Substack, including Robert as a prime example is my news source. Between my paid and free Substack writers, I am staying informed. No more MSNBC, NYT, or WP. Thanks to Robert Heather, Joyce, Timothy, et al, they cull the news for me. THANK YOU!!! 😎
Robert, today as usual is emphasizing the right lede words for everyone: "incompetent liars and dangerous amateurs". Again and again and again. This issue has risen above debate and discussion. Senator Duckworth's lede was similar, "f***** liars".
Yes. Marc and his team are doing a Yeoman's job of protecting our democracy and particularly Voting Rights. In fact, American Historian Jefferson Cowie mentioned as the last thing in a talk he gave last week on American populism, that he was surprised and (implied dismayed) that the liberals had not protected voting rights. I wrote an article about his talk.
I belong to a voting rights group, Democracy Abroad which is primarily about getting people registered to vote and helping them to vote from abroad, a right that is under attack by Donald Trump, who just signed an executive order trying to disenfranchise us.
Thanks, Janet. I agree with you and include Jessica Craven for activist info, the BBC and The Guardian, the only newspaper I read at all. I’ve never watched news on TV and am happy reading or hearing all I need.
WATCH MSNBC -they are the ONLY nationally available source to non-tech folks that is pushing back every single hour against POS and his cast of deplorables. For heaven's sake, don't damn it - WATCH IT. I get the feeling that it's become an "in thing" to damn the network without watching any of it. Even the hated Joe and Mika, which I never see because I'm still sleeping when it's on, are pushing against POS. And much as I love Substack, Bulwark, Robert, et al - they do NOT have the resources of a national network of journalists, etc. that MSNBC has!
They fired her because she wasn't getting the ratings that the others were. Also, from what I've heard, she was a prima donna. I'll be blunt - I didn't like her. She was strident, loud, and thought her opinion was more important than the people she supposed to be interviewing, and frequently talked over her guests.
Still catch Nicole Wallace and Rachel Maddow on MSNBC and listen to their podcasts; lots of other podcasters too, plus all the ones you all mentioned above
I agree on Robert as a prime news source. When I share his posts with members of Democrats Abroad, they always appreciate his clear and measured tones. Thank you!
I also subscribe to Timothy Snyder who has now moved to Canada, along with Jason Stanley another fascism expert, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, now Dean Blundell of Canada for the Canadian updates and perspective, Olga Lautmann, Joyce Vance, Jeff Tiedrich for much needed levity, Jay Kuo, a couple that update me on Ukraine, and John Howard fellow expat in France who is a health care expert, Jessica Valenti for the frightening and important Abortion updates, Thomas Zimmer-American Historian for his European perspective, Anand Giridharadas who has great and diverse guests, and then I have several European news sources which I read daily since I mostly live in Europe now.
The Substack writers you name are awesome. I read 3 of the four every day. They give me information and a confidence not found in for profit media/news.
Trump is still clinging to one of the lessons he took from his mentor, Roy Cohn: Never ever admit you made a mistake. Just say something like "I never heard about it," "I know nothing about it, go ask so-and-so," or attack the messenger of the bad news.
My take-away from the last two congressional hearings on Signalgate and a number of nomination hearings before: "I don't recall" has become the go-to equivalent of "I take the 5th" in trials and depositions.
Wow, true. I also consider it as evidence they are so ignorant, unqualified, guilty and eager to pass the blame instead of work for solutions that help people.
Helping people is not what Trump wants from them. He couldn't care less if they never helped anyone at all. As long as they shout "How high?!?" When Ol' Stinkbutt yells "Jump!!!", he's happy.
Stinky would have really preferred it if they hadn't screwed up and let everybody see that the DoD is using a commercial app (totally against official policy btw) that auto-deletes messages after a set amount of time, as a work around leaving any official documentation of their many nefarious deeds.
I've also noticed that, and remember Cassidy Hutchinson saying that her Trump attorney told her to answer questions in the January 6th hearing with "I don't recall." Tulsi Gabbard said she did not recall a lot of things about the chat, including what country she was in during the call
For those who, unfortunately, have never seen "Hogan's Heroes," Sgt. Schultz was the dufus Nazi who was supposed to be guarding the POWs in a camp during WWII. Schultz's mantra for any situation in which the POWs had bested him (once again!) was, "I know NOTHING; I know NOTHING!" Dave is correct; (t)rump's mantra is the same as Sgt. Schultz's, only (t)rump is the biggest dufus of all!
I had to watch that show at my friend’s house. It was too much for my WWII veteran, American history teacher Dad, who was appalled at anyone creating a “funny” Nazi. Glad he isn’t alive for this spasm of the US history.
I get it. That's what makes the back story of Klemperer, Clary, and a few of the other cast members so impressive. The important point was that the Nazis always lost; God willing we'll beat them again this time.
Great point, Dave! The good guys did always win in that program and all the others of that era. We need the good guys to come forward now to ensure that America and our Democracy survives. We need them to act soon (looking at you senators and representatives).
I would add Stephen Miller to list. Mr. Hubbell, please devote a column to Miller's background and responsibilities in the administration. I think he is far more involved in Trump's decisions and public announcements than any of us know. For example, who writes Trump's "speeches?"
Janet, that is the question. And hopefully we will eventually learn that Trump knew every damn thing that has passed through this group or and other gatherings of sycophants. Why? Because they no doubt will point fingers at one another until one goes under the bus.
In effect, the Trump administration has been clear. They would rather that Russia and China read their "secret" communications about military and other operations than have those communications part of America's historical archives. What are they talking about other than dropping bombs on the Houthis? What are they saying?
It may not be only a matter of what is said, but the performative notion of submission itself to autocrats. They have been displaying, through their conduct, submission and weakness. Whether they are aware of it or not is a wholly other question.
Signalgate is more like a gaping hole. One can only imagine with the ability to auto-delete what has transpired. don-old knows nothing about it. He is living up to my characterization of him🤥 🤥. 👖 on 🔥. Excellent commentary, Robert. I think it would be great to share any ideas for signs for April 5 th.
March 24th will remain the day America changed or so I believe. Or at least moved to some other level of bananas. I ponder how we now accept 50501 as not some potential source of takedown of the progressives, birthed on Reddit, to now having homes in mainstream social media for the national and state movements. We were rightly hesitant, but how rapidly they become part of the fabric of the resistance. Initially I quietly joined some of these sites to observe only online. This is goodness as I like to state.
