Late this afternoon, the Supreme Court issued a 9-0 response to the government’s application to vacate federal District Judge Paula Xinis’ order that the Trump administration return Kilmar Abrego Garcia from prison in El Salvador to the United States.
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.”
Every time I've tried to contact a senator or representative outside of my state, they ask for my zip code. If I leave it blank, or give my actual zip code, they will not let me email or call them. How do you get around that?
There’s a column on the spreadsheet that has an address within the state on the Senate tab. If you put that as the address when you fill out an email form, it’ll go through 😇
The House reps tab I’m working on (slowly - putting my daughter’s 4th birthday party prep ahead of finishing it haha), but some House reps have the link to the site to email them, as well as either an address in their district (address is one of their own offices) or a zip code, depending on which one is needed to be able to email.
Is it right to list those addresses…I don’t know. But using my voice right now is what I care about and if we can overwhelm reps more this way…I’m doing it 🙃
Megan, I have been able to contact Senators and Reps not my own through their websites. Our Senator cannot be reached by phone because his "mailbox is full," every single time. I have gone to name of senator .senate.gov or I think it's name.representative.gov. It seems to me putting a zip code in their state or district could work even it if is not yours. Google has been pretty good at providing the websites.
Ruth, I responded to Megan Rothery and Bill Katz below as to why I would NOT lie about where I live in order to make repeated phone calls. Blanket calling every rep and sen is, I think, counterproductive. Letter writing, maybe I’m not so concerned but you realize they may screen out-of-hand a letter originating outside the district/state; web forms I’d consider the same as a letter. Lying about being their constituent will not be productive, overwhelms limited staff, and will probably piss off said staff which accomplishes little, they will just want to shut you out. Focus your ire on YOUR reps and sens, they want reelection and you have power only over them, not every rep and sen.
While I would typically agree, I live in a very blue state where my reps are (mostly) trying to do things. I still reach out to them about my opinions, asking them what their response will be to something, or thanking them if their voice reaches out above the crowd. I think we are in a really dangerous time where if we don’t apply pressure to all those in Congress, then I worry what more will happen. I personally think it’s ok to overwhelm phone lines and staffers right now because it shows the disaster of a time we’re in. I definitely understand where you’re coming from as well though
Megan, it's one thing to regularly contact your own reps. You have a relationship to them as their constituent and they need to hear from you.
But it is NOT fine to misrepresent oneself as a constituent of another state. It is dishonest, and it is spam. And, as Jory pointed out, counter-productive. It will backfire, and end up with the red congresspeople closing off altogether, leaving their actual constituents without access. That is NOT ok. I don't think you understand where Jory is coming from at all. And that scares me, because it indicates that there are people supposedly on our side who are willing to do unethical things to gain an advantage at the expense of others, and that does not bode well for our cause or our future.
OK, you live in a blue state. I lived most of my life in blue states, but now I’m in a red one. As I explained to Bill Katz elsewhere today.
Maybe try to do other things besides filling up the phone lines of other sens/reps that are not YOUR sens/reps? (Spamming, really - do you like spam?) UNLESS you are calling out-of-state because of a single voter issue and they are on the committee for THAT issue? Just a suggestion. So that I can get a call in to MY state sen/rep. Thanks.
Now, can somebody please tell me, HOW DO WE ALL WRITE TO THE SUPREME COURT? HaHah! They are messing with all of us, no districts or boundaries….
[The time to flood the lines of the Senate was January and February during confirmation of 47’s cabinet. That’s when the firehose of outrage should have occurred, now it’s too late, they are (mostly) installed. Watch that space.]
When I did a first email round to all Senators about a month ago, some bounced back saying they appreciate me reaching out but I wouldn’t get a response because I wasn’t a constituent. Then many I never heard back from. When I did another round of emails but instead used an address in their state, I got many more responses so I am thinking that means my messages were actually read and not ignored because it appeared to be coming from a constituent :)
Megan, “ a first email round to all Senators about a month ago, some bounced back saying they appreciate me reaching out but some bounced back saying they appreciate me reaching out but I wouldn’t get a response because I wasn’t a constituent”.
With all due respect, R.M., we are having to think outside the box because the system is not working. Finding ways to subvert the subversions that are being put in place are what's necessary at this point in time, IMO. We put a refrigerator magnet message up for the kids tears ago -"Wisdom is the Ability to discover Alternatives" - I've placed that same message on my construction site desk for years, and the words could not be critical right now. I have to stand with Megan and her discovered alternatives, because the need is real.
I have been calling Republican Senators and many times I just leave a message on their recorder. Hopefully they get these messages. Occasionally, I talk to an assistant and give them the message hoping the Senator gets it. There are so many things wrong to talk about in my message… Tomorrow my message will be about the SAVE Bill. All we can do is try to get these messages across to these Congresspeople. I think persistence protests are the best including phone calls. It is distressing that we have so much to complain about but I plan to keep it up.
The folks at Indivisible.org, in 2016-2017, and again in 2025, released a handbook written by D.C. staffers on how to communicate with sen/rep office staff. Effectively. These were the insiders who tell us the public how their offices ran. Listen to that advice, they are trying to help us cut through the noise and obfuscation.
I have succeeded by looking up the home or regional office zip code for the desired Rep. or Senator and entering that in their “contact form”. If they require a more complete address, I would look up the office address on Google Maps and find a valid residence address a few blocks away (different street than the office). That nearby address will likely let your comments go through.
To Bill Katz, and Megan Rothery: “ Then find a zip code in that state and use it. And match it to a name who lives at that zip code. ‘…
NO. Honestly, I would not recommend this course of action. Bill, this is lying, and it clogs the bandwidth of staff to do their jobs for their constituents. And if it is not properly framed, it’s giving reps and sens a (documented) reason to just toss out public responses. (Your response is the kind of basis that people like Sen Roger Marshall can point to when they dismiss attendees at their town halls of being ‘outside agitators and paid activists.’). Specificall as to phone calls….
HERE are the condtions I WOULD call a rep outside my district or a sen ouside of my state AND when I do this, I make it clear why I am calling and that I am not from that district/state.
1. If the rep/sen is sponsoring (or a key party to) a specific piece of legislation i support or oppose, name the bill.
2. If the rep/sen is a chair or member of a committee that I have a specific targetted message. For example the House and Senate Ag committe members/chair, as I have specific goals, for instance related to Farm Bill renewal, the continued operations of the USDA and food and supplemental aid programs, etc. I justify myself to the staffer as to my stake even as out-of-district, as this affects my livelyhood.
3. Consolation for loss of a family member or loved one.
4. Praise for something. These are sensitive critters, they will accept strokes and praise from any corner.
If you lie about where you are from they sniff that out in a hot second, so, DO NOT give their office the excuse to just shut off the phone lines. With Sen Roger Marshall, my calls go right to VM, so it seems he has shut down on caring or doesn’t have sufficient staff, but other folks I can still talk to a staffer who takes my message.
I suspect the tactic you are advocating - blanket the entire field - will backfire, I fear they will start tracking you as a ‘ignore this caller number’ or ‘screen this one out, they have been calling every senator and rep indiscriminantly’.
At minimum, constituent relations are only interested tabulating those who live in their district. They have no care in the world for those who live outside so if a person is going to call a rep from outside, then fake it. It’s really much adu about nothing. Politics is a dirty business and accusations will be made regardless if true or not. I don’t think I have ever called a rep. I take my opinions to the blogs. And even then i likely change no minds because in the area, minds are like cement after drying. Unless you bring money to the table, you are not much more value than poo. And I think you understand that while poo has a nursing effect on growing plants,it has no effect on a politician.
Yup! That’s why my spreadsheet has that information listed so it saves others from doing the work - and maybe makes it so more people reach out because it’s more at their fingertips. I picked a senate office as the address, that way there aren’t repercussions back on a random person if I used their house address or business :)
Right now I worry if we do not overwhelm our reps, we will continue down the path we are going and possibly not even have another round of elections. From what I read and see, I don’t think Congress is representing what the American people want, so I am getting my opinion out there and hope to help others do the same to apply pressure and hope some bend at least a little in order to help the every day American they are supposed to represent.
You have no right to pose as someone else. Lobby your own reps and senators all you want. Write in your own name on issues to Congressional Committees. But what you are proposing is not ok. It is blatently dishonest.
