Weekend Open Thread
[guest post by Dana]
Let’s go!
First news item
The Supreme Court ruled Friday that a controversial ban on TikTok may take effect this weekend, rejecting an appeal from the popular app’s owners that claimed the ban violated the First Amendment.
Opinion here.
Ah:
TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to accept an invitation from President-elect Donald Trump to attend his inauguration.
Chew will be seated front and center on the dais with other VIP guests and fellow tech executives Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.
. . .
Trump is now considering an executive order to suspend enforcement of the law requiring TikTok to divest from Chinese-owned ByteDance or face a ban in the U.S. for 60 to 90 days, according to the Washington Post, to buy time to negotiate a sale or some other solution.
Trump’s defense of TikTok marks a reversal from his position in 2020, when he tried to block the video-sharing app in the U.S. and force its sale to a U.S. company.
Second news item
New federal agency forming, if met with Congressional approval:
President-elect Donald Trump. . .announced plans to create a new agency called the External Revenue Service to collect tariffs and other revenues from foreign nations.
“We will begin charging those that make money off of us with Trade, and they will start paying,” Trump said Tuesday on his social media site, Truth Social. He compared his planned creation to the Internal Revenue Service, which is the nation’s domestic tax collector.
Third news item
What Trump intends to do on Day One:
Close the US-Mexico border
Begin what Trump says will be “the largest deportation program in American history”
Reinstate a travel ban that restricts — to varying degrees — entry from Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Venezuela; expand the ban to include refugees from Gaza
Sign an executive order declaring that children born in the US to undocumented immigrants do not automatically gain US citizenship
Expedite permits for drilling and fracking
Roll back environmental regulations
Undo President Joe Biden’s action to permanently ban future offshore oil and gas development in parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, though this would require congressional action
Pardon people convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol
Sign an executive order that would cut federal funding for any school “pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content onto the lives of our children.”
Roll back President Joe Biden’s electric vehicle policies
Enact tariffs on goods coming in from Mexico, Canada and China
Create an “External Revenue Service” to collect funds from Trump’s promised tariffs and all revenue from “foreign sources”
Fourth news item
U.K. partnership with Ukraine:
British peacekeepers could be sent to Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky suggested, as Sir Keir Starmer pledged “more military support than ever” for the war-torn country.
The Ukrainian president confirmed the pair had held discussions over a French proposal which could see Nato troops used to monitor a post-war ceasefire after a meeting in Kyiv on Thursday.
But Mr Zelensky told a news conference that it was “a bit too early to talk about details” of the plan.
It came as Sir Keir arrived in Kyiv on a surprise visit to unveil a new 100-year partnership to boost Ukraine’s maritime security and economic recovery.
Fifth news item
Russia continues to clamp down on dissent:
Three lawyers who once represented the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny were convicted by a court Friday as part of the Kremlin’s crackdown on dissent that has reached levels unseen since Soviet times.
Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin and Alexei Liptser were already in custody and were given sentences from 3 1/2 to five years by a court in the town of Petushki, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Moscow. They were arrested in October 2023 on charges of involvement with extremist groups, as Navalny’s networks were deemed by authorities.
The case was widely seen as a way to increase pressure on the opposition to discourage defense lawyers from taking political cases.
Sixth news item
Final vote comes later today:
The Israeli security cabinet on Friday approved the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal announced in Qatar on Wednesday, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
The 11 voting members of the security cabinet approved the deal with a simple majority vote.
The full, 33-member Israeli cabinet still needs to approve the agreement.
Have a good weekend.
—Dana
Hello.
Dana (dedf09) — 1/17/2025 @ 7:42 amUnder what authority does Trump have to suspend the enforcement of Tok’s bannings??
Is it the same one that Biden used to forgive student loans or the rent moratorium?
whembly (477db6) — 1/17/2025 @ 7:49 amYes. Economic consequences be damned. The closure should only be done until the border is adequately under control and then reopened in a measured fashion. (can’t see it taking longer than a few weeks if not a months).
Do it.
Do it.
Will be challenged in courts and need to navigate to SCOTUS for them to make the ultimate ruling. Will probably take the entirety of Trump’s administration. I would anticipate SCOTUS would rule against, and clarify that Congress must pass legislation to make that determination. Which, is a good thing as it squarely places the ball in Congress’ court to make it a political issue (which Congress really doesn’t want).
Do it.
Hell yeah.
I don’t think so. Under Unitary theory of article 2 of the constitution, previous administration’s action cannot bind the subsequent administration.
Congress cannot pass a law that says particular administration EO on a particular law is binding to future administration (in sense, Congress cannot delegate law making in a way that binds future presidents. Congress must pass a NEW law to actually do so.). All EOs are open to reversal from future administration.
Yes. With apology and compensation.
Do it.
Do it.
So long as it’s targetted and resets the table… do it.
That’s likely will be challenged as unconstitutional and I think that’s right.
whembly (477db6) — 1/17/2025 @ 7:58 am3. A+ (except that anyone that committed actual violence or theft on 1-6 is maybe outside the pardon zone)
Harcourt Fenton Mudd (0c5cc8) — 1/17/2025 @ 8:03 am@2
So… president Trump *can* give a one time 90 days extension:
whembly (477db6) — 1/17/2025 @ 8:03 am@4
Under normal circumstances, I’d agree. Under normal circumstances, the J6er would only be applied to those who “committed actual violence or theft”.
But, that’s not what happened. It became politically charged and certain segments of government officials went absolutely overboard and the prosecution/conviction became political, instead of seeking “justice”.
So, how do we signal to these government prosecutors and judges that their overzealous prosecutions are unacceptable? They can’t be sued.
The only thing that CAN be done, is to issue a broad pardon, thereby making it so that those overzealous Judges and Prosecutors essentially wasted their time on this.
So that the NEXT time something as political charged happens again, these same prosecutors and judges learns the lesson of the Pardoned J6er™, and only pursue cases with strict good-faith investigation/prosecution/conviction absent of any political taints.
whembly (477db6) — 1/17/2025 @ 8:09 amI don’t object to most of Trump’s Day One stuff, except for his inflationary tariffs and his violating the 14th Amendment.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/17/2025 @ 8:13 amAnd congrats to Dana for another release of the White Album. 🙂
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/17/2025 @ 8:33 amThanks, Paul. Fixed. Good thing I don’t get paid for this gig, considering dumb mistakes like forgetting a title, now occurring on a semi-regular basis.🙄
Dana (6d512b) — 1/17/2025 @ 8:54 amI applaud his effort on birthright citizenship for a reason you may not expect. This will force the Supreme Court to give a single coherent opinion on the matter. IMO, their previous rulings were of narrow scope and it has led to the confusion, both honest and otherwise, as to whether or not the Founding Fathers and the drafters of The Fourteenth Amendment really meant to give away citizenship without allegiance.
I look forward to the court battle.
BuDuh (4214e4) — 1/17/2025 @ 8:58 amSince Trump can only grant an extension if there is progress toward a sale, any other attempt to do so would be legally questionable if not unconstitutional:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 9:01 amJust as Trump can’t issue an executive order to undo a law approved by Congress and signed by the President, he can’t issue an executive order to overturn a Supreme Court decision.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 9:03 amSad!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 9:08 amThe temperature on Monday is expected to be in the low-20s, which is around 20 degrees below normal.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 9:09 amWhat Trump intends to do on Day One:
Close the US-Mexico border
So, all those frat boys who spent the weekend in TJ are stuck there?
