Army Chief of Staff General James McConville, the 40th person to hold that position, retired today. Because Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has put a hold on military promotions for the past 8 months, there is no Senate-confirmed leader to take McConville’s place. There are eight seats on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the group of the most senior military officers who advise the president, homeland security officials, the secretary of defense, and the National Security Council. Currently, two of those seats are filled by acting officials who have not been confirmed by the Senate.
Republicans posing a threat to national security? Is anyone surprised? Paul, Tuberville and several other members of Congress are at least “useful idiots” for Russia, China and who knows what other entities.
It has been a long time since my one semester Civics course I. High school and my required semester at university.
I have a basic understanding of how government works. Or make that how it is supposed to work.
Sadly, with the advent of the era of Trump and RFP (Republican Fascist Party), I am learning so much.
I had no idea that one Senator, be he the majority leader or just some poor soul with an axe to grind, could hold up nominations such as military, state, or judiciary. How/Why is this possible?
Why is there not a huge outcry?
One guy in the Senate that I can’t vote against because he is from some god forsaken place lime Kentucky or Alabama, can have a huge effect on my life.
A first-term senator representing a state with only 5 million people is undermining the military and national security. How? An arcane, undemocratic Senate rule. Tuberville is holding the nation hostage in a grotesque abuse of power. This is insanity.
lets see...compromising national security and our role (whether one fully agrees with it or not) in supporting our allies on the international front for political gamesmanship here at home is beyond reprehensible and should be viewed as treasonous. I doubt the BS is going to stop until they are held to account...in the courtroom, or at the ballot box. I will stop there with the available methods, though treason usually carries a pretty stiff penalty.
This is a total disgrace….the blockage of the most needed confirmations in the military and Administration, the violent and abusive threat by the totally despicable thrice indicted ex President and most critically the ignorance or even worse, the compliance by various parts of the electorate….
We are a banana republic right now.
Thank God Heather is so painfully explicit and it’s definitely time for every piece of today’s ‘article’ to be front page news….nationwide.
'I'm coming after you:' Donald Trump threatens rivals; prosecutor seeks protective order' (USAToday)
‘As Donald Trump made more threats against opponents in the wake of a third indictment, special counsel Jack Smith asked a judge late Friday for a protective order against the ex-president, seeking to prevent him from publicizing evidence from witnesses.’
"All the proposed order seeks to prevent is the improper dissemination or use of discovery materials, including to the public," ‘Smith said in a late-night court motion, essentially arguing that Trump's rantings could have a chilling effect on witnesses in the case.’
‘The prosecutor cited an all-caps threat that Trump posted earlier in the day on Truth Social:’ "IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU."
‘Smith's motion capped a day in which an unrepentant Trump went to the southern regions of the nation with an adjusted strategy designed to turn his three indictments into political weapons, including frequent threats to his opponents.’
"I will totally obliterate the deep state," Trump said at the Alabama Republican Party dinner on Friday evening in Montgomery, Ala., a day after he pleaded innocent to charges of trying to steal the 2020 election.’
‘Legal analysts had said Trump's threats - including personal attacks on Smith, who is in charge of two of Trump's cases - could be used against him in court.’ (USAToday) See link below.
'The government and Trump’s lawyers are still working out proposed rules that the former president and his legal team must abide by when they review classified materials during the discovery process, when the defense team reviews all the evidence that the government has collected in the case. It is a standard part of the legal process and a judge must sign off on the agreement. Evidence that is handed over in the discovery process includes grand jury interviews, recordings and materials obtained through sealed search warrants.'
'The government’s proposed agreement — called a protective order — dictates that Trump and his lawyers should not disclose any of the materials they receive during the discovery process to people who are not authorized by the court to view the materials.'
'The filing includes an image of a post that Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform earlier on Friday that appears to be in reference to the D.C. case that reads: “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!”
