Someone heard that at a social event - he supposedly said openly to someone he trusted that Musk had fixed it for him - but didn't realize others heard. Between that and proof, who knows because Musk treats the world as his sandbox to pee in when he wants and not worry about consequences. There are rumblings from other states - AZ and NV mostly about voters who voted for Dem. local candidates but not Harris which is true but proving results were tampered with is difficult as it was happening in some places by disgruntled voters. The fact is the percentage of voters doing this was abnormally high in both states compared to prev. elections. These things always surface given enough time an opportunity. Fraud in 2020 was rampant in red states and took about a year to really come out with GOP trying to steal voter data in one county(Coffee Cty) in Georgia.
Yes, they are are terrifying because they are ignorant and brainwashed. I spent a week on Musk's garbage can X, - and was attacked by all those worthless men who watch and worship men like Hegseth, like they watch and worship Spider Man and Godzilla. They are incompetent Lazyboy agitators looking for attention - should we be worried like we should have been 10 years ago? - Yes but also we need to toughen up, plan and quietly wait. Dont let terror stop you but rather let reason and planning guide you.
Okay -- I am the niece of a brave soldier who landed at Normandy, daughter of a man who joined WWII at 17 (lying about his age) to get into the fight against fascism, life-long student of history. We should quietly wait? Do we have Dem leaders who will give us some guidance on the reason and planning pieces? I am "toughen(ed) up" and ready. I just think we need to get LOUD fast. Any thoughts?
I joined reddit for the first time just to follow r/fednews, where federal employees talk anonymously. The overwhelming spirit there this week has been "Not gonna let them take my job away from me!" I am wondering if civil servants will be the source of the Rising Up that we need.
I too am the daughter of a WWII VET & who was recalled to Korea, & who retired as LTC of full-time National Guardsmen. He is rolling over in his grave now, I’m sure of it. Let’s get motivated to get Trump & all of his cult members out of office ASAP. I know what Patriots are & they are not even close.
‘We Have No Coherent Message’: Democrats Struggle to Oppose Trump
More than 50 interviews with Democratic leaders revealed a party struggling to decide what it believes in, what issues to prioritize and how to confront an aggressive right-wing administration.
Me too. 1. Be safe - there are vicious people who are looking for an opportunity to attack. Never give out personal info. 2. use facts - 1. such as The rich got aver of $69,000 and rest of us aver of $800 from 2017 tax breaks. He wants to do it again. people should understand the imbalance here. 2. Military recruiting down more than 20% in 2022 and 2023 - a long trend, Trump cannot sustain any war effort with these numbers - if he starts a war and puts a draft in, it will be extremely unpopular with MAGA. I realized he wanted Hegseth in as a poster boy for recruiting, not a competent administrator of Defense dept - eye opener realization for me. 3. Start with one on ones with people you know might be willing to listen - be clear and don't insult their intelligence and try to show where they personally will be hit by Trump policies such as Taxes, health care and drug pricing, miliary draft if we get into war because we don't have the soldiers at this point.
We need to bombard our senators snd representatives eith letters, petitions etc. Individually and as a group. Isn’t tgat how democracy works besides voting?
Thank you, Debra. My father joined in that W. W. II. cause early. Some uncles and cousins followed. They were brave and stood for what is right snd just. I wish I could hear from Heaven what they would say now. Their beliefs and dedication were strong.
He is Scott Bessent, also a billionaire. The Senate confirmed him on January 27th on a 68-to-29 vote, with 16 complicit Democrats voting in favor. Bessent just gave Elmo the keys to the nation’s bank account. What could go wrong?
I think this is part of the conciliatory nature of elected Democrats. They want to show that they are not the party of “no,” like the Republicans. So, they vote to approve the nominees that appear less objectionable, such as Rubio. Democrats need to become the party of “no” now. Vote no on everything proposed by Trump.
So Hitler was able to co-opt the Scandinavian countries by the simple expedient of having a compliant executive at the helm: Vidkun Quisling, who was PM of Norway. He didn't need to invade because Quisling declared Norway "neutral" and Sweden and Denmark followed suit. It didn't help Denmark, which was occupied by the Nazis with the agreement of the king of Denmark and little fanfare. The Dems (and I include Cory Booker, who has been sending me pleas to give him money--never, never, never) are all quislings. Or worse, active collaborators (Fetterman).
If any of these Dems are your reps, CALL THEM and express yourself regarding their support. Typically, reps only listen to their own constituents' feedback so it needs to come from inside their state or district.
wow-- what happened??? thanks for the list. use your friends' addresses ( or zillow) in states where you want yr voice heard... we are alllllll affected by the senators from every state and our voices should be heard by them.
Many thought he was a "lesser evil" - gullible as they are. Musk will have his hands in this anyway with predictable results. He doesnt want any support for labor.
My question is what will the Dems in the Senate and the House do now that Elon Musk has been given ALL of our personal information and the ability to turn off Social Security and Medicare payments whenever he chooses?????? To me, this is the BIGGEST insanity that has happened this week and MUST be dealt with forcefully, NOW! I don’t know the solution, but clearly the move was illegal…a huge lawsuit? An injunction? Something must happen right away! Should all recipients of govt programs/benefits (virtually everyone except the billionaires) be out in the streets demanding that this be undone? Let’s figure this out!!!!
I don't know if people will march, but what we can do right now is call our Representatives and Senators repeatedly about this issue. 5 Calls app on your phone makes this easy.
First of all, he can swim in the data, most of which will be useless to him. If he turns off SSN and the elderly can't pay bills (including mortgages and car payments) it will rock the economy in ways he hasn't thought about. Biden gave out checks during Covid due to fears that many would not be able to pay bills - he may have given out too much, but the economy didn't flounder. Medicare will continue to serve people, but payment could be delayed - but if no one can pay, the government will have to figure out a way to fix it - BTW - new law in place that does not allow non-payment of healthcare bills to affect credit ratings. I have paid my credit cards faithfully for over 50 years and would walk away in a heartbeat if I lost SSN and it affected my bill paying. Banks do not want foreclosures and defaults - it has destroyed the financial sector in the past. The government bailed out the banks in 2008 and would do it again if Trump and Musk stupidly bring down the economy.
All Dems in congress are doing is wringing their hands. We have never had a more lawless party than the GOP today. They are undermining payments for everyone for SS and Medicare - just because they can - to bully us into submission.
My FEAR is that too many people, perhaps even in Congress and the media, will buy their argument that Musk has been tasked with looking for waste and will not do anything nefarious. Every gov't has had someone looking for wasteful spending, and Al Gore, I read, was the most effective. Probably because he understood govt. But he did not need to be rooting around in the Treasury! So why does Musk who is probably the least knowledgeable about government of anyone who has ever had the task. Which means is job is likely something other than "find wasteful spending". We're seeing that play out already.
After all the talk, talk, talk, I am looking for up to date reporting on action, action, action and directives for the rest of us in defeating this miserable state of affairs.
I spend every hour I can preparing for the fight by reading and noting the statistics, understanding the law and most of all understanding what
Trump really wants and what he is feeding to the MAGA crowd who dont digest difficult multilevel threads of policy very well. I look for areas that will apply to all Americans and think we need to attack those first. MAGA does not understand economics at all - what affects us will bite them too.
You are right - But I think it is crazy ignore what drives Trump - hatred of those who thwarted and embarrassed him after 2020 election. Trump did not suffer economic ruin, he lost status. The humiliations in court on national TV, where he had to listen his exfriends and employees testify was devastating to his overblown sense of self-importance. He will drive this country into a ditch if he can avenge himself on a single person. We have to adapt our thinking to take in the fact that he is erratic in his hatred but that will never stop him - he will ruin everything in his path to repair the damage to his sense of self.
