This is what happens when we didn't fight fire with fire after Traitor lost the election; planned and executed an insurrection; called for his VP's death; and continued the big lie. He, and all who assisted him, should have gone to prison.
Well, SOME of us thought it was obvious, but OTHERS of us in the Senate saw fit to let this bastard go free TWO TIMES in a row. And the bastard has done things that no other president in history even tried. He exposed every gaping deficiency, unresolved tension, and shattered the unspoken, implied decency in our political system. Who would ever have thought a convicted criminal would legally be able to pardon other convicted criminals?
More baffling to me is that the felon has solid and unyielding support from people who, unlike elected officials, have nothing to gain from their support. If Donald tossed Grandma out of a sixth floor window, they would find a way to justify that.
It’s all about owning the libs and exacting revenge on all the people, real and imagined, that they hate. Trump hates and punishes the people we hate therefore we love Trump. And we love him even though all of his policies actively harm us. If that’s not a cult, nothing is
Who are all the people you hate? You mean people who want single payer and universal healthcare? Medicare and Medicaid? USAID? Protecting the environment? Concerned about climate change. Protecting endangered species? Supporting renewable energy? Supporting voting rights? Wanting the rich to pay their fair share of taxes?
Walter, yes, that is true if the hater truly hates people of color or women or has been brainwashed into believing that women are inferior and should have no say over their bodies. Sometimes, people will choose to live off of hate rather than to see what those who are leading the hate fest are doing to them, often the reason for sowing the hate in the first place.
The people who enslaved others worked hard to make sure that even those who didn't own other people would believe those enslaved persons were worthy of their hate and to be "kept in their place." They hid most of their hates in promoting "the cause" as the confederate states went to war so they could keep slavery alive and well; it was seen as better for them to maintain slavery so others would do the work and they would get the profits. They couldn't let those pathetic white folks who had never held slaves think that Black people deserved any rights not given to them by the former owners. The hate was promoted and celebrated through violence and enforced poverty. It still exists because the perpetrators were never held accountable.
That same kind of division and hatred are at play among the oligarchs who want to use race, misogyny, immigration status, and class to keep us all from paying attention to what those oligarchs are doing to the rest of us. It has been working pretty well because just as in the confederacy, money "trumps" everything else and some sprinkled around will get those folks in power to keep up the pretense that rich white men are superior to everyone else. Dividing the rest of us works so well, and Trumplandia and Republicans have used the strategy often and well. We need effective strategies to stop them!
Richard, Oh yes, it is a cult, a really bad one, but FauxFox helped to create the cult and established Trump's leadership with the help of producers of "The Apprentice" who just like Baby Donnie were frauds too.
Angie, and the Murdochs kept getting more and more power because they were able to tap into the ever-present race fears in this nation as well as the misogyny and xenophobia. That is shameful, but what is more shameful is that America has not tried hard enough to work through the racism etc. to get to a place of appreciation of the other. The Murdochs knew what they were doing and I think they are disgusting human beings along with the Ellisons, Bezos, and a bunch of others who are Ok with trampling on our rights and turning "freedom of speech" into their own personal magnified hate fest. It is the responsibility of the Americanpeople and our representatives at all levels to work harder to fix this problem!
More baffling to me is that the felon seems to still have that support from people who have already lost so much by falling for his scams. - or who, along with their friends and friends and relatives have done so. (the golden telephone, Trump's "charity," Trump University ....)
Carl Sagan - "One of the saddest lessons of history is, if we've been bamboozled long enough, we reject any evidence of the bamboozle. It's simply too painful to acknowledge that we've been taken."
Martin, and Baby Donnie will have tweeted a picture of grandma lying broken on the street and Trump standing over her looking like the white man's Jesus.
I always wondered how Donald knew that he could shoot someone in broad daylight and not lose any votes. I guess he knew he could convince them that the murder was in their best interests.
Here is a very interesting and worthwhile post that describes how the recent political victory in Hungary was achieved. We would all do well to read it. Sorry I can't seem to post the link accurately.
This is a much needed and brilliantly laid out look at what happened in Hungary, and lays out the script that worked there. It is eerily like where the USA is today (as in, this week, and the coming weeks leading to the elections). Our "script" will be different, but the parallels are very much in line. The key that stands out to me is the necessity to set aside secondary differences in order to build a cohesive opposition to Trump's corrupt administration. We are, I think, moving toward that. I pray so.
Thank you for posting this (and thanks to Dale of Green Gables for the link). I agree: this is something that should be read widely, thought about, discussed, and shared.
The traitor couldn't do it without the DOJ. We don't have a DOJ any more. We have a White House with what used to be the DOJ acting in support of the traitor. The Republicans in congress have green lit this by confirming all the kings men. A traitorous government is what we have. FUBAR
In the Nov. 3 midterm election, all those who abetted this traitor by approving and encouraging the continuation of treason need to be voted out of office, Period.
Then, the new Congress needs to achieve justice by passing laws to reign in the Supreme Court to achieve fairness and equilibrium. Only then will we begin to heal this puss-filled wound caused by trump and the republicans (and some democrats as well).
Then, taxes can be applied to the wealthy, including the trump family, to bring down the deficit that trump and the republicans have exploded.
Celeste, please change "puss" to "pus". The incorrect spelling had me confused for just a moment before I figured it out. That said, I agree completely with what you've said.
I’d much prefer to have him rotting in jail sans medical care and the same nutrition they have in the jails of the poorest county in the U.S. with a TV showing only soap operas from the 1960’s.
That kind of response is what caused the French Revolution to go wrong. I get the emotion behind your response, but please, let's be careful with how we express our frustrations. J6 was the acting out of those sentiments and it came very close to succeeding. Let's not go down that road, even in venting.