Begin what Trump says will be “the largest deportation program in American history”
The Devil is in the details, but yeah.
Reinstate a travel ban that restricts — to varying degrees — entry from Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Venezuela; expand the ban to include refugees from Gaza
Why? The only ones you really want to keep out have diplomatic passports.
Sign an executive order declaring that children born in the US to undocumented immigrants do not automatically gain US citizenship
Seems unconstitutional.
Expedite permits for drilling and fracking
Drill baby drill.
Roll back environmental regulations
Which ones? I’m more concerned with environmental laws that are constantly weaponized due to broad standing grants.
Undo President Joe Biden’s action to permanently ban future offshore oil and gas development in parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, though this would require congressional action
Yeah, OK. But I bet that Florida remains off-limits.
Pardon people convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol
THis is the acid test, and it will likely be influenced by any blanket pardons Biden gives his
bagmenaides.Sign an executive order that would cut federal funding for any school “pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content onto the lives of our children.”
In theory, great. In practice? Can they talk about climate change or history?
Roll back President Joe Biden’s electric vehicle policies
The People are mostly doing this themselves.
Enact tariffs on goods coming in from Mexico, Canada and China
How about putting them all on China?
Create an “External Revenue Service” to collect funds from Trump’s promised tariffs and all revenue from “foreign sources”
Well, tariffs themselves are paid by the importer*, so this is normally done by Customs. Why do we need a separate agency?
——
* yes, I know they function as a sin tax on the end user, but they are PAID by the importer.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 9:30 amSign an executive order that would cut federal funding for any school “pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content onto the lives of our children.”
You would need a Department of Education to enforce this. Better is to cut all federal funding of education and close the department.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 9:33 amJust as Trump can’t issue an executive order to undo a law approved by Congress and signed by the President
I would agree with this had not Biden, Obama and other presidents ignored Immigration Law. What is DACA, for example?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 9:40 amI would hope that, in all of this, the Supremes put a clear boundary on the scope of executive orders before we get to the ruling-by-decree we see in California.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 9:42 amAs for Ukraine, I’d like to see NATO troops in Donbas. Or Kursk.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 9:43 am> > Roll back environmental regulations
> Hell yeah.
Who needs clean air and water when there’s profit to be made? If people want clean air and water, they can pay for air and water purifiers themselves.
aphrael (dbf41f) — 1/17/2025 @ 9:58 am> So, all those frat boys who spent the weekend in TJ are stuck there?
I’ve been curious about this, too.
I’m pretty sure it only applies to the *land* border, and that air and sea travel will still be allowed.
I’m also pretty sure it’s a naming myth because i’m certain there are exceptions for, say, the shipment of *physical goods* (like the parts made in factories in border towns and shippde back to the US for use).
So i wonder if this is more “close the US border for foreign nationals” or something.
aphrael (dbf41f) — 1/17/2025 @ 10:01 amTrump’s inauguration has been moved indoors, due to near-zero temperatures. I’m sure the Secret Service is relieved.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 10:08 am@20 Oh man, not only is it the End of the Republic, but the end of clean air and water.
lloyd (11d69b) — 1/17/2025 @ 10:20 am10, BuhDuh: yes its about time this was decided by someone out in the open. Birth tourism and racing across the border to confer citizenship on a kid is not what anyone had in mind.
Its all very touching in movies, but very expensive as as you say, and undermines the entire idea of citizenship. There is no allegiance there, just convenience. It needs to stop.
Harcourt Fenton Mudd (0c349e) — 1/17/2025 @ 10:42 amFor which you would need Congressional approval; and would likely face a Democrat filibuster.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:01 amThis is as bad as Joe Biden declaring he Equal Rights Amendment part of the U.S. constitution. He’d been urged to do this.
https://www.newser.com/story/362685/equal-rights-amendment-is-law-of-the-land-biden-says.html
He didn’t order the National Archives to acknowledge it?
Then what’s the point? I think he wants to be honored by the “progressives.”
What the president says also doesn’t matter. It’ll encourage someone to raise the issue in court, that’s all, and federal courts will rule.
What’s the issue?
Actually the original deadline was seven years which means 1979, but Congress voted to extend it. At the time when the amendment was sent to the states it was argued that it was not necessary to insert the seven year ratification deadline, as had been done with several other amendments in the Twentieth century, in the text of the amendment itself. I wonder if this was not e first time this was done.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:01 amLOL! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:03 amThat would block over $800B in trade with Mexico. Very expensive.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:05 amMore fantasies.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:06 amMaybe also some clergy, and work visas – maybe student visas – at academic institutions. But there already is a large watch list or blacklist.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:07 amBiden can’t leave the White House faster.
It’s not odd at all, considering Biden’s mental fugue.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:11 am“Closing the border” no doubt has some informal technical meaning among its proponents which the media never attempt to explain what it means (if they can find out themselves.)
Ontario has threatened to cut off hydroelectric power to New York State but it probably won’t happen.
Why would Trump want to start a fight with a departing Justin Trudeau? He’s got somebody friendlier to him probably coming in later this year.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:12 am31. No, the final play has to be more pardons.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:14 amWhat is the justification to admit clergy and grant academic/student visas to residents of Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Venezuela, or Gaza (I would also add China)?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:14 amAt least Rubio will have the company of Trump’s special envoys.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:21 amCNN pretty much had to lose their defamation case, because malice was easy to prove, by Alex Marquardt himself, when he said stuff like “we gonna nail this Zachary Young mf*****” and has a “punchable face”.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:25 amCNN should’ve settled, like Foxnews did with Dominion.
@20
We can still have clean air and water without the onerous regulations foisted by Democrats.
whembly (477db6) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:26 am“Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”
As we have seen, the courts have basically read this into the 14th Amendment in it’s most expansive version (e.g. Same-sex marriage or transsexual rights). God only knows what mischief they would get up to if the actual words were really there.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:33 amBiden can’t leave the White House faster.
Good news: Biden is leaving
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:36 amBad news: Nikki Haley is not being sworn in (along with the rest of Trump’s enemies list).
Ontario has threatened to cut off hydroelectric power to New York State but it probably won’t happen.
Ontario’s PM Doug Ford’s late brother Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, was even more disreputable than Trump, including multiple incidences of public intoxication and a viral video of him smoking crack. I guess that Doug sees problems with Trump that he never saw with Rob.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:44 amWe can still have clean air and water without the onerous regulations foisted by Democrats.
Or laws that allow anyone to block anything by asserting it *might* affect something in the environment. The NIMBY’s Toolchest.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:45 amGiuliani settled his defamation case and will not lose his homes or possessions and get what he turned over already back.
It’s not clear how.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 1/17/2025 @ 12:15 pmRip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:14 am
The law and having some people there who remember the U.S. fondly and might help someday. Sending their children to the United States makes for advocates for good relations and people who don’t want sanctions put on themselves – that’s why Putin told people close to him not to buy real estate in the US and Xi is cutting back on Chinese study in English.
Trump’s reason for excluding people from some countries is the argument that it is impossible to vet them. But basically they might not be trying.
North Korea doesn’t send students to the U>S. not even from the de facto royal family.