What did you expect from a Trump appointee who was given free reign over the Treasury by a complicit Republican-majority Senate. Fie on the Democrats who voted with them.
Face up to it people - they are stone cold crazy - and we have to settle down and find ways to thwart them. They got very organized after 2020 and have infiltrated local politics in every town and city, county in the country - they know exactly what they are doing and why - nothing is accidental - We should not give them any benefit of the doubt, they are out to destroy us.
That maybe - but impeachable offenses are simply piling up. - they know there will objections so they stacked the Supreme Court to uphold whatever they want to abolish or burn down. They have been working for years on this.
Thus far our screams are internalized.. Those of us who are paying attention are searching for how to be active in defending ourselves and our democracy. Writing to our representatives seems so very inadequate to the destruction that is taking place. We need leaders who call us to united, impactful action.
Exactly this. I am ready to join in on any opposition. 70 year old who remembers the Veterans Parades and Memorial Day Parades filled with living soldiers from fighting fascism in WWII. I am waiting for these leaders you mentioned to "call us to united, impactful action."
I wrote to my democratic representative the day the removal of the ethical treasury official was reported (before Musk was given access to all our records and accounts). I asked her to do all in her communicative and legislative power to block this.
Later in the day, I learned from Adam Kinzinger that Congress all went home on vacation for the week. As Kinzinger said, this is absolutely no time for Democrats to go home! [The Republican Project 2025 is working around the clock.] I know people get tired and overwhelmed, but this is their actual job that they were elected and paid to do!
Me too, this is without doubt the most terrifying thing happening right before our eyes. What is being done to stop Musk? Why aren’t we hearing anything about this???
The real issue is the lower- level bureaucrats who want power-They are Novas, brief and shiny stars that burn out quickly. People like Hegseth will crash and burn just like he did in his other employments because he is a drunken emotional basket case. Musk is a mess emotionally and so is Trump - that is their biggest challenge, and probable downfall. What do you do when you have eaten all your enemies...these dragons will eat their tails.
I agree. This is a crime carried out in plain view. So here is my question: the court has already stopped Trump from freezing government payments. What is to stop Musk’s people from doing it anyway? What if Trumpy just says, “I dare you to enforce that ruling!” What then? What is the recourse? The DOJ is in his pocket now. Who is going to walk in and arrest these people for violating the law?
Exactly so!!! It appears that Musk, quite literally, now holds thr pursestrings of the United States federal government, a government that he has vowed to destroy.
Sure, there are dozens of lawsuits and injunctions, maybe hundreds. What we are witnessing is not merely unprecedented. It is both illegal and self-destructive. We all know the definition of insanity, and the Trumpian autocracy defines it.
The nut jobs who now hold the fate of our nation are on a mission to invoke the entire corpus of Project 2025.
My question exactly. Did musk and his team actually take over the OPM office and gain access to employees information? Is anything legal being done about Musk? He scares me more than Trump.
I totally agree that this is nightmarish. With control of the computer systems that pay all the nation's bills, they have access to every little bit of information about everybody. Social Security information on those who collect and of course SS numbers for all while they contribute to the system. What a small move it would take to go into voter registration records. They discover I'm a Democrat and who knows what mischief they can do. It's mind boggling. I haven't seen anything very recent but last weekend I think they were talking about eliminating the FDIC! I'll be closing on a land sale in about 10 days and I'm not sure I want to put the money into my bank account. I have no words.
And I am absolutely stunned that the Republicans I know tell me I'm a poor sport. Much the same way they were when Biden was serving, I might add. The illegalities, the power grabs, the revenge... all of it outlined in Project 2025, which Trump said he knew nothing about and they believed him. God help us all!
I see that readers here are also reading Professor HCR's daily letter. In today's letter she pointed out that our legal system is bipassed for Trump actions. Legal or illegal, Trump let his generals do whatevery they desire. Trump and his force act like a conquering foreign military force - say China.
Came to ask the same question. This is by far one of the most serious threats. As someone suggested, if you don't already have them in place put fraud alerts on your accounts at all 3 credit rating agencies and at the SSA. Musk couldn't get top security clearance on his own and he now has access to our most sensitive data. Secretary Bessent claims it's on a "read-only" basis but even if that is true (which I doubt because Musk is already threatening to cut off payments to Lutheran Church orgs because they assist refugees), they can still see - and steal - our private data. I have not seen any evidence of legal push back on this yet.
Why aren't you?? The Contrarian is providing much-needed coverage of this dumpster fire of an administration, but they're small and just starting out. You shouldn't expect them to have instant in-depth reporting on every emergent issue, and instead be grateful for the much-needed honest reporting they're producing with limited resources amidst chaotic, anti-democratic happenings.
No reflection on The Contrarian's work, just asking for them to work to cover that topic as well. Judging by other comments, seems to be of interest to a lot of people. Good for them to know.
I hear your support of Jen's, et.al. excellent, well-needed journalism. Excluding any mention of Musk and the power and imminent danger he represents is like covering an earthquake and forgetting any mention of the deaths and destruction.
It's only the weekend. I'm pretty sure The Contrarian will be writing/interviewing people on Monday. You can do something now.
Voicemail boxes in DC were full for CA Senators and my Congressional Representative in CA, so I sent them messages via e-mail on Saturday. This is a clear violation of American's privacy. All Congressional members should be taking the Treasury Secretary to court and writing articles of impeachment.
You need to be covering Musk getting access to and stealing 100s of millions of Americans' private financial data. And you need to be SCREAMING at Dems who have been completely absent when we need them to put their bodies on the line for democracy. Not just their damn mouths!
Screw the "decorum" and phony "bipartisanship". DEFCON?! G-damn right!
Right, there are no “gentlemen” in the room - only thieves and losers. If we are to survive this, we will have to forget the rules of conduct and start going for the throat.
Yeah, Ivan. Thanks for your reply. I read it; I'm a subscriber to the Freedom Academy. We still need all-hands-on-deck, so Jen and Norm need to get on the story and apply some pressure, if they can, to the Dems.
I need your cautious optimism - I'm feeling very dark these days, even a little bit terrified. I depend on my social security (that I paid into for decades and decades) to get by. An unelected, unconfirmed billionaire has taken control of our personal data and all of the Treasury payments. I just finished an email to my red senator in a red state admonishing him to do his job and quit ceding control to this unelected, unconfirmed billionaire. This was probably rambling but I have so many thoughts swimming in my head and the despair and terror isn't putting them together coherently.
I'm right there with you. And Thank You for writing to your senator. I'm in your same situation and Social Security is pretty much it for me. And so many people are set to be affected by this. Don't despair, though. We really are in this together and you are not alone.
Send letters to Congressional REPUBLICANS! Ask Sen. Tim Scott whether the elimination of DEI is really the elimination of Blacks from government.
Same for Representative Byron Donalds of Florida, Representative Burgess Owens of Utah. Representative Wesley Hunt of Texas, and Representative John James of Michigan about the rejection of DEI as a pretext to discriminate on the basis of race.
How can they be Republicans?
Didn't they hear that the plane crash was caused by DEI? Did that mean the boogeyman did it?
We have three (3) Batistiano MAGATs here in Baghdad By the Sea, representing a Democratic majority electorate. Cubanos also happen to be beneficiaries of DEI. Some are Black.
Trump would send 30,000 deportees to Git-mo, which, even to MAGAT Cubans, should not be in US hands.
