We can only continue to link arms, grit our teeth, and remember that the only way forward is through this. Mobilize, look after one another and make a plan to vote. If the reformers and activists who carried us through the upheavals of our nation's past could do it, so can we. And vow to hold those who have broken our country to account.
I agree, Marina, if Nixon had been held accountable, we would not be here now. The fact that Ford pardoned him seems to give permission for the president to do as he pleases. This regime must be investigated, indicted, and prosecuted for their many crimes against We the People.
Ford's pardon of Nixon was regrettable, but if it hadn't happened, I'm 99% sure that Reagan would have been elected and re-elected, leading us in a fairly straight line to where we are now. Reagan's tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, not to mention his gutting of unions, played a key role. So did Clinton's repeal of most of the Glass-Steagall Act, along with his demonization of people on welfare and Black people in general. The majority in the crucial Citizens United decision (2010) were all Republican appointees. Not to forget that before his downfall, Nixon implemented the "southern strategy," which prompted white Southern Democrats to exit the Democratic Party and help shape the formerly Grand Old Party in their racist image.
Thank You Steven..Even now I find it hard to understand that so many people will break the laws and norms for a man who is a grifter of the first order. Who are all these Americans ? The wealthy, the educated, the powerful, not an ounce of patriotism for the country that gave them so much. They are dismantling our country brick by brick. It will take a hundred years of decent behavior on our part for our allies to trust us again. I hope we can win in November so we can start that long process. lost in america
They tend to leave with fat wallets and land in cushy jobs. Bondi, maybe in a worse position than others because she didn’t have much support from anyone except Trump.
We’re witnessing the layering of a corrupt administration. One goes, the next one who is even more subhuman in loyalty to the Dear Leader steps up to the plate. This is a clear effort to protect Trump from his exposure in the Epstein files. I remember during Trump’s first term that he said “I like ‘acting’”…meaning that he preferred to put his choice in as an “acting” official over the prospect of having to go before Congress to have his nominees approved. The question becomes a matter of whether Congress has become sufficiently compliant at this point that his nominee will be approved pronto, with minimal oversight or questions as to their past performance and/or fitness for office. We see where this has led. If past is prologue, as they say, we’re headed down a one-way, dead-end street that leads to a layered and redundant autocracy.
Europe is right to be concerned. Europe is right to start to raise the drawbridge on the United States. I just wish I could do the same. But safety and security belong to the brave ones who speak out and who act to restore sanity and the rule of law. Somebody better step up to show us how it’s done, because I fear we’ve lost our way and the consequences are dire.
It baffles me that Donnie doesn’t understand the layering of the regime in Iran while he uses the same tactic here. There is no better layer in Iran and none here.
Steven: Excellent historical disheartening accurate enumeration of the recent atrocities by this corrupt regime, of JUST one vital system of our Democracy.
🚩I am sincerely baffled by what motivates a human to embrace with such sinister devotion the demonic dictates of Don the Destroyer.
(Sorry the poetry is unintentional! -but my dismay and befuddlement is sincere)
What do you call a person who betrays herself, her former stance against sex trafficking, her vows to uphold the law, her conscience and her god (despite the hypocritical cross she never fails to display)? A TRAITOR.
Thank you, Steven, for this summary. AND… for “keeping your cool” when it’s being put to the test time and time again!
I’ve had my moments as well and keep you, all “Substackers”, and all the Peaceful Protesters in mind when I feel compelled to “lose it”. Blessings to you all!
Let us not forget that when she was Florida’s attorney general, her investigation of Trump University magically disappeared after the Orange One wrote her a check for 25 grand. I hesitate to call Democrats in the Senate feckless, but why wasn’t this clear example of bribery brought up during her confirmation hearing? Furthermore, her binder-full of pre-written insults was grounds for a contempt of Congress charge, yet no one on the panel fought back. S/M/H, Steven.
They chose to go after things where there was common ground to get a majority. For instance, surveillance of legislators reviewing the Epstein files used to find ammunition for her binder. They concentrated on getting a subpoena and basically out voting and forcing Comer to require it be a deposition under oath. It was set for April 14. Apparently Comer is attempting to find a way around it, but the Democrats are insisting the subpoena cannot be changed or withdrawn without a full committee vote.
I suspect it will be Zeldin. Jeanine Pirro and Haba are lobbying hard for the job according to reports, but they have a big problem. Neither of them are more successful than Bondi. For instance, Habba lost a defamation case against Hillary Clinton and others so badly it ended with Trump and Habba jointly owing about $1 million for bringing an empty frivolous lawsuit a second time. Pirro has proved she can’t indict a subway sandwich.
