Why can’t we get back those men who were wrongly deported? We are paying for them. We should be able to get them back from that hellhole in El Salvador.
I keep wondering this. If there’s a judicial ban on the government’s deportation of Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act, when will the Venezuelans return? Let alone how much they should be compensated. And will we the taxpayers get the money back that was paid to El Salvador to imprison them? I mean, isn’t that doge-able waste, fraud and abuse?
We should be insisting on that money back. There is a sign for marching on April 5. I plan to march on April 5 in front of the American Embassy in Berlin. We are protesting Trump closing half of our consulate offices, and signing EO 14248, which would disenfranchise American voters abroad.
We are of course also protesting the actions of DOGE, and the Trump aggression towards Canada, Greenland, Mexico, Panama, and potentially all of North and Central America, as well as Ukraine and Europe.
Remember, when you leave your home with your little protest sign--you are not alone. With the anticipated thousands [million+?] of heroic protestors on April 5th (actually any and all days, including Women's March) here's an updated partial list of those fighting back every day [as of 3-30-25). I'm also adding courageous law firms who haven't caved. Besides upstanding lawyers (e.g. Brenna Trout Frey, and law-abiding honorable (present and former) judges (including James Boasberg, chief judge, D.C. District Ct.), here's a growing list of Profiles in Courage men, women, and advocacy groups who refuse to be cowed or kneel to the force of Trump/Musk/MAGA/Fox "News" intimidation:
I'll begin (again) with Missouri's own indomitable Jess[ica] (à la John Lewis's "get in good trouble") Piper/"The View from Rural Missouri," then, in no particular order, Francie Garber Pepper (1940-2025), Heather Cox Richardson/"Letters from an American," Joyce Vance/"Civil Discourse," Bernie Sanders, AOC, Gov. Tim walz, Sarah Inama, Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Rev. William J. Barber II, Jasmine Crockett, Ruth Ben-Ghait, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O'Donnell, Chris Hayes, Ali Velshi, Prof. Lawrence Tribe, Stephanie Miller, Gov. Janet Mills, Gov. Beshear, Gov. JB.Pritzker, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Amb. Susan Rice, Mayor Michelle Wu, Jim Acosta, Jen Rubin And the Contrarians, Dan Rather, Robert Reich, Jay Kou, Steve Brodner, Rachel Cohen, Brian TylerCohen, Jessica Craven, Scott Dworkin, Brett Meiselas, Joy Reid, D. Earl Stevens, Melvin Gurai, Dan Pfeiffer, Anand Giridharadas Anne Applebaum, Lucian Truscott IV, Chris Murphy, Jeff Merkley, Michael Bennett, Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth, Sheldon Whitehouse, Adam Schiff, Jon Ossoff, Elyssa Slotkin, Tristan Snell, Delia Ramirez,Tim Snyder, Robert B. Hubbell, Ben Meiseilas, Rich wilson, Ron Filpkowski, Jeremy Seahill, Thom Hartmann, Jonathan Bernstein, Simon Rosenberg, Marianne Williamson, Mark Fiore, Jamie Raskin, Rebecca Solnit, Steve Schmidt, Josh Marshall, Paul Krugman, Andy Borowitz, Jeff Danziger, Ann Telnaes,͏ ͏Will Bunch, Jim Hightower, Dan Pfeifer, Dean Obeidallah, Michel Zeitgeist, Liz Cheney, Adam Kimzinger, Cassidy Hutchinson, John Cusack. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Jonathan V Last, Sarah Longwell, Andrew Egger, Aaron Parnas
American Bar Association, 23 blue state Attorney Generals, Indivisible. FiftyFifty one, MoveOn, DemCast, Blue Missouri, Third Act, Democracy Forward, Public Citizen, Democracy Index, Protect Democracy, DemocracyLabs, Fred Wellman/On Democracy, Hands Off, Marc Elias/Democracy Docket, Public Citizen, League of Women Voters, Lambda Legal, CREW, CODEPINK, ACLU, The 19th/Errin Haines, Working Families Party, American Oversight, Every State Blue, Run for Something, Jessica Valenti/Abortion Everyday, The American Manifesto, The Dr. Martin Luther King Center, Bulwark Media, Bill Kristol/all NeverTrumpers
And, as Joyce Vance says, "We're in this together"--or via Jess Piper, from rural Missouri: "Solidarity." FIGHT BACK! WE ARE NOT ALONE! (Latest addition h/t , Robert B. Hubbell: Law firms, see below). All suggestions are welcome.
* Perkins Coie and Covington & Burling have resisted Trump, fighting back with the help of other courageous firms like Williams & Connolly. Per The ABA Journal, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, representing fired inspectors general. (Law.com)
Hogan Lovells, seeking to block executive orders to end federal funding for gender-affirming medical care. (Law.com)
Jenner & Block, also seeking to block the orders on cuts to medical research funding. (Law.com, Reuters)
Ropes & Gray, also seeking to block cuts to medical research funding. (Law.com)
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, representing the Amica Center for Immigrants Rights and others seeking to block funding cuts for immigrant legal services. (Law.com)
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer.
Wilmer Hale
Keker, Van Nest & Peters
Southern Poverty Law Center
Perhaps I should add our nation's motto--and on our Great Seal--the phrase "E pluribus unum" (out of many, One ). Ii's 13 letters makes its use symbolic of the original 13 Colonies which rebelled against the rule of the Kingdom of George III . . .And now we protest together against King Donald. As my rural MO. indomitable Jess Piper always says: "Solidarity."
Your first sentence was hurtful and felt like a mean put-down. My "little protest sign" is all I have. I don't have billions to buy votes. I don't have the skills, equipment, opportunity or ability to initiate an armed coup to go to DC and physically remove the bad actors from their offices. Words on my "little protest sign" and my physical presence to show support are all I have. I am not some prominent law firm or popular substact writer. I am just little old me and I have put my heart, soul and effort into my sign. I am not delusional and realize it will have little to no impact - but it's all I've got. Hopefully, I will join thousands on Saturday but protests alone won't make a difference to this administration. They will do what they can to supress it or ignore it. My little sign will be no protection against bullets should the MAGA types start firing into the crowd or spraying tear gas to break it up - but it's what I've got.
Jon, yes and I don't think that it was meant as an insult because the rest of the sentence says each person will be joining many, many people who in various ways are fighting death star, et. al.
I apologize if that is the way you interpreted it. It was meant--as I visualized the the protestor--with their sign (whatever the size is irrelevant), or just standing alone...as a warrior. Thank you for whatever you do. . .In Solitarity.
“I’m sorry you misunderstood?”Why not say you’re sorry for the way you expressed your point and didn’t mean to disparage protesters. Your response is really just another disparagement: too bad you’re not smart enough to understand me.
I love all the signs! I was at a Tesla Takedown on Saturday and reading everyone's signs made me feel not alone. All the cars driving by and honking their support love the signs too. High Five, Kathy!
You are the sign that matters! Out in the time and energy, build community where you can…it’s all good! Contribute if you can in any and all ways…reading and sharing Heather with others, enjoy a Pete the Explainer’s new feed. His smile!
Delve into Paul for another deep dive…and share these thoughts with as many others as you can.
We all give what we can, do wht we can. Wish my physical bodywas about 20 years younger- would be easier to attend protests. If/ when the cowards try to use force against peacful protesters, the rest of the US & the World will be watching. There is online de-escalation training on 4/2 for how to react on 4/5 if things get rowdy.
I am not a troll. I am a 91 yr old Korean war vet just trying to make point. Delete if you don't like togetherness or solitarity. (BTW I am alone and don't do substacking.)
Miselle, if you can, please attend the nearest rally. Just show up. I can't march so I'm bringing my little camp stool and I'll just sit there in solidarity--and holler my head off!
Me too! There are some very good signs on that site! Glad I just replacded my printer ink since there is a lot of red in the Standard size signs. They also have the info about the de-escalation training.
Thank you for this. A tremendous resource to refer to, spread the word or just admire.
And to those who nitpick over a single word, refuse to accept the writer's explanation and criticize his apology, get over it. Democrats are notorious for eating their own while the MAGAs openly break every rule and trash every norm. Stop it. Just stop it. E pluribus unum. We are one. In solidarity. In solitarity. Pick your slogan, put it on your sign. And move on.
I borrowed this - I was familiar with many of the names and events because I subscribe to many of them but I wanted others to know that we are not alone. Thank you.
Because I have been asked to do by many of the hundreds of Likes I have received, and I have given approval to those who asked permission to substack and/or repost. Sorry. Just delete and un-think In Solitarity--which was all I was trying to do. As Joyce Vance says: "We are in this together."
Thank you Anne H & on point yet again Linda Weide, thank you as well.
After Musk's Sunday Political Action Committee (PAC) stunt, I magnified the photo of Musk's outsized check to his PAC operative. Permit me to re-post my 3/31/25 'The Contrarian' observations on Elon Musk's conduct that falls under federal law.
My Contrarian post:
********************
On Sunday 3/30 -- 2 days before the Wisconsin vote, Muskrat's "America PAC" oversized check for $1M was made out "Pay To The Order" of Nicholas Jacobs. The money was identified "For Spokesperson" of the PAC.
LFAA Update: Heather Cox Richardson (3/31-4/1) has collected all the relevant facts identifying the Musk Operative: NICHOLAS JACOBS. Kudos to professional investigative reporting by The Milwaukee Sentinel Journal & other Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) admissible fact finders.
Taxable Income: Political Action Committee's (PACs) are required by Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 527 to report income to agents/ spokespersons.
I had an informative chat this AM with the Agency for recording & posting PAC compliance filings. More Later.
Before the attack on 'Big Law' 12 Sadden Arps Attorneys explained in detail the federal Tax filing obligations of PACs. The Sadden legal analysis was dated 2/20/2025.
Bill, you are exactly right. As more and more agencies, departments and offices are stripped, there doesn't seem to be any recourse. I don't see the protests having any impact. They are a "feel good" for those protesting. But what then?
Protests are a perspective. The April 5th protests are worldwide, and they will show Trump's supporters their own isolation. They do not represent the majority. The world does not support their autocratic adoration.
Yes and no. If these protest are massive as they are expected to be, it will have several purposes. They will tell us that we are mad. This builds momentum. If our society stops functioning as it has already shown to be the case due to Musk and co, the people will complete the disfunction for good reasons. There is no choice. We need now to descend into Dante’s Inferno and destruct in order to rebuild. This nation cannot sustain 4 years of this madness. I’m considering unspoken options to survive.
The protests are important to keep up morale, at least. That was the common comment when our local newspaper interviewed people who attended our first protest. "I needed to do something." "I am glad to know I am not alone."
it is not the IRS, the 'Service that enforces section 527 against PACs.
On another perhaps more interesting topic to many, I have 2 sources 1 is an independent corp, that U.S.Treasury Refunds are being deposited digitally to authorized bank accounts around 21 days after filing IF a person filed digitally without error.
It is all performative, Sharon. A big show to illustrate and motivate the very sad misinformed people in voting for Musk’s candidate. Wisconsin has a duty to stand firm with choosing Crawford. Many want to see Elon lose as much money as he can.
We should be insisting on every one of those they sent to be returned and given due process. Letting the administration keep them there is like condoning their actions and they’ll keep doing it. If we don’t pay what will El Salvador do with them?
Thank you for the article. We all should know, you can't keep slapping the hands of friends without it backfiring. Wish you well for your march in Berlin. I'll be in Seattle 4/5 doing the same thing.
Why would you think any of them are coming back? The government i.e. Kristi Noem is making torture porn commercials using their bodies, insisting that they ALL be stripped of their shirts before she stood in front of them in her inappropriate attire and $50K watch.
