Trump's EPSTEIN exposure should make headlines if (and when) the hand written investigation notes of the Trump accuser in the Katie Pfang case are released. MSM is not reporting on recent developments.
This is what happens when you have a crime lord who's too stupid to think up any new crimes: He has to recycle the old ones. It gets boring, doesn't it? No wonder his Reality TV show got cancelled!
Senator and former Navy Captain Mark Kelly said it best, "Trump should stick with what he does best, ballrooms, bankruptcies, and bullshit", when asked what he thought about regressing to steam catapults.
Thank you for giving Norm a break from this task AND for standing up for democracy in the court. I can’t believe I’m saying this about a lawyer, you don’t get paid enough for the skills you bring to serve all of us :)
Thank you for all you are doing. Is there a lawsuit filed against the actions taken by ICE, violating due process? I cannot grasp how what is happening is legal in this country.
How are they still allowed to mask and use unmarked vehicles and no body cams??? And how are they able to use the excuse that someone "intended" to run them over with a car after being menaced by these guys? Now anyone in a car is a potential killer? Funny how this never happened to law enforcement before--maybe on a random basis, but now everyone means to run them over? I don't believe that for minute.
You present an excellent analysis and summary of the legal actions in progress, for which we are all thankful. It's time for Hearn and Cook to launch defamation and harassment suits against those in the administration who continue to hector them with revenge laden tactics rather than realities and truth. Fight fire with fire, and hold the accusers to it.
It is time, and yet the irony is that we taxpayers fund both the original prosecution and the defense in harassment cases. AND we donate to lawyers who fill the gap. Talk about coming and going. Your tax dollars are worn out.
My tax dollars may be worn out and even mis-spent on administration's harassment, but I will never begrudge any of it and donations that go to defend those being threatened by vengeful oppressors. In a small way, it helps to defend democracy and justice for those in need.
Sadly, this and paying for decent news now takes the place of my donations to candidates. Priorities are hard to deal with these days. Grateful for the Contrarian to hit two bases!
What is being done to protect the Kennedy Center from being turned into a gold leaf plated tRump tower? His clones on the board will vote for anything he tells them to do.
That is a good question, as it looks as though despite court orders and the authority of congress there are plans afoot (again) to start work on "renovations". With Trump, everything old is new again. He keeps trotting out the same old crap. It needs to be put to an end once and for all; we're tired of it.
This all comes down to the question of how to govern by consensus. Too much power in too few hands is part of the definition of authoritarianism. It doesn't matter if that power is in the hands of elected officials or business tycoons who have captured power by amassing vast amounts of wealth. In neither case is there sufficient accountability to enforce the will of the people. The whole concept of "independence" in federal agencies is based on the concept of decentralizing decision-making power and enabling fact-based decisions in service of the population. The key is direct AND TIMELY accountability to the people.
I believe that the quality of ideas best serves society over time. The quality of ideas is the foundation of true authority. Power and authority are not the same.
Authority generally confers power. If improperly administered, as we're currently experiencing, we have a comingling of the terms, which in this case isn't serving us well at all.
If it was possible to quantify and normalize the variables, the proper relationship would be a straight line with some slope. Authority based on Power is unstable. Power based on Authority is stable. That's why Democracies have fewer violent revolutions. There are still a few when compromise isn't possible like slavery in the US Civil War.
Norm, I hope you have a fabulous vacation. And nothing against sage, mature wisdom (I'm older than Norm)...Joshua Kolb: good and reassuring to see a new, bright young face!!
Trump money laundering, extortion, fraud, weaponization of government against critics…? The Trump brand. Trump & Co corruption & criminality is epic. The projection of Trump & Co propaganda & criminality onto critics never stops.
This is a man who cannot lose; the PROBLEM is that he has put enablers in high places, and they are wearing us out. But Congress. What does he have over Congress? Why haven’t Republicans in Congress stood up? What hold does he have over them? I don’t assign motivation, so I would really like to know. Is he blackmailing those who are not genuinely MAGA?
"If the case is dismissed without prejudice, as the government wants, that leaves open the possibility that the government could bring this case back, even after its damning admissions. ... if the indictment is dismissed without prejudice, Mr. Hearn will face renewed charges, however meritless, driven by political pressure rather than the evidence.”
