Today, Monday, Judge Chutkan entered a limited restraining order that will apply to all parties in the special counsel’s election interference case, but mostly, to Donald Trump.
We have put a lot of pressure on African American female professionals to hold the line to protect the justice system and our Constitution. They have risen to the occasion admirably. We should be thankful to Judge Chutkin, Fani Willis and others.
Excellent point of view! If you’re familiar with Nina Simone. One of my favorite songs is called Mississippi Goddam. These ladies are following in her footsteps admirably!
Mississippi Goddam is what we are living NOW!! UNBELIEVABLE people can be so hateful - driven by ignorance & fear of all that is different!! THANKS for mentioning this - amazing song - wish we could learn from it!!
Maya makes great points as do the others in this podcast. I highly recommend listening. Thanks Peter for the link. Not to get off track from this wonderful column by Joyce... Women, led by women of color, will save our democracy in 2024. Biden knew that in 2020 and responded by appointing more women of color to positions in his administration than any other president in our history. If young women get out and vote, the next election will be a blue tsunami.
..and along with and for the new elected will be lessons learned, laws to exact greater ethical standards ,consequences , and codify.
‘We’ve never been here before’...? yet our constitution spoke to it, directly....only to be now redefined ?...or is that manipulated?
Principles need better defined?
I’d like to understand where all this moola goes? The ‘war chests’, the donations, the scammed or inappropriated money. What happens to the candidates raised money , those who drop out or lose?
Following the money seems more like segments out of ‘The Italian Job’ or ‘Oceans 11’ et al/ sequels.
Sorry to see the Louisiana results and % of voter turn out...and that’s why I repeat incessantly .......
Uh - young folks of every gender! The vast majority of those who have any worldly awareness at all should be very worried about the climate situation and what it could mean for them down the road. Those who will see 2050 (I hope to but will probably not - I'm 72) should be scared to death. Only one way to vote that being the case. And a no-vote is complicity.
Although not African-American, retired judge Barbara S. Jones qualifies for half of that description and also deserves our gratitude for her service. I'm guessing that her job in all this will be quite taxing, as well.
He will absolutely be incapable of complying with the gag order. And I’m terrified he could win in 2024. I’ve never felt more hopeless about our government and I’ve seen a lot of government malfeasance in my lifetime.
Take heart and don’t lose faith in the American people’s commitment to the rule of law. We will prevail. Don’t be complacent, do your part, however small, to move forward.
Yes, justice will prevail! Keep your thoughts, talk and spirits up and pass that positivity on! He can't stick to any gag order no matter how narrow! But all the while I'm doing what little I can, Joyce's question is in my head -- When will this end and his name be out of the news and his face be out of my sight!!!
About 3 weeks after his cold corpse is in the grave. He can lie in state at the Fox News headquarters. Maybe they'll bury Mar a Lago with him, or perhaps a whole golf course out in New Jersey somewhere. Once it's all been buried, someone can build low income apartments over it.
Continue to contact House Republicans. If J Jordan is seated as Speaker, that will be considered a win for Trump; that person is definitly a threat to rule of law.
Trump can't win. He'll be in prison or headed there. Today maybe half of the Repugs would vote for him. By then it will be far fewer. Everybody else will vote against him or (a fraction) will abstain. If Trump is the nominee it will be a Biden avalanche. So the Repugs will pull back from the brink and pick some dark horse - and still lose.
Not to say we don't need to work hard for blue, especially for swing seats in Congress, but you can be optimistic about the presidential race.
Not holding my breath for the avalanche but I do think Trump vastly underestimates how many people hate him and how many on the Right are disillusioned enough to stay home on Election Day.
I think you are correct. Many may not want to vote for Biden and will and many just won't vote because " they won't do that" as the song goes by Meatloaf; but they will not cast a vote for the guy that ensures our democracy, no matter how imperfect, is dead.
I think it was stated before that ‘they lie and then they believe their own lies’..and so the snowball... it certainly is part of what will transpire...getting more to vote is key to true representation ,your opinion doesn’t count from the armchair .
One of the Trump voters in my family said to me incredulously, "Surely you don't expect me to vote for a Democrat!?!" so now I suggest they just sit this one out.
He's never going to prison. Moreover, we now know that 70m people in this country are just plain stupid. You don't think a single one of them is going to end up on one of his criminal jury trials, and then vote to acquit?
Minnesota is making progress on 14th Amendment, Section 3 tfg prohibition.on holding any office. Gettng his name on a state primary ballot will trigger a Test.
Hi Bryan, Would you happen to know if Colorado is making progress? That lawsuit was filed by CREW, who blocked Corey Griffin from holding office in NM. Trump tried to get the lawsuit in Colorado dismissed and last Wednesday the judge said Trump’s objections on grounds of free speech rights did not apply. The trial starts October 30. A win on Colorado would be some nice pressure for Trump to have to face going into his campaign.
It’s 45 who should be feared, not the Biden Administration who has a lot to be proud of. So I ask you: why do you feel our government is hopeless. It would seem you have fallen into 45’s abyss.
I assure you I haven’t fallen into the abyss. That said, I worry about Jim Jordan as Speaker. We’ve learned that our guard rails are damaged. I was a poli sci major and have been watching intently since Watergate.
Hi Maggie, Jordan may be elected. But this crew of Republicans is going to circle the wagons and shoot in. I don’t think 40 years of past behavior, including some pretty decent Republican Congress members, can match these fools. I give Jordan three or four months at the most
The speaker has to produce a budget and bring it to the floor. That can't be indefinitely postponed. It'll hit the Senate and die an ugly death there. There's too much time between now and the election in Nov.24 for a radical right speaker to simply do nothing. They can try to govern, or drag their feet into the election, looking worse and worse by the week. They really don't have a card to play, other than a coalition government with the Dems, or final destruction of their brand.
The First Amendment protects speech. That speech includes lies; lots of lies, damned lies, constant lies, lies perpetrated through commercial media outlets, shouted through megaphones at rallies and on social media. Sectors of our society and geographic regions are poorly educated, chronically suspicious of government and hold historic grudges dating back 160+ years. They are susceptible to lies, damned lies and twisted statistics. When speech turns to action, it no longer has the protection of the first amendment, but there is constitutional protection in the franchise to elect liars. We are only protected by two possibilities; 1) that there are more voters who adhere to truth instead of lies, and 2) That they care enough to show up the polls and reject the liars. Until that day, we can broadcast a different message, but we can't fully drown out the lies.
The first amendment protects speech from government censorship or regulation. Even that is not absolute.
Dahlia Lithwick describes Trumps abuses thus in her very very good book, "Lady Justice": "From accusations about "fake news" and claims about censorship and deplatforming, Trump's great gift lay in recasting First Amendment liberties as weapons to be used against other institutions."(Page 71)
Even better is an observation about certain people who can't be constrained by what are often called "guardrails". I'm not going to quote it (it's on page 92). Lithwick is writing in a related context, not directly about Trump, but she provides another categorization for Trump that rings true as a complement to "narcissist." Another "n" word -haha!
We think the government will become truly broken and harmful if he is elected; however, I suspect it will begin tomorrow--if gym jordan takes the speaker's gavel...