I hear you. I do use my own name, phone number, and email. I am so concerned for some things that I am purely just trying to express concern in my messages
You only have influence depending on how much you have donated to that particular campaign. And if you haven’t donated anything, good luck making phone calls. I’ve never called one in my life because in my opinion, it has no effect.
Bill. Buddy. By the way, I love the tuxedo cat. Really!
Bill… “I’ve never called one in my life because in my opinion, it has no effect .” So, you’ve admitted defeat before even picking up the phone. Forgive me Bill, but … tantrums indeed, ok? Here’s my flame. I agree it may seem, feel, like you are not getting anything done by calling.
So you say, “so if a person is going to call a rep from outside [of their district], then fake it.”
[as if you are in the district, but you’re not even in the same state.
Maybe even use a fake name?
So, that’s called spam.
Do you love spam?
Do you think the office staff loves spam?
Do you think spam messaging accomplishes anything?
Tell me what good comes. You think they don’t know Trump is a shit show and you are ‘educating’ them to how people are angry?]
I lived in a blue blue state most of my life. It seemed like all they could do is say, yup, preaching to the choir. Yeah, that’s frustrating. Now try moving to a red state and you’ll learn what frustrating is.
I live now in a red-red-purple state. I call my sens and rep.
Sen Doc Marshall has gone full maga and will only take voicemail. Know why he walked out on his town meetings? He said it was full of outside-the-state agitators. Probably NOT true in 28 to 30 of the 30 people there. Don’t you understand jamming phone lines with fake caller info IS GIVING HIM LICENSE TO SAY “all my calls are fake so I’m unplugging the phones.”
Sen Jerry Moran must be the most ‘I support our vets’ guy out there, wraps himself in apple pie and the flag, it’s all he talks about. But he is on the Ag committee, along with fantastic Rep. Sharice Davids (who is not my rep but still in state, so I call her office a bit.). And because I am also in Ag biz, I know I can get an in, if my calls are sincere. So I don’t want YOU plugging up HIS phone lines from not-my-state-wherever-you-are, unless you’ve got a beef with the Farm bill, alright?
I hope this illustrates the lack of utility to you, and the other folks posting the call spreadsheet advocate to impersonate voters outside your district. Yeah I get it you’re angry and feel you don’t get through, and you are just one of many.
The folks at Indivisible.org, around 2016-2017, and again this year, released a handbook written by D.C. staffers on how to communicate with sen/rep office staff. Effectively. These were the insiders who tell us the public how their offices ran. If you listen to that advice, they are trying to help us cut through the noise and obfuscation.
This is called identity theft. And a kind of fraud. It is disgusting. If you do this, keep in mind that you are demeaning the people and the place you are coopting. It could backfire, and when it does, I hope the crud lands on you and not on all the people who are honestly trying to create positive change.
Kai, The folks at Indivisible.org, around 2016-2017, and again this year, released a handbook written by D.C. staffers on how to communicate with sen/rep office staff. Effectively. These were the insiders who tell us the public how their offices ran. If you listen to that advice, they are trying to help us cut through the noise and obfuscation.
Yes! It’s so great! I wanted to provide extra information like addresses for letter writing and direct access to emails as another way of reaching out since I was finding too many phone lines were full. The scripts on 5calls are so helpful!
This is fine. It's a good tool to make sure you are contacting your own reps. We recommend it and similar apps because it is appropriate. It keeps the focus on easily calling your OWN representatives.
I think that some state militia and state police should begin incarcerating ICE agents when in their states and place them in isolation chambers striped naked with air conditioners turned up and a hole in the cell to shit and piss. And a rice bowl given twice a day with dirty latrine water for drinking.
I love 5calls! It’s what I used before my spreadsheet, then wanted to email after my kids went to bed so started making my sheet. I did make sure to note 5calls app/org on the top of my sheet when I made it though because it’s an amazing resource and I still use it to help with scripts
Thanks! I will figure this out~I also do postcards with Fieldteam6, and have the phone numbers for our 2 NC senators and will call them tomorrow about the bill passed by the House full of Louse(es)
Aww I’m sorry. If you click on the link it should open up right away, or you can click and hold until you see “copy link”, then open it in a new browser. But I appreciate you trying and using your voice however you can right now!
I want to print this, but I am wasting paper by just getting one line on a page and it is so small it would be unreadable for these old eyes. Any suggestions?
I believe if you highlight the columns/rows you want, then when you go to print you can say “print current selected cells” or words like that. Should work🤞
Great question. I’d recommend thinking about what issues are most important to you and then see if any reps have changed their tone on that issue since Trump has come to office (I.e Mark Rubio’s major flip on deportation). That can take a lot of time though, so maybe see who I marked as a Veteran on the spreadsheet and express your concern with the changes to the VA and add in a note about another concern off topic from the VA maybe so then they agree with your concern about the VA and are a bit more understanding with your other topic. Social security, Medicare and Medicaid are also topics I’ve heard back from various reps saying they care a lot about and don’t want to see cuts to - so voicing your concerns about the change in those departments to any could make a small difference (and the more of us who speak up, the more of a difference it’ll make ❤️🩹🤞)
Noooo you don’t. However when I looked up their mailing addresses I read that it has to be addressed that way so I put it there incase for some reason a letter not addressed like that exactly would be thrown out. When I email, I definitely do not use the word honorable. Many of them have not earned that right now. I just say, “Senator ____”
Yes. The weakness in the administration is its thin majority in congress. Once these guys (typically) look like they are losing votes, they'll change their tune.
Thanks to Joyce and Megan for clarity in both the problem and solution.
WHEN GETTING TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES MAKE SURE TO USE YOUR NINE-DIGIT ZIP CODE.SOME CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS ENCOMPASS ONLY PARTS OF A FIVE DIGIT ZIP CODE DUE TO GERRYMANDERING OR STATE MANDATED REDISTRICTING PROCEDURES.
Very frightening for all of us, along with all the other insane things goingon. We seniors are especially vulnerable to the chaos with most on fixed incomes.
Don't you mean that it's very frightening for "you." Thankfully you don't speak for those of "us" who are NOT "frightened." However, it appears that there are 122-other "frightened" professional hand wringers agreeing with you. And that shows how easy it is to spread disinformation to people who are desperate for a leader to assauge their baseless fear of not receiving their SS deposits.
You folks wouldn't last five seconds in a real emergency like the famine in Gaza, or women and minorities desperate to buy food for their children, or the homeless living in doorways of buildings, or kidnapped Americans citizens targeted for deportation by a psychotic criminal in the White House.
Here you are all nice and comfy in your homes, absent any real concerns, logged in on your nice shiny computers in search of a dupe to pat you on your silly backs in order to make yourselves feel better about having nothing of any consequences to worry about.
You need at least to pay attention ( not be fearful)to what this admin is thinking of doing to SS payments. They have already shut down satellite state offices to make it more difficult to access help. That’s step 1 in sending a message that entitlements are going to be subject to changes…DOGE guy Musk has already said SS payments, Medicaid,and Medicare are full of fraud- which is not true at all, and has shown no proof.
But this admin does not act transparently and use lies instead of real facts to further their agenda- keep vigilant instead of fearful…
I am paying attention and your remark is unwarranted. If I were not paying attention I would not have found your baseless, attention grabbing, hysterics and fear spreading so offensive!!!
I don’t see hysterics. I see people discussing what is happening in the news and in their lives everyday. I find your remarks to be unwarranted, baseless, attention grabbing insults I have friends who work in the social security offices. It is chaos. Muskrats hacking up a perfectly functioning computer system and using AI to write code that isn’t tested before being implemented to crash the system.
as you are saying “I am 80-years old, receive SS and haven't seen anything to make me think that my funds will be stopped.”
If that is so, a factual statement about yourself, you are quite busy subscribed to 23 substacks (Joyce, T. Snyder, Adam Kinzinger, the Bulwark, Alex Vindeman, Unmasking Russia, ….) using an account on substack started just 3 months ago, and you write posts on how to set up your own podcast, with amazing graphics chops… I can’t believe you do all that, and are an 80 y/o (not that I am ageist, I am ancient) AND YET you can conclude “there is no evidence that it will happen.” So which Russian troll farm are you working at?
And I see as of tonight, the comment from dearest “State of the American Union” is deleted. A Troll for sure. Bye! Thing is, I did all this beautiful writing in response and it is now a total non-sequitor. I could cry.
1) You are already enrolled. For those of us who plan to enroll to receive in 1, 2, 3 years (myself) the prospect looks difficult if half of the program staff are laid off and the offices go from 10 regional zones to 4 and rural folks (like me) have to drive 50, 150, 300 miles or more just to enroll. All published facts and intentions.
