Finishing the comment I started before my finger strayed. If Republican senators who have expressed outrage over the murders in Minneapolis will stick with the Democrats on separating out the DHS portion of the budget and demanding much stronger controls on ICE and borderline security members, who actually carried out the execution of Pretti, there’s another standoff. The Trump whisperer, Miller, will stake out his position quickly, and Trump will refuse to negotiate. A government shutdown doesn’t hurt him, so he can let it happen and take months to resolve. Getting Noem out will not help as long as Miller is on staff. He has greater influence on Trump’s cruelty than anyone in the cabinet.
Perhaps I’m being too sensitive. But it always posses me off when someone speak of “Trump’s aspiring authoritarianism”, or says “democracy might be at risk.”
He is already a fucking authoritarian! He thinks, speaks, acts like an authoritarian already! And the GOP (and way too often the fucking Supreme Court) allow him to be! And democracy is not “at risk”! That’s like saying “the barbarians might be at the gate at some point,” when they’ve already broken the gate down, and are rampaging through the city, executing even peaceful dissenters in the streets, torching law firms, universities, media companies, large corporations of all kinds….while they say “nice city you have here, we’d hate to see it torched and looted.”
Before the 3rd Punic War, Cato famously ended all his speeches in the Roman Senate, on any subject, with the line “Carthage [Rome’s enemy] must be destroyed”.
Democrats can and should do the same. They can champion kitchen table issues, and forge regulations to Trump-proof the government, but at the same time they should also start and end all interviews, press conferences, Congressional meetings and the like, with the message:
“Trump must be removed from office as soon as possible, to prevent further damage to our Consitution, our rule of law,
When the President hates and wages war on American citizens, intimidates and undermines our allies and supports our enemies we have reached a new era. When he sends paramilitaries into US cities to murder citizens in an attempt to quell dissent we now understand he is an outlaw and illegitimate thug.
Hope all in the way if this horrible storm stay warm and can come home soon. I will quit bitching about the 43 degrees we have in the NW.
Have you seen the boss's new song??!! Bruce Springsteen lays it out there -unjustified shooting, broken laws, Trump's army of thugs, lying Miller and Noem. All of Congress needs to step up - the GOP needs to give up their party for their oath. All Congress - Dems included - need to kiss off their investment in Core Civic, Geo Group and Palantir. The Corruption and desire to be monarchs has to end. The insurrectionists are still in charge and the good folk in Congress need to run Graham, Cruz, Hawley, Grassley, Cornyn, Jordan, Biggs, and Roy out of the Judicial committees or there will never be an impeachment. We elected a bunch of newbies that need to stand up and lead. McConnell owes us big time too- he got his $1.6B bridge from the Biden infrastructure bill and has stated that Trump is a criminal.
Democrats, horrified by another ICE murder, realized they might have to do something about it this time and even adjust their midterm strategy.
"I had affordability bumper stickers all ready made," said one anonymous Dem, "but I guess I'll adjust." A prominent party strategist said, "You're asking our members to do two things at once, and that will be tough for some of them."
While some officials were thrilled to take on Trump more directly, some were skittish. "Does this feel kitchen-tabley enough?" asked one Dem. "Quite frankly this was easier when ICE was doing this behind closed doors," said one strategist before scurrying into the darkness. Others were waiting for more decisive polling and the latest Ezra Klein podcast.
"I know it's a huge moral problem but does it make us more electable?" said another.
When Stephen Miller says there were errors of protocol by ICE in the killing of Alex Pretti, there's an opening the size of a big Mack truck for Dems to drive home the messages of Trump's authoritarianism, ICE's rampage, and the beyond alarming threats to democracy.
The issue should not be framed around democracy or civil liberties, which are rather abstract. This is a life or death issue! We want our government to stop killing us. The Trump Adm is spending its time cheering on these killing squads instead of getting the cost of living down.
Great article, Lauren. I hope you and your family can get back to a normal life soon. Keep us plugged into democratic mindset. I have never considered myself an elite, but reading and listening to independent media has my democracy spidey senses tingling and made me aware the danger we are in. So much so I can't understand how so many can't see the danger. But it just means we all have much work to do before November. Thanks!
The election is a year away! (Once Dems take power). We can’t wait. They need to address the issue now. And don’t start with Dems don’t have power. They need to channel Newt (did Bill say this) lifelong Dem here just disgusted with the party.
