I think the Hegseth/Trump MAGA rally staged for stone-faced military brass may be more damaging than anything to date.

[pat_k]

47. I hear you. I think we all know what deep trouble the nation is in with this man.

Last edited Thu Oct 2, 2025, 12:46 AM - Edit history (2)

I can't imagine Reagan blatantly, unlawfully, and systematically destroying every agency of the Executive Branch and starving programs enacted by congress by refusing to allocate the funds appropriated by congress.

But the thing is, when there is push back, he backs off. I was so frustrated with the Democrats who voted for the Republican budget. One of them said that she caved because of 47's statement threatening to fire people and completely dismantle "Democratic" programs. First, the Federal employees union had already filed suit to enjoin him because following through on that threat would be completely illegal.

The one lesson more people need to learn with trump is that caving to his bullying threats just invites more bullying. When organizations stand up they win! Many of the firings were reversed in the DOGE wave. And I think some are still being litigated.

Second. He's violating the "take care clause" daily and dismantling agencies ANYWAY. Even if the courageous Democrats in the Senate ultimately give up on repealing any of the Medicaid cuts or getting an extension of the Enhanced ACA subsidies, I will be furious if they let up on forcing Republicans to stand up for the role of Congress in the balance of powers and demand that 47 stop violating his oath and start "taking care" to execute on existing laws and appropriations.

To me that is the real red line and there is no way Republicans can say "We can't afford this" or some shit. Make it about stopping the mafia-style crime spree that is being led from the White House. I fear too few have been on the same page on making a very simple case. And it is a simple case. Our leaders, and all of us, need to learn to say the same things over and over and over.

The president promises to carry out the laws passed by Congress, whether they like them or not. If a president doesn't like a law, they work with congress to change it. It's a crime for a president or the people who work for him to single-handedly end a program Congress created. That's not how our government works.

More thoughts on that in this post and this post.

Yes, daily, people are saying he is violating the constitution, but we have not been hearing the necessary repetition of a simple statement like the one above. Anyway, they can make the shutdown about the fact this nation needs the majority party -- currently the Republicans -- to stand up for THE PEOPLE THEY REPRESENT against an out-of-control, criminal president.