While millions of us rejoice at Judge Leon's punctuation and reasoning, what are we to do when the Beast just goes 'fuck you' and the bulldozers, rebar and vulgarity all continue unabated? Only bailiffs can enforce a judgment by throwing somebody in the clapper on the spot -- and their paychecks are signed by...guess who? Todd Blanche's DOJ!
Months ago, Judge Luttig pointed out this grotesque situation that nobody ever really thought much about before. What happens when the Bailiff walks up to the White House and yells "COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP"?
ICII, yes. Because after the ruling the Feloon said "I'm not stopping" and no one batted an eye. Justices trying to protect both our institutions and our physical institutions are great but they really don't matter when a neofascist and his minions claim immunity, ignore them, and a complacent and cowed Congress does nothing.
Probably nothing. Because no judge has yet to hold any of this sh*thead administration in contempt or attempted to serve arrest warrants against them. Example: have the tariffs "ended"? No. Was the Felon's executive order reinstating them legal? No. This is why I think judicial pronouncements are useful as propaganda but have no real-world consequences. The only thing that could move the needle? A huge, overwhelming tsunami of Dems being elected in places where they rarely compete with Rethuglican incumbents. But the DNC isn't interested in spending that kind of money so they will nickel and dime the good people who are trying to contend those seats while the RNC and their billionaire overlords throw mountains of money into their races.
Maybe we need a corps of volunteers to come to the hole where the East Wing stood. A Coxey's Army of protesters to stand against the bulldozers. To stand against the waste, fraud and abuse of authority that this whole project embodies.
From the Internet: "The penalty for gross destruction of U.S. government property (damages exceeding $1,000) under 18 U.S.C. § 1361 is a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both. "
Considering the magnitude of the damage done, 10 years in prison is reasonable.
Can someone get a restraining order against further demolition and construction? The issue remains, who will enforce violations of any order? Still, any successful legal action against him becomes part of a record.
Many thanks and bravos to Judge Leon!! !!!! This is just the kind of straight talk we need to hear from members of Congress and from foreign leaders. !!!!!
At long last, someone with both a brain AND a spine, calling out drumpf for what he is: a con man. I pray this puts a stop to ALL of drumpf's property grabs and guttings and rebuilds in his version of "beautiful" and make him pay for all the damages and rebuilds back to what we Americans consider beautiful. That White House IS ours; not his. It is only on loan to him and anyone who was there before or will be there after. If any public library loans you a book and you deface it, you will pay full price for its replacement.
Leave the hole for the duration of Trump’s time in office, as a monument to his ego and selfishness. The next Congress and President can put it right. Keep the tiny grasping fingers of Donald off the People’s property.
Why should taxpayer money be spent on restoring something that they didn't pay to have destroyed? Trump has made millions, possibly billions off of his presidency. Attach those funds to rebuild the East Wing to the original appearance.
Indeed. Perhaps the next administration can sue Trump for the funds! He’s got quite q personal “war chest” built up. In any case, NO to the odious “ ballroom” and NO to Trump’s batcave.
Yes, the president's entanglement with Epstein's crimes is far more important. But the East Wing demolition is a concrete, simple-to-grasp issue that captured people's interest and mobilized their anger. It's a plus for those wanting to bring down this president.
Apropos of a recent comment here, Daniel, maybe you could repost your comment of a few days ago about the requirement to replace buildings demolished in violation of landmark laws?
Can't let them testify? Please! If Congress subpoenas, they must show up or stand in contempt of Congress. What's Trump going to do to stop them, kill them as ICE did to Good and Pretti?
He invokes executive privilege or some such thing, and the underlings in question being loyal MAGA followers, will follow his executive privilege thingy and not testify, saying let the courts settle it.
I am not at all sure that the MAGA Republican majority is going to try and enforce its contempt of Congress in the face of their president’s opposition.
And I am not certain that many of the MAGApublicans are more concerned about how voters feel about their forgotten promises and support than the Threat of Trump these days. Some are finally getting tired of going to bat for the crazy old fool.