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 1/17/2025 @ 12:25 pmTik Tok chief in Mar-a-lago.
https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/tiktok-ceo-responds-supreme-court-ban-decision-thanks-trump-1236277327/
Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 1/17/2025 @ 12:28 pmYou mean the same “rule by decree” authority granted to Florida’s governor, for example, during a declared state of emergency?
Rip Murdock (ea3b0a) — 1/17/2025 @ 12:29 pm“Students” and “academics” from Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Venezuela, or Gaza (and China) would either be spies or terrorists.
Rip Murdock (ea3b0a) — 1/17/2025 @ 12:34 pmStill beating that dead horse.
Rip Murdock (ea3b0a) — 1/17/2025 @ 12:37 pmAssuming the ERA thing holds, which I doubt it will, the big technical legal change is that currently discrimination based on race is evaluated using strict scrutiny (“narrowly tailored to meet a compelling government interest”) while discrimination based on gender is evaluated using intermediate scrutiny (“furthers an important government interest by means that are substantially related to that interest”).
the shift from one standard to the other will be a significant change.
aphrael (dbf41f) — 1/17/2025 @ 12:41 pmBill Gates says he was “impressed” by a sit-down with Donald Trump
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 12:57 pmthe shift from one standard to the other will be a significant change.
I’m not sure it will be a good one, considering how the current regime is so badly tortured to obtain desired results.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 12:58 pmThe ERA is dead, dead, dead.
Rip Murdock (ea3b0a) — 1/17/2025 @ 12:59 pmRFKJr. will straighten Trump out.
Rip Murdock (ea3b0a) — 1/17/2025 @ 1:00 pmYou mean the same “rule by decree” authority granted to Florida’s governor, for example, during a declared state of emergency?
Said by a state court about a governor acting under that state’s constitution, in an actual emergency. Not applicable in the least to the federal executive under normal conditions. What dots do you connect to get from COVID-in-Florida to DACA?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 1:01 pm@48
It’s not holding even now. POTUS serves no role in ratification.
whembly (477db6) — 1/17/2025 @ 1:28 pmAs you saw in my post, I directly quoted your “rule by decree” reference to California.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 1:49 pmI’ve become used to Trump sucking up to an evil terrorist like Putin, regrettably, but this is cringe.
The TikTok CEO also made a pilgrimage to Mar-A-Lago to kiss Trump’s ring and arse, and this still lingers: the likely Ground Zero for the spread of a virus that killed 1.2 million Americans was a ChiCom lab in Wuhan, and ChiComs have been held to account.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/17/2025 @ 1:59 pmThe orange con man is selling us out.
Er, …no ChiComs have been held to account.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/17/2025 @ 2:00 pmThe orange con man is selling us out.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/17/2025 @ 1:59 pm
Is?
I watched Fifth Avenue’s 2017 inauguration in the waiting room of a Sears Auto where I had brought my car for an oil change. I was wearing a Work King quilted liner that I had bought at K-Mart for $30.00, under a London Fog parka that I had bought at Carson Pirie Scott.
By the time of Biden’s 2021 inauguration there was no Sears, no K-Mart, no Carson Pirie Scott, and Amazon is now selling Work Kings for $70.00.
Anyway.
nk (fdbbb3) — 1/17/2025 @ 2:44 pmImplicitly blaming Biden for the death of Sears and K-Mart isn’t great. Both of them died due to their own *massive* mistalkes, and Sears in particular appears to have deliberately committed suicide.
aphrael (dbf41f) — 1/17/2025 @ 2:54 pm> It’s not holding even now. POTUS serves no role in ratification.
Oh, sure. I was trying to point out the potential elgal impact,not commenting on whether whatever’s going on now is valid or working. I’m minimizing my interaction with the news as it’s the only way to keep my mental peace and not come out of the next four years a boiling ball of rage.
The value I bring to my community arises from who I am and how I behave and interact when I can hold my inner peace and radiate joy and excitement and love, and I can’t do that unless I basically stop paying attention to the news at all.
aphrael (dbf41f) — 1/17/2025 @ 2:57 pmImplicitly blaming Biden for the death of Sears and K-Mart isn’t great.
aphrael (dbf41f) — 1/17/2025 @ 2:54 pm
I don’t think nk was doing that. He pointed out that these things happened during Trump’s term.
norcal (a72384) — 1/17/2025 @ 3:12 pmOut of context.
Rip: Just as Trump can’t issue an executive order to undo a law approved by Congress and signed by the President
Me: I would agree with this had not Biden, Obama and other presidents ignored Immigration Law. What is DACA, for example?
Also me: I would hope that, in all of this, the Supremes put a clear boundary on the scope of executive orders before we get to the ruling-by-decree we see in California.
Rip: You mean the same “rule by decree” authority granted to Florida’s governor, for example, during a declared state of emergency?
Me: Said by a state court about a governor acting under that state’s constitution, in an actual emergency. Not applicable in the least to the federal executive under normal conditions. What dots do you connect to get from COVID-in-Florida to DACA?
I’d say “intellectually dishonest” but maybe it’s just a lack of reading comprehension.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 3:18 pmImplicitly blaming Biden for the death of Sears and K-Mart isn’t great.
Who did that? Blamed Biden? Both Sears and Carson Pirie Scott closed in 2018. KMart still has a token presence in New York and Miami but it announced the closing of 45 stores in February 2019 and closed them in February 2020.
nk (0e2d7a) — 1/17/2025 @ 3:18 pmIt’s not holding even now. POTUS serves no role in ratification.
Bottom story of the day.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 3:19 pmThanks, norcal!
nk (0e2d7a) — 1/17/2025 @ 3:22 pmBut the real question is this: Biden has until Monday noon to make an utter ass out of himself. What will he choose to do?
Issue EOs to ban fracking?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 3:25 pmLift all tariffs on China so Democrats can accuse Trump of imposing them again?
Issue blanket pardons to every employee in the Executive branch who served in the last 4 years?
Start a war with Russia?
Lift all sanctions on Iran?
Implicitly blaming Biden for the death of Sears and K-Mart isn’t great.
Biden was sworn in as a Senator in 1973. White Front went out of business 1973-75. The pattern was set!
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 3:29 pm> Who did that? Blamed Biden?
Oh, sorry, I misread the dates.
It’s also wierd to me to implicitly blame Trump, here. Sears and K-Mart destroyed themselves through really bad decision making.
aphrael (dbf41f) — 1/17/2025 @ 4:05 pmJonah on Biden’s five years late discovery that the ERA is the law of the land…
Noon on Monday can’t come too soon.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/17/2025 @ 5:20 pmhttps://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/01/cnn-takes-a-hit.php
CNN pays millions for defaming a Navy veteran. After losing the case and being on the hook for 5 million plus punitive damages, they settled before the jury could decide just how many millions more they’d owe.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 1/17/2025 @ 5:26 pmAs I said before, federal immigration law allows the President a lot of discretion as to who can be admitted to the US; such as those granted temporary protected status (citizens of Ukraine, Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Afghans, etc. Citizens from 17 countries have TPS.) DACA was grant of TPS for those who had resided here since they were 16. Congress has the power to cancel DACA and TPS in general if they wished to, but has been perfectly clear that only Congressional action on immigration is inaction.
