275 Comments
User's avatar
Marina Oshana's avatar

The voters choose the president. The president does not have the authority to choose the voters.

Brenda Pitts's avatar

True that!!! But,,, the Reds are hard at work choosing their voters with their insanely crazy voter-maps - gerrymandering.

Bill Katz's avatar

My sign will be ready for my 2-hour protest in front of my state capital on Saturday from 12-2 and the sign will read: “Make America Smart Again: Impeach Trump.”

Maybe everyone in every state will do likewise every Saturday from 12-2.

A doc reads's avatar

Bill, spot on. MASA!

John Smith's avatar

Love your MASA idea, Bill. But how do you envision Trump ever being impeached? Who would impeach him?

Leigh Horne's avatar

Not new, unfortunately. This has been going on since the Civil War, if not before, as the rich and uncaring try to maintain their privileged perch above the rest of us by any means possible.

Jon Rosen's avatar

Just to be fair, Democrats have engaged in almost a much gerrymandering over the years as Republicans have. California is gerrymandered to increase Democratic outcomes and it has worked well. Between 1980 and 2000, we switched from being a relatively purple state with a history of a fair number of GOP governors and other state officials to a state which is pretty much the opposite of Florida. At the presidential level,

the vote was 60% dem, 40% GOP (and that was in a state where the Democrat presidential candidate Harris is from!) but at the Congressional levels the vote was similar but the outcome was closer to 75-80% democratic in both house and senate .

That is absolutely due to gerrymandering.

Personally I am glad we have a strong democratic legislature but to be fair, California and other democratic states are gerrymandered. To imply that only the GOP does it is simply a misstatements of fact.

Charlene fitzpatrick's avatar

actually trump already did choose the republicans, knowing they were more malleable and gullible than the Democrats, he calculated they would be easier to lie to.

patricia's avatar

more rabid and racist

Dee of the Terrace's avatar

Boy do you have that one right! I read about that with him sitting down with some of them and saying "I can do that" over and over again. He was IN after that meeting.

He shopped around. He makes me sick at my stomach. It's a real JOKE when he calls anything 'fake'. He's FAKE!

Andy in Burbank's avatar

The FELON loves the poorly educated, they're easy to con, dupe, grift and lie to.

Who else could be so gullible to give the FELON $$, I mean "buy" a $Trump coin?

Alyn Harrison's avatar

Nah, he’s not that smart.

meryl selig's avatar

It seems the judiciary is tasked with saving our nation.

Andy in Burbank's avatar

The GQP has given up on legislating, and use the courts to "pass", or "deny" their. agenda.

Terri's avatar

It’s totally illegal what he’s doing making money off of the American people, using his office to profit himself. I think that’s enough for an impeachment. Just alone. We must win power in the next election and get him the hell out of there. Excuse my French.

Terri's avatar

Love this. Needed to hear it via multiple people today. I am proud of people that are standing up for our democracy. I’m proud of the steps that I am taking to contribute. All of our small or big steps together or what makes the difference, is making the difference. And we only are getting stronger. I am proud to be an American. Together, we are strong, strong stronger than a “strong man or men“. Our voices are being heard! It seemed impossible, but it is unfolding, and it is multiplying. We are the power.

Cats 🐈🐈‍⬛'s avatar

I am glad to see the League of Women Voters, one of three parties, bring this lawsuit against drumpf. They are a wonderful organization and they do great work here in the Austin area and around the country. I am proud to be a member of this organization. It’s not just for women; men are also involved in their fine work. Please consider joining and supporting them.

Patricia Ebert's avatar

Thanks for the shout out to the League of Women Voters ♥️ They have a history of championing voting rights issues dating back 100 years

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

I totally agree, I’ve been a supporter for years and I upped my contribution this year!

Lisa Kuhnke's avatar

I was also glad to see the LWV was involved. I also support and I’m a member of LWV in Johnson County, KS!

mary thiel's avatar

Thanks for the suggestion.

Jill Stoner's avatar

At age 4 in 1956, I went door-to-door with my mom, handing out materials for the League of Women Voters. Great organization! It's definitely time for me to get involved again!

Linda Hanson's avatar

Thank you for your membership—I’m in St. Louis, MO and supporting voting rights too! We maintain our credibility because we are nonpartisan and it is encouraging to see our efforts in action and that it’s successful: as Joyce always says “we’re all in this together!”