From what I have read, the picture is also one that does not contain a single person who was rounded up in the ICE raids and sent to El Salvador. Apparently it is a posed photo with guys from the prison who were already there. But I do agree with you: just as the Felon and his handlers and overlords are just not bothering to comply, the political prisoners sent to El Salvador are going to be disappeared and erased.
“Senator Cory Booker gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.” I stole this line from another substack but truly think it describes his words and actions to a T. Would that we all would speak up so passionate and truthfully.
I don't. The prison in El Salvador is one where people are known not to get out alive. It is a death camp. Reminding me of the '80s when I protested to get the US out of Central America and the School of the Americas, and Ollie North running guns, money for Iran-Contra scheme etc...
I think that the deportees have one helluva lawsuit against the U.S. government. Their constitutional rights have been egregiously, flagrantly, unlawfully violated. We're dealing with fascism here.
Dems in the Senate are finally doing something. Holding through the night talks about the reality we find ourselves in. Many commenters note they have not found out about it through normal msm. Here’s a link. https://www.booker.senate.gov/live
Yes thank you I was watching. Senator Booker is speaking well. This gives me fortitude in my desire to drive from CT to Washington on Friday and rest overnight so I will be refreshed to perform my music in front of the White House unless organizers allow me to the podium to present. It’s a long way to goto speak or sing truth to lies but a small sacrifice in comparison to the gentleman that was kidnapped by our government and sent into the Salvador hellhole.
As well, my Senator Chris Murphy. I have been in doubt on whether to drive 350 miles. But no longer. I’ve hired my cat sitter. Food provisions, water. I’m frugal when I’m on the road. Old habits die hard.
Very smart. There is literally no nutrition in anything sold as snacks or food at highway restaurants or gas bars. A small cooler is helpful. Peeled hard-boiled eggs, raw carrots, apples, grapes, unsalted nuts in an easy-open container. Several water bottles help you avoid buying plastic bottles of water. Don’t forget a cookie or two. We need to give ourselves a treat. Don’t forget your favourite road trip music and some podcasts. The first hour is the hardest. After that, you enter the zone and the miles slip on by. Recognize when you need to take a break and stretch. Very important - realize when you reach your endurance limit. Sleep in your car or get a motel room. Keep an eye on the weather. Happy landings, all you who stand up for your country. The road is long but you do not travel alone.
Bravi to all of you. I’ll be home in Chicago writing GOTV postcards for a special election in GA. Marched against Vietnam War, rallied against Kent State and Iraq War. At 90, it’s postcards. Can still print well.
Here in my little corner of southeastern CT, there are rallies scheduled all around me. I’ll be attending one in New London that I’m helping organize. When I ask Alexa to tell me the weather forecast for Saturday, I hear that rain is predicted. But I’m attending come rain or come shine!!
They are defying orders. I am certain these plans were devised by Stephen Miller. We should be so lucky if there is a mole in the fascist regime who will stand near all of them and inject poison into their veins. Yes, I did say that.
Yes, Miller and Wiles are pulling the puppet strings. When Trump talks it’s obvious he is mentally unable to hold office. All those stories about Biden and never one about Trump who is actually deficient.
Where is a defensible legal argument for their arrest and imprisonment? If none can be demonstrated were these people not illegally kidnapped? Especially in a case like that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia taken by admitted error? This cannot begin to be legal, nor an it be that the victim cannot be retrieved. If some of them should be imprisoned, fine, we have courts for that.
"As of February 2025, El Salvador had the highest prisoner rate worldwide, with over 1,600 prisoners per 100,000 of the national population.
El Salvador’s Cecot mega-prison, officially called the Center for Terrorism Confinement, is considered the largest prison in the Americas with a capacity of 40,000 inmates. The incarcerations have been part of president Bukele’s efforts to reduce high crime rates and gang violence. In March 2025, the United States transferred more than 200 immigrants, alleged members of a Venezuelan gang, to be imprisoned in El Salvador."
And this also from Google-
"Amnesty International has drawn attention to several arrests of police officers for unlawful police killings. Other issues to gain Amnesty International's attention include missing children, failure of law enforcement to properly investigate and prosecute crimes against women, and rendering organized labour illegal.
Abortion is banned, with no exceptions for rape, incest, or threat to the mother's life; as a result, 180 women have been imprisoned in the last two decades, some for up to 30 years. Discrimination against LGBT people in El Salvador is very widespread. According to 2013 survey by Pew Research, 53% of Salvadorans believe that homosexuality should not be accepted by society. Although homosexuality itself is legal, gay marriage is legally not recognized, as proposals were rejected twice in 2006, and once again in 2009."
Maybe we should "accidentally" send DJTJ, Eric and Ivanka to El Salvador on the next flight after shaving their heads and putting them in shackles. Apparently, there is no way to get them back and their mother wasn't really a citizen was she? And include JD Vance's wife and kids on the flight as well. Dang foreigners. /S
“Abortion is banned, with no exceptions for rape, incest, or threat to the mother's life; as a result, 180 women have been imprisoned in the last two decades, some for up to 30 years.”
⬆️ This is where we are headed.The horrifying attack on reproductive rights is getting buried with the firehose of news.Please share as MSM continues to fail us.📣
“The other state that dominated last week’s coverage was Georgia. Within days of a young woman being arrested over how she disposed of her miscarriage, lawmakers introduced a bill that would punish abortion patients as murderers. It was a one-two punch of criminalization we should expect to see more of: patients getting arrested while anti-abortion lawmakers push legislation that invites even more investigations into pregnancy loss.”
A Colombian couple who have lived in the US were also deported -I believed erroneously. Hopefully this will keep our law firms busy, that is those who haven't caved in to Trump....
We did at one time “have courts for that.” Many of us screamed at the top of our lungs that this would happen, but the stupid among us ignored these warnings and still voted for the fascist.
Catherine, My guess is that the government is using a habeas corpus argument along the lines of that the ‘body’ in question is not in geographically in the US courts’ jurisdiction. The outrageous arrangement with the El Salvadoran government has no precedent.
Why can't we get them back? Obvious to me is that it would require officially admitting that mistakes were made -- that's accountability, and the Trump/Musk Regime figureheads prefer anything but that -- even starting wars, as HCR says today. April 5th will be a mirror of what is.
Lacking due process, the administration actually has no idea how many innocent victims of their covert policies they have deported. It could even be all of them. This entire effort is a show to distract from the usurpation of power by the White House.
No doubt this administration will continue to lie at every turn where they simply don’t intend to do what the justice system tells them they must! They are liars, criminals, and felons!
This is just prevarication on the part of the Trump administration. Of course they can get them back, after all, they're paying San Salvador to contain them , for a year before the next payment is due?
Because such an egregious violation of laws and human rights have probably never been exercised by the US before, there are no legal avenues or precedents how to do that.
This comment was in response to how to retrieve the imprisoned immigrants. Too bad these comments get placed beyond the comment they're responding to....
He took 6 million of our money to provide for them. I'll bet no one approved that. I wish I didn't owe this year. I have better things to do with my money.
All of this about which you’ve written is horrible but the most egregious news is the deportation “by mistake”. Had those responsible for said mistake followed the law and allowed Mr Garcia his due process, this, along with many others most likely, would have been avoided entirely. But of course, the whole point was the numbers; fill the quotas. And now the say they can’t get him back? Then I say jail all those,top on down, who are responsible for such a travesty until this nightmare of an error is corrected.
SPW, I concur. I also don’t think that this/these examples of rogue deportations can be/will be bracketed, confined to immigration cases. Rather, with the theory of the administration being that this is a purely executive determination that permits no judicial review prior to the detentions, what is to prevent them from taking any person in the US, citizen or not? If you have no process by which to demonstrate your right to be in the country, can it matter if your right assertion is based on an immigration claim or birthright, be you a 1st generation or a daughter of the American revolution (non caps intentional).
This is like a police state. why can real criminals feel free to roam the country and cause harm, when innocent people are arrested. I.C.E. should be iced. They are turning into thugs and inhumane creatures, just like the police who arrested Jews in WWII.
Yes, everything is about for profit and privatization. What an incentive to keep them there. Look at the billions we’ll pay to El Salvador for people denied their due process.
No, they can’t. But they do. That’s an important distinction. This administration is as rogue as was the administration of Duterte in the Philippines. Actually, this administration is worse.
It is indeed egregious. But for all anyone knows, every single person seized in this program could be innocent, “seized by mistake”. In the United States, the requirement in NOT to prove innocence. The requirement is to prove guilt.
Those who made this “administrative error“ should be jailed for contempt of court and stay there until Mr. Garcia is released. Those individuals who do Trump‘s and Musk‘s dirty business need to see their own personal liability for carrying out illegal orders.
I think the main part of what the administration wanted to accomplish with these deportations was the show of it.
Some days ago Heather provided the link to a FOX News broadcast (https://www.mediamatters.org/five/foxs-greg-gutfeld-supreme-court-chief-justice-roberts-shut-f), in which Greg Gutfeld was raging on about Venezuelan murderers and rapists (where did we hear that before ?). While he was doing that FOX kept showing the deportees, with their shaved heads and shackled in a way that they could not walk upright, being herded unto the planes. It looked like FOX News derived a sadistic pleasure from doing this. They certainly played to the lowest instincts of their audience. This invoked the memory of footage I saw from show trials in the Third Reich, particularly Roland Freisler's "Volksgerichtshof" ("People's Court") where the accused had to appear in shabby clothes, without belts or suspenders, which forced them to stand before the court, holding their pants so that they would not fall down (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Court_(Germany)). But the accused were not shackled or had their heads shaved.
The footage shown by FOX was meant to be even more humiliating. It had a chilling effect on me.
And now the administration's lawyer, probably with a smug smile on his face, asserts that Garcia is beyond the reach of the court. This may be so, but the court could order the administration to get him back. All that would take is a phone call.
That the Trump regime has not already made that call to rectify its mistake, court order or not, just reinforces the notion that this regime will stop at nothing.
The letter ends with "Meanwhile Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) has been speaking on the floor of the Senate since 7:00 tonight because, he said, “I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis.” “These are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.” I listened to his reading of a letter from a 'sandwitched' mother caring for a handicapped child and elderly parents. She is deperately asking for protection of Medicaid. There will be many like her, and Abrego Garcia alone in El Salvador. I am encouraged by reading Psalm 34:15-17.
Thank you Heather. Your context with history is so similar to now. Watching Cory Booker still talking as he stands up for us gives me hope. This hasn’t shown up on my Facebook yet & it’s usually there first, hmm.
I think it would be appropriate now for every Democratic Senator to stand and speak. If at least 40 of them kept talking - one after another - filling in for each other for food and pee breaks - they could make some "good trouble" and some "good noise" to bring attention to the THEFT and LOOTING of our government by a non elected, non Senate approved, non cabinet member mega billionaire raping our government without a single Republican Congress person slightly upset that the Constitution is being shredded as they are ceding power to a new royalty.
THis is a coup accompli and we need a rebellion to restore the rule of law. Go Corey Booker!
Good morning, Bill. I called Senator John Fetterman and left a voicemail urging him to join Senator Cory Booker on the floor of the Senate to speak out against the Trump regime. Mr. Fetterman is a wild card these days and I'm under no illusion that he will do so but he needs to know his constituents expect him to honor his oath of office. Senator Dave McCormick received the same message from me. It's way past time for them to stand up and to put their country before their personal political beliefs. They must do the right thing or be prepared to be voted out of office. Enough.
Gail, I can find nothing in the NYT either.. it hopefully will percolate out but it just shows how little oxygen is left for the opposition when the main stream press is using all its devices to normalize the Musk-Trump rein of callous grift.