“If the defendant were to begin issuing public posts using details — or, for example, grand jury transcripts — obtained in discovery here, it could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case,” read the filing, signed by special counsel Jack Smith.
'The filing also states that Trump and his attorneys should be barred from writing down any identifying information about people involved in the case.' (WAPO) See gifted link below.
‘Prosecutors said they are ready to hand over a “substantial” amount of evidence — “much of which includes sensitive and confidential information” — to Trump’s legal team.’
‘They told the judge that if Trump were to begin posting about grand jury transcripts or other evidence provided by the Justice Department, it could have a “harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case.”
‘Prosecutors’ proposed protective order seeks to prevent Trump and his lawyers from disclosing materials provided by the government to anyone other than people on his legal team, possible witnesses, the witnesses’ lawyers or others approved by the court. It would put stricter limits on “sensitive materials,” which would include grand jury witness testimony and materials obtained through sealed search warrants.’
‘A Trump spokesperson said in an emailed statement that the former president’s post’ “is the definition of political speech,” and was made in response to “dishonest special interest groups and Super PACs.” (AP) See link below.
Meanwhile, Republicans are accusing Democrats of "weaponizing government" when that is exactly what many of them are doing. As the ultra-perceptive Jonathan Capehart said, Republicans are "kings of projection". They should be called out for it every time they do it.
This ridiculous undemocratic “rule” that allows one person to throw a wrench into the gears of government should be rescinded. I bet it is unconstitutional. Then get rid of the jerk who claims to be all military despite never serving. He just wanted military funds spent in Alabama.
As former Foreign Service Officer who experienced our failure of skilled military leadership during our ‘no light at the end of the tunnel’ Vietnam years, I am appalled that former football coach Tuberville can indefinitely block the promotions of hundreds of senior officers because of his personal hissy fit over a common sense army policy about abortions.
The United States requires its incoming military leaders to engage in a massive review and revision of our strategic military priorities.
The situation in Ukraine highlights that we were ill-prepared for Putin’s brutal ‘Greater Russia grab.’
We are building various ships, planes, and armored vehicles that often do not seem appropriate for 21st century military actions.
When the Navy finds that an expensive new class of ship does not meet its functional needs and then seeks to obtain Congress’s support to scuttle the ship series (and Congress refuses), something is frightfully wrong.
The Air Force seems to be building highly expensive planes that are often way over budget with operational problems that diminish their mission value. Also, a decade from now, might pilot operated aircraft become far less common than today?
The Army is having a dreadful time recruiting soldiers for its volunteer army. Despite significantly lowering recruitment standards, there is an increasing shortfall. Moreover, the number of military families who encourage their children to ‘go military’ has dropped sharply. Recruiting low-tech soldiers for an increasingly hi-tech army poses serious problems.
That Tuberville has blocked military promotions for 8 months is a calumny, as the United States desperately requires its military leadership to shape strategies and implementation for the manifold military issues that it is likely to confront.
If Tuberville’s Republican Senate colleagues can not kick ass with their renegade sidekick, then the Republicans are complicate in sabotaging our military.
Frustrating, exhausting and predictable, tfg just cannot stop himself with the lies, threats, and defiance. Feeling deja vu from the E Jean Carroll lawsuit, when she won her case and the very next day not even 24 hrs later, he was at it again and so she filed a second lawsuit.
How is it that one complete idiot that was somehow elected Senator, because he was a football coach, hold our military hostage resulting in grave threats to our national security. Mr Tuber does appear to be a useful idiot for Russia. It seems Mr Rand must have trained him.
Tuberville is a threat to America’s national security. McConnell and other GOP leaders refuse to reign him in. They are complicit. Why? Because they place party interest over duty to country. Geo Washington warned us about this. He saw the future. We are living in it. The world sees this weakness, and our credit rating has been lowered. America and democracy are on trial. If I were a juror, I would vote guilty.
