The court checked Trump’s tariff overreach; but his war on co-equal power is just beginning. This isn’t trade policy; it’s a test run for dismantling democracy, one branch at a time.
More than cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, SS, etc., I worry about what is embedded in the Big Beautiful Bill that will give him executive power to cancel elections and ignore the courts, that is what keeps me up at night because then it is over. This would eliminate the balance of power, putting one man over the Constitution.
Robert Reich has cited a deadly serious component of one of the myriad amendments to the Big Ugly Bill. One that should ignite a firestorm of controversy because it invalidates ANY Federal court's use of contempt citations to enforce its rulings. Thus eviscerating the legislative authority to oppose the administration's agendas. Here is the exact wording from the amendment:
“No court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued …”
Translated: no federal court may enforce a contempt citation.
Thank you for pointing this authoritarian play buried in the text of the bill out! This must be shared so the voters are aware!!! Permission to copy and paste? Should l include your name, or only Robert Reich’s?
Robert Reich was the direct source for the information as well as the verbatim language quoted in the amendment. He deserves all the credit. My name is unimportant but I felt it tremendously important to spread the awareness of this situation. As it represents a virtual license for dictatorial decrees in the guise of Executive Orders to completely disregard the authority of all the Federal courts, including SCOTUS.
The language in this single simple paragraph sneaked into the BBB provides the mechanism to obliterates the checks and balances of power granted to the legislative branch. A giant red neon sign of impending democratic crises yet to come.
I think Robert Reich is aiming to be named Board Chairman at Internet Political Scaremongers, Inc. Either that or he doesn't really understand actual politics, which has seemed pretty apparent since back in the Obama Administration.
Thune has said that the Senate will take up the One Big Beautiful Shit AFTER it has been "cleaned up" using the Byrd Rule (which isn't just a rule; it's a law). The Byrd Rule says that a reconciliation bill MAY NOT have anything in it which is not directly related to raising or spending funds. In other words, all the culture war bullshit will not survive further.
Of course, Internet Political Scaremongers Inc. aren't going to mention this since it would prevent you getting scared and giving them clicks and money.
You don’t need a road map to see the path to fascism. It’s in the history books, at least the ones the MAGA censors haven’t banned. Go, Michael. Keep it up!
Why must we bother with thinking of ways to take this beast down? Why bother with lawsuits that we know are temporary and will eventually be blown away? Doesn’t anybody in the military have any guts at all? This evil man and his ass-licking cabinet need to be forced out of their offices at once and removed to prison where they all belong without due process, legal counsel or hope of parole.
We are headed in a direction that is so off course I’m fearful that we will not be able to recover. Please keep your substack going. You are awakening more people than you realize. Please who treads these Substack jeep sharing. Together we are stronger.
Good morning Michael. You know him better than any of us. But we do see his insanity, his hatred, his refusal to accept any law. Or any piece of paper that he refuses to follow. Constitution anyone? Hello in there. I'm so proud of the masses that are not folding, that have not given up the fight. Believe me, during our protests I see the strength! Thanks for your great writing, it keeps us going!
Love how you write! Succinctly, right amount of sarcasm, and most importantly from an insiders perspective on the corrupt, incompetent ,treasonous bully’s ego. Thx.
I agree, Michael, this is just another part of this regime's plan to eliminate all checks and balances from government, other than trump's executive powers. Good read this morning ☕ and will reStack ASAP 💯👍
The Attorney General Pam Bondi has declared subservience to Trump in her memorandum for all department employees on February 5, 2025. The subject of the memorandum subject: GENERAL POLICY REGARDING ZEALOUS ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES! she then goes on to state “ the responsibilities of department of justice attorneys include not only aggressively, enforcing criminal and civil laws enacted by Congress, but also vigorously defending presidential policies and actions against legal challenges on behalf of the United States”. She then goes on to state that any Attorney “who declines to appear in court or sign briefs” (in cases where judgement dictates doing so would violate the law and their oath of office) “ deprives the President of the benefit of his lawyers”. They are NOT the Presidents lawyers! They are the United States lawyers.