It's not that one issue is more important than the last. It's the constant onslaught and the intersecting nature of the destruction: Epstein, Putin, real estate deals, cryto deals, weapons deals all over the world, ICE detention centers, graft, stock market manipulation, selling off of public lands, sowing hate against fellow Americans . . . At each new travestry, you think--is this the red line in the sand? Will this be the last straw? And it NEVER IS.
Congress must require the West Wing be rebuilt in an exact replication of the one torn down by the worst human alive. There also be an injunction to prohibit the ridiculous arc de failure trump wants to build destroying the view from Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery.
I think it takes guts to stand up to Trump and I applaud Judge Leon for doing so. If Congress is forced to vote on this ridiculous ballroom, it will force Republicans to pick their side - either with the billionaires who would be the only ones enjoying it, or with the rest of us who see the White House belonging to the people of this country. The opulence will stand in marked contrast to the rise in cost of living that is affecting the rest of us. Let them make their choice!
I'm also wondering what, if any, effect this will have on the Burger King's other projects: the Golden Arches, taking over those public golf courses, etc. ? Let's hope he falls as flat on those, er, erections....
Trump talks often about how constructing this monstrosity comes at no cost to Americans. However, if and when it is built, we will be footing the bill for the increased staff, utilities, food, maintenance. Let us eat cake!
I'm from Europe, but I guess donations can be deducted from taxes in the U.S. like in the European Union. Thus, a loss of taxes paid will, indeed, be cost to Americans.
As our last college president said, "this is a donated gift that will keep on eating" as the cost of it will continue long after the donation to build it evaporates.
Since he already destroyed the East Wing without approval I fear he could just continue. Also, even if not, who is going to replace it with like building. He just destroys never builds.
What of the contractors who tore down the east wing. Do they have no responsibility to know if what they were contracted to do was illegal? Not to necessarily blame them but I was wondering if anyone knows. Were there no permits that needed to be issued?
Good question. I know my city requires permits for tearing down part of my house, even if self-funded, and any construction company that worked without one in place would likely find itself out of a business license.
This is why I asked the question. It seems to me that it should be an issue and if it’s not I’d like to know why. But I can’t find any concern about it or any issue with the contractors themselves.
What happens to the hundreds of millions of dollars raised from corporations for the project? We should not forget that they are culpable for supporting an illegal project. Their names should be etched on an ignominious placard calling attention to their obsequious willingness to fund the destruction of property belonging to the American people without Congressional approval. It should not be a surprise to them that we have laws and a Constitution and that these can’t be ignored just because Trump says so. Their brand names should be held accountable for this.
Thank you Jen for recognizing Judge Leon’s ruling in the ballroom fiasco! I celebrate every and all prodemocracy wins.
We are in this for the long hall! We are Contrarians!! We have to be in this fight every day with a sense of pride, joy, and thankfulness. We each need to find our own role in this fight and on our mission for today! Please, lift up your fellow Contrarians, neighbors and community members throughout your day and join a prodemocracy organization of your choice to support our pushback!!
While millions of us rejoice at Judge Leon's punctuation and reasoning, what are we to do when the Beast just goes 'fuck you' and the bulldozers, rebar and vulgarity all continue unabated? Only bailiffs can enforce a judgment by throwing somebody in the clapper on the spot -- and their paychecks are signed by...guess who? Todd Blanche's DOJ!
Months ago, Judge Luttig pointed out this grotesque situation that nobody ever really thought much about before. What happens when the Bailiff walks up to the White House and yells "COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP"?
ICII, yes. Because after the ruling the Feloon said "I'm not stopping" and no one batted an eye. Justices trying to protect both our institutions and our physical institutions are great but they really don't matter when a neofascist and his minions claim immunity, ignore them, and a complacent and cowed Congress does nothing.
Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!! I am sooooo frustrated by the cowardice of our elected representatives.
I’ll be interested to see what Judge Leon does in the face of these comments.
