Those videos are heartbreaking and blood-boiling at the same time. But we must not look away. Only by continued concerted action will we get through this madness and restore sanity.
What a mess. I'm glad to see their chaos, but they are also so dysfunctional it's hard to believe they will get anything done. They seem to want to just gerrymander their way out of this to avoid answering to voters.
Their dysfunction reminds me a lot of Republicans at the end of Hoover's administration. They were ideologically opposed to doing anything about the depression, almost unable to get anything done at all because of weak leadership, and headed to electoral catastrophe. I've been reading the Robert Caro biography of Lyndon Johnson, and it details the political scene in the early 1930's when Johnson was a Congressional aide (for a guy who barely showed up to work).
I'm not a real historian and don't know much about 1930's politics, but it just sounds so much like what is going on right now. Hoover was so out of touch and ideologically opposed to doing anything, and there was no real leadership. Complacency on behalf of the governing party.
It's interesting how a lot of the Republican rhetoric during that time blamed the unemployed for not being "grateful" or for "spending too much" or being too used to luxuries. Even as bread lines stretched around the block.
There are clearly some meaningful gaps in my knowledge of American history. I've read quite a bit over the years about FDR's first 100 days, but I've not really focused on the period between October 1929-March 1933. Looks like I'll adding a few extra books to my holiday wish list!
robert caro is a genius who will be read by historians centuries from now; he will take his place next to the likes of suetonius and tacitus. someday, i'm going to finish reading the power broker, which historians will also cherish; a massive tome on a powerful bureaucrat. by the way the film motherless brooklyn, one of bruce willis' last serious roles though he has only a small role, is based on robert moses, with alec baldwin and edward norton in oscar worthy roles.
Hello BeeBee! you asked about SCOTUS reform - in additon to adding justices to match number of appellate districts, enforceable ethics code, judiciary commenters are talking about term limits
Yes, this aligns with what I've heard - but, again, what I'm hearing is that anything less than an EXPONENTIAL increase on the Supreme Court is just not effectual (per Elie Mystal, perhaps?) And that's an increase that most lawmakers are skittish about because it's radical. The very point is to eliminate a supermajority, which can still occur with just a handful more judges.
After using Mike Wallace's Gotham: History of NYC to 1898 as a doorstop for years, I finally downloaded it as an audio book so I can listen as I walk (vs sit, at which point, I just fall asleep). This is my 2026 project: it is well over 1000 pages (notes alone = hundreds of pages).
Good on Minneapolis PD. imo the ICE thugs have a dual purpose - terrorizing the populace and selecting out thugs willing to commit atrocities on others.
I called the offices of my members of Congress and thanked them for staying on top of the flooding situation here in the Northwest, especially in Skagit County. I pointed out that the flooding is bad now and is likely to get worse. Down the road, we'll need some disaster relief from the federal government. It may be a chore getting any funds from this regime.
Trump may be unwell, but his enablers are not. They are powerful, connected, and getting everything they want. We can see the cracks in the GOP Congress that Trump has effectively emasculated. I'm wondering when we will see it in the Executive Branch and the Courts. They seem to be getting more powerful as Congressional power recedes.
It's only SCOTUS that supports T, other levels of the judiciary are holding well. Prediction is that only T is keeping his enablers together, indeed, as Simon explains, T's support in the leg. branch is fracturing and they're also attacking each other. A good person to follow re: courts is Glen Kirschner's substack - a link on CA [Newsom] vs. T
A federal judge just ordered Trump to "return control of the California National Guard to Governor Newsom." looking for link will add
Last night I watched an episode of Strange New Worlds (a Star Trek show) and watched as the Enterprise faced a truly dire situation. As usual, the crew came together to save the day, each person contributing unique gifts that, when put together, created a beautiful tapestry that led to victory. This is a typical Star Trek plot line, but I always love those episodes because they always promote the idea that everyone is needed and has something useful to contribute. This morning I opened the Substack of Engaged Durhamites 4 Democracy, a local group that is doing a lot to protect our democracy and that was founded one year ago this week. In one year, this small group has grown from 30 who were at the initial meeting to hundreds and now hosts multiple local bridge brigades every week and spread them to other communities in NC. They are a strong voice for democracy, and are growing in creativity and scope every month. Most importantly, they are not alone. There are groups like this all across the country! I think our grassroots movement is growing stronger and stronger. Do our leaders need to tap into this more? Yes! But the signs are encouraging.