Another article where MC hits the nail on the head! There is a world of pain coming America's way unless, like MC says, Congress grows a spine. Sadly, I see zero evidence that is happening.
Now let’s fix national security. National Security is bipartisan and we all need smart, honest, competent leadership. Make America Secure. Tulsi, Noem, Hegseth, need to be replaced for all our security.
I have often wondered the same thing. I'm old enough to remember when JFK was president and have felt that the optimistic spirit he inspired in this country died when he died. If JFK Jr. could have inspired even half the spirit of optimism that his father did, it would be so much better than the hateful MAGA atmosphere we live in today.
Thank you Michael, every single word you spoke is truth. As chaotic as it has been, what keeps me up at night is knowing it’s going to get worse. Like you I’m afraid our nation is going to be so far gone that it will take years to recover. But as long as he has the House, Senate and the Supreme Court, he’s just going to keep causing havoc. Bless the judges, law firms, universities and all the others who are fighting back. We all need to keep up the good fight.
I am a supporter, however, I am concerned that no one paid attention to Trump giving credit to musk on how he helped him, win the election by communicating with those ballot counting machines. That makes me think something underhanded happened with maybe algorithms. A few companies have mapped out discrepancies in the voting patterns.
.On October, he said he didn’t need votes, he had enough. Trump is doing what he can before he actually gets caught. the things he’s doing makes no sense. I think that’s why musk had so much room to do whatever he wanted.. This election was so important to Trump not just to be president but to stay out of jail .. He probably made a deal with Trump that if I get you elected, then you have to give me card Blanc. What else would explain Trump sitting at his desk in the oval office and musk taking over seeming to make all the decisions while his four year old son taunted and teased Trump saying things like you’re not the president and shut up., shut your mouth. Well it’s a thought.. Think about it.
More than cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, SS, etc., I worry about what is embedded in the Big Beautiful Bill that will give him executive power to cancel elections and ignore the courts, that is what keeps me up at night because then it is over. This would eliminate the balance of power, putting one man over the Constitution.
Robert Reich has cited a deadly serious component of one of the myriad amendments to the Big Ugly Bill. One that should ignite a firestorm of controversy because it invalidates ANY Federal court's use of contempt citations to enforce its rulings. Thus eviscerating the legislative authority to oppose the administration's agendas. Here is the exact wording from the amendment:
“No court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued …”
Translated: no federal court may enforce a contempt citation.
Thank you for pointing this authoritarian play buried in the text of the bill out! This must be shared so the voters are aware!!! Permission to copy and paste? Should l include your name, or only Robert Reich’s?
Permission to copy and paste not just granted, but as strongly encouraged as possible. Thank you for reading my words.
Thank you. We need to spread the word!
Robert Reich was the direct source for the information as well as the verbatim language quoted in the amendment. He deserves all the credit. My name is unimportant but I felt it tremendously important to spread the awareness of this situation. As it represents a virtual license for dictatorial decrees in the guise of Executive Orders to completely disregard the authority of all the Federal courts, including SCOTUS.
The language in this single simple paragraph sneaked into the BBB provides the mechanism to obliterates the checks and balances of power granted to the legislative branch. A giant red neon sign of impending democratic crises yet to come.
I think Robert Reich is aiming to be named Board Chairman at Internet Political Scaremongers, Inc. Either that or he doesn't really understand actual politics, which has seemed pretty apparent since back in the Obama Administration.
One mentally challenged man!
Thune has said that the Senate will take up the One Big Beautiful Shit AFTER it has been "cleaned up" using the Byrd Rule (which isn't just a rule; it's a law). The Byrd Rule says that a reconciliation bill MAY NOT have anything in it which is not directly related to raising or spending funds. In other words, all the culture war bullshit will not survive further.
Of course, Internet Political Scaremongers Inc. aren't going to mention this since it would prevent you getting scared and giving them clicks and money.
Yes, I knew of the Byrd Rule, thanks for reminding me. Question is, do we trust they will follow the “Rule”! 🥴
You don’t need a road map to see the path to fascism. It’s in the history books, at least the ones the MAGA censors haven’t banned. Go, Michael. Keep it up!