Probably nothing. Because no judge has yet to hold any of this sh*thead administration in contempt or attempted to serve arrest warrants against them. Example: have the tariffs "ended"? No. Was the Felon's executive order reinstating them legal? No. This is why I think judicial pronouncements are useful as propaganda but have no real-world consequences. The only thing that could move the needle? A huge, overwhelming tsunami of Dems being elected in places where they rarely compete with Rethuglican incumbents. But the DNC isn't interested in spending that kind of money so they will nickel and dime the good people who are trying to contend those seats while the RNC and their billionaire overlords throw mountains of money into their races.
See Jennifer Rubin's report on The Contrarian this morning, April 3rd, regarding, Judge Leon's findings. There is hope!
Aren't these the comments to Jenn Rubin's report on Judge Leon's findings? Or did she publish something else in addition?
Maybe we need a corps of volunteers to come to the hole where the East Wing stood. A Coxey's Army of protesters to stand against the bulldozers. To stand against the waste, fraud and abuse of authority that this whole project embodies.
He should be fined for pulling down the East Wing without permission anyway !
Fined and pilloried and paddled.
Fined, please! He should be ordered to rebuild the East Wing where it was as it was. And using those private funds.
ABsolutely! He should be required to undo the damage he has wrought.
From the Internet: "The penalty for gross destruction of U.S. government property (damages exceeding $1,000) under 18 U.S.C. § 1361 is a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both. "
Considering the magnitude of the damage done, 10 years in prison is reasonable.
Fined? Trump should be thrown in jail. Talk about irreparable damage! The East Wing is gone and he had no authority to take it down.
That is a possibility, as I understand it. Legal works underway, which is why the hole is still a mess.
Can someone get a restraining order against further demolition and construction? The issue remains, who will enforce violations of any order? Still, any successful legal action against him becomes part of a record.
what happens when the cops yell come out with your hands up in front of the white house.....about 100 perps come out
I don’t know what happens, but I sure would like to be there to see it!
Many thanks and bravos to Judge Leon!! !!!! This is just the kind of straight talk we need to hear from members of Congress and from foreign leaders. !!!!!
At long last, someone with both a brain AND a spine, calling out drumpf for what he is: a con man. I pray this puts a stop to ALL of drumpf's property grabs and guttings and rebuilds in his version of "beautiful" and make him pay for all the damages and rebuilds back to what we Americans consider beautiful. That White House IS ours; not his. It is only on loan to him and anyone who was there before or will be there after. If any public library loans you a book and you deface it, you will pay full price for its replacement.
Leave the hole for the duration of Trump’s time in office, as a monument to his ego and selfishness. The next Congress and President can put it right. Keep the tiny grasping fingers of Donald off the People’s property.
Why should taxpayer money be spent on restoring something that they didn't pay to have destroyed? Trump has made millions, possibly billions off of his presidency. Attach those funds to rebuild the East Wing to the original appearance.
Indeed. Perhaps the next administration can sue Trump for the funds! He’s got quite q personal “war chest” built up. In any case, NO to the odious “ ballroom” and NO to Trump’s batcave.
This issue pales compared with Epstein.
Trump can't let Bondi testify under oath.... I estimate that inside DOJ there are still 20-30 witnesses that Trump can't let testify.....
Many more DOJ veterans (like Marie Villefana and Maureen Comey) can say what they saw.... He can't let them testify.
Yes, the president's entanglement with Epstein's crimes is far more important. But the East Wing demolition is a concrete, simple-to-grasp issue that captured people's interest and mobilized their anger. It's a plus for those wanting to bring down this president.
Apropos of a recent comment here, Daniel, maybe you could repost your comment of a few days ago about the requirement to replace buildings demolished in violation of landmark laws?
Can't let them testify? Please! If Congress subpoenas, they must show up or stand in contempt of Congress. What's Trump going to do to stop them, kill them as ICE did to Good and Pretti?
He invokes executive privilege or some such thing, and the underlings in question being loyal MAGA followers, will follow his executive privilege thingy and not testify, saying let the courts settle it.
