So , almost helplessly laughing, because I got to the final footnote- late, late in the day- and giggled then, switched to comments, and lost it utterly! Blessings, Joe.
If I can’t find a way to laugh through this crap, I’m lost forever.
Russell Vought is the MAGA Mastermind that Elon only pretended to be. Indifferent to fame, impervious to criticism, He wasn't the least bothered by Trump's public renunciations of Project 2025 during the campaign: he was counting on that he'd be able to execute it when Trump won, regardless of what he said before. He's a cold-eyed true believer, Professor Moriarty in Trump's service. Stephen Miller is only the second-most dangerous acolyte in Trumpworld: Vought is way ahead of him.
Agreed. His pronouncement that the president decides how much of appropriated money gets spent---it's a *ceiling* not a floor---effectively creates a dictatorship.
And unlike many in Trumpworld, he's not spinning, and he's not cosplaying: he means every word. He has no doubt about his goals, and he's pursuing them with a determination that, in someone trying to do good instead of harm, would be admirable.
I'm sure he does, but for a 'Christian', he sure is not the least bit Christ-like. He seems to enjoy peoples suffering, and he seems to want to punish the poor.
One thing that distinguishes him from his more flamboyant co-conspirators is that he seems to shun the limelight and avoid the "attention economy" of podcasts and the manosphere almost completely. Only insiders and policy wonks -- like Bulwark members -- even know who he is. And he's so nondescript in appearance (photographs pick up the thousand yard stare of those cold, serial killer eyes, but I bet most people look away instinctively in real life and don't register them) that he reminds me of the Grey Men, the undead assassins in Robert Jordan's legendarium, who are so unremarkable looking that they can walk through a crowd and kill, yet most people won't even see them. I bet he's the least likely major Trump figure to be turned away from a restaurant, because the staff won't recognize him.
After all, "You have to pass the bill to find out what's in it". Then you can do a Murkowski or a Hawley (regretting your vote, hoping the other chamber will do the responsible thing after you voted for the abomination, or request a reversal of several cuts you yourself voted for that got signed into law), well after you allowed the train to leave the station.
I'm good with the govt shutting down end of Sept. I understood why Schumer didn't last time; I even agreed with him. But at the time I thought - this is it. Next time, shut down the govt. This recission bill is yet another reason (like we needed more) that we need to shut it down if the republicans try to pass another bad budget/spending/whatever bill.
Bingo. The f@#$%&g republicans are going to shut it down anyway, one piece at a time, but always aimed at blue states and cities. Shutting down the whole thing brings the red counties along for the ride---it is, after all, what they voted for.
What is the difference between what is happening to our government now, and shutting it down. Under the Trump/Musk/Vought/Thune/Johnson Adminstration drugs do not get approved, fires don't get put out, weather is not getting predicted. science and medicine are not being funded, every country in the world hates us and feels we are out of control/ all of our competent generals were fired/ no money for education/ US employees here and all over the world are terminated with no notice and no informaton about benefits, how to get home, why they were terminated, or what will happen to the people they serve!
Why are any of us paying taxes -- to pay their salaries? pay for Trump to paint everything in the White House gold? to buy crypto?
Vought aspires to be the Nazis' accountant. He comes across as the type of person who abuses his family and pets, and tells them he's doing it for their own good.
"Vought went further, claiming that a more partisan appropriations process will give rise to a new era of bipartisanship one day." What a crazy claim, like someone claiming they can eat their way to thinness--Eating 28 donuts, three Chicago-Style pizzas and 11 cheesesteaks a day might lead to initial weight gain, but that may be followed by significant weight loss. (Excellent FN work, as usual/reminds me to go back and watch Melissa McCarthy's great SNL skits as Sean Spicer doing the WH press briefing.)
How hard is it to start the really bad narrative right NOW?
There are two ways to pass bills, for funding/no funding, for simplicity in getting it out to the public, and Trump's OBBB, that will begin its effects after the 26 midterms and some now and others later than 26, if anyone actually believes midterms will happen, was done so they didn't need DEMOCRAT votes.