I'll make my three calls today as usual and will also sign up for a new batch of postcards. Onward!
Self report - to my Rep and both Senators (including thanking Slotkin and her colleagues for speaking out re: Caribbean issue)...
Dear ...
I continue to write to ask that you use your position and power to:
• Stand with Ukraine and our European allies, and far more forcefully challenge Trump’s traitorous efforts to sell out the US and the West to Russia; demand that Congress rebuke/issue a no confidence vote on his current efforts to force Ukraine to surrender
• Stand forcefully in support of the rule of law in the Caribbean - these illegal strikes taken in our name must end; no war can be waged without Congressional approval and there must accountability for those who have broken the law
• Roll back the President's terrible, illegal tariffs that are re-igniting inflation, driving up prices, shifting the tax burden from the wealthy to working people, hurting small businesses and farmers, reviving tyrannical “taxation without representation,” and alienating governments and people throughout the world
• Defend our democracy, rule of law, and our liberties by blocking the expansion of ICE; restoring due process for immigrants across the country; vigorously defending the 1st Amendment; warring against targeting of the President’s domestic political opponents; ending the use of the military on our streets and the unlawful occupation of our cities; stopping the unprecedented corruption; and by forcing the Administration to finally comply with Congress, end the rancid cover up, and release all of the Epstein files
• Fight the administration’s war on science, higher education and our public health; immediately reverse the cuts to the ACA and Medicaid; support and co-sponsor Rep. Haley Stevens’ effort to Impeach and remove Robert Kennedy
Please stand up for this country that - imperfect though it has been – has been on a path of becoming so much more perfect than it is now.
American citizens being detained with no warrants, no evidence... Just because they "look like immigrants". I think I'll vote for anyone who says he/she will investigate and, if the evidence is compelling, prosecute ICE officers and their bosses, all the way up to Noem, for this blatantly illegal and un-American behavior. That candidate could raise my taxes 30%, implement 5000 new regulations, ban hand guns, and he/she would still have my support. That's how appalling and sickening this is.
You bet. Everyone single person involved with the creation and carrying out of this horror must be held fully accountable. I'd have a different list of "that candidate could..." actions than yours, but I couldn't agree more. We're not alone, and by the time this is over, we'll have a whole lot more company in this view.
Hi, so happy to be here! Just found out that Mr. Abrego is ordered released by Judge Xinis! Of all the horrible things that are happening, this is a bright spot. Heather C. Richardson keeps talking about the return of public intellectualism here on Substack. I'd submit that it's also the dawn of a return to common sense AND common decency. As Simon often says, people are pissed and they are sick of this crap. Unfortunately, people often lack the imagination to think of the worst, and it's not till the worst looms before us that we recognize the danger. Fortunately for us, it's not too late to do something about it.
We found out yesterday that Sen. Kim will continue on his crusade to fight the political corruption at the state level here in NJ. As I said last week, I would not mess with him-the testimony he gave last week wound up forcing the scummy state senator who wanted to consolidate state oversight & get rid of state comptroller to back down! https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/10/kim-seeks-to-topple-the-democratic-machines-in-2027-00685007
Have gotten great email responses both from Sen. Kim & Sen. Booker, who is finally responding to our continued harassment about upgrading his email game.
brian lehrer had a whole segment on the nj issue this morning; heard kim's speech; he really stuck it to them, waited five hours to speak. no one can remember a sitting senator taking such a stand in a state issue.
I had a meeting this morning and couldn't listen to my beloved Brian. I'll replay the episode later this afternoon when it's released for on-demand -- and thanks for reminding me.
