That Trump believes that every criticism (of him) is a crime … or treason … can be expected. But that he directs the DoJ to actually prosecute, even though against all law and reason, brings them shame, unnecessary expense, and distraction from real duties.
David, and that the folks at DOJ go along with it means they are complicit in crimes against this nation. I know their willingness to do this is why they were selected for their posts and given permission to fire anyone who won't go along with it, but there must be some way to stop this. It will be hard though with a bunch of sycophantic Republicans in the Congress majority who are panting to do whatever their beloved Donald Trump tells them to do, like obedient puppies. I wish I could respect those "lawmakers," but they prove over and over that they have earned respect from no one!
Indeed. All current Republicans are also complicit … along with SCOTUS … propping up a man renowned for fraud, sexual misconduct and 24/7 falsehoods. In fact, for such a (self-described) pious group, please identify which Commandment Trump has not shattered.
David. I think it would be a good idea in classrooms forced to post "the ten commandments" whichever version the pseudochristians favor, it could be laminated and the students should mark off the ones first Trump, then each week another of their senators, representatives, Supreme Court justices, local officials have broken and give them a score at the end of the year or month and publish the tally online anonymously. I think it would be a great way to get students involved with our democracy because it would be their free speech dealing with an item that should not be on their wall in the first place.
And with Trump-backed candidates winning primaries in Indiana and Cassidy garnering fewer votes in Louisiana than the Trump-backed candidate, I am pretty sure the cowardly Repugnican Congress members are going to be even less willing to oppose their King. I am surprised there was not a gigantic portrait or statue on the Mall during the "religious" "Christian" prayer rally depicting Trump in Godly robes.
Mary, I am thinking there might have been a portrait behind a curtain of some kind that only rich white men could view for a price and some kind of blessing. That whole religion gathering was nonsense and served only Baby Donnie and he couldn't even bother to be there. I understand he was playing golf at the time. We know where his faith is and it ain't Christian! It's Donald Trumpism. I want to throw up just thinking of that.
Ruth: I think you could be right about the hidden portrait! Anything to make a fast buck. I agree with you about faith. The faux "Christianity" is truly sickening. It's almost as if they read the commandment language... "Thou shall not...kill, steal, lie, commit adultery, etc." but, somehow,
Mary, it sure seems like Trumplicans don't see the word "not" or rather, what is more likely, like to ignore it publicly to prove their man hood and their ability to do whatever they want with impunity! We do need ways to catch them and their impunity!.
The power of the criminal in the White House derives from the 77 million voters who put him there. The 77 million of our fellow Americans who prefer kleptocratic oligarchy to democratic governance are the crux of the problem. The world would be better off without them. Every last one of them.
Yes, the 77 million figure is what scares me and contributes to my lack of optimism. They put him in, but the Congress has the power to impeach, and they will not.
"Trump is hyperfocused on trying to salvage the November election despite his sinking performance in the polls."
It is difficult to escape the chill of what salvaging an election could mean beyond extreme gerrymandering and other pre-election tactics. Worse is how effective Trump could be in destroying confidence in the election by generating chaos at the voting sites.
It is probably way too late to gerrymander anything more than it already is. The decision to let Tennessee redo its districts this close to the election is alarming, but that case was brought several months ago. I don't think any other states will be permitted to do that. However, we should never stop looking for "other pre-election tactics". Those could be fatal to democracy.
Finally, as to Trump’s “large scale support of Christianity” … that should read “White Christianity” as overwhelmingly those immigrants he is trying to deport by the millions are in fact Christians … but apparently the wrong color.
It was an illustration of the observation (incorrectly attributed to Sinclair Lewis) that when fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.
I find it rather amazing that Trump, who has probably been in churches a total of three times in his adult life, those being his weddings, would even address the issue of religion and Christianity.
Christianity wasn’t doing just fine in the US. Roughly 80% of white evangelical voters cast their votes for a criminal who shares their commitment to deep-seated bigotry. Ironically, if half of white evangelical Christians were decent human beings, no Republican would have occupied the White House since 1968.
While the narcissistic nihilist focuses on his ballroom, let’s keep our eyes on the ball, that the law will serve the people and the people will serve the law - peacefully through strength of INSISTING on fair elections without ANY pretext for obstruction.
It would do well to remind Trump that when Hitler waged war on two fronts - Europe and Russia - he was doomed to lose. For Our Donnie currently seems to battle both Iran and the United States at once … and predictably with little success at either.
