100 days of chaos, corruption and constitutional crisis

 

Last week marked the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term, and the American people have overwhelmingly rejected his authoritarian agenda.

New polling shows that 1) he has the lowest 100-day approval rating of any president in 80 years, and 2) more Americans give him an “F” than any other grade for his first 100 days in office.

Trump’s first 100 days were a horror show. Our economy is shrinking, the stock market is sinking, consumer confidence is crumbling, the administration is dismantling our government and we are plunged into a trade war with the whole world (except Putin’s Russia).

The new governing team of MAGA zealots and billionaires claimed some imaginary landslide mandate to push deeply unpopular and unconstitutional policies. But federal workers, colleges and universities, law firms who believe in the rule of law, elected officials and citizens from all walks of life are standing strong to tell Trump that we will NOT let him destroy everything that prior generations have built.

We will continue fighting with everything we have to defend Social Security, Medicaid, NIH, NOAA, FDA, American science, the Bill of Rights, and our economy. If you’re with us, please make a contribution to our campaign today so we can keep rocking the House. >>

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Trump has taken a wrecking ball to democracy while crashing our economy to the ground and making good on his authoritarian promises of retribution and revenge.

Let’s cut his reign of terror in half in 2026 by building an unbeatable blue wave and organizing for robust Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.

It is an honor to be your friend and your brother in this struggle, and I’m grateful to you for your resolve and enduring love of country.

With total solidarity and immense gratitude,

Jamie Raskin

 

Paid for by Jamie Raskin for Congress

P.O. Box 5418
Takoma Park, MD 20913

Four paths to a constitutional crisis

 

Nearly every day, we face another crisis that jeopardizes our constitutional system. Trump’s second term is only two months old, yet he has already provoked unnecessary disputes with our closest allies and trading partners. He has asserted territorial claims over parts or all of two sovereign nations. Domestically, Trump has dismantled government agencies tasked with fighting diseases and defunded nonprofits dedicated to peace and the arts. He has targeted our world-class research institutions and premier universities — and even attacked the National Weather Service. Trump’s cabinet picks are unqualified sycophants. His political appointees and White House staff seem to have been cast straight from the bar scene in Star Wars and the 1994 comedy Dumb and Dumber. The Attorney General is an election denier. The FBI director is the author of a children’s book portraying Trump as a king. His selections for U.S. attorneys range from parking garage lawyers to Jan. 6 apologists. The combination of bullying, incompetence and authoritarian impulses poses a grave threat to the rule of law and democracy. Just weeks ago, a full-blown constitutional crisis seemed imminent… You're reading a preview of Marc's weekly tip sheet where he debriefs the news from the weekend and lays out the trends and stories to watch in the week ahead. In this tip sheet, Marc dives into: An updated assessment of how close we are to a constitutional crisis The four avenues Trump is most likely to take to instigate a crisis How each scenario could play out in the courts and in Washington The telltale signs that the administration is moving to trigger any of the given options UPGRADE TO READ THE REST

 

 

Watch now

Meidas Pod on Trump's New Constitutional Crisis + Epstein Panic (Ad-Free)

Watch the latest episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast ad-free right here on the Meidas+ Substack!

Brett Meiselas, MeidasTouch Network, Ben Meiselas, and Jordy Meiselas Mar 18

The latest episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast is now available ad-free exclusively for Meidas+ Substack subscribers. To support ad-free episodes like this, please consider joining as a paid subscriber today!

Meidas+ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

On this episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast: Trump tries to distract from the Epstein Files with a new shiny object; The Trump administration’s invokes of the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants without due process and sparks a new constitutional crisis; Trump’s approval rating among independents continues to plummet, as Democrats also find themselves in trouble; Pro-democracy protests break out across the world; DOGE backlash grows; and more. Ben, Brett and Jordy break it down.

Remember to add the MeidasTouch Podcast on audio on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

PAM BONDI refused to investigate or charge EPSTEIN or prosecute the fraudulent TRUMP UNIVERSITY. Watch her weaponization of DOJ. (PUBLIC CITIZEN wrote extensively about her LOBBYING CLIENTS - note her first actions as AG)

ALAN DERSHOWITZ commended Pam Bondi on her 'EPSTEIN RELEASE.' 

DERSHOWITZ negotiated that bizarre FLORIDA incarceration that allowed Epstein to leave prison, as well as being outspoken in his denials of participating in Epstein 'services.' 