I also observe how my skepticism of new DNC Chair Ken Martin remained strong. And then I heard him speak privately speak passionately, decisively, and very personally earlier this month to a grasroots leaders group. And hope that his working the red state areas with regional Democratic representatives builds the resistance legs in those communities. And the overall movement coalition with Indivisible, 50501, and so many others coalesces into more effective goodness.
I am going to employ my early post position to SHOUT that we all need to support Tufts grad student Rumeysa Ozturk, who is now alone in Louisiana. START GETTING LOUD!
Double down on this call for outrage and Two Cheers for the Mainstream media. I thought the last 60 days let alone the last 9 years has left me impervious to real shock, but I was wrong. When I saw this clip here from an ABC news affiliate on MSNBC last night, I could not believe that this was happening in America. Rumeysa Ozturk was kidnapped by ICE officers (presumably) without any regular police present, by officers who hid their faces, and refused to give their names, or answer her questions. There was no reading of her Miranda rights and a defiance of yet another court order. This is an abduction as brazen as anything in Pinochet's Chile or Putin's Russia. When are we going to see the consequences for the defiance of court orders?
I also point out that this story was broken by the much maligned mainstream news (MSN). That broad and various group of journalists needs to be bolder -- or their corporate owners need to get out of their way. They too often bend over backwards not to call out the lies that Trump and his party tell all the time. (If I read the NYT calling Trump's lies "falsehoods" or "misrepresentations" one more time, I may scream.). So I understand the desire to chuck any attention or support for the NYT, MSNBC, CNN, WaPO etc. BUT no one else has the worldwide reach of these news organizations (i.e. staff) and the audience to challenge and counter Fox News. Robert Hubble deserves every honor and our everlasting support, but he and Heather Cox Richardson, etc. cannot provide national coverage or footage like that of Rumeysa Ozturk's abduction. They cannot assign numerous reporters to track down every detail of Signalgate, and they do not command the audience that many of these mainstream media can reach. Many of the people we all learn from and admire would be at a loss if they could not take advantage of the news gathering capacity of the mainstream media. If they were to disappear, all we would have it Fox.
The mainstream media I will say is waking up, but it took the Atlantic reporting. CBS won't be settling re 60 Minutes, for example. Most law schools and bar associations have condemned bending the knee (with a few notable exceptions). So hopefully most law firms stand up.
It is the universities that are most concerning. I have called the university President at my undergrad Binghamton as they are one of the forty targeted (I have no respect for my grad school that is quietly bending the knee already, also happens to be in Durham).
I have been very impressed with the Trump stories 60 Minutes has been doing recently. Their investigative reporting has been outstanding for decades, and their willingness to continue in this political climate is a brave.
Ariella Elm's Substack with the 'Daily Dems Doing the Work, Making Noise and Fighting Back Day', followed by 'Three Wins Today', pointed to the how of the PA State Senate win:
'My additional theory? With Ken Martin in charge of the DNC, suddenly, no race is being ignored. I mean Rep Chris DeLuzio (PA-17) showed up to help him campaign. I don't think that happened in a district this red before Ken.'
I began to follow Elm several weeks ago. To me it's a mini version of Jess Craven Sunday Extra Extra. And focused specifically on the work of specific political efforts.
I was routing for Ben Wikler for DNC chair, because of his obvious embrace of the Grassroots during Judge Janet P.'s successful WI Supreme Court race in 2023. Plus his commitment to year-round organizing and fighting everywhere. But I did hear that Ken Martin purportedly promised to borrow good ideas from other successful programs (e.g., WI).
In addition to Ariella Elms' accurate take on the race, I would also point out that the GOP candidate got complacent and skipped a candidate forum two weeks before the election, as is noted in this post:
The Gestapo-style arrest/kidnapping of the student at Tufts is truly chilling. Federal agents were wearing masks, which is interesting because one of the demands the Feds are making regarding campus protests is that the participants cannot wear masks! We need a whole new vocabulary for the levels of hypocrisy and criminality on full display, but for now there's one simple descriptor: American Nazism.
There's something else revealed in this Signal catastrophe that's worth mentioning. Who really holds power? Who's the Wizard of Oz behind Trump 2.0? This analysis by journalist / historian Garrett Graff is outstanding -- it summarizes Signal Gate into 5 key scandal areas -- but to be clear, I am really posting here for its final political insight.
"Now that we’ve gotten the political and security scandals out of the way, onto what is not necessarily a scandal but is a fascinating political insight that we can glean from the Signal group chat and resulting fall-out: Who holds the power in the Trump administration?
The full Signal chat provides some of the most “real” indications of where power lies in the Trump administration and how decision-making happens—and none of it is pretty.
The answer is shocking, but perhaps not surprising: Donald Trump isn’t that engaged in the policy of his administration, JD Vance is weak and powerless, and the only one that matters is Stephen Miller." [--article continues at end to develop this thesis].
It was discovered that, after the outing of Vance's disagreement -- and pathological hatred of Europe -- with Trump's alleged position (and disagreement with DT never ends well), a certain "S M" *enters the chat*:
"Miller, in fact, is only added to the group after people aren’t sure of the president’s wishes. Is Mike Waltz, the national security advisor, really not in a position to interpret the president’s own orders when it comes to military actions? He needs to call Stephen Miller for help? This is not a smooth functioning organization."
S.M. If the Devil were incarnate, he would look like S.M.
Hard to imagine anyone more pure evil.
Notice his description of the military is one word: LETHALITY.
From taking unweaned babies away in the family separation policy to the no due process round ups, kidnapping and disappearings of groups of people - and you know U.S. citizens are going to be victims in these sweeps - he's focusing on the most cruel ways to put all power in the hands of the very few - all rich white males, to be sure.
I completely agree. I see Stephen Miller's fingerprints on much of what Trump is doing, and there is no one more evil in this administration, and I will add dangerous.
Miller wants to do to others what the Nazis did to the Jews, Roma, socialists and homosexuals. Miller is going after immigrants, and people opposed to target bombing Palestinian civilians. He is apparently not intelligent enough to understand that eventually the Trump regime will come for the Jews too.
Sadly, there were Jews who were exempt under the Nazi regime because they provided skills or services important to the regime. As long as tfg is in office, SM will be his advisor.