He is a badass. All while dealing with his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis. And don't forget, a large part of how he got to the Senate was his challenging of corrupt ballot design.
Thought I read that the bill Scutari was trying to push through the NJ Legislature got pulled “out of respect for the governor-elect?”
Anyway I agree Andy Kim is a badass who has improved NJ democracy ten-fold. The competitive primary for NJ governor was key to victory in November IMHO. We now have a competitive primary in CD-11 to replace Mikie Sherrill. Almost overwhelming this political junkie!!!!
I just increased my contributions to Ossoff and Cooper. (I'm from KY.) I have been contributing to Talirico in Texas, but now Crockett has joined the race. No clue what to do here.
I chose to let TX decide their candidate. I'm withholding donations from the TX primary and then will contribute to the general. May the best candidate win.
Interesting one in NYC. The comments in the NYT about Lander were overwhelmingly in support of Goldman, while the comments in Instagram were overwhelmingly in support of Lander.
I just finished watching your conversation with Jen Ruben of the Contrarian. Good stuff Simon. I hope you are speaking loudly out to the DNC about your ending comments with Jen: To fight harder, to show strength to the American public that electeds aren't just writing and speaking strong words, but taking actions of resolve that will push the agenda and reinvigorate the party brand. Trump is a TACO, and in steep decline. Dems have a huge opportunity to prove their mettle and seize the narrative as strong fighters and for the people. Those are the folks we want to elect in the primaries, whether or not they are incumbents.
The decline of Mike Johnson and rise of discharge petitions is very heartening to read this morning. Thank You for dishing those details. Hegseth, Bondi, Patel and Kennedy are also on the list in decline.
I'm steeling my courage to watch the ICE video, then call my electeds to do more about it.
It’s pretty stunning how the GOP could easily generate some good will and paper over the fact they have no plans for health care by simply voting for the ACA subsidy extensions. Instead, they are not only refusing to do so, but are openly mocking the idea of people needing assistance paying for health coverage or that “people go to the doctor too much.” They are even past the point of simple career self-preservation, and for what? A man who won’t even be around in 3 years.
I think a certain number of them are simply not bright enough to be that intellectually flexible. Discouraging, but that's what gerrymandering and one-party rule in red states will get you, I guess.
Don't you know that it is your patriotic duty to stay healthy now? You can't eat two Big Macs for lunch, and drink 73 Diet Cokes every day. And fail to get exercise, maybe some pull ups at the airport, like any red-blooded American does. Until the TSA takes you aside for further screening, because doing pull ups at the airport just looks suspicious.
Response from Senator Warnock after I called his and Senator Ossoff's offices last week about the dangers Hegseth poses to our military and we civilians due to his incompetency. This is an amazingly quick turn around in communication:
"Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
As the son of a U.S. Army Veteran, I am proud that Georgia is home to hundreds of thousands of our nation’s Veterans and Servicemembers. It is also my duty, as your Senator, to ensure that our Servicemembers have access to all of the knowledge, training, and resources necessary to maintain combat readiness. I also understand the value of national security, as keeping Georgians safe is my top priority.
I have consistently had concerns about Secretary Hegseth's fitness for his position, which is why I voted against his confirmation to be Secretary of Defense. After reporting indicated that Secretary of Defense Hegseth discussed sensitive, and potentially classified, information about U.S. military actions in a group chat on an unsecured messaging platform called Signal, I called for Secretary Hegseth's resignation because his actions demonstrate that he is not up to the task of keeping Georgia safe. In addition, I also joined 30 of my Senate colleagues in calling on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to appoint a Special Counsel to thoroughly and impartially investigate whether he violated federal criminal law. If you are interested, you may read the full letter here: https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-schumer-democratic-senators-urge-ag-bondi-to-appoint-a-special-counsel-to-investigate-trump-administration-signal-chat-national-security-breach.
