emptywheel
Coverage of American authoritarianism with a focus on legal cases. An American-Irish in Limerick, Ireland.
Legendary potty mouth!
- Let's unpack the dogshit that Jake Tapper & Alex Thompson unpacked. First, nowhere in their first BIG SCOOP do they consider that one of America's most consequential presidents used a wheelchair -- and hid that fact -- for 12 years of the presidency. Then remember this book sells MENTAL decline.
- I corrected the propaganda.
- Rosa DeLauro is one reason I think the sweeping ageism among Dems is a problem. Lots of younger colleagues are not doing this.
- Today, I walked the line with the hardworking members of @iamunion.bsky.social on their 5th day of demanding a contract that reflects the immense value they bring to Pratt & Whitney, Connecticut, and our national security.
- I think we need to get better at whatabout statements. Whatabout statements are important; they mark right wing hypocrisy. But what if we build in more? If @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social said, "Donald Trump admits he's not able to exercise self-control Obama did," it'd ring differently.
- On top of this being stupid and being trackable, it also ONCE AGAIN breaches the line between govt and Xitter. Someone needs to start suing for 1A given how much Trump has turned Xitter into a .gov platform.
- The Afrikaner stunt is the kind of thing that has backfired so far -- it creates legal arguments for other refugees about animus. But holy hell he's not hiding the white sheets.
- Maggie Haberman stated as fact that only Democrats and govt watchdogs have "suggested" that getting a free plane is a violation of the emoluments clause and that's really weird bc I'm pretty sure Ed Whelan is no Democrat (and he's not the only one). www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05...
- @carriejohnson.bsky.social describes how Pam Bondi's brother falsely accused his DC Bar opponent of saying something that @gtconway.bsky.social actually said. www.npr.org/2025/05/12/g...
- Remember that several people asked Pam Bondi during confirmation SPECIFICALLY what she would do on matters pertaining to Qatar (which she did not disclose) or GEO (pertinent to the Baraka arrest). She said she'd consult top career lawyer at DOJ abt recusal. Then she fired that lawyer.
- I'm increasingly struggling with the fact that right wing members of Congress keep going to a concentration camp run by their favorite dictator, as if it's some kind of amusement park or sex club, and there's almost no backlash.