It sounds like Miller is running foreign policy as well as boosting Musk's "handling" of domestic policy (destruction). The call being on Signal is the obvious story. But isn't the biggest one: "Where is President Trump?"
Isn't it kind of a big deal when we attack another country? Was the Commander in Chief woofing a cheeseburger with the Head of the Military who was also absent? Acting Joint Chief? Hello!!!???
The kids are running the classroom and nobody is learning anything!
It's as if we got frustrated with law abiding officials and simply hired some Mafia mugs to run the DC apparatus. Are there words stronger than humiliating and embarrassing?
Yes, why aren't people asking why wasn't Trump on the chat? I guess between Miller and Susie Wiles they figured they had it covered. By the way, let's call it a "chat" over "phone call". It makes it more stupid.
I am not so sure Vance is weak. Take a look at this article from Thom Hartmann's Substack. These people are not clowns, not morons, fools. They are monsters.
Thanks for this, Wendy. I do think Vance is perceived within this organizational structure not just as weak, but very weak. Note for example: once Signal Gate broke, and the disagreement with Trump aired in public, what happened? Vance was banished (er, decided to take a trip) to join his wife in Greenland. Aside from the Zelensky ambush, it is typically Musk who appears with Trump in all sorts of vulgar appearances, while Vance is relegated to the janitor work, like shilling for Matt Gaetz.
At the same time, Vance is a vessel for extreme ideology, a la his sugar daddy, Thiel. In this respect, if he ever managed to assume the presidency, he is more dangerous. I don’t think Hartmann is wrong, but it’s not the analysis I’d favor. An incisive look into the psychological dynamics of this admin and positions is the work / interviews with Michael Wolff, who just published another very good book on the inner workings of Trump. Vance comes off like a bit player.
Dan, you could be right but we also could be gaslit regarding the inner workings of this regime. Maybe Vance wasn’t banished but is being “protected’. We don't know. I will check out Michael Wolfe.
That is certainly possible. But I’ve never had any confidence in Vance as a thinker or a power player, and my impression is the regime just doesn’t take him seriously. He was foisted upon Trump by Don Jr. at the last minute, and Trump has never favored him. I think Trump smells weakness and insincerity, and so long as Trump rules, it will be a churn of incompetence, chaos and calculation.
Put another way, there could be a day in which Vance assumes power. But so long as Trump is there, I don’t think it’s what he wants.
No, it was Trump’s kids. But the tie to Thiel is backing, which began long before I believe, and Thiel’s financial backing installed Vance in the Senate. I am sure Thiel wants Vance and has infected him with juvenile extremist ideology, but that wasn’t the final push to get him to VP. There’s probably some kind of deal induced power plays with the kids and Thiel.
Here is an update from Wolff on the Vance dynamic (last minutes). It is complex but if you listen to the end, I think we are both borne out (and I'm not convinced Trump has always "liked" Vance until now, but he has tolerated him): https://youtu.be/qPnuMZgZ1fc?si=wopjAkb0YTU9yVLp
Wendy, I would submit that they are both. Literally, every member of this regime, from Trump down, is woefully unqualified for the positions they hold. I’m well aware of Curtis Yarvin’s fever dream fantasies, but as long as the regime remains divided, uncoordinated, and incompetent, it is difficult to see how they achieve those goals. More importantly, each of these errors provide opportunities for this rebellion, resistance or whatever you want to call it, to exploit and call attention to the unremitting incompetence.
Dean, you are right they are both. I was responding to all the comments calling them clowns, morons, idiots, descriptions lacking the true depth of their immorality, cruelty and lack of care towards others. You are right, as long as they are uncoordinated and incompetent this gives the resistance more to build on.
In anything close to a viable and normal administration, such an egregious breach of security would be a major scandal. In this madministration, it's a Season 5 episode.
„In anything close to a viable and normal administration, such an egregious breach of security would be a major scandal.“. Correct. So why does the MSM give it headline treatment but not treat it as part of ongoing incompetent, scandalous behavior?
Not really! In seasons 1-4, Donald and the “boys” were learning the ropes..the ropes of further deceit and callousness. Season 5 the gang was ready..ready to dismantle our nation. I weep!
ICE abductions are happening everywhere. A very big story has blown up this week in my voting state of Washington, where farmworker and immigrant rights activist Alfredo (Lelo) Juarez Zeferino was forcibly removed from his car that also held his partner and his sister, on Tues. morning 3/25. ICE agents broke in the car window when he insisted on his rights. He is currently being held in the for-profit Northwest Detention Center. Because he is a much-loved and well-connected community leader, response was immediate and intense. Senator Patty Murray is on the job, but perhaps more importantly so are hundreds of protestors and people calling the governor, the AG, their state reps, and their federal reps. Of course Lelo was not the only person taken, and demands are now that the entire Detention Center be emptied. Here is reporting from local NPR affiliate KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/stories/ice-detains-farmworker-activist-in-northwest-washington-state. If you're still on FB, the group "Community to Community Development" is posting updates and sharing news stories. My local Indivisible group is also involved.
Thank you for sharing this story. It showed up in “Common Dreams” newsletter but I hadn’t read it yet. This is another very chilling reporting of another illegal abduction and this will be important to follow, as are the others. These stories are extremely disturbing to me. Will the law uphold our due process and first amendment rights? If so, will the regime abide by the rulings?
While Signalgate and the outrageous, destructive, illegal doge/administration actions wash over us like a polluted tidal wave, the kidnapping of the Tufts student is the story that woke me up at 4:00 this morning.
I had been thinking that a tipping point would occur when enough trump voters feel the pain of his “efficiency” actions or when enough republican senators can no longer endure the dangerous security breeches but I now believe that Ms Ozturk’s illegal abduction by masked “police” will unleash the fury of women, causing a seismic uptick in the pushback.
The ever present, visceral sense of vulnerability that even the bravest among us have, is part of our wiring. It’s an instinct that has saved women through the millennia, a sixth sense that something is going wrong, that something is becoming dangerous, that something threatens our very survival.
There are three choices women have under threatening conditions; fight, flight or freeze and because we are more often the weaker physically, we have instinctively chosen flight or freeze but sometimes, when fleeing or freezing is not an option, we are forced to fight with everything we’ve got.