Your original comment conflated the two-presidential executive orders, which are inherent in the position; and what Gov. Newsom has done, which is not willy-nilly “ruling by decree” but consistent with California law. I just pointed out that Florida (and most other states to varying degrees) have similar laws. It’s not just California.
Courts have reviewed presidential executive orders throughout our history and have overturned many, so they are not ignoring the issue.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 1/17/2025 @ 5:42 pmClassic moment, Bob Uecker on Johnny Carson. Just a naturally funny guy.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/17/2025 @ 5:54 pmDown in the thread is the great Norm MacDonald telling a story about Uecker on Letterman.
Great stuff.
All of Biden’s attempts to forgive student loan debt were executive orders that were overturned by the courts.
Rip Murdock (ea3b0a) — 1/17/2025 @ 6:47 pmCheers, Paul.
BuDuh (5d8cc7) — 1/17/2025 @ 7:12 pmUnconstitutional, but apparently only in Texas:
Trump has said that he wants to work with Democrats to continue DACA.
Rip Murdock (ea3b0a) — 1/17/2025 @ 7:32 pmI remember a few years back, someone said that LA has a fire season and a mudslide season. Just wait ’til the rains start.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/17/2025 @ 9:27 pmVivek Ramaswamy plans to announce Ohio gubernatorial run
Good. A loss there will end his ambitions.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 10:56 pmThe Equal Rights Amendment is the 28th Amendment, and it is the law of the land.
No, it isn’t.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 10:57 pmYour original comment conflated the two-presidential executive orders, which are inherent in the position; and what Gov. Newsom has done,
No, your misreading conflated them in your head, which is thankfully beyond my control.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:00 pmsomeone said that LA has a fire season and a mudslide season.
It was a common saying. Aldo “fire” and “rainy”
BUt good point. Anyone want to give me odds on PCH being closed after the next good rain?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:01 pmAll the talk in right wing media about democrats changing their voting patterns. Number one concern of blacks, women, progressives and younger voters in democrat primaries is fighting racism and sexism with donor class saying it will go along with D.E.I. as long as no 15$ dollar minimum wage and not letting that damn Bernie Sanders raise my taxes. Billionaires running to curry favor with trump will be remembered as their great white hope gavin newsom slowly twists in the wind! More important then what trump will do is what the democrat party establishment will do to keep the left from taking over the party from corporate liberals that are called communists here.
asset (5ff489) — 1/17/2025 @ 11:11 pmMaybe 6th-ranked Mouw shoulda laid up at the par-5 16th at PGA West. For us hackers, we’ve all been there, every cringeworthy shot.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/18/2025 @ 7:44 amHave these “leading legal constitutional scholars” been identified?
Will they get the John Eastman treatment?
BuDuh (4214e4) — 1/18/2025 @ 7:44 amDid Biden commit a crime? Did he commit electoral fraud, like Eastman did?
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/18/2025 @ 7:55 amBut as I recall, Joe has immunity, thanks to the 6-3 Trump Supreme Court.
ABA’s argument can be found here.
Their main claim is that The Constitution does not have the time restraints that were baked into the law that created the amendment.
Not sure I care enough to do a deep dive.
BuDuh (4214e4) — 1/18/2025 @ 7:55 amOh, ‘scuse me, these “leading legal constitutional scholars” didn’t commit electoral fraud.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/18/2025 @ 7:56 amYou might note that I didn’t ask about him. I asked about the “scholars.”
By “John Eastman treatment” I am referring to the massive scrutiny his flawed opinion received.
I am trying for a reasoned conversation here, Paul.
Or at least I was…
It is not worth the time.
BuDuh (4214e4) — 1/18/2025 @ 7:59 amLike Biden and his scholars, Eastman has not been convicted of anything.
lloyd (9a6f24) — 1/18/2025 @ 8:16 amLose a nation, gain a restaurant. That bitter quip helps explain why Washington, D. C. has so many ethnic restaurants. (And much of the rest of the US.)
So I should have been expecting what I saw yesterday, a new restaurant, opening soon, in this suburb of Seattle: “Afghan Cuisine”. (It appears to be part of a small chain.)
I suppose we can credit this restaurant to the Loser and to President Biden. But mostly to the Loser.
Jim Miller (9e1098) — 1/18/2025 @ 8:17 amHere’s a story illustrating the general point I just made:
(If you aren’t familiar with why there are so many Cambodian refugees here, take a quick look at this biography.)
Jim Miller (9e1098) — 1/18/2025 @ 8:33 amToo bad the gubernatorial election isn’t until November 2026.
Rip Murdock (25e885) — 1/18/2025 @ 8:43 amDisingenuous. He’s criminally indicted in two states.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/18/2025 @ 8:54 amAny more Congressional Democrat cooperation on immigration legislation (as shown with their recent vote to move the Laken Riley Act forward) just flew out the window.
Rip Murdock (25e885) — 1/18/2025 @ 8:55 am78 Paul M: The only real security from endless fires and rains in LA is in the flat areas where there are no brushy spaces and where there is lots of drainage. People there watch the endless stories about rain and fires every year, till they largely ignore it. Living out in the canyons though, is –well in the canyons. Very nice–Andy of Maybury scenes-but a price to pay for that.
When I lived in a canyon, we put plastic tarps over exposed earth near the sloped driveway and near the house. People that didn’t sometimes saw their driveway lose support and crumble. Or a mudslide would stop a road till the city came and bulldozed it. In Topanga Canyon, a large boulder fell and blocked a main road a couple of years ago, Its just constant.
Harcourt Fenton Mudd (a2cb52) — 1/18/2025 @ 10:32 amDisingenuous. An indictment doesn’t render a trial and verdict formalities, except in places like Russia or Jack Smith’s head.
lloyd (d812dd) — 1/18/2025 @ 11:02 amRetailers have a solution to blue state pro-crime policies
The solution: Close more stores.
lloyd (d812dd) — 1/18/2025 @ 11:18 amIsrael begins rebuilding Hamas for the next war:
Rip Murdock (25e885) — 1/18/2025 @ 11:34 amBy arm and twisting Israel, the US will be partly responsible.
Rip Murdock (25e885) — 1/18/2025 @ 11:41 amHamas shot callers will be released into elevated roles.
My preferred outcome would have been that all hostages were released- no exchange-
POW’s (IDF and Hamas military aged males) swapped on a 1:1 basis
Or whats left of your crap and personnel continues to explode
I realize Hamas personnel are not POW’s and that IDF are technically hostages, but treating them as POW’s is about as much concession as I’d be willing to give
steveg (626b3a) — 1/18/2025 @ 12:43 pmThe Loser’s choice for National Security Advisor is . . . . interesting:
Better to have him inside the tent . . . ? That’s the only explanation I can think of, off hand.
Jim Miller (9e1098) — 1/18/2025 @ 1:16 pmAdviser, not Advisor. (I prefer the latter because it is consistent with “advisory”, and didn’t check the official version.)
Jim Miller (9e1098) — 1/18/2025 @ 1:26 pmBetter to have him inside the tent . . . ? That’s the only explanation I can think of, off hand.
Perhaps the assumption that he only wants “yes-men” is incorrect. “Loyalty” for sure, but that doesn’t mean obsequiousness.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/18/2025 @ 1:33 pmThe thing about Trump isn’t that he has well-reasoned ideas; his positions are like mayflies at times. Not that this is a good thing, but he can be talked out of really bad ideas.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/18/2025 @ 1:35 pmMy preferred outcome would be that there was no one remaining in Hamas to negotiate with.
