Capital Punishment Trump manufactures a non-crisis Dan Rather and Team Steady Aug 11 Credit: Getty Images Some days it takes a little more grit and gumption to stay steady. I say this because this is one of those days. In one of his all-time most outlandish PR stunts, Donald Trump hopes to burnish his image with his MAGA base by turning the nation’s capital into a police state. There was Trump Monday morning, acting all gruff and tough in the White House press room, usually a place reserved for presidential announcements that are meant to make Americans’ lives better or to unite the country in times of tragedy. Not so for Donald Trump. No, he joined the press availability to trumpet his federal takeover of the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the activation of 800 National Guard troops and 120 FBI agents to the nation’s capital. The tipping point was apparently the attempted unarmed carjacking and assault of a former DOGE employee in Washington. Nineteen-year-old Edward Coristine, known as “Big Balls” for his outsized role in slashing the federal government, was attacked on the morning of August 6. Two 15-year-olds have been arrested. Trump saw a red-meat opportunity to appeal to his base and change the subject away from some real problems. “I’m announcing a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor, and worse. This is Liberation Day in D.C., and we’re going to take our capital back,” he said. Just one thing. There is no crime epidemic in Washington. Violent crime is actually at a 30-year low, according to statistics from the federal government, and down 35% since 2023. The MPD has employed several new policing methods to get the crime rate down. Trump also mentioned “squalor,” alluding to unhoused people living on D.C.’s streets. Homelessness in D.C. exists, but it is not the massive problem it is in some other places. In a city of 700,000, there are about 800 unsheltered people sleeping outside. D.C. isn’t even among the top 10 cities with the largest homeless populations. So if crime is down by double digits and homelessness is lower than in most cities of similar size, why does Trump feel the need to “rescue” D.C.? A peek at his Truth Social feed from Sunday morning gives us a clue. The billionaire president was in his limo driving to play golf at his Northern Virginia country club when he posted several pictures of street litter and tents along a highway on-ramp about a mile from the White House. The photos were taken from his motorcade. “The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong,” Trump wrote. The 30-day takeover of the MPD and the deployment of National Guard troops is Trump’s latest escalation of presidential power. He invoked the Home Rule Act, which gives the president the power to use the D.C. police force for “federal purposes,” and plans to use the police to “protect” federal buildings and national monuments. From whom is anyone’s guess. No surprise, there are zero reports of a rise in violence against buildings in D.C., unless you include the Trump-sanctioned January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, where 65 D.C. police officers were injured. Usually National Guard troops are deployed by a state’s governor. In D.C.’s case, since there is no governor, the president has the power to do so. But just because you have the right to do something doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Especially if it is a further lurch in the direction of a dictator-style police state. This is not Trump’s first attempt at this kind of overreach. In June, he sent 5,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to what he deemed dangerous protests of federal immigration raids, against the wishes of the state’s governor, Gavin Newsom. The administration is currently on trial in California to determine if Trump’s National Guard deployment ran afoul of the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars the U.S. military from performing civilian law enforcement. Regardless of these legal issues, Trump suggested D.C. might just be the beginning. He could expand the takeover to other cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, all in blue states. He did not mention Memphis or St. Louis, the two cities with the highest crime rates in the country, which also happen to be in red states. Reaction to this presidential power grab was swift. Muriel Bowser, D.C.’s mayor, called it “unsettling and unprecedented” and criticized White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller for claiming Washington is “more violent than Baghdad.” Brian Schwalb, the attorney general for the District of Columbia, called Trump’s actions “unprecedented, unnecessary and unlawful,” perhaps preparing for a legal challenge. So there is no crime wave or homeless crisis in D.C., but there is a public relations emergency at the White House. It makes one wonder what Trump is trying to hide from: the still lurking Epstein scandal? Rising grocery prices? Criticism over meeting with a war criminal on U.S. soil? It’s becoming embarrassing to watch him manufacture stunts to change the subject. The president must think he needs a win. And he must believe marching the National Guard down Pennsylvania Avenue will give him one. Steady is free, but to support my team’s efforts to protect our democracy through the power of independent journalism, we’d appreciate it if you would consider joining as a paid subscriber. It keeps Steady sustainable and accessible for all. If you are not able to upgrade, we understand. No matter how you subscribe, I thank you for reading. Stay Steady, Dan

