It will be difficult for Democrats to pass their health plan, even with a Democratic president, because of the difficulty of getting a Senate majority
Republican power grabs extend beyond Wisconsin
Wisconsin GOP voted in wee hours of morning to brazenly strip power from Dem gov/AG & make it harder to vote
Similar GOP legislative coups underway in MI, NC & OH
This is outrageous abuse of power & should be huge national scandal pic.twitter.com/WK71x3DaU3
— Ari Berman (@AriBerman) December 5, 2018
The Republicans' lame-duck strategies in Wisconsin and Michigan to hobble incoming Democratic governors foreshadow a coming political war between urban and rural America, writes @ronbrownstein: https://t.co/eQYioQAWMw
— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) December 7, 2018
attempted constitutional coups in North Carolina, Michigan, and Wisconsin are probably the most ominous recent development in American politics https://t.co/YYL2TAfjtc
— b-boy bouiebaisse (@jbouie) December 5, 2018
"In the long run, the GOP’s turn against democracy could well be a greater threat to the American experiment than anything President Donald Trump has done." https://t.co/6I1zNtCwCG
— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) December 6, 2018
“Sore losers” is too breezy a description of the Republicans who are defecating on democracy in states like Wisconsin and Michigan. “Fraud” feels like too light a word for what went down in North Carolina’s 9th. I wrote about all this. https://t.co/vCwpZKpISt
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) December 8, 2018
Excellent @jtlevy piece on the right balance for Democrats to strike in the face of GOP procedural warfare going forward:https://t.co/xwgWsBOseO
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) December 11, 2018
"The clock is ticking"
WI & MI Rs are trying to curb power of incoming Ds as their gerrymander advantage is coming to an end: new D govs w veto power, fed lawsuits in OH, WI, & MI + new redistricting rules in OH & MI for '20
w @AsteadWesley https://t.co/SJSJe6HnPM
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) December 10, 2018
True. And there are things we can do about it beyond wringing our hands. The Wisconsin and Michigan Constitutions protect separation of powers. I’m urging litigation against what the legislative losers are trying to do to the executive authority of their governors and AGs. https://t.co/y9ICX0IxtC
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) December 7, 2018
Liberal groups in Michigan and Wisconsin are organizing demonstrations to oppose GOP legislators stripping power from the governor’s offices before new Democratic governors take their posts https://t.co/P7amsx2cnJ
— POLITICO (@politico) December 9, 2018
Very important piece by @rickhasen Soundrels like Kris Kobach and Hans von Spakovsky will use the real fraud by Republicans in North Carolina as an excuse to push more voter suppression methods for non-fraud. Beware. https://t.co/6eyM5EMB8p
— Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) December 7, 2018
We Slack-chatted about the Republican efforts to strip power from incoming Dem executives in Wisconsin and Michigan: https://t.co/BHFdnv5l3w
— Nathaniel Rakich (@baseballot) December 4, 2018
Wisconsin Republicans are disgraceful
They are stripping the power of incoming elected Democrats.
What happens when losers of elections won’t relinquish power?
Wisconsin's Supreme Court is allowing the stench of Scott Walker to linger over the state: https://t.co/I2pf0ovj1V
— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) June 13, 2019
Breaking: Scott Walker signs lame duck GOP legislative coup stripping his Democratic successor of power & making it harder to vote. This is the kind of thing autocrats do
— Ari Berman (@AriBerman) December 14, 2018
A very dark day for democracy in Wisconsin
It's official: Walker will sign the bills. To grasp the extremity of the anti-urban animus in the Wisconsin GOP, here's my 2014 cover story on the toxic racial politics of metro Milwaukee: https://t.co/aVfHbpoXIw https://t.co/YdbbQU7kkB
— Alec MacGillis (@AlecMacGillis) December 14, 2018
We will sue to stop Wisconsin Republicans from undermining our democracy.
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) December 14, 2018
Scott Walker leaves as he governed: with no regard for the wishes of the people of his great state. Totally obedient to the special interests and his party. To lead you have to be bigger than that. https://t.co/3seTUyHsV5
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) December 14, 2018
Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker signals support for a series of bills that would curb the power of his Democratic successor https://t.co/3T4os84QgZ pic.twitter.com/yJugYeFhtb
— CNN (@CNN) December 11, 2018
Wisconsin Gov.-elect Tony Evers says he plans to make a personal appeal to outgoing GOP Gov. Scott Walker to veto legislation that would strip the new Democratic administration of some powers.