2) multiply that service conundrum for others: SSI disability, widows and childrens benefits. More difficult for some to enroll than your prior experience.
3) have you heard that since at least the Bush years, republicans have wanted to take the entire socsec trust fund private, and have been loud in their desire to tinker with the programs that contain our money that we paid in — ss is a trust fund, not an entitlement program by and large. That little 10% dip in the stock market, or the covid crash, or the 2008 financial panic, our money would have burnt up in that.
“there is nothing to be gained by spreading fear that is not based upon concrete evidence of the government's intent“, “ relax and not become hysterical,” There is a big groundswell based on concrete evidence. I’m not hysterical, I’m pissed. What evidence do you have, just that your check has not stopped? If you read/listen to what they say they will do, you should be fearful, not trustful. As to “ there is no evidence that it will happen” that is counterfactual.
Yes, I have friends who are trying to enroll for their social security and Medicare right now. It has been a months long nightmare. They’re wondering if they will ever start seeing the money they paid in.
I’m seeing stories of people on disability being cut off and told they have to pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars and oh yeah, their healthcare isn’t covered anymore. When will that letter hit me because I’m outspoken about the terrorist regime running our country? I sold my Tesla for peace of mind. I was never sure if the baby Musk would retaliate against those who speak against him by turning off our cars.
These are not adults running the country. They’re prepubescent bullies. Even the press secretary said “boys will be boys” acknowledging they can’t even behave like adults. The petty name calling by every one of them is making this country a laughingstock.
This isn’t immigration enforcement. It’s outsourced authoritarianism, funded by American taxpayers, with rights stripped away at jet speed. And yes, it could be any of us next.
Vicki, I also like to use the word "evil." This appalling behavior has moved beyond scary, rotten, to evil. People give in to toddler Trump because it is likely he and his goons have things on the people running our government and Republicans and maybe some Democrats in Congress. They seem to have a whole scheme of blackmail that has pretty much been ignored. That is illegal, of course, but Trump thinks he is the law and so far, it seems he is right. Heck, he managed to get past insurrection, stolen documents, and all the rest of the crimes he has committed since his youth.
Congressmen-- especially GOP but also some Dems--have received death threats and threats of physical harm to them and their families if they do not go along with Stump's agenda. This is not talked about nearly enough. Mostly, the press will mention the threat of being primaried, but it is much worse than this. When Stump tweets out somebody's name for not going along, his militia buddies know exactly what to do. Our country is being coerced by his mafia, and we need to be shouting about it.
This needs to be headline news everyday with details. Once they get it out in the open maybe action can be taken. Oh wait, they’re too busy cosplaying Nazi’s and rounding up college students and hard working migrants.
Yes, it does need to be headline news every day with details. It seems like the threatened GOP congress members need to get up the courage to band together and speak out as a group. This is core dictator coercion and it's terrifying, but our country is going to hell while they keep mum.
Yes, he has managed to get past all of his outsized deeds. That's what's so frustrating. At some point the system has to catch up with him - so much to account for.
This is my "small thing to do". I'm trying to get faster at the language and reframing the narrative . I know the GOP coordinates their messages up and down their food chain to be simultaneous and control the story/take up oxygen. We should do the same thing.
So when I find good words, I try to point them out...maybe they'll take hold.
Jesus cast out many devils from the mad lad who lived among the gravestones. Lesson to me is that there is not just not one devil but many. How about calling each one a devil?
No argument from me about devils. It's devils all the way down. The GOP have sold their souls.
I'm still thinking about controlling story lines and the use of language/who gets to name things first. I'm not very good at it because it takes a whip quick mind to frame the narrative. Being aware is the first step. Naming the deviltry is next.
The ‘authoritarianism’ is coming from ‘inside the house!’
And, I’d add, ‘the cruelty is the point.’ The bully thinks cruelty is the best motivator, b/c that’s his experience growing up and his psychopathy has become our collective problem.
Incarceration that’s being ‘offshored’ as well as ‘outsourced.’
Incarceration inside the US is ‘privatized for profit’ more and more.
And the apprehension and lack of process leading to incarceration is just being done flat out illegally, flat out unAmerican. I hope ICE agents all wake up to this and just quit.
Historian Dr. Heather Cox Richardson now calls the Trump administration "The Trump Regime" because it fits the definition, and as a highly esteemed history scholar, she would know. The goal is to NOT normalize it, but to identify and fight it.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experienced perspective as always. Your rightful indignity is so appreciated. The dehumanization of these victims remains among the most alarming crises to me now, and as we know, there are no shortage of crises. I value and appreciate your good work.
We learned this week that Trump requires near global economic collapse before he will change course. I’m counting on the judges, but they are going to have to stop giving him room to wiggle out even if it forces a confrontation.
Hmm, if Kristi Noem had no problem flying to the El Salvador jail to pose like a triumphant guard at Auschwitz … surely a government official can spare a moment to extricate Abrego Garcia from the Barrio 18 block.
Her number one job seems to be posing for obnoxious photos, preferably in costume, with perfect, near-waist-length hair, false eyelashes and "upgraded" face. It's all performative drama.
My thoughts - the men behind her were evidently ordered to reveal their tattooed chests as if those were confessions or evidence. I’ll bet Noem regrets not recording her puppy killing for all to see.
Auschwitz. - my first thought exactly when I saw that photo: heads shaven, half clothed, packed in a small space. She seems happy to have her picture taken with that as a backdrop. The idea that she would have any trouble extricating a prison there seems ridiculous when the US is basically renting that part of the facility.
Anne, there is a reason Noem was chosen for the cabinet. She has no integrity, no positive moral compass, no sense of what is right and wrong. Trump's handlers researched every single despicable person they nominated through Trump and she is, you know, I can't think of a word disgusting enough to begin to describe her. She must have felt power over those guys the way she had power over the dog she killed, well, just because it didn't please her. And she now has control of the forces that can be used against the American people at her whim. We know now the Supreme Court will never stand up for any of us who get in her way.
And as i am fond of pointing out, the Senate confired all the candidates for 47’s cabinet, without a peep, save one. All these dispicable lagards and psychopaths ushered into the highest levels of power, the Senate had the only key to lock that door and they left that door wide open because of a bully.
I've started making sense of all of this by looking through the lens of "Would Putin approve?"
So far every unconstitutional act, every law broken, every democratic norm destroyed...all hurt democracy and weaken the US, and thus benefit a sworn enemy of the US, Putin.
What Putin and other autocrats don't like: Courage is contagious. Let's keep getting out and protesting, keep donating to legal efforts to defeat rising fascism, keep taking all the pro-democracy steps we can, every day.
Many thanks for explaining the detail of this decision, Joyce. The other sources I’ve seen simple state something like “9-0 the justices said the government must return Abrego Garcia”. We rely on your explanation and analysis.
Agreed, Many thanks for explaining the detail of this decision, Joyce. At first it seemed a victory for Abrego Garcia, and the headline 9-0 emitted the glow of a warm fire around the bend. Only now, we turn the bend and see the fire is the burning of our constitution.
After analysis, the Supremes look quite diminished. If they intend to hold power to account, this is the second-to-worst, slowest path they could take. Does not bode well.
Per the Founder of SCOTUSblog, AMY HOWE, the Supreme Court on Thursday evening, 4/10/25, largely left in place an order by a Maryland Judge [Xinis] directing the government [U.S.G.] to return to the United States a Maryland man [Abrego Garcia] currently held in prison [CECOT, El Salvador under appalling conditions].
Big News: The Vote was unanimous, 9-0 but, it was an UNSIGNED Opinion 💬. That is the status of our highest court these days, in order to get an unanimous Opinion in 2025 the Opinion must be unsigned 🗯.
If they let him do this. It will happen to citizens. And criminal activity is being defined (Krebs, Taylor) saying things the tin pot dictator doesn’t like.