Ugh - it must make your stomach churn when you have to write this stuff.. it is so far outside of anything legal it is hard to fathom the extent of corruption. But there it is, in plain sight, with so many Americans thinking things are just fine. Baffling that we are in this spot. Speaking the truth to it helps, thank you for that. the US taxpayers are the last harvest of dollars until we have no more(the ones who do pay taxes...not the ultra rich of course..) it is the ultimate con. And so many are conned and still blind to it. Duh. It is really scary and stressful to put it mildly. Thanks for your clear-eyed and strong voice. We need it!
Why is it baffling that were in this spot? He was convicted of financial fraud. He threatened his enemies with violence. He tried to overthrow an election.
YES ! I get that! It has been plain as the nose on our faces.. but ignored! I know, thank you for wanting clarification on that point... it was late and I did not explain that very well. What is baffling is that so many people who think highly of themselves as knowledgeable, smart and informed, went for such a depraved person and his ilk - but the underlying baffle is truly, how can people be so cruel and want to be in that camp. (I know, racism, sexism, greed are the main drivers plus all the other nasties.. ). Thanks for calling me out on that one - I am not baffled that we are in this spot, just baffled why people do not see that when they hold others down they do not have 100% available for them to thrive either.. because their energy, thoughts, actions,resources, etc.. are spent doing not flourishing (for anyone) things... I also know that the rise and fall of cultures, societies and systems all have a life cycle where there comes a point where its flaws catch up with the whole systemic 'functioning' and breaks down, needing correction if it is to continue. We have never fully addressed these issues and they are coming out in full. It sucks. and..it is about time that we notice those crappy, nagging problems and FIX them.
Dawn! Beautifully said! Im constantly baffled by support djt got but his politics appeal to right wing extremists and middle America and of course racists. Plus hes great at marketing and communicating with average person due to TV background. Also the press normalizes him as does republican congress. Its like Brave New World and 1984 only real. And even right wing New Yorkers who know him love him. Im a moderate Republican. There are 4 of us left and always see him as crook bully convict vile etc.
I am almost done reading Maria Ressa's book How to stand up to a dictator, and she also tells about the way social media perverts the natural flow of human scale communication and exchange of ideas.. She is an excellent journalist and clear, understandable and compelling (fantastic!) writer. CHeck it out (and all the other great books like Joyce's of course..)! There good ones out there, just hard to fit all of the reading in ! ha! It is not like we have a dearth of GOOD ideas, we just need to emphasize those.. it is the wolf to feed..! ha!
Totally agree. Social media can be very anti social and it is so commercial. Plus its not easy to stand up to a dictator. Plus a lot of people like him and think hes great for business and they hate democrats. England and France deal with these things much better. Meawhole Israel is schizoid. Great people, great economy, horrible war mongering genocidal leader. But he has power. And must have some allies.
Totally agree. Social media can be very anti social and it is so commercial. Plus its not easy to stand up to a dictator. Plus a lot of people like him and think hes great for business and they hate democrats. England and France deal with these things much better. Meawhole Israel is schizoid. Great people, great economy, horrible war mongering genocidal leader. But he has power. And must have some allies.
Right. It is baffling. But the gathering in DC on Sunday by the so-called evangelical folks gives us a clue about the kind of people who approve of such things. Trump’s people. He tapped into this group as his base. I call them sheep. The almost laughable thing is that Trump couldn’t care a flying fig about them. He is actually trying to steal their tax dollars. And the billionaires who support Trump are reaping the benefits and rewards. UGH!
JBR, that's why it is baffling. I am tired of judgementalism. People express themselves in different ways. Please, let's accept that and start joining together in opposition to Trump and Company, instead of picking at each other.
“No president should be able to use the Department of Justice as a personal rewards program for the people who helped him attack our democracy.”—Chuckie Schumer
Great sound bite Chuck. Did you wake from your coma? Senate democrats are dinosaurs—the entire chamber is a vestigial organ.
Although the senate is modeled loosely on the British Parliament’s aristocratic House of Lords, since the 17th century, the people of Britain have slowly demoted its importance, beginning with Oliver Cromwell’s victory in the English Civil War of 1642. As recently as April, 2026, the last hereditary peers were ousted from the House of Lords. Hereditary peerage allowed members of the same families to assume (unelected) chamber seats from their ancestors.
Maybe it’s time for Chuck and company to abdicate.
The way authoriarians control us is by encouraging us to fight among ourselves, instead of focusing on setting our differences aside in order to work on dismantling the power of autocracy. Think about that a while, and maybe find a better target for your "wit".
Comey was on CNN with Jake Tapper yesterday afternoon and said, when asked if he would apply for the fund, laughed and said "I will need to speak with my attorney."
A heart seems a bit odd for expressing agreement. But yup, Lynell, it looks right now as if that is the case. I think, though, that a lot of what we are seeing right now is the fraying that indicates that change is about to occur as those who feel most threatened lash out. I prefer to consider that a sign that We the People are starting to come together, and that is even more threatening. It is also a tenuous place to be in, because in our frustration, there is a temptation to take it out on each other, instead of setting aside petty disagreements in order to work together on the one thing that MUST be forefront - and that is, of course, re-establishing the Congress with people who represent OUR interests and are willing to do the job they are elected to. That's not the only thing on the list of need-to-dos, of course, but if we can do that, Trump will go down too, and we can begin the process of reclaiming our country.
I doubt it, Comey, James & Schiff are on the other side, in fact they are the perpetrators in trump's eyes. They had the nerve to pull back the curtain to show the wizard of Mar a Lago is just a small, pathetic person with an enormous ego that is has gained complete control of his mind. He sees nothing but "HIMSELF". In his warped mind he is the be all & end all of the USA!
In Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Pakistan income tax records are public. All US Presidential candidates since Nixon released their tax returns. Trump is suing because the release embarrasses him. Cheating is embarrassing which is why countries where income tax records are public have less cheating.
Yes, in “two weeks”. That’s his code for “I’m telling you I’ll comply (with whatever the topic is) but in two weeks you’ll forget about this and I’m not complying with anything…ever.