Rip Murdock (9c1a97) — 1/18/2025 @ 2:27 pmSince Trump is an instant lame duck the minute after he is sworn in as president, he won’t need to take into consideration any adverse political consequences to his decisions.
Rip Murdock (9c1a97) — 1/18/2025 @ 2:31 pmWSJ Poll 1/17/25
Trump’s voters deserve to have his ideas enacted to the fullest extent possible.
Rip Murdock (25e885) — 1/18/2025 @ 2:48 pmWSJ poll questions and responses.
Rip Murdock (9c1a97) — 1/18/2025 @ 2:50 pmI’m not involved in the case, so your point is irrelevant, disingenuous even.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/18/2025 @ 2:58 pmNPR/PBS News/Marist Poll 1/15/25
Poll survey data.
Rip Murdock (9c1a97) — 1/18/2025 @ 3:00 pmIn a nutshell, this is why giving up Palestinian prisoners and releasing Israeli hostages, at ratio of 50 Palestinians to a single Israeli, is so morally whacked. It’s truly unacceptable, yet still accepted by the Netanyahu cabinet.
And the murderer will likely rejoin Hamas to kill more Israelis.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/18/2025 @ 3:05 pmI wonder if Biden’s book deal is going to be ghost written?
Show hands of people here who plan to buy and read it.
I will be continuing the Junior Bender series instead.
Oddly enough, I expect the series of fictions to have a higher truth to BS ratio
steveg (626b3a) — 1/18/2025 @ 3:55 pmIs there a post on X that reflects the hostages take on the deal?
BuDuh (e83217) — 1/18/2025 @ 5:14 pmI don’t know if even the Israeli community has the stomach for an “iron fist” to the end posture on their hostages.
I’d like to beat my enemies so bad they give up, return hostages, and beg forgiveness. An evil hatred consumes HAMAS, and I think they would instead torture their hostages to death than capitulate completely.
steveg (626b3a) — 1/18/2025 @ 5:55 pmWar is one of the most heinous examples of the means becoming the end. Trump gets it. I give him credit for that.
nk (dc7f02) — 1/18/2025 @ 6:54 pmTikTok has shut down in the United States.
Rip Murdock (25e885) — 1/18/2025 @ 8:01 pmSince Trump is an instant lame duck the minute after he is sworn in as president, he won’t need to take into consideration any adverse political consequences to his decisions.
This is silly. Of course he will. He wants to do stuff and if he starts off like Nixon 1974 he will accomplish nothing.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/18/2025 @ 8:08 pmThe question about Trump’s prospective executive order allowing a ninety extension for TikTok to sell itself is that TikTok doesn’t control its recommendation algorithm (that’s owned by ByteDance and is subject to Chinese export controls), which makes the app so popular.
In addition, would the EO immunize the Google, and Apple app stores and Oracle cloud services from the onerous penalties?
Rip Murdock (25e885) — 1/18/2025 @ 8:25 pmMost of things he wants to accomplish, like tariffs, acquiring new territories, and immigration enforcement, don’t require political support from Congress. There are a variety constitutional and statutory provisions that already give him the necessary powers to do what he wants.
Rip Murdock (9c1a97) — 1/18/2025 @ 8:31 pmSource for blockquote in post 120.
Rip Murdock (25e885) — 1/18/2025 @ 8:34 pmMike Johnson is getting rolled by a member of his own caucus.
Rip Murdock (9c1a97) — 1/18/2025 @ 8:43 pmTIK TOK Banned! The left is already listing the names of those who voted for ban on line. More direct actions could follow.
asset (49b785) — 1/18/2025 @ 9:56 pmICE plans a big raid or raids in Chicago and a few other places on Tuesday. If this is something new, how can this be done without Biden administration involvement? No executive orders can be signed until noon on January 20.
Is ICE a power unto itself? And is this being done for political reasons – to punish critics?
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 1/19/2025 @ 2:55 amTik Tok goes down at midnight tonight (the end of Sunday) despite Biden’s promise of no penalty. Biden or his people call doing that a stunt.
In a court filing some weeks ago Tik Tok said it had to know by a date (Jan 10 – I don’t remember) whether it is going to be shut down or not.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 1/19/2025 @ 2:59 am118, So it’s the beginning of Sunday, This actually was not clear to me. Unless they shut down before it was legally required.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 1/19/2025 @ 3:03 amThat “External Revenue Service” sounds like a “jobs for the boys” program. (Patronage jobs for supporters of the Loser.) But then I may be too suspicious — or know too much Ameican history.
Jim Miller (91a3d9) — 1/19/2025 @ 6:55 amHere is an interesting article for those who may be too suspicious — or know too much Ameican history.
BuDuh (e83217) — 1/19/2025 @ 7:30 amMuch to the chagrin of some here, three hostages have been released.
https://nypost.com/2025/01/19/world-news/first-israeli-hostages-freed-as-part-of-cease-fire-deal-with-hamas/
BuDuh (e83217) — 1/19/2025 @ 8:16 am@125
It’s called law enforcement. Since when does enforcing the law require an EO?
I guess we’re so used to ICE doing nothing the past four years, when they finally start doing their job in accordance with the law some wonder about nefarious motives.
lloyd (a96dd5) — 1/19/2025 @ 9:21 amGreat news, though five years too late for millions now dead
Government Debars Notorious Fauci Crony, Gain-Of-Function Mastermind Peter Daszak
Even Biden’s HHS weren’t swayed by all those fact checks by Glenn Kessler and others liars in the media. Again, years too late.
lloyd (a96dd5) — 1/19/2025 @ 9:34 amThe Covid origin nonsense is further evidence that there are many folks so invested in anti-Trump narratives they will willingly believe media lies and cling to them.
It’s how the Democrats got stuck with a demented candidate the media insisted was mentally fit.
lloyd (a96dd5) — 1/19/2025 @ 9:55 amCalifornia incompetence news:
Amid dangerous winds in 2011, LAFD engines stood ready. That didn’t happen this time
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/19/2025 @ 10:21 amLA residents got what they voted for, good and hard.
lloyd (3e3bf1) — 1/19/2025 @ 10:39 amlloyd,
I truly hope that you don’t get what your locality voted for (over your dissent), or worse, what you too voted for, but regret.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/19/2025 @ 10:46 amIf it seems like I’m saying you’re being a jerk for saying that, well, maybe.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/19/2025 @ 10:47 amDid you know that the biggest vote total for Trump in any US country was the 1.19 million votes he got in Los Angeles County?
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/19/2025 @ 10:54 amlloyd (3e3bf1) — 1/19/2025 @ 10:39 am
Government as usual, except that there is a steady lower priority given to traditional, basic government functions, and new (mostly stupid) things to spend money on, amid higher salaries for government employees,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 1/19/2025 @ 11:25 amHopefully Rip and Paul can get ahold of her and her selfish family and explain how her freedom is going to get more people killed.
BuDuh (e83217) — 1/19/2025 @ 11:31 am132. China would most likely have done that type research anyway, once they were introduced to the idea. They just wouldn’t have doubled billed for it, billing both the Chinese military and this American group.