I understand your concerns regarding Secretary of Defense Hegseth, and I hear your frustration loud and clear. Although I am not a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which typically has jurisdiction over conducting oversight of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of Defense, please know that I am committed to conducting robust oversight over the DOD and military and I will keep your concerns in mind should legislation related to holding Secretary Hegseth and the Trump Administration accountable come before the full Senate for a vote. I remain committed to protecting our national security.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to do so again in the future if I may be of assistance to you or your family."
He's still subject to the TN charges for alleged human smuggling as stipulated at the end of the order. That means back to his brother's home in MD under house arrest.
"The Court orders Respondents to release Abrego Garcia from ICE custody immediately. Thereafter, he will receive instruction from the United States Pretrial Services Office as to installation on the release conditions previously imposed in his criminal case...
Pursuant to the Bail Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3142(c)(1)(B), the criminal court has imposed on Abrego Garcia the restrictive conditions of home detention with electronic monitoring, third-party custodianship, a residence requirement, and other programming to reasonably assure Abrego Garcia’s appearance in court and the safety of the community. See Tennessee Criminal Matter, ECF No. 112. "
Right, yep, release conditions for the sham criminal case. Which is set for trial next month, as I recall. Very little chance that DOJ actually wants to go through with the trial. It’s a sham prosecution with highly impeachable witnesses who were basically bribed for their testimony. Not with money but with release from prison.
Those videos are heartbreaking and blood-boiling at the same time. But we must not look away. Only by continued concerted action will we get through this madness and restore sanity.
Simon, thank you for the good information.
My calls to Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen are in.
What a mess. I'm glad to see their chaos, but they are also so dysfunctional it's hard to believe they will get anything done. They seem to want to just gerrymander their way out of this to avoid answering to voters.
Their dysfunction reminds me a lot of Republicans at the end of Hoover's administration. They were ideologically opposed to doing anything about the depression, almost unable to get anything done at all because of weak leadership, and headed to electoral catastrophe. I've been reading the Robert Caro biography of Lyndon Johnson, and it details the political scene in the early 1930's when Johnson was a Congressional aide (for a guy who barely showed up to work).
I'm not a real historian and don't know much about 1930's politics, but it just sounds so much like what is going on right now. Hoover was so out of touch and ideologically opposed to doing anything, and there was no real leadership. Complacency on behalf of the governing party.
Very interesting historical perspective and some interesting parallels...thanks for sharing.
It's interesting how a lot of the Republican rhetoric during that time blamed the unemployed for not being "grateful" or for "spending too much" or being too used to luxuries. Even as bread lines stretched around the block.
There are clearly some meaningful gaps in my knowledge of American history. I've read quite a bit over the years about FDR's first 100 days, but I've not really focused on the period between October 1929-March 1933. Looks like I'll adding a few extra books to my holiday wish list!
robert caro is a genius who will be read by historians centuries from now; he will take his place next to the likes of suetonius and tacitus. someday, i'm going to finish reading the power broker, which historians will also cherish; a massive tome on a powerful bureaucrat. by the way the film motherless brooklyn, one of bruce willis' last serious roles though he has only a small role, is based on robert moses, with alec baldwin and edward norton in oscar worthy roles.
NY Historical Society has a great little exhibit because he has worked so closely with them.
https://nyhistory.org/exhibitions/turn-every-page-inside-robert-caro-archive
Hello BeeBee! you asked about SCOTUS reform - in additon to adding justices to match number of appellate districts, enforceable ethics code, judiciary commenters are talking about term limits
Yes, this aligns with what I've heard - but, again, what I'm hearing is that anything less than an EXPONENTIAL increase on the Supreme Court is just not effectual (per Elie Mystal, perhaps?) And that's an increase that most lawmakers are skittish about because it's radical. The very point is to eliminate a supermajority, which can still occur with just a handful more judges.
I've been meaning to read the Caro bio forever, and hope someday to have the time--if I can actually retire. UGH
It’s really, really, really, really long. I am reading it slowly. Volume 1.