Watching that video of Ozturk’s abduction by six or seven masked men and women, who gently coo that she will be alright, who, like a sinister dance troupe, gracefully remove her backpack, handcuff her and lead her into an unmarked car, that video will inspire millions of women to stand their ground, arm in arm. That video is the clarion call that freezing or fleeing are no longer options.
A fire will ignite in our hearts, and we will fight back against the bullies, the kidnappers and the despots with everything we’ve got.
Now let’s go save our sister, let’s go save democracy.
Why is the Trump Administration abducting and incarcerating these individuals? Are they considered flight risks who can‘t be deterred by ankle bracelets? Do they pose physical dangers to Americans?
Robert, and other lawyers who read this blog: What is the basis for incarcerating these individuals without a hearing, more than a thousand miles from where they had lived? I think it smacks of outright illegality and attempts to provoke fear.
Trump reminds me of Sgt. Schultz from the old tv show “Hogan’s Heroes”. If you’ve never seen it, it takes place in a Nazi camp where mostly American men and one French guy live in the barracks. It was a comical spoof on Stalag 13 where soldiers devised plans to escape. Anyway Schultz is a blundering oaf who when he sees things that are going on he says in his German accent “I hear nothing! I see nothing!” Schultz was a big boy, like The Con.
If only, Marlene. Sgt. Schultz was a clumsy, bumbling, fairly innocent character. Not a vile, scheming and vengeful psychopath. But know you got me hooked. I am thinking about who could assume the role of Col. Hogan, running circles around the Nazis in charge of the camp. Adam Schiff? Pete Buttigieg? AOC?
I believe we are seeing the leading edge of a civilizational tsunami that will wash the USA out of its world leadership in all aspects; financial, cultural, educational, spiritual, and moral. It will take nothing less than complete erasure of MAGA leadership and its cult to salvage our spirit and culture. May God have mercy on us! Carpe Diam!!
Bang up job, Robert! It’s clear that Gabbard, Hegseth and Walz need to have more time to spend with their families, at once, but everyone on the Signal chat (except Jefferey Goldberg) must be fired, immediately.
A part of this story not getting nearly enough attention: Trump’s response to the scandal shows well what a doddering fool he is. He’s back to the paint-by-numbers stage, and he’s not going to get any better.
It’s great that Signalgate is getting wide coverage but the challenge we have is the average hard working voter with a few kids living pay check to pay check and not a reader of news getting the messages? That is my fear. The Democrats have to be in the news everyday. Thom Tillis in NC voted for Hegseth under extreme pressure from Trump and today right now voters in NC need to be reminded of that in ads and commentary that he is responsible for the appointment of Hegseth. This is how you win elections.
We all need to be calling our Congresspeople and Senators and insisting that they call for the immediate resignations of Hegseth, Gabbard, and Waltz as well as Musk and DOGE out of the government.
Substack, including Robert as a prime example is my news source. Between my paid and free Substack writers, I am staying informed. No more MSNBC, NYT, or WP. Thanks to Robert Heather, Joyce, Timothy, et al, they cull the news for me. THANK YOU!!! 😎
Also, Marc Elias, his team, and his Democracy Docket newsletter. I receive several newsletters from Marc daily.
And TCinLA!
Robert, today as usual is emphasizing the right lede words for everyone: "incompetent liars and dangerous amateurs". Again and again and again. This issue has risen above debate and discussion. Senator Duckworth's lede was similar, "f***** liars".
I agree! Marc Elias and his team are doing great work. A subscription to Democracy Docket is worth every penny.
Exactly! I wasn’t going to do more “paid,” for finance purposes but there was another of my exceptions! They/he is great!
Ps. Robert, too!
Yes. Marc and his team are doing a Yeoman's job of protecting our democracy and particularly Voting Rights. In fact, American Historian Jefferson Cowie mentioned as the last thing in a talk he gave last week on American populism, that he was surprised and (implied dismayed) that the liberals had not protected voting rights. I wrote an article about his talk.
https://lindaweide.substack.com/p/is-populism-the-way-to-go?r=f0qfn
I belong to a voting rights group, Democracy Abroad which is primarily about getting people registered to vote and helping them to vote from abroad, a right that is under attack by Donald Trump, who just signed an executive order trying to disenfranchise us.
https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/trumps-latest-executive-order-is-a-sham-and-a-warning/
We will be protesting this fascist move as well as the move to shut down more US embassies and consulates abroad.
Ditto!
"Between my paid and free Substack writers, I am staying informed."
I agree 💯percent - although I am forced to add
"Between my paid and free Substack writers, I'm having trouble keeping up!! 😲
Same— it takes a while to get through these detailed newsletters and excellent comments sections.
Say that again!
I take notes
me too!
Agree. Other than Democracy Now, I am done with tv news.
Yes --- but, much to my surprise, HuffPo is doing an excellent job in their headlines and reporting ---- no'puff'pieces and no euphemisms.
The Guardian also. There daily live blog for the US Edition is well written and documented
I’ve also subscribed to Wired and Foreign Policy— the reading load is a lot.
I had to take a nap this afternoon, something that is really rare for me. I could not take anymore!
Oh my gosh, same— I had 20 minutes between two meeting and I literally fell unconscious on the floor for about 11 perfect minutes.
Same here.
Me, too..above list of contributors keep me sane, mostly!
Thanks, Janet. I agree with you and include Jessica Craven for activist info, the BBC and The Guardian, the only newspaper I read at all. I’ve never watched news on TV and am happy reading or hearing all I need.
WATCH MSNBC -they are the ONLY nationally available source to non-tech folks that is pushing back every single hour against POS and his cast of deplorables. For heaven's sake, don't damn it - WATCH IT. I get the feeling that it's become an "in thing" to damn the network without watching any of it. Even the hated Joe and Mika, which I never see because I'm still sleeping when it's on, are pushing against POS. And much as I love Substack, Bulwark, Robert, et al - they do NOT have the resources of a national network of journalists, etc. that MSNBC has!
But they fired Joy Reid. I have trouble forgiving that!
They fired her because she wasn't getting the ratings that the others were. Also, from what I've heard, she was a prima donna. I'll be blunt - I didn't like her. She was strident, loud, and thought her opinion was more important than the people she supposed to be interviewing, and frequently talked over her guests.
And Meidas Touch Network!
Same here! Great information - though frightening - and no commercials!