David J. Sharp's avatar

Beats me why Trump insists on issuing executive orders that are clearly, blatantly unconstitutional—how is spending money to defend the indefensible not waste?

bitchybitchybitchy's avatar

He's signing orders prepared by Russell Vought and his unholy, authoritarian crew at the Heritage Foundation.

David J. Sharp's avatar

Donald Trump: “I have nothing to do with Project 2025” (said during the Harris debate 9/10/24). Probably true—he just signs the papers twelve minutes before tee time.

Ruth Sheets's avatar

David, I suspect Trump has no clue what he is even signing, beyond that it is going to either hurt someone, take away someone's rights, or get revenge on someone. He is being prompted what to do because I do believe his ability to think is very limited with the dementia setting in. The Heritage men are happy because they can get their Project 2025 through with a minimum of trouble because they are so sure they will be able to rule with Trump as their puppet. Once they get power, Trump will be shuffled off to Mar a Largo to golf while the crazies do as much harm to the American experiment as they can. We do need to stop them, maybe start focusing on Trump's handlers and get their names out here so people can start suing them personally.

David J. Sharp's avatar

I think you’ve got it exactly right. The Great Conman is being played. By Putin, by Vought, by Musk, by Miller. All he cares now is about vengeance and graft. All the others (the Americans) hide behind curtains. Like Trump, they strenuously avoid the courtroom.

Ruth Sheets's avatar

David, so that is a good reason to put Trump's handlers in the limelight so people will know who these appalling human beings are, what they are doing, and ways they can be stopped. There is now talk that Trump wants to shut down "liberal" fund-raising, but that would mean all political fund-raising would have to go since it is not legal to go after one's opponents that way, or at least it has not been. That might put Heritage Foundation at some danger too. It is so hard when we have to deal with so much scum at one time.

David J. Sharp's avatar

Serves Heritage right for backing a loose cannon. But Trump somehow appeals to the riffraff both he and Heritage despise … so I guess it’s betting all its chips. Unusual for the typically constipated.

MisTBlu's avatar

As I was driving home tonight I was wondering if Trump could name the contents of even one of the EOs that he's signed. All he knows for sure is that he gets to affix his EKG signature and hold up the folders for all to see.

Dawn Kucera's avatar

And you notice he never talks about them. So I agree completely. He probably has no idea what they are.

Ruth Sheets's avatar

MisTBlue, I would say Trump has no clue unless he is wearing an earpiece while being fed with the answers. I am wondering if Trump might be the first test case for Musk's new brain device that is supposed to increase one's thinking, but which may just be someone outside feeding the victim what he is supposed to say.

celeste k.'s avatar

As a side note, while he sits there executing the heritage foundations' agenda, he is running an extortion racket, threatening to withhold funds or take away civil liberties unless he gets paid. The same behavior for which mob figures have gone to prison for countless years.

Arabella Dorth's avatar

I highly recommend Heather Cox Richardson's April 22nd video available on her Facebook page in which she answers her readership’s questions re: the significant political events of the day. She also provides incredible insight on the key handlers and factions revealing the “method in the madness”. Try to watch it to the end. More background information that I found by googling are the following: That information is available if you google those key handlers: nkey players like 1) Russell Vought and his connection to Project 2025 and “Christian Nationalism”, see, https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/20/donald-trump-allies-christian-nationalism-00142086; 2) Musk and his “DOGE” committee, his connections to Putin, the right-wing afD party in Germany, and other global connections; and 3) Stephen Miller, who serves as deputy chief of staff for policy in the Trump administrationhttps://www.thenation.com/article/politics/stephen-miller-hatemonger-biography/.

Noorillah's avatar

I wonder how Susie Wiles, who was essential in convincing Chump he could run again, as well as instrumental in his campaign, figures in here. Does anyone know? All i know is that she has been a lobbyist for several foreign governments, some of them not friendly to the U. S.

Ruth Sheets's avatar

Noorillah, like so many of them, Susie is trying to be a power behind the throne. I am guessing that she thinks if she is quiet enough about it no one will notice until she becomes something important, named to the cabinet or something. She won't like to be in a hearing, though. I would love Congress to start calling these people to testify under oath about their activities in the administration. I want to see the DOGErs including Musk too. Maybe if he has to be under oath, he will reveal his true anti-American colors and his world-domination dreams. Where's Superman or the Black Panther who can stop these supervillains?