All of us are not terrified… Jim Jordan will just simply show what a fool he is by dragging us through a government shut down. The Democrats are going to let him flash. The rest of the Republicans shoot themselves in all of their collective feet. And they will have to come to the ‘let’s work together table.’ I have a lot of faith in the sanity of the majority of elected officials. I also have the strong feeling that the Republicans will very soon circle the wagons and shoot in. The freedom caucus who thought they were so much in control, will drag the Republican party down with themselves. That will not be a bad thing. If the Republicans are so unaware and corrupt and self-centered, just looking at their own next election and payday, they deserve to go enmasse. The second reason I’m not concerned is I really don’t think Trump is in good enough health to carry-on. I don’t think he will even be a factor by March 2024. I don’t wish him to suffer ill health, but I think we have to face things with accurate vision and just take a look at his appearance. One can’t grind away and negativity for so long, over a period of years and face, serious lawsuits, and keep going the way he is. It’s probably hindsight, but for me, I said at the time that he should’ve negotiated with a Jack Smith. Anyone with one percent of logic in their brain would know that Jack Smith isn’t going to bring a case unless he has waaaay north of 95%.
ps Gus: way north of a 95% chance of winning. I think he’s got a lot of evidence. But Trump was too proud to negotiate a plea deal. I don’t even know if ‘proud’ is the correct word to use. I guess the closest thing I can say is that his narcissist personality could never ever let him admit that he was guilty. So now he’s facing Jack Smith and Company, including Alex wedding. And Trump knows Alex Whiting’s capacity. So far all Trump has been to bleat incessantly. We’re not even in court. But once court happens in Jack, Smith and Alex Whiting are going to run rings around Trump and his team. I may be wrong, but I think the big trial is Jack Smith, and Company and the insurrection, and taking away our votes. They’re all important. But we don’t have Aileen Cannon on that trial: it’s Judge. Chutkan.
Again, Re Jim Jordan: he’s going to drag us into a government shut down on November 17. That will cause a national uproar, he will be recalled by the Republicans, and will be off to the races with someone new. Or the gang of eight ultra right freedom caucus members will hold the Republican Party hostage, even to the point where the Democrats will have the majority… If George Santos is booted. So to end on a positive note, Trump did not get the logic gene. Nothing he’s ever done has been with logic. It’s been done with greed, and using whatever bullying tactics he has learned. But if you look at the logic of it, you will see that the Republican House members want to get reelected. They’re going to stick their fingers up in the air and see where the wind is blowing, and people are just really sick and tired of Trump’s antics and his vile nature. A lot of these people love the United States of America, and they will demand their representative make the right decision which means keeping their Social Security checks coming. Jordan will be booted the week of November 20, because unfortunately, he will drag straightahead into a shut down. As horrible as that is, and will be, it will drag the Republicans kicking and screaming to the negotiating table. Sorry if this seems to be opposed to your comment because I surely didn’t mean it to be. I just think this event with Jim Jordan is part of what we have to go through to get to a good outcome and I don’t have any any doubt at all that we will get there and we will be rid of Trump..
But they/he can continue. They/he will continue (that's who and what the 147 Republicans who failed to support the 2020 election outcome are all about. This is what a coup is all about and looks like.
He’s not going to win in 2024. He’s an overweight, bleating, narcissist. His health will catch up to him before the election. He’s going to jail in the next 24 hours. He will not shut up and Judge Chutkan is going to toss him. And jails are not healthy either so if he wants to stay even a smidgen Healthy, he should shut his trap. But he won’t.
I don't believe they serve MacDonald's food in jail. Trump will no doubt suffer withdrawals that may lead to more serious health issues. Also, they ought to place a webcam in his cell so that we can all peek in on him from time to time and watch him pace back and forth in his underwear. It would be the ultimate reality show.
I'm with you - terrified and wondering where I would go if he is back in power. It's terrifying enough that Rs are caving to Jordan, can you imagine the destruction the two of them would be capable of?
The question is when he cross the line of the gag order and what recourse will the judge(s) take. I personally don’t think even jail will shut him up but I’d be happy to see him behind bars. He knows darn well he is and will continue to test the will of the courts.
Here’s a curious question. What are his family members - Ivanka, Jared - saying and doing these days? Yes! We know Donald, Jr and Eric are in the thick of things but it seems others are being quiet.
I think this is the very beginning of the end for Trump. It'll be slow, and frustrating, with a lot of motions and appeals, but ultimately, he'll lose. I think that's why his lawyers were playing politics in court, not using logical, legal arguments. They know he's toast. I don't think he'll win in 2024 but it won't be a slam dunk. It's also interesting that he's slurring his words more and making a lot more speaking mistakes because he's very worried about where all of these cases are heading. He's already lost the E. Jean Carroll case (the first one tried) with another one coming up soon, the NY financial crimes case is going against him, Georgia's case is around the corner and the two federal cases are moving forward.
Hi Patricia, I just wanted to make a tiny clarification regarding your statement that he has another R. Jean Carroll trial coming up. He does not. He made the mistake of going back to the judge to try to claim that he was found innocent of rape. That did not go well for him: the judge said ‘you indeed, raped her, and because the statute is so narrow that it didn’t allow the jury to find you guilty of rape, per se, and those they found you guilty of sexual abuse, I’m going to spell it out for you today: You. Raped. Her. Therefore, when we go to court on January 15, 2024, there will be only one issue for the jury to decide. Not whether you are guilty or innocent. It’s how much money you were going to pay her. That’s the only question.“ So that’s not a case that will be decided up or down. That’s a done one.
And 100% this is the beginning of the end for Trump. Slow and ugly and the end for him. And also 100% daddy is terribly worried and slurring his words. That was more apparent one Alex Whiting joined Jack Smith in February. Trump is afraid of Fani Willis, he’s afraid of Jack Smith, because he knows how salad those cases are. And he is positively terrified of Alex Whiting’s experience with prosecuting the mafia, and prosecuting ex president of Kosovo, now sitting in jail, waiting for trial at The Hague (Jack Smith started that trial and prosecution with Alex Whiting as his deputy). I think and I’m not an attorney and I’m just guessing here, but I think Alex wedding came on for some extra judicial case (outside the US).
TBH I think he's illiterate. He can barely repeat what his lawyers say to him in depositions and if you haven't already noticed, he's never reading anything.
As a former head of government he learned nothing, still knows nothing, and missed a huge opportunity to do good things.. like most criminal minds if they would spend the same amount of energy doing positive things as they do scheming, good things could happen.. the man has absolutely not an once of goodness in him.
I don't think he knows any such thing. He has only the dimmest clue of, and less regard for, the formal purpose, anatomy or physiology of our government.
But you are right -- he projects his narcissistic desires onto everything. Thatr's why he blithely talks about "terminating the Constitution" To him the Constitution is just a minor thing, maybe nothing.
I am sick of this unhinged thug and the Republicans who slavishly follow him. I feel like I've fallen into a time tunnel and it's 1939 Germany all over again. I am sick of reporters and media who are so dumb, they don't push back on what he says. I am sick of the constant speculation of whether he will obey a gag order or not. The man is incapable of shutting up. The judge knows this. We all know this. The question is what is she going to finally do when he crosses the line...again.
Tanya, yup, but she gave him all the rope months ago, and now he’s hanging himself, and she wants to just give the attorneys one last shot which is a superficial step on her side before she throws him in jail
Exactly Abbi. That’s why she ordered the attorneys to come in pro and con. Probably tomorrow and she knows her next logical step. She’s anticipating a very strong, pro from the Jack Smith camp, and whatever Trump’s attorneys say she will side with Smith and Company, and put Trump in the slammer. The bleating will not stop. He’s going to have a few repeat visits to jail.
Mutiny on the ship ( in this case the ship of state) requires walking the plank and even keel hauling.. maybe even being hoisted on a yard arm.. as trump would go on to say tho, “ didn’t mean that in a bad way”... “everyone is saying that, i hear everyone saying it” ...
Chutkan set the stage to throw him in jail. She gave him every ounce of room, including requesting the attorneys submit briefs pro and con. He’s going to go berserk again before morning - 6 or 7 am eastern. He’s just warming up with his latest spew. If the attorneys show up in court in the morning, to present their cases to Judge Chutkan, she will do as she gave herself the latitude to do: order him to jail.
My 6 year olds asked me when he was elected, "why is he so mean?" and I had to answer many similar questions during his time in office. I was embarrassed and sad for the answers I had to give them.
It used to be "ANYone can (dream to) be president".
David...Speaking of kids and grandkids, Barron turns 18 next year (voting age) and Don Jr’s oldest is now 16. I wonder how they are taking in all of this, and how much they’re observing. 🤔 It can’t be easy. <sigh 😞>
I agree. I’ve been thinking the same. But, who knows what he’s been told about her and what initiative he has to do his own research outside of the family.