Zeldin is dismantling the EPA and loosening regulations. In that realm mostly successful and mostly stayed out of the headlines. Plus, he’s a guy which is always top of mind for Trump. OTOH, he could come up with someone nobody’s heard about too.
Pam made this public statement yesterday: “Over the next month I will be working tirelessly to transition the office of Attorney General to the amazing Todd Blanche before moving to an important private sector role I am thrilled about, and where I will continue fighting for President Trump and this Administration,” she wrote on X.
So she publicly admitted that her agenda over the past year was to work for the President, not for the American people. She was not, in fact, working as the Attorney General, but as Trump's private lawyer. As Todd Blanche will continue to do.
There is no reason to think Bondi’s successor as Attorney General will be any better than she has been. No one who serves in the orange felon’s cabinet will have the rule of law as their goal.
Isn’t Marco Rubio available? I know he has a part-time gig or two ongoing, but I’m sure he could fit AG in, maybe work Saturday mornings for a few months. You know, it would probably hinge on the bus schedule between the WH, Foggy Bottom, the Archives, and DOJ … if the driver of the 2:06 West on Penn Ave will promise to wait a min or two for him, especially on rainy days … it’s do-able!
Yesterday you interviewed Kirsten Powers who said Todd Blanche was Respected, Serious, and Stands Up To Trump. Amazing as those statements were, they were left to stand. And the interview was aired. She may have worked for CNN and written books, but she is not a scholar of truth.
Thank you sir. Have no need for any celebration over Bondi’s firing just as much as Noem’s removal and ultimately being placed at that “Shield of America” crazy organization. She was predictable, in a year and change she’s been able to turn the DOJ into his political attorneys to do his bidding. Longtime career attorneys with integrity are long gone, the DOJ that once was the “people’s” is no longer. It’s difficult to rebuild and so easy to destroy so the next selection he makes unfortunately will be even worse. There are too many bench warmers in that MAGA sphere. Wouldn’t be surprised another banner with his mugshot doesn’t go up somewhere at the DOJ as a parting gift from Bondi.. since per the WSJ Bondi pleaded to him to keep her job until the summer…
Who’s next to get the axe from this delusional dementia riddled sociopath? Will it be Patel, Hegseth or other members of his regime making a ton of money off the grift, he doesn’t like others making money, it’s all for him to steal..
Thank you sir. Have no need for any celebration over Bondi’s firing just as much as Noem’s removal and ultimately being placed at that “Shield of America” crazy organization. She was predictable, in a year and change she’s been able to turn the DOJ into his political attorneys to do his bidding. Longtime career attorneys with integrity are long gone, the DOJ that once was the “people’s” is no longer. It’s difficult to rebuild and so easy to destroy so the next selection he makes unfortunately will be even worse. There are too many bench warmers in that MAGA sphere. Wouldn’t be surprised another banner with his mugshot doesn’t go up somewhere at the DOJ as a parting gift from Bondi.. since per the WSJ Bondi pleaded to him to keep her job until the summer…
Who’s next to get the axe from this delusional dementia riddled sociopath? Will it be Patel, Hegseth or other members of his regime making a ton of money off the grift, he doesn’t like others making money, it’s all for him to steal..
You may be correct sir, about Gabbard she may have not gone as far as he would hope but there’s always CIA Director John Ratcliffe to consider. It also wouldn’t look good for him to fire all the females, he still needs some of them for his candidate picks for Congress to vote for. Even though he’s squelching the female vote.
It’s a toss up for sure who’s on the chopping block of this “Apprentice vile regime”. Time will show.. My money is on Patel he’s not hidden enough of the Epstein files and gotten the illegal taking of documents out of the news well enough…
The countries that provide national intelligence after the Five Eyes to the United States are (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States). They are also a part of the Nine Eyes and Fourteen Eyes alliances, which include Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. These countries participate in expanded intelligence-sharing agreements beyond the original Five Eyes alliance.
From April 1, 2026 article: As in any relationship, signs of caution, distrust, or even ambivalence can emerge. For example, the British and Danish intelligence services have indicated that they are limiting – but not completely halting – their exchanges with their American counterparts, concerned about the legal implications and, more broadly, the politicisation of US intelligence. Irritated by repeated provocations over Greenland, the Danish military intelligence service went so far as to designate the United States as a national security threat, alongside China and Russia.
Sadly, there’s a deep bench in the hell that is MAGA. Always seems to be someone worse subbing in.
We can only continue to link arms, grit our teeth, and remember that the only way forward is through this. Mobilize, look after one another and make a plan to vote. If the reformers and activists who carried us through the upheavals of our nation's past could do it, so can we. And vow to hold those who have broken our country to account.