I am not at all sure that the MAGA Republican majority is going to try and enforce its contempt of Congress in the face of their president’s opposition.
And I am not certain that many of the MAGApublicans are more concerned about how voters feel about their forgotten promises and support than the Threat of Trump these days. Some are finally getting tired of going to bat for the crazy old fool.
He'll try to intimidate them. I predict the 5th Amendment....
That's more likely. Thier resolve to stand and tell the truth will be in question.
It's not that one issue is more important than the last. It's the constant onslaught and the intersecting nature of the destruction: Epstein, Putin, real estate deals, cryto deals, weapons deals all over the world, ICE detention centers, graft, stock market manipulation, selling off of public lands, sowing hate against fellow Americans . . . At each new travestry, you think--is this the red line in the sand? Will this be the last straw? And it NEVER IS.
Congress must require the West Wing be rebuilt in an exact replication of the one torn down by the worst human alive. There also be an injunction to prohibit the ridiculous arc de failure trump wants to build destroying the view from Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery.
East Wing, but yeah.
Thank you, Judge Leon! And.....thank you, Jennifer, for recognizing his great work on behalf of the American people.
I think it takes guts to stand up to Trump and I applaud Judge Leon for doing so. If Congress is forced to vote on this ridiculous ballroom, it will force Republicans to pick their side - either with the billionaires who would be the only ones enjoying it, or with the rest of us who see the White House belonging to the people of this country. The opulence will stand in marked contrast to the rise in cost of living that is affecting the rest of us. Let them make their choice!
They haven't done a great job on choices to date.
I'm also wondering what, if any, effect this will have on the Burger King's other projects: the Golden Arches, taking over those public golf courses, etc. ? Let's hope he falls as flat on those, er, erections....
Trump talks often about how constructing this monstrosity comes at no cost to Americans. However, if and when it is built, we will be footing the bill for the increased staff, utilities, food, maintenance. Let us eat cake!
I'm from Europe, but I guess donations can be deducted from taxes in the U.S. like in the European Union. Thus, a loss of taxes paid will, indeed, be cost to Americans.
As our last college president said, "this is a donated gift that will keep on eating" as the cost of it will continue long after the donation to build it evaporates.
Also: what about the issue of bribery? What will all these donors want in return? Are these anonymous "donations" even legal?
Thanks for the detailed synopsis Jen!
Since he already destroyed the East Wing without approval I fear he could just continue. Also, even if not, who is going to replace it with like building. He just destroys never builds.
What of the contractors who tore down the east wing. Do they have no responsibility to know if what they were contracted to do was illegal? Not to necessarily blame them but I was wondering if anyone knows. Were there no permits that needed to be issued?
Good question. I know my city requires permits for tearing down part of my house, even if self-funded, and any construction company that worked without one in place would likely find itself out of a business license.
This is why I asked the question. It seems to me that it should be an issue and if it’s not I’d like to know why. But I can’t find any concern about it or any issue with the contractors themselves.
What happens to the hundreds of millions of dollars raised from corporations for the project? We should not forget that they are culpable for supporting an illegal project. Their names should be etched on an ignominious placard calling attention to their obsequious willingness to fund the destruction of property belonging to the American people without Congressional approval. It should not be a surprise to them that we have laws and a Constitution and that these can’t be ignored just because Trump says so. Their brand names should be held accountable for this.
Thank you Jen for recognizing Judge Leon’s ruling in the ballroom fiasco! I celebrate every and all prodemocracy wins.
We are in this for the long hall! We are Contrarians!! We have to be in this fight every day with a sense of pride, joy, and thankfulness. We each need to find our own role in this fight and on our mission for today! Please, lift up your fellow Contrarians, neighbors and community members throughout your day and join a prodemocracy organization of your choice to support our pushback!!
Arrest Trump already! And don't forget the EPSTIEN FILES!
I think Judge Leon would make an excellent Attorney General.
I'd like to see opinions like this coming from the Supreme Court. !!!! "Please!"