Watch now   More on the Abrego Garcia Case: Some Good News for Democracy, Despite the Government's Best Efforts A recording of my Substack Live conversation with Adam Klasfeld. Joyce Vance and Adam Klasfeld Jul 7 This afternoon, my good friend and amazing legal journalist Adam Klasfeld joined us to discuss his view of the hearing in Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s civil case from the courtroom in Greenbelt, Maryland, where Judge Paula Xinis held the hearing. If you weren’t able to join us live, this is a great conversation to watch! Adam confirmed my sense from reading the transcript that the Judge wasn’t impressed by the government’s claim that deporting Abrego Garcia to El Salvador was just a mistake. At one point, the Judge characterized sending him to the notorious CECOT prison as an outrageous decision, without legal authority and said she thought the government’s reply was that it was a garden variety mistaken removal case. She accused the government of taking the position that it was no harm, no foul. The Judge, like all of us, has read the proposed amended complaint that Mr. Abrego Gracia’s wife wants to file in this case (we read excerpts from it in this edition of the newsletter last week), which details the torture he endured. She wasn’t having any of it. The government’s response? DOJ lawyer Bridget O’Hickey told the Judge that their position was that he’d been returned and no further action was necessary. It was just an isolated error, she claimed. Abrego Garcia’s lawyers were quick to point out that, despite the claim that the deportation was just a mistake, in the criminal case in Nashville, the government said it would do it again and would deport him upon his release from pretrial custody in that case. A hearing in the criminal case is scheduled for July 16 to determine whether to release Abrego Garcia from custody. In the meantime, Judge Xinis will hold a hearing on Thursday and has ordered the government to produce a witness who can give her definitive answers under oath—the government’s lawyers couldn’t do that today—explaining what the government’s plans for Abrego Garcia are and whether that might include deporting him to a third country. The government’s position isn’t entirely clear, but it appears to be that they believe they are not obligated to provide a person with due process before a deportation of that nature takes place. I know a lot of people believe this case means the end of the rule of law. I share the concerns about what the Trump administration is doing, but not the conclusion. DOJ lawyers shouldn’t be doing the president’s bidding, offering political arguments in court. At one point, an impatient Judge Xinis had to tell a lawyer she didn’t need his “stump speech.” The government seemed more concerned with the politics of the case than with the facts and the law. But Adam and I discuss why this case, including the fact that it was brought at all and the path it has taken, gives us confidence that the rule of law is alive and kicking. You’ll want to watch the full video to hear our discussion on that point and decide if you agree. Remember, this administration wants you to believe that democracy is lost so that you’ll give up. Don’t let them do that to you! We can fight back with facts and analysis. We can win by refusing to be overwhelmed. We have to continue running a race that’s turning out to be a marathon for democracy. That’s why I appreciate everyone who is here reading and subscribing to Civil Discourse, which makes this work possible. We are going to keep this Republic. We’re in this together, Joyce A guest post by Adam Klasfeld Co-founder and Editor in Chief of All Rise News. Fearless reporting about the law, your rights, and your powers to effect change in the Trump era. Subscribe to Adam

The backlash is starting to build

 

Last week, Congress rammed through Donald Trump’s “Big Ugly Bill” at the expense of hard-working families and communities across the country.

Since then, the GOP has been trying to tout the minor breadcrumbs of the bill that do enjoy some popular support, such as the elimination of some taxes on tips. But scratch the surface and you’ll see exactly who the bill serves and what it actually does.

The bill slashes taxes for the ultra-rich and guts clean energy investments. An estimated 17 million are expected to lose their health insurance with some of the largest cuts to Medicare and Medicaid in history.

But here’s the twist: the passage of this bill may have just provided us an opportunity to retake both chambers of Congress in the midterms.

By flipping key House seats and unseating vulnerable Senate Republicans, we can reshape the 2026 midterms, but only if we start preparing now.

Can you help us hold the GOP accountable for its disastrous bill by chipping in a split donation today to retake Congress? Groups like Justice Democrats and Leaders We Deserve are on the frontlines of working to elect a more progressive Congress to fight back against the MAGA agenda.