I started listening about 14 hours in and was very appreciative of his loud and righteous rage comments so many hours in on Margaret Chase Smith's speech.
Imagine standing/pacing for so many hours, and filled with relevant history and current issues and meaningfully answering questions from the floor (under new rules that make it harder to keep the podium for so long), instead of nonsense like Sen Ted Cruz was able to use under less strenuous physical rules in his 21 hour Obamacare filibuster. Seems a world of difference in how the parties have been used.
He just said a bit on issues dear to me, the Berlin Airlift, rules based international relations, and Trump calling Zelensky a dictator. It makes me think it would be worth getting a complete transcript, no matter how lengthy it becomes.
I'm watching at 2:37 pm just after Angus King started his question on VA firings (as I have been trying to reschedule an appointment I flew 1,500 miles back from Florida to attend, only to have them say I had to reschedule it because they couldn't do it at the scheduled time).
They have been showing 19 hours into it for a while as Sen Schiff is asking a question.
Amazing stamina, and so many important questions I do want to see a complete transcript to see which portions I would want to stress at protests on the April 5th, perhaps even a notebook of bullet points with back up portions of filibuster to show the depth and breadth of what Democrats and Independents in the Senate want to express as a thousand points of ignition for public participation.
Yes, finally Democratic senator Cory Booker holds marathon speech to highlight ‘recklessness’ of Trump policies – US politics livehttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/apr/01/donald-trump-elon-musk-special-elections-florida-wisconsin-texas-arizona-us-politics-live?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-67ebd05a8f08e27e07d376e7#block-67ebd05a8f08e27e07d376e7,
I clutch at any straw I can find suggesting Dem resistance
Senator Booker is the Senator I wish we could have to replace Senator Collins in ME. He has done some amazing things on the Senate Agriculture committee. More so than Senator Grassley who is actually a farmer. John Tester was also a farmer/rancher and did a good job for farmers as well, but the Republicans bought his seat with another fascist billionaire.
Professor Richardson -- Thanks as always for distilling the pertinent details and adding your analysis. I'm glad you highlighted the Wisconsin Democratic Party chair's comments about Elon Musk's tactic of justifying the gifts of two million dollar checks as "speaking engagements." This needs to be challenged in court. Otherwise, it will set a precedent that will be replicated across the country.
It was challenged in court. Up to this point, little turdwaller has won. Perhaps this may be overturned. But the Supremes seem to be in hiding with their docket.
That’s something to take up with Chief Justice Roberts who claimed that dollars are votes. Later he stated that racism was no longer an issue in the USA; Obama having won the Presidency. I like to think of that 1%er as Mr. In Touch.
Thank you, Heather! Friends - there IS something you can do. TODAY (Tues 04/01) is Election Day for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court that Elon musk is trying to buy. Go to wisdems.org, click volunteer, and sign up to make phone calls TODAY. They need callers all day even if you just pop in for a few minutes when you can. Ive been doing it all week, inspired by an activist interviewed by Heather. Please join us today - you are needed and it’s a chance to make a big difference.
Thanks so much Laura. Wisconsin is a lovely place, or was, until Republicans took over by gerrymandering (cheating). This is our last chance to get fair representation. GO Judge Susan Crawford!
“The President of the United States just implied he would use force against an ally in an unprovoked war of aggression and conquest—and the entire world is so used to ignoring him like a crazy grandpa in the attic that it’s not the biggest story on the planet.”
The world is not ignoring him - most people in power are just not leveling themselves to his below-the-gutter level. I was very pleased to learn that both candidates in our next election have explicitly stated that they will not bend to the US "order" to accept changes to our biosecurity, pharmaceutical or meat import regulations to make trade for the US easier. I bet they can be sure that the vast majority of Australians are supporting them.
I'm sure many more Western and non-Western governments will not be bending to the demands of the Orange one.
Something not noticed here yet. Marie LePen. Trump sent words in support of her, as did China and Russia. WHat is the consensus in Europe regarding her conviction?
I wonder what Trump has promised JD Vance and his cabinet in order to support him making these insane moves to take over other countries. Is it fear or a piece of the pie when farm lands are sold off due to trump policies that bankrupt farmers.
In the comments yesterday, someone asked to post this again, and I said that I would. I've also added something that I wrote subsequently. Maybe I could post them separately, but I think that they fit together, so please indulge me. I think that it's clear that I wrote only the second piece, but just in case, it's worth stating again.
My son sent this piece yesterday in a FB post. I'm not familiar with the author, and she has a fairly common name, so I can't ascertain its authenticity, but this is a terrifying view into what our government is doing--It's not that it can't happen here--this is just more proof that it is happening here
My friend was nearly deported in her own damn country.
She’s 43. Born and raised in Miami, Florida. Both her parents are from Colombia and U.S citizens.
My beautiful friend, A U.S. citizen. Perfect English. Her Spanish? Pretty rough. And yet…
She was driving when she got stopped at an immigration checkpoint.
The officer told her she “matched the description of people they were detaining and deporting.”
She asked, “Deporting? I was born here. Where are you going to deport me to Miami-Dade?”
He asked for her passport.
She said, “I don’t have one. Never needed one.”
His response?
“Well, you don’t have a passport and you match the description.”
The description being: brown and breathing, I guess?
Let me be clear:
You do not need a passport to live in this country.
Millions of Americans have never had one.
It's not required for citizenship.
It’s not even required to vote.
But suddenly, if your skin tone or last name isn’t “American enough,” you need to carry documentation like we’re living under an authoritarian regime?
She was understandably pissed.
She asked him, “So because I look Latina, that’s all the proof you need?”
His response, “ Well, again you dont have a passport and you matched the description “
They let her go. With a warning.
A warning.
For what? For not carrying a passport?
For daring to exist in her brown skin without papers in hand?
She now needs to carry her passport everywhere she goes, not to leave the country, but to prove she belongs in the country where she was born.
What the hell are we doing?
Are we really okay with turning the U.S. into a place where citizenship is judged by appearance?
Where being brown is enough to get detained?
Where “you match the description”
becomes the new ‘show me your papers’? *if tou know you know.
Sound familiar? It should.
That’s how it started in Nazi Germany.
And before anyone says I’m being dramatic….remember, the Holocaust didn’t start with gas chambers. It started with suspicion. With documentation. With exclusion. With silence.
This isn’t about immigration anymore. This is about racial profiling. Xenophobia. Authoritarian policing. And it’s happening right now, in the so-called land of the free.
You want to know how fascism creeps in? It’s this. It’s checkpoints. It’s warnings. It’s deciding who “looks” American and who doesn’t.
So here’s a warning back:
If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.
And if you think this can’t happen to you, just wait until someone decides you don’t belong either
Someone replied to the above, reminding us of Pastor Niemöller's poem. Here is my updated version:
First, they came for the rapists, murderers and gang members.I
But I wasn't a rapist, murderer or gang member,
So I didn't speak out.
Then, they came for the immigrants, even those with green cards,
But I wasn't an immigrant,
So I didn't speak out.
Then, they came for those who "fit the profile,"
But with my blond hair and blue eyes, I didn't fit the profile,
So I didn't speak out.
Then, they came for my trans friends and neighbors,
Maybe good advice is to encourage her to go buy an AR15 and take target practices on the range. I’m seriously considering doing it. I’ve been anti gun all my life but if I’m suddenly in a situation like that, would I rather go out in a blaze of glory and take a few with me? It’s a thought. It’s coming down to this.
Bill, remember what Woody Guthrie wrote on his guitar for all to see: "This machine kills fascists." Maybe your songs would reach more people than a gun would.
Borowitz usually has the most interesting part of his pieces reserved for folks who have paid, but he recently made these two songs available to all, so enjoy (just remember to skip the ads)!
Thank you, Dr. Richardson, this is the time for REAL Americans in Florida and Wisconsin to vote their conscience, not their greed. Lets all congratulate any wins for democracy, the Constitution, and the continuing longevity of the United States.
You know Trump was brought to office partially because people thought he was rich so he could run our nation with the same brilliance in which he made money for himself. Now people are impressed by musk because he is the richest man in the world. Trump declared six bankruptcies he is an awful businessman and musk has made billions off the off the United States government
I don’t understand the fascination and connection between rich and competence Not in these cases.
But why would they vote for a Democrat when our grocery prices dropped so much the day Trump became President? And thank goodness the war is over between Russia and Ukraine and Russia returned all of that territory to Ukraine. And now that the US has deported all of the foreign born criminals we can all sleep with our doors unlocked again. And Benjamin Notayahoo has resorted to non-violent means to end the conflict with Hamas.
Things are working out so well with Trump in charge. /S
"No one would allow that he could not see these much-admired clothes; because, in doing so, he would have declared himself either a simpleton or unfit of his office.”
– Hans Christian Andersen, The Emperor’s New Clothes"
How ofter has this tale from a great Danish writer crossed the minds of so many since 2015 when Trump came down the golden elevator. Thanks for the reminder Timothy Snyder.
Great article, thank you. Did you know that Professor Snyder and his wife have left Yale and the US and have taken posts at the University of Toronto? Scary.
I don’t think it’s scary at all. They will most likely be better off. Canada probably aligns better with their values right now. And at least they can speak their minds without fear.
Someone posted that people in the U.S. do not have rights as stated in our Constitution if a person can be elected and eliminate the rights of so many. This crisis may end in four years with another election, but we may not be able to undo the damage. And Trump or a clone may win the election and continue the destruction of democracy. We need to take steps to ensure that this can’t happen again. Constitutional amendments. Specific limits on presidential power. More specific criteria for who can run for office, eliminating any convicted of federal crimes. We need to plan for this as thoroughly as Vought, Musk, and their ilk did in the years before the 2024 election.
The only way to stop something from happening again is going to the source. The source is not our constitution, our constitution is solid. The source is Fox News and misinformation. The source is the fact that 15 years ago we changed the law so that oligarchs could contribute to campaigns and that News media did not have to tell the truth
The Republican voters have been gullible. King Donald the first was on the cards from the get go. The people didn't want monarchies, even benevelent ones and now they have something far far worse.
I just scrolled twice through today’s (4/1/25) online edition of the NY Times; not a peep about Corey Booker’s Senate speech.
The MSM is normalizing MAGA; Signalgate is old news apparently, water over the dam. An Innocent man snatched and sent to a foreign hellhole prison, leaving a family destroyed, is shrugged off. Due process? Habeas corpus? How quaint! More shrugged shoulders.
I look forward with guarded, very guarded, optimism to the results of today’s special elections in Florida and Wisconsin. We’ll learn a lot about where the nation is going after today.
These are not normal times at all when someone like Elon Musk feels it necessary to step forward and publicly thank United States citizens for exercising their most important and powerful right: the right to vote. But would Musk take the trouble - and money - to thank them for voting? Of course not. He's thanking them for voting for his preferred candidate.
I published this on Joyce Vance's substack (Civil Discourse), but I thought I should republish it here since Heather did a short part of today's column on the issue of Trump's proposed annexations of Canada and Greenland. Obviously, like most here, I would generally not want Trump or the United States to meddle in another country's affairs by threatening annexation.
But maybe... (dream along with me now...)
I've been thinking about the 51st State of Canada. That would be a pretty large state. Canada consists of 10 provinces, most of which are bigger than any other American state except Alaska and Texas, plus three territories (which are very low population but big geographically.)
If we WERE to incorporate Canada, it might be expected that we should add at LEAST 7 more states. The six large provinces would join individually (all along the northern border of the US) and the four smallest provinces, which are all on the eastern seaboard of Canada, could be combined into a single state. The sparse three upper territories could remain as non-state territories or be incorporated into one of the lower provinces, now new states.