Me thinks he doth protest too much. 

JPMORGAN CHASE was fully aware of EPSTEIN's actions & failed to report them, just as they failed to report Bernie Madoff. They maintain a gaggle of attorneys to protect them, settled with EPSTEIN'S victims, nothing public. Did much the same in the VIRGIN ISLANDS. 

JP Morgan settles Epstein lawsuits with US Virgin Islands and Jes Staley

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66925934

CRAIG UNGER researched & wrote extensively about MAXWELL & EPSTEIN - available at your public library - WELL WORTH READING! 

WORTH WATCHING: 

We Tracked Every Visitor to Epstein Island | WIRED

Even in death, the secrets of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his infamous private island remain tightly guarded. But in 2024 WIRED conducted an investigation uncovering the data of mobile devices belonging to almost 200 of his visitors. How strong was the data? So precise that we followed visitor's movements to and from Epstein Island to within centimeters—tracking their countries, neighborhoods, and even buildings of origin. This is Epstein Island’s Secret Data: On The Grid.

https://youtu.be/PjPHq-Ez0nc?si=0aiOpAD6JqnsPkue

 

Telling the federal judiciary to "f*ck off"

Will Trump defy the Supreme Court?

Robert Reich Mar 17

Friends,

Sorry to intrude on your inboxes for a second time today, but it’s necessary.

After a federal judge pressed the Trump administration to provide evidence by 5 pm today about whether the White House had violated the court’s order in deporting migrants with little to no due process, so-called border czar Tom Homan said that flights would continue regardless. “We’re not stopping,” he said. “I don’t care what the judges think.”

In our system, judges don’t just “think.” They have the final say, unless their rulings are appealed to the Supreme Court, in which case the high court’s majority has the final final say.

This afternoon, it became apparent that Trump’s Justice Department shares Homan’s odd view of our judicial system. DOJ lawyers filed papers telling the judge they would not appear in court, that the administration would not provide any further information about the deportation flights, and that the court should vacate the hearing.

What’s going on here?

On Sunday night, Trump told reporters that a federal judge in California who ordered the administration to rehire thousands of fired probationary workers was “putting himself in the position of the president of the United States, who was elected by close to 80 million votes.”

Wrong. In our system of government, courts pass judgment on actions of a president and the executive branch. Court don’t put themselves in the position of a president. They act as the Constitution empowers them to act — as a co-equal branch of government. If the executive branch doesn’t agree with what a lower-court judge decides, it can appeal to a higher court and ultimately to the Supreme Court.

Trump isn’t the only one to make this mistake. In early February, Trump’s vice-president JD Vance declared that “judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.” It was an odd statement from someone who has studied at one of America’s preeminent law schools — and it was logically absurd, since it’s up to judges and — if their rulings are appealed to the Supreme Court — justices to determine a president’s “legitimate power.”

Let’s be clear. Trump has openly violated numerous laws and constitutional provisions — such ending birthright citizenship; giving associates of Elon Musk’s government-slashing effort access to a sensitive Treasury Department system; transferring transgender female inmates to male prisons; placing thousands of U.S. Agency for International Development employees on leave; and effectively dismantling U.S.A.I.D. and folding it into the State Department. In response, federal judges have temporarily barred a slew of Trump orders from taking effect.

But not until today has Trump or his regime openly and blatantly refused to follow a judge’s order.

What happens when this or another lower court ruling goes to the Supreme Court, and the high court rules against Trump?

Vance has said if this occurs, Trump should “stand before the country like Andrew Jackson did and say, ‘The chief justice has made his ruling. Now let him enforce it.’”

Never mind that the quote attributed to Jackson is, as one scholar has noted, “probably apocryphal.” It’s heard more and more from Trump appointees these days, as exemplified by Homan’s remark, and this afternoon’s Justice Department filing.

Trump’s appointments in his second term are having the opposite effect of his first-term appointees. In first term, they restrained him somewhat. The Justice Department’s top brass threatened to resign en mass if he appointed as Attorney General the one assistant attorney general who was prepared to sell his soul to Trump and say the 2020 election was stolen from him.

This time, his appointees are magnifying his worst instincts. Rather than act as guardrails, they are egging Trump on.

Many people wonder if we’re in a “constitutional crisis.” Definitions of that phrase vary considerably as do opinions about whether we’re in one now.