The Week Ahead August 17, 2025 Joyce Vance Aug 18 This administration is, in many ways, incompetent—and dangerously so. Heather Cox Richardson described the run-up to Trump’s meeting with Putin like this in her newsletter, Letters from an American, Saturday night: “Quickly, though, it became clear that Witkoff’s description of Putin’s offer was wrong, either because Putin had misled him or because he had misunderstood: Witkoff does not speak Russian and, according to former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, does not use a notetaker from the U.S. embassy. Nonetheless, on Friday, August 8, Trump announced on social media that he would meet personally with Putin in Alaska, without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.” That’s the kakistocracy part: government by the most incompetent, ill-suited people. If kakistocracy is the shot, then kleptocracy is the chaser (though it might be the other way around; I can’t quite decide). The corruption—the willingness to pursue personal profit and political gain at the expense of principle—that now defines the former Republican Party is just jaw-dropping. Thanks for being here and for reading Civil Discourse. I hope you’ll share it with friends and consider subscribing if you don’t already. Vladimir Putin, an alleged war criminal, has been indicted for his role in the unlawful deportation and seizure of Ukrainian kids, who are now in Russia. In other words: human trafficking. Yet Trump welcomed him to Alaska with open arms (in a somewhat subservient posture) and not a single Republican leader spoke up. During the Obama administration, Republicans frequently criticized both Russia and the Obama administration's approach to the country. in 2021, then-Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney called Russia the United States' "number one geopolitical foe." Republicans, like then-House Speaker John Boehner, argued that President Obama's “reset” policies were too weak in responding to Russian aggression, pointing to events like the annexation of Crimea and Russian interference in the 2016 election. And when Russia invaded Ukraine, Texas Republican Senator Cornyn wrote: “We have a responsibility to support the Ukrainian people as they fight to defend their own sovereignty. Putin has tried to get away with as much as he can, and it would be naive to think that he will stop at Ukraine. Ukraine is on the front line of a crisis, but the security of Europe is also in question. This is not just about Ukraine. This is not just about Europe. This is about America’s credibility and that of our friends and allies around the world and our willingness to stand up for our values and defend our freedoms.” In 2023, Cornyn issued a statement on the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing that a "victory in Ukraine is a victory for all who value freedom.” This weekend, crickets from the party that used to believe America had a role to play in bringing democracy to the rest of the world. Now, they kowtow to Trump so that they can hold onto power and avoid primary challenges—suggesting they no longer believe fully in democracy even at home. That’s where we start “The Week Ahead” tonight, with increasing concern about Trump’s efforts to present himself as an American strongman who can take over cities and unleash troops on American streets at will. If you missed our conversation earlier today, watch Mary McCord’s outstanding explanation of the differences between the District of Columbia and how Donald Trump is trying to narrow them. It’s an effort to shift Americans’ perspective and tamp down on the inevitable outrage if/when he tries it elsewhere. We can’t let that happen. Outrage is essential. Outrage is quintessentially American in this moment. Mainers using chalk to protest in support of democracy This week again, expect developments squarely at the intersection of law and politics that will have a tremendous impact on the future of the nation. It will be a week to watch court proceedings and decisions closely. Newsom v. Trump: We’re awaiting a ruling from Judge Charles Breyer in the California case over the legal limits on Trump’s efforts to manufacture a fake law enforcement emergency, worsen it by federalizing and deploying National Guard troops, and then claim the federal presence is necessary. As the