Your contributions will be split between the following organizations: Justice Democrats and Leaders We Deserve.

DONATE

Trump and his MAGA allies are betting that by the time the midterms arrive, voters will have forgotten about their terrible bill. That’s why the vast majority of the bill’s worst provisions won’t take effect until after the November 2026 midterms.

We're not going to let voters or the GOP forget. That’s why we’re focusing our outrage, energy and momentum toward holding them accountable for selling out working-class Americans, but we can’t do it without you.

If you’re as fired up and as outraged as we are, will you pitch in a split donation today to elect a Congress that works for the people and not the mega-rich?

DONATE

As always — thank you for your generosity and support! 😀

In solidarity,

LeftNet

LeftNet is an online political network fighting for progressive causes and candidates focused on social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.

Email us: team@leftnet.org

Add your name to save public media

 

Just a few Senators hold the fate of our public media in their hands. In DAYS, the Senate will vote on Trump's reckless rescission package that will gut critical funding for NPR and PBS. If the Senate does not pass Trump's request in the next 11 days, PBS and NPR will be safe from the cuts. And the good news is at least FOUR Senators have already expressed concern – enough to kill the bill. But as Trump launches yet another pressure campaign to get them in line, massive public outcry is needed NOW to save public media. Can you urgently urge your Senators to reject Trump's dangerous scheme and protect NPR and PBS? ADD YOUR NAME Trump claims this cruel budget-cutting measure is about fiscal responsibility, but slashing funding for NPR and PBS isn't about saving taxpayer dollars. NPR and PBS combined receive only .01% of the federal budget – roughly $1.35 per taxpayer for trusted reporting, educational programs, and the arts. Trump's plan isn't about fiscal responsibility – it's about silencing media voices his administration cannot control. And rural public stations across the country are sounding the alarm that if these cuts go through, they could be forced off air. The good news is we won this fight before during Trump's last term. Which is why Our Revolution has been mobilizing for months – sending tens of thousands of messages to Congress, rallying outside of NPR HQ, and confronting key lawmakers to put them on the spot. The pressure is WORKING – but NOW is the most important moment to keep it up. We have beaten attacks on public media before, and we can do it again - but only if ALL of us stand up right now and make yourselves heard. Please act today: tell your Senators to stop Trump's assault on NPR, PBS, and our democracy. ADD YOUR NAME When we organize, we win. Our Revolution

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I'm at a Beyoncé Talking About the Budget Bill. Yes, I'm Serious. Aaron Parnas Jul 8 I’m at a Beyoncé concert in Washington, D.C., and overheard two people talking about the federal budget bill. One said she was scared—not just about what’s in the bill, but that so few people around her even knew what was in it. Yes, really. It’s a reminder that politics doesn’t stay online. People are paying attention, even in unexpected places. And they’re right to be worried. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to break down what’s buried in this bill—and if you care about staying informed, I hope you’ll subscribe. I’ll be covering every major section in the days ahead, even if I am at a concert: This isn’t just another round of partisan theater. It’s the largest single attack on America’s social safety net in modern history. The Cuts: $930 billion from Medicaid Hundreds of billions slashed from SNAP (food assistance) Over 11 million projected to lose health insurance And buried deep inside, even worse: Incentivizing SNAP Fraud To reduce federal SNAP spending, the bill shifts costs to states—unless they have a high “error rate,” like Alaska. That creates a backwards incentive: the sloppier the program, the better the deal. The silencer subsidy The bill repeals the $200 tax on gun silencers—one of the few longstanding gun regulations still in place. A Senate attempt to eliminate silencer registration was blocked, but the tax repeal alone is alarming. The Spaceport Sweetener Section 70309 allows tax-exempt bonds to fund spaceports—an obscure carveout seemingly designed to benefit one company: Space Florida. There’s no broader justification. No Tax on Oil Drillers Domestic oil and gas companies are exempted from the corporate alternative minimum tax—if they report “intangible drilling costs.” A windfall for fossil fuel interests, inserted by Sen. Lankford (R-OK). Subsidies for Foreign Steelmakers The bill makes metallurgical coal—used in steelmaking—eligible for “critical mineral” subsidies through 2030. Much of this coal is exported to countries like China and India, effectively subsidizing foreign polluters. Statues Over Safety Nets Even as it slashes basic assistance programs, the bill allocates $40 million to build a “Garden of Heroes” statue park in Washington, D.C. Punishing Gamblers, Not Gambling Gamblers can now deduct only 90% of their losses, meaning you could owe taxes even if you lost money. The bill does nothing to address the real problem: mobile apps fueling a wave of gambling addiction. SALT for the Rich Republicans raised the SALT deduction cap from $10K to $40K—then quietly dropped planned guardrails on high earners. The result: a $35–40 billion tax break for the wealthy. Tax Breaks for Rum Distributors Yes, rum. Liquor exporters in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands secured a $2 billion tax rebate—another lobbyist win buried in the fine print. More Chipmaker Subsidies—Despite Public Claims Trump attacked the CHIPS Act in his State of the Union. This bill increases CHIPS subsidies by 40%. I’ll keep breaking down the pieces of this bill as they come out. If you want clear, plain-English coverage of what’s actually being passed, [subscribe here] to stay in the loop. Because if people are whispering about this at a Beyoncé concert, it deserves a whole lot more daylight.