We never hear of attorneys losing their bar privileges over frivolous (politically motivated) lawsuits, which should be a safeguard against innocent people facing legal bills and mental anguish from false claims. There's always some last-minute savior for them. In this case, Pirro clearly knows the suit was frivolous. She stated it. Yet the case was not dismissed with prejudice outright. Why? She should have requested that. Attempting to retry this case should close the book on any prosecutor. I'd like to know about that. I'd like to know that Pirro is about to quit her job over that pressure. I'd like to see her disbarred. WHAT ABOUT THAT?
Well, obviously Government lawyers need to be subject to review by bipartisan legal authorities- and disbarred if appropriate - for filing obviously illegal unconstitutional lawsuits on behalf of the President or the Administration. The present Administration is just throwing massive amounts of obviously illegal and unconstitutional lawsuits (and endless appeals) at our court systems and hoping that some get passed due to “judicial exhaustion”. There needs to be ramifications and penalties for such behavior which is expensive, clogs up our legal system, and is generally bad for ordinary Americans and our democracy. Government lawyers will think twice about filing obviously illegal lawsuits if it could mean the end of their careers.
I wonder if the DOJ memo about all Trump advisors being immune holds any weight? Will this really stop them from being investigated, subpoenaed, censured, convicted?
It is outrageous the things that this admin thinks can happen if Trump wills it, but it was my understanding not all of them have to be implemented. Already I understand states have announced that they are not following the CDC and the new vaccine rules.
Democracy Defenders: Please continue ensuring that he remains a loser! And thank you.
Trump's EPSTEIN exposure should make headlines if (and when) the hand written investigation notes of the Trump accuser in the Katie Pfang case are released. MSM is not reporting on recent developments.
Democracy Defenders filed a FOIA covering much of the same material requested by Pfang. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71168739/democracy-defenders-fund-v-us-department-of-justice/. Is DOJ in default????
Well, I certainly think that will be hard to do. He does that all by himself, over and over and over and.........
This is what happens when you have a crime lord who's too stupid to think up any new crimes: He has to recycle the old ones. It gets boring, doesn't it? No wonder his Reality TV show got cancelled!
(YAWN) I AM ANTIFA!
Steam catapults!
Senator and former Navy Captain Mark Kelly said it best, "Trump should stick with what he does best, ballrooms, bankruptcies, and bullshit", when asked what he thought about regressing to steam catapults.
Made me laugh! And you're so right!
Thank you for giving Norm a break from this task AND for standing up for democracy in the court. I can’t believe I’m saying this about a lawyer, you don’t get paid enough for the skills you bring to serve all of us :)
There are lawyers and there are lawyers. Norm, Katie and Joshua are on the side of the angels.
Norm keeps me hopeful, and he has lots of colleagues working alongside. Thanks to all!
Agree!
Thank you for all you are doing. Is there a lawsuit filed against the actions taken by ICE, violating due process? I cannot grasp how what is happening is legal in this country.
How are they still allowed to mask and use unmarked vehicles and no body cams??? And how are they able to use the excuse that someone "intended" to run them over with a car after being menaced by these guys? Now anyone in a car is a potential killer? Funny how this never happened to law enforcement before--maybe on a random basis, but now everyone means to run them over? I don't believe that for minute.
Know that your work is much appreciated by those who want to hold on to democracy!
Let's see if we can organize a follow-on winter of his discontent.
If the Dems can get control of the House and Senate, it will happen.
A 21st century bard :)
You present an excellent analysis and summary of the legal actions in progress, for which we are all thankful. It's time for Hearn and Cook to launch defamation and harassment suits against those in the administration who continue to hector them with revenge laden tactics rather than realities and truth. Fight fire with fire, and hold the accusers to it.
It is time, and yet the irony is that we taxpayers fund both the original prosecution and the defense in harassment cases. AND we donate to lawyers who fill the gap. Talk about coming and going. Your tax dollars are worn out.
My tax dollars may be worn out and even mis-spent on administration's harassment, but I will never begrudge any of it and donations that go to defend those being threatened by vengeful oppressors. In a small way, it helps to defend democracy and justice for those in need.
Sadly, this and paying for decent news now takes the place of my donations to candidates. Priorities are hard to deal with these days. Grateful for the Contrarian to hit two bases!
What is being done to protect the Kennedy Center from being turned into a gold leaf plated tRump tower? His clones on the board will vote for anything he tells them to do.
That is a good question, as it looks as though despite court orders and the authority of congress there are plans afoot (again) to start work on "renovations". With Trump, everything old is new again. He keeps trotting out the same old crap. It needs to be put to an end once and for all; we're tired of it.