Check dontgetpurged.com for your voter registration. Takes about a minute, no SSN. “Green“ means you’re on your registration list. “Red“ means you have to rectify ASAP. Thanks for letting me share this, and YOU share too!
I’ve quit trying to be civil as regards Trump and his fascist lieutenants: they are scum. As for his Republican Party sycophants: they are spineless bottom feeders. And those pathetic ignorant citizens who voted Trump into office a second time and still support him: they deserve to suffer the consequences of Trump’s ruinous actions. The Supreme Court justices who are complicit in Trump’s deconstruction of our Constitution and Bill of Rights do not deserve our respect and should rightly be removed and shunned by all. As for the ultra-rich corporate thieves who feed off the masses: I say tax, tax, tax! But my strongest revulsion is reserved for the Christo-fascists who edify Trump and would cast out modern scientific enlightenment and replace it with… what?… with mythology! They are laughable and their religious institutions should have no influence on civil life and government - none! We need to crush the head of the snake and take this country back.
While obviously not nearly as important for the country as birthright citizenship and unilateral presidential authority (among other cases pending decisions as the Imperial Court heads to the finish line next month) --- nevertheless the continuing saga of the E. Jean Carroll cases will say a great deal about what's left of the legitimacy of the Imperial Court. Thus far, for the usual reasons known only to itself, it has repeatedly deferred whether to grant a review of E. Jean Carroll II (the $5 million civil judgment for sexual assault and defamation) which has been fully briefed. An appeal of E. Jean Carroll I (which, as you may recall, went to trial after E. Jean Carroll II because it was bogged down by Trump appeals) is now on its way to the Court. The 2nd Circuit has granted a stay of the $83 million judgment to which her lawyers didn't object so long as Trump increased his bond by $7.46 million to account for interest that would accrue during further legal proceedings expected to extend to the Imperial Court. The 2nd Circuit agreed. The latest wrinkle is that the former DOJ will now apparently attempt to substitute itself for Trump in any review of E. Jean Carroll I (when he was actually in the White House) and claim the Westfall Act as a defense. If accepted (a big "if"), the case would be dismissed because the federal government can't be sued for defamation under the Federal Tort Claims Act, once Westfall is triggered and the federal government is substituted. Importantly, the Westfall Act doesn't require proving the statements were "official acts" in the constitutional immunity sense — it just requires that Trump was acting within the scope of his employment as a federal employee, which is a somewhat lower bar. Presidential immunity could also be again claimed if the Westfall Act ploy doesn't work. So, curiouser and curiouser.
Thanks for your report. I listened to Carroll's narration of her book (I think it's called Not My Type) and she's a hoot and smart cookie. I smile when I think of it.
As I read your letter tonight Joyce, all I can think about is how the WH, DOJ, USPS, FCC, FBI, DHS and the rest of the alphabet are working as one entity in lock step with each other to acquiesce to the whims of this president including SCOTUS. Whether it is voting rights, birthright citizenship or lawsuits against law firms or anyone who disagrees with the president. The Project2025 crew is doing everything possible to bring their fever dream to reality. We are in the middle of a rolling coup.
Good Gawd! The firehose of rampant despotism is so obvious, everywhere you look practically.
It's sickening.
Thank you Joyce for keeping tabs on this. This Rededicate 250 thing - What the hell?
I heard a soundbite from speaker Mike Johnson saying something about representatives being allowed to make stock trades to help support their families? (because they haven't had a raise and because the adjusted dollar means they're making 30 something percent less) What a crock.
Over half of American workers support their families on less than half of a Congressional salary, not to mention a far worse benefits package, especially medical insurance.
That Trump believes that every criticism (of him) is a crime … or treason … can be expected. But that he directs the DoJ to actually prosecute, even though against all law and reason, brings them shame, unnecessary expense, and distraction from real duties.
David, and that the folks at DOJ go along with it means they are complicit in crimes against this nation. I know their willingness to do this is why they were selected for their posts and given permission to fire anyone who won't go along with it, but there must be some way to stop this. It will be hard though with a bunch of sycophantic Republicans in the Congress majority who are panting to do whatever their beloved Donald Trump tells them to do, like obedient puppies. I wish I could respect those "lawmakers," but they prove over and over that they have earned respect from no one!
Indeed. All current Republicans are also complicit … along with SCOTUS … propping up a man renowned for fraud, sexual misconduct and 24/7 falsehoods. In fact, for such a (self-described) pious group, please identify which Commandment Trump has not shattered.