Using our current Constitutional allocations, we would give each new state 2 senators (per the Constitution), and we would reapportion the 435 members of Congress across the current and new states.
Now, think about that. We would instantly have a Senate that is 14 senators larger than today (2 Senators per state are added). Most of the Senators from the new Canadian states would likely be Democratic or Independent and probably vote with the Democrats. I expect a Senate of 114 Senators would end up with about 60 Democrats and 54 Republicans. It is not a HUGE majority, but it is big enough to probably stave off any retake of the Senate by the GOP for a long time, if not forever.
The Congress would remain the same size (unless we changed that law), and Canada's states would get about 11% of the Congressional members (roughly 45 out of 435). A few of our larger states, like California and Texas, would lose a few seats, while most of the seats would come from the middle where many states would lose 1 seat. The smallest states, which currently have 1 Congresscritter, would not lose anything as each state is guaranteed one seat in Congress. A few smaller, but not middle-sized, states which currently have two or three Congresscritters would lose the most percentage-wise, going from 3 to 2 or 2 to 1.
Interestingly, a lot of those states would likely be GOP states.
Given the liberalness of Canada, the likelihood that Democrats would now completely outnumber Republicans in the Senate AND the Congress could be a GOOD thing, not a bad one. The Republicans would have to scramble to figure out how to fix this and they might not be able to.
This is one of those cases where Trump should probably be careful what he wishes for... he might get it.
I’m a Canadian, from one of the small eastern provinces. Firstly, we’d never accept being taken over by Americans. Sure conventional military means, would be successful in the short term, however,car bomb and IED season can run long and you people have a shitty track record against counter insurgents
Secondly, those fascist bastards you’ve elected, would never permit voting by subjected Canadians .
Rest assured there are those of us who love our CANADIAN neighbors and support leaving you as such, not forcing you to join us as Americans. We have our hands full fighting against our fascist president and must get our own house in order.
So sorry you even have to ponder this nonsense ( we’re living it too).
It’s a forced fatigue fantasy, designed to taunt, confuse , and distract. . We Americans , the actual majority , haven’t a desire one for any of that gang’s madman or any of their flimsy-whimsy.
Personally I spent many a vacation ,wonderful trips through Canada. At all points , views, camping ,the impression was clean ,well managed ,and beautiful lands. Delightful, and thank you. Two favorite ‘aunts’ lived in Montreal, never a passport was needed.
This whole shebang ,a cruel design culminating with the 2025 is a bad dream/nightmare even. But, some say ‘a coup’, others write ‘unprecedented takeover of our country’ , with far too many sliding along -MAGAts they’re called -insolent gangsters…been going on 45 years.
Well….the carbuncle popped. What a mess!
Alienation /Alien Nation/ Billionaire Buffoons wearing their ‘sink hole pants’?
How’s that Making America Great Again working for ya?
Brought to you by Repugnant Republicans..saying “oh be patient, there will be some pain, it’s Biden’s fault, a day of love”…10 years of it …BTW!
If we can , Mike, we -the dull and boring democrats-will clean it up…historically… again
Canada is a sovereign country and with all due respect is not for the taking. Trump's disrespect for everything is filtering through this country. The world is not a giant game of monopoly.
I question the assumption that upon annexing Canada, the GOP would follow the laws about statehood. I can see them making it a territory like Puerto Rico.
At one time the US acd Canada had joint jurisdiction of the American Northwest. Some people in Oregon and Washington want to annul the arbitrary border and the leader of one Canadian party wants to annex the northwest and California.
We probably have more Canadians here in Baghdad By the Sea than Wyoming, or each of the Dakotas. More than in some Canadian provinces. Most pay income and high Florida reeal estate taxes. A lot have dual citizennship. Candian businesses employ about 54,000 Floidians. We usually get about 3 million Canadian visitors who bring in billions of dollars.
We also have more Hispanics per square inch than any other county. Although three of our House representatives are Cuban Americans Trump ended humaintatian visas for Cubans (and Venezuelans and Haitains). Although they are Republicans, they and virtually everone else are pissed at Trump/Musk.
Jon, obviously this is fantasy as most Canadians abhor the idea of becoming part of the US. Rather than adding 7 states (plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico) there have been suggestions of splitting the US into 4 to 7 countries. If Canada wanted to join the west or the northeast or both they certainly could.
No joke dude. “Meanwhile Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) has been speaking on the floor of the Senate since 7:00 tonight because, he said, “I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis.” “These are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.”……. Is anyone even listening? Too little too late. How about speaking about Fox News?
The people who sent him there can get him back. That goes for all those wrongfully imprisoned in El Salvador. And the court has jurisdiction over them. The whole point of this stratagem was to attack the judiciary and pose a challenge to its authority over the President. He had already fired all the immigration judges. ICE was summarily deporting people without hearings anyway. But they were not being labeled as terrorists or terrorist sympathizers. Or invaders. Nor were they being sent to prisons on orders from ICE in foreign countries other than their country of origin. And they did not justify their secret police actions by reference to a presidential order effectively declaring the United States to be at war and invoking the Alien Enemies Act to justify more sweeping powers to deport. They were already deporting in violation of civil rights.
This is not deportation. This is what George Bush and his team came up with. Kidnapping of terrorists. Aka "extraordinary rendition". And the purpose of resorting to it so brazenly in this instance and defiantly, with reliance upon the President's authority to tepel what he alone ferms to be an invasion, is to afford to him the opportunity to override the authority of the courts over his behavior.
Why can’t we get back those men who were wrongly deported? We are paying for them. We should be able to get them back from that hellhole in El Salvador.
I keep wondering this. If there’s a judicial ban on the government’s deportation of Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act, when will the Venezuelans return? Let alone how much they should be compensated. And will we the taxpayers get the money back that was paid to El Salvador to imprison them? I mean, isn’t that doge-able waste, fraud and abuse?
We should be insisting on that money back. There is a sign for marching on April 5. I plan to march on April 5 in front of the American Embassy in Berlin. We are protesting Trump closing half of our consulate offices, and signing EO 14248, which would disenfranchise American voters abroad.
Here is an article on the closing of the American consulate in Hamburg. https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/the-german-consulate-in-hamburg-germany?r=f0qfn
We are of course also protesting the actions of DOGE, and the Trump aggression towards Canada, Greenland, Mexico, Panama, and potentially all of North and Central America, as well as Ukraine and Europe.
In Solidarity!
Remember, when you leave your home with your little protest sign--you are not alone. With the anticipated thousands [million+?] of heroic protestors on April 5th (actually any and all days, including Women's March) here's an updated partial list of those fighting back every day [as of 3-30-25). I'm also adding courageous law firms who haven't caved. Besides upstanding lawyers (e.g. Brenna Trout Frey, and law-abiding honorable (present and former) judges (including James Boasberg, chief judge, D.C. District Ct.), here's a growing list of Profiles in Courage men, women, and advocacy groups who refuse to be cowed or kneel to the force of Trump/Musk/MAGA/Fox "News" intimidation:
I'll begin (again) with Missouri's own indomitable Jess[ica] (à la John Lewis's "get in good trouble") Piper/"The View from Rural Missouri," then, in no particular order, Francie Garber Pepper (1940-2025), Heather Cox Richardson/"Letters from an American," Joyce Vance/"Civil Discourse," Bernie Sanders, AOC, Gov. Tim walz, Sarah Inama, Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Rev. William J. Barber II, Jasmine Crockett, Ruth Ben-Ghait, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O'Donnell, Chris Hayes, Ali Velshi, Prof. Lawrence Tribe, Stephanie Miller, Gov. Janet Mills, Gov. Beshear, Gov. JB.Pritzker, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Amb. Susan Rice, Mayor Michelle Wu, Jim Acosta, Jen Rubin And the Contrarians, Dan Rather, Robert Reich, Jay Kou, Steve Brodner, Rachel Cohen, Brian TylerCohen, Jessica Craven, Scott Dworkin, Brett Meiselas, Joy Reid, D. Earl Stevens, Melvin Gurai, Dan Pfeiffer, Anand Giridharadas Anne Applebaum, Lucian Truscott IV, Chris Murphy, Jeff Merkley, Michael Bennett, Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth, Sheldon Whitehouse, Adam Schiff, Jon Ossoff, Elyssa Slotkin, Tristan Snell, Delia Ramirez,Tim Snyder, Robert B. Hubbell, Ben Meiseilas, Rich wilson, Ron Filpkowski, Jeremy Seahill, Thom Hartmann, Jonathan Bernstein, Simon Rosenberg, Marianne Williamson, Mark Fiore, Jamie Raskin, Rebecca Solnit, Steve Schmidt, Josh Marshall, Paul Krugman, Andy Borowitz, Jeff Danziger, Ann Telnaes,͏ ͏Will Bunch, Jim Hightower, Dan Pfeifer, Dean Obeidallah, Michel Zeitgeist, Liz Cheney, Adam Kimzinger, Cassidy Hutchinson, John Cusack. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Jonathan V Last, Sarah Longwell, Andrew Egger, Aaron Parnas
American Bar Association, 23 blue state Attorney Generals, Indivisible. FiftyFifty one, MoveOn, DemCast, Blue Missouri, Third Act, Democracy Forward, Public Citizen, Democracy Index, Protect Democracy, DemocracyLabs, Fred Wellman/On Democracy, Hands Off, Marc Elias/Democracy Docket, Public Citizen, League of Women Voters, Lambda Legal, CREW, CODEPINK, ACLU, The 19th/Errin Haines, Working Families Party, American Oversight, Every State Blue, Run for Something, Jessica Valenti/Abortion Everyday, The American Manifesto, The Dr. Martin Luther King Center, Bulwark Media, Bill Kristol/all NeverTrumpers
And, as Joyce Vance says, "We're in this together"--or via Jess Piper, from rural Missouri: "Solidarity." FIGHT BACK! WE ARE NOT ALONE! (Latest addition h/t , Robert B. Hubbell: Law firms, see below). All suggestions are welcome.
* Perkins Coie and Covington & Burling have resisted Trump, fighting back with the help of other courageous firms like Williams & Connolly. Per The ABA Journal, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, representing fired inspectors general. (Law.com)
Hogan Lovells, seeking to block executive orders to end federal funding for gender-affirming medical care. (Law.com)
Jenner & Block, also seeking to block the orders on cuts to medical research funding. (Law.com, Reuters)
Ropes & Gray, also seeking to block cuts to medical research funding. (Law.com)
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, representing the Amica Center for Immigrants Rights and others seeking to block funding cuts for immigrant legal services. (Law.com)
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer.
Wilmer Hale
Keker, Van Nest & Peters
Southern Poverty Law Center
Perhaps I should add our nation's motto--and on our Great Seal--the phrase "E pluribus unum" (out of many, One ). Ii's 13 letters makes its use symbolic of the original 13 Colonies which rebelled against the rule of the Kingdom of George III . . .And now we protest together against King Donald. As my rural MO. indomitable Jess Piper always says: "Solidarity."
Your first sentence was hurtful and felt like a mean put-down. My "little protest sign" is all I have. I don't have billions to buy votes. I don't have the skills, equipment, opportunity or ability to initiate an armed coup to go to DC and physically remove the bad actors from their offices. Words on my "little protest sign" and my physical presence to show support are all I have. I am not some prominent law firm or popular substact writer. I am just little old me and I have put my heart, soul and effort into my sign. I am not delusional and realize it will have little to no impact - but it's all I've got. Hopefully, I will join thousands on Saturday but protests alone won't make a difference to this administration. They will do what they can to supress it or ignore it. My little sign will be no protection against bullets should the MAGA types start firing into the crowd or spraying tear gas to break it up - but it's what I've got.