He likes boxing matches and the like. We may need to take him behind the woodshed for a little boxing before he complies with rules.
My grandfather would have approved of the woodshed approach. It's unfortunate that congress does not.
This all comes down to the question of how to govern by consensus. Too much power in too few hands is part of the definition of authoritarianism. It doesn't matter if that power is in the hands of elected officials or business tycoons who have captured power by amassing vast amounts of wealth. In neither case is there sufficient accountability to enforce the will of the people. The whole concept of "independence" in federal agencies is based on the concept of decentralizing decision-making power and enabling fact-based decisions in service of the population. The key is direct AND TIMELY accountability to the people.
I believe that the quality of ideas best serves society over time. The quality of ideas is the foundation of true authority. Power and authority are not the same.
Authority generally confers power. If improperly administered, as we're currently experiencing, we have a comingling of the terms, which in this case isn't serving us well at all.
Power on its own does not confer authority, nor does authority automatically confer power. They are independent variables.
This is why the terms 'comingling' and 'improperly administered' were applied. Independent variables can be conjoined.
If it was possible to quantify and normalize the variables, the proper relationship would be a straight line with some slope. Authority based on Power is unstable. Power based on Authority is stable. That's why Democracies have fewer violent revolutions. There are still a few when compromise isn't possible like slavery in the US Civil War.
However, money works on both of those counts.
Keep those law suits coming!!
Please also do everything you can to keep his tiny hands and his name permanently off the Kennedy Center!
Norm, I hope you have a fabulous vacation. And nothing against sage, mature wisdom (I'm older than Norm)...Joshua Kolb: good and reassuring to see a new, bright young face!!
Trump money laundering, extortion, fraud, weaponization of government against critics…? The Trump brand. Trump & Co corruption & criminality is epic. The projection of Trump & Co propaganda & criminality onto critics never stops.
Please, bring on a Blue Tsunami.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/15/us/politics/prosecutors-examined-firm-with-tie-to-judge-in-trump-hush-money-trial.html?smid=url-share
This is a man who cannot lose; the PROBLEM is that he has put enablers in high places, and they are wearing us out. But Congress. What does he have over Congress? Why haven’t Republicans in Congress stood up? What hold does he have over them? I don’t assign motivation, so I would really like to know. Is he blackmailing those who are not genuinely MAGA?
"Why haven’t Republicans in Congress stood up?"
They have yet to have one of these installed: https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/3043546-anatomy-of-the-spine_1296x1515-body-876x1024.png
They are members of Congress, so they surely have the insurance to pay to have such a devise to be installed.
"If the case is dismissed without prejudice, as the government wants, that leaves open the possibility that the government could bring this case back, even after its damning admissions. ... if the indictment is dismissed without prejudice, Mr. Hearn will face renewed charges, however meritless, driven by political pressure rather than the evidence.”
We never hear of attorneys losing their bar privileges over frivolous (politically motivated) lawsuits, which should be a safeguard against innocent people facing legal bills and mental anguish from false claims. There's always some last-minute savior for them. In this case, Pirro clearly knows the suit was frivolous. She stated it. Yet the case was not dismissed with prejudice outright. Why? She should have requested that. Attempting to retry this case should close the book on any prosecutor. I'd like to know about that. I'd like to know that Pirro is about to quit her job over that pressure. I'd like to see her disbarred. WHAT ABOUT THAT?
Well, obviously Government lawyers need to be subject to review by bipartisan legal authorities- and disbarred if appropriate - for filing obviously illegal unconstitutional lawsuits on behalf of the President or the Administration. The present Administration is just throwing massive amounts of obviously illegal and unconstitutional lawsuits (and endless appeals) at our court systems and hoping that some get passed due to “judicial exhaustion”. There needs to be ramifications and penalties for such behavior which is expensive, clogs up our legal system, and is generally bad for ordinary Americans and our democracy. Government lawyers will think twice about filing obviously illegal lawsuits if it could mean the end of their careers.
I wonder if the DOJ memo about all Trump advisors being immune holds any weight? Will this really stop them from being investigated, subpoenaed, censured, convicted?
It is outrageous the things that this admin thinks can happen if Trump wills it, but it was my understanding not all of them have to be implemented. Already I understand states have announced that they are not following the CDC and the new vaccine rules.
I supposed next they'll never face an IRS audit again.