Dr. Fauci came up with a definition of gain-of-function research that did not incllude what they did. I think it was defined as something that made a virus more infective to humans, but noot something that made it infective in the first place,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 1/19/2025 @ 11:35 amTik Tok is preparing to start up again.
Senator Cotton issued a statement (earlier I think) saying that once it was shut down, a president had no legal authority to grant a 90-day extension of the deadline
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 1/19/2025 @ 11:38 am131. Trump is looking it over to see if it’s all right with him. (you know there could be an element of corruption here, and just where are they going?)
https://abc7chicago.com/post/trumps-chicago-deportation-plan-dhs-officials-confirm-city-will-target-area-incoming-admin-mass-fears-grow/15813592/
They also did something in California.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 1/19/2025 @ 11:45 am*US
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/19/2025 @ 12:39 pmcountry countyTrump will have no problem with Tik Tok, so long as it censors the right things.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/19/2025 @ 12:41 pmThe only way President Trump can legally implement a 90-day extension to TikTok is if a “qualified divesture” is underway.
The fact is President Trump intends to issue an executive order without determining that a qualified divesture is underway (essentially extending the 270 period that ended on January 19th) would violate the law.
More:
House Speaker Mike Johnson made similar comments on Meet the Press. The question is whether Congress would take Trump to court to compel enforcement.
Rip Murdock (9c1a97) — 1/19/2025 @ 12:42 pmThe TikTok app still isn’t available on the iPhone App Store, so apparently Apple isn’t listening to the President-Elect.
Rip Murdock (25e885) — 1/19/2025 @ 12:59 pmTake a viagra and get taller.
I live near the fires. You don’t. But you sure talk like you do.
lloyd (9c34d6) — 1/19/2025 @ 1:30 pmAnd now it is. So I guess by your remarks they are listening to the President-elect.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 1/19/2025 @ 4:12 pmCheap shot and personal attack. Typical BuDuh.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/19/2025 @ 4:16 pmThe future of CA fire prevention could be the targeted deployment of goats.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/19/2025 @ 4:41 pmOwn it.
BuDuh (e83217) — 1/19/2025 @ 5:42 pmI live near the fires. You don’t. But you sure talk like you do.
1) F. U.
2) F. U. some more.
3) I lived in Los Angeles for the first 65 years of my life, sometimes in homes that were on the edge of this (Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Arcadia).
4) Some of my extended family still lives there and were evacuated.
5) One of my business partners was evacuated.
6) Another of my business partners lost his house.
Don’t tell me I have no skin in this.
What I will tell you is that you are an utter jerk for suggesting that the fires were, in any way, their vault. ASSH0LE.
Kevin M (a02814) — 1/19/2025 @ 5:48 pmIt’s kinda funny that you’ve managed to be a bigger jerk than merely a Trumpbot.
Kevin M (a02814) — 1/19/2025 @ 5:49 pmThink of them as drunk drivers, Kevin.
BuDuh (e83217) — 1/19/2025 @ 5:49 pmFU too.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/19/2025 @ 5:51 pmWe’ll see how long it lasts until the courts enforce the law.
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/19/2025 @ 6:06 pmI remember when Kevin whined on and on about Paul calling him an assh0le. LOL
lloyd (f8ff8e) — 1/19/2025 @ 6:08 pmThis is just more of you attacking the commenter, BuDuh.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/19/2025 @ 6:11 pmI can do two things at once and be intellectually consistent, such as be thankful that three hostages were returned and that this ceasefire agreement is a bad deal.
“Bad deal?” Oh…
Your previous position was that “giving up Palestinian prisoners and releasing Israeli hostages,” at a ratio inconsistent with your expertise, is “morally whacked.” You said “It’s truly unacceptable.”
Sorry Paul. This isn’t “intellectually consistent.”
BuDuh (e83217) — 1/19/2025 @ 6:44 pmThat’s what I meant by bad deal, BuDuh, and you took the low road with your cheap shot, smear, personal attack. Your “logic” fails.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/19/2025 @ 6:54 pmIf it was a one to one trade for the girl that had her fingers blown off and Hamas only got “the murderer [who] will likely rejoin Hamas to kill more Israelis,” would the deal still be “unacceptable” and “morally whacked?”
Same question, but it is all three released in trade for the murderer.
BuDuh (e83217) — 1/19/2025 @ 7:03 pmI am not a rabbinical scholar, so I went to the Google AI:
Content Google’s, formatting mine. Personally, I am just glad to see something more than war for war’s sake.
nk (e7dae9) — 1/19/2025 @ 7:08 pmPidyon shvuyim shouldn’t be a suicide pact. It took the Israeli government over a year to make a deal that it could have made any time after Oct. 7th.
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/19/2025 @ 7:21 pmYou would have preferred they made this deal before killing as many terrorists as they did?
BuDuh (e83217) — 1/19/2025 @ 7:36 pmIt’s not always easy to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.
Or for Netanyahu to balance the sacred obligation regarding the hostages with the survival of Israel.
But, in the end, if Israel is not a Jewish state with all that entails, then what is it?
nk (e7dae9) — 1/19/2025 @ 7:44 pmYou’ve already displayed your shoddy reasoning with the Electoral College, so I’m passing on all the rest of your brain damage, which is a you problem.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/19/2025 @ 8:17 pmI knew it would dawn on you how your position falls apart so easily.
Always going for the escape hatch…
I will count that as another one of your losses.
BuDuh (e83217) — 1/19/2025 @ 8:45 pm@152 its a ceasefire the bottle deposit crook can go on killing after it ends unless the voters kick him out of office.
asset (e61f2c) — 1/19/2025 @ 8:47 pmAs usual, the MAGA resorts to gaslighting and bad faith. Happens every time with you.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/19/2025 @ 9:18 pmSure, Paul.
Simple questions wreck you. Every time.
BuDuh (e83217) — 1/19/2025 @ 9:29 pmIf the goal of Pidyon shvuyim is to save as many of the hostages as possible, then the Israeli government could have released the 2,000 or terrorists and then gone to war.
I would have preferred that Israel had destroyed Hamas so thoroughly that would have been no Hamas leaders to negotiate with. But with the terrorists who have been released, Hamas has a new leadership cadre.
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/19/2025 @ 9:39 pmStill gaslighting. Your questions are consistently disingenuous and rhetorical, since you’ve already arrived at your own answers.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/19/2025 @ 9:47 pmYe of little faith, Rip.
You want to take a stab at the questions that sent Paul into a blubbering tailspin?
I’ll check back after noon eastern time.
BuDuh (e83217) — 1/19/2025 @ 9:53 pmhttps://pjmedia.com/chris-queen/2025/01/20/breaking-biden-pardons-fauci-milley-and-j6-committee-members-n4936154
As expected, the criminals took their escape hatch.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 1/20/2025 @ 4:59 am@175 That’s… jeezus.
I don’t want to hear any teeth knashing over J6ers getting pardons…
whembly (477db6) — 1/20/2025 @ 6:06 amSomething to think about today: Lincoln’s second inaugural.
The speech astonishes me every time I read it, especially the final paragraph:
(I read it at least once a year.)
Jim Miller (177d9e) — 1/20/2025 @ 6:07 amLOL
Liz, Fauci and the J6 committee joins Hunter Biden, Roger Stone, Paul Manafort and Marc Rich.
