Deborah Wakshull

Against Normalism It doesn’t matter that Trump’s legislative agenda is in trouble. There is bigger game afoot.

"What has Trump done since assuming office? Has he even pretended to move a single piece of legislation? No. He has focused on radically expanding executive power." It isn't about legislative agendas anymore.

Today's Triad from @jvl.bsky.social: www.thebulwark.com/p/against-no...

Trump Lies, His Seals Clap His American dream is a nightmare

open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...

That’s right. 🇺🇦

Inside DOGE’s Dumbest Cut Yet Last week’s hastily reversed firings at the National Nuclear Security Administration have left a reeling, rattled agency in their wake.

Inside DOGE’s Dumbest Cut Yet
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...

Dear Attorney General Bondi: On February 10, 2025, I received a memorandum from acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, directing me to dismiss the indictment against Mayor Eric Adams without prejudice, subject to certain conditions, which would require leave of court. I do not repeat here the evidence against Adams that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that he committed federal crimes; Mr. Bove rightly has never called into question that the case team conducted this investigation with integrity and that the charges against Adams are serious and supported by fact and law. Mr. Bove's memo, however, which directs me to dismiss an indictment returned by a duly constituted grand jury for reasons having nothing to do with the strength of the case, raises serious concerns that render the contemplated dismissal inconsistent with my ability and duty to prosecute federal crimes without fear or favor and to advance good-faith arguments before the courts. When I took my oath of office three weeks ago, I vowed to well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I was about to enter. In carrying out that responsibility, I am guided by, among other things, the Principles of Federal Prosecution set forth in the Justice Manual and your recent memoranda instructing attorneys for the Department of Justice to make only good-faith arguments and not to use the criminal enforcement authority of the United States to achieve political objectives or other improper aims. I am also guided by the values that have defined my over ten years of public service. You and I have yet to meet, let alone discuss this case. But as you may know, I clerked for the Honorable J. Harvie Wilkinson III on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and for Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court. Both men instilled in me a sense of duty to contribute to the public good and uphold the rule of law, and a commitment to reasoned and thorough analysis. I have always considered it my o…

READ Danielle Sassoon's letter to AG Pam Bondi, via @nytimes.com:

"Rather than be rewarded, Adams's advocacy should be called out for what it is: an improper offer of immigration enforcement assistance in exchange for a dismissal of his case." static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics...

I am really frustrated that the press is discussing the destruction of USAID as something that has happened rather than an illegal action that will likely be undone in two weeks when courts tell the world that it was illegal.

Musk is trying to take over our government. He is not elected to office…not a government employee/official. Why does he have access to all our treasury info. Especially these teenagers that work for him.
He needs to be stopped. Do something.

could not put it better 👇

Marco Rubio's new acting undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, ladies and gentlemen.

a black background with the words black history month in red yellow and green Alt: a black background with the words black history month in red yellow and green

WELCOME TO BLACK HISTORY MONTH

'This is blanket': Host nails Vance after Trump breaks promise on 'case-by-base' pardons CBS News host Margaret Brennan grilled Vice President J.D. Vance after President Donald Trump broke a promise to pardon Jan. 6 rioters on a case-by-case basis. During an interview that aired on Sund...

"Violence against a police officer is not justified. But that doesn't mean that you should have Merrick Garland's weaponized Department of Justice expose you to an incredibly unfair process," Vance attempted

Our new Sec of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, promoted this anti-drug slogan as Governor of S. Dakota. I wish I were kidding.

Oh, come on! At the inauguration? Are you f*cking ketamine with this?

Brutal

YouTube video by The Lincoln Project Hegseth

He’s still a sexist.
He’s still a predator.
He’s still an angry drunk.
He’s still a dangerous pick for Secretary of Defense.

youtu.be/Q4Es-IDBDao?...

That Felony Guy makes zero sense and is only going to get worse.

January 8, 2024 At least four wildfires tearing across Los Angeles have killed at least five people and forced the evacuation of at least 130,000 more, and have flattened about 42 square miles (109 square kilometers)...

open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...

Sen. Murphy: I’m Preparing for Dystopia In an interview with The Bulwark, the Connecticut Democrat outlines how bad it could get and what his party must now do.

Preparing for dystopia is not the traditional work requirement of a senator. But unique times call for unique measures. And Sen. Chris Murphy, as much as anyone else in his party, has been using the post-election period to sound the alarm.

The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry

The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry: a great poem for troubled time...

Word of the Day, should you need it, is ‘latibulate’, a 17th-century verb meaning to find a corner somewhere and hide in it.