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”
Alex Pretti was trying to help a fallen neighbor and was murdered for living out Christian values.
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You who are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels, 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life.”
It’s hard to know what is more upsetting, the flag waving or the cross wearing by people who’s values are so clearly the opposite of what both stand for. Trump is violating our Constitution while acting like the anti-Christ.
Why-O-Why is this even a question still? "Is Donald Trump’s presidency something that can be (and must be) endured before things can return to normal—or is American democracy truly in peril?"
How the hell can anyone be asking whether democracy is "truly in peril"? Where have you been in 2025, and 2021, and the last ten years???
Democracy has been in peril for ten years and most OBVIOUSLY in peril since the Big Lie, the J6 insurrection, and the incomprehensible 2nd win of Felon-Sex-Offender in Chief DJT. And we are here in January of 2026 asking whether democracy is "truly in peril"???
It's absolutely astonishing how long it takes for some to get the message, to see the reality, to apprehend the FACT that this democracy has been vanishing and been weakening for months and months and months after fascist assaults from every quarter of our government and their MAGA-GOP-ICE goons who egg it all on and are working in concert to take away our rights, our rule of law, our constitution, and bring our country to its knees...
WAKE UP and SMELL the ROT... democracy is in peril and no one will save it except US, the people, fighting back for our lives. Follow the Minnesotans lead.
Finishing the comment I started before my finger strayed. If Republican senators who have expressed outrage over the murders in Minneapolis will stick with the Democrats on separating out the DHS portion of the budget and demanding much stronger controls on ICE and borderline security members, who actually carried out the execution of Pretti, there’s another standoff. The Trump whisperer, Miller, will stake out his position quickly, and Trump will refuse to negotiate. A government shutdown doesn’t hurt him, so he can let it happen and take months to resolve. Getting Noem out will not help as long as Miller is on staff. He has greater influence on Trump’s cruelty than anyone in the cabinet.
MN just had a special election. Sure, it was a solid blue district but the Democrats won by a Saddam Hussein level 95%.
The
The question here is staying resolve. It’s another setup for Trump to refuse to negotiate. Who will blink first? I’m willing to bet. If some of the
Republican senators
Perhaps I’m being too sensitive. But it always posses me off when someone speak of “Trump’s aspiring authoritarianism”, or says “democracy might be at risk.”
He is already a fucking authoritarian! He thinks, speaks, acts like an authoritarian already! And the GOP (and way too often the fucking Supreme Court) allow him to be! And democracy is not “at risk”! That’s like saying “the barbarians might be at the gate at some point,” when they’ve already broken the gate down, and are rampaging through the city, executing even peaceful dissenters in the streets, torching law firms, universities, media companies, large corporations of all kinds….while they say “nice city you have here, we’d hate to see it torched and looted.”
Before the 3rd Punic War, Cato famously ended all his speeches in the Roman Senate, on any subject, with the line “Carthage [Rome’s enemy] must be destroyed”.
Democrats can and should do the same. They can champion kitchen table issues, and forge regulations to Trump-proof the government, but at the same time they should also start and end all interviews, press conferences, Congressional meetings and the like, with the message:
“Trump must be removed from office as soon as possible, to prevent further damage to our Consitution, our rule of law,
our rights and freedoms.”
Every.single.speech.
When the President hates and wages war on American citizens, intimidates and undermines our allies and supports our enemies we have reached a new era. When he sends paramilitaries into US cities to murder citizens in an attempt to quell dissent we now understand he is an outlaw and illegitimate thug.
Hope all in the way if this horrible storm stay warm and can come home soon. I will quit bitching about the 43 degrees we have in the NW.
Have you seen the boss's new song??!! Bruce Springsteen lays it out there -unjustified shooting, broken laws, Trump's army of thugs, lying Miller and Noem. All of Congress needs to step up - the GOP needs to give up their party for their oath. All Congress - Dems included - need to kiss off their investment in Core Civic, Geo Group and Palantir. The Corruption and desire to be monarchs has to end. The insurrectionists are still in charge and the good folk in Congress need to run Graham, Cruz, Hawley, Grassley, Cornyn, Jordan, Biggs, and Roy out of the Judicial committees or there will never be an impeachment. We elected a bunch of newbies that need to stand up and lead. McConnell owes us big time too- he got his $1.6B bridge from the Biden infrastructure bill and has stated that Trump is a criminal.