I keep sayin' that one size does not fit all. We need all kinds of Democrats. Biden and especially Bernie Sanders said stuff that was taken here to support a totalitarian dictatorship and the word on the street was that Harris was a communist. We could not rebut it. Due to effective psy ops, even Democrats voted for Trump.
Same should go for Republican members who oppose a Russian takeover. MAGA Mike Johnson fired the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, Ohio congressman Mike Turner, who supported Ukraine. How many others strongly oppose Russian imperialism?
Works best on minority Republicans. Like I said, many had been Democrats at one time and switched. 2 of the 3 MAGAT Republicans here had been registered and ran as Democrats, and Carlos A. Giménez, United States Representative, had been a Democratic mayor here..... Cuban, Venezuelan, Haitians of all parties are irate. ... Born in Cuba, Giménez supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, but switched in 2020 and ran as a Trump supporter He defeated incumbent Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in the 2020 election. Giménez serves as one of the Republican assistant whips under Steve Scalise.
Not rambling. At all. Thank you for contacting your Red senators. This i something all of us can and must do. It doesn’t feel like much, but it is an important action to take in a democracy where we are supposed to be represented by those in the Senate and the House. office.
I've been writing to my senators and congressman so often I'm sure they have a special place reserved for my emails and my emails alone. The thing is I feel so powerless about it all. I have no words and those who know me well know I'm never at a loss for words. I just can't fathom how this is being allowed and I think I need reassurance that he WILL be stopped and I've just about lost hope!
:( xo Better yell more often and a bit louder...because if he does not feel HIS job SEAT threatened..he will do NOTHING to bring on the threat of the Donald
Your feelings are totally understandable. Thank you for writing to your Senator. Maybe a nation-wide letter/phone call/email deluge on Congress can convince them that 'we the people' are not accepting of this current state of affairs.
This is a coup. When Musks minions take over key computer systems and lock out authorized users, this is a coup. They now control essential fiscal and personnel functions. Without appointment, without confirmation. The hearings and tariffs are sideshow. The rest is a silent coup.
Where are the Congressional responses? Where are the legal challenges? All I get is fundraising asks. WTF.
Please, yes! But…again, I don’t think we really deeply know the depth of megalomaniacalness at work in this man’s mind and his capability to interfere with any computer code/system.
He worked with two other Silicon Valley companies as well. But this was allowed by the new Treasury Secretary, so shouldn't you also be suing the executive branch of the federal government?
My question and fear is, regardless of how many judges rule against Trump and his illegal acts, what is to stop him from ignoring them and going on as usual? We've already seen him trample the Constitution upon which our rule of law is based. Norm, can you or Jennifer shed light on this?
The ONLY way to stop a Bully is to out number him...there are more good American people than there are MAGA or Republicans or one small dictator whom, I think, stole the WRONG Country, America. BUT if the people DO NOT mobilize and in great NUMBERS...AND I MEAN NUMBERS .... he wins. The courts can not keep up with the onslaught....and he knows all this already as does Project 2025 . BUT any dictator keeps FEAR stoked because the only thing to over throw a dictator, are the People in numbers...period...it is just a matter of when. And sooner than later.... as after the confirmations - those will have further restrictions and severe ramifications. We are backed right into a corner..so do you come out fighting (peacefully) for your Country .... or not? I bet on the American People, every time ! :)
Why wasn’t there an injunction stopping Musk from stealing our personal data from Treasury payments this weekend? What is our recourse as private citizens?
Because the Secretary of the Treasury simply gave Musk access. The horses were out of the barn before anyone could say, “Wait a minute!” Now that data has been copied to other systems outside government oversight, it’s too late to put the genie back into the bottle.
But not too late to put Musk and his minions in jail without bail so that a forensic audit can be carried out of the computer systems they gained access to. Warrants for arrest filed in every jurisdiction where there is a Dem attorney general . Basis? Not sure: but they have clearly decided to not worry about law or the Constitution. Reckless endangerment? 18 US Code 2385? 327.24 interference with federal employees? Deprivation of rights under color of Law (Federal Employee firings and removals) might be some options. I’m sure smart lawyers can think of more.
TY! Is there any recourse? I know we are living in a new age, where rule of law doesn’t apply to some, but Isn’t this illegal and could a class action suit be filed on behalf of all?
I appreciate efforts to bring us "outside" opinions, but the key problem is with the Democratic Party itself, its lack of preparation and inability to come to grips with Trump's full frontal assault and inability to come up with and implement a unifying effective strategy of opposition. What can The Contrarian do to help foster the party we need now? For example, would it help to elevate the voices of people within the party who represent a viable path forward? The voices of people who seem to be having success in bringing together disparate elements of the party? Ideas welcome!
I love this question, Thomas. I agree completely. This has moved from bad actor to full on mud-wrestling bitch fight and the Dems (I’m one) are too polite. Does holding to rules work?
The Contrarian is up at bat and the bases are loaded. But the betters (bookies? What are they called?) have the game rigged. I think The Contrarian is doing what it can to elevate the stronger, trustworthy voices… and I HATE to lower ourselves to the ruthless lockstep-ness of the GOP et MAGA, how does trust or “trusted word” hold up in the face of entrenched bullshitting brainwashing in a digital sphere? How the Hell are we going to get this done?
I can’t fully agree with the idea that our systems held or are holding. Everything is digital and the Musk Meta blind power ambitions has greater control of digital format than most humans.
(Not to mention China’s eager desire to crush us economically.)
We need a coalition of unified Democrats, Independents, and people who no longer identify as Republicans. We also need to bring in the people who either don't vote or rarely vote.
This coalition must invite, acknowledge, “Former” or “X” Democrats who are/were so deeply astounded and offended by the ineptitude and disingenuousness of the handoff. Me! This must be addressed as what may be resurrected as the D party demonstrates its understanding of the failure that may destroy my country. I want to know that all of the former Palace Guard are working at WALMART and not advising the path forward.
He was given permission. He was given access. He was given this by the new secretary of the treasury. It is astounding and horrifying. Is it legal? When the secretary of the treasury gives you access does that make it OK?
And unAmerican. But he didn’t grow up here. He grew up as a white guy in an Apartheid state. Watch District Nine by director Neil Blomkamp. Then, watch his other great film, Chappy, which addresses computer-related reality.
Norm, I am going to ask you to do something that may be painful for you but I think is the right thing for the country. I realize that Professor Dershowitz was your law professor and you are friendly with him. However, his defenses of Trump essentially negate the impeachment clause of the Constitution. His views on the narrowness of impeachment must be CONDEMNED, not just politely disagreed with, but CONDEMNED.
Based on Dersh’s theories Trump could not be impeached and removed from office for invading Greenland, the Panama Canal or even Canada if he chose to. Plus he could clean out all of the FBI agents who investigated him and the pre-eminent democracy on the planet could do NOTHziNG about it. He sees these as “political sins” in his parlance. Your friendship with him should not come before the country and if he doesn’t understand that he’s not your friend.
Remember that impeachment is appropriate when Congress loses confidence in the president. No crime is required - only loss of confidence. If any U.S.president was about to invade any of our neighbors, and especially if they are NATO members, I would lose ALL CONFIDENCE in his/her ability to lead our country.
I would say yes but I would draw a distinction between the OJ case and the Trump defense.Everyone is entitled to a lawyer in a judicial proceeding. In the Trump impeachment the Orange Mebace was not facing prison so I don’t think an attirney should have as much leeway with their defebse.