Country over party!
lloyd (f8ff8e) — 1/20/2025 @ 6:33 amThe “first 100 days” phrase was invented after FDR’s flurry of legislation in his first term, and now we have “the last 70 days”, which denotes a lame duck president’s flurry of bad decisions before leaving, thanks to Biden and his stupid decisions and comments and pardons, and he’ll carry that moniker forever, second only Trump’s Big Lie and attempted coup.
Biden’s pardons today are exquisitely bad and stupid because (1) he showed an anti-American lack of faith in our justice system, that this set of pardonees somehow have a chance of getting convicted for their “crimes”, and (2) what goes around comes around, because now Trump can use the Biden Precedent to protect his loyalists when they run afoul of the law. It’s like immunity on cocaine laced speed, because Trump now has immunity and so do every criminal who works under him. This is supremely awful. Thanks, Joe.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/20/2025 @ 6:46 amPre-emptive blanket pardons. How far we have fallen.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 7:53 am“We had to destroy the Law in order to save it”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 7:55 amHopefully this (and the J6 pardons) will lead to a constitutional amendment limiting pardons to named crimes. This makes Ford’s pardon of Nixon look good.
If Liz Cheney wants to retain her claim to integrity, she will refuse this elevation above the Law.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 7:59 amCongress should immediately hold hearings into the pardon power. Perhaps getting some recipients (Hunter, Fauci to name two) to testify under oath about what crimes they may have committed to need blanket pardons.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 8:15 amThis is a pretty poor showcase for the “peaceful transfer of power.” Grudging seems more apt.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 8:25 amThe pardons don’t seem to be being mentioned in the limited amount of TV coverage I sw so far. Dan Quayle was there with his wife. at first I thought they were the Bidens. Dan Quayle is now 76 years old. Mike Pence walked in alone without his wife. Barack Obama also alone. Michelle Obama didn’t attend Jimmy Carter’s funeral either.
There’s comment on how you may the greatest collection of wealth there at the same time, Musk, Bezos etc.
Vivek Ramaswamy will probably run for Governor of Ohio. I think he was offered the Senate seat earlier. He’s going to leave DOGE before he starts. DOGE is something informal.
Among the things Trump will sign almost immediately, is of course his official nominations for Cabinet posts that need Senate confirmation, Marco Rubio and some others expected to be confirmed before tonight.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 1/20/2025 @ 8:26 amThere were 250,000 people who had tickets, maybe 200,000 on the mall. They are reduced to 600 in the Capitol rotunda and 20,000 in the Capital One basketball arena (where yesterday Trump had a rally)
The stand is still there but just covered with snow..
JFK was famously sworn in in cold weather without an overcoat in 1961. Reagan was moved inside in 1985 at a temperature of 9 degrees. It was predicted 29 degrees today. Some people suspect security was the reason for moving it indoors – there is always the possibility of lone wolves.. They could attack the crowd, too,
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 1/20/2025 @ 8:33 amI don’t think Hamas would have released all the hostages before, and still don’t expect that to happen without further military or political developments. a few hostages got killed in the war and some by Hamas.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 1/20/2025 @ 8:37 amFor realz?
But Comer never had anything on them, right Rip and Paul.
Probably fake news.
Have a wonderful four years.
BuDuh (4214e4) — 1/20/2025 @ 8:50 amThe Biden crime family is what we knew they were. Will love to see the spin on this. Leftists and their allies tripping over themselves lying for the past 4 years will now pretend to admit they knew Biden was a crook and that they will toss him away now that he’s no longer useful to them.
NJRob (1da0d9) — 1/20/2025 @ 8:59 amYes, for real.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 9:19 amThe pardon power needs to be limited to named crimes.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 9:21 amThat’s correct. All those Foxnews appearances by Comer, and no evidence of crimes. Remember what happened to Comer’s star witness, Smirnov?
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/20/2025 @ 9:31 amI think that those pardoned will have unpleasant sojourns in front of Comer’s committee, under oath. Truth or consequences.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 9:38 amI would, however, be pleasantly surprised if Trump’s words about ending weaponized justice rang true.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 9:39 amIs there a crime cutoff as to how bad the crime may be that the DOJ goes from simply enforcing law to “weaponized justice?”
BuDuh (4214e4) — 1/20/2025 @ 9:48 amBiden is a coward, afraid of Putin’s threats (which hurt Ukraine’s ability to defend itself) and afraid of Trump’s retribution threats, and afraid of our judicial branch, going so far as to abuse his pardoning power to “protect” people not even indicted for a crime.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/20/2025 @ 10:08 amThe problem I have with these blanket pardons, is that the same people who have an issue with the (far more limited) immunity assigned to presidents by that recent Supreme Court decision have no problem with this.
“No one is above the law”, said Napoleon to the other animals, “but some have more immunity than others.”
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 10:15 am@192
Smirnov wasn’t the star Paul, so please quit gaslighting everyone.
The star is, and will always be, Joe Biden. There is no family business w/o Joe’s political office.
But since he was POTUS and DOJ answer to him, there’s only so much Congress could do to successfully investigate this.
whembly (477db6) — 1/20/2025 @ 10:18 amEven amnesties, which are unspecific as to individuals, are specific about the crime(s) being pardoned.
The family pardons are extraordinary, and would seem to validate some of the “Biden crime family” rhetoric.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 10:21 amBut since he was POTUS and DOJ answer to him, there’s only so much Congress could do to successfully investigate this.
I disagree, assuming they are so inclined. By issuing pardons, he took away their ability to refuse to testify under oath, and made them subject to perjury charges if they attempt to lie.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 10:23 amTestify?
steveg (c55fba) — 1/20/2025 @ 10:34 amThey will say “I don’t recall” 1-1000 times
Trump told everyone what he planned for that January 6th committee. Biden believed him and apparently disagrees with that plan of action. If the republican congress wants to spend all their time chasing them for testimony anyway, that’s definitely a choice that they could make.
Nic (120c94) — 1/20/2025 @ 10:45 amBullsh-t. Joe was Comer’s suspect, not witness. Talk about gaslighting.
Paul Montagu (a96200) — 1/20/2025 @ 10:53 amNot any more; Joe Biden is just Joe Blow after today. He can be subpoenaed and forced to testify about his “crimes.” What has been missing is direct evidence of Biden receiving payoffs, so far it’s only been hearsay. It’s unlikely he could claim immunity for receiving payoffs from Hunter’s clients.
And he certainly can be prosecuted for unlawfully retaining classified information as he did so after he left the vice presidency.
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/20/2025 @ 11:17 amTalk about beating a dead horse.
Rip Murdock (d07b6e) — 1/20/2025 @ 11:21 amGiven the fact that Speaker Mike Johnson needs Democrat votes to pass anything substantial (like funding the government), this may not be the best course of action.
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/20/2025 @ 11:26 amApparently Comer (and Jim Jordan) didn’t have enough to impeach former President Biden.
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/20/2025 @ 11:30 amSince the pardon power is defined in the Constitution without restrictions (except being limited to federal crimes and not for impeachment), what is the point?
Rip Murdock (d07b6e) — 1/20/2025 @ 11:38 amTalk about beating a dead horse.
Congress is good at doing that.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:16 pmSince the pardon power is defined in the Constitution without restrictions (except being limited to federal crimes and not for impeachment), what is the point?