Trump has 2 sisters, too (Maryanne Trump Barry, former judge, & Elizabeth Trump Grau). From what I’ve read, Maryanne thinks DJT’s an idiot, and Elizabeth stays way, way under the radar. But, you know...family dynamics. Who knows if they even communicate w/each other.
I am glad she made it narrow so he can continue to spout off about all the things he did that the prosecution can use in Court. He has enough rope, now so lets just sit back and watch him
TuTone: He’s a narcissist, and he’s on a path to jail, but he’s not going to learn a single thing. He might figure out how to go undercover and lie more, but as far as learning a lesson, and not bullying: hardly.
No, no Tutone...don’t go all ‘Susan Collins’ on us with him learning a lesson. 😬 That just isn’t possible for him.
Remember, he has to do it quickly, but he can appeal this gag order, unfortunately ...and, he’s already said he will appeal while speaking in Iowa yesterday. Per Neal Katyal, though, he’ll lose, and will then get pissed at his lawyers for not ‘winning’ on his behalf. And the ketchup toss begins. 😬
"As former head of government, he knows full well that the president doesn’t direct judge’s rulings in cases."
I honestly don't believe he does "know full well." IMO what he thinks, believes, is that when *he* wanted to direct judges' rulings their refusals to do so were acts of disloyalty, not adherence to the law or protocol. DT may be smart in a feral sense, but his denial of reality other than the one he sees means he has zero understanding of how things work other than when they're in his favor.
His perception of loyalty caused him to fire many decent people who only came on board to do something positive for the country. Fortunately those same folks will see him be in jail for a while, and very soon. And they will see his empire crumble.
He’s a total POS and the fact that three African American women are holding him accountable does my heart good. May his day in Orange arrive quickly. I’ve so longed for the day he moves to Russia or North Korea to be with his Friends.
Incredible what society is being forced to endure and contemplate. This gag order, in my view, falls far short of where it should be. Jack, Judge Chutkin, many, many others have personal security to keep them and their families alive. The US Marshall’s are incurred enormous costs daily and all the judges know this and yet Trump still gets to incite. It’s incredible.
His next move at incitement will be Jim Jordan. If Jordan is appointed, it is my view, that action will unleash hate and violence on behalf of Trump that will not be contained. Remember all - Jordan was a leading participant in the J6 action. Like a mob boss, Trump has numerous ways to incite and instil fear. The traditional means of protecting witnesses etc are completely ineffective.
Whenever I see “Gagged” or “Gagging” in your titles, my thought is that you have finally reached your limit in TFG stunts, and it’s made you nauseously ill! 🫣
‘ ...he knows full well that the president doesn’t direct judge’s rulings in cases.’ Nope. I’m guessing he has no real understanding of rules, laws, surrounding his tenure in the White House. I firmly believe that he was, and still is, a useful idiot for the far right.
Surely, surely, there is a legal remedy if, god forbid, he is re-elected, he cannot be, but how can he be the front runner on the right? Blows me away.
And, he will violate the gag order, likely tomorrow...
. . .he has no understanding of the role of president per the Constitution, true. His lawyers do. The big problem is that an awful lot of American voters do not understand it, either. The Republicans have no wish to educate them, either. Someone no doubt has called the Constitution fake news. Democrats are cautious about seeming schoolmarmish.
I too do not believe he will win. There are too many decent people in our country who know all the atrocities he has committed and are determined to cash in at the ballot box in 2024. Like Cassidy Hutchinson said in her new book “ENOUGH.”
Dianne, Many Republicans are asking themselves the same question as you have posed: 'god forbid if he is re-elected, he cannot be, but how can he be the front runner on the right?' They are recognizing that he is more than a doofus. He is a violent 'wanna be' mafia don, who would be a dictator for life if he could be re-elected. We must stop him. It is a bit short-sighted that these Republicans put all of their money on him. More than that, they were fooled by a 'here comes Slick and Slicker con man.' Indeed, he will violate the gag order - I predict by around 6:00 am EST. I suppose he will post something on Truth Social. He does not understand 'no' because it has never applied to him. I'm hoping someone here on Joyce's site will post a copy of his tweet or whatever they call it on his Social Truth site. Trump does not believe accountability applies to him. He will push the envelope and go to jail, not once but several times. One visit will not cure him. He will go bleating and blatherskiting all the way. I'm hoping the empaths who are on this site do not give him an ounce of sympathy: it's great to be empathic but he's the wrong guy to feel sorry for. He was responsible for an event that left six people dead; was causal for several suicides; and first responders were physically and emotionally scarred for life. I was so kumbayah that I didn't believe in jail for anyone except the most violent criminals prior to joining Joyce's substack. The one thing I have gained from being here is that Trump IS a violent criminal (allegedly because as she and Jack Smith have pointed to, he is not guilty until proven so in a court of law, but he was found guilty of rape so I have to say 'allegedly' and 'this is my personal opinion - and I guess it's for entertainment purposes only?). Trump promoted a violent takeover of our democracy and people died. His first thought as he sits on the concrete bunk in jail (I think they have concrete and no covers) will not be for the harm he has done. He has no concept of the fact that he encouraged an insurrection. He has no sorrow that folk died, were permanently damaged, families lives were changed forever. His only thought will be that 'Walt isn't here to serve me my diet whatever Coke" and "I have no cell phone." I think he will need to serve the entire 26 potential years the DOJ has outlined for him to begin to approach recognition that he has caused a great deal of harm. But he will spend the first several years (should he be convicted) bleating about 'witch hunt' and 'I'm innocent' and 'I won.'
What is confounding is your observation “that Republicans are asking the same question Dianne posed.” Where have they been and why haven’t they asked themselves these questions years ago, say at the time of his first impeachment? As I have written previously, the majority of Republicans have been and are complicit enablers in bringing us to this moment. They thought they could escape having to confront this ugly truth of his disgraceful conduct and abuse.
Exactly! Thank you for your comment to me. They are coming late to the table - fooled by the shyster: Slick and Slicker, but a number of them are at least recognizing what he is. However, they are completely locked into the republican party. A few months ago a washingtonpost reporter went to western Pennsylvania to interview women at a Republican party planning event. The reporter posed the question: ‘As a woman, does the fact that Trump has been found guilty of sexual abuse had an impact on your selecting him as your party’s nominee?’ [Note: this was prior to Trump, running back to the judge to claim that he had been found innocent of rape, and the judge spelling out to him “you raped her, and just because the statute was so narrow they couldn’t call it “rape’ does not change that fact, and furthermore, the court trial January 15, 2024 will only be to decide how much money you owe her.”]. So all the rape had not been spelled out at that moment in time, sexual abuse had but still the majority of women said “no” because it was more important to support the Republican party. These are the 30% that are never going to change. it’s astonishing to me that a conviction of such a horrific act is considered of less importance than loyalty to a political party. When we say that we, as a country are only as good as our lowest common denominator, and the lowest common denominator is rotten to the core, we’re in deep trouble. I’m hoping the good folks existing in the Republican party grow a spine. But there will be no changing this 30% because they are locked into their idea that Trump is the Messiah. He’s a cult leader and they’re the members.
My Valere, I wish it weren’t so but the 30% of our population who are so wrapped up in this man is really sad for all of us. The idea that he is a messiah is just a sign of how religious dogma has been a tool of brainwashing. It certainly strikes me as though there are an incredible portion of our fellow citizens who are eager to return to times when religion played a role in dictating how people lived their lives. They see the current cultural shifts as frightening just as I find their addiction to dogma frightening. As someone who has throughout his life questioned religion and concluded that it is myth making with rules designed by men it appears that people have a strong need, apparently, to look to the beyond when confronted with challenges in this world. But, to embrace a criminal as a “gift from God,” which I believe was Franklin Graham’s rationale for supporting Trump, is about as distressing a notion as imaginable. That kind of deeply ingrained religious zealotry leaves us unable to address the most egregious crimes of a man who lies and gaslights at every turn. It is both shocking and frightening.