Is cheating embarrassing to Trump and his family including in-laws, @roger craine? It’s what was taught to them and they taught others. Patel’s not even mishpocheh and his rant before the Cmte held no truths. How can any of them who breed teach their offspring anything of value?
It's tough to know what "edges" I have to go over again. The $1.8b of taxpayer money TO the foes of trump? AND no auditing him, his company or kids? One only does that if it's so wrong. Damn them all.
Norway Sweden etc are beautiful counties with fabulous people. The US has cultivated extremists at all levels causing enormous friction. Wed be much better off with a nice king.
When his records were revealed he was convicted of bank fraud. What's the mystery? Why do people forget. Sexual abuse. Financial fraud. People who like him swallow his lies or hate immigrants and think that democrats are dangerous Martians or are too generous with public funds. Meanwhile govt is very dysfunctional so understandable that people think a bimusinessman is good. Mabe true but not Al Capone.
It's not just the grift. That is terrible. But what is terrifying is that this money will create the private "army" with which Trump will overthrow the elections. These thugs didn't succeed last time. Wit h unemployment at the current rate, if he has a bunch of crazies getting paid to do his bidding, we are in serious trouble.
You are so right. They will be like his paid militia, and along with ICE he will have plenty of thugs at his disposal. Remember “stand back and stand by?”
That is my fear as well. Goons to show up at polling places across this country. I don't worry so much in my little town in Maine but for those in large cities, especially those largely Democratic strongholds. It's outrageous. I'm in tears almost every single day, I hope and pray we have a blue tsunami in November or I don't think we'll have a democratic republic any longer.
I seldom sleep anymore. It is all so crazy. But, at 73, having lived through the 60’s , I think I got one more good fight left. I am not a registered Demo or Repug, though I have voted in every election I can. This August and November, I am volunteering to be a poll watcher with the LWV. I want to believe I helped my country knock down the Orange Menace. The more whistle holding watchers there are, the less likely the brown shirts will get away with it.
Epstein files, they are in them, or they have been bribed themselves. I don't work hard to pay criminals....and why billion? Is this so they will murder at the midterms? Start a civil war?
Lynne - And I continue to wonder that since “governing” for the people is off their agenda, are they in it for the perks? Are they, like at least 2 Supremes, being feted unknown or declared as it should be? Can they get no other jobs, the few younger ones, or live on investments, many made like Trump, illegally? IS there prestige now in being a Senator or House member? It’s tough to remember who held their oath in great regard before.
Being “primaried” by Trump or any among those to whom they gave power, is the equivalent of being bullied by the big kid who stole your lunch or called you names. Did all of them cave each time?
What schmucks each of them. And we pay it all because putting taxes due in an escrow account is way too risky for us. Damn them all.
The Treasury Department's General Counsel, Trump's own appointee and a former Clarence Thomas clerk, just resigned over this grift. That tells you all you need to know.
There has been a consistent seepage of staff all along, beginning with long-time staff whose consciences. Lately, the rate of seepage has risen, both among long-time goverernment staff, and lately, more recently hired or appointed staff, some of whom are not simply quietly stepping away, but openly stating that they are leaving because they cannot accept the conditions and expectations under which they work. It is interesting. And encouraging, if we can get our stuff together and not allow Trump to keep trying to divide us.
How noble of them, stepping away because of their ethics. 🙄 Sorry, but such experienced and educated people could be banning together to help Americans ward off this regime's total corruption of our system. Instead, they're finding cushy jobs in private firms, rather than sounding off about what they know. Forgive me, but it all seems just as self-serving as what the orange man's minions are doing. Performative, at best.
Outrage fatigue is real. But we all have to keep our spirits up enough to keep fighting authoritarianism.
So here is my idea for Joyce, HCR, Hubbell, Jay Kuo, Jess Craven, Rebecca Solnit, Democracy Docket and our other favorite pro-democracy writers and fighters:
Strive for a one to nine ratio, meaning 10% of your writing is the horrible wrongdoing and 90% is what individuals and organizations are doing to block that criminality and corruption, and can do in the future, and what actions readers can take.
Even if it's 50:50 (and the above by Joyce is about 60:40, better than many pieces), we'll all be better off.
Thank you Eric & David. I am laughing. In my family, my maternal grandmother would say “see the pretty birdie” if topics were upsetting. I’ll give more love to my cat!
I very much agree we need to be hearing solutions rather than notices of yet more offenses. November is coming quickly, but I fear even a Blue tsunami will not be sufficient to call a halt to his lowness' debacle. We need a plan for how we can act, since we know Congress (as it stands) will do nothing to help us. Court cases take glacial time to resolve. In the meantime, the orange felon just keeps up the relentless drumbeat of corruption. We need ideas now that can throw one or more monkey wrenches into the gears of this machine.
Agreed! I’ve grown weary of all the complaints and I’m ready to hear some solutions. We need a Project 2029 and pronto if we are ever to recover from this constitutional dumpster fire 🔥
America is presently a kleptocratic kakistocracy. It is nice to see so many American cars in our Canadian border crossing coming up for air and enjoying a sense of normal. We genuinely welcome our American friends and neighbours and hope you enjoy our quiet, courteous ways.
I've been to Canada twice. Once to the eastern provinces & once to the west & I loved it. Truly a beautiful place with lovely people & a damn good leader!!!
I'm still waiting for my "senator" from Alaska, Dannyboy Sullivan, to respond to my call from January 6 and all my subsequent correspondence. I ask "why did you run away" from the mob on January 6? Now, in your (hopefully failed) re-election campaign you're promoting the fact that you were a U.S. Marine (no mention that you were a reservist) so why did you run away? It's now painfully clear. These people, in hindsight, were your bros! Now your boss man is going to pay them for their loyalty. So, again, the question is still out on the floor: Why did you run away?!!
If "the plan" is to totally destroy our Nation in 4 years, we are proceeding at a very good pace. I don't know what form the end will take, but someone will inherit our smoking ruins.