Your sign, however big or little, is like a grain of sand on a beach. Individually easy to overlook, but together with others, unstoppable.
That's solitarity.
Jon, yes and I don't think that it was meant as an insult because the rest of the sentence says each person will be joining many, many people who in various ways are fighting death star, et. al.
I apologize if that is the way you interpreted it. It was meant--as I visualized the the protestor--with their sign (whatever the size is irrelevant), or just standing alone...as a warrior. Thank you for whatever you do. . .In Solitarity.
"I apologize if that is the way you interpreted it."
WOWZA! Now that is a classic 'non-apology apology.
The rest was fine.
“I’m sorry you misunderstood?”Why not say you’re sorry for the way you expressed your point and didn’t mean to disparage protesters. Your response is really just another disparagement: too bad you’re not smart enough to understand me.
I love all the signs! I was at a Tesla Takedown on Saturday and reading everyone's signs made me feel not alone. All the cars driving by and honking their support love the signs too. High Five, Kathy!
Well said, Kathy!!
"If it is to be, it begins with me."
I came across some new words on these signs - DOGE stands for DEPARTMENT OF GREED AND EVIL. And the SIGNAL SCANDLE is referred to as SIGNAL-GATE
You are the sign that matters! Out in the time and energy, build community where you can…it’s all good! Contribute if you can in any and all ways…reading and sharing Heather with others, enjoy a Pete the Explainer’s new feed. His smile!
Delve into Paul for another deep dive…and share these thoughts with as many others as you can.
We all give what we can, do wht we can. Wish my physical bodywas about 20 years younger- would be easier to attend protests. If/ when the cowards try to use force against peacful protesters, the rest of the US & the World will be watching. There is online de-escalation training on 4/2 for how to react on 4/5 if things get rowdy.
Thank for articulating exactly what I am thinking. Sincerely hope he apologizes for that first sentence
He''s a troll--just block him. I just reported him to the admin.
I am not a troll. I am a 91 yr old Korean war vet just trying to make point. Delete if you don't like togetherness or solitarity. (BTW I am alone and don't do substacking.)
I am unable to march in the protest, but I have printed signs from the HandsOff website and posted them in my window.
Miselle, if you can, please attend the nearest rally. Just show up. I can't march so I'm bringing my little camp stool and I'll just sit there in solidarity--and holler my head off!
Me too! There are some very good signs on that site! Glad I just replacded my printer ink since there is a lot of red in the Standard size signs. They also have the info about the de-escalation training.
Thank you for this. A tremendous resource to refer to, spread the word or just admire.
And to those who nitpick over a single word, refuse to accept the writer's explanation and criticize his apology, get over it. Democrats are notorious for eating their own while the MAGAs openly break every rule and trash every norm. Stop it. Just stop it. E pluribus unum. We are one. In solidarity. In solitarity. Pick your slogan, put it on your sign. And move on.
I borrowed this - I was familiar with many of the names and events because I subscribe to many of them but I wanted others to know that we are not alone. Thank you.
Thanks for the reminder that there are more of us than them! I also have small signs to carry but I will been seen as part of the greater good.
Sign size is irrelevant. Only think Solititary and stopping Trump/Musk from destroying our democracy.
Thanks for this!
Larry, I don't understand why you are posting this list so frequently. Maybe I'm paranoid, but we have to be in these times.
Because I have been asked to do by many of the hundreds of Likes I have received, and I have given approval to those who asked permission to substack and/or repost. Sorry. Just delete and un-think In Solitarity--which was all I was trying to do. As Joyce Vance says: "We are in this together."
No need to delete. I worry about these people being targeted, that's all.
That list is a reminder of how many continue to defend or rights & support The Constitution!!
Thank you Anne H & on point yet again Linda Weide, thank you as well.
After Musk's Sunday Political Action Committee (PAC) stunt, I magnified the photo of Musk's outsized check to his PAC operative. Permit me to re-post my 3/31/25 'The Contrarian' observations on Elon Musk's conduct that falls under federal law.
My Contrarian post:
********************
On Sunday 3/30 -- 2 days before the Wisconsin vote, Muskrat's "America PAC" oversized check for $1M was made out "Pay To The Order" of Nicholas Jacobs. The money was identified "For Spokesperson" of the PAC.
LFAA Update: Heather Cox Richardson (3/31-4/1) has collected all the relevant facts identifying the Musk Operative: NICHOLAS JACOBS. Kudos to professional investigative reporting by The Milwaukee Sentinel Journal & other Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) admissible fact finders.
Taxable Income: Political Action Committee's (PACs) are required by Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 527 to report income to agents/ spokespersons.
I had an informative chat this AM with the Agency for recording & posting PAC compliance filings. More Later.
Before the attack on 'Big Law' 12 Sadden Arps Attorneys explained in detail the federal Tax filing obligations of PACs. The Sadden legal analysis was dated 2/20/2025.
Good read while it lasts.
Except there is no viable IRS anymore. Haven’t you read? lol.
Bill, you are exactly right. As more and more agencies, departments and offices are stripped, there doesn't seem to be any recourse. I don't see the protests having any impact. They are a "feel good" for those protesting. But what then?
Protests are a perspective. The April 5th protests are worldwide, and they will show Trump's supporters their own isolation. They do not represent the majority. The world does not support their autocratic adoration.
Yes and no. If these protest are massive as they are expected to be, it will have several purposes. They will tell us that we are mad. This builds momentum. If our society stops functioning as it has already shown to be the case due to Musk and co, the people will complete the disfunction for good reasons. There is no choice. We need now to descend into Dante’s Inferno and destruct in order to rebuild. This nation cannot sustain 4 years of this madness. I’m considering unspoken options to survive.
We do not have a government, we have a run away fascist regime that does not recognize the existence of the legislature or courts. Schumer saved them.
The protests are important to keep up morale, at least. That was the common comment when our local newspaper interviewed people who attended our first protest. "I needed to do something." "I am glad to know I am not alone."
Do you really have a choice...........go for it America against these criminals. All options have been taken away, its too late, but one must try!
You're right. And can we all sustain 3 plus years of protests? At some point exhaustion and a feeling of demoralization will set in......
If the protests help just ONE person change their views, it will have been successful.
it is not the IRS, the 'Service that enforces section 527 against PACs.
On another perhaps more interesting topic to many, I have 2 sources 1 is an independent corp, that U.S.Treasury Refunds are being deposited digitally to authorized bank accounts around 21 days after filing IF a person filed digitally without error.
Didn’t people in Pennsylvania say they never got the promised money?
It is all performative, Sharon. A big show to illustrate and motivate the very sad misinformed people in voting for Musk’s candidate. Wisconsin has a duty to stand firm with choosing Crawford. Many want to see Elon lose as much money as he can.
thank you - more patriotic than the despots in this regime emulating Putin and grabbing and threatening other countries.
I had not heard of EO 14248, which would disenfranchise American voters abroad, until now. Seems like it should be getting more attention in the news!
We should be insisting on every one of those they sent to be returned and given due process. Letting the administration keep them there is like condoning their actions and they’ll keep doing it. If we don’t pay what will El Salvador do with them?
Bravo!!!
Thank you for the article. We all should know, you can't keep slapping the hands of friends without it backfiring. Wish you well for your march in Berlin. I'll be in Seattle 4/5 doing the same thing.
Me too read my entry below.
Yes, in solidarity!
One more thing that would be a press-stopping scandal if there were not so many. Republicans are trying to drown the Constitution corruption.
Why would you think any of them are coming back? The government i.e. Kristi Noem is making torture porn commercials using their bodies, insisting that they ALL be stripped of their shirts before she stood in front of them in her inappropriate attire and $50K watch.
From what I have read, the picture is also one that does not contain a single person who was rounded up in the ICE raids and sent to El Salvador. Apparently it is a posed photo with guys from the prison who were already there. But I do agree with you: just as the Felon and his handlers and overlords are just not bothering to comply, the political prisoners sent to El Salvador are going to be disappeared and erased.
Disappeared, just like the children Trump and Miller ripped away from their families.
😭
“Senator Cory Booker gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.” I stole this line from another substack but truly think it describes his words and actions to a T. Would that we all would speak up so passionate and truthfully.
Great quote from other Substack!
I don't. The prison in El Salvador is one where people are known not to get out alive. It is a death camp. Reminding me of the '80s when I protested to get the US out of Central America and the School of the Americas, and Ollie North running guns, money for Iran-Contra scheme etc...
She is as sick and demented as the rest of the regime.
Sickening…. Completely abhorrent
Kristi Noem is a psychopath.
They all are but yes. She is. Dog murderer.
putting it mildly. It's egregious criminality.
I think that the deportees have one helluva lawsuit against the U.S. government. Their constitutional rights have been egregiously, flagrantly, unlawfully violated. We're dealing with fascism here.
Dictators make such disappear to places that can’t be traced.
The government, such as it is, says they cannot get the men back. That alone should require impeachment.
Calling what is occurring an invasion (sick) by Venezuela is a sick sequel to 'The Mouse that Roared'. https://youtu.be/oKOftmWGGXk 🤢
I know how to get that money back. Tell the Muskrat Lover he can take credit for a DOGE discovery.😵
This whole situation smells to high heaven.
If I’m not mistaken, I seem to recall an article saying that the leader of El Salvador would keep them as long as we paid for them.
Yes. I believe there is.
Dems in the Senate are finally doing something. Holding through the night talks about the reality we find ourselves in. Many commenters note they have not found out about it through normal msm. Here’s a link. https://www.booker.senate.gov/live
Yes thank you I was watching. Senator Booker is speaking well. This gives me fortitude in my desire to drive from CT to Washington on Friday and rest overnight so I will be refreshed to perform my music in front of the White House unless organizers allow me to the podium to present. It’s a long way to goto speak or sing truth to lies but a small sacrifice in comparison to the gentleman that was kidnapped by our government and sent into the Salvador hellhole.
As well, my Senator Chris Murphy. I have been in doubt on whether to drive 350 miles. But no longer. I’ve hired my cat sitter. Food provisions, water. I’m frugal when I’m on the road. Old habits die hard.
I only use the rest stops for gas and poo poo not food, lol.
Very smart. There is literally no nutrition in anything sold as snacks or food at highway restaurants or gas bars. A small cooler is helpful. Peeled hard-boiled eggs, raw carrots, apples, grapes, unsalted nuts in an easy-open container. Several water bottles help you avoid buying plastic bottles of water. Don’t forget a cookie or two. We need to give ourselves a treat. Don’t forget your favourite road trip music and some podcasts. The first hour is the hardest. After that, you enter the zone and the miles slip on by. Recognize when you need to take a break and stretch. Very important - realize when you reach your endurance limit. Sleep in your car or get a motel room. Keep an eye on the weather. Happy landings, all you who stand up for your country. The road is long but you do not travel alone.
Kitty! Kitties!
Bravi to all of you. I’ll be home in Chicago writing GOTV postcards for a special election in GA. Marched against Vietnam War, rallied against Kent State and Iraq War. At 90, it’s postcards. Can still print well.
Thank You for your service Virginia!
Here in my little corner of southeastern CT, there are rallies scheduled all around me. I’ll be attending one in New London that I’m helping organize. When I ask Alexa to tell me the weather forecast for Saturday, I hear that rain is predicted. But I’m attending come rain or come shine!!
Go get ‘em, Clare!!
thanks Bill! With you in spirit!
Thank you Bill. I will listen for your music! As you say, small price to pay.
If you are in DC, I’m likely to be at Layfiette Square. (Mispelled) say hi.