Still catch Nicole Wallace and Rachel Maddow on MSNBC and listen to their podcasts; lots of other podcasters too, plus all the ones you all mentioned above
I agree on Robert as a prime news source. When I share his posts with members of Democrats Abroad, they always appreciate his clear and measured tones. Thank you!
I also subscribe to Timothy Snyder who has now moved to Canada, along with Jason Stanley another fascism expert, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, now Dean Blundell of Canada for the Canadian updates and perspective, Olga Lautmann, Joyce Vance, Jeff Tiedrich for much needed levity, Jay Kuo, a couple that update me on Ukraine, and John Howard fellow expat in France who is a health care expert, Jessica Valenti for the frightening and important Abortion updates, Thomas Zimmer-American Historian for his European perspective, Anand Giridharadas who has great and diverse guests, and then I have several European news sources which I read daily since I mostly live in Europe now.
The Substack writers you name are awesome. I read 3 of the four every day. They give me information and a confidence not found in for profit media/news.
Trump is still clinging to one of the lessons he took from his mentor, Roy Cohn: Never ever admit you made a mistake. Just say something like "I never heard about it," "I know nothing about it, go ask so-and-so," or attack the messenger of the bad news.
My take-away from the last two congressional hearings on Signalgate and a number of nomination hearings before: "I don't recall" has become the go-to equivalent of "I take the 5th" in trials and depositions.
Wow, true. I also consider it as evidence they are so ignorant, unqualified, guilty and eager to pass the blame instead of work for solutions that help people.
Helping people is not what Trump wants from them. He couldn't care less if they never helped anyone at all. As long as they shout "How high?!?" When Ol' Stinkbutt yells "Jump!!!", he's happy.
Stinky would have really preferred it if they hadn't screwed up and let everybody see that the DoD is using a commercial app (totally against official policy btw) that auto-deletes messages after a set amount of time, as a work around leaving any official documentation of their many nefarious deeds.
I've also noticed that, and remember Cassidy Hutchinson saying that her Trump attorney told her to answer questions in the January 6th hearing with "I don't recall." Tulsi Gabbard said she did not recall a lot of things about the chat, including what country she was in during the call
Oh please--if Tulsi has such a big memory issue as all that, she sure as hell shouldn't be working ANYWHERE, should she?
And her boss, too, who keeps citing supposed memory issues.
Either that, or he's been binge watching Hogan's Heroes and is channeling his inner Schultz.
For those who, unfortunately, have never seen "Hogan's Heroes," Sgt. Schultz was the dufus Nazi who was supposed to be guarding the POWs in a camp during WWII. Schultz's mantra for any situation in which the POWs had bested him (once again!) was, "I know NOTHING; I know NOTHING!" Dave is correct; (t)rump's mantra is the same as Sgt. Schultz's, only (t)rump is the biggest dufus of all!
Thank C K. I sometimes forget how old I am. The show was awesome and the backstory on many of the cast members even more so.
I had to watch that show at my friend’s house. It was too much for my WWII veteran, American history teacher Dad, who was appalled at anyone creating a “funny” Nazi. Glad he isn’t alive for this spasm of the US history.
I get it. That's what makes the back story of Klemperer, Clary, and a few of the other cast members so impressive. The important point was that the Nazis always lost; God willing we'll beat them again this time.
„God helps those who help themselves.“
Great point, Dave! The good guys did always win in that program and all the others of that era. We need the good guys to come forward now to ensure that America and our Democracy survives. We need them to act soon (looking at you senators and representatives).
Schultz wasn't a Nazi, neither was Klink. As was clear in the show.
Isn't he supposed to be the Commander in Chief and he somehow doesn't know about it! What happened to the maxim "The buck stops here"?
Trump’s version is “the buck stops anywhere but here.”
He just plays Commander in Chief. Muskrat and Russell Vought are running this country into the ground while Trump plays golf.
I would add Stephen Miller to list. Mr. Hubbell, please devote a column to Miller's background and responsibilities in the administration. I think he is far more involved in Trump's decisions and public announcements than any of us know. For example, who writes Trump's "speeches?"
Yes, trump might as well be saying “I play the president on TV” the way he is not paying attention or taking responsibility.
Tragic and true.
Janet, that is the question. And hopefully we will eventually learn that Trump knew every damn thing that has passed through this group or and other gatherings of sycophants. Why? Because they no doubt will point fingers at one another until one goes under the bus.
He is,but Roy Cohn forgot one thing: we are all mortal. We all will die.
That’s it. No accountability except for any lackey who foolishly signed up to serve the master.
In effect, the Trump administration has been clear. They would rather that Russia and China read their "secret" communications about military and other operations than have those communications part of America's historical archives. What are they talking about other than dropping bombs on the Houthis? What are they saying?
Timothy Snyder feels that they are moving towards human rights violations, thus the need for secrecy. I agree.
It may not be only a matter of what is said, but the performative notion of submission itself to autocrats. They have been displaying, through their conduct, submission and weakness. Whether they are aware of it or not is a wholly other question.
If one wants to know what has been said on illegal but hackable communications systems, one could ask the Kremlin.
Another great question. Let’s hope we find out sooner rather than later before this flows up in our face along with DJT’s.
Signalgate is more like a gaping hole. One can only imagine with the ability to auto-delete what has transpired. don-old knows nothing about it. He is living up to my characterization of him🤥 🤥. 👖 on 🔥. Excellent commentary, Robert. I think it would be great to share any ideas for signs for April 5 th.
@Monica P. YES! Let's make signs and have them available for people who join the protests.
As one of my favorites traditionally has been:
"TOO MANY ISSUES FOR ONE SIGN"
I have been trying to decide what to put on my sign, and this works. Thanks for the idea.
Agreed Robert Hubbell has provided spot on in depth coverage of this profound f’up. Obfuscation of admin only adds to the horror.
THE TWIN PATHS OF POWER
Two roads diverge upon the stage of state:
One paved with liberty, one forged in chains.
The first empowers all to navigate,
The second binds the many for a few gains.
Freedom's air fills lungs with hope's sweet breath,
Its light illuminates the darkest mind.
Subjugation, a slow and living death,
Leaves human potential unrefined.
One path sees citizens, the other, pawns,
One nurtures voice, the other silences.
In freedom's soil, innovation spawns,
While tyranny breeds fear and deep distress.