How can this be a settlement for a claim against the IRS? By what convoluted logic is an alleged injury to Trump by the IRS settled by way of dispensing money to people he claims were persecuted by the government?
The whole thing is technically theft from the American tax payer facilitated by lackeys at the DOJ and several sleazeball lawyers working for Felon47 via a blackmail /mafia type technique. The so called "settlement" was allegedly set up to eliminate the suit against IRS, which was spurious to begin with. American tax payers funded the legal fees for ALL this and now we are also funding payments to people like the CONVICTED Jan. 6th criminals Felon47 already pardoned. NO WAY IN HELL do I agree to have any of my tax money used for that and I suspect most Americans feel the same. Is this a last ditch effort by this regime to steal as much as they can before midterms? Sort of looks that way.
The Republicans in Congress can stop this, but they won’t! What I’m stuck on right now is WHY! Why are the Republicans in Congress allowing this corrupt conman to destroy the country like this? Why are they allowing this criminal to line his own pockets like this from tax payer funds? Are they SO terrified of losing their jobs by being primaried that they’re willing to let the country collapse? Or is it that they’re so totally invested in making this country a white Christian nationalist nation that they’ll swallow all of Trumps incompetence & corruption because he’s getting rid of the brown & black people & rigging elections so that Republicans always win going forward? WHAT? We can’t allow Trump to buy his private militia with this slush fund of OUR money, so we only have 2 options: 1) convince enough Republicans in Congress to stop him OR 2) we need a country wide general strike until the Republicans in Congress do their job & remove Trump from office! 💪💪💪
Congress won't stop Trump because roughly 77 million people like what he is doing. They prefer kleptocracy to a government that doesn't preserve and strengthen the political, economic, and legal advantages of white Americans. It is as simple as that. Hardcore bigotry, endemic in white America is the source of this catastrophe. Ironically, bigotry is down in white America from about 90% in 1950 to 60% now, but it turns out 60% is enough to put a lawless brute with the power to command majorities in the legislature to implement his programs. He also had the good luck to install a corrupt supermajority of "justices" on the Supreme Court. This gives democracy no way out. The elections in November might slow Trump down a bit, but that's a longshot, unfortunately. The bigots have us in a headlock.
It does feel like a headlock, doesn’t it . . . my optimism increases (for an hour or two) every time I listen to democracy fanatics talk about winning a
trifecta, expanding SCOTUS & passing other reforms. Then the headlock feeling returns with a vengeance after each shit decision by the court or an election loss! 😢 thx so much for replying! 🙏
Trump is continuing his coup in plain sight - using $1.7B in tax dollars and presidential pardons to create a private army of violent convicted January 6 criminals he can deploy as needed to keep power. And not one MAGA politician, Supreme Court majority, or major institution is stopping him.
The Trump regime’s blitzkrieg of greed, betrayal, self-dealing, incompetence and corruption is dizzying, leaving many people frozen in incomprehension, denial and foreboding. We might feel like helpless spectators, but the harm that follows is and will be painful and personal.
In his blatant mental deterioration, Donald Trump abandons all morality to enrich himself—that has been obvious since 2024 … but even more criminal - and can’t be forgiven by mental illness - is his (too many) aiders and abettors: Republican congresspeople, Supreme Court Justices, DoJ …
He had not an ounce of morality from his earliest youth from what I’ve read and followed. Now he has a stage to harm all of us, the world, and take down our government and harm and murder directly and indirectly people of many countries. There will be no “A Christmas Carol” happy ending.
This is what happens when we didn't fight fire with fire after Traitor lost the election; planned and executed an insurrection; called for his VP's death; and continued the big lie. He, and all who assisted him, should have gone to prison.
Well, SOME of us thought it was obvious, but OTHERS of us in the Senate saw fit to let this bastard go free TWO TIMES in a row. And the bastard has done things that no other president in history even tried. He exposed every gaping deficiency, unresolved tension, and shattered the unspoken, implied decency in our political system. Who would ever have thought a convicted criminal would legally be able to pardon other convicted criminals?
More baffling to me is that the felon has solid and unyielding support from people who, unlike elected officials, have nothing to gain from their support. If Donald tossed Grandma out of a sixth floor window, they would find a way to justify that.
It’s all about owning the libs and exacting revenge on all the people, real and imagined, that they hate. Trump hates and punishes the people we hate therefore we love Trump. And we love him even though all of his policies actively harm us. If that’s not a cult, nothing is
Who are all the people you hate? You mean people who want single payer and universal healthcare? Medicare and Medicaid? USAID? Protecting the environment? Concerned about climate change. Protecting endangered species? Supporting renewable energy? Supporting voting rights? Wanting the rich to pay their fair share of taxes?
I think you are misinterpreting Richard’s comment. The “we“ he is referring to are the words of a Trump cultist, not himself.
Walter, yes, that is true if the hater truly hates people of color or women or has been brainwashed into believing that women are inferior and should have no say over their bodies. Sometimes, people will choose to live off of hate rather than to see what those who are leading the hate fest are doing to them, often the reason for sowing the hate in the first place.
The people who enslaved others worked hard to make sure that even those who didn't own other people would believe those enslaved persons were worthy of their hate and to be "kept in their place." They hid most of their hates in promoting "the cause" as the confederate states went to war so they could keep slavery alive and well; it was seen as better for them to maintain slavery so others would do the work and they would get the profits. They couldn't let those pathetic white folks who had never held slaves think that Black people deserved any rights not given to them by the former owners. The hate was promoted and celebrated through violence and enforced poverty. It still exists because the perpetrators were never held accountable.
That same kind of division and hatred are at play among the oligarchs who want to use race, misogyny, immigration status, and class to keep us all from paying attention to what those oligarchs are doing to the rest of us. It has been working pretty well because just as in the confederacy, money "trumps" everything else and some sprinkled around will get those folks in power to keep up the pretense that rich white men are superior to everyone else. Dividing the rest of us works so well, and Trumplandia and Republicans have used the strategy often and well. We need effective strategies to stop them!