When this "prison" arrangement came to light, I saw the President of El Salvador say openly to the press with an amused, happy look on his face that he was willing and able to take in immigrants as well as US citizens into that prison. I couldn't believe my ears and confirmed that, yep, he said US citizens. That really stopped me in my tracks. At what point do other Americans - even if they voted for trump - worry that they or a family member, or neighbor, could do or say something that could be interpreted as "treason" and wind up in El Salvador? The consequences are just astronomically waaay too dire for anyone - someone could just not like you and "oopsie" you're gone. I feel the same way that Joyce mentioned about this order being vague. They're like some kind of wicked clique that's going to say any kind of utter garbage in a courtroom and not offer any exhibits or witnesses - no proof. They kept trying to distract in this case by complaining about how the district judge told them what to do and it was disrespectful for her to do so - that's what the real problem was. I hope Bondi and her cohorts get their day in court and years in jail. I understand her brother is running for president of the DC Bar Assoc so that if any of trump's admin attys gets reported to that bar, they most likely aren't going to suffer any consequences - like ultimately getting disbarred in DC. They're thinking of everything - seems like they must know that what they're doing - or going to do (?) is absolutely unethical - so they're taking control of the Bar association. No rules, not for them - only for those they accuse. Take a look at this: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-allies-bradley-bondi-control-dc-bar-association-rcna195253
I also worry that the trump admin is communicating to that prison that Abrego Garcia needs to be "taken care of". I wonder what goes on in those vacuous conservative SCOTUS minds that they can't simply say Abrego Garcia is to be released and returned to his home post haste - is this so hard? Why do they always have to do something to show trump they're on his side even if there's nothing right about what trump did here?
I also, like everyone here, worry about how far SCOTUS and Congress will allow him to keep going. I know this will end, just don't know how long this "nighttime" is going to be allowed. I'd really like to see, at the inevitable end of this craziness, that there's someone like a Jack Smith who gets accountability from all these terrible souls.
Indeed so right you are! coreCivic corporation are proposing ICE detention center for 1000 by reopening a notorious shuttered facility in Leavenworth Kansas, already an incarceration town. Free links:
People rarely think it will happen to them. I've heard many Hispanic migrants - including undocumenteds- expressing support for Trump's cruel deportation policies.
Commonsense, All that you say is troubling, I think El Salvador will be off of my list of travel destinations. Looking at the NBC story you cite about influencing the DC Bar Association, here’s a quote:
“ Bradley Bondi — a lawyer who is Attorney General Pam Bondi’s brother — and Alicia Long — a deputy to Ed Martin, Trump’s interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia — are running for president and treasurer. The election runs from April to June, according to the organization’s website.”
“While the general public may not pay much attention to bar associations, lawyers do. The nongovernmental groups decide who gets to be a lawyer — and who gets to stay a lawyer when misconduct allegations are involved. The D.C. Bar, as it is known, has more than 120,000 members, and, by virtue of its location, it is where a significant number of federal attorneys are licensed.”
“The effort to take control of the D.C. Bar follows warnings Trump administration officials have directed at bar associations, which lawyers inside and outside the government have suggested could play a role in slowing down legally questionable elements of Trump’s agenda. “
“On one of her first days as attorney general, Pam Bondi warned career lawyers that they could be fired for refusing to carry out orders because of any personal objections. Meanwhile, the D.C. Bar maintains a confidential legal ethics hotline for members to submit concerns”
The Supreme Court got nothing right, Professor. The Court basically suggested that the District Court might want to hold a hearing, but did little else. Imagine — JUST FREAKING IMAGINE — if the Court in Brown v Board of Ed had said to the KKKansas Board of Ed, which had refused to desegregate the State’s public schools, “please do your best to desegregate, or hold a hearing or something,” instead of ordering it to desegregate “with all deliberate speed.” The Court here could have said, the Govt has admitted it has afforded the incarcerated man no due process, and admitted that his deportation was a clerical or admin error, but say it can do nothing to rectify the error. We say it can and it must, and it must do so ‘with all deliberate speed.’ Instead, it waffled and hemmed and said, “oh, well, these things happen. Have a nice weekend Mr Trump, and please try not to destroy to much of what little is left of our democracy.” If they can to it to this poor man who had no criminal record, and exhibited NO TIES to El Salvadoran gangs, and who is married to an American citizen, and who has a child born in America, they can to it to ANYONE. And, once again, Professor, with all due respect, this is Hitler exercising dictatorial powers and the Court — the FRIGGING SUPREME COURT OF THE FRIGGING UNITED STATES OF AMERICA — doing virtually nothing. You and Lawrence O’Donnell and others see this as a victory of sorts for the rule of law? Nonsense: this is another incremental diminution of legal responsibility and the enhancement of the Executive powers for the benefit of King Donald the Insane. Mark my words, if this continues there will be no mid term elections.
Anyone stunned yet? The masterminds of J621 WON, and they know it. I don't know the solution but we have to protect our families and...hide behind verbal indignation.
Just makes me sick and pi$$ed what they have done to these men.most of them the only crime they committed was wanting a better life. I say let’s send the real criminal to El Salvador but make sure he gets a lower bunk as couldn’t get his fat rear in anything higher.
Dennis Rodman can get Abrego out. So can the duo of Clinton and Bush. My choice would be a prisoner swap: Pam Bondi exchanged for Abrego. Later tonight would be acceptable.
Thank you, Joyce. This is a brilliant piece, providing all the necessary facts before anyone becomes too jubilant. A warning of the escalating danger of this administration, while holding up a mirror to the six conservatives on the Supreme Court and their hesitancy to uphold the rule of law and hold this executive branch to account.
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
Every time I've tried to contact a senator or representative outside of my state, they ask for my zip code. If I leave it blank, or give my actual zip code, they will not let me email or call them. How do you get around that?
There’s a column on the spreadsheet that has an address within the state on the Senate tab. If you put that as the address when you fill out an email form, it’ll go through 😇
The House reps tab I’m working on (slowly - putting my daughter’s 4th birthday party prep ahead of finishing it haha), but some House reps have the link to the site to email them, as well as either an address in their district (address is one of their own offices) or a zip code, depending on which one is needed to be able to email.
Is it right to list those addresses…I don’t know. But using my voice right now is what I care about and if we can overwhelm reps more this way…I’m doing it 🙃
Megan, I have been able to contact Senators and Reps not my own through their websites. Our Senator cannot be reached by phone because his "mailbox is full," every single time. I have gone to name of senator .senate.gov or I think it's name.representative.gov. It seems to me putting a zip code in their state or district could work even it if is not yours. Google has been pretty good at providing the websites.
Ruth, I responded to Megan Rothery and Bill Katz below as to why I would NOT lie about where I live in order to make repeated phone calls. Blanket calling every rep and sen is, I think, counterproductive. Letter writing, maybe I’m not so concerned but you realize they may screen out-of-hand a letter originating outside the district/state; web forms I’d consider the same as a letter. Lying about being their constituent will not be productive, overwhelms limited staff, and will probably piss off said staff which accomplishes little, they will just want to shut you out. Focus your ire on YOUR reps and sens, they want reelection and you have power only over them, not every rep and sen.
While I would typically agree, I live in a very blue state where my reps are (mostly) trying to do things. I still reach out to them about my opinions, asking them what their response will be to something, or thanking them if their voice reaches out above the crowd. I think we are in a really dangerous time where if we don’t apply pressure to all those in Congress, then I worry what more will happen. I personally think it’s ok to overwhelm phone lines and staffers right now because it shows the disaster of a time we’re in. I definitely understand where you’re coming from as well though
Megan, it's one thing to regularly contact your own reps. You have a relationship to them as their constituent and they need to hear from you.
But it is NOT fine to misrepresent oneself as a constituent of another state. It is dishonest, and it is spam. And, as Jory pointed out, counter-productive. It will backfire, and end up with the red congresspeople closing off altogether, leaving their actual constituents without access. That is NOT ok. I don't think you understand where Jory is coming from at all. And that scares me, because it indicates that there are people supposedly on our side who are willing to do unethical things to gain an advantage at the expense of others, and that does not bode well for our cause or our future.
OK, you live in a blue state. I lived most of my life in blue states, but now I’m in a red one. As I explained to Bill Katz elsewhere today.
Maybe try to do other things besides filling up the phone lines of other sens/reps that are not YOUR sens/reps? (Spamming, really - do you like spam?) UNLESS you are calling out-of-state because of a single voter issue and they are on the committee for THAT issue? Just a suggestion. So that I can get a call in to MY state sen/rep. Thanks.
Now, can somebody please tell me, HOW DO WE ALL WRITE TO THE SUPREME COURT? HaHah! They are messing with all of us, no districts or boundaries….
[The time to flood the lines of the Senate was January and February during confirmation of 47’s cabinet. That’s when the firehose of outrage should have occurred, now it’s too late, they are (mostly) installed. Watch that space.]