Republicans posing a threat to national security? Is anyone surprised? Paul, Tuberville and several other members of Congress are at least “useful idiots” for Russia, China and who knows what other entities.
It has been a long time since my one semester Civics course I. High school and my required semester at university.
I have a basic understanding of how government works. Or make that how it is supposed to work.
Sadly, with the advent of the era of Trump and RFP (Republican Fascist Party), I am learning so much.
I had no idea that one Senator, be he the majority leader or just some poor soul with an axe to grind, could hold up nominations such as military, state, or judiciary. How/Why is this possible?
Why is there not a huge outcry?
One guy in the Senate that I can’t vote against because he is from some god forsaken place lime Kentucky or Alabama, can have a huge effect on my life.
How is this right?!!!!!
A first-term senator representing a state with only 5 million people is undermining the military and national security. How? An arcane, undemocratic Senate rule. Tuberville is holding the nation hostage in a grotesque abuse of power. This is insanity.
lets see...compromising national security and our role (whether one fully agrees with it or not) in supporting our allies on the international front for political gamesmanship here at home is beyond reprehensible and should be viewed as treasonous. I doubt the BS is going to stop until they are held to account...in the courtroom, or at the ballot box. I will stop there with the available methods, though treason usually carries a pretty stiff penalty.
Compromise our national security for political gains? Traitors. No question.
This is a total disgrace….the blockage of the most needed confirmations in the military and Administration, the violent and abusive threat by the totally despicable thrice indicted ex President and most critically the ignorance or even worse, the compliance by various parts of the electorate….
We are a banana republic right now.
Thank God Heather is so painfully explicit and it’s definitely time for every piece of today’s ‘article’ to be front page news….nationwide.
'I'm coming after you:' Donald Trump threatens rivals; prosecutor seeks protective order' (USAToday)
‘As Donald Trump made more threats against opponents in the wake of a third indictment, special counsel Jack Smith asked a judge late Friday for a protective order against the ex-president, seeking to prevent him from publicizing evidence from witnesses.’
"All the proposed order seeks to prevent is the improper dissemination or use of discovery materials, including to the public," ‘Smith said in a late-night court motion, essentially arguing that Trump's rantings could have a chilling effect on witnesses in the case.’
‘The prosecutor cited an all-caps threat that Trump posted earlier in the day on Truth Social:’ "IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU."
‘Smith's motion capped a day in which an unrepentant Trump went to the southern regions of the nation with an adjusted strategy designed to turn his three indictments into political weapons, including frequent threats to his opponents.’
"I will totally obliterate the deep state," Trump said at the Alabama Republican Party dinner on Friday evening in Montgomery, Ala., a day after he pleaded innocent to charges of trying to steal the 2020 election.’
‘Legal analysts had said Trump's threats - including personal attacks on Smith, who is in charge of two of Trump's cases - could be used against him in court.’ (USAToday) See link below.
'The government and Trump’s lawyers are still working out proposed rules that the former president and his legal team must abide by when they review classified materials during the discovery process, when the defense team reviews all the evidence that the government has collected in the case. It is a standard part of the legal process and a judge must sign off on the agreement. Evidence that is handed over in the discovery process includes grand jury interviews, recordings and materials obtained through sealed search warrants.'
'The government’s proposed agreement — called a protective order — dictates that Trump and his lawyers should not disclose any of the materials they receive during the discovery process to people who are not authorized by the court to view the materials.'
'The filing includes an image of a post that Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform earlier on Friday that appears to be in reference to the D.C. case that reads: “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!”
“If the defendant were to begin issuing public posts using details — or, for example, grand jury transcripts — obtained in discovery here, it could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case,” read the filing, signed by special counsel Jack Smith.
'The filing also states that Trump and his attorneys should be barred from writing down any identifying information about people involved in the case.' (WAPO) See gifted link below.
‘Prosecutors said they are ready to hand over a “substantial” amount of evidence — “much of which includes sensitive and confidential information” — to Trump’s legal team.’