Ruth - So true .. Thank You !!
Richard, Oh yes, it is a cult, a really bad one, but FauxFox helped to create the cult and established Trump's leadership with the help of producers of "The Apprentice" who just like Baby Donnie were frauds too.
Rupert Murdock/Elon Musk…..knowing that there’s a lot to gain, financially, by sowing division, here.
Angie, and the Murdochs kept getting more and more power because they were able to tap into the ever-present race fears in this nation as well as the misogyny and xenophobia. That is shameful, but what is more shameful is that America has not tried hard enough to work through the racism etc. to get to a place of appreciation of the other. The Murdochs knew what they were doing and I think they are disgusting human beings along with the Ellisons, Bezos, and a bunch of others who are Ok with trampling on our rights and turning "freedom of speech" into their own personal magnified hate fest. It is the responsibility of the Americanpeople and our representatives at all levels to work harder to fix this problem!
If you can, you should read Amanda Taub's article "Actually, Democracy Dies in H.R. New research sheds light on how mediocre employees help would-be authoritarians maintain power." in the NYT yesterday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/world/americas/actually-democracy-dies-in-hr.html
More baffling to me is that the felon seems to still have that support from people who have already lost so much by falling for his scams. - or who, along with their friends and friends and relatives have done so. (the golden telephone, Trump's "charity," Trump University ....)
Carl Sagan - "One of the saddest lessons of history is, if we've been bamboozled long enough, we reject any evidence of the bamboozle. It's simply too painful to acknowledge that we've been taken."
So pathetic.
Martin, and Baby Donnie will have tweeted a picture of grandma lying broken on the street and Trump standing over her looking like the white man's Jesus.
I always wondered how Donald knew that he could shoot someone in broad daylight and not lose any votes. I guess he knew he could convince them that the murder was in their best interests.
That with which we could hardly believe is now happening to some extent and tone, daily ..
Trump, via his trickery, gives a whole new dimension to the concept of the fox guarding the henhouse.
Here is a very interesting and worthwhile post that describes how the recent political victory in Hungary was achieved. We would all do well to read it. Sorry I can't seem to post the link accurately.
How to Beat an Authoritarian at His Own Game
A Hungarian Recipe.
PÉTER DÓSA
MAY 19
https://thehungaryreport.substack.com/p/how-to-beat-an-authoritarian-at-his
Thank you.
This is a much needed and brilliantly laid out look at what happened in Hungary, and lays out the script that worked there. It is eerily like where the USA is today (as in, this week, and the coming weeks leading to the elections). Our "script" will be different, but the parallels are very much in line. The key that stands out to me is the necessity to set aside secondary differences in order to build a cohesive opposition to Trump's corrupt administration. We are, I think, moving toward that. I pray so.
Thank you for posting this (and thanks to Dale of Green Gables for the link). I agree: this is something that should be read widely, thought about, discussed, and shared.
The traitor couldn't do it without the DOJ. We don't have a DOJ any more. We have a White House with what used to be the DOJ acting in support of the traitor. The Republicans in congress have green lit this by confirming all the kings men. A traitorous government is what we have. FUBAR
In the Nov. 3 midterm election, all those who abetted this traitor by approving and encouraging the continuation of treason need to be voted out of office, Period.
Then, the new Congress needs to achieve justice by passing laws to reign in the Supreme Court to achieve fairness and equilibrium. Only then will we begin to heal this puss-filled wound caused by trump and the republicans (and some democrats as well).
Then, taxes can be applied to the wealthy, including the trump family, to bring down the deficit that trump and the republicans have exploded.
Each of these 'events' digs the Republican hole deeper so that voters will have more reasons not to vote for them, regardless of their voting history.
Celeste, please change "puss" to "pus". The incorrect spelling had me confused for just a moment before I figured it out. That said, I agree completely with what you've said.
Not prison.
The gallows.
I’d much prefer to have him rotting in jail sans medical care and the same nutrition they have in the jails of the poorest county in the U.S. with a TV showing only soap operas from the 1960’s.
No. Laissez les tumbrils rouler!
That kind of response is what caused the French Revolution to go wrong. I get the emotion behind your response, but please, let's be careful with how we express our frustrations. J6 was the acting out of those sentiments and it came very close to succeeding. Let's not go down that road, even in venting.
I was referring to THE SENTENCE after CONVICTION at TRIAL.
Not a mob action, which is what J6 was.
LeslieN, If you are a US citizen or have US residency, would you please read my piece explaining the Free Speech for People campaign to impeach Trump and his cabinet and help them get 2 million signatures by signing the petition in it? https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/indivisible-abroad-supports-the-impeach?r=f0qfn
If you can't find the link to the petition in the above piece, here it is.
https://www.impeachtrumpagain.org/
Done!
It could have ended with Mitch McConnell
He deserves stocks…the wooden kind. I would line up to see that.
💯
Ugh - it must make your stomach churn when you have to write this stuff.. it is so far outside of anything legal it is hard to fathom the extent of corruption. But there it is, in plain sight, with so many Americans thinking things are just fine. Baffling that we are in this spot. Speaking the truth to it helps, thank you for that. the US taxpayers are the last harvest of dollars until we have no more(the ones who do pay taxes...not the ultra rich of course..) it is the ultimate con. And so many are conned and still blind to it. Duh. It is really scary and stressful to put it mildly. Thanks for your clear-eyed and strong voice. We need it!
Why is it baffling that were in this spot? He was convicted of financial fraud. He threatened his enemies with violence. He tried to overthrow an election.