David. I think it would be a good idea in classrooms forced to post "the ten commandments" whichever version the pseudochristians favor, it could be laminated and the students should mark off the ones first Trump, then each week another of their senators, representatives, Supreme Court justices, local officials have broken and give them a score at the end of the year or month and publish the tally online anonymously. I think it would be a great way to get students involved with our democracy because it would be their free speech dealing with an item that should not be on their wall in the first place.
A delightful sense of humor. Perhaps after MAGA stops dancing around the gilded idol.
I recently read this, an adjustment to the pledge:
One Nation Under Fraud,
Clearly Visible,
With Bribery and Corruption for All.
Author preferred not to be named. Wish I had thought of it, but it wasn't me.
If the author prefers anonymity … I’d claim it for me. Self-glory? I’m in!
And with Trump-backed candidates winning primaries in Indiana and Cassidy garnering fewer votes in Louisiana than the Trump-backed candidate, I am pretty sure the cowardly Repugnican Congress members are going to be even less willing to oppose their King. I am surprised there was not a gigantic portrait or statue on the Mall during the "religious" "Christian" prayer rally depicting Trump in Godly robes.
Mary, I am thinking there might have been a portrait behind a curtain of some kind that only rich white men could view for a price and some kind of blessing. That whole religion gathering was nonsense and served only Baby Donnie and he couldn't even bother to be there. I understand he was playing golf at the time. We know where his faith is and it ain't Christian! It's Donald Trumpism. I want to throw up just thinking of that.
Ruth: I think you could be right about the hidden portrait! Anything to make a fast buck. I agree with you about faith. The faux "Christianity" is truly sickening. It's almost as if they read the commandment language... "Thou shall not...kill, steal, lie, commit adultery, etc." but, somehow,
DO NOT SEE the word "NOT."
Mary, it sure seems like Trumplicans don't see the word "not" or rather, what is more likely, like to ignore it publicly to prove their man hood and their ability to do whatever they want with impunity! We do need ways to catch them and their impunity!.
The power of the criminal in the White House derives from the 77 million voters who put him there. The 77 million of our fellow Americans who prefer kleptocratic oligarchy to democratic governance are the crux of the problem. The world would be better off without them. Every last one of them.
Yes, the 77 million figure is what scares me and contributes to my lack of optimism. They put him in, but the Congress has the power to impeach, and they will not.
"Trump is hyperfocused on trying to salvage the November election despite his sinking performance in the polls."
It is difficult to escape the chill of what salvaging an election could mean beyond extreme gerrymandering and other pre-election tactics. Worse is how effective Trump could be in destroying confidence in the election by generating chaos at the voting sites.
It is probably way too late to gerrymander anything more than it already is. The decision to let Tennessee redo its districts this close to the election is alarming, but that case was brought several months ago. I don't think any other states will be permitted to do that. However, we should never stop looking for "other pre-election tactics". Those could be fatal to democracy.
Finally, as to Trump’s “large scale support of Christianity” … that should read “White Christianity” as overwhelmingly those immigrants he is trying to deport by the millions are in fact Christians … but apparently the wrong color.
Absolutely. For the euphemism "Christian nationalism" read "white supremacist extreme Christian zealotry."
HCR's column last night is a beautiful takedown of yesterday's Rededicate:250 faux-christian fascist circlejerk: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/may-17-2026.
It was an illustration of the observation (incorrectly attributed to Sinclair Lewis) that when fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.
And it came to pass that Fred Trump so hated his country he gave it his son.
Bravo!
Sold, Shirley.
Alice in Wonderland time. Thank you, Joyce. Now I can go to sleep.
What could possibly go wrong?
Christianity was doing just fine before Demento and his conditional Christians grabbed it by the tenets.
I find it rather amazing that Trump, who has probably been in churches a total of three times in his adult life, those being his weddings, would even address the issue of religion and Christianity.
I think he wanted to be seen at a couple of funerals as well.
Christianity wasn’t doing just fine in the US. Roughly 80% of white evangelical voters cast their votes for a criminal who shares their commitment to deep-seated bigotry. Ironically, if half of white evangelical Christians were decent human beings, no Republican would have occupied the White House since 1968.
The other Christianity.
I think we should reconsider the 'demented' line of reasoning. I mean, is there any evidence he was ever mented in the first place?
While the narcissistic nihilist focuses on his ballroom, let’s keep our eyes on the ball, that the law will serve the people and the people will serve the law - peacefully through strength of INSISTING on fair elections without ANY pretext for obstruction.
