143 Comments
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Irenie's avatar

Thank you for your thorough updates on TFG and the dangers he presents to society. He believes he’s superhuman and so far anyone else who has committed the crimes he has would likely be behind bars. From childhood on he has escaped true consequences. Will that ever happen? January 6 and his responsibility for violence and deaths. Publishing the address of the Obama family residence in an all-caps social media post Tuesday morning. And threatening Jack Smith. “The Trump decried the criminal charges that have been filed against him in federal court and asked “somebody” to “explain” his position to special counsel Jack Smith, “his family, and his friends.” https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/27/trump-attack-special-counsel-family-after-tape-revealed.html There needs to be immediate consequences for his threatening behavior. He should be in jail. But that’s not happening soon enough. Immediately with his current threat he should be confined to a secure space wearing an electronic monitor device. No communication devices and of course 24 hour security. He is a clear and present danger.

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Carol Gamm's avatar

Excellent! Thank you.

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Kimberly Rorick's avatar

Indefensible. All of it. Stunning. All of it. Infuriating. All of it. Makes my head spin. Where are the chickens? We need more chickens in our lives. After all, they are in this with us. Thanks as always. Peace.

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Joyce Vance's avatar

Chicken pictures coming soon!

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Abigail Norling's avatar

Yes! More chickens, less tRump! They are way more honest and probably smarter than he is!

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Bill Katz's avatar

Harry the Rooster was my childhood friend for one spring and summer. He was given as an Easter present. The Polish neighbors next door remarked that Harry crowing in the morning reminded them of their old country.

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Fay Reid's avatar

Why is Trump still protected by Secret Service. He may not be a flight risk, but he is definitely at risk of inciting further insurrections and other crimes - suggesting attack on former President Obama and his family is not in the same league as wishing him a Happy Independence Day. Any other person indicted of as many criminal acts as Trump would, at the very least be under house arrest. But here he is spewing his hateful lies at pep rallies across the country.

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Eleanor Duffield's avatar

Don't all former POTUS have Secret Service protection? The best protection would likely come via prison cell.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

Yes. And up to this point, it hasn't been conditional on the FPOTUS's behavior. OTOH, no FPOTUS has ever behaved like this particular one so who knows, that may change.

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Marycat2021's avatar

He'll probably lose Secret Service protection when he goes to prison. Because he's famous and notorious, he's in danger of being assassinated in prison, which is why they'd never put him in general population. Inmates like him go into protective custody, which is actually solitary confinement. No more Big Macs, but he'll have a TV and a computer.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

For Trump, solitary confinement -- not being surrounded by his lackey staff or his adoring crowds -- has got to be punishment. But I sure hope his computer access doesn't include unsupervised use of social media.

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Erica's avatar

He is never going to prison. Sad, but true

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Abigail Norling's avatar

I pray for this every day!

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Fay Reid's avatar

Yes, and rightfully so in all other cases. Even past Presidents are in danger of some psychopath, or publicity seeking gun man. But Trump is the ONLY past President to have deliberately incited an insurrection on the United States. Of the 45 Presidents we have had to Date (Garfield got numbered twice) I wonder if (and when) Trump is convicted and sent to prison will he still have Secret Service Protection?

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Eleanor Duffield's avatar

Trump is among other things proof positive that kids are not learning critical thinking skills K-12. Look at MAGA--can't distinguish fact from opinion, can't recognize propaganda techniques....If imprisoned Trump might just become the Big Man in Prison. As to SS, he'll have corrections officers many of whom may agree with him. Perish the thought.

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Fay Reid's avatar

One of the problems. Eleanor, it is so much easier to "hate" than to fix 50 years worth of problems. Especially if you are told the people you hate created the problems instead of those top whom you are listening.

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Leslie A Dunsworth's avatar

Maybe we are better off having them there to see what he is up to rather than flying blind.

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D. Wyatt's avatar

It seems that "hate filled lies" are about all the pathetic man has left to offer, or maybe its all he has ever had to offer. In any event, hopefully his biggest grift is coming to an end, sooner than later.

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ken taylor's avatar

I am still unconvinced his sharing of documents has been limited to "bragging".. . I'm convinced in my heart there is something much more sinister in the moving boxes of documents than just trying to lash back at General Milley. But being so convinced does not mean it is not true. But if the govt. has evidence that he has done so it will probably not become known to the public and the govt. has already more than likely made adjustments in security measures related to all of Trump's information in the documents he kept, but again something they will probably never let out to the public.