He has a lifetime of criminal cruel behavior
YES ! I get that! It has been plain as the nose on our faces.. but ignored! I know, thank you for wanting clarification on that point... it was late and I did not explain that very well. What is baffling is that so many people who think highly of themselves as knowledgeable, smart and informed, went for such a depraved person and his ilk - but the underlying baffle is truly, how can people be so cruel and want to be in that camp. (I know, racism, sexism, greed are the main drivers plus all the other nasties.. ). Thanks for calling me out on that one - I am not baffled that we are in this spot, just baffled why people do not see that when they hold others down they do not have 100% available for them to thrive either.. because their energy, thoughts, actions,resources, etc.. are spent doing not flourishing (for anyone) things... I also know that the rise and fall of cultures, societies and systems all have a life cycle where there comes a point where its flaws catch up with the whole systemic 'functioning' and breaks down, needing correction if it is to continue. We have never fully addressed these issues and they are coming out in full. It sucks. and..it is about time that we notice those crappy, nagging problems and FIX them.
Dawn! Beautifully said! Im constantly baffled by support djt got but his politics appeal to right wing extremists and middle America and of course racists. Plus hes great at marketing and communicating with average person due to TV background. Also the press normalizes him as does republican congress. Its like Brave New World and 1984 only real. And even right wing New Yorkers who know him love him. Im a moderate Republican. There are 4 of us left and always see him as crook bully convict vile etc.
I am almost done reading Maria Ressa's book How to stand up to a dictator, and she also tells about the way social media perverts the natural flow of human scale communication and exchange of ideas.. She is an excellent journalist and clear, understandable and compelling (fantastic!) writer. CHeck it out (and all the other great books like Joyce's of course..)! There good ones out there, just hard to fit all of the reading in ! ha! It is not like we have a dearth of GOOD ideas, we just need to emphasize those.. it is the wolf to feed..! ha!
Totally agree. Social media can be very anti social and it is so commercial. Plus its not easy to stand up to a dictator. Plus a lot of people like him and think hes great for business and they hate democrats. England and France deal with these things much better. Meawhole Israel is schizoid. Great people, great economy, horrible war mongering genocidal leader. But he has power. And must have some allies.
Totally agree. Social media can be very anti social and it is so commercial. Plus its not easy to stand up to a dictator. Plus a lot of people like him and think hes great for business and they hate democrats. England and France deal with these things much better. Meawhole Israel is schizoid. Great people, great economy, horrible war mongering genocidal leader. But he has power. And must have some allies.
Right. It is baffling. But the gathering in DC on Sunday by the so-called evangelical folks gives us a clue about the kind of people who approve of such things. Trump’s people. He tapped into this group as his base. I call them sheep. The almost laughable thing is that Trump couldn’t care a flying fig about them. He is actually trying to steal their tax dollars. And the billionaires who support Trump are reaping the benefits and rewards. UGH!
Exactly. There are plenty of extremists and anti social groups! And people who hate immigrants etc. Plus businesses who get tax breaks and contracts.
JBR, that's why it is baffling. I am tired of judgementalism. People express themselves in different ways. Please, let's accept that and start joining together in opposition to Trump and Company, instead of picking at each other.
“No president should be able to use the Department of Justice as a personal rewards program for the people who helped him attack our democracy.”—Chuckie Schumer
Great sound bite Chuck. Did you wake from your coma? Senate democrats are dinosaurs—the entire chamber is a vestigial organ.
Although the senate is modeled loosely on the British Parliament’s aristocratic House of Lords, since the 17th century, the people of Britain have slowly demoted its importance, beginning with Oliver Cromwell’s victory in the English Civil War of 1642. As recently as April, 2026, the last hereditary peers were ousted from the House of Lords. Hereditary peerage allowed members of the same families to assume (unelected) chamber seats from their ancestors.
Maybe it’s time for Chuck and company to abdicate.
The way authoriarians control us is by encouraging us to fight among ourselves, instead of focusing on setting our differences aside in order to work on dismantling the power of autocracy. Think about that a while, and maybe find a better target for your "wit".
Done. What’s your point?
Dawn, If you are a US citizen or have US residency, would you please read my piece explaining the Free Speech for People campaign to impeach Trump and his cabinet and help them get 2 million signatures by signing the petition in it? https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/indivisible-abroad-supports-the-impeach?r=f0qfn
If you can't find the link to the petition in the above piece, here it is.
https://www.impeachtrumpagain.org/
Are Jim Comey, Letitia James and Adam Schiff are entitled to file for compensation for "weaponization" against them?
All by a vicious tyrant.
My thought, too. Hunter Biden should be able to make a clean sweep.
Comey was on CNN with Jake Tapper yesterday afternoon and said, when asked if he would apply for the fund, laughed and said "I will need to speak with my attorney."
They can file but you have to realize they would be dealing with the new DOJ. There is no justice.
What about We, the People? We have been weaponized by all of Trump's criminal behavior.
A heart seems a bit odd for expressing agreement. But yup, Lynell, it looks right now as if that is the case. I think, though, that a lot of what we are seeing right now is the fraying that indicates that change is about to occur as those who feel most threatened lash out. I prefer to consider that a sign that We the People are starting to come together, and that is even more threatening. It is also a tenuous place to be in, because in our frustration, there is a temptation to take it out on each other, instead of setting aside petty disagreements in order to work together on the one thing that MUST be forefront - and that is, of course, re-establishing the Congress with people who represent OUR interests and are willing to do the job they are elected to. That's not the only thing on the list of need-to-dos, of course, but if we can do that, Trump will go down too, and we can begin the process of reclaiming our country.
I doubt it, Comey, James & Schiff are on the other side, in fact they are the perpetrators in trump's eyes. They had the nerve to pull back the curtain to show the wizard of Mar a Lago is just a small, pathetic person with an enormous ego that is has gained complete control of his mind. He sees nothing but "HIMSELF". In his warped mind he is the be all & end all of the USA!
In Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Pakistan income tax records are public. All US Presidential candidates since Nixon released their tax returns. Trump is suing because the release embarrasses him. Cheating is embarrassing which is why countries where income tax records are public have less cheating.
The schmuck was supposed to make them public like every other contemporary president has.
Yes, in “two weeks”. That’s his code for “I’m telling you I’ll comply (with whatever the topic is) but in two weeks you’ll forget about this and I’m not complying with anything…ever.