We stand at crossroads, facing history's test:
To lift all up, or keep the masses pressed.
Powerful. Are you the author? Thanks for sharing.
Yes with some assistance from Claude Sonnet (no pun intended)
March 24th will remain the day America changed or so I believe. Or at least moved to some other level of bananas. I ponder how we now accept 50501 as not some potential source of takedown of the progressives, birthed on Reddit, to now having homes in mainstream social media for the national and state movements. We were rightly hesitant, but how rapidly they become part of the fabric of the resistance. Initially I quietly joined some of these sites to observe only online. This is goodness as I like to state.
I also observe how my skepticism of new DNC Chair Ken Martin remained strong. And then I heard him speak privately speak passionately, decisively, and very personally earlier this month to a grasroots leaders group. And hope that his working the red state areas with regional Democratic representatives builds the resistance legs in those communities. And the overall movement coalition with Indivisible, 50501, and so many others coalesces into more effective goodness.
I am going to employ my early post position to SHOUT that we all need to support Tufts grad student Rumeysa Ozturk, who is now alone in Louisiana. START GETTING LOUD!
https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-leaders-demand-answers-after-tufts-student-detained-by-ice/64301290
Double down on this call for outrage and Two Cheers for the Mainstream media. I thought the last 60 days let alone the last 9 years has left me impervious to real shock, but I was wrong. When I saw this clip here from an ABC news affiliate on MSNBC last night, I could not believe that this was happening in America. Rumeysa Ozturk was kidnapped by ICE officers (presumably) without any regular police present, by officers who hid their faces, and refused to give their names, or answer her questions. There was no reading of her Miranda rights and a defiance of yet another court order. This is an abduction as brazen as anything in Pinochet's Chile or Putin's Russia. When are we going to see the consequences for the defiance of court orders?
I also point out that this story was broken by the much maligned mainstream news (MSN). That broad and various group of journalists needs to be bolder -- or their corporate owners need to get out of their way. They too often bend over backwards not to call out the lies that Trump and his party tell all the time. (If I read the NYT calling Trump's lies "falsehoods" or "misrepresentations" one more time, I may scream.). So I understand the desire to chuck any attention or support for the NYT, MSNBC, CNN, WaPO etc. BUT no one else has the worldwide reach of these news organizations (i.e. staff) and the audience to challenge and counter Fox News. Robert Hubble deserves every honor and our everlasting support, but he and Heather Cox Richardson, etc. cannot provide national coverage or footage like that of Rumeysa Ozturk's abduction. They cannot assign numerous reporters to track down every detail of Signalgate, and they do not command the audience that many of these mainstream media can reach. Many of the people we all learn from and admire would be at a loss if they could not take advantage of the news gathering capacity of the mainstream media. If they were to disappear, all we would have it Fox.
The mainstream media I will say is waking up, but it took the Atlantic reporting. CBS won't be settling re 60 Minutes, for example. Most law schools and bar associations have condemned bending the knee (with a few notable exceptions). So hopefully most law firms stand up.
It is the universities that are most concerning. I have called the university President at my undergrad Binghamton as they are one of the forty targeted (I have no respect for my grad school that is quietly bending the knee already, also happens to be in Durham).
I have been very impressed with the Trump stories 60 Minutes has been doing recently. Their investigative reporting has been outstanding for decades, and their willingness to continue in this political climate is a brave.
I meant Big Law. Smaller firms are pulling their weight.
I believe the Rumeysa Ozturk kidnapping was first reported by the Boston Globe, then picked up by more mainstream media.
Her kidnapping and out-of-state removal remind me, uncomfortably, of Pinochet‘s regime in Chile, or of Argentina during the Disappearances.
Ariella Elm's Substack with the 'Daily Dems Doing the Work, Making Noise and Fighting Back Day', followed by 'Three Wins Today', pointed to the how of the PA State Senate win:
'My additional theory? With Ken Martin in charge of the DNC, suddenly, no race is being ignored. I mean Rep Chris DeLuzio (PA-17) showed up to help him campaign. I don't think that happened in a district this red before Ken.'
I began to follow Elm several weeks ago. To me it's a mini version of Jess Craven Sunday Extra Extra. And focused specifically on the work of specific political efforts.
I was routing for Ben Wikler for DNC chair, because of his obvious embrace of the Grassroots during Judge Janet P.'s successful WI Supreme Court race in 2023. Plus his commitment to year-round organizing and fighting everywhere. But I did hear that Ken Martin purportedly promised to borrow good ideas from other successful programs (e.g., WI).
In addition to Ariella Elms' accurate take on the race, I would also point out that the GOP candidate got complacent and skipped a candidate forum two weeks before the election, as is noted in this post:
https://www.the-downballot.com/p/breaking-democrats-flip-deep-red?r=1aiy5t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Yes I was in on Ben Wikler too. And disappointed. But over short span I have watched him rise.
I also like her newsletter because it highlights Democracy Wins.
The Gestapo-style arrest/kidnapping of the student at Tufts is truly chilling. Federal agents were wearing masks, which is interesting because one of the demands the Feds are making regarding campus protests is that the participants cannot wear masks! We need a whole new vocabulary for the levels of hypocrisy and criminality on full display, but for now there's one simple descriptor: American Nazism.
There's something else revealed in this Signal catastrophe that's worth mentioning. Who really holds power? Who's the Wizard of Oz behind Trump 2.0? This analysis by journalist / historian Garrett Graff is outstanding -- it summarizes Signal Gate into 5 key scandal areas -- but to be clear, I am really posting here for its final political insight.
"Now that we’ve gotten the political and security scandals out of the way, onto what is not necessarily a scandal but is a fascinating political insight that we can glean from the Signal group chat and resulting fall-out: Who holds the power in the Trump administration?
The full Signal chat provides some of the most “real” indications of where power lies in the Trump administration and how decision-making happens—and none of it is pretty.
The answer is shocking, but perhaps not surprising: Donald Trump isn’t that engaged in the policy of his administration, JD Vance is weak and powerless, and the only one that matters is Stephen Miller." [--article continues at end to develop this thesis].
