What does a TRUMP presidency look like?

[Tonitrus]

Maybe so...but if he gave the standard, blasé response along the lines of "we oppose the use of threats and intimidation tactics on a serious political issue", he'd also get blasted for not willing to stand up and fight.

Congressional Dems are definitely suffering the fact that when you are in the minority, you are almost completely impotent.  This shutdown game of chicken is the only leverage they have, and it is a bad one when you're playing chicken with psychopaths who are happy to run into you. 

[grumbler]

It's best not to play Trump's game but, if you are going to, at least come up with better lines than "Malignant political hack" and "Get lost."

But a convincing argument has been made here that Trump's political advantage is that he is "authentic" and the Democrats are not.

"Malignant political hack" and "Get lost" sound more authentic than "we view with grave concern."

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

Agreed.  Jeffries' phrasing is that of "someone who tells it like it is".  I don't think there's anything particularly Trumpian about that; it just seems that way because the consultant-driven Democratic leaders have just refused to talk that way until now.

[crazy canuck]

As someone looking on from the sidelines, my thought was it is about time someone used plain clear language to describe what is happening

[Sheilbh]

But a convincing argument has been made here that Trump's political advantage is that he is "authentic" and the Democrats are not.

"Malignant political hack" and "Get lost" sound more authentic than "we view with grave concern."

Maybe - what is authentic for Jeffries would surely depend on his affect and public persona.

On DG's point there's many examples (especially of Republicans) of politicians trying to perform as Trump and it really not working because that's not authentic to them/their persona.

[Savonarola]

Former FBI Director James Comey indicted

The charges were presented by Lindsey Halligan, Trump's former personal attorney and the new top prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia. She was not accompanied by any career prosecutor and is the only Justice Department official who signed the charging documents.

Erik Siebert was the former prosecutor in the role which Halligan now occupies.  He resigned rather than indict Comey.

[The Minsky Moment]

Halligan is totally out of her depth.  This will be an embarrassment for her office but her real job is keeping Trump happy so no matter.

[grumbler]

Former FBI Director James Comey indicted

The charges were presented by Lindsey Halligan, Trump's former personal attorney and the new top prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia. She was not accompanied by any career prosecutor and is the only Justice Department official who signed the charging documents.

Erik Siebert was the former prosecutor in the role which Halligan now occupies.  He resigned rather than indict Comey.

And Todd Gilbert, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia, abruptly resigned over the summer after the Trump administration pushed to have charges filed against Comey over the fact that there existed multiple computer copies of the Russia investigation at the FBI's document storage facility in Winchester.

The Democrats need to exploit this blatant corruption.

[crazy canuck]

This is small potatoes in the context of everything else that is happening.  And if this happened in the before times it would be shocking.

[Savonarola]

This is small potatoes in the context of everything else that is happening.  And if this happened in the before times it would be shocking.

Yes, you are right.  I thought this (and the steps Trump took to insure the indictment) was shocking enough that it would be the dominant story throughout the weekend, but it looks like most major US stories now have made Netanyahu's speech to the UN (and the walkout) the headline.  (NPR's lead story is how escalator safety mechanisms work.)

[The Minsky Moment]

It's a very serious subversion of criminal process, much worse than anything Nixon did. It's a complete elimination of any independence of the US Attorneys offices - again, even Nixon never went that far.

It's really a very sizable potato; it's just hard to notice it drowning in the Ocean of Mashed Potatoes.  But that's exactly what these guys count on.  Spread the field.

[The Brain]

So apparently Hegseth has called all generals and admirals (about 800 staff in all, brigadier-general or above) to attend an important meeting at a marine base on Sep 30th?

Vaguely concerning if true.

Loyalty oaths?
True believers will sign.  Rest will resign or be fired.

Haven't they already sworn to support and defend the Constitution against domestic enemies? Since that was BS, officers probably won't be too bothered by a new bogus oath.

[Norgy]

Knowing Hegseth's methods, he will probably serve some tequila and throw axes at these people.

I repeat, I am so happy he has Norwegian heritage. Such a stand-up bloke in every way.