Do stop this damn dumb ass reconciliation bill! That will make a big statement! Deny every executive order going forward. NO CUTS NO PARADE
NO PLANE
NO GOLF
NO TWEETS
NO EXECUTIVE ORDERS
NO WH ADVISORS
NO EXECPTIONS
LEARN HOW TO BE PRESIDENT!!!
Love it Wanda. !
Why must we bother with thinking of ways to take this beast down? Why bother with lawsuits that we know are temporary and will eventually be blown away? Doesn’t anybody in the military have any guts at all? This evil man and his ass-licking cabinet need to be forced out of their offices at once and removed to prison where they all belong without due process, legal counsel or hope of parole.
We are headed in a direction that is so off course I’m fearful that we will not be able to recover. Please keep your substack going. You are awakening more people than you realize. Please who treads these Substack jeep sharing. Together we are stronger.
Good morning Michael. You know him better than any of us. But we do see his insanity, his hatred, his refusal to accept any law. Or any piece of paper that he refuses to follow. Constitution anyone? Hello in there. I'm so proud of the masses that are not folding, that have not given up the fight. Believe me, during our protests I see the strength! Thanks for your great writing, it keeps us going!
Love how you write! Succinctly, right amount of sarcasm, and most importantly from an insiders perspective on the corrupt, incompetent ,treasonous bully’s ego. Thx.
I agree, Michael, this is just another part of this regime's plan to eliminate all checks and balances from government, other than trump's executive powers. Good read this morning ☕ and will reStack ASAP 💯👍
The Attorney General Pam Bondi has declared subservience to Trump in her memorandum for all department employees on February 5, 2025. The subject of the memorandum subject: GENERAL POLICY REGARDING ZEALOUS ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES! she then goes on to state “ the responsibilities of department of justice attorneys include not only aggressively, enforcing criminal and civil laws enacted by Congress, but also vigorously defending presidential policies and actions against legal challenges on behalf of the United States”. She then goes on to state that any Attorney “who declines to appear in court or sign briefs” (in cases where judgement dictates doing so would violate the law and their oath of office) “ deprives the President of the benefit of his lawyers”. They are NOT the Presidents lawyers! They are the United States lawyers.
You do speak the truth; trump won't take NO for an answer. He's a crazed toddler.
Keep up the good fight, Michael!
Another article where MC hits the nail on the head! There is a world of pain coming America's way unless, like MC says, Congress grows a spine. Sadly, I see zero evidence that is happening.
Now let’s fix national security. National Security is bipartisan and we all need smart, honest, competent leadership. Make America Secure. Tulsi, Noem, Hegseth, need to be replaced for all our security.
I wonder how things would be different today had JFK Jr. not been lost on that airplane.
I have often wondered the same thing. I'm old enough to remember when JFK was president and have felt that the optimistic spirit he inspired in this country died when he died. If JFK Jr. could have inspired even half the spirit of optimism that his father did, it would be so much better than the hateful MAGA atmosphere we live in today.
Good morning Michael, great article as always.
Thank you Michael, every single word you spoke is truth. As chaotic as it has been, what keeps me up at night is knowing it’s going to get worse. Like you I’m afraid our nation is going to be so far gone that it will take years to recover. But as long as he has the House, Senate and the Supreme Court, he’s just going to keep causing havoc. Bless the judges, law firms, universities and all the others who are fighting back. We all need to keep up the good fight.
I am a supporter, however, I am concerned that no one paid attention to Trump giving credit to musk on how he helped him, win the election by communicating with those ballot counting machines. That makes me think something underhanded happened with maybe algorithms. A few companies have mapped out discrepancies in the voting patterns.
.On October, he said he didn’t need votes, he had enough. Trump is doing what he can before he actually gets caught. the things he’s doing makes no sense. I think that’s why musk had so much room to do whatever he wanted.. This election was so important to Trump not just to be president but to stay out of jail .. He probably made a deal with Trump that if I get you elected, then you have to give me card Blanc. What else would explain Trump sitting at his desk in the oval office and musk taking over seeming to make all the decisions while his four year old son taunted and teased Trump saying things like you’re not the president and shut up., shut your mouth. Well it’s a thought.. Think about it.