Dawn Kucera's avatar

I think she’s one of the hands inside the puppet

Ruth Sheets's avatar

Arabella, you are right about Dr. Richardson's piece. Now, how do we get the various media to pay attention and to spotlight the handlers who are trying to run the show without being seen? Maybe we need their names on the signs people carry in protests and what they are doing.

Arabella Dorth's avatar

Exactly, I agree. Heather’s letters are a great source for that as well as her 1-hour live video sessions on certain afternoons, which has her followers from all over the country, submitting questions on significant events of the day, etc. I’ve been listening more and more to her recordings of her Letters rather than reading them. The way she expresses and emphasizes key points, is very effective in that I absorb and retain more of the importance and significance of the content.

Sophia Demas's avatar

God bless the judges and the courts....

mary thiel's avatar

In trade for keeping 47 out of prison.

Dave Conant - MO's avatar

It's not his money, so he doesn't care about waste. He issues the orders because there's always the chance that people will roll over and let him get away with it.

David J. Sharp's avatar

You’re right—it’s never his money. Donald Trump is the cheapest (and most insecure) billionaire around. If he owes for honest work, he stiffs the workers by declaring bankruptcy

Ruth Sheets's avatar

David, Trump has not worked a day in his life. What he is doing now is playing games that he hopes he will win, but for him, the attention and the game's the thing.

David J. Sharp's avatar

You are absolutely correct! And we are the unwitting audience. At least admission is free.

Susan Stone's avatar

David, do you really believe we are not paying a price for all these antics? If nothing else it's the insecurity coming from not knowing when and how the rules are going to change, not of mention financial insecurity.

Susan Burgess's avatar

Whether or when the rules change is not set in stone. Even Trump doesn’t know whether or when. He’s just throwing darts trying to hit a bullseye. It’s up to us to stop him. All of us, not only the courts.

David J. Sharp's avatar

You are right, of course. I am nothing if not a teensy bit sarcastic.

Mary Greenwald's avatar

Admission is not free. It costs more at the grocery store, the clothing store and my "free ride" with Social Security is looking chancy.

Noorillah's avatar

To me, he looks like a kindergartner proudly showing off how he can write his name.

Dave Conant - MO's avatar

I hadn't thought of that, but you're exactly right. Looking for approval.

Beverly VanLandingham's avatar

Beats me that the only thing tRump has done is write EO since he took office. And then he holds them up like a kid holding his softball trophy. Our Federal Government is a three ring circus and tRump is the head clown . Pitiful!!

David J. Sharp's avatar

Reminiscent of Trump 1.0 during which, of all his boasts and promises, the only thing he got passed was the rich boys tax cut.

As for his Oval Office antics—bring back the Musk kid for needed maturity!

Ruth Sheets's avatar

David, skip the Musk-brat. Trump ordered the desk in the oval office to be refinished because the brat got some snot on it. It was a meeting of 3 toddlers that day, well, maybe more than 3, and very costly.

David J. Sharp's avatar

He’s probably installing a permanent Diet Coke button.

Ruth Sheets's avatar

Beverly, a clown who is really a toddler playing at being a clown.

Beverly VanLandingham's avatar

Absolutely! He is pathetic, paranoid, insecure and cares only about himself.

David J. Sharp's avatar

Ruth, I’m guessing you’re not fond of the fella?

Ruth Sheets's avatar

David, you got that right. Musk is training his kid well to be just as obnoxious as he is and it is working. I have heard someone say that the reason Musk carries his child on his shoulders is to prevent anyone from shooting at him. That is paranoia, maybe because he knows he is committing some serious crimes and doing a lot of harm to Americans and immigrants for no reason but for his own gains, and some people as unbalanced as he is might object.

David J. Sharp's avatar

Barron Trump is in college now—fear for your life (he’s probably smarter than dad and brothers).

Noorillah's avatar

That is child abuse!

T L Mills's avatar

He's very lazy. He much prefers to run the government by fiat (EO's) rather than move his fat ass out of the Oval Office and actually WORK (meet with and talk to the Representatives and Senators and outline his goals) to sell his agenda to the House and Senate, the way it should be done.