Watch now

Raw and Unfiltered: It’s JOJo Time

A recording from Michael Cohen's live video

Michael Cohen, JoJoFromJerz, and Lev Parnas Jul 7

Thank you Abigail Thomas, Marissa Levine, Farmers AGAINST Thumper, Micheal Scott, Camilla Slater, and many others for tuning into my live video with Lev Parnas and JoJoFromJerz! Join me for my next live video in the app.

___________________________________________________________________________

I’M GOING TO SAY IT OUT LOUD… WE ARE BEING DISTRACTED BY DESIGN.

I NEED YOUR HELP!

WHERE ARE ALL THE NEW SUPPORTERS? WE CAN’T DO THIS ALONE.

If you’re reading this, then you already know:
This isn’t just a newsletter. It’s a call to arms.

We’re not here to observe. We’re here to confront. To expose. To drag corruption out into the light and hold it accountable. But the truth? I can’t do this without you. Not anymore.

The fight ahead isn’t theoretical. It’s here. It’s now. And it’s relentless. We’re staring down the barrel of authoritarianism wrapped in a flag and selling freedom as a brand.

So let me ask you—Are you in?

Because this isn’t a passive read. This is a movement. And movements need muscle.

We need to build something so loud, so unshakable, that no one can twist it, spin it, or shut it down. That takes real support—not clicks, not likes. Commitment.

If you believe in truth, if you’re tired of watching the liars win, if you’re done shouting into the void, then it’s time to take the next step.

HERE’S HOW YOU RAISE YOUR VOICE:

Become a paid subscriber… support real journalism with bite.

Forward this to the people who never sit quietly.

Bring your crew. Grow this community. Be the megaphone.

And yes, for the first 240 Founding Members, I’ll be sending a signed, numbered, limited-edition Substack version of my New York Times bestseller, Revenge. It’s not just a collector’s item. It’s proof you stood up when history came calling.

But this isn’t about a book.
It’s about defiance.
It’s about refusing to be gaslit.
It’s about locking arms and saying, “Not on our watch.”

You want to make a difference?
Then make it.
Right now.

Because if we don’t fight for truth—no one will.
And if we fight together? They’ll never drown us out.

Let’s be impossible to ignore.
Let’s be un-fucking-breakable.
Let’s go.

