- I don’t think he can do it without Congress
- Both Republicans and Democrats didn’t support it
- It only helps people who are working, not the large amount of unemployed people
- It would accelerate the financial problem timetable for Social Security since the payroll tax is how it’s funded
Category: Trump authoritarian
Trump’s authoritarian move in Portland
This is scary.
"Why in the hell is this not a bigger story? You’d have to be out of your mind or comatose since the Fall of 2016 not to suspect that this could be a dry run for the kind of general urban mobilization" https://t.co/NLCCQ6eJv1
— Lidia Yuknavitch (@LidiaYuknavitch) July 17, 2020
This behavior from unidentified federal officers is chilling. Without identification, there can be no accountability when something goes wrong, and there is no way for citizens to tell the difference between real and fake law enforcement. https://t.co/mzK4VmtvzN
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) July 17, 2020
I wrote a deep dive on the Portland paradox: Progressive City, Brutal Police https://t.co/I3NA1VdEsF
— Tim Dickinson (@7im) July 17, 2020
The Trump team take on what’s been happening in Portland is a decidedly fascist document, excoriating state and local officials and advancing the conceit that everyone encountered by federal law enforcement is a “violent anarchist.” https://t.co/0QClSp8a1k
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) July 17, 2020
This political theater from President Trump has nothing to do with public safety. The President is failing to lead this nation. Now he is deploying federal officers to patrol the streets of Portland in a blatant abuse of power by the federal government. https://t.co/PdlZkmW0mQ
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) July 16, 2020
Usually when we see people in unmarked cars forcibly grab someone off the street we call it kidnapping — what is happening now in Portland should concern everyone in the US.
— ACLU (@ACLU) July 17, 2020
These actions are flat-out unconstitutional and will not go unanswered. https://t.co/1zS6u05GOK
🚨 This is not good at all. Secret police on our streets.https://t.co/7xz8SWQtwj
— Jennifer Taub (@jentaub) July 17, 2020
Trump’s spending on the wall was unlawful
BREAKING: A federal appeals court rules Friday the Trump admin. does not have the authority to use military funding to pay for construction of a border wall. https://t.co/0PaLmkcre4
— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 26, 2020
Breaking: Trump admin does not have authority to divert Pentagon funds to construct additional barriers on US-Mexico border, a federal appeals court ruled, days after Trump’s visit to the wall.
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) June 26, 2020
In 2-1 ruling, Ninth Circuit said the $2.5 billion transfer circumvented Congress.
BREAKING: A federal appeals court ruled in our case that President Trump’s attempt to transfer billions of dollars in military pay and pension funds for border wall construction is unlawful.
— ACLU (@ACLU) June 26, 2020
Trump’s authoritarianism in courts
Here’s my @PostOpinions essay with @jgeltzer, @neal_katyal, and @jentaub. I’m proud to be joined by so illustrious a trio as President Trump moves ever closer to authoritarian positions in the U.S. federal courts as well as on America’s streets https://t.co/4uaLngxAxd.
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) June 4, 2020
Trump threatens the use of military force; peaceful protesters are tear gassed
I don’t watch Trump speak but it sounds like he said nothing about the basis of the protests – police murders of African-Americans. There’s no reason for the protesters to stop until something is being done.
I don’t support vandalism and looting. I totally support the peaceful protests. You can make an argument that peaceful protests don’t work. Look where they got Colin Kaepernick – unemployed. Kaepernick was right then and Trump’s talk and actions have only validated his concerns.
So Trump just essentially said he was going to use the military to suppress the first amendment while encouraging his supporters to exercise the second amendment. Terrifying. This is the moment I’ve expected since J20 2017.
— baynardwoods (@baynardwoods) June 1, 2020
Police used tear gas and flash bangs to clear out peaceful protesters so Trump could have a photo op at St. John’s Church. Just amazing.
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) June 1, 2020
There is absolutely no doubt that what the @POTUS just said, and the images of the military police in moving on a peaceful crowd, will further inflame an already dangerous situation.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) June 1, 2020
This was a peaceful protest. And they are using tear gas. In the United States. In front of the White House.
— Jackie Kucinich (@JFKucinich) June 1, 2020
Were thousands of peaceful protestors just tear gassed so Trump could have a photo op? https://t.co/YZVC5oXXYM
— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) June 1, 2020
Wtf. Fucktard is on tv spouting bullshit in the rose garden while he deploys federal police and military on a peaceful crowd! Made for tv moment. No questions for the law and order instigater in chief. He is declaring war on protest. This is going to be bad!#WarOnProtesters
— DreadMD (@originaldreadmd) June 1, 2020
Every fucking Democrat who voted to give Trump a humongous military budget, while claiming that he’s dangerous for the photo ops, bears some responsibility https://t.co/uirmYbW4uI
— Sarah Lazare (@sarahlazare) June 1, 2020
Newspaper editors have a choice: They don't have to use the photo that President used tear gas on his citizens to generate.
— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) June 1, 2020
.@Acosta is reporting that the massive show of force (tear gas, etc.) against peaceful protestors across from the White House was to allow Trump to have a photo op at historic St. John’s church. Astonishing provocation – all for a photo op.
— Paul Begala (@PaulBegala) June 1, 2020
The President had peaceful protesters shot with tear gas and rubber bullets so he could get his picture taken.
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) June 1, 2020
Trump gives notice that he is firing another Inspector General
Sen. Chuck Grassley says of the firing of the State Department inspector general: “As I’ve said before, Congress requires written reasons justifying an IG’s removal. A general lack of confidence simply is not sufficient detail to satisfy Congress.”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 16, 2020
Senator Johnson is the committee chair responsible for protecting the inspector general program. Last night, President Trump retaliated against yet another inspector general. What does Senator Johnson do about it? Thank the president for praising him. https://t.co/1rKSKTsi0I
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) May 16, 2020
On the firing of State Department inspector general Steve Linick, a White House official says, "Secretary Pompeo recommended the move, and President Trump agreed.”
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) May 16, 2020
This is relevant because officials say Linick had begun an investigation into possible misconduct by Pompeo.
Inbox: Sen. Menendez and Rep. Engel have launched an investigation into Trump's firing of State Dept. Inspector General Steve Linick.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 16, 2020
Writing to the W.H., State, and State OIG, the lawmakers request officials preserve all records related to the firing and turn over by May 22.
The president notified Congress he will remove State Dept Inspector General and now Congressional Democrats say they are launching an investigation of the firing of Steve Linick pic.twitter.com/KQQqhFOGyU
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) May 16, 2020
State Department inspector general fired as Democrats decry ‘dangerous pattern of retaliation’ https://t.co/X15dNMsiEa
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) May 16, 2020
More: The IG was investigating possible misuse of a political appointee at the State Department to perform personal tasks for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his wife, a Democratic congressional aide tells me.
— Zachary Cohen (@ZcohenCNN) May 16, 2020
.@RepEliotEngel says that the State Department IG, who was fired tonight, had recently opened an investigation into Pompeo. A Democratic aide says he was looking at Pompeo’s misuse of a political appointee at State to perform personal tasks for himself and his wife. pic.twitter.com/RqtEbV8uxH
— Rebecca Kaplan (@RebeccaRKaplan) May 16, 2020
Pelosi: “This firing will set back the important work of the Office of the Inspector General to perform critical audits, investigations and inspections of U.S. embassies and programs around the world during this crisis,” telling him to cease “pattern of reprisal and retaliation”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 16, 2020
It's worth remembering that while the House has been working to give more protection to IGs, Grassley recently declared that IGs are protected well enough. How well does it feel like that's working out for us right about now with another IG on the chopping block? Thanks Grassley. https://t.co/MWelu0w81Q
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) May 16, 2020
A word of caution to reporters covering the news of State Department's inspector general: The law requires Trump to give Congress 30 days notice BEFORE firing him. Unless Trump has violated that law, what Trump did was give 30-days notice of an intent to fire the IG. /1
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) May 16, 2020
another Inspector General has been fired by @realDonaldTrump … must be a Friday night in America … no watchdogs, no oversight, no check-and-balance, democracy is dying right in front of eyes. Only chance to save it is to make a change in November! https://t.co/OX3WsAJq2q
— Kurt Bardella (@kurtbardella) May 16, 2020
Another Inspector General fired by Trump in the dead of night.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) May 16, 2020
Another apparent act of retaliation and cover up.
To shield a loyal cabinet secretary from oversight and accountability.
And undermine the rule of law.