— POLITICO (@politico) December 9, 2018
If that doesn’t work, Evers might sue. https://t.co/acjeGWxwdG
It’s time for the companies supporting Wisconsin’s extremist Republican Party — like Walgreens — to speak up for democracy. https://t.co/wZMzDihCJR
— David Leonhardt (@DLeonhardt) December 10, 2018
Trump turnover
updated through Zinke
Trump seems like a terrible boss:
- he’ll interview replacements for you while you’re still in the job
- he’ll criticize you publicly and privately
- he’ll blame you when things go wrong
- he’ll lie
Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke is the latest to leave the Trump administration. Here are the other resignations and departures since Trump's inauguration. https://t.co/eNKi7tChiZ
— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 15, 2018
Trump under investigation in many areas
a good graphic
UNDER INVESTIGATION:
Trump administration
Trump campaign
Trump transition
Trump inauguration
Trump organization
Trump foundation pic.twitter.com/FbfK6z4efg— Josh Campbell (@joshscampbell) December 14, 2018
“Two years after Donald Trump won the presidency, nearly every organization he has led in the past decade is under investigation” https://t.co/utlPnkWbtD
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) December 15, 2018
"At this point, the only surprise would be if there hadn’t been any corrupt dealings in the inauguration. It has long been a source of suspicion because the records are not public, and the sums are staggering." – @PaulWaldman1 https://t.co/wv1av9OBaD #TrumpCrimeFamily
— Democratic Coalition (@TheDemCoalition) December 15, 2018
update 12/18/18
I broke down precisely how many investigations are targeting Donald Trump—and what they are. Answer: There are *17* distinct investigations into Donald Trump's world, as prosecutors probe almost every aspect of how money flowed in and out of his orgs. https://t.co/K162RATwsr
— Garrett M. Graff (@vermontgmg) December 17, 2018
Just a reminder as we start another week in Washingtonhttps://t.co/ul9DNHfrjX
— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) December 17, 2018
Investigation into Trump’s inauguration
Grifters! Sad!
Trump’s campaign. Trump’s transition. Trump’s inauguration. Trump’s presidency. Plus Trump & family. All are now under state and federal criminal and civil investigations. This is much more damning than Watergate, and it is just getting started.
— John Dean (@JohnWDean) December 14, 2018
NEW: Federal prosecutors are investigating the $107 million raised by Trump’s 2017 inaugural committee, including whether any donors gave money to influence official administration positions.
Scoop by @rebeccadobrien @rebeccaballhaus @aviswanatha https://t.co/MroTpIDPHD
— Nicole Hong (@nicole_hong) December 13, 2018
New: Trump's inaugural committee fundraising was a mess from the start. Here are some big questions still unanswered that the feds could shed light on. https://t.co/egYSvMME1r
— Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) December 14, 2018
Analysis: How money flowed into — and out of — Trump’s inaugural committee https://t.co/88Bw1xB9ON
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 15, 2018
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say Ivanka’s probably not going to be the first female president now. https://t.co/4RwPy0MXNz
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) December 14, 2018
After months of reporting, we have an answer: some of the money went to the Trump Organization. Ivanka Trump personally connected inauguration planners with her family’s DC hotel. We know, because we have emails. https://t.co/vAD0DDoZSa
— Ilya Marritz (@ilyamarritz) December 14, 2018
Great cartoon about outsourcing Santa
I’m more worried about white nationalism than ISIS
White nationalists are the ones killing people in the US. They’re Trump supporters so he won’t do anything to stop them.
update 12/16/18
Republican leaders refuse to state the obvious: Trump's hateful rhetoric emboldens violent extremists. https://t.co/bjqjIFwA87 pic.twitter.com/o25SfI1HfY
— The New Republic (@newrepublic) December 16, 2018
Don’t condemn white nationalists, Veterans Affairs’ diversity chief was told after Charlottesville, emails show https://t.co/MiDzy4g8No
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 6, 2018
Despite repeated warnings over the past two decades, federal law enforcement officials in the United States have ignored the threat of violence from far-right extremists. Now, they have no idea how to stop it. https://t.co/xPKiJ30XLy
— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 13, 2018
Congress must reject white nationalism and recognize it as a threat to the rights & safety of all people, and our democracy too. That’s why we’re joining @bend_thearc in calling on them to #RejectWhiteNationalism before Jan 3.
Learn more and take action: https://t.co/nJa2MU2BlT pic.twitter.com/2Llz2eRwoX
— Southern Poverty Law Center (@splcenter) December 15, 2018
Few American communities have been spared the violence of racism, hatred & bigotry this year. That’s why we must unequivocally reject white nationalism in all forms – threatened, written, verbal, or physical – and restore decency and justice in its place. https://t.co/XjkxQxj7rW
— Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) December 10, 2018
“The parents, the neighbors, the friends—they always seem to say they don’t think this stuff is racist, their son, their friend isn’t a white nationalist. But … the stuff the Columbia student said, those are absolutely standard tropes of white nationalism.”—SPLC's Heidi Beirich pic.twitter.com/8Pv3Jmkq88
— Southern Poverty Law Center (@splcenter) December 13, 2018
Republicans blame death of a child on her family – I blame the Trump administration
She died in US custody. I blame the Trump administration.