When I did a first email round to all Senators about a month ago, some bounced back saying they appreciate me reaching out but I wouldn’t get a response because I wasn’t a constituent. Then many I never heard back from. When I did another round of emails but instead used an address in their state, I got many more responses so I am thinking that means my messages were actually read and not ignored because it appeared to be coming from a constituent :)
Megan, “ a first email round to all Senators about a month ago, some bounced back saying they appreciate me reaching out but some bounced back saying they appreciate me reaching out but I wouldn’t get a response because I wasn’t a constituent”.
Yes that is how the system works.
With all due respect, R.M., we are having to think outside the box because the system is not working. Finding ways to subvert the subversions that are being put in place are what's necessary at this point in time, IMO. We put a refrigerator magnet message up for the kids tears ago -"Wisdom is the Ability to discover Alternatives" - I've placed that same message on my construction site desk for years, and the words could not be critical right now. I have to stand with Megan and her discovered alternatives, because the need is real.
Thanks!
I have been calling Republican Senators and many times I just leave a message on their recorder. Hopefully they get these messages. Occasionally, I talk to an assistant and give them the message hoping the Senator gets it. There are so many things wrong to talk about in my message… Tomorrow my message will be about the SAVE Bill. All we can do is try to get these messages across to these Congresspeople. I think persistence protests are the best including phone calls. It is distressing that we have so much to complain about but I plan to keep it up.
The folks at Indivisible.org, in 2016-2017, and again in 2025, released a handbook written by D.C. staffers on how to communicate with sen/rep office staff. Effectively. These were the insiders who tell us the public how their offices ran. Listen to that advice, they are trying to help us cut through the noise and obfuscation.
https://indivisible.org/resources
Guide here, revised for ‘47:
https://indivisible.org/resource/guide
Thank you for using your voice over and over right now!!
I have succeeded by looking up the home or regional office zip code for the desired Rep. or Senator and entering that in their “contact form”. If they require a more complete address, I would look up the office address on Google Maps and find a valid residence address a few blocks away (different street than the office). That nearby address will likely let your comments go through.
Yup! That’s basically what I did, and then listed it on the spreadsheet so it saves people steps and makes contacting quicker :)
This is identity theft. It's exactly the technique used by con artists. Feel good about that?
Then find a zip code in that state and use it. And match it to a name who lives at that zip code.
To Bill Katz, and Megan Rothery: “ Then find a zip code in that state and use it. And match it to a name who lives at that zip code. ‘…
NO. Honestly, I would not recommend this course of action. Bill, this is lying, and it clogs the bandwidth of staff to do their jobs for their constituents. And if it is not properly framed, it’s giving reps and sens a (documented) reason to just toss out public responses. (Your response is the kind of basis that people like Sen Roger Marshall can point to when they dismiss attendees at their town halls of being ‘outside agitators and paid activists.’). Specificall as to phone calls….
HERE are the condtions I WOULD call a rep outside my district or a sen ouside of my state AND when I do this, I make it clear why I am calling and that I am not from that district/state.
1. If the rep/sen is sponsoring (or a key party to) a specific piece of legislation i support or oppose, name the bill.
2. If the rep/sen is a chair or member of a committee that I have a specific targetted message. For example the House and Senate Ag committe members/chair, as I have specific goals, for instance related to Farm Bill renewal, the continued operations of the USDA and food and supplemental aid programs, etc. I justify myself to the staffer as to my stake even as out-of-district, as this affects my livelyhood.
3. Consolation for loss of a family member or loved one.
4. Praise for something. These are sensitive critters, they will accept strokes and praise from any corner.
If you lie about where you are from they sniff that out in a hot second, so, DO NOT give their office the excuse to just shut off the phone lines. With Sen Roger Marshall, my calls go right to VM, so it seems he has shut down on caring or doesn’t have sufficient staff, but other folks I can still talk to a staffer who takes my message.
I suspect the tactic you are advocating - blanket the entire field - will backfire, I fear they will start tracking you as a ‘ignore this caller number’ or ‘screen this one out, they have been calling every senator and rep indiscriminantly’.
Instead: Indivisible.org guide, here, revised for ‘47:
https://indivisible.org/resource/guide
At minimum, constituent relations are only interested tabulating those who live in their district. They have no care in the world for those who live outside so if a person is going to call a rep from outside, then fake it. It’s really much adu about nothing. Politics is a dirty business and accusations will be made regardless if true or not. I don’t think I have ever called a rep. I take my opinions to the blogs. And even then i likely change no minds because in the area, minds are like cement after drying. Unless you bring money to the table, you are not much more value than poo. And I think you understand that while poo has a nursing effect on growing plants,it has no effect on a politician.
Yup! That’s why my spreadsheet has that information listed so it saves others from doing the work - and maybe makes it so more people reach out because it’s more at their fingertips. I picked a senate office as the address, that way there aren’t repercussions back on a random person if I used their house address or business :)
Amazes me how you are so comfortable bending the rules to pose as a constituent…what is your rationale, praybtell?
Right now I worry if we do not overwhelm our reps, we will continue down the path we are going and possibly not even have another round of elections. From what I read and see, I don’t think Congress is representing what the American people want, so I am getting my opinion out there and hope to help others do the same to apply pressure and hope some bend at least a little in order to help the every day American they are supposed to represent.
You have no right to pose as someone else. Lobby your own reps and senators all you want. Write in your own name on issues to Congressional Committees. But what you are proposing is not ok. It is blatently dishonest.
I hear you. I do use my own name, phone number, and email. I am so concerned for some things that I am purely just trying to express concern in my messages
You only have influence depending on how much you have donated to that particular campaign. And if you haven’t donated anything, good luck making phone calls. I’ve never called one in my life because in my opinion, it has no effect.
Bill. Buddy. By the way, I love the tuxedo cat. Really!
Bill… “I’ve never called one in my life because in my opinion, it has no effect .” So, you’ve admitted defeat before even picking up the phone. Forgive me Bill, but … tantrums indeed, ok? Here’s my flame. I agree it may seem, feel, like you are not getting anything done by calling.
So you say, “so if a person is going to call a rep from outside [of their district], then fake it.”
[as if you are in the district, but you’re not even in the same state.
Maybe even use a fake name?
So, that’s called spam.
Do you love spam?
Do you think the office staff loves spam?
Do you think spam messaging accomplishes anything?
Tell me what good comes. You think they don’t know Trump is a shit show and you are ‘educating’ them to how people are angry?]
I lived in a blue blue state most of my life. It seemed like all they could do is say, yup, preaching to the choir. Yeah, that’s frustrating. Now try moving to a red state and you’ll learn what frustrating is.
I live now in a red-red-purple state. I call my sens and rep.
Sen Doc Marshall has gone full maga and will only take voicemail. Know why he walked out on his town meetings? He said it was full of outside-the-state agitators. Probably NOT true in 28 to 30 of the 30 people there. Don’t you understand jamming phone lines with fake caller info IS GIVING HIM LICENSE TO SAY “all my calls are fake so I’m unplugging the phones.”
Sen Jerry Moran must be the most ‘I support our vets’ guy out there, wraps himself in apple pie and the flag, it’s all he talks about. But he is on the Ag committee, along with fantastic Rep. Sharice Davids (who is not my rep but still in state, so I call her office a bit.). And because I am also in Ag biz, I know I can get an in, if my calls are sincere. So I don’t want YOU plugging up HIS phone lines from not-my-state-wherever-you-are, unless you’ve got a beef with the Farm bill, alright?
I hope this illustrates the lack of utility to you, and the other folks posting the call spreadsheet advocate to impersonate voters outside your district. Yeah I get it you’re angry and feel you don’t get through, and you are just one of many.
The folks at Indivisible.org, around 2016-2017, and again this year, released a handbook written by D.C. staffers on how to communicate with sen/rep office staff. Effectively. These were the insiders who tell us the public how their offices ran. If you listen to that advice, they are trying to help us cut through the noise and obfuscation.
https://indivisible.org/resources
Guide here, revised for ‘47:
https://indivisible.org/resource/guide
To you, I’d say, make good trouble without lying or spamming the inbox of a representative who is NOT YOUR representative or Senator.
I rescind my comment. I don’t personally call and now, I recommend anyone not to spam anyone. There fixed it.
This is called identity theft. And a kind of fraud. It is disgusting. If you do this, keep in mind that you are demeaning the people and the place you are coopting. It could backfire, and when it does, I hope the crud lands on you and not on all the people who are honestly trying to create positive change.