I live right up the road in Md. I may see you at Layfayette Square! Should I look for a white cat?
CSPAN thru YouTube is another link. There is some brilliant lecturing being expounded
It only takes a few in the House to actually do something . Feathers of Hope,
Headlines here: Judge stops Trump administration from ending TPS for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans
Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article303198586.html#storylink=cpy
But they still sent 17 more over the weekend.
They are defying orders. I am certain these plans were devised by Stephen Miller. We should be so lucky if there is a mole in the fascist regime who will stand near all of them and inject poison into their veins. Yes, I did say that.
Yes, Miller and Wiles are pulling the puppet strings. When Trump talks it’s obvious he is mentally unable to hold office. All those stories about Biden and never one about Trump who is actually deficient.
Thank you for sharing this link. The media is making hash out of it instead of just showing it! So frustrating. 🤮😡🤬
Where is a defensible legal argument for their arrest and imprisonment? If none can be demonstrated were these people not illegally kidnapped? Especially in a case like that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia taken by admitted error? This cannot begin to be legal, nor an it be that the victim cannot be retrieved. If some of them should be imprisoned, fine, we have courts for that.
This from Google re: El Salvador-
"As of February 2025, El Salvador had the highest prisoner rate worldwide, with over 1,600 prisoners per 100,000 of the national population.
El Salvador’s Cecot mega-prison, officially called the Center for Terrorism Confinement, is considered the largest prison in the Americas with a capacity of 40,000 inmates. The incarcerations have been part of president Bukele’s efforts to reduce high crime rates and gang violence. In March 2025, the United States transferred more than 200 immigrants, alleged members of a Venezuelan gang, to be imprisoned in El Salvador."
And this also from Google-
"Amnesty International has drawn attention to several arrests of police officers for unlawful police killings. Other issues to gain Amnesty International's attention include missing children, failure of law enforcement to properly investigate and prosecute crimes against women, and rendering organized labour illegal.
Abortion is banned, with no exceptions for rape, incest, or threat to the mother's life; as a result, 180 women have been imprisoned in the last two decades, some for up to 30 years. Discrimination against LGBT people in El Salvador is very widespread. According to 2013 survey by Pew Research, 53% of Salvadorans believe that homosexuality should not be accepted by society. Although homosexuality itself is legal, gay marriage is legally not recognized, as proposals were rejected twice in 2006, and once again in 2009."
Maybe we should "accidentally" send DJTJ, Eric and Ivanka to El Salvador on the next flight after shaving their heads and putting them in shackles. Apparently, there is no way to get them back and their mother wasn't really a citizen was she? And include JD Vance's wife and kids on the flight as well. Dang foreigners. /S
“Abortion is banned, with no exceptions for rape, incest, or threat to the mother's life; as a result, 180 women have been imprisoned in the last two decades, some for up to 30 years.”
⬆️ This is where we are headed.The horrifying attack on reproductive rights is getting buried with the firehose of news.Please share as MSM continues to fail us.📣
“The other state that dominated last week’s coverage was Georgia. Within days of a young woman being arrested over how she disposed of her miscarriage, lawmakers introduced a bill that would punish abortion patients as murderers. It was a one-two punch of criminalization we should expect to see more of: patients getting arrested while anti-abortion lawmakers push legislation that invites even more investigations into pregnancy loss.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/jessica/p/the-week-in-abortion-21a?
You are so right Kathy. Women's healthcare is getting so buried as with the other "news".
Ha ha ha ha 😆 😆 ha ha ha 🤣 😂
👍🏼👍🏼
Yes they are being denied due process. They are being illegally seized and exported.
They took a man away in Boston DURING HIS TRIAL. This is not what democracies do and the Supreme Court has to stop it asap.
A Colombian couple who have lived in the US were also deported -I believed erroneously. Hopefully this will keep our law firms busy, that is those who haven't caved in to Trump....
And compensated for the travesty!
We did at one time “have courts for that.” Many of us screamed at the top of our lungs that this would happen, but the stupid among us ignored these warnings and still voted for the fascist.
Catherine, My guess is that the government is using a habeas corpus argument along the lines of that the ‘body’ in question is not in geographically in the US courts’ jurisdiction. The outrageous arrangement with the El Salvadoran government has no precedent.
Trump can get them back. He won't!
Because it would represent a mistake which he is unable to make.
They were ALL wrongfully deported. They ALL need to be returned, at the very least to have their day in court.
Why can't we get them back? Obvious to me is that it would require officially admitting that mistakes were made -- that's accountability, and the Trump/Musk Regime figureheads prefer anything but that -- even starting wars, as HCR says today. April 5th will be a mirror of what is.
You are asking a moot question. Cruelty is not only the point but the policy.
Lacking due process, the administration actually has no idea how many innocent victims of their covert policies they have deported. It could even be all of them. This entire effort is a show to distract from the usurpation of power by the White House.
No doubt this administration will continue to lie at every turn where they simply don’t intend to do what the justice system tells them they must! They are liars, criminals, and felons!
That's an easy answer Catherine, someone is making money out of this situation. Sad times for America that used to be a great country 😢
This is just prevarication on the part of the Trump administration. Of course they can get them back, after all, they're paying San Salvador to contain them , for a year before the next payment is due?
Marco Rubio needs to fly down there and retrieve him, and anyone else that was "mistakenly" swept up.
Rubbish!
Because such an egregious violation of laws and human rights have probably never been exercised by the US before, there are no legal avenues or precedents how to do that.
This comment was in response to how to retrieve the imprisoned immigrants. Too bad these comments get placed beyond the comment they're responding to....
Simple, we actually can. Those who are claiming otherwise are lying. Those who support them are ignorant or liars or both.
He took 6 million of our money to provide for them. I'll bet no one approved that. I wish I didn't owe this year. I have better things to do with my money.
All of this about which you’ve written is horrible but the most egregious news is the deportation “by mistake”. Had those responsible for said mistake followed the law and allowed Mr Garcia his due process, this, along with many others most likely, would have been avoided entirely. But of course, the whole point was the numbers; fill the quotas. And now the say they can’t get him back? Then I say jail all those,top on down, who are responsible for such a travesty until this nightmare of an error is corrected.
SPW, I concur. I also don’t think that this/these examples of rogue deportations can be/will be bracketed, confined to immigration cases. Rather, with the theory of the administration being that this is a purely executive determination that permits no judicial review prior to the detentions, what is to prevent them from taking any person in the US, citizen or not? If you have no process by which to demonstrate your right to be in the country, can it matter if your right assertion is based on an immigration claim or birthright, be you a 1st generation or a daughter of the American revolution (non caps intentional).
We had Palmer raids after WWI when even some US citizens were deported.
Here's a Harvard Russian researcher who was compromised because she objected to Putin's conduct in Ukraine -- threatened to be sent to Putin. https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/3/28/hms-researcher-detained/
She's held in Louisiana.
This is another story that deserves to be widely shared.
It’s crushingly overwhelming.
This is like a police state. why can real criminals feel free to roam the country and cause harm, when innocent people are arrested. I.C.E. should be iced. They are turning into thugs and inhumane creatures, just like the police who arrested Jews in WWII.
DO you know who is running that Louisiana prison?
Some private equity holder that is beholden to Trump I’m sure.
There are for profit prisons which some are advocating for.
Yes, everything is about for profit and privatization. What an incentive to keep them there. Look at the billions we’ll pay to El Salvador for people denied their due process.
I agree. They can't just say 'oops' shrug their shoulders and go after the next person walking along the street.
Apparently they can. We must do something.
No, they can’t. But they do. That’s an important distinction. This administration is as rogue as was the administration of Duterte in the Philippines. Actually, this administration is worse.
It is indeed egregious. But for all anyone knows, every single person seized in this program could be innocent, “seized by mistake”. In the United States, the requirement in NOT to prove innocence. The requirement is to prove guilt.
Those who made this “administrative error“ should be jailed for contempt of court and stay there until Mr. Garcia is released. Those individuals who do Trump‘s and Musk‘s dirty business need to see their own personal liability for carrying out illegal orders.
I think the main part of what the administration wanted to accomplish with these deportations was the show of it.
Some days ago Heather provided the link to a FOX News broadcast (https://www.mediamatters.org/five/foxs-greg-gutfeld-supreme-court-chief-justice-roberts-shut-f), in which Greg Gutfeld was raging on about Venezuelan murderers and rapists (where did we hear that before ?). While he was doing that FOX kept showing the deportees, with their shaved heads and shackled in a way that they could not walk upright, being herded unto the planes. It looked like FOX News derived a sadistic pleasure from doing this. They certainly played to the lowest instincts of their audience. This invoked the memory of footage I saw from show trials in the Third Reich, particularly Roland Freisler's "Volksgerichtshof" ("People's Court") where the accused had to appear in shabby clothes, without belts or suspenders, which forced them to stand before the court, holding their pants so that they would not fall down (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Court_(Germany)). But the accused were not shackled or had their heads shaved.
The footage shown by FOX was meant to be even more humiliating. It had a chilling effect on me.
And now the administration's lawyer, probably with a smug smile on his face, asserts that Garcia is beyond the reach of the court. This may be so, but the court could order the administration to get him back. All that would take is a phone call.
That the Trump regime has not already made that call to rectify its mistake, court order or not, just reinforces the notion that this regime will stop at nothing.
I agree. Even Vikings in the White House have rights, even though they have no respect for law.
The letter ends with "Meanwhile Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) has been speaking on the floor of the Senate since 7:00 tonight because, he said, “I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis.” “These are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.” I listened to his reading of a letter from a 'sandwitched' mother caring for a handicapped child and elderly parents. She is deperately asking for protection of Medicaid. There will be many like her, and Abrego Garcia alone in El Salvador. I am encouraged by reading Psalm 34:15-17.
I agree. Jail them in El
Salvador.
Amen!! How can they not be punished
How outrageous.
Thank you Heather. Your context with history is so similar to now. Watching Cory Booker still talking as he stands up for us gives me hope. This hasn’t shown up on my Facebook yet & it’s usually there first, hmm.
I think it would be appropriate now for every Democratic Senator to stand and speak. If at least 40 of them kept talking - one after another - filling in for each other for food and pee breaks - they could make some "good trouble" and some "good noise" to bring attention to the THEFT and LOOTING of our government by a non elected, non Senate approved, non cabinet member mega billionaire raping our government without a single Republican Congress person slightly upset that the Constitution is being shredded as they are ceding power to a new royalty.
THis is a coup accompli and we need a rebellion to restore the rule of law. Go Corey Booker!
"Down with the Kings!"
Good morning, Bill. I called Senator John Fetterman and left a voicemail urging him to join Senator Cory Booker on the floor of the Senate to speak out against the Trump regime. Mr. Fetterman is a wild card these days and I'm under no illusion that he will do so but he needs to know his constituents expect him to honor his oath of office. Senator Dave McCormick received the same message from me. It's way past time for them to stand up and to put their country before their personal political beliefs. They must do the right thing or be prepared to be voted out of office. Enough.
"Down with the Kings!"
History rhyming again. America's founders said much the same.
I'm not sure what the current rules are on food and pee breaks but think they have been made tougher.
I am watching on C-Span 2 and calling the senators who are speaking out to thank them. Unfortunately, John Fetterman isn't on the list.
Gail, I can find nothing in the NYT either.. it hopefully will percolate out but it just shows how little oxygen is left for the opposition when the main stream press is using all its devices to normalize the Musk-Trump rein of callous grift.
Rachel Maddow on MSNBC covered it
https://www.booker.senate.gov/live
I started listening about 14 hours in and was very appreciative of his loud and righteous rage comments so many hours in on Margaret Chase Smith's speech.