The longest "two weeks"...like nobody's ever seen before.
Because they were supposed to have been made public, how did his suit get this far? Nothing happened that shouldn't have from the outset.
Nooerillah, If you are a US citizen or have US residency, would you please read my piece explaining the Free Speech for People campaign to impeach Trump and his cabinet and help them get 2 million signatures by signing the petition in it? https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/indivisible-abroad-supports-the-impeach?r=f0qfn
If you can't find the link to the petition in the above piece, here it is.
https://www.impeachtrumpagain.org/
Is cheating embarrassing to Trump and his family including in-laws, @roger craine? It’s what was taught to them and they taught others. Patel’s not even mishpocheh and his rant before the Cmte held no truths. How can any of them who breed teach their offspring anything of value?
Yeah, they have no reputation to damage, and no shame that would cause them to be embarrassed. They're lying again. Faux "case" dismissed.
It's tough to know what "edges" I have to go over again. The $1.8b of taxpayer money TO the foes of trump? AND no auditing him, his company or kids? One only does that if it's so wrong. Damn them all.
Yes , not releasing the tax records on his own should be a disqualification for running for president. Period.
Norway Sweden etc are beautiful counties with fabulous people. The US has cultivated extremists at all levels causing enormous friction. Wed be much better off with a nice king.
When his records were revealed he was convicted of bank fraud. What's the mystery? Why do people forget. Sexual abuse. Financial fraud. People who like him swallow his lies or hate immigrants and think that democrats are dangerous Martians or are too generous with public funds. Meanwhile govt is very dysfunctional so understandable that people think a bimusinessman is good. Mabe true but not Al Capone.
roger, If you are a US citizen or have US residency, would you please read my piece explaining the Free Speech for People campaign to impeach Trump and his cabinet and help them get 2 million signatures by signing the petition in it? https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/indivisible-abroad-supports-the-impeach?r=f0qfn
If you can't find the link to the petition in the above piece, here it is.
https://www.impeachtrumpagain.org/
It's not just the grift. That is terrible. But what is terrifying is that this money will create the private "army" with which Trump will overthrow the elections. These thugs didn't succeed last time. Wit h unemployment at the current rate, if he has a bunch of crazies getting paid to do his bidding, we are in serious trouble.
You are so right. They will be like his paid militia, and along with ICE he will have plenty of thugs at his disposal. Remember “stand back and stand by?”
Exactly, maybe even pardoning and releasing those who committed other crimes since being released. Damn them all.
That is my fear as well. Goons to show up at polling places across this country. I don't worry so much in my little town in Maine but for those in large cities, especially those largely Democratic strongholds. It's outrageous. I'm in tears almost every single day, I hope and pray we have a blue tsunami in November or I don't think we'll have a democratic republic any longer.
I seldom sleep anymore. It is all so crazy. But, at 73, having lived through the 60’s , I think I got one more good fight left. I am not a registered Demo or Repug, though I have voted in every election I can. This August and November, I am volunteering to be a poll watcher with the LWV. I want to believe I helped my country knock down the Orange Menace. The more whistle holding watchers there are, the less likely the brown shirts will get away with it.
I vote early in person at the Town Hall in my little town in Maine.
David, If you are a US citizen or have US residency, would you please read my piece explaining the Free Speech for People campaign to impeach Trump and his cabinet and help them get 2 million signatures by signing the petition in it? https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/indivisible-abroad-supports-the-impeach?r=f0qfn
If you can't find the link to the petition in the above piece, here it is.
https://www.impeachtrumpagain.org/
It's just unfathomable that the Republicans won't stand up to him. Family values?! Grifting families I guess...
Epstein files, they are in them, or they have been bribed themselves. I don't work hard to pay criminals....and why billion? Is this so they will murder at the midterms? Start a civil war?
Lynne - And I continue to wonder that since “governing” for the people is off their agenda, are they in it for the perks? Are they, like at least 2 Supremes, being feted unknown or declared as it should be? Can they get no other jobs, the few younger ones, or live on investments, many made like Trump, illegally? IS there prestige now in being a Senator or House member? It’s tough to remember who held their oath in great regard before.
Being “primaried” by Trump or any among those to whom they gave power, is the equivalent of being bullied by the big kid who stole your lunch or called you names. Did all of them cave each time?
What schmucks each of them. And we pay it all because putting taxes due in an escrow account is way too risky for us. Damn them all.
Crime families, if they're white enough.
White enough?! Huh?
The Treasury Department's General Counsel, Trump's own appointee and a former Clarence Thomas clerk, just resigned over this grift. That tells you all you need to know.
There has been a consistent seepage of staff all along, beginning with long-time staff whose consciences. Lately, the rate of seepage has risen, both among long-time goverernment staff, and lately, more recently hired or appointed staff, some of whom are not simply quietly stepping away, but openly stating that they are leaving because they cannot accept the conditions and expectations under which they work. It is interesting. And encouraging, if we can get our stuff together and not allow Trump to keep trying to divide us.
How noble of them, stepping away because of their ethics. 🙄 Sorry, but such experienced and educated people could be banning together to help Americans ward off this regime's total corruption of our system. Instead, they're finding cushy jobs in private firms, rather than sounding off about what they know. Forgive me, but it all seems just as self-serving as what the orange man's minions are doing. Performative, at best.
Really!?
Outrage fatigue is real. But we all have to keep our spirits up enough to keep fighting authoritarianism.
So here is my idea for Joyce, HCR, Hubbell, Jay Kuo, Jess Craven, Rebecca Solnit, Democracy Docket and our other favorite pro-democracy writers and fighters:
Strive for a one to nine ratio, meaning 10% of your writing is the horrible wrongdoing and 90% is what individuals and organizations are doing to block that criminality and corruption, and can do in the future, and what actions readers can take.
Even if it's 50:50 (and the above by Joyce is about 60:40, better than many pieces), we'll all be better off.