I agree, Marina, if Nixon had been held accountable, we would not be here now. The fact that Ford pardoned him seems to give permission for the president to do as he pleases. This regime must be investigated, indicted, and prosecuted for their many crimes against We the People.
Ford's pardon of Nixon was regrettable, but if it hadn't happened, I'm 99% sure that Reagan would have been elected and re-elected, leading us in a fairly straight line to where we are now. Reagan's tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, not to mention his gutting of unions, played a key role. So did Clinton's repeal of most of the Glass-Steagall Act, along with his demonization of people on welfare and Black people in general. The majority in the crucial Citizens United decision (2010) were all Republican appointees. Not to forget that before his downfall, Nixon implemented the "southern strategy," which prompted white Southern Democrats to exit the Democratic Party and help shape the formerly Grand Old Party in their racist image.
Surely everyone can find a way to take part on May Day!
https://indivisible.org/events/may-day-strong-no-work-no-school-no-shopping/
Thank You Steven..Even now I find it hard to understand that so many people will break the laws and norms for a man who is a grifter of the first order. Who are all these Americans ? The wealthy, the educated, the powerful, not an ounce of patriotism for the country that gave them so much. They are dismantling our country brick by brick. It will take a hundred years of decent behavior on our part for our allies to trust us again. I hope we can win in November so we can start that long process. lost in america
As I noted elsewhere, this started long before Trump came along. It wasn't just "the wealthy, the educated, the powerful" who elected Reagan twice.
They tend to leave with fat wallets and land in cushy jobs. Bondi, maybe in a worse position than others because she didn’t have much support from anyone except Trump.
Yet another chapter in the degradation of America by those called "Leaders".
Even worse is witnessing those who continue to bow down to trump.
What an embarrassment for all.
We’re witnessing the layering of a corrupt administration. One goes, the next one who is even more subhuman in loyalty to the Dear Leader steps up to the plate. This is a clear effort to protect Trump from his exposure in the Epstein files. I remember during Trump’s first term that he said “I like ‘acting’”…meaning that he preferred to put his choice in as an “acting” official over the prospect of having to go before Congress to have his nominees approved. The question becomes a matter of whether Congress has become sufficiently compliant at this point that his nominee will be approved pronto, with minimal oversight or questions as to their past performance and/or fitness for office. We see where this has led. If past is prologue, as they say, we’re headed down a one-way, dead-end street that leads to a layered and redundant autocracy.
Europe is right to be concerned. Europe is right to start to raise the drawbridge on the United States. I just wish I could do the same. But safety and security belong to the brave ones who speak out and who act to restore sanity and the rule of law. Somebody better step up to show us how it’s done, because I fear we’ve lost our way and the consequences are dire.
It baffles me that Donnie doesn’t understand the layering of the regime in Iran while he uses the same tactic here. There is no better layer in Iran and none here.
Steven: Excellent historical disheartening accurate enumeration of the recent atrocities by this corrupt regime, of JUST one vital system of our Democracy.
🚩I am sincerely baffled by what motivates a human to embrace with such sinister devotion the demonic dictates of Don the Destroyer.
(Sorry the poetry is unintentional! -but my dismay and befuddlement is sincere)
Bless you for all you do.
🇺🇸
What do you call a person who betrays herself, her former stance against sex trafficking, her vows to uphold the law, her conscience and her god (despite the hypocritical cross she never fails to display)? A TRAITOR.
Thank you, Steven, for this summary. AND… for “keeping your cool” when it’s being put to the test time and time again!
I’ve had my moments as well and keep you, all “Substackers”, and all the Peaceful Protesters in mind when I feel compelled to “lose it”. Blessings to you all!
Thank you.
Let us not forget that when she was Florida’s attorney general, her investigation of Trump University magically disappeared after the Orange One wrote her a check for 25 grand. I hesitate to call Democrats in the Senate feckless, but why wasn’t this clear example of bribery brought up during her confirmation hearing? Furthermore, her binder-full of pre-written insults was grounds for a contempt of Congress charge, yet no one on the panel fought back. S/M/H, Steven.
They chose to go after things where there was common ground to get a majority. For instance, surveillance of legislators reviewing the Epstein files used to find ammunition for her binder. They concentrated on getting a subpoena and basically out voting and forcing Comer to require it be a deposition under oath. It was set for April 14. Apparently Comer is attempting to find a way around it, but the Democrats are insisting the subpoena cannot be changed or withdrawn without a full committee vote.
Will Lee Zeldin get the dubious honor of being confirmed as AG? Jeanine Pirro? Alina Habba? Never Aileen Cannon as she's waiting for Alito to retire.