Amendment 29 (or maybe 29):
1. The power of pardon, amnesty or reprieve held by the President is limited to itemized crimes or activities, although the recipients may be a general class. No blanket reprieves or pardons may be issued.
2. Actions taken prior to the effective date of this amendment are not affected.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:24 pm* 28 or 29
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:24 pmI guess, Rip, you did not see my last 2 or 3 comments calling for an amendment.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:25 pmThey will say “I don’t recall” 1-1000 times
Which can be charged as perjury.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:26 pmTrump told everyone what he planned for that January 6th committee. Biden believed him and apparently disagrees with that plan of action.
Pretty sure that most of them relied “Bring it!” since they were completely covered by the Speech & Debate Clause.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:28 pmI did, but it’s not gonna happen in the real world.
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:28 pmConstitutional amendment fantasy camp. I prefer to deal with the world as it is, not as I wish it to be.
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:39 pmMore mansplaining from Rip.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:42 pmMore political fantasies from Kevin M.
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:44 pmCorrection:
To dream, the impossible dream!
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:53 pm@202
Trump told everyone, including the voters. But I guess when you’re so busy Saving Democracy, the voters’ plan of action can fall by the wayside.
lloyd (639643) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:54 pmThe Speech and Debate clause is a defense, but wouldn’t prevent an investigation and prosecution.
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:55 pmTrump also told everyone about his plans for government. Biden believed him, which is why he’s tried to “Trump-proof” the bureaucracy. Voters be damned.
lloyd (b1bcf3) — 1/20/2025 @ 12:57 pm@lloyd@220 Biden doesn’t answer to the voters at this point.
Nic (120c94) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:00 pmbut wouldn’t prevent an investigation and prosecution.
Nothing can prevent an investigation, even a full pardon, if the DA has the bit between his teeth. But prosecution? The demurer would be pretty quick.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:02 pmBiden and the J6 committee told everyone what they planned for Trump and his supporters. Voters believed them and apparently disagreed with that plan of action.
lloyd (639643) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:02 pmJust as the Save Democracy folks would prefer it.
lloyd (639643) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:04 pmBiden doesn’t answer to the voters at this point.
Correct. But he does answer to history and the mendacity quotient of his administration doubled this morning. If Trump succeeds, Biden looks terrible.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:04 pm*terribler.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:05 pmI’m sure a US Attorney (not a DA) could get at least an indictment, which is the first step in a prosecution.
Rip Murdock (d07b6e) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:09 pmLloyd,
Biden’s pardon-pa-looza was a gift to Trump. Not only does it give him grievances to complain about, it gives him cover for January 6 pardons/commutations, and it allows him to pivot away from personally gratifying but time wasting vengeance-seeking.
So old Joe did 47 a solid on the way out the door. Hopefully Trump has the wit to see it.
Appalled (ee7116) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:14 pm@lloyd@226 As the founders wrote into the constitution.
@kevin@227 Doesn’t matter unless he cares.
(I don’t think Trump really answers to the voters at this point either. I think he’d be perfectly happy bloviating and having ICE run flashy operations, so I don’t think the future make up of Congress or who will be following him as President really matter to him).
Nic (120c94) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:17 pmAppalled, the voters gave Trump cover. Unlike Biden, Trump was transparent about what his plans were, and people voted for it.
lloyd (639643) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:19 pm#232
I’m going to disagree. I read the mandate on January 6, to the extent one can be discerned, as “We really don’t care about this.” That’s not a mandate for prosecutions.
The problem about being “transparent” is that it made those plans very easy to counteract by what Biden did. However, the consequences of the precedent set will be very evident in 2029. (Though Joe may not be in a position to notice)
Appalled (ee7116) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:31 pmExcept when is comes to Jewish hostages…
BuDuh (ac9b17) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:40 pmPresident Trump doesn’t need the gift or cover from former President Biden’s pardons. . As lloyd has said, pardoning or otherwise forgiving the J6 defendants has been a longstanding position for him.
However, I don’t think voters approve of that decision (see here and here) now or in the past; as inflation, immigration, and employment were consistently rated as the top three issues of the campaign. The vast majority of voters didn’t care.
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:49 pmKevin M (a9545f) — 1/20/2025 @ 1:04 pm
That’s why Biden left the pardon of members of his family for the very last.
They announced first Dr. Fauci and Mark Milley and said there were others, and only later mentioned the members of his family, who may be the only people in the group of pre-indictment pardons who were possibly actually guilty of something.
Probably at least some variety of fraudulant enrichment.
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 1/20/2025 @ 2:10 pmI’m not sure why the religion of the hostages matters, I’ve been pretty consistent in my views that governments shouldn’t trade prisoners for hostages.
If you look at my posts on the Israel-Hamas War, I’ve been a cheerleader for Netanyahu’s cold-blooded approach: full throttle attacks on Gaza while ignoring the protesters demanding he prioritize the release of hostages. Resisting the reports of hostages being murdered and tortured to make a bad deal took a lot of guts in the face of the protesters.
Unfortunately, in the last few weeks he went soft, just about the time Trump was demanding that hostages be released before his inauguration. Hamas still exists and has gained three thousand or so terrorists as well as potentially new leadership.
The ceasefire agreement also requires Israel to eventually withdraw from most of Gaza, another mistake. Israel should occupy Gaza and transform it from a terrorist training camp into a tourist destination full of beach resorts, dining, and entertainment. It could be the new Lebanon (before the civil war.)
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/20/2025 @ 2:18 pmWelcome to the real world, Rip.
BuDuh (ac9b17) — 1/20/2025 @ 2:23 pmI’m sure the ceasefire won’t last more than a month.
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/20/2025 @ 2:25 pmPerjury for “I don’t recall”?
True-
But
Doubtful it’d be put to the test.
Fauci for example has already been caught lying and everyone eventually moved on to the next question
steveg (626b3a) — 1/20/2025 @ 2:30 pmYou just knew this would happen:
Rip Murdock (57fc2b) — 1/20/2025 @ 2:33 pmMore L.A. fire news:
(LA Times) Western Altadena got evacuation order many hours after Eaton fire exploded. 17 people died there
* Records, radio logs and interviews show that residents living west of Lake Avenue were not told to evacuate via electronic alerts until many hours after the Eaton fire started.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/21/2025 @ 7:33 am* Residents said they were stunned how long it took to get the evacuation order, and by then many homes in the area were on fire.
* Of the 17 deaths confirmed so far in the fire, all of them occurred in the area west of Lake Avenue, records show. More than 7,000 homes were burned overall in the fire.
all the above should be blockquoted
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/21/2025 @ 7:33 amStill more fire idiocy:
Apparently, state law prevents any housing rental to exceed $10,000/month during a state of emergency. However, this is LESS than the pre-fire going rate for house rentals in many parts of West L.A., corresponding to a house worth about $2 million, which is hardly uncommon in that area.
So, people who might normally rent out a house to the wealthy “refugees” are keeping them off the market while this cap persists.
Kevin M (a9545f) — 1/23/2025 @ 11:42 am> Apparently, state law prevents any housing rental to exceed $10,000/month during a state of emergency.
Seems like this should be indexed to pre-emergency local rates. Probably has to be done on a county or city level (for rate determination), which isn’t ideal, but would be an improvement.
aphrael (dbf41f) — 1/23/2025 @ 11:55 am