With gratitude, that's my request and hope!
I love my puppy!
Thank you Eric & David. I am laughing. In my family, my maternal grandmother would say “see the pretty birdie” if topics were upsetting. I’ll give more love to my cat!
I love my almost 12 year old Lab!
😂
Eric,
I very much agree we need to be hearing solutions rather than notices of yet more offenses. November is coming quickly, but I fear even a Blue tsunami will not be sufficient to call a halt to his lowness' debacle. We need a plan for how we can act, since we know Congress (as it stands) will do nothing to help us. Court cases take glacial time to resolve. In the meantime, the orange felon just keeps up the relentless drumbeat of corruption. We need ideas now that can throw one or more monkey wrenches into the gears of this machine.
Agreed! I’ve grown weary of all the complaints and I’m ready to hear some solutions. We need a Project 2029 and pronto if we are ever to recover from this constitutional dumpster fire 🔥
Project 2026 — VOTE REPUBLICANS OUT!
America is presently a kleptocratic kakistocracy. It is nice to see so many American cars in our Canadian border crossing coming up for air and enjoying a sense of normal. We genuinely welcome our American friends and neighbours and hope you enjoy our quiet, courteous ways.
I've been to Canada twice. Once to the eastern provinces & once to the west & I loved it. Truly a beautiful place with lovely people & a damn good leader!!!
I'm still waiting for my "senator" from Alaska, Dannyboy Sullivan, to respond to my call from January 6 and all my subsequent correspondence. I ask "why did you run away" from the mob on January 6? Now, in your (hopefully failed) re-election campaign you're promoting the fact that you were a U.S. Marine (no mention that you were a reservist) so why did you run away? It's now painfully clear. These people, in hindsight, were your bros! Now your boss man is going to pay them for their loyalty. So, again, the question is still out on the floor: Why did you run away?!!
I’ve been asking my rep the same question. If the J6’ers were peaceful protestors, then why did you run away!! He never answers.
If "the plan" is to totally destroy our Nation in 4 years, we are proceeding at a very good pace. I don't know what form the end will take, but someone will inherit our smoking ruins.
I'm thinking my granddaughter should learn Chinese!
How can this be a settlement for a claim against the IRS? By what convoluted logic is an alleged injury to Trump by the IRS settled by way of dispensing money to people he claims were persecuted by the government?
The whole thing is technically theft from the American tax payer facilitated by lackeys at the DOJ and several sleazeball lawyers working for Felon47 via a blackmail /mafia type technique. The so called "settlement" was allegedly set up to eliminate the suit against IRS, which was spurious to begin with. American tax payers funded the legal fees for ALL this and now we are also funding payments to people like the CONVICTED Jan. 6th criminals Felon47 already pardoned. NO WAY IN HELL do I agree to have any of my tax money used for that and I suspect most Americans feel the same. Is this a last ditch effort by this regime to steal as much as they can before midterms? Sort of looks that way.
It's trump/Maga logic. That's all you need to know!!!
The Republicans in Congress can stop this, but they won’t! What I’m stuck on right now is WHY! Why are the Republicans in Congress allowing this corrupt conman to destroy the country like this? Why are they allowing this criminal to line his own pockets like this from tax payer funds? Are they SO terrified of losing their jobs by being primaried that they’re willing to let the country collapse? Or is it that they’re so totally invested in making this country a white Christian nationalist nation that they’ll swallow all of Trumps incompetence & corruption because he’s getting rid of the brown & black people & rigging elections so that Republicans always win going forward? WHAT? We can’t allow Trump to buy his private militia with this slush fund of OUR money, so we only have 2 options: 1) convince enough Republicans in Congress to stop him OR 2) we need a country wide general strike until the Republicans in Congress do their job & remove Trump from office! 💪💪💪
Congress won't stop Trump because roughly 77 million people like what he is doing. They prefer kleptocracy to a government that doesn't preserve and strengthen the political, economic, and legal advantages of white Americans. It is as simple as that. Hardcore bigotry, endemic in white America is the source of this catastrophe. Ironically, bigotry is down in white America from about 90% in 1950 to 60% now, but it turns out 60% is enough to put a lawless brute with the power to command majorities in the legislature to implement his programs. He also had the good luck to install a corrupt supermajority of "justices" on the Supreme Court. This gives democracy no way out. The elections in November might slow Trump down a bit, but that's a longshot, unfortunately. The bigots have us in a headlock.
It does feel like a headlock, doesn’t it . . . my optimism increases (for an hour or two) every time I listen to democracy fanatics talk about winning a
trifecta, expanding SCOTUS & passing other reforms. Then the headlock feeling returns with a vengeance after each shit decision by the court or an election loss! 😢 thx so much for replying! 🙏
Gotta admit - it's a cheap way to finance a cult following!
Yup—the cheapest billionaire ever … another Trump first!
Every aspect of him screams CHEEP...
Trump is continuing his coup in plain sight - using $1.7B in tax dollars and presidential pardons to create a private army of violent convicted January 6 criminals he can deploy as needed to keep power. And not one MAGA politician, Supreme Court majority, or major institution is stopping him.
The Trump regime’s blitzkrieg of greed, betrayal, self-dealing, incompetence and corruption is dizzying, leaving many people frozen in incomprehension, denial and foreboding. We might feel like helpless spectators, but the harm that follows is and will be painful and personal.
In his blatant mental deterioration, Donald Trump abandons all morality to enrich himself—that has been obvious since 2024 … but even more criminal - and can’t be forgiven by mental illness - is his (too many) aiders and abettors: Republican congresspeople, Supreme Court Justices, DoJ …
He had not an ounce of morality from his earliest youth from what I’ve read and followed. Now he has a stage to harm all of us, the world, and take down our government and harm and murder directly and indirectly people of many countries. There will be no “A Christmas Carol” happy ending.
From sociopath to psychopath.
So many enablers, so little integrity. They must be making $$$ somehow.
You can bet on that!