But I am perturbed about why, when it became known to his advisors they did not come together and remove him from office long before any of this happened via the 25th. After all, so many of his cabinet officials have claimed heroic self-sacrifice by staying in his cabinet to attempt to lessen the damage he was doing to our government. Wouldn't it have been more heroic to declare him to be mentally unfit to serve as president?

And if they had done that, no stolen documents, no Jan 6. But then they wouldn't have had any books to write on how they saved us from Trump.

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Michael Heyerman's avatar

He sold stuff to Putin and Bonesaw. Of that, I have no doubt.

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Beth B's avatar

Hence, $2billion to son-in-law

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Marycat2021's avatar

And the death of PGA golf.

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Carol Gamm's avatar

Absolutely! The only real question is who else bought this information. It’s hard to believe that, somewhere in US Intelligence services, intelligence professionals don’t know the answers to these questions.

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Steve O’Cally's avatar

Maybe that’s how they got tipped off in the first place. Not a lot of people see EVERYTHING secret that the President sees. If we leaked a broad spectrum of stuff, the suspects are few. Maybe they even tucked a bogus SCI secret into the President’s Briefing while he was president, just to see if it got stolen. The spooks might have been watching for a while. I hope.

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Helen Stajninger's avatar

I am sure he did also

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Charlie Austin's avatar

Agreed

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David Sea's avatar

In Public: lookie what I have!!!

In Private: let's start the bidding for this tidbit at $10M.

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ken taylor's avatar

well...that's what I was trying to say was what I feel. Unfortunately I don't have the means to find out. I also feel Jack Smith has pursued it, but it is something we probably won't find out because whatever he has found might be "secret".

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Helen Stajninger's avatar

Exactly

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Gail Talbot's avatar

"I am perturbed about why, when it became known to his advisors they did not come together and remove him from office long before any of this happened via the 25th"

They wanted the power of having him in office.

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ken taylor's avatar

or the idea of their own power through having him power.

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Judith Swink (CA)'s avatar

Plus, it's a multi-stage process and depends on a 2/3 majority of both Houses of Congress to concur that the president is incapable of performing his duties.

https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-the-25th-amendment-simplified

Section 4: ""Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office."

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Citizen60's avatar

My question is: after January 6th, why did the Senate acquit him?

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ken taylor's avatar

because it took too long to bring the impeachment. If immediately after the reconvening to count the votes, if Pelosi had kept the house in session and had an up and down vote to immediately impeach Trump on a single charge of having incited...well even McCarthy at that moment has"had it with this guy". If the Senate had voted the next morning, he would have been convicted.

By the time the impeachment occurred the memory of the fear had subsided into, "well we lived, it wasn't that bad,' as all intense fears do after the immediacy had passed.

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Sharon L Bonney's avatar

Two words: Mike Pence. The vice President is a critical part of Article 25 process. And the impossibility of the Legislative branch initiating the process is obvious from the Republicans’ slavish devotion to Trump.

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Judith Swink (CA)'s avatar

Amendment 25, Section 4: "Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President."

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office." https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-the-25th-amendment-simplified

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Carrie Maxwell's avatar

The fact that Donald is still allowed to roam free without any restrictions AT ALL is why our country is a failing democracy. I'm so sick of this crap.

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amber bakes's avatar

I remember my feeling of dread, the painful realization that trump was going to be in our white house the day after election November 2016. It never left me all through his reign of terror. I tried every day to to give into hate. I deliberately directed my anger, fear and frustration to learning more about what he was about. It was a scary trip through his crimes and destruction of all our government norms. The fact that many in our government not just those in elected seats but all those that surround them DIDN'T do the right thing, didn't speak up, didn't say something when it was happening is proof that our democracy is in danger. Too many still believe his crap and still support his plan to destroy our country. Please VOTE RESPONSIBLY, encourage anyone you know or encounter to do their homework, look at the consequences of their votes before they vote, IT'S NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT. Please Jack Smith if you're listening lock him up, keep him from communicating with the outside world, he won't stop on his own.

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Miriam Lewis's avatar

I remember people telling me that I was overreacting and to give him a chance, but I think that, based on everything that has happened, I was underestimated how horrible he and his enablers have been for this country. He has been the lifting of the rock, exposing all sorts of horrible things underneath and also some kind of fertilizer for the growth of the very worst kind of things in our country. I despair.

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Harriet Buchanan's avatar

I had that argument with my son in 2016 when he wanted to give Trump a chance. I was so angry that I didn't speak to my son for 4 years. I wanted to say, "I told you so", so I bit my tongue. He voted for Biden in 2020, so now we're speaking again.