I get it. You are right. As I said, I don’t ever call anyone. My mode is to write and sing. Let the callers call.
Kai, The folks at Indivisible.org, around 2016-2017, and again this year, released a handbook written by D.C. staffers on how to communicate with sen/rep office staff. Effectively. These were the insiders who tell us the public how their offices ran. If you listen to that advice, they are trying to help us cut through the noise and obfuscation.
https://indivisible.org/resources
Guide here, revised for ‘47:
https://indivisible.org/resource/guide
To you, I’d say, make good trouble without lying or spamming the inbox of a representative who is NOT YOUR representative or Senator.
I’ve been calling my reps and senators using the 5calls app. You set your location and it gives you your reps and senators contact info. Really easy.
https://5calls.org/
Yes! It’s so great! I wanted to provide extra information like addresses for letter writing and direct access to emails as another way of reaching out since I was finding too many phone lines were full. The scripts on 5calls are so helpful!
This is fine. It's a good tool to make sure you are contacting your own reps. We recommend it and similar apps because it is appropriate. It keeps the focus on easily calling your OWN representatives.
I looked up their district office addresses and used that zip code. It worked.
I have had that problem as well.
Use a zip code in their state
Super helpful sheet, Megan. Thank you.
You’re welcome! Thanks for using your voice right now!
I think that some state militia and state police should begin incarcerating ICE agents when in their states and place them in isolation chambers striped naked with air conditioners turned up and a hole in the cell to shit and piss. And a rice bowl given twice a day with dirty latrine water for drinking.
Bill, it is good to read that you are back from "making good trouble". I agree with you. Perhaps your "suggestion" will come to pass.
not able to access (my tech skills are limited as far as this group is concerned. Will do what I can, with help from my tech husband.
Use 5calls app. It’s easy. You can download the app on your phone. You set your location and it gives you your reps and senators contact info.
https://5calls.org/
I love 5calls! It’s what I used before my spreadsheet, then wanted to email after my kids went to bed so started making my sheet. I did make sure to note 5calls app/org on the top of my sheet when I made it though because it’s an amazing resource and I still use it to help with scripts
Thanks! I will figure this out~I also do postcards with Fieldteam6, and have the phone numbers for our 2 NC senators and will call them tomorrow about the bill passed by the House full of Louse(es)
Aww I’m sorry. If you click on the link it should open up right away, or you can click and hold until you see “copy link”, then open it in a new browser. But I appreciate you trying and using your voice however you can right now!
I want to print this, but I am wasting paper by just getting one line on a page and it is so small it would be unreadable for these old eyes. Any suggestions?
I believe if you highlight the columns/rows you want, then when you go to print you can say “print current selected cells” or words like that. Should work🤞
You *might be able to click file, download as a PDF and that might be more of a printable file.
I am still updating the House reps tab just a heads up, but the Senate is done!
Can you please list the important Republicans (Rep & Sen) I should call? There are too many to call all. (i don’t have time & mine are Dems).
I went to the library & printed a list with their direct Wahington phone numbers.
Great question. I’d recommend thinking about what issues are most important to you and then see if any reps have changed their tone on that issue since Trump has come to office (I.e Mark Rubio’s major flip on deportation). That can take a lot of time though, so maybe see who I marked as a Veteran on the spreadsheet and express your concern with the changes to the VA and add in a note about another concern off topic from the VA maybe so then they agree with your concern about the VA and are a bit more understanding with your other topic. Social security, Medicare and Medicaid are also topics I’ve heard back from various reps saying they care a lot about and don’t want to see cuts to - so voicing your concerns about the change in those departments to any could make a small difference (and the more of us who speak up, the more of a difference it’ll make ❤️🩹🤞)
Thank you. I have my list that I call every morning.
Thank YOU for using your voice!!
wow that spreadsheet!!! thanks
You’re welcome!
What a huge help, Megan. Used it this morning for both my Senators, my Congressman, and the Supremes!!
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Thanks for providing this it's useful. If I use this, do I have to refer to Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt as "Honorable"?
Noooo you don’t. However when I looked up their mailing addresses I read that it has to be addressed that way so I put it there incase for some reason a letter not addressed like that exactly would be thrown out. When I email, I definitely do not use the word honorable. Many of them have not earned that right now. I just say, “Senator ____”
For Britt, maybe...addressing Tuberville that way would be against my religion.
Yes. The weakness in the administration is its thin majority in congress. Once these guys (typically) look like they are losing votes, they'll change their tune.
Thanks to Joyce and Megan for clarity in both the problem and solution.
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Such a great attachment! Thank you. I read everything you write - and try to watch all videos. You and Heather I can’t make it through without you.
WHEN GETTING TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES MAKE SURE TO USE YOUR NINE-DIGIT ZIP CODE.SOME CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS ENCOMPASS ONLY PARTS OF A FIVE DIGIT ZIP CODE DUE TO GERRYMANDERING OR STATE MANDATED REDISTRICTING PROCEDURES.
Very frightening for all of us, along with all the other insane things goingon. We seniors are especially vulnerable to the chaos with most on fixed incomes.
And some of us seniors are prime subjects to be culled by MAGA zealots.
Is it really OK to spread fear? See above comment.
I find it outrageous that people like you are spreading fear based upon zero evidence to back it up.
Don't you mean that it's very frightening for "you." Thankfully you don't speak for those of "us" who are NOT "frightened." However, it appears that there are 122-other "frightened" professional hand wringers agreeing with you. And that shows how easy it is to spread disinformation to people who are desperate for a leader to assauge their baseless fear of not receiving their SS deposits.
You folks wouldn't last five seconds in a real emergency like the famine in Gaza, or women and minorities desperate to buy food for their children, or the homeless living in doorways of buildings, or kidnapped Americans citizens targeted for deportation by a psychotic criminal in the White House.
Here you are all nice and comfy in your homes, absent any real concerns, logged in on your nice shiny computers in search of a dupe to pat you on your silly backs in order to make yourselves feel better about having nothing of any consequences to worry about.
You need at least to pay attention ( not be fearful)to what this admin is thinking of doing to SS payments. They have already shut down satellite state offices to make it more difficult to access help. That’s step 1 in sending a message that entitlements are going to be subject to changes…DOGE guy Musk has already said SS payments, Medicaid,and Medicare are full of fraud- which is not true at all, and has shown no proof.
But this admin does not act transparently and use lies instead of real facts to further their agenda- keep vigilant instead of fearful…
I am paying attention and your remark is unwarranted. If I were not paying attention I would not have found your baseless, attention grabbing, hysterics and fear spreading so offensive!!!
I don’t see hysterics. I see people discussing what is happening in the news and in their lives everyday. I find your remarks to be unwarranted, baseless, attention grabbing insults I have friends who work in the social security offices. It is chaos. Muskrats hacking up a perfectly functioning computer system and using AI to write code that isn’t tested before being implemented to crash the system.
Everything you’ve written is offensive.
And proof positive that “older but wiser” is a fallacy.
Have to be alert. There are a few people who have had problems. Ed Weir tracks this daily. https://www.youtube.com/@MyGovExpert
Just to update the SSA news, I just read this online from the Wired website.
"The Social Security Administration Is Gutting Regional Staff and Shifting All Public Communications to X"
This reeks of all sorts of corruption on many levels. Plus it will hurt seniors who don't get their SS info online.
🎯
Let me add: dear State of the American Union:
as you are saying “I am 80-years old, receive SS and haven't seen anything to make me think that my funds will be stopped.”
If that is so, a factual statement about yourself, you are quite busy subscribed to 23 substacks (Joyce, T. Snyder, Adam Kinzinger, the Bulwark, Alex Vindeman, Unmasking Russia, ….) using an account on substack started just 3 months ago, and you write posts on how to set up your own podcast, with amazing graphics chops… I can’t believe you do all that, and are an 80 y/o (not that I am ageist, I am ancient) AND YET you can conclude “there is no evidence that it will happen.” So which Russian troll farm are you working at?
Gee, my very own Russian troll! I am blessed!
And I see as of tonight, the comment from dearest “State of the American Union” is deleted. A Troll for sure. Bye! Thing is, I did all this beautiful writing in response and it is now a total non-sequitor. I could cry.
1) You are already enrolled. For those of us who plan to enroll to receive in 1, 2, 3 years (myself) the prospect looks difficult if half of the program staff are laid off and the offices go from 10 regional zones to 4 and rural folks (like me) have to drive 50, 150, 300 miles or more just to enroll. All published facts and intentions.
