Charlie Sykes (subs. only) wonders if the Republican Party is heading toward extinction: The key to survival of any species is its ability to adapt. That’s as true of politics as it is of biology. Political parties must learn when to fight or flee, or risk being mauled by some rough beast, whose hour has come round at last. So students of history will fascinated by the torpor of the GOP circa 2023. Republicans were, after all, warned. Again and again. On Trump and abortion, but also on guns, moral Grundyism, and their addiction to the crazy. Yet despite all the red blinking lights— and they are flashing everywhere — the GOP simply smacks its lips and says, ‘This is fine.” More, please. The latest flare comes from my home state, Wisconsin. As Bill Lueders writes in today’s Bulwark, the race for Supreme Court here was the most expensive judicial race in American history. But, ultimately, the election was decided not by money, but by issues, especially abortion. And it was a landslide in a crucial swing state. The Wall Street Journal editorial board is reaching for the panic button.
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QOTD: Andrew Weissman on Trump going after the prosecutor and judge’s families: “You do not have this behavior from a mob boss. There is a rule in organized crime. You do not do this with respect to prosecutors. You don’t do this with respect to the judge. You certainly don’t go after their families. It’s bad business to do that.” Trump’s more like a street thug. The mafia has too many rules for him.
More Supreme Court corruption: CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURT Justice Clarence Thomas has been regularly taking luxury trips financed by a billionaire Republican donor for over 20 years, according to a new investigation from ProPublica. Thomas “virtually every year” has accepted rides on private jets, stays at private resorts, and invitations to hang out on superyachts owned by real-estate mogul Harlan Crow. He hasn’t disclosed any of it, which ethics experts spoken to by ProPublica say could violate a federal law requiring justices to disclose most gifts. Meanwhile, Thomas has been one of the most conservative justices on a court dominated by conservatives. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, Thomas wrote a concurring opinion arguing it should reconsider rulings that established the right to contraception and same-sex marriage. He also made controversial rulings about the 2020 election results while his wife, Ginni Thomas, was pushing conspiracy theories and aggressively lobbying for the results to be overturned.
Can you believe it? Dear Leader says to make it so: House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan is all for it: “We control the power of the purse, and that’s, we’re gonna have to look at the appropriations process and limit funds going to some of these agencies, particularly the ones who are engaging in the most egregious behavior,” Jordan told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo in an interview Sunday. When Bartiromo asked if he meant the Justice Department and FBI, Jordan responded: “Yeah.” I think Charlie Sykes is right. They now seem to be on a suicide mission. Unfortunately, there’s always the chance they will take the country down with them.
You’ve heard of cancel culture…. I am simply appalled by what they’re doing down there. This is outrageous. But I think they’re making a mistake. Go ahead guys, mobilize Black people, women, and normal people everywhere who are sick and tired of all this gun violence. You are turning guns into an issue like abortion. Fine. Let’s have it out. The “optics” literally could not be worse.
Sketch artist gets an early start This could be settled by the time this posts, but…. CBS News: Several media organizations, including CBS News, petitioned to allow video and photo coverage of Trump’s arraignment, but New York has one of the strictest policies in the country against cameras in the courtroom, according to The Fund for Modern Courts, a nonpartisan nonprofit. Trump’s legal team wants cameras kept out of the courtroom, saying they would “create a circus-like atmosphere,” “raise unique security concerns” and are “inconsistent with President Trump’s presumption of innocence.” Meaning Trump thinks getting a stern talking to by a judge about watching his mouth would be a bad look. Without video or audio, he can spin what happens in court today any way he likes. It’s he-said, the fake news-said. What a shame. “Few Americans have seen Mr.
The right wing obsessions Greg Sargent takes a look at Marjorie Taylor Greene’s grotesque 60 Minutes interview and the history of LGBTQ and pedophile slurs: CBS anchor Lesley Stahl was shocked to hear that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stands firmly behind her frequent claim that Democrats are “pedophiles.” On “60 Minutes,” Stahl pressed Greene on her use of the slur, and the Georgia Republican defiantly responded that it’s the truth: “They support grooming children.” “They are not pedophiles,” Stahl rejoined incredulously. “Why would you say that?” Stahl has been roasted online for granting Greene a plum “60 Minutes” interview, which aired Sunday night. But the real problem with this exchange is thatStahl did not show any signs of understanding the longtime role of the “pedophile” insult in right-wing discourse as an expression of deliberate bigotry against transgender Americans. As a result, Stahl squandered a high-profile opportunity to explainto a large prime-time audience what Greene and others really intend when they use this smear.
Criminals are arrested every day in every town in America. You are not special, Trumpie. You’re just a private citizen being held to account for your crimes. Go to court and let a jury decide. That’s exactly how it works. Just be glad you’re not Black.
Yeah, I think we knew that. He could have done this whole thing on zoom: DONALD TRUMP INSISTED on turning his Tuesday arraignment into a spectacle, and he’s going to get his wish. A law enforcement official tells Rolling Stone that the former president was offered a chance to surrender quietly and be arraigned over Zoom. Instead, Trump opted for a midday, high-profile booking at the Manhattan courthouse, the official says. “He wanted a perp walk; he wanted daylight hours,” says the law enforcement official, who’s involved in aspects of the security planning. “He wants to get out of the vehicle and walk up the stairs. This is a nightmare for Secret Service, but they can only strongly suggest — not order — that Trump enter through the secure tunnels. Trump wants to greet the crowd. This should be a surprise to no one — especially not his detail.” Secret Service had argued in favor of holding the proceedings outside of court business hours, at night with minimal cameras and less risk.
DeSantis signed a permitless concealed carry law this week: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a measure that will allow Florida residents to carry guns without a state permit — but falls short of what some gun-rights activists sought. DeSantis signed the legislation behind closed doors in the governor’s office, with news of the bill signing being released first to Fox News. He had pledged during an appearance last week at a Georgia gun store that he would act quickly on the proposal, which passed the Florida Legislature on Thursday. “You don’t need a permission slip from the government to be able to exercise your constitutional rights,” DeSantis, a Republican, said at the time. Florida becomes the 26th state to allow residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit. The new legislation gives DeSantis another victory to tout as he gears up for an expected presidential campaign. “Here in the free state of Florida, government will not get in the way of law-abiding Americans who want to defend themselves and their families,” said state Sen. Jay Collins, a Tampa Republican and sponsor of the legislation.