WHY?
The promises to not cut MEDICAID and SNAP and etc., etc., etc., were all campaign lies, NO MANDATE, so they wanted no problems, and the DEMOCRATS would have been a problem, for MAGA passing the bill, due to the devastation it will cause and exposure of the campaign lies to their pocketbooks, so they chose fast, hiding, lying, and midnight train to Hell voting.
Now, they want to gut more, or take more control at OMB/Executive, and need the DEMOCRATS that HAD NO SAY IN PASSING THE OBBB, so hang the noose, with enough rope, EARLY.
Get on every pod, show, SM and make the message simple. 2 ways, went the way of not giving democrats the ability to vote to save people's healthcare and much more, but now MAGA assholes need the damn democrats and VOUGHT can SUCK IT.
If MAGA fights this ask them who gave them the ACA, or as some dumb voters, who voted for Trump, were excited about Trump's decade worth of concepts, to replace OBAMACARE. DUH.
VOUGHT is a blood thirsty angry tube sock, buying in bulk, elf.
He needs more exposure anyway so he can have it.
GET THE MESSAGE OUT.
On item #2, the most ridiculous fkn thing, but MAGA sticks most shit to the flypaper, does anyone trust what would come from the DOJ/Executive now? Anyway to confirm the documents authenticity?
Lastly, DOGE hasn't been legally ruled a legally created agency yet, right?
If not, the Democrats ought to be thinking about the unenforceable nature of all things done by MUSK and what to do about it.
WHY?
Who can sign an enforceable document, to buy a couch, let alone shutter the entire government, lie about it, get our private information, F the SCOTUS, and so much irreparable harm done, while high as a MFing kite, when under the influence of heavy heavy drug use? This drug use is documented by Musk, himself, and Trump, and most likely many more.
I'd ask the same about RFK, Jr.'s ability to make enforceable decisions with the change of brain function/chemistry, as well researched and proven, after 15+ years of intravenous heroin use.
When HOGSBREATH screams and sweats, he needs an immediate breathalyzer, as he is in early withdrawal, so the same applies.
This White House is incapable of calming the waters. And as for Vought he is partisan with every breath. We see what he has already done in just seven months. What everyone should be asking themselves is why should you pay federal taxes? For what? After they have terminated departments, programs, services, fired hundreds of thousands, they have essentially shut down anyway! So what are you paying taxes for? And don’t even get me started on tariff taxes. Where do you think your tariff tax goes for things you buy — right into the US general account, fungible with all other money there!
Joe, Thanks for the reporting of the continuing shenanigans of the Republicans in Congress. Russell Vought says it like one of the authors of Project 2025 would say it. They want to fund the government for a very select group of Americans. Let me guess, wealthy, white ones. Hence, the only money they want to spend is for Defense, Immigration control and more subsidies for rich people's businesses. Oh, did I forget Judges? They don't mind spending a little on them. At the end of the day, ordinary folks voted for these people to represent them. As the old saying goes, "you get what you payed for" Some Americans payed for nothing and that's exactly what they are going to get. What should Democrats do? I believe we should educate the electorate on these matters. If a shutdown will accomplish this, then shut it down.
There are few people who are both smart and evil. Unfortunately for us all, Vought is one of them. If we have a saving grace, it's his evil outweighs his smarts and so he still does some braindead things as a result
Joe, can you explain Vought’s reasoning re: a more partisan appropriation process leading to more bipartisanship? The logic of that statement eludes me.
For a certain type of self-identified Christian, claiming to be fighting on the side of God apparently means you're free to flout ethical principles to advance your cause. That's why those people have been so comfortable making Trump into a hero.
Can you imagine that you're a thoughtful Democratic congressman and you appear on a list as voting with that group of Republican know-nothings and clowns? OMG! Will that be great ammunition for your next primary opponent? Indeed, politics makes strange bedfellows. And, if you care about the future of our country, getting Trump is more important than getting re-elected.