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	Available for iOS and Android

A guest post by JoJoFromJerz jersey. dem. news junkie. Lebanese. hothead. mom. geek. Blocked by Chachi. https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz

A guest post by Lev Parnas Author “Shadow Diplomacy”,public speaker, political activist, truth teller. And featured in the Rachel Maddow documentary “From Russia With Lev”

What To Do About the Tinpot Dictator He can be stopped only with people power Robert Reich Jul 8 Credit: MacKaycaartoon Friends, Never before in American history, not even in wartime, has one man exercised such unbridled discretion affecting the lives of so many of us, while simultaneously preventing others — Congress, the courts, the American people — from having a say or even knowing what he’s going to do next. Yesterday he sent ICE agents and National Guard troops into Los Angeles, over the objections of the governor of California and the mayor of Los Angeles. He is also sending 200 Marines to Florida to aid ICE. Where will he next direct ICE, National Guard, and active duty military? He isn’t saying. But it’s our country. He has targeted undocumented agricultural and hospitality workers for arrest and deportation, after saying he would not do so. What’s the policy here? He isn’t telling us. But it’s our country. Meanwhile, he said yesterday that he’d subject imports from Japan, South Korea, and a dozen other nations to new 25 percent tariffs — which will, of course, translate into additional taxes on American consumers — effective August 1. He threatened to impose even higher tariff-taxes on countries that align with BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) after that group expressed “serious concerns” over any country imposing unilateral tariffs. I remember a time when American presidents had to go to Congress to impose tariffs. How can he tax us without our consent? It’s our country. He is consulting with Benjamin Netanyahu about the next stage of the war with Iran, but not consulting Congress, yet it’s our country. He is targeting universities that he believes haven’t adequately eliminated DEI, or have allowed transgender athletes to compete, or failed to stop demonstrations against Israel’s war in Gaza. Last week, his regime forced a major university president to resign. Which universities are next, and for what reason? He isn’t saying, even though it’s our country. He intends to go after more law firms and media companies that have crossed him. But which, and why? Will he let TikTok continue to function in the United States even though Congress has passed a law prohibiting it? He hasn’t said. He says it’s all a “bargaining strategy” to make better deals. But deals for whom? Rubbish. It’s not a bargaining strategy. He doing all this because he loves to display his power. He relishes it when powerful people plead with him, prostrate themselves before him, beg him, and submit to his whims. He delights in changing his mind and keeping everyone else guessing. Some who seek his favor are pouring money into TV ads for his eyes only in West Palm Beach, where he resides at Mar-a-Lago (according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of advertising data). Some who seek his favor are buying his crypto coins. Some are sending him lavish jet airplanes. Some who seek his favor are speaking publicly of his brilliance, his insight, his daring. They talk of putting his face on Mount Rushmore. Many are afraid to criticize him. This, my friends, is called a dictatorship. The chief executive of a democracy doesn’t say — as Trump did recently — “I may or may not, nobody knows what I’ll do.” The chief executive of a democracy doesn’t say this because power in a democracy belongs to the people. This is why Congress enacted a War Powers Act, so presidents have to gain Congress’s consent before sending the United States to war. It’s why the Constitution gives Congress the power to set the terms of international trade, including tariffs. Why the Constitution gives Congress the power to appropriate funds. Why laws bar a president from sending active military troops into a state without the permission of the state’s governor. And why there’s no basis in law or the Constitution for a president to single out specific law firms, universities, or media companies for penalties because they have angered him. So how do we take our democracy back? The federal courts are playing a crucial role. Across America, judges — appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents — are stopping the tinpot dictator from taking over entirely. They deserve our gratitude. But you and and I are playing the most critical roles — marching, organizing, demonstrating, boycotting, demanding, supporting leaders who stand up to him and criticizing those who won’t. It may seem like months ago, but on June 14, some 6 million of us protested against him — the largest civil demonstration in American history. It showed the power of the people. It gave many of us hope. We must follow that extraordinary event by an even larger nationwide demonstration on July 17, Good Trouble Lives On Day. On July 17, five years since the passing of Congressman John Lewis, communities across the country will take to the streets, courthouses, and community spaces to carry forward his fight for justice, voting rights, and dignity for all. On July 17, we must DOUBLE the number of us who turned out June 14. Because it’s our country. And we must also appear in town halls that any Republican senators and representatives are holding, to tell them we refuse to live in a dictatorship. And tell them that we’re going to make sure they aren’t reelected. Democracy is not a spectator sport.