Recognizing that there are thousands of different religious perspectives/outlooks and communities how do we not recognize the hubris of thinking there is only one way and then going on to push back against civil discourse and acceptance of lifestyles, gender, and women’s healthcare to the detriment of all?
I personally make a distinction between religion and spiritual community with acceptance of all humanity as one. It is so unsettling. And it is a reason why we must do everything we can to get the message and the vote out in 2023. No minority can be allowed to dictate individual choice.
Ps #2 I can’t agree with you more. Your message is the highlight of my day. A kindred spirit who sees the trouble, with hope. I will ponder how best to reach those people who most need your words (anonymously to protect your name) as I take the puppers for their long awaited walk to the river. Their highlight of ‘their day’ - as they walk down the trail - is flushing the ducks on the river - and watch them fly away:) They both know birds and ducks are our friends - but a mini Dachshund and Shiba Inu - have ‘hunting genes’ but not for birds.
"The consequences of violating it aren't yet clear." THIS is what I find most aggravating! Back when I taught preschool, when I was in my twenties, I learned quickly that people (children AND adults) need to know there are consequences for breaking the rules. For children, that may be a time-out. But for crying out loud, WHEN will Judge Chutkin, or one of the other judges, put it simply like this: violate this rule and you can await your trial in jail (where there are no microphones or cameras!) WHY do judges keep warning him and not giving him the consequence of his own actions? Sorry to rant, but this is so ridiculously simple! Break the rule? Go to jail. For God's sake, Judges, do us a favor and actually SHUT HIM UP. It will be safer and a hell of a lot saner. (Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!)
I could not agree with you more!! Your rant is MY rant, my sister! I guess it's just because no one wanted to be the first to gag him, so now we've got 2 judges that have gagged him (and all judges, really, are gonna have to gag him). So, now, NO ONE wants to be the first to jail the former president/current defendant...and REALLY, we gotta get over this, as they'd have jailed anyone else and WHY are we still affording him any privileges for a previous office affiliation?? He obviously doesn't have any respect for the office, or the country. (I only wish my rant were over, but as long as that asshat is still breathing, I'm nowhere near done.)
I kind of like the idea of starting with a fine: maybe $10,000/word* for first offense; $100,000/word* for second; $1,000,000/word* for additional offenses escalating for later offenses.
By fifth offense, add one weekend home detention per violation.
By 10th offense, one week community service in the food services unit @ Gitmo for each violation.
No pay in, say, 3 days, gets one week immediate home confinement (no golf) for each $100K or portion thereof outstanding. Future weeks stop when fine paid.
Amen Deb. He didn't go to preschool (or not a good one such as an NAEYC accredited. And he did not have any kind of meaningful discipline at home. He could bite and kick and pour cereal on his siblings' heads without consequence. When he is sent to jail in a few days because he does not believe 'shut your trap' applies to him, he will not have Walt Nuata wiping his butt (allegedly), nor his many diet Cokes, nor his cell phone, nor his airplane. One trip is unlikely to make an impact, because, unfortunately, he did not have a good preschool education (I have no clue as to his education career - I just don't think he had a good preschool because he became a bully most likely before, and after tenth grade and now is an adult bully). So he will have multiple trips to jail as he protests, bleats and blatherskites to any and all of his MAGA (cult) followers. He may never 'get it' and if convicted and sentenced to multiple years, he will likely not ever believe he 'did anything wrong.' The fact that people died at his instigation on January 6, 2021 will not register. And "Constitution? What Constitution? I thought Putin and I did away with that years ago." Recall, anytime anyone got even close to a Putin/Trump connection, he fired them. But he can't fire Jack Smith and Alex Whiting. There's a reason he trotted to Helsinki after G20 2017; there's a reason he planned to meet with Putin in Brazil at G20 2018 (until his staff managed to convince him the 'optics' would be terrible; there's a reason Jack Smith brought Alex Whiting over from The Hague....and I don't think the indictments have ended at 91. It is "91 and counting." And I'm expecting extra-judicial too. And all because he didn't have a good preschool education. So I guess you know where I stand on a 'good preschool education.' He didn't learn to work in a community, to be a good citizen, to not bite, kick and steal the other kid's cookie. You don't have to go outside the home to have a good preschool education. Mom can supply it - NAEYC has workbooks. But back in the day it was call 'good common sense' and 'it works better not to let the kids bully.' They all will. Two year olds are huge sociopaths until they aren't. But you have to show them what separation means to make it stick. (Thanks for letting me get this lack of preschool thing off my chest! :))
Oh, I think that they are as tired as you are of his intransigence. They are being very, very careful because they do not want to give even the appearance of an opening for him to weasel through (in other words, to cause the case to get gummed up). Easy does it. Me, I am getting my jollies by doing things to get out the vote. If I rant and let anger rule me, it costs me, not Trump and not the house bozos who have this country at a standstill. I'd rather use my energy to help get my country back on track.
Trump will test the judge and gag order. He will see how close, and slightly over the line he can go and get away with it. He will definitely violate the order and it probably won't take him too long before he does. He has no real control over that nasty mouth of his. He just can't resist name calling and abusing folks. It will be interesting to see how the judge deals with him. So far, she's been remarkable.
We have put a lot of pressure on African American female professionals to hold the line to protect the justice system and our Constitution. They have risen to the occasion admirably. We should be thankful to Judge Chutkin, Fani Willis and others.
Excellent distillation, Joyce
Absolutely! And Letitia James!
Yes, big oversight for me!
Kathi, we can’t all think of everyone/ everything all the time! No big deal!
Excellent point of view! If you’re familiar with Nina Simone. One of my favorite songs is called Mississippi Goddam. These ladies are following in her footsteps admirably!
Darryl, I will check it out. Thanks for commenting
Mississippi Goddam is what we are living NOW!! UNBELIEVABLE people can be so hateful - driven by ignorance & fear of all that is different!! THANKS for mentioning this - amazing song - wish we could learn from it!!
I know! I’m 64 and I have seen this country roll steadily backward! It hurts to see it!
How true!
About the defense of our liberties being fielded so substantially by African American women, listen to this round-table (after the Rick Wilson segment). It's terrific, and eventually gets to this very good point you've made, Kathi. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-politics-with-molly-jong-fast/id1645614328?i=1000630647995
Maya makes great points as do the others in this podcast. I highly recommend listening. Thanks Peter for the link. Not to get off track from this wonderful column by Joyce... Women, led by women of color, will save our democracy in 2024. Biden knew that in 2020 and responded by appointing more women of color to positions in his administration than any other president in our history. If young women get out and vote, the next election will be a blue tsunami.
..and along with and for the new elected will be lessons learned, laws to exact greater ethical standards ,consequences , and codify.
‘We’ve never been here before’...? yet our constitution spoke to it, directly....only to be now redefined ?...or is that manipulated?
Principles need better defined?
I’d like to understand where all this moola goes? The ‘war chests’, the donations, the scammed or inappropriated money. What happens to the candidates raised money , those who drop out or lose?
Following the money seems more like segments out of ‘The Italian Job’ or ‘Oceans 11’ et al/ sequels.
Sorry to see the Louisiana results and % of voter turn out...and that’s why I repeat incessantly .......
💙💙VOTE BLUE TSUNAMI💙💙
We’ll add to that, “Get Out To Vote!” What explains that terribly low turnout in Louisiana?
Oh, we NEED to know, seriously. Hey, does anyone have an inkling? Voter suppression could account for that much , could it?
Uh - young folks of every gender! The vast majority of those who have any worldly awareness at all should be very worried about the climate situation and what it could mean for them down the road. Those who will see 2050 (I hope to but will probably not - I'm 72) should be scared to death. Only one way to vote that being the case. And a no-vote is complicity.
Listening to it now. Awesome panelists including our own Joyce!
Although not African-American, retired judge Barbara S. Jones qualifies for half of that description and also deserves our gratitude for her service. I'm guessing that her job in all this will be quite taxing, as well.