three-day bench trial came to a close, Judge Breyer asked the lawyers, “Why is the federalized National Guard, even though it's been drawn down, still in place? What is the threat today? What was the threat yesterday? It’s the absence of any limits to a national police force — that’s what I am sitting here trying to figure out.” Trump has reduced the number of troops in Los Angeles but has not given up control of the California National Guard. Recall that initial federalization happened despite no request from Newsom, who—as with every governor nationwide—serves as commander of the state’s Guard. (The sole exception is the District of Columbia, where the president is always the commander.) The issue during the three-day bench trial (other issues in the case are on appeal) was the extent to which the federalized troops could participate in civilian law enforcement without violating the Posse Comitatus Act. That federal law bars the military, including federalized National Guard troops, from engaging in law enforcement on American streets absent specific authorization, which was not in effect here. Trump’s original order in the state was based on his claim that a “rebellion” was underway—that was how he characterized anti-ICE protests. The judge asked the government whether these events qualified as an “insurrection.” Their milquetoast response was that they had “not made” that argument. Instead, DOJ contends that the president’s determinations of what constitutes a rebellion cannot be reviewed by a court. Judge Breyer’s comments in court seemed to suggest he may not agree. The courts need to thoroughly debunk the claim by the administration that Trump holds some sort of supreme power that exempts him from oversight by the courts, a part of the checks and balances the Founding Fathers envisioned. Judicial review has been a part of that system since 1803. A Supreme Court that has increasingly relied on history and tradition to reach its decisions would do well to keep that in mind when this case reaches it. This week, we’ll await Judge Breyer’s decision. The Epstein Files: The Justice Department has until Tuesday to turn over to Congress all documents and communications in its possession related to the Epstein investigation. A House Oversight Committee issued the subpoena. This follows the DOJ’s failed attempt to obtain permission from federal courts to turn over grand jury material. As we predicted, that material consisted of summary testimony from government witnesses, narrowly limited to the indictments obtained against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The file likely contains much more information—not obtained through grand jury subpoenas—including agents’ reports of witness interviews. Last month, GOP leaders called an early recess to get their members out of D.C. and the Epstein spotlight, as constituents demanded that Trump release the files. Look for that debate to reignite this week. “I don’t think it’s going to go away,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said earlier about the matter. “Maybe our leadership thinks that sticking their head in the sand and running out of town was the right decision. … Once we go back into session, I think this picks up where it left off.” His unlikely partner in making sure that happens is Democrat Ro Khanna from California. Congress returns to Washington on September 2, and by then, we’ll know whether DOJ intends to comply with the subpoena or not; most likely not, or at least with only token compliance. Sunday morning, on NBC’s Meet the Press, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy pointed out that Trump’s “takeover of DC policing is just a stunt to distract people (and the press!)” from the Epstein files. He further emphasized that crime in the District had risen during Trump’s first term in office, and then it declined when Biden took over. Alligator Alcatraz: Two weeks ago, a federal judge temporarily blocked additional construction at the Florida detention center for immigrants who lack legal immigration status—or as Trump calls it, “Alligator Alcatraz,” which is a casual cruelty we should not lose sight of. Two environmental groups, Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, filed a lawsuit that was subsequently joined by the Miccosukee tribe, which has traditional use and access to the area where the facility is being built. They obtained a temporary restraining order based on violation of environmental law—this case has nothing to do with the horrific conditions people are being held in. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the public must have an opportunity to comment before projects like this one begin and that didn’t happen here. The temporary injunction expires this week. The Judge has held hearings and will likely decide before then whether to issue a preliminary injunction, which either Florida or the Trump administration, or both, would be able to appeal to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The District of Columbia: Of course, we expect more to happen here, including additional proceedings in front of Judge Reyes. Trump issued his initial order requiring Mayor Muriel Bowser to provide him with the “services” of the Metropolitan Police Department on August 11. (That’s the order that stays in place for 30 days unless Congress extends it.) Trump’s 30 days run out on or around September 10, meaning that even before Congress goes back into session, we may begin to see some sort of warm-up in the skirmish between the parties over whether that will happen. If National Guard troops from other states arrive in the District, litigation could arise over whether they can be deployed—and, if so, what role they may play. While we wait on this week’s developments, share a sandwich with a friend. You’ve just read The Week Ahead without a paywall. Paid subscribers make that possible. If you want to help me keep this work available to everyone—and get extra benefits along the way—please subscribe and become a member of the Civil Discourse community. We’re in this together, Joyce

The Daily Dean Newsletter: Monday, August 18, 2025 Trump’s Putin Puppet Show Debut's in The Oval Office Today, Newsom Goes All-In and Air Canada's Strike Strands Thousands... Dean Blundell Aug 18 Monday, August 18, 2025 Here are the top five stories you need to know today. Stories for democracy lovers who prefer receipts to rumors. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. 1️⃣ Trump’s White House “Land Giveaway” Meeting Fresh off his embarrassing Alaska love-in with Vladimir Putin (or his body double, because who even knows anymore), Trump is dragging Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House today. The agenda? Delivering Putin’s ransom note to Ukraine and EU leaders. Putin isn’t just demanding the land he already occupies—he wants 30% more of Ukraine’s territory, plus a so-called “peace guarantee.” Never mind that Putin has broken over 20 ceasefire deals since 2014. Trump is playing Neville Chamberlain, if Neville Chamberlain were an accused rapist obsessed with authoritarian cosplay. This isn’t diplomacy—it’s capitulation. And it’s happening on the taxpayer’s dime, in America’s house. 2️⃣ Air Canada Flight Attendant Strike Grounds Travelers Tens of thousands of Canadians are stranded today as Air Canada flight attendants continue their strike, defying the federal government’s back-to-work order. Flights are being cancelled by the hour, airports are chaos, and travelers are bracing for another day of uncertainty. The workers say they won’t back down until fair wages and humane scheduling are on the table. This is quickly becoming a test of labor power vs. federal authority in Canada—and it could ripple into broader labor movements across North America. 3️⃣ Newsom vs. Trump: The Redistricting War California Gov. Gavin Newsom is unloading on Trump’s scheme to rig the 2026 midterms through gerrymandering. After Trump green-lit redistricting moves in GOP-run states like Texas, Newsom fired back—mocking Trump’s dictator vibes on social media and announcing plans to redraw California in response. It’s bare-knuckle politics now: state vs. state, map vs. map. Newsom is openly daring Trump to take him on, framing the fight as a battle for the soul of U.S. democracy. Call it what it is: pre-election trench warfare. 4️⃣ Vikings Add Male Cheerleaders, Internet Melts Down The Minnesota Vikings just introduced Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn as male cheerleaders for the 2025 NFL season, and the backlash is louder than a Packers tailgate. Critics are clutching pearls, crying about “tradition,” while supporters—including former NFL pros—point out that men have been part of cheer squads for decades. Many fans see it as a long-overdue move toward gender equality and away from the tired hyper-sexualization of women on the sidelines. The NFL is slowly, awkwardly evolving. The Vikings just threw a glitter bomb at the culture wars—and some folks can’t handle it. 5️⃣ D.C. Fights Trump’s ICE “Rapid Response” Crackdown Trump’s regime is preparing a National ICE-led rapid response team to smash anti-Trump protests in the capital. Sound familiar? It should—it’s straight from the Putin playbook. Local D.C. leaders are already in open resistance, filing lawsuits and mobilizing civil society to fight back. With crime dropping in D.C. this year, the crackdown isn’t about public safety—it’s about controlling dissent. This is Trump’s authoritarian power grab in real time. And Washington, D.C. is on the front lines. Final Word From Trump’s dictator cosplay at the White House to workers on the picket lines in Canada, democracy is under siege—but also alive and fighting. Stay loud, stay skeptical, and stay in the fight. Today’s Quote: “Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving; we get stronger and more resilient.” ― Steve Maraboli This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.