Some have posited that the overarching goal is to crush the U.S. economy, perhaps the global economy, so the oligarchs can take control. That sounds a little “out there” but all of the steps being taken sure don’t indicated otherwise.
I believe that’s the plan. There is no “nation-state” sovereignty in a global digital world. If someone or someones control the digital sphere, what can mere humans do? I’m hoping The Contrarian team can lead the revolt against these EXTREMELY dangerous people who truly have no capacity to care for their fellow humans.
Musks takeover of treasury where all disbursements come from is incredibly fightening. Social security Medicare. They don't have to overthrow them just stop paying
So how is this going to work? Millions of people out on the street begging? Hungry people present their own danger, right? Maybe enough old ladies like me out on the street? Reminds me of an old woman I saw once in NYC when I was on a field trip as a kid. She was beating the concrete wall of a Federal building with her umbrella, yelling, “The fucking this!” And, “The fucking that!” Tell me how this is going to work.
Thank you for the summary update. It’s good to know that things are being done. I also would,like to hear more about Musk and his power grab for the purse strings. If he can stop government payments, what’s to stop him from cancelling Social Security payments or any other kind of government payments? I would also like to hear if there are concrete things we the people can do to help with the resistance? I am a subscriber and I know that helps, but I would like to do more. I live in West Virginia. This state is blood red and I feel like it is useless (or worse) to speak out to my Congress people. Any guidance would be appreciated. Keep up the good fight!
Speaking out is never useless. Communicate with your representatives. If enough people do that someone might pay attention. We need to move a couple of Republican senators and a couple of house members. We should write to our representatives. All of us should do this.
I feel the same way. Except I don't think it's useless to speak out to your congress people. They do look at what their constituents are saying and at least their staff are reading about what their constituants are writing about. I really think people in red states can make a difference.
You have to let them know how you think anyway. They are elected to serve you. Go to their church and find a way to break bread with them. Figure out your pointed questions.
After Trump won, I ran into a young mother in the grocery store who was a one-issue voter…voted for Bobby Kennedy…because of the vaccine issue. She said to me, isn’t it great that Trump won? I told her I didn’t vote for him. Then, I asked her what she expected for her vote? She launched into how her ex had been given medical custody over their daughter and that the father had taken her (previously unvaccinated kid) to the pediatrician who (irresponsibly in my opinion) gave her eight (8) catch-up vaccines in one visit. She said her daughter is demonstrating some loss in skills, including showing some auditory processing issues. We didn’t agree on for whom to vote for president, but I could help her with the auditory-processing issues because I gave some experience with that. So, we were able to connect. My point being… I think if you go meet these people where they are, you may be able to find an inroad to communication with some common ground.
It feels like the fire hydrant has been cracked open and the flood of fear mongering and hopeless energy has almost swallowed us whole! Keep your beacon bright in this dark moment! TY
My thought about Musk basically breaking into the Treasury department as a private citizen not under contract and putting his staff to work to take over the system. He did this in BROAD DAYLIGHT not in the dark like during Watergate when the Republicans broke into the Democratic headquarters in DC.
WHY CAN'T HE BE ARRESTED NOW?
Seems to me that laws are being broken. Get a warrant and bring that sucker to be put in front of a judge. The public opinion is not in his favor. That would be a huge news story not just in this country but in other countries where he is pushing his Nazism.
I share your alarm, but per the NYT (via anonymous source), his people are now vetted, official employees of the Treasury. Hired and approved by the Treasury Sec.
Why aren't you covering Musk getting access to our Medicare and Social Security private information and records?
Agree. This feels the most immediately terrifying.
Did Trump admit that Musk stole Pennsylvania in the election?
Are there lawsuits?
Someone heard that at a social event - he supposedly said openly to someone he trusted that Musk had fixed it for him - but didn't realize others heard. Between that and proof, who knows because Musk treats the world as his sandbox to pee in when he wants and not worry about consequences. There are rumblings from other states - AZ and NV mostly about voters who voted for Dem. local candidates but not Harris which is true but proving results were tampered with is difficult as it was happening in some places by disgruntled voters. The fact is the percentage of voters doing this was abnormally high in both states compared to prev. elections. These things always surface given enough time an opportunity. Fraud in 2020 was rampant in red states and took about a year to really come out with GOP trying to steal voter data in one county(Coffee Cty) in Georgia.
https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrNOJ2kp59n7lMuGxQPxQt.;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzMEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1738545189/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.msn.com%2fen-us%2fpolitics%2fgovernment%2fdid-donald-trump-just-admit-elon-musk-rigged-the-us-election-conspiracy-theory-explained%2far-AA1xx1V4/RK=2/RS=o0Dr3PSCxlNm2gPbtyTaRnlaZeA-
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrNOJ0ZqJ9nz4IucAAPxQt.;_ylc=X1MDMjExNDcwMDU1OQRfcgMyBGZyA3locy1saXRtdXMtY2FlcnVzBGZyMgNzYi10b3AEZ3ByaWQDLnJfT3F1cWpRUE91T3ZfWjhJWUVxQQRuX3JzbHQDMARuX3N1Z2cDNARvcmlnaW4Dc2VhcmNoLnlhaG9vLmNvbQRwb3MDMARwcXN0cgMEcHFzdHJsAzAEcXN0cmwDMjAEcXVlcnkDTXVzayUyMHN1ZWQlMjBpbiUyMHBhJTIwMjAyNQR0X3N0bXADMTczODUxNjU0NQ--?p=Musk+sued+in+pa+2025&fr2=sb-top&hspart=litmus&hsimp=yhs-caerus&type=1476589-vsub-2_23712_nwtb2
He “stole” the election through suppression. But Dems don’t want to go down that route because how similar it sounds from 2020.
Yes, they are are terrifying because they are ignorant and brainwashed. I spent a week on Musk's garbage can X, - and was attacked by all those worthless men who watch and worship men like Hegseth, like they watch and worship Spider Man and Godzilla. They are incompetent Lazyboy agitators looking for attention - should we be worried like we should have been 10 years ago? - Yes but also we need to toughen up, plan and quietly wait. Dont let terror stop you but rather let reason and planning guide you.
Okay -- I am the niece of a brave soldier who landed at Normandy, daughter of a man who joined WWII at 17 (lying about his age) to get into the fight against fascism, life-long student of history. We should quietly wait? Do we have Dem leaders who will give us some guidance on the reason and planning pieces? I am "toughen(ed) up" and ready. I just think we need to get LOUD fast. Any thoughts?
I'd like to hear practice advice on how to protect our assets and privacy. Or get them back.
I joined reddit for the first time just to follow r/fednews, where federal employees talk anonymously. The overwhelming spirit there this week has been "Not gonna let them take my job away from me!" I am wondering if civil servants will be the source of the Rising Up that we need.
I too am the daughter of a WWII VET & who was recalled to Korea, & who retired as LTC of full-time National Guardsmen. He is rolling over in his grave now, I’m sure of it. Let’s get motivated to get Trump & all of his cult members out of office ASAP. I know what Patriots are & they are not even close.