It would do well to remind Trump that when Hitler waged war on two fronts - Europe and Russia - he was doomed to lose. For Our Donnie currently seems to battle both Iran and the United States at once … and predictably with little success at either.
I'm willing to build a bunker for his ballroom if he'll do a Hitler in it.
I hope he's not having success at battling the US. I fear the opposite is happening.
Trump seems to reduce politics - and life in general - to the Province of Me.
"VOTE IN NUMBERS TOO BIG TO RIG" - shortest version I've seen yet (from a Visibility Brigade last week)
Check dontgetpurged.com for your voter registration. Takes about a minute, no SSN. “Green“ means you’re on your registration list. “Red“ means you have to rectify ASAP. Thanks for letting me share this, and YOU share too!
I’ve quit trying to be civil as regards Trump and his fascist lieutenants: they are scum. As for his Republican Party sycophants: they are spineless bottom feeders. And those pathetic ignorant citizens who voted Trump into office a second time and still support him: they deserve to suffer the consequences of Trump’s ruinous actions. The Supreme Court justices who are complicit in Trump’s deconstruction of our Constitution and Bill of Rights do not deserve our respect and should rightly be removed and shunned by all. As for the ultra-rich corporate thieves who feed off the masses: I say tax, tax, tax! But my strongest revulsion is reserved for the Christo-fascists who edify Trump and would cast out modern scientific enlightenment and replace it with… what?… with mythology! They are laughable and their religious institutions should have no influence on civil life and government - none! We need to crush the head of the snake and take this country back.
Bravo!
Thank you, Joyce Vance, for terrific summaries and commentary! 🕊️
Thank you, as always, for a large dollop of sanity.
While obviously not nearly as important for the country as birthright citizenship and unilateral presidential authority (among other cases pending decisions as the Imperial Court heads to the finish line next month) --- nevertheless the continuing saga of the E. Jean Carroll cases will say a great deal about what's left of the legitimacy of the Imperial Court. Thus far, for the usual reasons known only to itself, it has repeatedly deferred whether to grant a review of E. Jean Carroll II (the $5 million civil judgment for sexual assault and defamation) which has been fully briefed. An appeal of E. Jean Carroll I (which, as you may recall, went to trial after E. Jean Carroll II because it was bogged down by Trump appeals) is now on its way to the Court. The 2nd Circuit has granted a stay of the $83 million judgment to which her lawyers didn't object so long as Trump increased his bond by $7.46 million to account for interest that would accrue during further legal proceedings expected to extend to the Imperial Court. The 2nd Circuit agreed. The latest wrinkle is that the former DOJ will now apparently attempt to substitute itself for Trump in any review of E. Jean Carroll I (when he was actually in the White House) and claim the Westfall Act as a defense. If accepted (a big "if"), the case would be dismissed because the federal government can't be sued for defamation under the Federal Tort Claims Act, once Westfall is triggered and the federal government is substituted. Importantly, the Westfall Act doesn't require proving the statements were "official acts" in the constitutional immunity sense — it just requires that Trump was acting within the scope of his employment as a federal employee, which is a somewhat lower bar. Presidential immunity could also be again claimed if the Westfall Act ploy doesn't work. So, curiouser and curiouser.
Thanks for your report. I listened to Carroll's narration of her book (I think it's called Not My Type) and she's a hoot and smart cookie. I smile when I think of it.
Even as the "faithful" were gathered for the prayer thing on the Mall, the President, himself, was off playing his Sunday round of golf.
Which should come as a surprise to no one...
As I read your letter tonight Joyce, all I can think about is how the WH, DOJ, USPS, FCC, FBI, DHS and the rest of the alphabet are working as one entity in lock step with each other to acquiesce to the whims of this president including SCOTUS. Whether it is voting rights, birthright citizenship or lawsuits against law firms or anyone who disagrees with the president. The Project2025 crew is doing everything possible to bring their fever dream to reality. We are in the middle of a rolling coup.
Good Gawd! The firehose of rampant despotism is so obvious, everywhere you look practically.
It's sickening.
Thank you Joyce for keeping tabs on this. This Rededicate 250 thing - What the hell?
I heard a soundbite from speaker Mike Johnson saying something about representatives being allowed to make stock trades to help support their families? (because they haven't had a raise and because the adjusted dollar means they're making 30 something percent less) What a crock.
Over half of American workers support their families on less than half of a Congressional salary, not to mention a far worse benefits package, especially medical insurance.