I suspect it will be Zeldin. Jeanine Pirro and Haba are lobbying hard for the job according to reports, but they have a big problem. Neither of them are more successful than Bondi. For instance, Habba lost a defamation case against Hillary Clinton and others so badly it ended with Trump and Habba jointly owing about $1 million for bringing an empty frivolous lawsuit a second time. Pirro has proved she can’t indict a subway sandwich.
Zeldin is dismantling the EPA and loosening regulations. In that realm mostly successful and mostly stayed out of the headlines. Plus, he’s a guy which is always top of mind for Trump. OTOH, he could come up with someone nobody’s heard about too.
Pam made this public statement yesterday: “Over the next month I will be working tirelessly to transition the office of Attorney General to the amazing Todd Blanche before moving to an important private sector role I am thrilled about, and where I will continue fighting for President Trump and this Administration,” she wrote on X.
So she publicly admitted that her agenda over the past year was to work for the President, not for the American people. She was not, in fact, working as the Attorney General, but as Trump's private lawyer. As Todd Blanche will continue to do.
There is no reason to think Bondi’s successor as Attorney General will be any better than she has been. No one who serves in the orange felon’s cabinet will have the rule of law as their goal.
Isn’t Marco Rubio available? I know he has a part-time gig or two ongoing, but I’m sure he could fit AG in, maybe work Saturday mornings for a few months. You know, it would probably hinge on the bus schedule between the WH, Foggy Bottom, the Archives, and DOJ … if the driver of the 2:06 West on Penn Ave will promise to wait a min or two for him, especially on rainy days … it’s do-able!
Yesterday you interviewed Kirsten Powers who said Todd Blanche was Respected, Serious, and Stands Up To Trump. Amazing as those statements were, they were left to stand. And the interview was aired. She may have worked for CNN and written books, but she is not a scholar of truth.
Thank you sir. Have no need for any celebration over Bondi’s firing just as much as Noem’s removal and ultimately being placed at that “Shield of America” crazy organization. She was predictable, in a year and change she’s been able to turn the DOJ into his political attorneys to do his bidding. Longtime career attorneys with integrity are long gone, the DOJ that once was the “people’s” is no longer. It’s difficult to rebuild and so easy to destroy so the next selection he makes unfortunately will be even worse. There are too many bench warmers in that MAGA sphere. Wouldn’t be surprised another banner with his mugshot doesn’t go up somewhere at the DOJ as a parting gift from Bondi.. since per the WSJ Bondi pleaded to him to keep her job until the summer…
Who’s next to get the axe from this delusional dementia riddled sociopath? Will it be Patel, Hegseth or other members of his regime making a ton of money off the grift, he doesn’t like others making money, it’s all for him to steal..
Thank you sir. Have no need for any celebration over Bondi’s firing just as much as Noem’s removal and ultimately being placed at that “Shield of America” crazy organization. She was predictable, in a year and change she’s been able to turn the DOJ into his political attorneys to do his bidding. Longtime career attorneys with integrity are long gone, the DOJ that once was the “people’s” is no longer. It’s difficult to rebuild and so easy to destroy so the next selection he makes unfortunately will be even worse. There are too many bench warmers in that MAGA sphere. Wouldn’t be surprised another banner with his mugshot doesn’t go up somewhere at the DOJ as a parting gift from Bondi.. since per the WSJ Bondi pleaded to him to keep her job until the summer…
Who’s next to get the axe from this delusional dementia riddled sociopath? Will it be Patel, Hegseth or other members of his regime making a ton of money off the grift, he doesn’t like others making money, it’s all for him to steal..
Likely Gabbard. Another female.
You may be correct sir, about Gabbard she may have not gone as far as he would hope but there’s always CIA Director John Ratcliffe to consider. It also wouldn’t look good for him to fire all the females, he still needs some of them for his candidate picks for Congress to vote for. Even though he’s squelching the female vote.
It’s a toss up for sure who’s on the chopping block of this “Apprentice vile regime”. Time will show.. My money is on Patel he’s not hidden enough of the Epstein files and gotten the illegal taking of documents out of the news well enough…
The countries that provide national intelligence after the Five Eyes to the United States are (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States). They are also a part of the Nine Eyes and Fourteen Eyes alliances, which include Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. These countries participate in expanded intelligence-sharing agreements beyond the original Five Eyes alliance.
From April 1, 2026 article: As in any relationship, signs of caution, distrust, or even ambivalence can emerge. For example, the British and Danish intelligence services have indicated that they are limiting – but not completely halting – their exchanges with their American counterparts, concerned about the legal implications and, more broadly, the politicisation of US intelligence. Irritated by repeated provocations over Greenland, the Danish military intelligence service went so far as to designate the United States as a national security threat, alongside China and Russia.
https://theconversation.com/where-is-transatlantic-intelligence-sharing-headed-under-the-trump-administration-279135