It is essential to understand one thing, an over-arching fact of current life in these United States that transcends all other considerations: there is, now, only one branch of government, the Executive Branch, under the control of a deranged leader.
The Congress and the Judiciary are now subservient: a supine Congress unwilling or unable to exercise its Constitutional duties and prerogatives, and a Judiciary, headed by the 'Supreme' Court, that has handed to the Executive free rein to do exactly as it wishes.
Joe, thanks for asking our esteemed members about their jobs.
I’ve never seen, nor fathomed, such a complete abdication of constitutional duty and honor. Trying to press accountability on the GOP is even more infuriating. Referencing JVL’s post the other day, this is how unrest and revolutions happen.
I know many will not agree with me, but frankly, this is why I have never been in favor of a total ban on guns. Reasonalby restrictions, yes, but an armed citizenry is the last defense against tyranny.
Dudley, you're right, logical and reasonable. But is current indiscriminate gun ownership representative of "a well regulated militia," per the Constitution? It seems more like an unregulated free-for-all with no restrictions on any kind of weaponry, including attack weapons designed for all-out war. Tell me I'm wrong. I try to learn from my misteaks.
Although I don't comment a lot here, just want to comment now to say this is (one of) the best reporting about Congress anywhere. There are outlets that report more frequently, but most do not get to the gist of the subject as well as Joe. Thanks
I fear this is about putting the media in control of Trump's allies. I'm betting it isn't Mark Cuban who Trump is holding off enforcing this deal for. If an imminent deal involving anyone left of center was the one in the offing, there is 0% chance that Trump would be holding off on enforcing the law. I think this is an even bigger factor than any possible graft.
Reldas - yas yas yas, this reminds us how such senators gave wide latitude to Biden to achieve results. Strong commitment to respecting executive prerogative, totally consistent. 🤬
No, the law is what our least esteemed Attorney General, Pam Bondi, says it isn't. She is way ahead of Trump in protecting criminals instead of prosecuting them. She is telling her DOJ lawyers to lie to the courts, to deny that laws matter, and to make sure no one gets charged unless they are unsympathetic to The MAGA way. Corrupt to the core.
I'm surprised that Democrats aren't pushing this in the courts. Sure it is popular with young people - but do you think any deal that Trump makes is going to result in anyone but a Trump supporter taking ownership of one more media outlet? This is the Orban model - putting all the media into the hands of your allies. They openly admire what Orban has done do we really not think the end result of Trump getting a deal done is going to be anything but helping further cement MAGA control of the media? We are just sitting here doing nothing while we watch it happen, its depressingly stupid. #HaplessDems
These writers are reaching. There should be no question that Trump will only let Tik Tok be bought by a GOP support group.
You might remember - the crook Steve Mnuchin expressed interest. He did arrange for all the PPP money for all Trump's friends last time - Kanye, Hern, Mike Kelly, Kushner family, Yellow Freight
Larry - “it takes time for complicated deals” - i.e. to arrange sufficiently complex financial tentacles to disguise the flow of cash & influence between Xi, Trump & cronies, and US app users
Congress has already been proven irrelevant to the operation of the unitary Executive. Checks? Balances? They no longer exist, just ask SCOTUS. Project 2025 - the gift that keeps on giving.
Teeth to be pulled. A lot of people in rural America have poor dentition due to difficulties accessing dental care. Once your teeth are gone you're not eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables or even whole grains, you're eating mushy foods that are less nutrient dense. And this contributes to diseases like hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, etc etc. This is another direct assault on poor people, making their lives and life expectancy worse.
This isn’t governance. This is fascism in flip-flops: transactional, petty, performative, and utterly lawless.
Trump’s TikTok ban? A joke. Passed by Congress, signed into law, upheld by the Supreme Court, and still, the man-child king decides, nah. He thinks the “rule of law” means “whatever I feel like today,” and Congress, true to form, is just sitting there blinking like they forgot what separation of powers even means.
And why? TikTok helps him connect with young voters and donors. The law only matters when it can be used to punish the powerless. MAGA doesn’t govern; it grifts.
Meanwhile, RFK Jr. is trying to take fluoride out of the water while owning a $4.4 million Georgetown mansion. Milo’s collecting foreign influence money like it’s Pokémon. And ICE is abducting brown people with tattoos because “vibes.”
We’re not just post-truth. We are post-constitution. And the only rule left is who dares, wins, unless we start fighting like we actually give a damn.
We are absolutely losing the Digital Insurgency. ENGAGEMENT is imperative!
It is essential to understand one thing, an over-arching fact of current life in these United States that transcends all other considerations: there is, now, only one branch of government, the Executive Branch, under the control of a deranged leader.
The Congress and the Judiciary are now subservient: a supine Congress unwilling or unable to exercise its Constitutional duties and prerogatives, and a Judiciary, headed by the 'Supreme' Court, that has handed to the Executive free rein to do exactly as it wishes.
End of subject. So sorry.
Joe, thanks for asking our esteemed members about their jobs.
I’ve never seen, nor fathomed, such a complete abdication of constitutional duty and honor. Trying to press accountability on the GOP is even more infuriating. Referencing JVL’s post the other day, this is how unrest and revolutions happen.
I'm actually John, not Joe. You'll have to take it up with my parents, both now no longer with us.
I think he was addressing his remark to Perticone.