Have you seen this piece today? Terrifying:
‘We Have No Coherent Message’: Democrats Struggle to Oppose Trump
More than 50 interviews with Democratic leaders revealed a party struggling to decide what it believes in, what issues to prioritize and how to confront an aggressive right-wing administration.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/02/us/politics/democrats-trump.html
Me too. 1. Be safe - there are vicious people who are looking for an opportunity to attack. Never give out personal info. 2. use facts - 1. such as The rich got aver of $69,000 and rest of us aver of $800 from 2017 tax breaks. He wants to do it again. people should understand the imbalance here. 2. Military recruiting down more than 20% in 2022 and 2023 - a long trend, Trump cannot sustain any war effort with these numbers - if he starts a war and puts a draft in, it will be extremely unpopular with MAGA. I realized he wanted Hegseth in as a poster boy for recruiting, not a competent administrator of Defense dept - eye opener realization for me. 3. Start with one on ones with people you know might be willing to listen - be clear and don't insult their intelligence and try to show where they personally will be hit by Trump policies such as Taxes, health care and drug pricing, miliary draft if we get into war because we don't have the soldiers at this point.
We need to bombard our senators snd representatives eith letters, petitions etc. Individually and as a group. Isn’t tgat how democracy works besides voting?
Thank you, Debra. My father joined in that W. W. II. cause early. Some uncles and cousins followed. They were brave and stood for what is right snd just. I wish I could hear from Heaven what they would say now. Their beliefs and dedication were strong.
I'd love some advice on what to do....
Absolutely!
And the new Treasury Sec is the one who gave the okay. Apparently no hope that he will do the right thing for our country.
He is Scott Bessent, also a billionaire. The Senate confirmed him on January 27th on a 68-to-29 vote, with 16 complicit Democrats voting in favor. Bessent just gave Elmo the keys to the nation’s bank account. What could go wrong?
Here are the 15 Dems and 1 Independent who voted to approve Bessent:
Blunt Rochester, Booker, Cantwell, Coons, Fetterman, Gallego, Gillibrand, Hassan, Hickenlooper, Kaine, Kelly, King (I), Peters, Shaheen, Slotkin, Warner
Dems who did not vote: Ossoff, Padilla
I have to say this list stuns me!
I think this is part of the conciliatory nature of elected Democrats. They want to show that they are not the party of “no,” like the Republicans. So, they vote to approve the nominees that appear less objectionable, such as Rubio. Democrats need to become the party of “no” now. Vote no on everything proposed by Trump.
So Hitler was able to co-opt the Scandinavian countries by the simple expedient of having a compliant executive at the helm: Vidkun Quisling, who was PM of Norway. He didn't need to invade because Quisling declared Norway "neutral" and Sweden and Denmark followed suit. It didn't help Denmark, which was occupied by the Nazis with the agreement of the king of Denmark and little fanfare. The Dems (and I include Cory Booker, who has been sending me pleas to give him money--never, never, never) are all quislings. Or worse, active collaborators (Fetterman).
If any of these Dems are your reps, CALL THEM and express yourself regarding their support. Typically, reps only listen to their own constituents' feedback so it needs to come from inside their state or district.
wow-- what happened??? thanks for the list. use your friends' addresses ( or zillow) in states where you want yr voice heard... we are alllllll affected by the senators from every state and our voices should be heard by them.
Thanks for this. I am calling/writing my senator(Gillibrand) ASAP.
Many thought he was a "lesser evil" - gullible as they are. Musk will have his hands in this anyway with predictable results. He doesnt want any support for labor.
My question is what will the Dems in the Senate and the House do now that Elon Musk has been given ALL of our personal information and the ability to turn off Social Security and Medicare payments whenever he chooses?????? To me, this is the BIGGEST insanity that has happened this week and MUST be dealt with forcefully, NOW! I don’t know the solution, but clearly the move was illegal…a huge lawsuit? An injunction? Something must happen right away! Should all recipients of govt programs/benefits (virtually everyone except the billionaires) be out in the streets demanding that this be undone? Let’s figure this out!!!!
I don't know if people will march, but what we can do right now is call our Representatives and Senators repeatedly about this issue. 5 Calls app on your phone makes this easy.
First of all, he can swim in the data, most of which will be useless to him. If he turns off SSN and the elderly can't pay bills (including mortgages and car payments) it will rock the economy in ways he hasn't thought about. Biden gave out checks during Covid due to fears that many would not be able to pay bills - he may have given out too much, but the economy didn't flounder. Medicare will continue to serve people, but payment could be delayed - but if no one can pay, the government will have to figure out a way to fix it - BTW - new law in place that does not allow non-payment of healthcare bills to affect credit ratings. I have paid my credit cards faithfully for over 50 years and would walk away in a heartbeat if I lost SSN and it affected my bill paying. Banks do not want foreclosures and defaults - it has destroyed the financial sector in the past. The government bailed out the banks in 2008 and would do it again if Trump and Musk stupidly bring down the economy.
All Dems in congress are doing is wringing their hands. We have never had a more lawless party than the GOP today. They are undermining payments for everyone for SS and Medicare - just because they can - to bully us into submission.
My FEAR is that too many people, perhaps even in Congress and the media, will buy their argument that Musk has been tasked with looking for waste and will not do anything nefarious. Every gov't has had someone looking for wasteful spending, and Al Gore, I read, was the most effective. Probably because he understood govt. But he did not need to be rooting around in the Treasury! So why does Musk who is probably the least knowledgeable about government of anyone who has ever had the task. Which means is job is likely something other than "find wasteful spending". We're seeing that play out already.
Great recap. However………
After all the talk, talk, talk, I am looking for up to date reporting on action, action, action and directives for the rest of us in defeating this miserable state of affairs.
I spend every hour I can preparing for the fight by reading and noting the statistics, understanding the law and most of all understanding what
Trump really wants and what he is feeding to the MAGA crowd who dont digest difficult multilevel threads of policy very well. I look for areas that will apply to all Americans and think we need to attack those first. MAGA does not understand economics at all - what affects us will bite them too.
He has said he wont raise minimum wage for lower level workers who work for $7 something now and need a raise - Totally out of touch.
He's not out of touch. He knows exactly what he's doing. He's a sadistic psychopath. Meaning that he gets pleasure from hurting people.
Not out of touch. He knows exactly what he's doing, which is the will of the autocrats.
The Republican brand is cruelty.
This is the kind of thing that "obeying in advance" just doesn't cut for me. There is more going on there than boneheadedness.
You are right - But I think it is crazy ignore what drives Trump - hatred of those who thwarted and embarrassed him after 2020 election. Trump did not suffer economic ruin, he lost status. The humiliations in court on national TV, where he had to listen his exfriends and employees testify was devastating to his overblown sense of self-importance. He will drive this country into a ditch if he can avenge himself on a single person. We have to adapt our thinking to take in the fact that he is erratic in his hatred but that will never stop him - he will ruin everything in his path to repair the damage to his sense of self.
What did you expect from a Trump appointee who was given free reign over the Treasury by a complicit Republican-majority Senate. Fie on the Democrats who voted with them.
True - I would make no assumptions about any administration member having a backbone or thread of decency.
What is his deal? Why would he do that? Do they have some dirt on him, did they bribe him, did they threaten his family?
“THEY” don’t give one care, not one, for the American citizens of this country- when are WE going to wake up PEOPLE!
Face up to it people - they are stone cold crazy - and we have to settle down and find ways to thwart them. They got very organized after 2020 and have infiltrated local politics in every town and city, county in the country - they know exactly what they are doing and why - nothing is accidental - We should not give them any benefit of the doubt, they are out to destroy us.
I read a comment this morning on Robert Hubbles Substack that what Bessant did is illegal and is an mpeachable offense.
That maybe - but impeachable offenses are simply piling up. - they know there will objections so they stacked the Supreme Court to uphold whatever they want to abolish or burn down. They have been working for years on this.
I totally agree with you. This is appalling. I don't get why people aren't screaming about this at the top of their lungs.