It was discovered that, after the outing of Vance's disagreement -- and pathological hatred of Europe -- with Trump's alleged position (and disagreement with DT never ends well), a certain "S M" *enters the chat*:
"Miller, in fact, is only added to the group after people aren’t sure of the president’s wishes. Is Mike Waltz, the national security advisor, really not in a position to interpret the president’s own orders when it comes to military actions? He needs to call Stephen Miller for help? This is not a smooth functioning organization."
https://www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/the-five-scandals-and-one-fascinating-political-insight-of-signalgate
Graff's piece is still, after Robert's excellent rundown, worth reading as a whole for a thorough contextual framework as of today.
S.M. If the Devil were incarnate, he would look like S.M.
Hard to imagine anyone more pure evil.
Notice his description of the military is one word: LETHALITY.
From taking unweaned babies away in the family separation policy to the no due process round ups, kidnapping and disappearings of groups of people - and you know U.S. citizens are going to be victims in these sweeps - he's focusing on the most cruel ways to put all power in the hands of the very few - all rich white males, to be sure.
I completely agree. I see Stephen Miller's fingerprints on much of what Trump is doing, and there is no one more evil in this administration, and I will add dangerous.
Miller wants to do to others what the Nazis did to the Jews, Roma, socialists and homosexuals. Miller is going after immigrants, and people opposed to target bombing Palestinian civilians. He is apparently not intelligent enough to understand that eventually the Trump regime will come for the Jews too.
Sadly, there were Jews who were exempt under the Nazi regime because they provided skills or services important to the regime. As long as tfg is in office, SM will be his advisor.
Harvey Perry‘s gratuitous final sentence makes me ubcomfortable.
It sounds like Miller is running foreign policy as well as boosting Musk's "handling" of domestic policy (destruction). The call being on Signal is the obvious story. But isn't the biggest one: "Where is President Trump?"
Isn't it kind of a big deal when we attack another country? Was the Commander in Chief woofing a cheeseburger with the Head of the Military who was also absent? Acting Joint Chief? Hello!!!???
The kids are running the classroom and nobody is learning anything!
It's as if we got frustrated with law abiding officials and simply hired some Mafia mugs to run the DC apparatus. Are there words stronger than humiliating and embarrassing?
Yes, why aren't people asking why wasn't Trump on the chat? I guess between Miller and Susie Wiles they figured they had it covered. By the way, let's call it a "chat" over "phone call". It makes it more stupid.
It was neither a call nor a chat, but a frigging text thread.
Yes. There are stronger words but I'll refrain.
I am not so sure Vance is weak. Take a look at this article from Thom Hartmann's Substack. These people are not clowns, not morons, fools. They are monsters.
https://hartmannreport.com/p/dark-enlightenment-rising-the-billionaire-071?utm_campaign=posts-open-in-app&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true
Thanks for this, Wendy. I do think Vance is perceived within this organizational structure not just as weak, but very weak. Note for example: once Signal Gate broke, and the disagreement with Trump aired in public, what happened? Vance was banished (er, decided to take a trip) to join his wife in Greenland. Aside from the Zelensky ambush, it is typically Musk who appears with Trump in all sorts of vulgar appearances, while Vance is relegated to the janitor work, like shilling for Matt Gaetz.
At the same time, Vance is a vessel for extreme ideology, a la his sugar daddy, Thiel. In this respect, if he ever managed to assume the presidency, he is more dangerous. I don’t think Hartmann is wrong, but it’s not the analysis I’d favor. An incisive look into the psychological dynamics of this admin and positions is the work / interviews with Michael Wolff, who just published another very good book on the inner workings of Trump. Vance comes off like a bit player.
Dan, you could be right but we also could be gaslit regarding the inner workings of this regime. Maybe Vance wasn’t banished but is being “protected’. We don't know. I will check out Michael Wolfe.
That is certainly possible. But I’ve never had any confidence in Vance as a thinker or a power player, and my impression is the regime just doesn’t take him seriously. He was foisted upon Trump by Don Jr. at the last minute, and Trump has never favored him. I think Trump smells weakness and insincerity, and so long as Trump rules, it will be a churn of incompetence, chaos and calculation.
Put another way, there could be a day in which Vance assumes power. But so long as Trump is there, I don’t think it’s what he wants.
That is the impression I have also. Time will tell if it is true. Wasn't it really Thiel who wanted Vance?
No, it was Trump’s kids. But the tie to Thiel is backing, which began long before I believe, and Thiel’s financial backing installed Vance in the Senate. I am sure Thiel wants Vance and has infected him with juvenile extremist ideology, but that wasn’t the final push to get him to VP. There’s probably some kind of deal induced power plays with the kids and Thiel.
Here is an update from Wolff on the Vance dynamic (last minutes). It is complex but if you listen to the end, I think we are both borne out (and I'm not convinced Trump has always "liked" Vance until now, but he has tolerated him): https://youtu.be/qPnuMZgZ1fc?si=wopjAkb0YTU9yVLp
Thanks. I watched this interview with Michael Wolff. Also very informative.
https://thekaka.substack.com/p/a-special-hoon-with-michael-wolff?utm_campaign=posts-open-in-app&triedRedirect=true
Wendy, I would submit that they are both. Literally, every member of this regime, from Trump down, is woefully unqualified for the positions they hold. I’m well aware of Curtis Yarvin’s fever dream fantasies, but as long as the regime remains divided, uncoordinated, and incompetent, it is difficult to see how they achieve those goals. More importantly, each of these errors provide opportunities for this rebellion, resistance or whatever you want to call it, to exploit and call attention to the unremitting incompetence.
Dean, you are right they are both. I was responding to all the comments calling them clowns, morons, idiots, descriptions lacking the true depth of their immorality, cruelty and lack of care towards others. You are right, as long as they are uncoordinated and incompetent this gives the resistance more to build on.
In anything close to a viable and normal administration, such an egregious breach of security would be a major scandal. In this madministration, it's a Season 5 episode.
Time for a channel change
„In anything close to a viable and normal administration, such an egregious breach of security would be a major scandal.“. Correct. So why does the MSM give it headline treatment but not treat it as part of ongoing incompetent, scandalous behavior?
I am afraid we are still in Season 1.
Not really! In seasons 1-4, Donald and the “boys” were learning the ropes..the ropes of further deceit and callousness. Season 5 the gang was ready..ready to dismantle our nation. I weep!
I agree, where Trump and Trumpsters are concerned.
But why-oh-why haven‘t media adjusted their reporting, evincing so much cluelessness during the last year?
Have they been intimidated by the Trump forces?