2) multiply that service conundrum for others: SSI disability, widows and childrens benefits. More difficult for some to enroll than your prior experience.
3) have you heard that since at least the Bush years, republicans have wanted to take the entire socsec trust fund private, and have been loud in their desire to tinker with the programs that contain our money that we paid in — ss is a trust fund, not an entitlement program by and large. That little 10% dip in the stock market, or the covid crash, or the 2008 financial panic, our money would have burnt up in that.
“there is nothing to be gained by spreading fear that is not based upon concrete evidence of the government's intent“, “ relax and not become hysterical,” There is a big groundswell based on concrete evidence. I’m not hysterical, I’m pissed. What evidence do you have, just that your check has not stopped? If you read/listen to what they say they will do, you should be fearful, not trustful. As to “ there is no evidence that it will happen” that is counterfactual.
Yes, I have friends who are trying to enroll for their social security and Medicare right now. It has been a months long nightmare. They’re wondering if they will ever start seeing the money they paid in.
I’m seeing stories of people on disability being cut off and told they have to pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars and oh yeah, their healthcare isn’t covered anymore. When will that letter hit me because I’m outspoken about the terrorist regime running our country? I sold my Tesla for peace of mind. I was never sure if the baby Musk would retaliate against those who speak against him by turning off our cars.
These are not adults running the country. They’re prepubescent bullies. Even the press secretary said “boys will be boys” acknowledging they can’t even behave like adults. The petty name calling by every one of them is making this country a laughingstock.
Pretty soon we’ll get an EO requiring a loyalty oath to get enrolled.
It’s not often that I’m glad I am old enough to have been enrolled before Trump.
Hey, give SSA a call! Now you can again … no thanks to DOGE. https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/amp/shows/top-stories/blog/rcna200587
This isn’t immigration enforcement. It’s outsourced authoritarianism, funded by American taxpayers, with rights stripped away at jet speed. And yes, it could be any of us next.
"Outsourced authoritarianism" is the right wording.
"Kidnapping" instead of deportation.
This is how we reframe the narrative.
Use these words.
Vicki, I also like to use the word "evil." This appalling behavior has moved beyond scary, rotten, to evil. People give in to toddler Trump because it is likely he and his goons have things on the people running our government and Republicans and maybe some Democrats in Congress. They seem to have a whole scheme of blackmail that has pretty much been ignored. That is illegal, of course, but Trump thinks he is the law and so far, it seems he is right. Heck, he managed to get past insurrection, stolen documents, and all the rest of the crimes he has committed since his youth.
Congressmen-- especially GOP but also some Dems--have received death threats and threats of physical harm to them and their families if they do not go along with Stump's agenda. This is not talked about nearly enough. Mostly, the press will mention the threat of being primaried, but it is much worse than this. When Stump tweets out somebody's name for not going along, his militia buddies know exactly what to do. Our country is being coerced by his mafia, and we need to be shouting about it.
This needs to be headline news everyday with details. Once they get it out in the open maybe action can be taken. Oh wait, they’re too busy cosplaying Nazi’s and rounding up college students and hard working migrants.
Yes, it does need to be headline news every day with details. It seems like the threatened GOP congress members need to get up the courage to band together and speak out as a group. This is core dictator coercion and it's terrifying, but our country is going to hell while they keep mum.
Yes, he has managed to get past all of his outsized deeds. That's what's so frustrating. At some point the system has to catch up with him - so much to account for.
Oh, yes. You miss nothing, Ruth.
This is my "small thing to do". I'm trying to get faster at the language and reframing the narrative . I know the GOP coordinates their messages up and down their food chain to be simultaneous and control the story/take up oxygen. We should do the same thing.
So when I find good words, I try to point them out...maybe they'll take hold.
Jesus cast out many devils from the mad lad who lived among the gravestones. Lesson to me is that there is not just not one devil but many. How about calling each one a devil?
No argument from me about devils. It's devils all the way down. The GOP have sold their souls.
I'm still thinking about controlling story lines and the use of language/who gets to name things first. I'm not very good at it because it takes a whip quick mind to frame the narrative. Being aware is the first step. Naming the deviltry is next.
The ‘authoritarianism’ is coming from ‘inside the house!’
And, I’d add, ‘the cruelty is the point.’ The bully thinks cruelty is the best motivator, b/c that’s his experience growing up and his psychopathy has become our collective problem.
Incarceration that’s being ‘offshored’ as well as ‘outsourced.’
Incarceration inside the US is ‘privatized for profit’ more and more.
And the apprehension and lack of process leading to incarceration is just being done flat out illegally, flat out unAmerican. I hope ICE agents all wake up to this and just quit.
Speaking of correct words, I now think of “Trump regime “ as more accurate than “Trump administration “.
Historian Dr. Heather Cox Richardson agrees with you, accurately defining the Trump administration as " The Trump Regime."
Be careful you don't normalize this...
Historian Dr. Heather Cox Richardson now calls the Trump administration "The Trump Regime" because it fits the definition, and as a highly esteemed history scholar, she would know. The goal is to NOT normalize it, but to identify and fight it.
Not unlike exporting terror “suspects” to foreign dark torturers in the Iraq war.
Anything Trump gets away with emboldens him.
Why must everyone throw Trump a bone?
Because everything is so chaotic & people are afraid to speak up for fear of being “next.”
It’s a form of tyranny.
trump is one true domestic terrorist - imho
SCOTUS throws a bone for its own preservation: Trump is excellent at forcing “laggards” to quit.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experienced perspective as always. Your rightful indignity is so appreciated. The dehumanization of these victims remains among the most alarming crises to me now, and as we know, there are no shortage of crises. I value and appreciate your good work.
We learned this week that Trump requires near global economic collapse before he will change course. I’m counting on the judges, but they are going to have to stop giving him room to wiggle out even if it forces a confrontation.
Well said, Martha!
Hmm, if Kristi Noem had no problem flying to the El Salvador jail to pose like a triumphant guard at Auschwitz … surely a government official can spare a moment to extricate Abrego Garcia from the Barrio 18 block.
That picture is one of the most repulsive ones I have seen. Who has so much hate that they can pose in that manner.
All these people are evil.
Her number one job seems to be posing for obnoxious photos, preferably in costume, with perfect, near-waist-length hair, false eyelashes and "upgraded" face. It's all performative drama.
...plus sporting a $ 50,000 Rolex watch...
Yes! Where does that money come from?
🎯🎯🎯
I find it comparable to that ghoul who posed with Iraqi cadavers—a smug grin, a thumbs-up, a portrait of white superiority.
My thoughts - the men behind her were evidently ordered to reveal their tattooed chests as if those were confessions or evidence. I’ll bet Noem regrets not recording her puppy killing for all to see.
Auschwitz. - my first thought exactly when I saw that photo: heads shaven, half clothed, packed in a small space. She seems happy to have her picture taken with that as a backdrop. The idea that she would have any trouble extricating a prison there seems ridiculous when the US is basically renting that part of the facility.
And let’s remember, they put Abrego Garcia in with Barrio 18, the very same gang he was fleeing for his life!
Anne, there is a reason Noem was chosen for the cabinet. She has no integrity, no positive moral compass, no sense of what is right and wrong. Trump's handlers researched every single despicable person they nominated through Trump and she is, you know, I can't think of a word disgusting enough to begin to describe her. She must have felt power over those guys the way she had power over the dog she killed, well, just because it didn't please her. And she now has control of the forces that can be used against the American people at her whim. We know now the Supreme Court will never stand up for any of us who get in her way.
And as i am fond of pointing out, the Senate confired all the candidates for 47’s cabinet, without a peep, save one. All these dispicable lagards and psychopaths ushered into the highest levels of power, the Senate had the only key to lock that door and they left that door wide open because of a bully.
I've started making sense of all of this by looking through the lens of "Would Putin approve?"
So far every unconstitutional act, every law broken, every democratic norm destroyed...all hurt democracy and weaken the US, and thus benefit a sworn enemy of the US, Putin.
What Putin and other autocrats don't like: Courage is contagious. Let's keep getting out and protesting, keep donating to legal efforts to defeat rising fascism, keep taking all the pro-democracy steps we can, every day.
I ask, "What would Putin do?" And sure enough, Trump does it.
I have had similar thoughts. Thank you for saying it.
Many thanks for explaining the detail of this decision, Joyce. The other sources I’ve seen simple state something like “9-0 the justices said the government must return Abrego Garcia”. We rely on your explanation and analysis.