This surfeit of corruption must end. And soon. https://t.co/fpH28bcjWu
If you went to bed early 🙋🏼♂️ you missed another dismissal of another independent government watchdog. This time, it's State Department Inspector General Steve Linick…https://t.co/oUirsklEma
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 16, 2020
Another Friday night, another inspector general ousted by Trump as he seeks to purge the government of independent figures and enforce loyalty to himself. This time it's the State IG said to be investigating Pompeo. @shearm @maggieNYT https://t.co/WM923AqC6T
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) May 16, 2020
State Department fires its inspector general tonite. Ouster came moments after House Democrats passed their Heroes Act, which would make it harder for administration to terminate IGs https://t.co/b8uR09ZN7J pic.twitter.com/ja41Z54xS7
— Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) May 16, 2020
Can't we use, like, super computers or something to divine some kind of pattern in the president's actions? https://t.co/hUrtZLr2b3
— Ron Charles (@RonCharles) May 16, 2020
Trump continues to lie about the Voice of America (VOA)
Another authoritarian move by Trump
According to two people familiar with what Potus said at the senate lunch, he: – Said that VOA should be called "voice of the Soviet Union."
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) May 19, 2020
– praised Ric Grenell and said Ratcliffe told Trump, "i might not do as well." 1/2
Trump now slagging Voice. of America in a way that I simply cannot imagine as a young man who grew up as a Republican during the Cold War. As I so often say, Yuri Andropov is in hell thinking that the Soviet Union gave up just a few years too early.
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) May 15, 2020
"They're not the voice of America, they're the opposite of the voice of America," Trump says, calling VOA "terrible." But POTUS declines to say whether he's sticking with Michael Pack, his nominee, after reports that he is under investigation by the D.C. U.S. Attorney's Office.
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) May 15, 2020
A nonprofit run by Trump’s nominee to oversee Voice of America and other news outlets is under investigation by DC’s attorney general, @seungminkim reports https://t.co/XtUDbiDdsU
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) May 14, 2020
NEW: Trump pushes GOP senators to confirm Michael Pack, a Steve Bannon ally, as head of US global media agency. Dems question his financial transactions. Employees at @VOANews & other outlets fear loss of journalistic independence. w/ @CatieEdmondson. https://t.co/DumdGo16de
— Edward Wong (@ewong) May 8, 2020
Politico's @SchreckReports goes deep on Trump v. VOA https://t.co/QgMpwKcVXu
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) April 22, 2020
Trump, calling for the confirmation of an appointee to the Broadcasting Board of Governors, says Voice of America's coverage is "disgusting." He adds, "The things they say are disgusting toward our country."
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) April 15, 2020
VOA deserves better. https://t.co/Vw3X1Scq2M
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) April 15, 2020
The CDC's media relations office was told to "refuse media requests from 'anyone associated with Voice of America,' citing White House tweets accusing VOA of spreading Chinese propaganda." Read VOA director @abennett's reaction 👇🏼 https://t.co/ulkyWaUcBc
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 14, 2020
Trump calls the press “The Enemy of the People”
The phrase came from Henrik Ibsen’s 1882 play An Enemy of the People. I am a big admirer of Ibsen’s plays but don’t think this one of his best. My favorites are The Wild Duck (1884) and Hedda Gabler (1890).
These are the leaders in history who used the phrase "the enemy of the people":
— Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) April 27, 2020
Stalin
Hitler
Mao
Chavez
Mugabe
Trump
It was too extreme for the later Soviets. In 1956, Khrushchev retired the term, saying it was just aimed at annihilating those who disagreed with Stalin. https://t.co/c9RWbNhMmK
Dear @realDonaldTrump: Can you please focus on the pandemic? The enemy of the people is #COVIDー19. Over 56,000 Americans have died from the virus. We still need much more testing and PPE. That’s not fake news, that’s reality. https://t.co/i4c9yko1dY
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 27, 2020
Trump’s war on blue states
Trump attacks blue states that didn’t vote for him but they are doing much better economically than states that support him.
A remarkable new study from @BrookingsInst shows that Red and Blue America are diverging economically way faster than you thought.
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) September 19, 2019
This is fertile ground for Trump's dual demagoguery: His combo of industrial virtue-signaling and hating on urban America:https://t.co/bIaWhB5Pjf
More dramatic evidence that the modern GOP, defined in hostility to social & demographic change, is being marginalized in the dynamic metros driving the economy: in 08, GOP House districts had greater median income than D seats. Now Dem seats have 8k more in $ than R seats. Wow. https://t.co/LyOCXVeYRb
— Ronald Brownstein (@RonBrownstein) September 19, 2019
Trump's push to revoke #californiawaiver on #climatechange follows his pattern on taxes, immigration, education, clean water: he's pursuing a "reverse federalism" to constrain and/or punish blue states. My take. https://t.co/Ob4HLjHV2T
— Ronald Brownstein (@RonBrownstein) September 19, 2019
New York is the latest blue state targeted by President Trump | Analysis https://t.co/up7zXxFU9r pic.twitter.com/7eU3Qp6Vcs
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 6, 2020
We must see the whistleblower’s complaint
It appears that the Trump administration is violating the law by not turning it over to Congress. Apparently, Trump wanted the Ukraine to investigate Biden’s son in return for military aid. How much corruption does Pelosi need to see. Impeachment was already justified and this just adds to its validity. As usual, Republicans try to confuse the issue. They will let Trump get away with anything as long as he appoints conservative judges.