SINCE THE DAWN OF TIME
He will absolutely be incapable of complying with the gag order. And I’m terrified he could win in 2024. I’ve never felt more hopeless about our government and I’ve seen a lot of government malfeasance in my lifetime.
Take heart and don’t lose faith in the American people’s commitment to the rule of law. We will prevail. Don’t be complacent, do your part, however small, to move forward.
Yes, justice will prevail! Keep your thoughts, talk and spirits up and pass that positivity on! He can't stick to any gag order no matter how narrow! But all the while I'm doing what little I can, Joyce's question is in my head -- When will this end and his name be out of the news and his face be out of my sight!!!
About 3 weeks after his cold corpse is in the grave. He can lie in state at the Fox News headquarters. Maybe they'll bury Mar a Lago with him, or perhaps a whole golf course out in New Jersey somewhere. Once it's all been buried, someone can build low income apartments over it.
Can't be too soon
As long as Jared Kushner isn't the builder. He's the landlord from hell.
https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/democracy-now/clip/jared-kushner-accused-of-slumlord-practices-in-baltimore
Always good advice!
Continue to contact House Republicans. If J Jordan is seated as Speaker, that will be considered a win for Trump; that person is definitly a threat to rule of law.
Well said! I love the optimism.
Brava Mary B. 100%.
Trump can't win. He'll be in prison or headed there. Today maybe half of the Repugs would vote for him. By then it will be far fewer. Everybody else will vote against him or (a fraction) will abstain. If Trump is the nominee it will be a Biden avalanche. So the Repugs will pull back from the brink and pick some dark horse - and still lose.
Not to say we don't need to work hard for blue, especially for swing seats in Congress, but you can be optimistic about the presidential race.
Not holding my breath for the avalanche but I do think Trump vastly underestimates how many people hate him and how many on the Right are disillusioned enough to stay home on Election Day.
I think you are correct. Many may not want to vote for Biden and will and many just won't vote because " they won't do that" as the song goes by Meatloaf; but they will not cast a vote for the guy that ensures our democracy, no matter how imperfect, is dead.
I think it was stated before that ‘they lie and then they believe their own lies’..and so the snowball... it certainly is part of what will transpire...getting more to vote is key to true representation ,your opinion doesn’t count from the armchair .
Wondering Woman, Brava. 100% correct in this assessment. Maybe I just like it so much because it matches my own assessment
I pray you are correct!! Wish I had your optimism.
One of the Trump voters in my family said to me incredulously, "Surely you don't expect me to vote for a Democrat!?!" so now I suggest they just sit this one out.
I should have read your words, Dan, before I posted. You are 100% correct.
He's never going to prison. Moreover, we now know that 70m people in this country are just plain stupid. You don't think a single one of them is going to end up on one of his criminal jury trials, and then vote to acquit?
Your closing paragraph is key. We must continue working hard to assure every voter votes and is counted.
Minnesota is making progress on 14th Amendment, Section 3 tfg prohibition.on holding any office. Gettng his name on a state primary ballot will trigger a Test.
Hi Bryan, Would you happen to know if Colorado is making progress? That lawsuit was filed by CREW, who blocked Corey Griffin from holding office in NM. Trump tried to get the lawsuit in Colorado dismissed and last Wednesday the judge said Trump’s objections on grounds of free speech rights did not apply. The trial starts October 30. A win on Colorado would be some nice pressure for Trump to have to face going into his campaign.
Yes, Colorado is active & CREW has legal ability.. I subscribe to a CO news service but, the underlying litigation is fast moving & complex.
It won't take many states to tip over the apple cart...
Malfeasance is a great word I rarely hear. I am going to look up the definition just to be sure. That's my word of the day.
It’s 45 who should be feared, not the Biden Administration who has a lot to be proud of. So I ask you: why do you feel our government is hopeless. It would seem you have fallen into 45’s abyss.
I assure you I haven’t fallen into the abyss. That said, I worry about Jim Jordan as Speaker. We’ve learned that our guard rails are damaged. I was a poli sci major and have been watching intently since Watergate.
I think the Democrats are on the right path with letting the Republicans deal with their own ‘show.’ Will have Jordan for about three or four months.
Perfectly stated! Thank you!
Hi Maggie, Jordan may be elected. But this crew of Republicans is going to circle the wagons and shoot in. I don’t think 40 years of past behavior, including some pretty decent Republican Congress members, can match these fools. I give Jordan three or four months at the most
The speaker has to produce a budget and bring it to the floor. That can't be indefinitely postponed. It'll hit the Senate and die an ugly death there. There's too much time between now and the election in Nov.24 for a radical right speaker to simply do nothing. They can try to govern, or drag their feet into the election, looking worse and worse by the week. They really don't have a card to play, other than a coalition government with the Dems, or final destruction of their brand.
Or TutoneSF is it America that is in the Abyss, the Abyss that has not saved us from Trump after all this. He's still sneering and you and me.
The First Amendment protects speech. That speech includes lies; lots of lies, damned lies, constant lies, lies perpetrated through commercial media outlets, shouted through megaphones at rallies and on social media. Sectors of our society and geographic regions are poorly educated, chronically suspicious of government and hold historic grudges dating back 160+ years. They are susceptible to lies, damned lies and twisted statistics. When speech turns to action, it no longer has the protection of the first amendment, but there is constitutional protection in the franchise to elect liars. We are only protected by two possibilities; 1) that there are more voters who adhere to truth instead of lies, and 2) That they care enough to show up the polls and reject the liars. Until that day, we can broadcast a different message, but we can't fully drown out the lies.
Timing...how long has this lawless thief gotten away with it? He has been
protected, we have not. Is this system serving the people or the crook?
The crook.
The first amendment protects speech from government censorship or regulation. Even that is not absolute.
Dahlia Lithwick describes Trumps abuses thus in her very very good book, "Lady Justice": "From accusations about "fake news" and claims about censorship and deplatforming, Trump's great gift lay in recasting First Amendment liberties as weapons to be used against other institutions."(Page 71)
Even better is an observation about certain people who can't be constrained by what are often called "guardrails". I'm not going to quote it (it's on page 92). Lithwick is writing in a related context, not directly about Trump, but she provides another categorization for Trump that rings true as a complement to "narcissist." Another "n" word -haha!
Strongly recommend "Lady Justice"!!!
Maggie, we are terrified as well--all of us.
We think the government will become truly broken and harmful if he is elected; however, I suspect it will begin tomorrow--if gym jordan takes the speaker's gavel...
Hi Gus,
All of us are not terrified… Jim Jordan will just simply show what a fool he is by dragging us through a government shut down. The Democrats are going to let him flash. The rest of the Republicans shoot themselves in all of their collective feet. And they will have to come to the ‘let’s work together table.’ I have a lot of faith in the sanity of the majority of elected officials. I also have the strong feeling that the Republicans will very soon circle the wagons and shoot in. The freedom caucus who thought they were so much in control, will drag the Republican party down with themselves. That will not be a bad thing. If the Republicans are so unaware and corrupt and self-centered, just looking at their own next election and payday, they deserve to go enmasse. The second reason I’m not concerned is I really don’t think Trump is in good enough health to carry-on. I don’t think he will even be a factor by March 2024. I don’t wish him to suffer ill health, but I think we have to face things with accurate vision and just take a look at his appearance. One can’t grind away and negativity for so long, over a period of years and face, serious lawsuits, and keep going the way he is. It’s probably hindsight, but for me, I said at the time that he should’ve negotiated with a Jack Smith. Anyone with one percent of logic in their brain would know that Jack Smith isn’t going to bring a case unless he has waaaay north of 95%.
ps Gus: way north of a 95% chance of winning. I think he’s got a lot of evidence. But Trump was too proud to negotiate a plea deal. I don’t even know if ‘proud’ is the correct word to use. I guess the closest thing I can say is that his narcissist personality could never ever let him admit that he was guilty. So now he’s facing Jack Smith and Company, including Alex wedding. And Trump knows Alex Whiting’s capacity. So far all Trump has been to bleat incessantly. We’re not even in court. But once court happens in Jack, Smith and Alex Whiting are going to run rings around Trump and his team. I may be wrong, but I think the big trial is Jack Smith, and Company and the insurrection, and taking away our votes. They’re all important. But we don’t have Aileen Cannon on that trial: it’s Judge. Chutkan.