ICE abductions are happening everywhere. A very big story has blown up this week in my voting state of Washington, where farmworker and immigrant rights activist Alfredo (Lelo) Juarez Zeferino was forcibly removed from his car that also held his partner and his sister, on Tues. morning 3/25. ICE agents broke in the car window when he insisted on his rights. He is currently being held in the for-profit Northwest Detention Center. Because he is a much-loved and well-connected community leader, response was immediate and intense. Senator Patty Murray is on the job, but perhaps more importantly so are hundreds of protestors and people calling the governor, the AG, their state reps, and their federal reps. Of course Lelo was not the only person taken, and demands are now that the entire Detention Center be emptied. Here is reporting from local NPR affiliate KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/stories/ice-detains-farmworker-activist-in-northwest-washington-state. If you're still on FB, the group "Community to Community Development" is posting updates and sharing news stories. My local Indivisible group is also involved.
Thank you for sharing this story. It showed up in “Common Dreams” newsletter but I hadn’t read it yet. This is another very chilling reporting of another illegal abduction and this will be important to follow, as are the others. These stories are extremely disturbing to me. Will the law uphold our due process and first amendment rights? If so, will the regime abide by the rulings?
Abbie- I can’t “like” your post, but thank you for shining light on Lelo’s experience. He is dearly loved and respected by our community.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
While Signalgate and the outrageous, destructive, illegal doge/administration actions wash over us like a polluted tidal wave, the kidnapping of the Tufts student is the story that woke me up at 4:00 this morning.
I had been thinking that a tipping point would occur when enough trump voters feel the pain of his “efficiency” actions or when enough republican senators can no longer endure the dangerous security breeches but I now believe that Ms Ozturk’s illegal abduction by masked “police” will unleash the fury of women, causing a seismic uptick in the pushback.
The ever present, visceral sense of vulnerability that even the bravest among us have, is part of our wiring. It’s an instinct that has saved women through the millennia, a sixth sense that something is going wrong, that something is becoming dangerous, that something threatens our very survival.
There are three choices women have under threatening conditions; fight, flight or freeze and because we are more often the weaker physically, we have instinctively chosen flight or freeze but sometimes, when fleeing or freezing is not an option, we are forced to fight with everything we’ve got.
Watching that video of Ozturk’s abduction by six or seven masked men and women, who gently coo that she will be alright, who, like a sinister dance troupe, gracefully remove her backpack, handcuff her and lead her into an unmarked car, that video will inspire millions of women to stand their ground, arm in arm. That video is the clarion call that freezing or fleeing are no longer options.
A fire will ignite in our hearts, and we will fight back against the bullies, the kidnappers and the despots with everything we’ve got.
Now let’s go save our sister, let’s go save democracy.
Why is the Trump Administration abducting and incarcerating these individuals? Are they considered flight risks who can‘t be deterred by ankle bracelets? Do they pose physical dangers to Americans?
Robert, and other lawyers who read this blog: What is the basis for incarcerating these individuals without a hearing, more than a thousand miles from where they had lived? I think it smacks of outright illegality and attempts to provoke fear.
I think you answered you own question… they do it to provoke fear.
Trump reminds me of Sgt. Schultz from the old tv show “Hogan’s Heroes”. If you’ve never seen it, it takes place in a Nazi camp where mostly American men and one French guy live in the barracks. It was a comical spoof on Stalag 13 where soldiers devised plans to escape. Anyway Schultz is a blundering oaf who when he sees things that are going on he says in his German accent “I hear nothing! I see nothing!” Schultz was a big boy, like The Con.
If only, Marlene. Sgt. Schultz was a clumsy, bumbling, fairly innocent character. Not a vile, scheming and vengeful psychopath. But know you got me hooked. I am thinking about who could assume the role of Col. Hogan, running circles around the Nazis in charge of the camp. Adam Schiff? Pete Buttigieg? AOC?
I miss the days when government worked for the people and you didn't have to think about it until/unless you had an emergency need - natural disaster,
passport assistance,
clean air and water,
protections for safety in the workplace or public spaces,
insuring your bank investments,
diplomacy to prevent (or win) war,
congratulations to a patriarch or matriarch for reaching a landmark birthday...
This regime is taking food away so people starve,
taking rights away,
taking emergency services away,
taking health care, medications and research for prevention, treatments and cures away,
taking education away,
taking information and facts away,
taking morals and decency away...
HA! Stefan, I could see AOC taking that role, for sure! Schultz had empathy, something that ShitsInPants and his bro, the Nerd Reich, do not possess.
Oh, that's giving way too much credit to Hogan's Heroes! But point well-taken. This also makes Get Smart look . . . smart.
We are in the era of post-truth, Idiocracy meltdown now. I'm ashamed and deeply concerned about U.S. standing in the world now.
I believe we are seeing the leading edge of a civilizational tsunami that will wash the USA out of its world leadership in all aspects; financial, cultural, educational, spiritual, and moral. It will take nothing less than complete erasure of MAGA leadership and its cult to salvage our spirit and culture. May God have mercy on us! Carpe Diam!!
Bang up job, Robert! It’s clear that Gabbard, Hegseth and Walz need to have more time to spend with their families, at once, but everyone on the Signal chat (except Jefferey Goldberg) must be fired, immediately.
A part of this story not getting nearly enough attention: Trump’s response to the scandal shows well what a doddering fool he is. He’s back to the paint-by-numbers stage, and he’s not going to get any better.
It may not be getting enough attention from the media, but believe me many of us in the resistance have noticed!!
We in the Resistance are not enough. The story needs to be front-page, above-the-fold, news on every outlet. Yes, even Fix Schmooze.
Definitely!
It’s great that Signalgate is getting wide coverage but the challenge we have is the average hard working voter with a few kids living pay check to pay check and not a reader of news getting the messages? That is my fear. The Democrats have to be in the news everyday. Thom Tillis in NC voted for Hegseth under extreme pressure from Trump and today right now voters in NC need to be reminded of that in ads and commentary that he is responsible for the appointment of Hegseth. This is how you win elections.
We all need to be calling our Congresspeople and Senators and insisting that they call for the immediate resignations of Hegseth, Gabbard, and Waltz as well as Musk and DOGE out of the government.
Add Stephen Miller.
He needs masked abduction to the swamps of LA.
Please! Yes! Add Stephen Miller! S.M