Democrats, horrified by another ICE murder, realized they might have to do something about it this time and even adjust their midterm strategy.
"I had affordability bumper stickers all ready made," said one anonymous Dem, "but I guess I'll adjust." A prominent party strategist said, "You're asking our members to do two things at once, and that will be tough for some of them."
While some officials were thrilled to take on Trump more directly, some were skittish. "Does this feel kitchen-tabley enough?" asked one Dem. "Quite frankly this was easier when ICE was doing this behind closed doors," said one strategist before scurrying into the darkness. Others were waiting for more decisive polling and the latest Ezra Klein podcast.
"I know it's a huge moral problem but does it make us more electable?" said another.
When Stephen Miller says there were errors of protocol by ICE in the killing of Alex Pretti, there's an opening the size of a big Mack truck for Dems to drive home the messages of Trump's authoritarianism, ICE's rampage, and the beyond alarming threats to democracy.
The issue should not be framed around democracy or civil liberties, which are rather abstract. This is a life or death issue! We want our government to stop killing us. The Trump Adm is spending its time cheering on these killing squads instead of getting the cost of living down.
Lauren, hoping that your community gets power back soon. This was a really bad storm, and I know it hit Southern statems especially hard.
Great article, Lauren. I hope you and your family can get back to a normal life soon. Keep us plugged into democratic mindset. I have never considered myself an elite, but reading and listening to independent media has my democracy spidey senses tingling and made me aware the danger we are in. So much so I can't understand how so many can't see the danger. But it just means we all have much work to do before November. Thanks!
ICE = Incompetent Cruel Executioners
The election is a year away! (Once Dems take power). We can’t wait. They need to address the issue now. And don’t start with Dems don’t have power. They need to channel Newt (did Bill say this) lifelong Dem here just disgusted with the party.
Christian values:
Thou shalt not kill
Thou shalt not commit adultery
(Even if you pay the women to keep quiet about it—day how many of violating Epstein files release statute?)
Thou shalt not bear false witness
https://nypost.com/2026/01/28/us-news/white-house-blame-game-breaks-out-over-minnesota-shootings-fallout/
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife (ps, that includes p-grabbing for those with early onset dementia)
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-caught-on-tape-complimenting-macrons-wifes-body
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.
https://youtu.be/adMmLMvcS0s?si=pHbDolMUJ-LuNElU
Turn the other cheek (not the pepper spray) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-names-his-favorite-bible-verse/
Keep in mind for the next one that the Samaritans were looked down on as heretics by the scripture-quoting priests who hurried along
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010%3A25-37&version=NRSVUE
“And who is my neighbor?” 30
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”
Alex Pretti was trying to help a fallen neighbor and was murdered for living out Christian values.
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You who are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels, 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025%3A31-46&version=NRSVUE
What we are seeing in Minneapolis and elsewhere is un-American, anti-Christian values—they even shoot ministers in the head with pepper balls: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025%3A31-46&version=NRSVUE
It’s hard to know what is more upsetting, the flag waving or the cross wearing by people who’s values are so clearly the opposite of what both stand for. Trump is violating our Constitution while acting like the anti-Christ.
Why-O-Why is this even a question still? "Is Donald Trump’s presidency something that can be (and must be) endured before things can return to normal—or is American democracy truly in peril?"
How the hell can anyone be asking whether democracy is "truly in peril"? Where have you been in 2025, and 2021, and the last ten years???
Democracy has been in peril for ten years and most OBVIOUSLY in peril since the Big Lie, the J6 insurrection, and the incomprehensible 2nd win of Felon-Sex-Offender in Chief DJT. And we are here in January of 2026 asking whether democracy is "truly in peril"???
It's absolutely astonishing how long it takes for some to get the message, to see the reality, to apprehend the FACT that this democracy has been vanishing and been weakening for months and months and months after fascist assaults from every quarter of our government and their MAGA-GOP-ICE goons who egg it all on and are working in concert to take away our rights, our rule of law, our constitution, and bring our country to its knees...
WAKE UP and SMELL the ROT... democracy is in peril and no one will save it except US, the people, fighting back for our lives. Follow the Minnesotans lead.