I don't think Trump ever had any goals, other than to stay out of prison...and that he's now so cognitively impaired, it's more than likely he scarcely knows what he's signing.

Linda Fairchild's avatar

Exactly. It's that simple.

Judith Rosenbaum's avatar

I would bet good money that the EOs are not written by him. At this point, he’s merely a figurehead, a puppet, who can barely answer valid questions.

Dawn Kucera's avatar

But but but!! He has also played golf! He has played golf, bigly, wasting tens of millions of dollars. He won a tournament, too I hear.

Dawn Kucera's avatar

It’s all about flooding the zone. They know that most of these are gonna get turned back but maybe one or two or three will get through.

Ruth Sheets's avatar

David, each Executive Order is like a test balloon to see which of them will fly. He is hoping, if he even thinks that far, that everyone will decide to give up and let Toddler-Trump do whatever he wants to do because it might shut him up and he might go away. He won't. Trump is addicted to attention, like a spoiled toddler and will do anything to get it. He did tell us he could shoot someone in the middle of 5th Avenue and would lose no supporters. He may be right. He is certainly trying hard to do as much damage as he can while he whines, blames, insults, pretends he knows what he is doing, and dysses the American people and the people of the world.

David J. Sharp's avatar

To be sure, a toddler indeed—tantrums and all.

Yet he risks antagonizing the courts with his impermissible EOs and frivolous court pleadings. But he probably doesn’t care either about the lower courts … and I question his resolve confronting SCOTUS if IT finally stands up.

Susan Burgess's avatar

Look for other motives. Not the obvious ones.

David J. Sharp's avatar

Motives? Trump? His “3-D” chess is actually Snakes &

Ladders.

Ruth Sheets's avatar

David, ha! I needed that! Toddler-Trump's only motivations are about getting attention, and getting revenge, usually for things no one ever did to him. He is a pathetic poorly parented toddler.

David J. Sharp's avatar

He feared his father, disliked his mother … and probably dislikes his children too.

Susan Burgess's avatar

“Go Fish depends on the honor system; lying about the contents of one's hand is difficult to prevent.” Wikipedia

David J. Sharp's avatar

“Go Fish” depends on rules … the Trump version is based on Liars Dice.

lauriemcf's avatar

I think they keep handing him EOs because he gets TV time when he signs them and it makes him feel powerful and admired -- and, clearly, he doesn't think the Constitutional separation of powers applies to him.

Sandra Hardie's avatar

See my comment above (or below) wherever it landed.

David J. Sharp's avatar

Found it … and replied thereunder.

Sandra Hardie's avatar

Lost mine now so I can't find yours, David. Substack is great but this part sucks.

David J. Sharp's avatar

These message trees are very confusing. But getting lost is my superpower.

Ruth Sheets's avatar

David, I thought it was only me who got lost in the maze. I thought it was just because I am blind. It appears there is something even deeper going on.

David J. Sharp's avatar

If you can’t find your way, you can’t vote—Executive Order 12,308.

patricia's avatar

I agree ! replies get lost and lose their association

Carolyn Roberson's avatar

Thank you, Joyce. I’m totally exhausted wondering what in the world is going to happen each day. You and Heather Cox Richardson keep me somewhat centered.

I’m trying my best not to zone completely out and do continue to call and write y my state representatives.

I’m so happy that we can always look to you for facts and sanity.

Mary Greenwald's avatar

I am writing to the Democrats begging me for money to "fight Trump" when they consented to the clowns in his Cabinet.

Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

It is infuriating that the DNC has kept up this practice of begging us to send money, isn’t it? They flood my email box every.single.day! Ikt’s a turn-off. The only thing is that ACT BLUE is now under attack by Trump. This is an independent agency for the Democrats and he wants that destroyed too but yeah, it’s okay for he and his evil partners to advertise dinners for those who shown up to donate the most money in bitcoins or cash to him!! Gawwwd…I hate what is happening to us all!

Linda Hanson's avatar

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Arthur Smith's avatar

I bundled their hard copy solicitations. I asked them why they did not press harder on 46 to at least argue for a warrant to arrest 45! I am appalled they ask for money. Dipshits. Put J621 in your floor speeches now and keep it front and center.

Megan Rothery's avatar

Keep being loud!

Use this spreadsheet to call/email/write any of our representatives as often as possible. Not just your own state reps, reach out to those in other states. Be as loud as you can and share this. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit

Gin's avatar

Thank you adding the spreadsheet!