LATEST: Seven-year-old girl who died at border did not receive medical care for 90 minutes.
Our report, with @JuliaEAinsley and @CalNBC. https://t.co/8kopVdCegk
— Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) December 14, 2018
Modern GOP is a death cult. https://t.co/SYgHzkcB0e
— robneyer ⚾️🧗♂️🗽 (@robneyer) December 15, 2018
The government bears responsibility for the health and welfare of people it takes into custody — especially children. https://t.co/i9Cvo0c0gY (via @latimesopinion)
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) December 15, 2018
A seven-year-old girl from Guatemala died in Border Patrol custody early Saturday morning.
Three days later, CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan testified before the Senate Judiciary committee. The Senators questioning him did not know about the death. https://t.co/4o2uzEaPzv
— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) December 14, 2018
I joined @chrislhayes to discuss the tragic death of a seven-year-old girl under @CBP's watch. This culture of cruelty has got to stop.
My colleagues and I have a lot of questions. You can bet I will be asking them when @SecNielsen comes before @HouseJudiciary next week. pic.twitter.com/ywj4seFLdi
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) December 15, 2018
The girl was transported to an El Paso hospital by helicopter but could not be saved. https://t.co/npoxrzBuF0
— Slate (@Slate) December 14, 2018
There are no words to capture the horror of a seven-year-old girl dying of dehydration in U.S. custody. What’s happening at our borders is a humanitarian crisis. https://t.co/8KZeynGjIv
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 14, 2018
Good riddance to Zinke
I am sure he would have been gone once Democrats did real oversight in 2019. He sure seems to be a crook.
SCOOP: A grand jury examining whether former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke lied to federal investigators in connection with a Connecticut casino deal. Via @eilperin and @reinlwapo https://t.co/aqiGDbWM1f
— Glenn Kessler (@GlennKesslerWP) February 22, 2019
Bottom line is that while Zinke left office, prosecutors and IG investigators are aggressively pursuing what could be a criminal case. https://t.co/oboQonyszS
— Lisa Rein (@Reinlwapo) February 22, 2019
Scoop: Ryan Zinke has notified the White House he intends to step down as interior secretary.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) December 15, 2018
Concern about legal costs and scrutiny of his travel, political activity and potential conflicts of interest were factors in Zinke’s decision, I’m told.
Plan is to announce Wednesday.
With Zinke out, it’s a good time to reup one of the great stories of the Trump administration — @Reinlwapo on Zinke making aides fly a special flag at Interior when he is “in garrison” https://t.co/D2HSHXBeUu
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) December 15, 2018
10 of Trump’s original Cabinet-level picks will be out by next year, with Zinke next per Bloomberg sources.
— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) December 15, 2018
ZINKE❌
PRICE❌
KELLY❌
SESSIONS❌
TILLERSON❌
SHULKIN❌
PRUITT*❌
HALEY*❌
PRIEBUS*❌
PUZDER**❌
*Cabinet-level
**Didn’t make it to confirmation
Quite a turn for Zinke. He had been weighing challenging Tester in 2018, where he would have been the favorite. But Don Jr successfully lobbied he get Interior. Now he leaves Interior under ethical cloud and GOP lost Montana Senate race despite heavy Trump campaigning
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 15, 2018
WH official tells me Zinke's exit necessary. Why? Grijalva (D-Ariz.) will soon take gavel at Natural Res. Cmmte.
— Robert Costa (@costareports) December 15, 2018
Since Zinke has taken personal shots at Grijalva for his struggles w/ alcoholism, official says the WH, already embattled, wants to avoid brutal/newsy Zinke hearings.
In early 2018, Zinke created a new outdoor recreation panel whose members included insiders from the oil, gas, and mining industries, as well as people with ties to trophy huntinghttps://t.co/v3Gsk3M3Tj
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 15, 2018
Cannot-Make-It-Up Department. Interior Secretary under investigation for allegedly trying to enrich himself in office wouldn't leave job until he could have Christmas party with lobbyists and take pictures in front of stuffed polar bear https://t.co/SLfl8ZYtnl
— Carol Leonnig (@CarolLeonnig) December 15, 2018
Zinke out at end of the year. Here’s our list of the investigations he faces: https://t.co/MtH6lUxr4Q https://t.co/RjyqyX4NaN
— Lisa Friedman (@LFFriedman) December 15, 2018
Ryan Zinke has racked up 17 federal investigations in under two years as Secretary of the Interior https://t.co/3ThUtTBl3J
— Robert Maguire (@RobertMaguire_) December 15, 2018
Ryan Zinke resigned under pressure as administration officials concluded he was the most vulnerable Cabinet member to congressional investigations when Dems take over in January, @eilperin & @jdawsey1 report. His tenure was plagued by ethics scandals. https://t.co/kdyl9l3seA
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) December 15, 2018