After using Mike Wallace's Gotham: History of NYC to 1898 as a doorstop for years, I finally downloaded it as an audio book so I can listen as I walk (vs sit, at which point, I just fall asleep). This is my 2026 project: it is well over 1000 pages (notes alone = hundreds of pages).
I read a report from a librarian that history books and books about social justice have been flying off the shelf all year. It made me so happy!
That's music to my ears, Elizabeth.
Great news re: discharge petitions!!
Good on Minneapolis PD. imo the ICE thugs have a dual purpose - terrorizing the populace and selecting out thugs willing to commit atrocities on others.
Self-report:
I called the offices of my members of Congress and thanked them for staying on top of the flooding situation here in the Northwest, especially in Skagit County. I pointed out that the flooding is bad now and is likely to get worse. Down the road, we'll need some disaster relief from the federal government. It may be a chore getting any funds from this regime.
Trump may be unwell, but his enablers are not. They are powerful, connected, and getting everything they want. We can see the cracks in the GOP Congress that Trump has effectively emasculated. I'm wondering when we will see it in the Executive Branch and the Courts. They seem to be getting more powerful as Congressional power recedes.
It's only SCOTUS that supports T, other levels of the judiciary are holding well. Prediction is that only T is keeping his enablers together, indeed, as Simon explains, T's support in the leg. branch is fracturing and they're also attacking each other. A good person to follow re: courts is Glen Kirschner's substack - a link on CA [Newsom] vs. T
A federal judge just ordered Trump to "return control of the California National Guard to Governor Newsom." looking for link will add
Last night I watched an episode of Strange New Worlds (a Star Trek show) and watched as the Enterprise faced a truly dire situation. As usual, the crew came together to save the day, each person contributing unique gifts that, when put together, created a beautiful tapestry that led to victory. This is a typical Star Trek plot line, but I always love those episodes because they always promote the idea that everyone is needed and has something useful to contribute. This morning I opened the Substack of Engaged Durhamites 4 Democracy, a local group that is doing a lot to protect our democracy and that was founded one year ago this week. In one year, this small group has grown from 30 who were at the initial meeting to hundreds and now hosts multiple local bridge brigades every week and spread them to other communities in NC. They are a strong voice for democracy, and are growing in creativity and scope every month. Most importantly, they are not alone. There are groups like this all across the country! I think our grassroots movement is growing stronger and stronger. Do our leaders need to tap into this more? Yes! But the signs are encouraging.
I'll make my three calls today as usual and will also sign up for a new batch of postcards. Onward!
Well done, Durham!
Self report - to my Rep and both Senators (including thanking Slotkin and her colleagues for speaking out re: Caribbean issue)...
Dear ...
I continue to write to ask that you use your position and power to:
• Stand with Ukraine and our European allies, and far more forcefully challenge Trump’s traitorous efforts to sell out the US and the West to Russia; demand that Congress rebuke/issue a no confidence vote on his current efforts to force Ukraine to surrender
• Stand forcefully in support of the rule of law in the Caribbean - these illegal strikes taken in our name must end; no war can be waged without Congressional approval and there must accountability for those who have broken the law
• Roll back the President's terrible, illegal tariffs that are re-igniting inflation, driving up prices, shifting the tax burden from the wealthy to working people, hurting small businesses and farmers, reviving tyrannical “taxation without representation,” and alienating governments and people throughout the world
• Defend our democracy, rule of law, and our liberties by blocking the expansion of ICE; restoring due process for immigrants across the country; vigorously defending the 1st Amendment; warring against targeting of the President’s domestic political opponents; ending the use of the military on our streets and the unlawful occupation of our cities; stopping the unprecedented corruption; and by forcing the Administration to finally comply with Congress, end the rancid cover up, and release all of the Epstein files
• Fight the administration’s war on science, higher education and our public health; immediately reverse the cuts to the ACA and Medicaid; support and co-sponsor Rep. Haley Stevens’ effort to Impeach and remove Robert Kennedy
Please stand up for this country that - imperfect though it has been – has been on a path of becoming so much more perfect than it is now.