The Trump administration is only 6 months old and has already had two major scandals with coverups: the Hegseth/Waltz Signal scandal; and now the Epstein files. Even most MAGAs didn't vote for this sort of incompetence and chicanery.
What's worse than the scandals is the long-term policy damage: turning our close allies into adversaries who are forming new alliances and trade networks without us, ceding the field in soft power to China, shrinking our scientific sector and pushing talent to more welcoming countries, etc.
Indeed. There is no firm proof; yet; that Trump is being controlled by Vladimir Putin. Some what more indications that Trump is a front for the real "deep state;" being the Heritage Foundation, Federalist Society, the religious right groups like Alliance Defending Freedom and Family Research Council; the right wing blogosphere like Fox, Newsmax, Salem Broadcasting, Sinclair Broadcasting; oligarchs, other entities. Because of his worsening dementia, what is clear is that Trump is not actually leading the country.
Everyone please make sure to read the final footnote on today's newsletter for a good laugh.
So , almost helplessly laughing, because I got to the final footnote- late, late in the day- and giggled then, switched to comments, and lost it utterly! Blessings, Joe.
If I can’t find a way to laugh through this crap, I’m lost forever.
How did I fucking miss this one lol
Russell Vought is the MAGA Mastermind that Elon only pretended to be. Indifferent to fame, impervious to criticism, He wasn't the least bothered by Trump's public renunciations of Project 2025 during the campaign: he was counting on that he'd be able to execute it when Trump won, regardless of what he said before. He's a cold-eyed true believer, Professor Moriarty in Trump's service. Stephen Miller is only the second-most dangerous acolyte in Trumpworld: Vought is way ahead of him.
Agreed. His pronouncement that the president decides how much of appropriated money gets spent---it's a *ceiling* not a floor---effectively creates a dictatorship.
And unlike many in Trumpworld, he's not spinning, and he's not cosplaying: he means every word. He has no doubt about his goals, and he's pursuing them with a determination that, in someone trying to do good instead of harm, would be admirable.
Worth repeating. Just because you hate someone, be honest in your analysis of their abilities.
And he probably believes that he is doing good.
I'm sure he does, but for a 'Christian', he sure is not the least bit Christ-like. He seems to enjoy peoples suffering, and he seems to want to punish the poor.
Vought = smug, smarmy ***hole. And that's the nicest thing I can say about him.
Trump is simply Vought's and Miller's tool. They run the government. They're finally getting to carry out their fantasies.
And also, according to Heather Cox Richardson, Eldridge Colby is running DoD.
Again the movement needs to remove their nefarious and treasonous asses.
Vought is the puppet master. But not many seem to know his name. Which is a large part of how he's been so deadly effective.
Like Leonard Leo, the fascist court stuffer.
Yep, both of them silent predators. Moving just under the surface.
We need to get #impeachvought and #removevought going harder.
If someone in civilized country said the things Vought said, he'd be fired that day and have to move away from his neighborhood and change his name.
Seriously. This is an evil piece of shit and civilized people who don't hate their neighbors don't put up with evil.
One thing that distinguishes him from his more flamboyant co-conspirators is that he seems to shun the limelight and avoid the "attention economy" of podcasts and the manosphere almost completely. Only insiders and policy wonks -- like Bulwark members -- even know who he is. And he's so nondescript in appearance (photographs pick up the thousand yard stare of those cold, serial killer eyes, but I bet most people look away instinctively in real life and don't register them) that he reminds me of the Grey Men, the undead assassins in Robert Jordan's legendarium, who are so unremarkable looking that they can walk through a crowd and kill, yet most people won't even see them. I bet he's the least likely major Trump figure to be turned away from a restaurant, because the staff won't recognize him.
He exudes malice under a thin veil of soft-spoken restraint. (Someone with a similar vibe is Brendan Carr.)
It is how he stays in the game. We need to get #impeachvought and #removevought going harder.
Totally agree, he needs a big spotlight on him. Slippery fanatic.
Totally agree, Al.