Thus far our screams are internalized.. Those of us who are paying attention are searching for how to be active in defending ourselves and our democracy. Writing to our representatives seems so very inadequate to the destruction that is taking place. We need leaders who call us to united, impactful action.
Exactly this. I am ready to join in on any opposition. 70 year old who remembers the Veterans Parades and Memorial Day Parades filled with living soldiers from fighting fascism in WWII. I am waiting for these leaders you mentioned to "call us to united, impactful action."
76 and right with you. We do need active, vocal leadership.
National Day of Strike and Protest
and don't pay taxes. Don't let your money go to Musk.
Totally agree! Let's also hope our artists (singers, songwriters, poets) join in by creating some meaningful opposition.
i think it is ...us.... remember the womens march started by someone who was not in the habit of organizing national events....
We have to do it. We have to lead. We have to hold our elected officials accountable.
I wrote to my democratic representative the day the removal of the ethical treasury official was reported (before Musk was given access to all our records and accounts). I asked her to do all in her communicative and legislative power to block this.
Later in the day, I learned from Adam Kinzinger that Congress all went home on vacation for the week. As Kinzinger said, this is absolutely no time for Democrats to go home! [The Republican Project 2025 is working around the clock.] I know people get tired and overwhelmed, but this is their actual job that they were elected and paid to do!
It woiud be like a surgeon taking the weekend off, when the patient she just did surgery on, is bleeding to death!
Musk was on X laughing at the "opposition" for not working on the weekend while DOGE was putting in 120 hrs.
I came in to say the same thing.
Me too, this is without doubt the most terrifying thing happening right before our eyes. What is being done to stop Musk? Why aren’t we hearing anything about this???
The real issue is the lower- level bureaucrats who want power-They are Novas, brief and shiny stars that burn out quickly. People like Hegseth will crash and burn just like he did in his other employments because he is a drunken emotional basket case. Musk is a mess emotionally and so is Trump - that is their biggest challenge, and probable downfall. What do you do when you have eaten all your enemies...these dragons will eat their tails.
I agree. This is a crime carried out in plain view. So here is my question: the court has already stopped Trump from freezing government payments. What is to stop Musk’s people from doing it anyway? What if Trumpy just says, “I dare you to enforce that ruling!” What then? What is the recourse? The DOJ is in his pocket now. Who is going to walk in and arrest these people for violating the law?
Exactly. Trump and Musk do not care. The law and the Constitution do not matter to them. We can't fight this battle with butter knives.
Yes. The only thing is to put them in jail without wi-fi or celll service. Then their assault on this country will crumple pretty quickly.
Exactly so!!! It appears that Musk, quite literally, now holds thr pursestrings of the United States federal government, a government that he has vowed to destroy.
Sure, there are dozens of lawsuits and injunctions, maybe hundreds. What we are witnessing is not merely unprecedented. It is both illegal and self-destructive. We all know the definition of insanity, and the Trumpian autocracy defines it.
The nut jobs who now hold the fate of our nation are on a mission to invoke the entire corpus of Project 2025.
I agree. I kept looking for this as I read but saw nothing. Musk is a private citizen and has not right to be in the "nation's checkbook."
Not only a private citizen, but a foreign national, holding South African and Canadian passports, according to Wikipedia.
Norm, They’re in the Treasury Department files!!! Shouldn’t Musk be stopped NOW?
My question exactly. Did musk and his team actually take over the OPM office and gain access to employees information? Is anything legal being done about Musk? He scares me more than Trump.
I totally agree that this is nightmarish. With control of the computer systems that pay all the nation's bills, they have access to every little bit of information about everybody. Social Security information on those who collect and of course SS numbers for all while they contribute to the system. What a small move it would take to go into voter registration records. They discover I'm a Democrat and who knows what mischief they can do. It's mind boggling. I haven't seen anything very recent but last weekend I think they were talking about eliminating the FDIC! I'll be closing on a land sale in about 10 days and I'm not sure I want to put the money into my bank account. I have no words.
And I am absolutely stunned that the Republicans I know tell me I'm a poor sport. Much the same way they were when Biden was serving, I might add. The illegalities, the power grabs, the revenge... all of it outlined in Project 2025, which Trump said he knew nothing about and they believed him. God help us all!
I see that readers here are also reading Professor HCR's daily letter. In today's letter she pointed out that our legal system is bipassed for Trump actions. Legal or illegal, Trump let his generals do whatevery they desire. Trump and his force act like a conquering foreign military force - say China.
Musk is much more terrifying than the malignant pile of DNA.
I am concerned that the Treasury department iss me is going to explode soon, like yesterday! It is a BFD.
Came to ask the same question. This is by far one of the most serious threats. As someone suggested, if you don't already have them in place put fraud alerts on your accounts at all 3 credit rating agencies and at the SSA. Musk couldn't get top security clearance on his own and he now has access to our most sensitive data. Secretary Bessent claims it's on a "read-only" basis but even if that is true (which I doubt because Musk is already threatening to cut off payments to Lutheran Church orgs because they assist refugees), they can still see - and steal - our private data. I have not seen any evidence of legal push back on this yet.
Why aren't you?? The Contrarian is providing much-needed coverage of this dumpster fire of an administration, but they're small and just starting out. You shouldn't expect them to have instant in-depth reporting on every emergent issue, and instead be grateful for the much-needed honest reporting they're producing with limited resources amidst chaotic, anti-democratic happenings.
No reflection on The Contrarian's work, just asking for them to work to cover that topic as well. Judging by other comments, seems to be of interest to a lot of people. Good for them to know.
Why aren't you??
I hear your support of Jen's, et.al. excellent, well-needed journalism. Excluding any mention of Musk and the power and imminent danger he represents is like covering an earthquake and forgetting any mention of the deaths and destruction.
It's only the weekend. I'm pretty sure The Contrarian will be writing/interviewing people on Monday. You can do something now.
Voicemail boxes in DC were full for CA Senators and my Congressional Representative in CA, so I sent them messages via e-mail on Saturday. This is a clear violation of American's privacy. All Congressional members should be taking the Treasury Secretary to court and writing articles of impeachment.
Yes, Trump is controllable, Musk, not so much.
You need to be covering Musk getting access to and stealing 100s of millions of Americans' private financial data. And you need to be SCREAMING at Dems who have been completely absent when we need them to put their bodies on the line for democracy. Not just their damn mouths!
Screw the "decorum" and phony "bipartisanship". DEFCON?! G-damn right!
I totally agree with you.
Agree!
100% agree.
Amen!
Right, there are no “gentlemen” in the room - only thieves and losers. If we are to survive this, we will have to forget the rules of conduct and start going for the throat.
Asha covered it here
https://open.substack.com/pub/asharangappa/p/the-x-factor?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=mwz4r
Yeah, Ivan. Thanks for your reply. I read it; I'm a subscriber to the Freedom Academy. We still need all-hands-on-deck, so Jen and Norm need to get on the story and apply some pressure, if they can, to the Dems.
I need your cautious optimism - I'm feeling very dark these days, even a little bit terrified. I depend on my social security (that I paid into for decades and decades) to get by. An unelected, unconfirmed billionaire has taken control of our personal data and all of the Treasury payments. I just finished an email to my red senator in a red state admonishing him to do his job and quit ceding control to this unelected, unconfirmed billionaire. This was probably rambling but I have so many thoughts swimming in my head and the despair and terror isn't putting them together coherently.
I'm right there with you. And Thank You for writing to your senator. I'm in your same situation and Social Security is pretty much it for me. And so many people are set to be affected by this. Don't despair, though. We really are in this together and you are not alone.