Imagine standing/pacing for so many hours, and filled with relevant history and current issues and meaningfully answering questions from the floor (under new rules that make it harder to keep the podium for so long), instead of nonsense like Sen Ted Cruz was able to use under less strenuous physical rules in his 21 hour Obamacare filibuster. Seems a world of difference in how the parties have been used.
He just said a bit on issues dear to me, the Berlin Airlift, rules based international relations, and Trump calling Zelensky a dictator. It makes me think it would be worth getting a complete transcript, no matter how lengthy it becomes.
When I started listening there were 28,000 watching but is now floating around 32,000. I'll stay listening as long as I can.
If he is still this strong 15 hours into it, I'm wondering if I can hold up as long as he seems capable of going. I'll do my best to do so though.
When my wife went to the site 10 minutes later it was 35,383. That seems pretty good compared to the 39.6k subscribers shown.
I am watching on C-Span 2.
I'm watching at 2:37 pm just after Angus King started his question on VA firings (as I have been trying to reschedule an appointment I flew 1,500 miles back from Florida to attend, only to have them say I had to reschedule it because they couldn't do it at the scheduled time).
They have been showing 19 hours into it for a while as Sen Schiff is asking a question.
Amazing stamina, and so many important questions I do want to see a complete transcript to see which portions I would want to stress at protests on the April 5th, perhaps even a notebook of bullet points with back up portions of filibuster to show the depth and breadth of what Democrats and Independents in the Senate want to express as a thousand points of ignition for public participation.
P.S. viewers topped 58,000 at 2:51pm!
Thank You!!
This is stunning.
Rachel Maddow covered it
The Today Show covered it this morning.
I saw a story on it somewhere. The Guardian I think.
See Hunter Walker or Federal Employee News or Mary Claire on BlueSky
It is not showing up on my Guardian feed.
Rachel Madow on MSNBC highlight Senator Booker’s speech this evening.
It’s being covered by the Guardian.
Yes, finally Democratic senator Cory Booker holds marathon speech to highlight ‘recklessness’ of Trump policies – US politics livehttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/apr/01/donald-trump-elon-musk-special-elections-florida-wisconsin-texas-arizona-us-politics-live?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-67ebd05a8f08e27e07d376e7#block-67ebd05a8f08e27e07d376e7,
I clutch at any straw I can find suggesting Dem resistance
I’m here as well because Heather’s post from last night has not shown up on my Facebook page. 🤨
She did post that the storm in her area might prevent a FB post.
Greetings from downstream in Scarborough Heather.
Thank you for this tail of the dog reminder of Seward’s craziness with Lincoln,
hoping to unite the United States by going to war with a foreign country.
This nonsense about Greenland is ridiculous at the face of it,
but very serious indeed.
I hope for the emergence of a Lincoln-like person
with a strong central core of values
that make us proud once again to be Americans.
That’s my vision every day.
Perhaps Cory Booker’s efforts will bear some positive outcome.
He seems to me to be such a kind, sensible Senator.
He seems to me a principled, intellectually sharp, fluently-spoken senator, worthy of the title of Senator.
Senator Booker is the Senator I wish we could have to replace Senator Collins in ME. He has done some amazing things on the Senate Agriculture committee. More so than Senator Grassley who is actually a farmer. John Tester was also a farmer/rancher and did a good job for farmers as well, but the Republicans bought his seat with another fascist billionaire.
(Groan) Vulgarity and greed seem to win over class every time.
Musk Mega MAGA Multi-Millions per seat to be bought for the Greediest
Professor Richardson -- Thanks as always for distilling the pertinent details and adding your analysis. I'm glad you highlighted the Wisconsin Democratic Party chair's comments about Elon Musk's tactic of justifying the gifts of two million dollar checks as "speaking engagements." This needs to be challenged in court. Otherwise, it will set a precedent that will be replicated across the country.
It was challenged in court. Up to this point, little turdwaller has won. Perhaps this may be overturned. But the Supremes seem to be in hiding with their docket.
I think there’s a popular song:
I'm sittin' on the docket by the bay
Watching the tide roll away
I'm just sittin' on the docket by the bay
Wastin' time
Lovely song. In this case, saddest circumstance.
Thanks for the clarification. I hope that the ruling will be overturned, as "big money" is currently corrupting politics on many different levels.
That’s something to take up with Chief Justice Roberts who claimed that dollars are votes. Later he stated that racism was no longer an issue in the USA; Obama having won the Presidency. I like to think of that 1%er as Mr. In Touch.
Maybe we will have a Republican Musk National Lottery. Every ticket will say Donald Loves You—Vote Republican.
By the way, will a win be considered a tax-free “tip”?
Thank you, Heather! Friends - there IS something you can do. TODAY (Tues 04/01) is Election Day for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court that Elon musk is trying to buy. Go to wisdems.org, click volunteer, and sign up to make phone calls TODAY. They need callers all day even if you just pop in for a few minutes when you can. Ive been doing it all week, inspired by an activist interviewed by Heather. Please join us today - you are needed and it’s a chance to make a big difference.
PS— and you can make those calls to Wisconsin voters virtually, from anywhere!!!
Thanks so much Laura. Wisconsin is a lovely place, or was, until Republicans took over by gerrymandering (cheating). This is our last chance to get fair representation. GO Judge Susan Crawford!
“The President of the United States just implied he would use force against an ally in an unprovoked war of aggression and conquest—and the entire world is so used to ignoring him like a crazy grandpa in the attic that it’s not the biggest story on the planet.”
watch out. Grandpa got a hold of a gun!
The world is not ignoring him - most people in power are just not leveling themselves to his below-the-gutter level. I was very pleased to learn that both candidates in our next election have explicitly stated that they will not bend to the US "order" to accept changes to our biosecurity, pharmaceutical or meat import regulations to make trade for the US easier. I bet they can be sure that the vast majority of Australians are supporting them.
I'm sure many more Western and non-Western governments will not be bending to the demands of the Orange one.
USA will soon stand for "U Stand Alone"
Something not noticed here yet. Marie LePen. Trump sent words in support of her, as did China and Russia. WHat is the consensus in Europe regarding her conviction?
Grandpa? I thought it was a kid wearing a Viking hat who loves the world domination boardgame Risk.
I wonder what Trump has promised JD Vance and his cabinet in order to support him making these insane moves to take over other countries. Is it fear or a piece of the pie when farm lands are sold off due to trump policies that bankrupt farmers.
In the comments yesterday, someone asked to post this again, and I said that I would. I've also added something that I wrote subsequently. Maybe I could post them separately, but I think that they fit together, so please indulge me. I think that it's clear that I wrote only the second piece, but just in case, it's worth stating again.
My son sent this piece yesterday in a FB post. I'm not familiar with the author, and she has a fairly common name, so I can't ascertain its authenticity, but this is a terrifying view into what our government is doing--It's not that it can't happen here--this is just more proof that it is happening here
My friend was nearly deported in her own damn country.
She’s 43. Born and raised in Miami, Florida. Both her parents are from Colombia and U.S citizens.
My beautiful friend, A U.S. citizen. Perfect English. Her Spanish? Pretty rough. And yet…
She was driving when she got stopped at an immigration checkpoint.
The officer told her she “matched the description of people they were detaining and deporting.”
She asked, “Deporting? I was born here. Where are you going to deport me to Miami-Dade?”
He asked for her passport.
She said, “I don’t have one. Never needed one.”
His response?
“Well, you don’t have a passport and you match the description.”
The description being: brown and breathing, I guess?
Let me be clear:
You do not need a passport to live in this country.
Millions of Americans have never had one.
It's not required for citizenship.
It’s not even required to vote.
But suddenly, if your skin tone or last name isn’t “American enough,” you need to carry documentation like we’re living under an authoritarian regime?
She was understandably pissed.
She asked him, “So because I look Latina, that’s all the proof you need?”
His response, “ Well, again you dont have a passport and you matched the description “
They let her go. With a warning.
A warning.
For what? For not carrying a passport?
For daring to exist in her brown skin without papers in hand?
She now needs to carry her passport everywhere she goes, not to leave the country, but to prove she belongs in the country where she was born.
What the hell are we doing?
Are we really okay with turning the U.S. into a place where citizenship is judged by appearance?
Where being brown is enough to get detained?
Where “you match the description”
becomes the new ‘show me your papers’? *if tou know you know.
Sound familiar? It should.
That’s how it started in Nazi Germany.
And before anyone says I’m being dramatic….remember, the Holocaust didn’t start with gas chambers. It started with suspicion. With documentation. With exclusion. With silence.
This isn’t about immigration anymore. This is about racial profiling. Xenophobia. Authoritarian policing. And it’s happening right now, in the so-called land of the free.
You want to know how fascism creeps in? It’s this. It’s checkpoints. It’s warnings. It’s deciding who “looks” American and who doesn’t.
So here’s a warning back:
If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.
And if you think this can’t happen to you, just wait until someone decides you don’t belong either
Someone replied to the above, reminding us of Pastor Niemöller's poem. Here is my updated version:
First, they came for the rapists, murderers and gang members.I
But I wasn't a rapist, murderer or gang member,
So I didn't speak out.
Then, they came for the immigrants, even those with green cards,
But I wasn't an immigrant,
So I didn't speak out.
Then, they came for those who "fit the profile,"
But with my blond hair and blue eyes, I didn't fit the profile,
So I didn't speak out.
Then, they came for my trans friends and neighbors,
But I wasn't trans,
So I didn't speak out
(add whatever groups you like)
Then, Elon Musk appeared with his chainsaw,
And there was no one left to speak out for me.
Maybe good advice is to encourage her to go buy an AR15 and take target practices on the range. I’m seriously considering doing it. I’ve been anti gun all my life but if I’m suddenly in a situation like that, would I rather go out in a blaze of glory and take a few with me? It’s a thought. It’s coming down to this.
Bill, remember what Woody Guthrie wrote on his guitar for all to see: "This machine kills fascists." Maybe your songs would reach more people than a gun would.
Borowitz usually has the most interesting part of his pieces reserved for folks who have paid, but he recently made these two songs available to all, so enjoy (just remember to skip the ads)!
https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c-vn5zTDqo
https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPfwtXulKS4
Imagine this woman could have been a Trump voter. After all a large number of Latinos voted for him so he would get rid of the other POC.
Thank you, Dr. Richardson, this is the time for REAL Americans in Florida and Wisconsin to vote their conscience, not their greed. Lets all congratulate any wins for democracy, the Constitution, and the continuing longevity of the United States.
You know Trump was brought to office partially because people thought he was rich so he could run our nation with the same brilliance in which he made money for himself. Now people are impressed by musk because he is the richest man in the world. Trump declared six bankruptcies he is an awful businessman and musk has made billions off the off the United States government
I don’t understand the fascination and connection between rich and competence Not in these cases.
But why would they vote for a Democrat when our grocery prices dropped so much the day Trump became President? And thank goodness the war is over between Russia and Ukraine and Russia returned all of that territory to Ukraine. And now that the US has deported all of the foreign born criminals we can all sleep with our doors unlocked again. And Benjamin Notayahoo has resorted to non-violent means to end the conflict with Hamas.
Things are working out so well with Trump in charge. /S
Because you follow orders when Nero and/or Caligula is in charge.
Here is additional thought on the madness of Trumpian foreign policy from historian Timothy Snyder:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/31/trump-greenland-us-morally-wrong-strategy-disastrous
"No one would allow that he could not see these much-admired clothes; because, in doing so, he would have declared himself either a simpleton or unfit of his office.”