Cathy Beattie's avatar

Thanks for this information! I’ve downloaded it and I’m going to share it with family and friends.

Brenda Pitts's avatar

Oh awesome with the spreadsheet!!! Thanks for that!!!!!

Al Bellenchia's avatar

We so need to end this charade.

“Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." - Mark Twain.

JennSH from NC's avatar

In my state of NC, the Republicans in the legislature gerrymandered our state with surgical precision to chose their voters.

Dawn Kucera's avatar

Hi Jenn, I live in the western part of North Carolina. It’s Ruby red except with the liberal enclave of Asheville. In the 2010 gerrymandering, the city of Asheville were split into three sections and then one section assigned to each of three adjoining conservative counties. This in effect nullified Asheville‘s voice. And basically the situation still stands. It’s infuriating.

Susan Stone's avatar

That is really sad; Asheville is a lovely town. Living in far west Texas, I think it would be very difficult to combine parts of our city with any other district, because we are too far from anywhere else in the state. I'm grateful for that - as long as it lasts. I saw in the news today that our governor has created a state level DOGE department…

Dawn Kucera's avatar

Asheville indeed is a beautiful city in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a liberal blue spot nestled right in the middle of Ruby red Western North Carolina. I would just say here also, that it’s sustained horrific damage during hurricane Helene last September. It’s county, and the county I live in next to it, are the two counties that were hardest hit. We are still in the middle of recovering. We had about 50. Americorps workers who were just recently withdrawn because DOGE pulled their funding. I am beyond angry.

Susan Stone's avatar

I would be angry, too, if I were in your situation. We've visited multiple great breweries in Asheville, and actually got to spend a couple of nights in a Habitat house belonging to a friend of ours. I hate to see such a beautiful, positive place destroyed. I'm sure your county is beautiful, too.

Phil Loubere's avatar

It would appear that the real threat is from Congress passing the Save act.

John Gregory's avatar

and a handful of lunatic Democrats voted for it in the House, too. Isn't it Hakeem Jeffries' job to make sure they are awake when they vote?

Brenda Pitts's avatar

Yeah,,,, I still want answers from them about why in the heck they voted in favor of such garbage!!!!

Anne Clausen's avatar

It gets worse every day, doesn’t it?

Weatogue Guy's avatar

Thank God for wise federal judges who understand how the Constitution limits the executive -- and who write opinions that stand up to appellate review. The founders really did know what they were doing!

(And thank you, Joyce, for teaching this nightly course in constitutional law!)

dee's avatar

As the song says ....she is "Simply THE BEST!"

dee's avatar

Dearest JOYce - THANK YOU for this update - I was wondering if we would here from you RE this order. Election fraud?! THE FRAUD we are dealing with is an orange-faced CONVICTED FELON, SEXUAL PREDATOR , wanna be DICKtator!! BRING IT Judges!! we gotta keep on keepin on...TOGETHER!!!

Tracers's avatar

What scares me is that even if we get a huge, record breaking number of democratic voters, despite all of the obstruction thrown in their way, they will still be able to hack & alter the results. I firmly believe that happened last November.

dee's avatar

Keep the faith - we WILL PREVAIL!!!

Bryan Sean McKown's avatar

"The League of Women Voters is heartened by this ruling which is a major victory for voters across the Country" said MARCIA JOHNSON, chief counsel of the League of omen Voters of the United States".

🙏

John Smith's avatar

Amen. As important as who votes is who counts the votes. We can safely predict that if the Republicans don't win every race they will be claiming voter fraud, filing litigation, etc., etc.

EmiM's avatar

Yes, Joyce I got a chill when he said before his election this time, when people were complaining about decreased access to voting places, “ Don’t worry. If you elect me you will never have to vote again.”

Wendy Shelley's avatar

Thank goodness for the many attorneys who are going after First Felon with a vengeance that is making some headway against him and his traitorous minions. Never give up cuz that just makes him ask for more. We’ve got all of them on shaky grounds. We’re going to keep our Constitution and our Democracy and our Country, and we’ll all be stronger when it’s all said and done. Thank you, Joyce, for continuing to explain it all for us; we need your counsel.

Mike Brown's avatar

There is no middle ground with tRump and his people. No time to be neutral!