I know many will not agree with me, but frankly, this is why I have never been in favor of a total ban on guns. Reasonalby restrictions, yes, but an armed citizenry is the last defense against tyranny.
Dudley, you're right, logical and reasonable. But is current indiscriminate gun ownership representative of "a well regulated militia," per the Constitution? It seems more like an unregulated free-for-all with no restrictions on any kind of weaponry, including attack weapons designed for all-out war. Tell me I'm wrong. I try to learn from my misteaks.
Yeah, Mr. P.
But I’ll also take it up with your folks. 😂
Although I don't comment a lot here, just want to comment now to say this is (one of) the best reporting about Congress anywhere. There are outlets that report more frequently, but most do not get to the gist of the subject as well as Joe. Thanks
TikTok, FARA … it’s all about grift and graft and the Trump protection racket. What’s his cut, I wonder … besides contributions to his “causes.”
I fear this is about putting the media in control of Trump's allies. I'm betting it isn't Mark Cuban who Trump is holding off enforcing this deal for. If an imminent deal involving anyone left of center was the one in the offing, there is 0% chance that Trump would be holding off on enforcing the law. I think this is an even bigger factor than any possible graft.
I think you may be correct: Own the media and you can stifle any criticism - Hiya, Jeff Bezos! - and then get on with the main business … of graft.
"Well the executive branch is the one who enforces the law, so I’m focused on the result more than anything else"
Bless his heart. My Senator is not the brightest crayon in the box, but he knows the separation of powers!
Reldas - yas yas yas, this reminds us how such senators gave wide latitude to Biden to achieve results. Strong commitment to respecting executive prerogative, totally consistent. 🤬
No, the law is what our least esteemed Attorney General, Pam Bondi, says it isn't. She is way ahead of Trump in protecting criminals instead of prosecuting them. She is telling her DOJ lawyers to lie to the courts, to deny that laws matter, and to make sure no one gets charged unless they are unsympathetic to The MAGA way. Corrupt to the core.
I'm surprised that Democrats aren't pushing this in the courts. Sure it is popular with young people - but do you think any deal that Trump makes is going to result in anyone but a Trump supporter taking ownership of one more media outlet? This is the Orban model - putting all the media into the hands of your allies. They openly admire what Orban has done do we really not think the end result of Trump getting a deal done is going to be anything but helping further cement MAGA control of the media? We are just sitting here doing nothing while we watch it happen, its depressingly stupid. #HaplessDems
Many young people were already switching to another Chinese video platform. They really would only miss TikTok for about seven hours.
Too many things to show outrage over.
The ban was in our hearts the whole time…
The men with morals are hiding in shame these days while the shameless walk proud and exposed.
Sadly that question could now be asked of any law. What is the rule of law worth under a gangster government?
These writers are reaching. There should be no question that Trump will only let Tik Tok be bought by a GOP support group.
You might remember - the crook Steve Mnuchin expressed interest. He did arrange for all the PPP money for all Trump's friends last time - Kanye, Hern, Mike Kelly, Kushner family, Yellow Freight
Larry - “it takes time for complicated deals” - i.e. to arrange sufficiently complex financial tentacles to disguise the flow of cash & influence between Xi, Trump & cronies, and US app users
Congress has already been proven irrelevant to the operation of the unitary Executive. Checks? Balances? They no longer exist, just ask SCOTUS. Project 2025 - the gift that keeps on giving.
The GRIFT that keeps on GRIFTING
Here's what really surprises me. Why do people even obey Trump when he has absolutely zero legal authority. Boggles the mind.
I wonder if not stopping fluoride in water was one of the "assurances" that Cassidy got when he voted to confirm Kennedy?
Ah - “It would be good for the dental profession,” Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) said in November. “A lot more cavities to fill.”
Isn't that the Rethuglican ethos in a nutshell... The hell with everybody else as long as it's good for ME...
Teeth to be pulled. A lot of people in rural America have poor dentition due to difficulties accessing dental care. Once your teeth are gone you're not eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables or even whole grains, you're eating mushy foods that are less nutrient dense. And this contributes to diseases like hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, etc etc. This is another direct assault on poor people, making their lives and life expectancy worse.
I had thought he was being sarcastic, not supporting the idea. No?
Perhaps, but I give those folks absolutely no benefit of the doubt... he should have added a "JK" like my kids do... :)
This isn’t governance. This is fascism in flip-flops: transactional, petty, performative, and utterly lawless.
Trump’s TikTok ban? A joke. Passed by Congress, signed into law, upheld by the Supreme Court, and still, the man-child king decides, nah. He thinks the “rule of law” means “whatever I feel like today,” and Congress, true to form, is just sitting there blinking like they forgot what separation of powers even means.
And why? TikTok helps him connect with young voters and donors. The law only matters when it can be used to punish the powerless. MAGA doesn’t govern; it grifts.
Meanwhile, RFK Jr. is trying to take fluoride out of the water while owning a $4.4 million Georgetown mansion. Milo’s collecting foreign influence money like it’s Pokémon. And ICE is abducting brown people with tattoos because “vibes.”
We’re not just post-truth. We are post-constitution. And the only rule left is who dares, wins, unless we start fighting like we actually give a damn.
We are absolutely losing the Digital Insurgency. ENGAGEMENT is imperative!