Mona. Jimmy Kimmel did NOT make “a tasteless joke about Charlie Kirk’s death.” That is not what happened and twisting the narrative like that is not helpful.
Thank you Mona for giving us this consolidated list of the weaponization of the DOJ, and the whole of the government against the famous and the ordinary, for the "crime" if displeasing the President and MAGA.
I try to point the inattentive among my friends and family, to these types of pieces to bring them up to speed when I discover how little they know or appreciate regarding this. This abuse of gov't power for political and legal [attack, protection] of [enemies, friends], along with the mountainous and brazzen corruption, are the two most destructive developments in public governance. No "good or bad" policy here, just destruction if the virtues of public service and trust.
Trump has always projected his own attitudes, acts, and intentions on others. His nickname should be “Bell & Howell”. While paying retainers to the insurrectionists to keep them handy as his own personal goon squad, the most valuable thing about this “settlement” for him personally is this freedom from IRS audits for him, his family, and their businesses.
Thank you for another excellent piece, Mona! Trump's "anti-weaponization fund" is indeed upside down and represents a total inversion of reality. It reminds me of Trump 1.0, when we first heard the term "alternate facts." That served as an early warning that when Trump is President, the concept of truth is always in danger. Nothing good, right, or just will come of it. I too, have noticed Trump's proclivity toward projection. I appreciate that your post connects both of these ideas in convincing fashion.
The Biden/Garland DOJ was the exact opposite of a weaponized political vengeance operation. They went to such lengths to avoid taking any steps at holding Trump accountable that their reluctance and delay may prove to have cost us our democracy.
And what did all their caution and reluctance get them for the efforts? They still got painted as an engine of unjust political weaponization of government all the same, bc the actual truth of these claims and cries about weaponization has never mattered because it’s never been the point or the reason why those claims are made in the first place. They are made to help MAGA aligned criminals evade accountability and lay the groundwork for the actual weaponization of government against their political opponents once they returned to power, and Biden/Garland proceeded to play themselves and the rest of us right into it with their failure to see this all for what it was and act accordingly.
Every point made by Ms. Charen should be included as a specification in a bill of impeachment that names as criminal co-conspirators the leaders appointed to the DoJ (now the Department of Injustice), ICE, and the U.S. CPB.
Thank you for laying this out so clearly. My head spins at how successful Trump's strategy of projection is. Accuse others of the misdeeds you will soon commit, and the public just thinks (at best) 'well everybody does it'.
Please create a Bulwark version of The Lincoln Project that makes videos, 60 Minutes style, that investigate and counter all the lies and gaslighting. ProPublica would be a good partner for this. This has great fundraising potential.
I find it so ironic that the fund is $1.776 billion.
Everything about this asshole is the antithesis of what America stands for. This slush fund is for a bunch of fucking losers who tried to overthrow our government. Using a “patriotic” number doesn’t make it cool.
As an aside, how have we let the far right claim patriotism? There’s few things less patriotic than supporting an authoritarian as he tries to destroy everything that once made America the beacon on the hill. The true patriots are the ones raising the alarm as our once-great country tumbles into authoritarianism. It’s time for us to reclaim what patriotism is.
“Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel”- Samuel Johnson, 1775. Trump wraps himself ostentatiously in the flag so his fans won’t notice he’s stealing them blind.
There should be a resolution to impeach acting AG Blanche. Make Republicans defend his slush fund. Some of these lame duck republicans Trump backstabbed might sign-on. Any member of the House can force a resolution to the floor, even if the speaker doesn't want it considered. The entire House would have to vote on whether to proceed or table it. I really don’t see the downside in doing this. This fund isn't popular, to put it mildly, in fact it’s poisonous. And maybe more people in America need to hear about it and what it entails. There’s a thin majority in the House. WORTH A FRIGGIN TRY. CHECK THIS CORRUPT ADMINISTRATION NOW.
Yeah one of the painful things is to hear people pretend like there was weaponization during the Biden years. Merrick Garland was a lot of things (feckless at times, reactive, sluggish) but he was not partisan. His Justice Department prosecuted the likes of:
Hunter Biden
Henry Cuellar
Eric Adams
Bob Menendez
And many other staffers to prominent Dems…
It was the opposite of weaponization. Trump and his followers almost always got off too easy. Even the judges were flabbergasted at the jail sentence recommendations for J6 criminals stating the prosecutor recommendations were too short.
Mona. Jimmy Kimmel did NOT make “a tasteless joke about Charlie Kirk’s death.” That is not what happened and twisting the narrative like that is not helpful.