Agreed, Many thanks for explaining the detail of this decision, Joyce. At first it seemed a victory for Abrego Garcia, and the headline 9-0 emitted the glow of a warm fire around the bend. Only now, we turn the bend and see the fire is the burning of our constitution.
After analysis, the Supremes look quite diminished. If they intend to hold power to account, this is the second-to-worst, slowest path they could take. Does not bode well.
Yes, giving Trump the ability to ignore what’s happening is always their way out.
This Nayib Bukele is seriously bad news. Exactly Donald Trump‘s kind of guy.
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/04/el-salvador-bukele/682367/
I really fear for Garcia‘s life.
I share your concern about his life. 💔
He could already be dead, for all we know, unless they have to provide proof of life to get their blood money.
I wonder what financial blackmail trump will demand from his lawyer if the Abrego Garcia issue comes out positively?
One thing you can be certain of is that they don’t want Garcia to talk.
Yes, it will be astonishing if he is not already dead, and a great miracle if he ever makes it back here to his wife and son.
The chances of Sr. Abrego Garcia returning to the US intact and unscathed are virtually zero, sad to say.
I sure would like to see the “thought bubble” above each justice before they vote or give an opinion.
Per the Founder of SCOTUSblog, AMY HOWE, the Supreme Court on Thursday evening, 4/10/25, largely left in place an order by a Maryland Judge [Xinis] directing the government [U.S.G.] to return to the United States a Maryland man [Abrego Garcia] currently held in prison [CECOT, El Salvador under appalling conditions].
Big News: The Vote was unanimous, 9-0 but, it was an UNSIGNED Opinion 💬. That is the status of our highest court these days, in order to get an unanimous Opinion in 2025 the Opinion must be unsigned 🗯.
If they let him do this. It will happen to citizens. And criminal activity is being defined (Krebs, Taylor) saying things the tin pot dictator doesn’t like.
When this "prison" arrangement came to light, I saw the President of El Salvador say openly to the press with an amused, happy look on his face that he was willing and able to take in immigrants as well as US citizens into that prison. I couldn't believe my ears and confirmed that, yep, he said US citizens. That really stopped me in my tracks. At what point do other Americans - even if they voted for trump - worry that they or a family member, or neighbor, could do or say something that could be interpreted as "treason" and wind up in El Salvador? The consequences are just astronomically waaay too dire for anyone - someone could just not like you and "oopsie" you're gone. I feel the same way that Joyce mentioned about this order being vague. They're like some kind of wicked clique that's going to say any kind of utter garbage in a courtroom and not offer any exhibits or witnesses - no proof. They kept trying to distract in this case by complaining about how the district judge told them what to do and it was disrespectful for her to do so - that's what the real problem was. I hope Bondi and her cohorts get their day in court and years in jail. I understand her brother is running for president of the DC Bar Assoc so that if any of trump's admin attys gets reported to that bar, they most likely aren't going to suffer any consequences - like ultimately getting disbarred in DC. They're thinking of everything - seems like they must know that what they're doing - or going to do (?) is absolutely unethical - so they're taking control of the Bar association. No rules, not for them - only for those they accuse. Take a look at this: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-allies-bradley-bondi-control-dc-bar-association-rcna195253
I also worry that the trump admin is communicating to that prison that Abrego Garcia needs to be "taken care of". I wonder what goes on in those vacuous conservative SCOTUS minds that they can't simply say Abrego Garcia is to be released and returned to his home post haste - is this so hard? Why do they always have to do something to show trump they're on his side even if there's nothing right about what trump did here?
I also, like everyone here, worry about how far SCOTUS and Congress will allow him to keep going. I know this will end, just don't know how long this "nighttime" is going to be allowed. I'd really like to see, at the inevitable end of this craziness, that there's someone like a Jack Smith who gets accountability from all these terrible souls.
They won’t send everybody to El Salvador because they must leave enough prisoners for private prisons here to make their fortunes.
Indeed so right you are! coreCivic corporation are proposing ICE detention center for 1000 by reopening a notorious shuttered facility in Leavenworth Kansas, already an incarceration town. Free links:
https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/06/this-kansas-town-knows-prisons-it-doesnt-want-a-for-profit-company-opening-a-hell-hole-for-ice/
https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/08/corecivic-plans-for-ice-facility-in-kansas-have-generated-public-opposition-its-plowing-ahead/
People rarely think it will happen to them. I've heard many Hispanic migrants - including undocumenteds- expressing support for Trump's cruel deportation policies.
Commonsense, All that you say is troubling, I think El Salvador will be off of my list of travel destinations. Looking at the NBC story you cite about influencing the DC Bar Association, here’s a quote:
“ Bradley Bondi — a lawyer who is Attorney General Pam Bondi’s brother — and Alicia Long — a deputy to Ed Martin, Trump’s interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia — are running for president and treasurer. The election runs from April to June, according to the organization’s website.”
“While the general public may not pay much attention to bar associations, lawyers do. The nongovernmental groups decide who gets to be a lawyer — and who gets to stay a lawyer when misconduct allegations are involved. The D.C. Bar, as it is known, has more than 120,000 members, and, by virtue of its location, it is where a significant number of federal attorneys are licensed.”
“The effort to take control of the D.C. Bar follows warnings Trump administration officials have directed at bar associations, which lawyers inside and outside the government have suggested could play a role in slowing down legally questionable elements of Trump’s agenda. “
“On one of her first days as attorney general, Pam Bondi warned career lawyers that they could be fired for refusing to carry out orders because of any personal objections. Meanwhile, the D.C. Bar maintains a confidential legal ethics hotline for members to submit concerns”
🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Taken care of, like Epstein.
The Supreme Court got nothing right, Professor. The Court basically suggested that the District Court might want to hold a hearing, but did little else. Imagine — JUST FREAKING IMAGINE — if the Court in Brown v Board of Ed had said to the KKKansas Board of Ed, which had refused to desegregate the State’s public schools, “please do your best to desegregate, or hold a hearing or something,” instead of ordering it to desegregate “with all deliberate speed.” The Court here could have said, the Govt has admitted it has afforded the incarcerated man no due process, and admitted that his deportation was a clerical or admin error, but say it can do nothing to rectify the error. We say it can and it must, and it must do so ‘with all deliberate speed.’ Instead, it waffled and hemmed and said, “oh, well, these things happen. Have a nice weekend Mr Trump, and please try not to destroy to much of what little is left of our democracy.” If they can to it to this poor man who had no criminal record, and exhibited NO TIES to El Salvadoran gangs, and who is married to an American citizen, and who has a child born in America, they can to it to ANYONE. And, once again, Professor, with all due respect, this is Hitler exercising dictatorial powers and the Court — the FRIGGING SUPREME COURT OF THE FRIGGING UNITED STATES OF AMERICA — doing virtually nothing. You and Lawrence O’Donnell and others see this as a victory of sorts for the rule of law? Nonsense: this is another incremental diminution of legal responsibility and the enhancement of the Executive powers for the benefit of King Donald the Insane. Mark my words, if this continues there will be no mid term elections.
It is not just one person, it is all of them, deported, kidnapped. Wr should care for all them, they are all innocent until proven guilty.
Anyone stunned yet? The masterminds of J621 WON, and they know it. I don't know the solution but we have to protect our families and...hide behind verbal indignation.
Right. 2. things.
1. El Salvador has an extrdition treaty
2. "Effectuate." DOJ can send him to another country.
Just makes me sick and pi$$ed what they have done to these men.most of them the only crime they committed was wanting a better life. I say let’s send the real criminal to El Salvador but make sure he gets a lower bunk as couldn’t get his fat rear in anything higher.
Dennis Rodman can get Abrego out. So can the duo of Clinton and Bush. My choice would be a prisoner swap: Pam Bondi exchanged for Abrego. Later tonight would be acceptable.
😂 Noem seems to like it there maybe we could just leave her there in his place.
You're right. Either one would be good. Both would be better.
Good one Pmslax!!
Works for me.
Thank you, Joyce. This is a brilliant piece, providing all the necessary facts before anyone becomes too jubilant. A warning of the escalating danger of this administration, while holding up a mirror to the six conservatives on the Supreme Court and their hesitancy to uphold the rule of law and hold this executive branch to account.
Welp! Let's see if we are at that moment where the King openly defies the Supremes on an issue that is not debatable. Gut check time for Roberts!