Breaking News: President Trump’s desire for Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his family is said to be part of the secret whistle-blower complainthttps://t.co/4CmqwICl5B
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 20, 2019
The Trump Admin is clearly violating federal statute by blocking the head of US Intelligence from providing Congress with a whistleblower complaint described as being of "urgent concern & credible.” The stonewalling must end. What is the President hiding? https://t.co/Yg0LqT5HMd
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 20, 2019
— Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) September 20, 2019
We confirm WSJ report that Trump pressed Ukrainian leader to investigate Biden’s son, and reveal WH Counsel Pat Cipollone's role in preventing whistleblower complaint from being sent to Congress. @gregpmiller @mattzap @carolleonnig and me https://t.co/2P4fnQQFXM
— Ellen Nakashima (@nakashimae) September 20, 2019
In fact, that July 25 conversation took place ONE DAY after Robert Mueller’s public testimony on Capitol Hill about the Russia investigation. https://t.co/J6JpTSMD02
— Mark Murray (@mmurraypolitics) September 20, 2019
Traitorous. Utterly traitorous. We have a president who is a traitor. https://t.co/ucMOYKIWUu
— Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) September 20, 2019
Why is this classified information?@realDonaldTrump demanding a foreign leader 8 times to get dirt on Trump's political opponent's son during a presidential campaign is not a classified issue, it's a crime. Cannot solicit anything of value from a foreign power to help campaign. https://t.co/cVGdmUubu6
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) September 20, 2019
This is very good from former DNI general counsel Bob Litt. https://t.co/Evu4CkTSNI
— Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) September 20, 2019
For those considering whether the whistle blower complaint relates to Trump-Giuliani pressure on Ukraine to create false dirt on Biden…
— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) September 19, 2019
This is a great backgrounder
cc: @lrozen @gtconway3d @TheViewFromLL2 @brianbeutler @EricColumbus @sam_vinogradhttps://t.co/fPZCjdQXMA
FYI: Administration officials have shared at least some details of the accusations in the whistleblower complaint with the White House, to allow officials to weigh whether to assert executive privilege, an official tells NYT. https://t.co/H5RUvnG4GZ
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 20, 2019
This report is getting a lot closer to the worst-case scenario speculation https://t.co/KeJhVAhXjK
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) September 20, 2019
ZERO proof for this claim. None. https://t.co/pgx0sFWDlc
— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) September 20, 2019
Is the House Minority Leader truly unaware that DOJ and ODNI are preventing the whistleblower from coming to Congress? https://t.co/lOLINmQdNR
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) September 20, 2019
Actually he couldn't have come to Congress, @GOPLeader, without potentially losing his job & his clearance. The law includes a workaround that allows whistleblowers to go straight to the intel committees, but once the DNI steps in—as he has—that clause is essentially nullified. https://t.co/wi8LIbK8to
— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) September 20, 2019
Trump and his minions went to great lengths to benefit from foreign interference in our democracy, and engaged in extensive corruption to cover it up.
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) September 20, 2019
He got away with it.
So why wouldn't he try the same thing again?
My piece on the Ukraine connection:https://t.co/jbCdyaw36s
This story about Hunter Biden wound up being extremely prescient.
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) September 20, 2019
Especially this exchange, about the author of Clinton Cash/Breitbart editor Peter Schweitzer using the same funnel-to-the-New-York-Times playbook, and almost pulling it off once again.https://t.co/qhYbB4Ek5K pic.twitter.com/B4lvIdXDEP
There's the obvious problem everyone is discussing, the concern about a possible link to the aid to Ukraine. But a second problem is that you have the President of the United States telling a foreign leader to work on an official matter with a person in his private employ. https://t.co/zvDcAQXz6i
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) September 20, 2019
Note how the last line, Giuliani even concedes the interests of his client, Trump, differ from the interests of the U.S. government https://t.co/xRi5MIKnmc
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) September 20, 2019
Note how the last line, Giuliani even concedes the interests of his client, Trump, differ from the interests of the U.S. government https://t.co/xRi5MIKnmc
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) September 20, 2019
Sad! 