Vought is the real power behind the throne, mostly hidden, because he chooses to be. He is very dangerous, and he's frightening.
We need to get #impeachvought and #removevought going harder.
"And to the extent that we don’t produce CRs, it’s not individual bills that get signed into law. It’s omnibus bills that no one has read."
You mean like the reconciliation package team red just passed without reading? That kind of omnibus bill Russ?
After all, "You have to pass the bill to find out what's in it". Then you can do a Murkowski or a Hawley (regretting your vote, hoping the other chamber will do the responsible thing after you voted for the abomination, or request a reversal of several cuts you yourself voted for that got signed into law), well after you allowed the train to leave the station.
Or punch yourself in the face: https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/trump-says-he-was-surprised-biden (scroll down)
I'm good with the govt shutting down end of Sept. I understood why Schumer didn't last time; I even agreed with him. But at the time I thought - this is it. Next time, shut down the govt. This recission bill is yet another reason (like we needed more) that we need to shut it down if the republicans try to pass another bad budget/spending/whatever bill.
Bingo. The f@#$%&g republicans are going to shut it down anyway, one piece at a time, but always aimed at blue states and cities. Shutting down the whole thing brings the red counties along for the ride---it is, after all, what they voted for.
What is the difference between what is happening to our government now, and shutting it down. Under the Trump/Musk/Vought/Thune/Johnson Adminstration drugs do not get approved, fires don't get put out, weather is not getting predicted. science and medicine are not being funded, every country in the world hates us and feels we are out of control/ all of our competent generals were fired/ no money for education/ US employees here and all over the world are terminated with no notice and no informaton about benefits, how to get home, why they were terminated, or what will happen to the people they serve!
Why are any of us paying taxes -- to pay their salaries? pay for Trump to paint everything in the White House gold? to buy crypto?
Vought aspires to be the Nazis' accountant. He comes across as the type of person who abuses his family and pets, and tells them he's doing it for their own good.
I love your newsletter! Your writing style is a joy to read.
"Vought went further, claiming that a more partisan appropriations process will give rise to a new era of bipartisanship one day." What a crazy claim, like someone claiming they can eat their way to thinness--Eating 28 donuts, three Chicago-Style pizzas and 11 cheesesteaks a day might lead to initial weight gain, but that may be followed by significant weight loss. (Excellent FN work, as usual/reminds me to go back and watch Melissa McCarthy's great SNL skits as Sean Spicer doing the WH press briefing.)
More like taking someone to the woodshed repeatedly for a beating, and they will bend to your will when you have broken them. That’s Vought.
It's part of the Trumpist doctrine that the president needs unlimited powers if he's going to "restore" the constitutional republic.
How hard is it to start the really bad narrative right NOW?
There are two ways to pass bills, for funding/no funding, for simplicity in getting it out to the public, and Trump's OBBB, that will begin its effects after the 26 midterms and some now and others later than 26, if anyone actually believes midterms will happen, was done so they didn't need DEMOCRAT votes.
WHY?
The promises to not cut MEDICAID and SNAP and etc., etc., etc., were all campaign lies, NO MANDATE, so they wanted no problems, and the DEMOCRATS would have been a problem, for MAGA passing the bill, due to the devastation it will cause and exposure of the campaign lies to their pocketbooks, so they chose fast, hiding, lying, and midnight train to Hell voting.
Now, they want to gut more, or take more control at OMB/Executive, and need the DEMOCRATS that HAD NO SAY IN PASSING THE OBBB, so hang the noose, with enough rope, EARLY.
Get on every pod, show, SM and make the message simple. 2 ways, went the way of not giving democrats the ability to vote to save people's healthcare and much more, but now MAGA assholes need the damn democrats and VOUGHT can SUCK IT.
If MAGA fights this ask them who gave them the ACA, or as some dumb voters, who voted for Trump, were excited about Trump's decade worth of concepts, to replace OBAMACARE. DUH.
VOUGHT is a blood thirsty angry tube sock, buying in bulk, elf.