Thank you Mona for giving us this consolidated list of the weaponization of the DOJ, and the whole of the government against the famous and the ordinary, for the "crime" if displeasing the President and MAGA.
I try to point the inattentive among my friends and family, to these types of pieces to bring them up to speed when I discover how little they know or appreciate regarding this. This abuse of gov't power for political and legal [attack, protection] of [enemies, friends], along with the mountainous and brazzen corruption, are the two most destructive developments in public governance. No "good or bad" policy here, just destruction if the virtues of public service and trust.
Trump has always projected his own attitudes, acts, and intentions on others. His nickname should be “Bell & Howell”. While paying retainers to the insurrectionists to keep them handy as his own personal goon squad, the most valuable thing about this “settlement” for him personally is this freedom from IRS audits for him, his family, and their businesses.
Thank you for another excellent piece, Mona! Trump's "anti-weaponization fund" is indeed upside down and represents a total inversion of reality. It reminds me of Trump 1.0, when we first heard the term "alternate facts." That served as an early warning that when Trump is President, the concept of truth is always in danger. Nothing good, right, or just will come of it. I too, have noticed Trump's proclivity toward projection. I appreciate that your post connects both of these ideas in convincing fashion.
This nation is going to need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission after this orange abomination leaves the scene. If not de-Trumpification trials.
The Biden/Garland DOJ was the exact opposite of a weaponized political vengeance operation. They went to such lengths to avoid taking any steps at holding Trump accountable that their reluctance and delay may prove to have cost us our democracy.
And what did all their caution and reluctance get them for the efforts? They still got painted as an engine of unjust political weaponization of government all the same, bc the actual truth of these claims and cries about weaponization has never mattered because it’s never been the point or the reason why those claims are made in the first place. They are made to help MAGA aligned criminals evade accountability and lay the groundwork for the actual weaponization of government against their political opponents once they returned to power, and Biden/Garland proceeded to play themselves and the rest of us right into it with their failure to see this all for what it was and act accordingly.
Every point made by Ms. Charen should be included as a specification in a bill of impeachment that names as criminal co-conspirators the leaders appointed to the DoJ (now the Department of Injustice), ICE, and the U.S. CPB.
Thank you for laying this out so clearly. My head spins at how successful Trump's strategy of projection is. Accuse others of the misdeeds you will soon commit, and the public just thinks (at best) 'well everybody does it'.
Anticipatory whataboutism.
Trumpers do it all the time as well.
Trump is a knee-jerk DARVO fanboi. It's his entire response to EVERYTHING.
Hear, hear
Please create a Bulwark version of The Lincoln Project that makes videos, 60 Minutes style, that investigate and counter all the lies and gaslighting. ProPublica would be a good partner for this. This has great fundraising potential.
I find it so ironic that the fund is $1.776 billion.
Everything about this asshole is the antithesis of what America stands for. This slush fund is for a bunch of fucking losers who tried to overthrow our government. Using a “patriotic” number doesn’t make it cool.
As an aside, how have we let the far right claim patriotism? There’s few things less patriotic than supporting an authoritarian as he tries to destroy everything that once made America the beacon on the hill. The true patriots are the ones raising the alarm as our once-great country tumbles into authoritarianism. It’s time for us to reclaim what patriotism is.
“Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel”- Samuel Johnson, 1775. Trump wraps himself ostentatiously in the flag so his fans won’t notice he’s stealing them blind.
There should be a resolution to impeach acting AG Blanche. Make Republicans defend his slush fund. Some of these lame duck republicans Trump backstabbed might sign-on. Any member of the House can force a resolution to the floor, even if the speaker doesn't want it considered. The entire House would have to vote on whether to proceed or table it. I really don’t see the downside in doing this. This fund isn't popular, to put it mildly, in fact it’s poisonous. And maybe more people in America need to hear about it and what it entails. There’s a thin majority in the House. WORTH A FRIGGIN TRY. CHECK THIS CORRUPT ADMINISTRATION NOW.
re: Letitia James, former New York attorney general
I believe she is the current New York attorney general
https://ag.ny.gov/
Yeah one of the painful things is to hear people pretend like there was weaponization during the Biden years. Merrick Garland was a lot of things (feckless at times, reactive, sluggish) but he was not partisan. His Justice Department prosecuted the likes of:
Hunter Biden
Henry Cuellar
Eric Adams
Bob Menendez
And many other staffers to prominent Dems…
It was the opposite of weaponization. Trump and his followers almost always got off too easy. Even the judges were flabbergasted at the jail sentence recommendations for J6 criminals stating the prosecutor recommendations were too short.
2024 was a vote for 1984.
Beyond disgusting.