My worry is that Trump is surrounded by extremist anti-democracy nihilists, including his vice president, who are encouraging him to defy the Supreme Court.

If and when he does, we’ll be in a constitutional crisis that should cause every American to take to the streets.

This is NOT Conservatism. This is a CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS!

 

The Lincoln Project

1.28M subscribers

If you feel like you're in a constitutional crisis, you are. The Lincoln Project is a leading pro-democracy organization in the United States — dedicated to the preservation, protection, and defense of democracy. Our fight against Trumpism is only beginning. We must combat these forces everywhere and at all times — our democracy depends on it. Don’t forget to like, share, and follow The Lincoln Project on social media below! DONATE TO THE LINCOLN PROJECT https://action.lincolnproject.us/donate JOIN OUR MAILING LIST https://action.lincolnproject.us/join FOLLOW LINCOLN PROJECT TWITTER: https://bit.ly/3zwZFva INSTAGRAM: https://bit.ly/31yyrHR FACEBOOK: https://bit.ly/3zCBHhT PODCAST: https://apple.co/3G7zr4L REDDIT: https://bit.ly/39PLnxi TIKTOK: https://bit.ly/3xHYRCY We can’t do our work without your support. Thank you.

RSN: Bernie Sanders | A Threat to Everything This Country Stands For

 

 

05 September 20

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I'll tell you what, folks: If even 1% of you would give a paltry $10 once or twice a year, we'd not have to get dozens of messages a month pleading for small donations. I give RSN $20 two to three times a year, so I carry more than my fair share of the burden at this time. Please help with $10. You can afford that, and it takes mere seconds on a secure website.

Think of what you get for it. It's worthwhile. Don't make just .1% of us carry the load every month. Thanks in advance.

Jan, RSN Reader-Supporter

Sure, I'll make a donation!