Send letters to Congressional REPUBLICANS! Ask Sen. Tim Scott whether the elimination of DEI is really the elimination of Blacks from government.
Same for Representative Byron Donalds of Florida, Representative Burgess Owens of Utah. Representative Wesley Hunt of Texas, and Representative John James of Michigan about the rejection of DEI as a pretext to discriminate on the basis of race.
How can they be Republicans?
Didn't they hear that the plane crash was caused by DEI? Did that mean the boogeyman did it?
We have three (3) Batistiano MAGATs here in Baghdad By the Sea, representing a Democratic majority electorate. Cubanos also happen to be beneficiaries of DEI. Some are Black.
Trump would send 30,000 deportees to Git-mo, which, even to MAGAT Cubans, should not be in US hands.
I keep sayin' that one size does not fit all. We need all kinds of Democrats. Biden and especially Bernie Sanders said stuff that was taken here to support a totalitarian dictatorship and the word on the street was that Harris was a communist. We could not rebut it. Due to effective psy ops, even Democrats voted for Trump.
The letter from super MAGAT Elvira Salazar, below, should give the Democrats an opening .... I remember when Congressman Mario Diaz Balart's brother Lincoln, flipped from a Dade County Young Democrat to the Republican Party. Republican MAGAT Congressman Carlos Gimenez had once been a Democratic county mayor. https://files.constantcontact.com/1849eea4801/cd2e90be-43c8-4171-b3c6-a357621f7db9.pdf?_gl=1*uo1jgf*_ga*MDMwMjhjMzctZTFlNy00YzExLWE3NTEtZGUxMmY1OGY0YjEw*_ga_14T5LGLSQ3*MTczNzc0NTk1My4zLjEuMTczNzc0Njg2Ny44LjAuMA..
FL 26th Mario Díaz-Balart (Miami)
FL 27th María Elvira Salazar (Miami)
FL 28th Carlos A. Giménez (Miami)
Same should go for Republican members who oppose a Russian takeover. MAGA Mike Johnson fired the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, Ohio congressman Mike Turner, who supported Ukraine. How many others strongly oppose Russian imperialism?
Maybe Hakeem Jeffries can convince them to flip
My congressional Republican (Nick Langworthy) is attached to Short Fingers like a remora.
I will say, he (or whoever writes his responses) is polite.
Works best on minority Republicans. Like I said, many had been Democrats at one time and switched. 2 of the 3 MAGAT Republicans here had been registered and ran as Democrats, and Carlos A. Giménez, United States Representative, had been a Democratic mayor here..... Cuban, Venezuelan, Haitians of all parties are irate. ... Born in Cuba, Giménez supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, but switched in 2020 and ran as a Trump supporter He defeated incumbent Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in the 2020 election. Giménez serves as one of the Republican assistant whips under Steve Scalise.
Not rambling. At all. Thank you for contacting your Red senators. This i something all of us can and must do. It doesn’t feel like much, but it is an important action to take in a democracy where we are supposed to be represented by those in the Senate and the House. office.
and use addresses from other states to write senators from those states--so that you will be heard. their votes affect ALL of us.
Wrote this on another post but I'll reiterate, to email your senator... Put first initial, last name,@thesenatorsgroup.com. example... jdoe@thesenatorsgroup.com
I feel you! Keep after your elected official to do his/her job. Keep writing!
I've been writing to my senators and congressman so often I'm sure they have a special place reserved for my emails and my emails alone. The thing is I feel so powerless about it all. I have no words and those who know me well know I'm never at a loss for words. I just can't fathom how this is being allowed and I think I need reassurance that he WILL be stopped and I've just about lost hope!
:( xo Better yell more often and a bit louder...because if he does not feel HIS job SEAT threatened..he will do NOTHING to bring on the threat of the Donald
Your feelings are totally understandable. Thank you for writing to your Senator. Maybe a nation-wide letter/phone call/email deluge on Congress can convince them that 'we the people' are not accepting of this current state of affairs.
This is a coup. When Musks minions take over key computer systems and lock out authorized users, this is a coup. They now control essential fiscal and personnel functions. Without appointment, without confirmation. The hearings and tariffs are sideshow. The rest is a silent coup.
Where are the Congressional responses? Where are the legal challenges? All I get is fundraising asks. WTF.
Yes. Really. WTF ! This IS a coup !
State capture. Gleichschaltung.
Agreed!
Is there a way to sue Musk and company for stealing our information?
Please, yes! But…again, I don’t think we really deeply know the depth of megalomaniacalness at work in this man’s mind and his capability to interfere with any computer code/system.
or an election that he apparently knew of the WINNER before others...how can you NOT suspect ??
He worked with two other Silicon Valley companies as well. But this was allowed by the new Treasury Secretary, so shouldn't you also be suing the executive branch of the federal government?
He was given the keys by the secretary of the treasury. My God!
Good question. Really good question.
Could it be that once again, his money will win him endless appeals?
My question and fear is, regardless of how many judges rule against Trump and his illegal acts, what is to stop him from ignoring them and going on as usual? We've already seen him trample the Constitution upon which our rule of law is based. Norm, can you or Jennifer shed light on this?
The ONLY way to stop a Bully is to out number him...there are more good American people than there are MAGA or Republicans or one small dictator whom, I think, stole the WRONG Country, America. BUT if the people DO NOT mobilize and in great NUMBERS...AND I MEAN NUMBERS .... he wins. The courts can not keep up with the onslaught....and he knows all this already as does Project 2025 . BUT any dictator keeps FEAR stoked because the only thing to over throw a dictator, are the People in numbers...period...it is just a matter of when. And sooner than later.... as after the confirmations - those will have further restrictions and severe ramifications. We are backed right into a corner..so do you come out fighting (peacefully) for your Country .... or not? I bet on the American People, every time ! :)
Exactly. Who will enforce the rulings of judges if they are against Trump and his administration, against Musk, and against any these people?
I have the same questions, same fears.
Musk’s influence is terrifying. He must be stopped, but how?
Well…perhaps the working-class gun-toting MAGA crowd who fell for the grift might want some vengeance when they realize they got played.
Now that would be just deserts.
Round them up and put them in guantanamo. Arrest Trump and his minions. Maybe Garland can do this?
Garland?
Or all former atty gen. Lock them up. Garland would at least know the staff. Someone who knows what's going v on inside the DOJ.
Why wasn’t there an injunction stopping Musk from stealing our personal data from Treasury payments this weekend? What is our recourse as private citizens?
Thank you for all you are doing!!
Another good question. Thanks for asking it.
Because the Secretary of the Treasury simply gave Musk access. The horses were out of the barn before anyone could say, “Wait a minute!” Now that data has been copied to other systems outside government oversight, it’s too late to put the genie back into the bottle.
But not too late to put Musk and his minions in jail without bail so that a forensic audit can be carried out of the computer systems they gained access to. Warrants for arrest filed in every jurisdiction where there is a Dem attorney general . Basis? Not sure: but they have clearly decided to not worry about law or the Constitution. Reckless endangerment? 18 US Code 2385? 327.24 interference with federal employees? Deprivation of rights under color of Law (Federal Employee firings and removals) might be some options. I’m sure smart lawyers can think of more.
We just have to take away their access immediately.
TY! Is there any recourse? I know we are living in a new age, where rule of law doesn’t apply to some, but Isn’t this illegal and could a class action suit be filed on behalf of all?