Thank you.
American citizens being detained with no warrants, no evidence... Just because they "look like immigrants". I think I'll vote for anyone who says he/she will investigate and, if the evidence is compelling, prosecute ICE officers and their bosses, all the way up to Noem, for this blatantly illegal and un-American behavior. That candidate could raise my taxes 30%, implement 5000 new regulations, ban hand guns, and he/she would still have my support. That's how appalling and sickening this is.
I agree with you, 100%!
You bet. Everyone single person involved with the creation and carrying out of this horror must be held fully accountable. I'd have a different list of "that candidate could..." actions than yours, but I couldn't agree more. We're not alone, and by the time this is over, we'll have a whole lot more company in this view.
Hi, so happy to be here! Just found out that Mr. Abrego is ordered released by Judge Xinis! Of all the horrible things that are happening, this is a bright spot. Heather C. Richardson keeps talking about the return of public intellectualism here on Substack. I'd submit that it's also the dawn of a return to common sense AND common decency. As Simon often says, people are pissed and they are sick of this crap. Unfortunately, people often lack the imagination to think of the worst, and it's not till the worst looms before us that we recognize the danger. Fortunately for us, it's not too late to do something about it.
We found out yesterday that Sen. Kim will continue on his crusade to fight the political corruption at the state level here in NJ. As I said last week, I would not mess with him-the testimony he gave last week wound up forcing the scummy state senator who wanted to consolidate state oversight & get rid of state comptroller to back down! https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/10/kim-seeks-to-topple-the-democratic-machines-in-2027-00685007
Have gotten great email responses both from Sen. Kim & Sen. Booker, who is finally responding to our continued harassment about upgrading his email game.
Keep going!
brian lehrer had a whole segment on the nj issue this morning; heard kim's speech; he really stuck it to them, waited five hours to speak. no one can remember a sitting senator taking such a stand in a state issue.
I had a meeting this morning and couldn't listen to my beloved Brian. I'll replay the episode later this afternoon when it's released for on-demand -- and thanks for reminding me.
He is a badass. All while dealing with his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis. And don't forget, a large part of how he got to the Senate was his challenging of corrupt ballot design.
Thought I read that the bill Scutari was trying to push through the NJ Legislature got pulled “out of respect for the governor-elect?”
Anyway I agree Andy Kim is a badass who has improved NJ democracy ten-fold. The competitive primary for NJ governor was key to victory in November IMHO. We now have a competitive primary in CD-11 to replace Mikie Sherrill. Almost overwhelming this political junkie!!!!
I just increased my contributions to Ossoff and Cooper. (I'm from KY.) I have been contributing to Talirico in Texas, but now Crockett has joined the race. No clue what to do here.
I chose to let TX decide their candidate. I'm withholding donations from the TX primary and then will contribute to the general. May the best candidate win.
.... And here in NYC, Brad Lander is going up against Dan Goldman.
Interesting one in NYC. The comments in the NYT about Lander were overwhelmingly in support of Goldman, while the comments in Instagram were overwhelmingly in support of Lander.
I just finished watching your conversation with Jen Ruben of the Contrarian. Good stuff Simon. I hope you are speaking loudly out to the DNC about your ending comments with Jen: To fight harder, to show strength to the American public that electeds aren't just writing and speaking strong words, but taking actions of resolve that will push the agenda and reinvigorate the party brand. Trump is a TACO, and in steep decline. Dems have a huge opportunity to prove their mettle and seize the narrative as strong fighters and for the people. Those are the folks we want to elect in the primaries, whether or not they are incumbents.
The decline of Mike Johnson and rise of discharge petitions is very heartening to read this morning. Thank You for dishing those details. Hegseth, Bondi, Patel and Kennedy are also on the list in decline.
I'm steeling my courage to watch the ICE video, then call my electeds to do more about it.
Keep pushing.