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05 September 20 It's Live on the HomePage Now: Reader Supported News WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO KEEP RSN GOING: Our contribution structure is EXTREMELY flexible and forgiving. We provide free service daily to tens of thousands and we CAN continue to do it, if ... You sign up for a monthly contribution of $10, or you chip in $30. roughly every 3 months. That's it, that's what it takes. You built RSN. It's the most unique news service that has ever existed. What it will take to preserve it is simple and totally achievable. You must make a small sacrifice. Marc Ash - Founder Reader Supported News Sure, I'll make a donation! RSN: Bernie Sanders | A Threat to Everything This Country Stands For Bernie Sanders, Reader Supported News Excerpt: "Donald Trump is a pathological liar. According to documented reports he has told more than 20,000 lies and distortions since he has been president. This is, obviously, deeply disturbing behavior for anyone who is president of the United States." But what is even more disturbing is that Trump is now using his lies and misinformation to sow confusion and chaos in the election process and undermine American democracy. In other words, he does not intend to accept the results of the election if he loses and leave office voluntarily. This is not just a "constitutional crisis." This is a threat to everything this country stands for. In order to be effective in combating Trump's attempt to sabotage the November election, it is important that you, and everyone you know, recognize the warning signs as to what he and his Republican allies are doing. For months now Trump has been signaling that he may not accept the outcome of the November election if he loses. In a July interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News, Trump was asked a simple question. Would he "give a direct answer that you will accept the election?" Trump refused. He said, "I have to see. No, I’m not going to just say yes. I’m not going to say no, and I didn’t last time either." I want you to know that the concerns I am bringing you today are not just shared by progressives. Miles Taylor, a lifelong Republican who previously served as chief of staff inside the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security, warned that there is nothing that Trump will not do or say to defeat Biden. "Put nothing past Donald Trump," Taylor told The Associated Press. "He will do anything to win. If that means climbing over other people, climbing over his own people, or climbing over U.S. law, he will do it. People are right to be concerned." Well, I agree with Mr. Taylor. I am concerned. I am very concerned. But it's not just me. There is a reason why a large number of Republicans have come out in opposition to Trump and in support of Biden. Trust me, these people surely do not believe in our progressive agenda. They don't even believe in Biden's more modest agenda. But they do believe in democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law, and they understand that Trump does not. Over the course of the past few weeks, Trump has consistently sought to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the coming election. At a time when he is behind in almost every national poll and in most battleground state polls, Trump recently stated, "The only way they can take this election away from us is if this is a rigged election." Think about what that means. What he is saying is that if he wins the election, that's great. But if he loses, it’s rigged. And if it’s rigged, then he is not leaving office. Heads I win. Tails you lose. And then, while telling us that the election is going to be rigged, he urges his supporters in North Carolina to commit voter fraud by voting twice — a felony. Trump is not only trying to create chaos and delegitimize the election process. He and the Republican Party are now spending tens of millions of dollars in the courts to make it harder for people to vote. They are attempting to defund and destroy the U.S. Postal Service so that people will not be able to cast mail-in ballots. And their allies in state legislatures like Pennsylvania's are refusing to pass legislation to ensure all legitimate votes are counted in a timely manner. So now, what do we do? Well, first and foremost, we have to do everything we can to ensure Joe Biden wins by the largest possible margin on November 3. The better Joe Biden does, the harder it is for Trump to overturn the election. But now we have to consider a scenario that is unprecedented in American history. What happens if, after the voting is completed, Trump loses but refuses to abide by the results and does everything he can to hold onto power? This is scary stuff, and I can hardly believe I have to write to you about Trump's threat to our Constitutionally-enshrined system of the peaceful transition of power. But sadly, that is the situation we are in. And what we must do, in response, is demand that our government and media institutions prepare our nation for what happens on the night of November 3 — and beyond. *First, with the pandemic and a massive increase in mail-in voting, state legislatures must take immediate action to allow for votes to be counted before Election Day, as they come in.*We recently had an election in Vermont where, with mail-in ballots constituting 70% of the total votes, ballots were counted for days before Election Day and it ran very smoothly. Florida is expected to begin counting ballots days before Election Day for the same reason. In fact, 32 states allow for the counting or processing of absentee ballots — verifying signatures, for example — before Election Day. The intent behind these laws is clear: to help ensure a reliable and dependable election process, and timely reporting of the results. What we must avoid is a situation where battleground states like Pennsylvania are counting millions of votes for days and weeks after Election Day. Right now, the Republican-controlled state legislature in Pennsylvania is blocking legislation that would remedy this problem. They know, and independent studies confirm, that the overwhelming majority of Republicans plan to vote in-person on Election Day while a strong majority of Democrats will be voting by mail. That means that on election night, Trump, and other Republican candidates, will likely appear to be doing much better than the final results will show once all mail-in ballots are counted. All of this gives Trump the opportunity to shout "voter fraud" as the mail-in ballots are tabulated days after the election. The situation is similar in Wisconsin, another battleground state, where ballots aren’t counted until Election Day, despite concerns expressed by local election officials. *Second, the news media needs to prepare the American people to understand there is no longer a single Election Day and that we may not know the results on November 3.*Education is critical. We know enough to know that a number of key states will likely be counting votes for a period of time after Election Day and that those votes may be determinative in this election. The national news media must lead a conversation about what that process may look like and set expectations in advance for what to expect. Absent a national conversation about that reality, conspiracy theories and disinformation will likely thrive in the chaotic environment that we will see after November 3. *Third, social media companies must finally get their act together and stop people from using their tools to threaten and harass election officials and spread disinformation.*Currently, social media platforms have the technology to stop their users from threatening and harassing prosecutors, judges and other public officials. It is time for them to expand those protections to the people who administer our elections. Otherwise, the entire election process could be compromised. Further, Facebook and other platforms have to act to prevent increasingly emboldened and violent right-wing extremists from organizing voter intimidation and disinformation on their sites. *Fourth, we need Congressional hearings with local officials to learn how they plan to handle the Election Day process and the days that follow.*Every agency of government, at the federal, state and local level, must do everything possible to ensure that we have a free and fair election where every eligible voter can vote without intimidation, and where no one has to put his or her health or life in danger to cast a ballot. Here is the truth: In the United States we have an antiquated and inefficient process for conducting elections. And, today, that system is operating under the additional strain of the coronavirus pandemic. Sadly, instead of trying to improve this flawed situation Trump and many Republicans appear willing to exploit it to maintain power. I hope this nightmare scenario does not come to pass. So, in the coming weeks, let us work hard to deliver Joe Biden an overwhelming victory on election night. But, we must also stay vigilant, and do everything possible to prevent Trump from staying in power if he loses. Nothing less than our democracy is at stake. In solidarity, Bernie Sanders READ MORE Contribute to RSN Update My Monthly Donation