– Hans Christian Andersen, The Emperor’s New Clothes"
How ofter has this tale from a great Danish writer crossed the minds of so many since 2015 when Trump came down the golden elevator. Thanks for the reminder Timothy Snyder.
Great article, thank you. Did you know that Professor Snyder and his wife have left Yale and the US and have taken posts at the University of Toronto? Scary.
Good for them. They need the ability to teach facts without threats and fear of their well-being.
I don’t think it’s scary at all. They will most likely be better off. Canada probably aligns better with their values right now. And at least they can speak their minds without fear.
This is a GREAT article. I sent it on to several acquaintances to read.
Excellent article. 'nothing was experienced, nothing was learned, nothing sensible was said.'
Someone posted that people in the U.S. do not have rights as stated in our Constitution if a person can be elected and eliminate the rights of so many. This crisis may end in four years with another election, but we may not be able to undo the damage. And Trump or a clone may win the election and continue the destruction of democracy. We need to take steps to ensure that this can’t happen again. Constitutional amendments. Specific limits on presidential power. More specific criteria for who can run for office, eliminating any convicted of federal crimes. We need to plan for this as thoroughly as Vought, Musk, and their ilk did in the years before the 2024 election.
The only way to stop something from happening again is going to the source. The source is not our constitution, our constitution is solid. The source is Fox News and misinformation. The source is the fact that 15 years ago we changed the law so that oligarchs could contribute to campaigns and that News media did not have to tell the truth
Didn't George Carlin once say that if they can take them away, they aren't rights?
The Republican voters have been gullible. King Donald the first was on the cards from the get go. The people didn't want monarchies, even benevelent ones and now they have something far far worse.
I just scrolled twice through today’s (4/1/25) online edition of the NY Times; not a peep about Corey Booker’s Senate speech.
The MSM is normalizing MAGA; Signalgate is old news apparently, water over the dam. An Innocent man snatched and sent to a foreign hellhole prison, leaving a family destroyed, is shrugged off. Due process? Habeas corpus? How quaint! More shrugged shoulders.
I look forward with guarded, very guarded, optimism to the results of today’s special elections in Florida and Wisconsin. We’ll learn a lot about where the nation is going after today.
This today on all the executive orders: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/opinion/trump-executive-orders-presidential-power.html?unlocked_article_code=1.8U4.jmSw.pkJGY-vlhhHE&smid=url-share
Thx for the share.
More on the media:
https://open.substack.com/pub/broligarchy/p/introducing-instafacism?r=apy04&utm_medium=ios
These are not normal times at all when someone like Elon Musk feels it necessary to step forward and publicly thank United States citizens for exercising their most important and powerful right: the right to vote. But would Musk take the trouble - and money - to thank them for voting? Of course not. He's thanking them for voting for his preferred candidate.
And damning them if they don't. Like a candlestick or a lead pipe, money can be used as a weapon in service of a deadly crime.
That's how they do it in Russia.
I published this on Joyce Vance's substack (Civil Discourse), but I thought I should republish it here since Heather did a short part of today's column on the issue of Trump's proposed annexations of Canada and Greenland. Obviously, like most here, I would generally not want Trump or the United States to meddle in another country's affairs by threatening annexation.
But maybe... (dream along with me now...)
I've been thinking about the 51st State of Canada. That would be a pretty large state. Canada consists of 10 provinces, most of which are bigger than any other American state except Alaska and Texas, plus three territories (which are very low population but big geographically.)
If we WERE to incorporate Canada, it might be expected that we should add at LEAST 7 more states. The six large provinces would join individually (all along the northern border of the US) and the four smallest provinces, which are all on the eastern seaboard of Canada, could be combined into a single state. The sparse three upper territories could remain as non-state territories or be incorporated into one of the lower provinces, now new states.
Using our current Constitutional allocations, we would give each new state 2 senators (per the Constitution), and we would reapportion the 435 members of Congress across the current and new states.
Now, think about that. We would instantly have a Senate that is 14 senators larger than today (2 Senators per state are added). Most of the Senators from the new Canadian states would likely be Democratic or Independent and probably vote with the Democrats. I expect a Senate of 114 Senators would end up with about 60 Democrats and 54 Republicans. It is not a HUGE majority, but it is big enough to probably stave off any retake of the Senate by the GOP for a long time, if not forever.
The Congress would remain the same size (unless we changed that law), and Canada's states would get about 11% of the Congressional members (roughly 45 out of 435). A few of our larger states, like California and Texas, would lose a few seats, while most of the seats would come from the middle where many states would lose 1 seat. The smallest states, which currently have 1 Congresscritter, would not lose anything as each state is guaranteed one seat in Congress. A few smaller, but not middle-sized, states which currently have two or three Congresscritters would lose the most percentage-wise, going from 3 to 2 or 2 to 1.
Interestingly, a lot of those states would likely be GOP states.
Given the liberalness of Canada, the likelihood that Democrats would now completely outnumber Republicans in the Senate AND the Congress could be a GOOD thing, not a bad one. The Republicans would have to scramble to figure out how to fix this and they might not be able to.
This is one of those cases where Trump should probably be careful what he wishes for... he might get it.
I’m a Canadian, from one of the small eastern provinces. Firstly, we’d never accept being taken over by Americans. Sure conventional military means, would be successful in the short term, however,car bomb and IED season can run long and you people have a shitty track record against counter insurgents
Secondly, those fascist bastards you’ve elected, would never permit voting by subjected Canadians .
Rest assured there are those of us who love our CANADIAN neighbors and support leaving you as such, not forcing you to join us as Americans. We have our hands full fighting against our fascist president and must get our own house in order.
Central Florida thanks you,Canada !!🇨🇦🍁
Canada takes to billboards in Central Florida to protest US tariffs
https://www.wesh.com/article/canada-billboards-central-florida-protest-us-tariffs/64300452
Dear Mike,
So sorry you even have to ponder this nonsense ( we’re living it too).
It’s a forced fatigue fantasy, designed to taunt, confuse , and distract. . We Americans , the actual majority , haven’t a desire one for any of that gang’s madman or any of their flimsy-whimsy.
Personally I spent many a vacation ,wonderful trips through Canada. At all points , views, camping ,the impression was clean ,well managed ,and beautiful lands. Delightful, and thank you. Two favorite ‘aunts’ lived in Montreal, never a passport was needed.
This whole shebang ,a cruel design culminating with the 2025 is a bad dream/nightmare even. But, some say ‘a coup’, others write ‘unprecedented takeover of our country’ , with far too many sliding along -MAGAts they’re called -insolent gangsters…been going on 45 years.
Well….the carbuncle popped. What a mess!
Alienation /Alien Nation/ Billionaire Buffoons wearing their ‘sink hole pants’?
How’s that Making America Great Again working for ya?
Brought to you by Repugnant Republicans..saying “oh be patient, there will be some pain, it’s Biden’s fault, a day of love”…10 years of it …BTW!
If we can , Mike, we -the dull and boring democrats-will clean it up…historically… again
Stand Your Ground. 🇨🇦
Good lord settle down! ROFLMAO at how many people took this seriously!
It's APRIL FOOLS Day folks!!!
Get a sense of humor!
We have to make it through 1390 more days of this sh*t!
Hugs to all!
The Canadians DO NOT WANT to join the US - that's all that matters and should matter. Who cares what the US wants?
Good lord settle down! ROFLMAO at how many people took this seriously!
It's APRIL FOOLS Day folks!!!
Get a sense of humor!
We have to make it through 1390 more days of this sh*t!
Hugs to all!
Good one! 😂😂😂
Canada is a sovereign country and with all due respect is not for the taking. Trump's disrespect for everything is filtering through this country. The world is not a giant game of monopoly.
Good lord settle down! ROFLMAO at how many people took this seriously!
It's APRIL FOOLS Day folks!!!
Get a sense of humor!
We have to make it through 1390 more days of this sh*t!
Hugs to all!
Alas, stealing here from Gelett Burgess, I expect annexation would prompt the elation a cow might enjoy in a tree.
Especially for Quebec.
No way, eh
I question the assumption that upon annexing Canada, the GOP would follow the laws about statehood. I can see them making it a territory like Puerto Rico.
The same thing they would do to Greenland. My goodness, they won’t even all D.C. to become a state because they would lose their gerrymandered edge.
Worst possible idea, ever!!! What the heck is wrong with you?! Leave Canada the freak alone.
Good lord settle down! ROFLMAO at how many people took this seriously!
It's APRIL FOOLS Day folks!!!
Get a sense of humor!
We have to make it through 1395 more days of this sh*t!
Hugs to all!
Maybe folks are questioning your sensitivity here.
I certainly think it was in poor taste.
Maybe they should try not to lose their sense of humor in this awful time. It may be the one precious thing we have left.
oh, yeah I forgot ..... you are "hilarious"!
Lets make a deal.
At one time the US acd Canada had joint jurisdiction of the American Northwest. Some people in Oregon and Washington want to annul the arbitrary border and the leader of one Canadian party wants to annex the northwest and California.
We probably have more Canadians here in Baghdad By the Sea than Wyoming, or each of the Dakotas. More than in some Canadian provinces. Most pay income and high Florida reeal estate taxes. A lot have dual citizennship. Candian businesses employ about 54,000 Floidians. We usually get about 3 million Canadian visitors who bring in billions of dollars.
We also have more Hispanics per square inch than any other county. Although three of our House representatives are Cuban Americans Trump ended humaintatian visas for Cubans (and Venezuelans and Haitains). Although they are Republicans, they and virtually everone else are pissed at Trump/Musk.
Listening to Vance's sales pittch, what if each state vote its will. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-determination
You know that Canada is not going to annex any states in the US. Although I hear most states would be ok with Canada annexing them.
Exactly. Health insurance won't bankrupt anyone anymore and that's for starters!
Satire.
APRIL FOOLS!
Jon, obviously this is fantasy as most Canadians abhor the idea of becoming part of the US. Rather than adding 7 states (plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico) there have been suggestions of splitting the US into 4 to 7 countries. If Canada wanted to join the west or the northeast or both they certainly could.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/map-suggesting-how-the-us-could-be-split-into-four-different-regions-sparks-uproar-online-as-critics-rail-against-the-placement-of-one-specific-state/ar-BB1l1oDb
APRIL FOOLS!
That was a very nice dream Jon. Without disrespecting the nice Canadians I wish it came true.
APRIL FOOLS!
No joke dude. “Meanwhile Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) has been speaking on the floor of the Senate since 7:00 tonight because, he said, “I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis.” “These are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.”……. Is anyone even listening? Too little too late. How about speaking about Fox News?
Seems that before we send troops to take over Greenland, we could send troops to get Garcia back
The people who sent him there can get him back. That goes for all those wrongfully imprisoned in El Salvador. And the court has jurisdiction over them. The whole point of this stratagem was to attack the judiciary and pose a challenge to its authority over the President. He had already fired all the immigration judges. ICE was summarily deporting people without hearings anyway. But they were not being labeled as terrorists or terrorist sympathizers. Or invaders. Nor were they being sent to prisons on orders from ICE in foreign countries other than their country of origin. And they did not justify their secret police actions by reference to a presidential order effectively declaring the United States to be at war and invoking the Alien Enemies Act to justify more sweeping powers to deport. They were already deporting in violation of civil rights.
This is not deportation. This is what George Bush and his team came up with. Kidnapping of terrorists. Aka "extraordinary rendition". And the purpose of resorting to it so brazenly in this instance and defiantly, with reliance upon the President's authority to tepel what he alone ferms to be an invasion, is to afford to him the opportunity to override the authority of the courts over his behavior.
I wonder if some of our Democrat senators and congressman could do this?