He needs more exposure anyway so he can have it.
GET THE MESSAGE OUT.
On item #2, the most ridiculous fkn thing, but MAGA sticks most shit to the flypaper, does anyone trust what would come from the DOJ/Executive now? Anyway to confirm the documents authenticity?
Lastly, DOGE hasn't been legally ruled a legally created agency yet, right?
If not, the Democrats ought to be thinking about the unenforceable nature of all things done by MUSK and what to do about it.
WHY?
Who can sign an enforceable document, to buy a couch, let alone shutter the entire government, lie about it, get our private information, F the SCOTUS, and so much irreparable harm done, while high as a MFing kite, when under the influence of heavy heavy drug use? This drug use is documented by Musk, himself, and Trump, and most likely many more.
I'd ask the same about RFK, Jr.'s ability to make enforceable decisions with the change of brain function/chemistry, as well researched and proven, after 15+ years of intravenous heroin use.
When HOGSBREATH screams and sweats, he needs an immediate breathalyzer, as he is in early withdrawal, so the same applies.
Just thoughts on damage, dollars, and derelicts.
This White House is incapable of calming the waters. And as for Vought he is partisan with every breath. We see what he has already done in just seven months. What everyone should be asking themselves is why should you pay federal taxes? For what? After they have terminated departments, programs, services, fired hundreds of thousands, they have essentially shut down anyway! So what are you paying taxes for? And don’t even get me started on tariff taxes. Where do you think your tariff tax goes for things you buy — right into the US general account, fungible with all other money there!
Joe, Thanks for the reporting of the continuing shenanigans of the Republicans in Congress. Russell Vought says it like one of the authors of Project 2025 would say it. They want to fund the government for a very select group of Americans. Let me guess, wealthy, white ones. Hence, the only money they want to spend is for Defense, Immigration control and more subsidies for rich people's businesses. Oh, did I forget Judges? They don't mind spending a little on them. At the end of the day, ordinary folks voted for these people to represent them. As the old saying goes, "you get what you payed for" Some Americans payed for nothing and that's exactly what they are going to get. What should Democrats do? I believe we should educate the electorate on these matters. If a shutdown will accomplish this, then shut it down.
There are few people who are both smart and evil. Unfortunately for us all, Vought is one of them. If we have a saving grace, it's his evil outweighs his smarts and so he still does some braindead things as a result
Joe, can you explain Vought’s reasoning re: a more partisan appropriation process leading to more bipartisanship? The logic of that statement eludes me.
Russ meant to say, "I am a Christian nationalist who will say anything to advance my cause.
And you need to maintain decorum".
For a certain type of self-identified Christian, claiming to be fighting on the side of God apparently means you're free to flout ethical principles to advance your cause. That's why those people have been so comfortable making Trump into a hero.
Can you imagine that you're a thoughtful Democratic congressman and you appear on a list as voting with that group of Republican know-nothings and clowns? OMG! Will that be great ammunition for your next primary opponent? Indeed, politics makes strange bedfellows. And, if you care about the future of our country, getting Trump is more important than getting re-elected.
Will dems fold? Does the sun rise in the east?
The Trump administration is only 6 months old and has already had two major scandals with coverups: the Hegseth/Waltz Signal scandal; and now the Epstein files. Even most MAGAs didn't vote for this sort of incompetence and chicanery.
What's worse than the scandals is the long-term policy damage: turning our close allies into adversaries who are forming new alliances and trade networks without us, ceding the field in soft power to China, shrinking our scientific sector and pushing talent to more welcoming countries, etc.
Indeed. There is no firm proof; yet; that Trump is being controlled by Vladimir Putin. Some what more indications that Trump is a front for the real "deep state;" being the Heritage Foundation, Federalist Society, the religious right groups like Alliance Defending Freedom and Family Research Council; the right wing blogosphere like Fox, Newsmax, Salem Broadcasting, Sinclair Broadcasting; oligarchs, other entities. Because of his worsening dementia, what is clear is that Trump is not actually leading the country.