Again, Re Jim Jordan: he’s going to drag us into a government shut down on November 17. That will cause a national uproar, he will be recalled by the Republicans, and will be off to the races with someone new. Or the gang of eight ultra right freedom caucus members will hold the Republican Party hostage, even to the point where the Democrats will have the majority… If George Santos is booted. So to end on a positive note, Trump did not get the logic gene. Nothing he’s ever done has been with logic. It’s been done with greed, and using whatever bullying tactics he has learned. But if you look at the logic of it, you will see that the Republican House members want to get reelected. They’re going to stick their fingers up in the air and see where the wind is blowing, and people are just really sick and tired of Trump’s antics and his vile nature. A lot of these people love the United States of America, and they will demand their representative make the right decision which means keeping their Social Security checks coming. Jordan will be booted the week of November 20, because unfortunately, he will drag straightahead into a shut down. As horrible as that is, and will be, it will drag the Republicans kicking and screaming to the negotiating table. Sorry if this seems to be opposed to your comment because I surely didn’t mean it to be. I just think this event with Jim Jordan is part of what we have to go through to get to a good outcome and I don’t have any any doubt at all that we will get there and we will be rid of Trump..
I hope you are right... except Jordan becoming speaker. I can't keep up anymore:(
Valere thanks for your reply. I appreciate your perspective! You have obviously given this a lot of time and thought.
Jack Smith is one serious dude! We both have a lot of well-placed faith in him.
All the best to ya!
But they/he can continue. They/he will continue (that's who and what the 147 Republicans who failed to support the 2020 election outcome are all about. This is what a coup is all about and looks like.
We all feel frightened. Fight the holiness --find any way you can to help get out the vote
That I am doing!
There is certainly room for hope -- that he will be soundly defeated again. And we must all work toward that.
He’s not going to win in 2024. He’s an overweight, bleating, narcissist. His health will catch up to him before the election. He’s going to jail in the next 24 hours. He will not shut up and Judge Chutkan is going to toss him. And jails are not healthy either so if he wants to stay even a smidgen Healthy, he should shut his trap. But he won’t.
I don't believe they serve MacDonald's food in jail. Trump will no doubt suffer withdrawals that may lead to more serious health issues. Also, they ought to place a webcam in his cell so that we can all peek in on him from time to time and watch him pace back and forth in his underwear. It would be the ultimate reality show.
Now that's an image I want to unsee.
I'm with you - terrified and wondering where I would go if he is back in power. It's terrifying enough that Rs are caving to Jordan, can you imagine the destruction the two of them would be capable of?
Yep!
The question is when he cross the line of the gag order and what recourse will the judge(s) take. I personally don’t think even jail will shut him up but I’d be happy to see him behind bars. He knows darn well he is and will continue to test the will of the courts.
Here’s a curious question. What are his family members - Ivanka, Jared - saying and doing these days? Yes! We know Donald, Jr and Eric are in the thick of things but it seems others are being quiet.
I think this is the very beginning of the end for Trump. It'll be slow, and frustrating, with a lot of motions and appeals, but ultimately, he'll lose. I think that's why his lawyers were playing politics in court, not using logical, legal arguments. They know he's toast. I don't think he'll win in 2024 but it won't be a slam dunk. It's also interesting that he's slurring his words more and making a lot more speaking mistakes because he's very worried about where all of these cases are heading. He's already lost the E. Jean Carroll case (the first one tried) with another one coming up soon, the NY financial crimes case is going against him, Georgia's case is around the corner and the two federal cases are moving forward.
Perhaps he’s slurring his words and making more speaking errors because he’s in the early stage of dementia. Just a thought.
Why “early”? 😉
Yeah, I know; I’m too kind saying “early.”
could be there's something special in the Coca Cola..?
Or laying the groundwork for a line of defense that he’s mentally incompetent???
Hi Patricia, I just wanted to make a tiny clarification regarding your statement that he has another R. Jean Carroll trial coming up. He does not. He made the mistake of going back to the judge to try to claim that he was found innocent of rape. That did not go well for him: the judge said ‘you indeed, raped her, and because the statute is so narrow that it didn’t allow the jury to find you guilty of rape, per se, and those they found you guilty of sexual abuse, I’m going to spell it out for you today: You. Raped. Her. Therefore, when we go to court on January 15, 2024, there will be only one issue for the jury to decide. Not whether you are guilty or innocent. It’s how much money you were going to pay her. That’s the only question.“ So that’s not a case that will be decided up or down. That’s a done one.
And 100% this is the beginning of the end for Trump. Slow and ugly and the end for him. And also 100% daddy is terribly worried and slurring his words. That was more apparent one Alex Whiting joined Jack Smith in February. Trump is afraid of Fani Willis, he’s afraid of Jack Smith, because he knows how salad those cases are. And he is positively terrified of Alex Whiting’s experience with prosecuting the mafia, and prosecuting ex president of Kosovo, now sitting in jail, waiting for trial at The Hague (Jack Smith started that trial and prosecution with Alex Whiting as his deputy). I think and I’m not an attorney and I’m just guessing here, but I think Alex wedding came on for some extra judicial case (outside the US).
It should be a slam dunk, though.
TBH I think he's illiterate. He can barely repeat what his lawyers say to him in depositions and if you haven't already noticed, he's never reading anything.
“As former head of government, he knows full well that the president doesn’t direct judge’s rulings in cases.“
Unless that’s what HE did. He thinks Biden does it because HE did it?
Yup. With Trump and the GOP it’s all projection. They can’t imagine anyone would want to be ethical or truly committed to serving others.
As a former head of government he learned nothing, still knows nothing, and missed a huge opportunity to do good things.. like most criminal minds if they would spend the same amount of energy doing positive things as they do scheming, good things could happen.. the man has absolutely not an once of goodness in him.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Projection,he does it all the time.
I don't think he knows any such thing. He has only the dimmest clue of, and less regard for, the formal purpose, anatomy or physiology of our government.
But you are right -- he projects his narcissistic desires onto everything. Thatr's why he blithely talks about "terminating the Constitution" To him the Constitution is just a minor thing, maybe nothing.
I am sick of this unhinged thug and the Republicans who slavishly follow him. I feel like I've fallen into a time tunnel and it's 1939 Germany all over again. I am sick of reporters and media who are so dumb, they don't push back on what he says. I am sick of the constant speculation of whether he will obey a gag order or not. The man is incapable of shutting up. The judge knows this. We all know this. The question is what is she going to finally do when he crosses the line...again.
I am confident this judge will deal firmly with violations of her order.
She’ll have to deliver pretty soon. This we know.
She's way ahead of him. Guaranteed.
She's doing the "give 'em enough rope and he'll hang himself" dance...
Tanya, yup, but she gave him all the rope months ago, and now he’s hanging himself, and she wants to just give the attorneys one last shot which is a superficial step on her side before she throws him in jail
Exactly Abbi. That’s why she ordered the attorneys to come in pro and con. Probably tomorrow and she knows her next logical step. She’s anticipating a very strong, pro from the Jack Smith camp, and whatever Trump’s attorneys say she will side with Smith and Company, and put Trump in the slammer. The bleating will not stop. He’s going to have a few repeat visits to jail.
Lock him up! That’s what she should do. That might shut him up.
"Lock him up! Lock him up!"
Say it with me, now....."Lock him up! Lock him up!"
Mutiny on the ship ( in this case the ship of state) requires walking the plank and even keel hauling.. maybe even being hoisted on a yard arm.. as trump would go on to say tho, “ didn’t mean that in a bad way”... “everyone is saying that, i hear everyone saying it” ...
From your lips to God's ears.