[Savonarola]

Trump demands Microsoft fire Lisa Monaco

Current president of Microsoft's Global Affairs, and previously Deputy Attorney General during the Biden administration.  Trump's Truth Social post:

Corrupt and Totally Trump Deranged Lisa Monaco (A purported pawn of Legal Lightweight Andrew Weissmann), was a senior National Security aide under Barack Hussein Obama, and a Lawfare and Weaponization obsessed Deputy Attorney General under Crooked Joe Biden and Lisa's Puppet "Boss" Attorney General Merrick Garland, who were all the architects of the worst ever Deep State Conspiracies against our Country (RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, the January 6th Hoax, the Illegal Raid on Mar-a-Lago, the Biden "Autopen" Scandal, the Documents Witch Hunt, and more!). Monaco has been shockingly hired as the President of Global Affairs for Microsoft, in a very senior role with access to Highly Sensitive Information. Monaco's having that kind of access is unacceptable, and cannot be allowed to stand. She is a menace to U.S. National Security, especially given the major contracts that Microsoft has with the United States Government. Because of Monaco's many wrongful acts, the U.S. Government recently stripped her of all Security Clearances, took away all of her access to National Security Intelligence, and banned her from all Federal Properties. It is my opinion that Microsoft should immediately terminate the employment of Lisa Monaco. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT

[Savonarola]

And Donald J. Trump, keeping the white man down   

From CNN:

Trump says he's sending troops to Portland to protect ICE facilities

President Donald Trump said Saturday he will send troops to Portland, Oregon, a city he described as "war ravaged," to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities he claimed are "under siege" by Antifa and "other domestic terrorists."

"At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary," Trump wrote in a social media post.

The White House did not provide additional comment when reached by CNN for clarification on what the president meant by "full force" and which troops would be sent to the city. In a statement Saturday, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin claimed the action is being taken after "weeks of violent riots at ICE facilities" and attacks against law enforcement.

"We will not allow Antifa domestic terrorists to deter us in our mission to make America safe, and those who try will be held accountable," McLaughlin said.

It's the latest example of Trump's willingness to use the military in extraordinary ways as part of his push to reduce crime in American cities. He deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles in June and to Washington, DC, last month. He has also threatened to send troops to several other Democratic-led cities, such as Baltimore and Chicago.

Shortly after the president's post, McLaughlin said on Fox News the Trump administration is investigating the "highly organized" nature of protests in certain American cities, claiming that some are being paid and funded. There is no evidence of McLaughlin's claims.

"Whether it be in Portland, whether it be in Chicago or otherwise, we will bring the resources we need to make sure that Americans are safe," she added.

State and local leaders, including US Sen. Jeff Merkley, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, US Rep. Maxine Dexter and City Council members, urged the community to stay peaceful at a news conference on Friday night, according to CNN affiliate KPTV, after the city saw an increase in activity by federal agents.

"Here is what I do know – the president has sent agents here to create chaos and riots here in Portland, to induce a reaction. To induce protests. To induce conflicts. His goal is to make Portland look as he was describing it as," Merkley said. "Our job is to say, 'We are not going to take the bait.'"

Wilson in a statement Saturday said there is no need to send troops, adding the president "will not find lawlessness or violence here unless he plans to perpetrate it."

"Imagine if the federal government sent hundreds of engineers, or teachers, or outreach workers to Portland, instead of a short, expensive, and fruitless show of force," the mayor wrote.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek wrote on social media Saturday her office had not been notified why the troops were being deployed.

"My office is reaching out to the White House and Homeland Security for more information. We have been provided no information on the reason or purpose of any military mission," Kotek wrote. "There is no national security threat in Portland. Our communities are safe and calm."

She posted on X later Saturday that she had conversations with Trump and Noem, during which she relayed that Portland and Oregon can "manage our own local public safety needs."

Trump's announcement comes after a shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas by a gunman who investigators believe intended to target ICE personnel and property. He killed one detainee and seriously injured two others.

An ICE facility about 2 miles south of downtown Portland has been at the center of almost constant protests throughout the summer. Most of the demonstrations have been peaceful, but some have ended in the deployment of tear gas and resulted in the facility being closed for several days over the summer.

Trump forecast action in Portland on Thursday, repeating the claim to reporters that protesters are being paid "a lot of money" to generate chaos.

"We're going to get out there, and we're gonna do a pretty big number on those people in Portland that are doing that. They're professional agitators and anarchists," Trump said.

Trump earlier this month designated Antifa – the loose factions of black-clad leftists or anarchists who show up at protests opposing the police or government – as a "major terrorist organization." The White House has emphasized incidents in Portland, home to one of the oldest organizations in the country to carry the Antifa moniker, in its statements about the designation.

Department of Homeland Security law enforcement officials were deployed to downtown Portland in 2020, during Trump's first term, due to protests after the murder of George Floyd.

"I'm going to look at it now, because I didn't know that was still going on. This has been going on for years," Trump said earlier this month.

I'm fully aware that if Trump, like Petruchio, were to insist that the sun was the moon then MAGA Nation would believe him.  I'm still surprised that anyone who has ever been there, including MAGAnauts, would believe Portland, Oregon is a war zone.