Signe

Expect Trump to continue using multiple distractions to avoid the humanitarian crisis we face.

One of every eight people has lost federal food aid while 5.9 million households are losing home heating aid just as we reach November. (more at website)

They should keep the wax figure. Sounds like it is helping people deal with their anger safely.

Could someone place an order for 100 more Jasmine Crocketts for overnight delivery to the Democratic Party

thx in advance

I was electrocuted, beaten, stabbed in the leg and starved after being captured while defending my home and family in Mariupol.
We held back Putin’s invasion for several weeks while Russia slaughtered over 25,000 predominantly Russian speaking Ukrainians including women and children.

Oh, jeez.

A friend posted this. “I ran into a friend this morning who was walking his dog near a [] client whose house we're helping with. He's …highest security clearances and certifications. …told the clearances were suspended, and will be revoked due to social m. posts.

He's one of 2 I know in [place].”

Opinion | Trump’s War on D.E.I. Is Really a War on Civil Rights The genius of the right-wing crusade against D.E.I. is that the term is amorphous enough that it can mean many different things to many different people.

"[For the Right], D.E.I...is the mere presence of a woman or nonwhite person or disabled or transgender person in any high-skilled, high-status position. And their alternative isn’t some heretofore unknown standard of merit; it is the reintroduction of something like segregation."

(gift link)

Truth!

Chair of Board That Protects Rights of Federal Workers Sues Trump for Illegally Firing Her Read more here.

A hearing will be held today in a challenge to Trump's termination of Cathy Harris, a member of the board that protects federal hiring practices from partisan politics. Harris claims that she was unlawfully removed without basis.

Get background.

As Trump and Musk Upend Washington, Congressional Phones Can’t Keep Up In the three weeks since President Trump took office and gave Elon Musk free rein inside the federal government, millions of calls have poured in to members of Congress, jamming the system.

"Calls are pouring in from constituents outraged about Mr. Trump’s unilateral moves and how he has allowed Mr. Musk to gain access to and begin dismantling critical parts of the federal bureaucracy, and demanding that members of Congress take a stand against them." www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/u...

My sense is, among other things, that even a relatively modest volume of calls on a single issue will get noticed in a senator of house rep's office - don't just be angry, be *loud.*

Part of how MAGA took over the GOP so fast is they barrage reps that step out of line.

Barrage back.

YouTube video by Folding Ideas Contact Your Representatives

I know we're all communicating here on Bluesky, but for the Americans here who are upset with what's going on in Washington, it's worth remembering that yelling at your representatives (phone, mail, email) is more effective than yelling here.

A good primer from 8 years ago:
youtu.be/KXXYkLa-HHI?...

YouTube video by The Romano Report new rules - get ready!

New rule. And at this point I feel that 100% of what these vipers are doing is truly his fault.

This is so heartbreaking. The barrage of horrible decisions seems to never end.

These stupid mother fuckers are going to close hundreds of nursing homes, homeless shelters, abuse shelters, and transitional housing for hundreds of thousands of Americans including veterans, seniors, women, and children. These fucking monsters. Flynn is such a piece of shit.

This is how Musk’s staffers, who lacked security clearances, are gaining access to classified information and restricted areas.

An Elon Musk staffer misused the U.S. Marshals Service by falsely invoking their authority to intimidate. USAID security personnel were threatened with action by the federal Marshals Service.

Lawyers for Justice Dept. employees threaten to sue, saying dismissals violate the law.

Yes. Finally, some meaningful pushback against these constitutional outlaws.

www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02...

Freeze of US foreign aid assistance will result in humanitarian disaster Loss of services supported by USAID will affect millions of the world’s most vulnerable people

The loss of services supported by USAID will affect millions of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Here's our statement on how the freeze of US foreign aid assistance will result in humanitarian disaster: www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/freez...

Elon Musk’s Team Now Has Full Access to Treasury’s Payments System Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave Mr. Musk’s representatives at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency a powerful tool to monitor and potentially limit government spending.

An unelected fascist businessman with enormous conflicts of interest is being given access to highly sensitive government information by a completely incompetent president.

This means that, soon, Vladimir Putin probably will too.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/u...

I'm struck by the near-total failure of leadership across civil society, in a country that fetishizes the concept. Whole sections of leadership books at every bookstore. Named, endowed "leadership" institutes and curricula across higher ed. Awards and special recognition for "leaders." AND YET

Tomorrow in my Litigation Lookahead, I argue that pro-democracy lawyers need to fully embrace more aggressive tactics and set aside the legal "norms" that dominated the Biden era.

Become a Democracy Docket premium member now to receive it straight to your inbox. www.democracydocket.com/member-me/

Is anyone suing the T Admin because of the apparent Musk-
ordered theft of OPM, Treasury and other department personnel data at this time?

@angrystaffer.bsky.social

I am mystified by his continued support and the reasons people support him. It’s almost like they don’t hear what he says, just what they want to hear.

Everything the orange man has done in two days has made me sick. I knew he would do them, but it makes me sick anyway.

🤣

Why is it that Hegseth talks over women, long after the point where it's even arguably acceptable, and argues with them like he's asking the questions, not the other way around? He can say whatever he wants, but it's clear he doesn't respect women or even the offices they hold.

Let me be clear. Barring a last minute injunction, Merrick Garland should post the Smith Report (vol. 1) tonight at 12:01 a.m.--not one minute later.

Do not wait until tomorrow morning.

🚨BREAKING: Jack Smith's report is OUT!!!! www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...