Chutkan set the stage to throw him in jail. She gave him every ounce of room, including requesting the attorneys submit briefs pro and con. He’s going to go berserk again before morning - 6 or 7 am eastern. He’s just warming up with his latest spew. If the attorneys show up in court in the morning, to present their cases to Judge Chutkan, she will do as she gave herself the latitude to do: order him to jail.
It’s a small step but the second defeat of Jordan is a relief, again.
Thank you Rita!
History will judge Trump supporters poorly.
You know who else will judge them poorly? Their kids and grandkids.
"How could you have voted for that man, Gramma?"
My 6 year olds asked me when he was elected, "why is he so mean?" and I had to answer many similar questions during his time in office. I was embarrassed and sad for the answers I had to give them.
It used to be "ANYone can (dream to) be president".
Now, it's "ANY damn idiot can be president."
Millions of (presumably) adult voters missed what a six year old saw.
Actually, I think his meanness is what appeals to many of his voters. He says out loud what they’re thinking but don’t have the audacity to say.
Millions of (presumably) adult voters lack the maturity of this 6 year old.
As well they shouldn't, and neither should he
David...Speaking of kids and grandkids, Barron turns 18 next year (voting age) and Don Jr’s oldest is now 16. I wonder how they are taking in all of this, and how much they’re observing. 🤔 It can’t be easy. <sigh 😞>
Barron should ask his Cousin Mary (Trump) for voting advice.
I agree. I’ve been thinking the same. But, who knows what he’s been told about her and what initiative he has to do his own research outside of the family.
Trump has 2 sisters, too (Maryanne Trump Barry, former judge, & Elizabeth Trump Grau). From what I’ve read, Maryanne thinks DJT’s an idiot, and Elizabeth stays way, way under the radar. But, you know...family dynamics. Who knows if they even communicate w/each other.
I am glad she made it narrow so he can continue to spout off about all the things he did that the prosecution can use in Court. He has enough rope, now so lets just sit back and watch him
Maybe he is actually on a path to learn a lessen orchestrated by his own mouth. We’ll see. We’re certainly all watching.
Not a chance, Tutone!!
Absolutely.
TuTone: He’s a narcissist, and he’s on a path to jail, but he’s not going to learn a single thing. He might figure out how to go undercover and lie more, but as far as learning a lesson, and not bullying: hardly.
Agreed. I was answering in jest really.
No, no Tutone...don’t go all ‘Susan Collins’ on us with him learning a lesson. 😬 That just isn’t possible for him.
Remember, he has to do it quickly, but he can appeal this gag order, unfortunately ...and, he’s already said he will appeal while speaking in Iowa yesterday. Per Neal Katyal, though, he’ll lose, and will then get pissed at his lawyers for not ‘winning’ on his behalf. And the ketchup toss begins. 😬
I was being facetious really 😂
"As former head of government, he knows full well that the president doesn’t direct judge’s rulings in cases."
I honestly don't believe he does "know full well." IMO what he thinks, believes, is that when *he* wanted to direct judges' rulings their refusals to do so were acts of disloyalty, not adherence to the law or protocol. DT may be smart in a feral sense, but his denial of reality other than the one he sees means he has zero understanding of how things work other than when they're in his favor.
I totally agree. He doesn’t have the mental ability to be President.
His perception of loyalty caused him to fire many decent people who only came on board to do something positive for the country. Fortunately those same folks will see him be in jail for a while, and very soon. And they will see his empire crumble.
He’s a total POS and the fact that three African American women are holding him accountable does my heart good. May his day in Orange arrive quickly. I’ve so longed for the day he moves to Russia or North Korea to be with his Friends.
It’ll be great karma if he gets taken down by an African American female.
I’m not sure they would trust him either.
They know he’s nothing more than a useful idiot. When he’s without any power, he’s nobody to them.
His negative emotional reaction to this may negatively affect his testimony in the Page/Strzok deposition. I'm most interested in what he says there.
Such a terrifying time, so glad we have you here to explain this nightmare daily if need be. Thank you Joyce!
Incredible what society is being forced to endure and contemplate. This gag order, in my view, falls far short of where it should be. Jack, Judge Chutkin, many, many others have personal security to keep them and their families alive. The US Marshall’s are incurred enormous costs daily and all the judges know this and yet Trump still gets to incite. It’s incredible.
His next move at incitement will be Jim Jordan. If Jordan is appointed, it is my view, that action will unleash hate and violence on behalf of Trump that will not be contained. Remember all - Jordan was a leading participant in the J6 action. Like a mob boss, Trump has numerous ways to incite and instil fear. The traditional means of protecting witnesses etc are completely ineffective.
But we don’t yet know how this is going to play out. I believe there are forces behind the scenes not to allow him in.
Whenever I see “Gagged” or “Gagging” in your titles, my thought is that you have finally reached your limit in TFG stunts, and it’s made you nauseously ill! 🫣
‘ ...he knows full well that the president doesn’t direct judge’s rulings in cases.’ Nope. I’m guessing he has no real understanding of rules, laws, surrounding his tenure in the White House. I firmly believe that he was, and still is, a useful idiot for the far right.
Surely, surely, there is a legal remedy if, god forbid, he is re-elected, he cannot be, but how can he be the front runner on the right? Blows me away.
And, he will violate the gag order, likely tomorrow...
And perhaps a useful idiot for Putin?
Yup, Putin, and those who control the far right/Maggots
Perhaps??
You are right to point that out Pamela! After I wrote it and posted it, I thought that was not what I meant to say. Too lazy to edit it.
. . .he has no understanding of the role of president per the Constitution, true. His lawyers do. The big problem is that an awful lot of American voters do not understand it, either. The Republicans have no wish to educate them, either. Someone no doubt has called the Constitution fake news. Democrats are cautious about seeming schoolmarmish.
I don’t think the MAGA Republicans have any idea how our government is designed to work. They demonstrate their stupidity daily.
I too do not believe he will win. There are too many decent people in our country who know all the atrocities he has committed and are determined to cash in at the ballot box in 2024. Like Cassidy Hutchinson said in her new book “ENOUGH.”
Dianne, Many Republicans are asking themselves the same question as you have posed: 'god forbid if he is re-elected, he cannot be, but how can he be the front runner on the right?' They are recognizing that he is more than a doofus. He is a violent 'wanna be' mafia don, who would be a dictator for life if he could be re-elected. We must stop him. It is a bit short-sighted that these Republicans put all of their money on him. More than that, they were fooled by a 'here comes Slick and Slicker con man.' Indeed, he will violate the gag order - I predict by around 6:00 am EST. I suppose he will post something on Truth Social. He does not understand 'no' because it has never applied to him. I'm hoping someone here on Joyce's site will post a copy of his tweet or whatever they call it on his Social Truth site. Trump does not believe accountability applies to him. He will push the envelope and go to jail, not once but several times. One visit will not cure him. He will go bleating and blatherskiting all the way. I'm hoping the empaths who are on this site do not give him an ounce of sympathy: it's great to be empathic but he's the wrong guy to feel sorry for. He was responsible for an event that left six people dead; was causal for several suicides; and first responders were physically and emotionally scarred for life. I was so kumbayah that I didn't believe in jail for anyone except the most violent criminals prior to joining Joyce's substack. The one thing I have gained from being here is that Trump IS a violent criminal (allegedly because as she and Jack Smith have pointed to, he is not guilty until proven so in a court of law, but he was found guilty of rape so I have to say 'allegedly' and 'this is my personal opinion - and I guess it's for entertainment purposes only?). Trump promoted a violent takeover of our democracy and people died. His first thought as he sits on the concrete bunk in jail (I think they have concrete and no covers) will not be for the harm he has done. He has no concept of the fact that he encouraged an insurrection. He has no sorrow that folk died, were permanently damaged, families lives were changed forever. His only thought will be that 'Walt isn't here to serve me my diet whatever Coke" and "I have no cell phone." I think he will need to serve the entire 26 potential years the DOJ has outlined for him to begin to approach recognition that he has caused a great deal of harm. But he will spend the first several years (should he be convicted) bleating about 'witch hunt' and 'I'm innocent' and 'I won.'