I appreciate efforts to bring us "outside" opinions, but the key problem is with the Democratic Party itself, its lack of preparation and inability to come to grips with Trump's full frontal assault and inability to come up with and implement a unifying effective strategy of opposition. What can The Contrarian do to help foster the party we need now? For example, would it help to elevate the voices of people within the party who represent a viable path forward? The voices of people who seem to be having success in bringing together disparate elements of the party? Ideas welcome!
I love this question, Thomas. I agree completely. This has moved from bad actor to full on mud-wrestling bitch fight and the Dems (I’m one) are too polite. Does holding to rules work?
The Contrarian is up at bat and the bases are loaded. But the betters (bookies? What are they called?) have the game rigged. I think The Contrarian is doing what it can to elevate the stronger, trustworthy voices… and I HATE to lower ourselves to the ruthless lockstep-ness of the GOP et MAGA, how does trust or “trusted word” hold up in the face of entrenched bullshitting brainwashing in a digital sphere? How the Hell are we going to get this done?
I can’t fully agree with the idea that our systems held or are holding. Everything is digital and the Musk Meta blind power ambitions has greater control of digital format than most humans.
(Not to mention China’s eager desire to crush us economically.)
We need a coalition of unified Democrats, Independents, and people who no longer identify as Republicans. We also need to bring in the people who either don't vote or rarely vote.
This coalition must invite, acknowledge, “Former” or “X” Democrats who are/were so deeply astounded and offended by the ineptitude and disingenuousness of the handoff. Me! This must be addressed as what may be resurrected as the D party demonstrates its understanding of the failure that may destroy my country. I want to know that all of the former Palace Guard are working at WALMART and not advising the path forward.
Thank you for your activism. At this point, I am also gravel
concerned about Elon Musk commandeering the Treasury Department data. How is he able to be so involved in these processes? It's criminal!
He was given permission. He was given access. He was given this by the new secretary of the treasury. It is astounding and horrifying. Is it legal? When the secretary of the treasury gives you access does that make it OK?
And unAmerican. But he didn’t grow up here. He grew up as a white guy in an Apartheid state. Watch District Nine by director Neil Blomkamp. Then, watch his other great film, Chappy, which addresses computer-related reality.
Norm, I am going to ask you to do something that may be painful for you but I think is the right thing for the country. I realize that Professor Dershowitz was your law professor and you are friendly with him. However, his defenses of Trump essentially negate the impeachment clause of the Constitution. His views on the narrowness of impeachment must be CONDEMNED, not just politely disagreed with, but CONDEMNED.
Based on Dersh’s theories Trump could not be impeached and removed from office for invading Greenland, the Panama Canal or even Canada if he chose to. Plus he could clean out all of the FBI agents who investigated him and the pre-eminent democracy on the planet could do NOTHziNG about it. He sees these as “political sins” in his parlance. Your friendship with him should not come before the country and if he doesn’t understand that he’s not your friend.
Remember that impeachment is appropriate when Congress loses confidence in the president. No crime is required - only loss of confidence. If any U.S.president was about to invade any of our neighbors, and especially if they are NATO members, I would lose ALL CONFIDENCE in his/her ability to lead our country.
Yes!
Wasn't he on the wrong side of the OJ trial?
I would say yes but I would draw a distinction between the OJ case and the Trump defense.Everyone is entitled to a lawyer in a judicial proceeding. In the Trump impeachment the Orange Mebace was not facing prison so I don’t think an attirney should have as much leeway with their defebse.
Brains for hire, for whatever reason. I admired him til then.
It is true that he was not a court appointed attorney so he didn’t have to take these cases.
Some have posited that the overarching goal is to crush the U.S. economy, perhaps the global economy, so the oligarchs can take control. That sounds a little “out there” but all of the steps being taken sure don’t indicated otherwise.
I believe that’s the plan. There is no “nation-state” sovereignty in a global digital world. If someone or someones control the digital sphere, what can mere humans do? I’m hoping The Contrarian team can lead the revolt against these EXTREMELY dangerous people who truly have no capacity to care for their fellow humans.
He certainly wants to crush the economies of Canada and Mexico, having previously negotiated a trade deal with them.
Indicate. Damn autofill.
I hope it's "out there". But looking very suspicious.
and they are making their own currency......
Musks takeover of treasury where all disbursements come from is incredibly fightening. Social security Medicare. They don't have to overthrow them just stop paying
So how is this going to work? Millions of people out on the street begging? Hungry people present their own danger, right? Maybe enough old ladies like me out on the street? Reminds me of an old woman I saw once in NYC when I was on a field trip as a kid. She was beating the concrete wall of a Federal building with her umbrella, yelling, “The fucking this!” And, “The fucking that!” Tell me how this is going to work.
Put them all in guantanamo. I'm serious. Trump and minions. Do it now. Get Garland, other former DOJs to do this.
Not sure how it will play out, but it will not be pretty.
Thank you for the summary update. It’s good to know that things are being done. I also would,like to hear more about Musk and his power grab for the purse strings. If he can stop government payments, what’s to stop him from cancelling Social Security payments or any other kind of government payments? I would also like to hear if there are concrete things we the people can do to help with the resistance? I am a subscriber and I know that helps, but I would like to do more. I live in West Virginia. This state is blood red and I feel like it is useless (or worse) to speak out to my Congress people. Any guidance would be appreciated. Keep up the good fight!
Speaking out is never useless. Communicate with your representatives. If enough people do that someone might pay attention. We need to move a couple of Republican senators and a couple of house members. We should write to our representatives. All of us should do this.
I feel the same way. Except I don't think it's useless to speak out to your congress people. They do look at what their constituents are saying and at least their staff are reading about what their constituants are writing about. I really think people in red states can make a difference.
You have to let them know how you think anyway. They are elected to serve you. Go to their church and find a way to break bread with them. Figure out your pointed questions.
After Trump won, I ran into a young mother in the grocery store who was a one-issue voter…voted for Bobby Kennedy…because of the vaccine issue. She said to me, isn’t it great that Trump won? I told her I didn’t vote for him. Then, I asked her what she expected for her vote? She launched into how her ex had been given medical custody over their daughter and that the father had taken her (previously unvaccinated kid) to the pediatrician who (irresponsibly in my opinion) gave her eight (8) catch-up vaccines in one visit. She said her daughter is demonstrating some loss in skills, including showing some auditory processing issues. We didn’t agree on for whom to vote for president, but I could help her with the auditory-processing issues because I gave some experience with that. So, we were able to connect. My point being… I think if you go meet these people where they are, you may be able to find an inroad to communication with some common ground.
Yes, it’s Sunday morning EST, still time enough to go to church where “others” congregate…the choir here needs to break out to other groups.
It feels like the fire hydrant has been cracked open and the flood of fear mongering and hopeless energy has almost swallowed us whole! Keep your beacon bright in this dark moment! TY
My thought about Musk basically breaking into the Treasury department as a private citizen not under contract and putting his staff to work to take over the system. He did this in BROAD DAYLIGHT not in the dark like during Watergate when the Republicans broke into the Democratic headquarters in DC.
WHY CAN'T HE BE ARRESTED NOW?
Seems to me that laws are being broken. Get a warrant and bring that sucker to be put in front of a judge. The public opinion is not in his favor. That would be a huge news story not just in this country but in other countries where he is pushing his Nazism.
I share your alarm, but per the NYT (via anonymous source), his people are now vetted, official employees of the Treasury. Hired and approved by the Treasury Sec.
Did he fill out the paperwork that all employees fill out when applying for a job? Is he paying taxes? Is he getting paid for his services?
HE is not the employee, his minions are. (All I know is what I read in the NYT. I hope we all learn more in the coming week.)