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Helen Stajninger's avatar

I have felt this with you from November 2016. Lost many friends and even family over their support of him- still

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Tutone's avatar

A dark dark day for humanity in all the ways 45 has conducted himself to the detriment of all of us everywhere. I always appreciate your newsletter for getting a grasp on what might be ahead but especially this one. Could he be planning his next coup with those documents he stole that have yet to be retrieved? I am waiting for the good news Joyce and I know it’s coming. We’ve had enough. Your steady pen is a constant light in our day 🇺🇸🗽

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Kimberlee Avery Wilkins's avatar

I think dumpster is going to use the rest of the documents as a last ditch effort of getting out of his troubles by holding them hostage " let me go free and pay me for the documents or I will sell them to the highest bidder" ! That is how old dumpster thinks !! I think he has already sold some if not all the documents !

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MOBILIZER's avatar

His psycopathy, Machiavellianism and narcissism (the Dark Triad) compel him to escalate and go over the line. He must feed red meat to the jackals. Soon enough the judge will face the reality that he’s using his candidacy as a “get out of jail card” and a way to mock the law. We’ll see how long it takes to slap on the cuffs and perp walk him in.

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Tutone's avatar

And then to his base he’ll be a martyr more so than before in hopes his base will react and not in a good way.

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MOBILIZER's avatar

To that idea I say “so what?“. I’m sick and tired of worrying about their reaction. To use that as a predicate for letting him run free is in my thinking, pure cowardice. Also, consider that the violence that will likely be incited is not exactly going to be a winner amongst all voters.

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JA's avatar

I am frightened by the Florida Judge! She selects the Florida jury from five (5) RED districts, too! She has the power to stop the Trump trial! She wants to do a favor for Trump! Her job is for life and will not vanish! Safe grounds!

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MOBILIZER's avatar

I’m not frightened. Let her explain how her special boy gets a special pass when the prosecution files a compelling brief on the motion.

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JA's avatar

🤞

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Michael Heyerman's avatar

I want him in jail. God damn it, enough of this.

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Sam Urdank's avatar

“Trump is increasingly a danger to the community, and courts and prosecutors would do well to treat him like one. He’s cornered. And there’s no telling what he won’t stoop to to try and save himself, or just to vent his anger.”

Perhaps it’s time to head him off at the pass..

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Jon May's avatar

Wouldn't inciting violence be a violation of the standard conditions of release.

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Swbv's avatar

Did I get this right? Trump knowingly, if indirectly, threatened the life of a former president?

I wonder if Gym Jordan sees anything upsetting in the fact pattern: Trump calls, wackos listen.

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Charlie Austin's avatar

Trump needs to be remanded. You can't be allowed to threaten witnesses and prosecutors pre-trial.

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Bryan Sean McKown's avatar

Thank you Professor. I love your favorite page & the DOJ's acronym "FPOTUS".

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Marcia Battin's avatar

FPOTUS is my favorite part of this.

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Bryan Sean McKown's avatar

Me too ... almost as favorite as Ftfg. :)

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Karen Katzenyammer's avatar

Daily Trump tweets out his wrath about Jack Smith and the only result would be to point his people at Smith also after seeing the Obama results. The actions of Taranto go to show these fanatics are willing to give up their own freedom to score points with their cult leader. It is not a far reach to consider these people as dangerous as the people who followed Charles Manson. That sounds dramatic but they also got wrapped up in the warped mind of a cult leader. This should be shocking evidence to all Trump supporters that things are not normal in their MAGA movement. Do they really want to identified as Magadonians? Don't let the quirky silly interviews with Trump rally participants who can hardly articulate what it is about Trump they admire blind us to the fact there are some very dangerous people in those crowds.

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Janey's avatar

Watched the bit where Pence tried to explain he couldn't have altered the election outcome to the woman in Iowa. These people sincerely believe that they were cheated, because this is what they see 24/7 on TV. Until we clean up the media, the nutters will continue (and escalate) to threaten and eventually succeed in harming someone. I know we've been asking this for years, but, isn't there any way to speed up the trials? And can't fpotus be silenced forever as part of his eventual sentencing? // We are the frogs in the pot and the water is getting pretty hot. Our problem is not coming in 2030. It is here today. I was terrified as I ran errands yesterday. Never, ever felt heat like that at 8:00am, and I lived in Phoenix for five years. The plants and animals are fighting to survive. They are speaking to us in the only ways they can. We will soon start to see foods disappear from our stores. Will my grandchildren survive? Will they be denied the chance to have their own families? Sorry. Just so sad.

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