Valere, you’ve said all the things I’ve been thinking and I agree with all!
What is confounding is your observation “that Republicans are asking the same question Dianne posed.” Where have they been and why haven’t they asked themselves these questions years ago, say at the time of his first impeachment? As I have written previously, the majority of Republicans have been and are complicit enablers in bringing us to this moment. They thought they could escape having to confront this ugly truth of his disgraceful conduct and abuse.
Exactly! Thank you for your comment to me. They are coming late to the table - fooled by the shyster: Slick and Slicker, but a number of them are at least recognizing what he is. However, they are completely locked into the republican party. A few months ago a washingtonpost reporter went to western Pennsylvania to interview women at a Republican party planning event. The reporter posed the question: ‘As a woman, does the fact that Trump has been found guilty of sexual abuse had an impact on your selecting him as your party’s nominee?’ [Note: this was prior to Trump, running back to the judge to claim that he had been found innocent of rape, and the judge spelling out to him “you raped her, and just because the statute was so narrow they couldn’t call it “rape’ does not change that fact, and furthermore, the court trial January 15, 2024 will only be to decide how much money you owe her.”]. So all the rape had not been spelled out at that moment in time, sexual abuse had but still the majority of women said “no” because it was more important to support the Republican party. These are the 30% that are never going to change. it’s astonishing to me that a conviction of such a horrific act is considered of less importance than loyalty to a political party. When we say that we, as a country are only as good as our lowest common denominator, and the lowest common denominator is rotten to the core, we’re in deep trouble. I’m hoping the good folks existing in the Republican party grow a spine. But there will be no changing this 30% because they are locked into their idea that Trump is the Messiah. He’s a cult leader and they’re the members.
My Valere, I wish it weren’t so but the 30% of our population who are so wrapped up in this man is really sad for all of us. The idea that he is a messiah is just a sign of how religious dogma has been a tool of brainwashing. It certainly strikes me as though there are an incredible portion of our fellow citizens who are eager to return to times when religion played a role in dictating how people lived their lives. They see the current cultural shifts as frightening just as I find their addiction to dogma frightening. As someone who has throughout his life questioned religion and concluded that it is myth making with rules designed by men it appears that people have a strong need, apparently, to look to the beyond when confronted with challenges in this world. But, to embrace a criminal as a “gift from God,” which I believe was Franklin Graham’s rationale for supporting Trump, is about as distressing a notion as imaginable. That kind of deeply ingrained religious zealotry leaves us unable to address the most egregious crimes of a man who lies and gaslights at every turn. It is both shocking and frightening.
Recognizing that there are thousands of different religious perspectives/outlooks and communities how do we not recognize the hubris of thinking there is only one way and then going on to push back against civil discourse and acceptance of lifestyles, gender, and women’s healthcare to the detriment of all?
I personally make a distinction between religion and spiritual community with acceptance of all humanity as one. It is so unsettling. And it is a reason why we must do everything we can to get the message and the vote out in 2023. No minority can be allowed to dictate individual choice.
Ps #2 I can’t agree with you more. Your message is the highlight of my day. A kindred spirit who sees the trouble, with hope. I will ponder how best to reach those people who most need your words (anonymously to protect your name) as I take the puppers for their long awaited walk to the river. Their highlight of ‘their day’ - as they walk down the trail - is flushing the ducks on the river - and watch them fly away:) They both know birds and ducks are our friends - but a mini Dachshund and Shiba Inu - have ‘hunting genes’ but not for birds.
"The consequences of violating it aren't yet clear." THIS is what I find most aggravating! Back when I taught preschool, when I was in my twenties, I learned quickly that people (children AND adults) need to know there are consequences for breaking the rules. For children, that may be a time-out. But for crying out loud, WHEN will Judge Chutkin, or one of the other judges, put it simply like this: violate this rule and you can await your trial in jail (where there are no microphones or cameras!) WHY do judges keep warning him and not giving him the consequence of his own actions? Sorry to rant, but this is so ridiculously simple! Break the rule? Go to jail. For God's sake, Judges, do us a favor and actually SHUT HIM UP. It will be safer and a hell of a lot saner. (Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!)
I could not agree with you more!! Your rant is MY rant, my sister! I guess it's just because no one wanted to be the first to gag him, so now we've got 2 judges that have gagged him (and all judges, really, are gonna have to gag him). So, now, NO ONE wants to be the first to jail the former president/current defendant...and REALLY, we gotta get over this, as they'd have jailed anyone else and WHY are we still affording him any privileges for a previous office affiliation?? He obviously doesn't have any respect for the office, or the country. (I only wish my rant were over, but as long as that asshat is still breathing, I'm nowhere near done.)
LOL. omg D Deakin, love this....
I kind of like the idea of starting with a fine: maybe $10,000/word* for first offense; $100,000/word* for second; $1,000,000/word* for additional offenses escalating for later offenses.
By fifth offense, add one weekend home detention per violation.
By 10th offense, one week community service in the food services unit @ Gitmo for each violation.
*each word in any offending sentence.
Barbara B, great, but he won't pay his bills - so doubt he would pay this fine. But the 10th offense might work.
No pay in, say, 3 days, gets one week immediate home confinement (no golf) for each $100K or portion thereof outstanding. Future weeks stop when fine paid.
Excellent! Thanks for making me laugh. But seriously, good ideas!
Amen Deb. He didn't go to preschool (or not a good one such as an NAEYC accredited. And he did not have any kind of meaningful discipline at home. He could bite and kick and pour cereal on his siblings' heads without consequence. When he is sent to jail in a few days because he does not believe 'shut your trap' applies to him, he will not have Walt Nuata wiping his butt (allegedly), nor his many diet Cokes, nor his cell phone, nor his airplane. One trip is unlikely to make an impact, because, unfortunately, he did not have a good preschool education (I have no clue as to his education career - I just don't think he had a good preschool because he became a bully most likely before, and after tenth grade and now is an adult bully). So he will have multiple trips to jail as he protests, bleats and blatherskites to any and all of his MAGA (cult) followers. He may never 'get it' and if convicted and sentenced to multiple years, he will likely not ever believe he 'did anything wrong.' The fact that people died at his instigation on January 6, 2021 will not register. And "Constitution? What Constitution? I thought Putin and I did away with that years ago." Recall, anytime anyone got even close to a Putin/Trump connection, he fired them. But he can't fire Jack Smith and Alex Whiting. There's a reason he trotted to Helsinki after G20 2017; there's a reason he planned to meet with Putin in Brazil at G20 2018 (until his staff managed to convince him the 'optics' would be terrible; there's a reason Jack Smith brought Alex Whiting over from The Hague....and I don't think the indictments have ended at 91. It is "91 and counting." And I'm expecting extra-judicial too. And all because he didn't have a good preschool education. So I guess you know where I stand on a 'good preschool education.' He didn't learn to work in a community, to be a good citizen, to not bite, kick and steal the other kid's cookie. You don't have to go outside the home to have a good preschool education. Mom can supply it - NAEYC has workbooks. But back in the day it was call 'good common sense' and 'it works better not to let the kids bully.' They all will. Two year olds are huge sociopaths until they aren't. But you have to show them what separation means to make it stick. (Thanks for letting me get this lack of preschool thing off my chest! :))
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Oh, I think that they are as tired as you are of his intransigence. They are being very, very careful because they do not want to give even the appearance of an opening for him to weasel through (in other words, to cause the case to get gummed up). Easy does it. Me, I am getting my jollies by doing things to get out the vote. If I rant and let anger rule me, it costs me, not Trump and not the house bozos who have this country at a standstill. I'd rather use my energy to help get my country back on track.
Trump will test the judge and gag order. He will see how close, and slightly over the line he can go and get away with it. He will definitely violate the order and it probably won't take him too long before he does. He has no real control over that nasty mouth of his. He just can't resist name calling and abusing folks. It will be interesting to see how the judge deals with him. So far, she's been remarkable.