It’s pretty stunning how the GOP could easily generate some good will and paper over the fact they have no plans for health care by simply voting for the ACA subsidy extensions. Instead, they are not only refusing to do so, but are openly mocking the idea of people needing assistance paying for health coverage or that “people go to the doctor too much.” They are even past the point of simple career self-preservation, and for what? A man who won’t even be around in 3 years.
cowards gonna coward.
I think a certain number of them are simply not bright enough to be that intellectually flexible. Discouraging, but that's what gerrymandering and one-party rule in red states will get you, I guess.
A lot of those people are just dumb as hell.
That too.
Don't you know that it is your patriotic duty to stay healthy now? You can't eat two Big Macs for lunch, and drink 73 Diet Cokes every day. And fail to get exercise, maybe some pull ups at the airport, like any red-blooded American does. Until the TSA takes you aside for further screening, because doing pull ups at the airport just looks suspicious.
Oh wait...
Response from Senator Warnock after I called his and Senator Ossoff's offices last week about the dangers Hegseth poses to our military and we civilians due to his incompetency. This is an amazingly quick turn around in communication:
"Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
As the son of a U.S. Army Veteran, I am proud that Georgia is home to hundreds of thousands of our nation’s Veterans and Servicemembers. It is also my duty, as your Senator, to ensure that our Servicemembers have access to all of the knowledge, training, and resources necessary to maintain combat readiness. I also understand the value of national security, as keeping Georgians safe is my top priority.
I have consistently had concerns about Secretary Hegseth's fitness for his position, which is why I voted against his confirmation to be Secretary of Defense. After reporting indicated that Secretary of Defense Hegseth discussed sensitive, and potentially classified, information about U.S. military actions in a group chat on an unsecured messaging platform called Signal, I called for Secretary Hegseth's resignation because his actions demonstrate that he is not up to the task of keeping Georgia safe. In addition, I also joined 30 of my Senate colleagues in calling on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to appoint a Special Counsel to thoroughly and impartially investigate whether he violated federal criminal law. If you are interested, you may read the full letter here: https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-schumer-democratic-senators-urge-ag-bondi-to-appoint-a-special-counsel-to-investigate-trump-administration-signal-chat-national-security-breach.
I understand your concerns regarding Secretary of Defense Hegseth, and I hear your frustration loud and clear. Although I am not a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which typically has jurisdiction over conducting oversight of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of Defense, please know that I am committed to conducting robust oversight over the DOD and military and I will keep your concerns in mind should legislation related to holding Secretary Hegseth and the Trump Administration accountable come before the full Senate for a vote. I remain committed to protecting our national security.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to do so again in the future if I may be of assistance to you or your family."
You guys Judge Xinis ordered that Kilmar Abrego Garcia must be released immediately!!! FINALLY!!!
I saw that when the NYT broke the story!
Here's the WaPo report. https://wapo.st/44pony9
Here is the 33-page order. https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mdd.589189/gov.uscourts.mdd.589189.110.0_3.pdf
Page 31: “The Court orders Respondents to release Abrego Garcia from ICE custody immediately.”
Hell yeah. LET THAT MAN GO!
He's still subject to the TN charges for alleged human smuggling as stipulated at the end of the order. That means back to his brother's home in MD under house arrest.
"The Court orders Respondents to release Abrego Garcia from ICE custody immediately. Thereafter, he will receive instruction from the United States Pretrial Services Office as to installation on the release conditions previously imposed in his criminal case...
Pursuant to the Bail Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3142(c)(1)(B), the criminal court has imposed on Abrego Garcia the restrictive conditions of home detention with electronic monitoring, third-party custodianship, a residence requirement, and other programming to reasonably assure Abrego Garcia’s appearance in court and the safety of the community. See Tennessee Criminal Matter, ECF No. 112. "
Right, yep, release conditions for the sham criminal case. Which is set for trial next month, as I recall. Very little chance that DOJ actually wants to go through with the trial. It’s a sham prosecution with highly impeachable witnesses who were basically bribed for their testimony. Not with money but with release from prison.