wow. We are now at the "not awful by comparison" standards level? LOL. In the distance I hear the sounds of large amounts of soil movement as every Founding Father and every actual US patriot is turning over (and over) in their graves.
Shed a tear at your words, Mr Rosen....but then I' m old, very old...and still recall a much kinder world.
I agree with Julie. The "lesser" evil, no doubt.
I would never expect Gaetz to do anything noble like leave his House seat open. As chief House rock thrower and Speaker deposer, his role cannot be reprised by another. Watch your back Mike? Or not. I wouldn’t shed a tear if you got deposed.
My understanding per Lawrence's "The Last Word" tonight is that Gaetz was reelected to the U.S. House for the next Congressional Session.
We all need to be precise here & for the next 50 months. Gaetz did reign his House seat to stop the publication of the Ethics Committee list of Matt's admissions against his civil & criminal interests.
Far from over & absolutely nothing noble is possible.
It would be a big red flag if Frat Boy is seated in the 119th and the ethics report is not released.
The the Chairman of the House Ethics Committee (MICHAEL GUEST) looking very haggard just said on Lawrence at 44.44 that "this ends the discussion".
Nope. OK, let's complete the Ethics Report.
I suspect that the public will see the contents of that report soon enough. I never thought I would agree with Representative Marjorie flailing Spleen . . . but . . . release all of the reports behind the settlements and even a redacted version of the Epstein files, if possible. Accountability.
I did read that. I was so hoping that his resignation and subsequent withdrawal would put him on the street. Quelle dommage.
Apres Gaetz le deluge.
My antediluvian hopes are that he doesn’t know how to swim. Make me proud Matthew.
Smart retort... good one.
Hah. Thanks. You made me stretch and resort to a damn translator. I took French over 5 decades ago. 😬
Wishful thinking. He comes from money. He won't be on the street. Daddy will always bail him out. That's why he feels so "entitled". Entitled to use drugs and far worse, rape underage girls.
Agreed. Does that make him elite?
If he goes back in, isn't the ethics report fair game again?
I’ve been wondering the same thing and share Ned’s speculation above re: the report being “available” to the public soon.
No doubt in my mind she will do whatever trump wants. No way would he consider a fair and impartial person for DOJ -wait that doesn’t sound like anyone he would associate with..
Crooks don’t surround themselves with honest people. They want smaller crooks who would never dare squeal. Or they might end up sleeping with the fishes.
Pam Bondi was not well respected during her tenure in the Florida AG seat but at least she has experience, unlike the collection of misfits the President elect has nominated. I would be shocked if he nominated anyone who expects to be independent.
That’s the problem with autocrats. You either kiss their ass and do what they want or you’re fired. Not that complicated. The burden of proof rests upon every Trump nominee to prove that they can act independently. And in the world of Trump, nobody can meet that burden without paying a heavy price. In the world of criming this is omertà. Loyalty to your master. Screw up (by doing the right thing instead of what big boss wants) and you find your horse’s severed head on the pillow next to your own. Source: The Godfather, Part II.
No one should be surprised by the foul assortment of depraved individuals who Trump has proposed for Cabinet Secretaries. Like all common criminals he is attracted to others who have the same degenerate aims as does he. And it is further evidence that the grifter-in-chief has not changed one iota. Now his mark is the entire population and he has selected henchmen who will be his lieutenants. The idea that these positions are supposed to advance the common good would be incomprehensible to this motley crew. Joyce is probably right in suggesting that the Gaetz nomination was so preposterous that it was intended to distract from other heinous choices such as a Russia sympathizer for DNI. Maybe he’ll get his Moscow tower yet but he should be careful - he is no match for the murderous Putin and such egomaniacs never share - he should remember Pregogzin.
The cabinet members were picked to wreck our democracy and to allow trump to be dictator. they have only one qualification and that is to destroy the institution they will be running
all else is pretense. Bannon called for the destruction of the state. Trump will be king of the ashes. The rich king
She will just be another toadie in his cesspool of toads🐸