‘They told the judge that if Trump were to begin posting about grand jury transcripts or other evidence provided by the Justice Department, it could have a “harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case.”
‘Prosecutors’ proposed protective order seeks to prevent Trump and his lawyers from disclosing materials provided by the government to anyone other than people on his legal team, possible witnesses, the witnesses’ lawyers or others approved by the court. It would put stricter limits on “sensitive materials,” which would include grand jury witness testimony and materials obtained through sealed search warrants.’
‘A Trump spokesperson said in an emailed statement that the former president’s post’ “is the definition of political speech,” and was made in response to “dishonest special interest groups and Super PACs.” (AP) See link below.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/08/04/im-coming-after-you-trump-issues-new-threats-after-new-indictment/70529404007/
https://wapo.st/3rW6GpI
https://apnews.com/article/trump-election-capitol-riot-indictment-protective-order-71cd642e876c47fff4e1283c15f8ca01
Meanwhile, Republicans are accusing Democrats of "weaponizing government" when that is exactly what many of them are doing. As the ultra-perceptive Jonathan Capehart said, Republicans are "kings of projection". They should be called out for it every time they do it.
This ridiculous undemocratic “rule” that allows one person to throw a wrench into the gears of government should be rescinded. I bet it is unconstitutional. Then get rid of the jerk who claims to be all military despite never serving. He just wanted military funds spent in Alabama.
As former Foreign Service Officer who experienced our failure of skilled military leadership during our ‘no light at the end of the tunnel’ Vietnam years, I am appalled that former football coach Tuberville can indefinitely block the promotions of hundreds of senior officers because of his personal hissy fit over a common sense army policy about abortions.
The United States requires its incoming military leaders to engage in a massive review and revision of our strategic military priorities.
The situation in Ukraine highlights that we were ill-prepared for Putin’s brutal ‘Greater Russia grab.’
We are building various ships, planes, and armored vehicles that often do not seem appropriate for 21st century military actions.
When the Navy finds that an expensive new class of ship does not meet its functional needs and then seeks to obtain Congress’s support to scuttle the ship series (and Congress refuses), something is frightfully wrong.
The Air Force seems to be building highly expensive planes that are often way over budget with operational problems that diminish their mission value. Also, a decade from now, might pilot operated aircraft become far less common than today?
The Army is having a dreadful time recruiting soldiers for its volunteer army. Despite significantly lowering recruitment standards, there is an increasing shortfall. Moreover, the number of military families who encourage their children to ‘go military’ has dropped sharply. Recruiting low-tech soldiers for an increasingly hi-tech army poses serious problems.
That Tuberville has blocked military promotions for 8 months is a calumny, as the United States desperately requires its military leadership to shape strategies and implementation for the manifold military issues that it is likely to confront.
If Tuberville’s Republican Senate colleagues can not kick ass with their renegade sidekick, then the Republicans are complicate in sabotaging our military.
And damn McConnell does nothing!
Frustrating, exhausting and predictable, tfg just cannot stop himself with the lies, threats, and defiance. Feeling deja vu from the E Jean Carroll lawsuit, when she won her case and the very next day not even 24 hrs later, he was at it again and so she filed a second lawsuit.
Welcome to governance by gangsters.
How is it that one complete idiot that was somehow elected Senator, because he was a football coach, hold our military hostage resulting in grave threats to our national security. Mr Tuber does appear to be a useful idiot for Russia. It seems Mr Rand must have trained him.
Where are all those FEMA camps when we need to start jailing Republicans for treason?
Tuberville is a threat to America’s national security. McConnell and other GOP leaders refuse to reign him in. They are complicit. Why? Because they place party interest over duty to country. Geo Washington warned us about this. He saw the future. We are living in it. The world sees this weakness, and our credit rating has been lowered. America and democracy are on trial. If I were a juror, I would vote guilty.