For tomorrow: are you able to explain why this federal funding freeze is so opaque about the impact on current students in higher education? Pell Grants and federal loans are technically in the student’s name, but disbursed directly to the institution, and thus we are sitting in a very gray area (until further clarification from the administration, I presume). Selfishly, as a college counselor who works predominantly with low income students who rely heavily on federal, state, and institutional aid for upward social mobility, I’m trying to understand what information my students will need to navigate these changes.
Looks like Pell Grants were officially listed in funding that won't be impacted, and the Times says federal student loans won't be either but the language makes me uneasy and untrusting that that is the case.
The days of Advice and Consent are fairly well done. The President, for awhile, not just Trump, has not looked for Advice and has simply demanded Consent. The Constitution was set up with the provision that Congress had the bulk of the power. It has thrown it mostly away, for a title, and tv appearances. It desperately needs to reassert itself, not just for its own sake, but for ours as well.
Is President Trump going to get away with firing the 15 IG because not enough of majority Republican lead Congress will call him out and hold him accountable for not giving 30 days notice or specific reasons?
I’m confused why he can get away with this when some Democrats signed a letter stating it was illegal.
The quick answer - he gets away with this because he’s a bully and not enough people have the courage to stand up to him.
A bit longer answer - both personally and professionally he’s a bully, a tyrant and a wannabe dictator. He revels in professional (on the job) retaliation and flat out personal revenge and does not hesitate to use both. In addition, he has and will call for his cult to make people pay for standing up to him. We all know this means vile threats and violence. Which, if carried out, he will throw up his hands and proclaim “I was just joking”. (Yet his cult will still do his bidding even when/after he throws them under the bus.)
Thank you, Gabe, for this detailed description. I’m watching the Senate floor as often as I can to hear what is going on. I’m terrified about Russell Vought getting in again. The fever dream of Project 2025 is a nightmare for the rest of us.
We tend to punish those who stand up for what is right vs. what is the best for the party, e.g., Cheney, Kinsinger, AOC, etc. The first step is to stop political gerrymandering. The second step is to increase the members of congress to provide better representation. The third step is to strengthen the fourth estate so they are less vulnerable to the super rich and are required to fact check everything and everybody, the fifth thing is to make social media outlets responsible for allowing lies and hate speech on their platforms, the sixth thing is to make the number of senate seats proportional to the population of a state but no less than 2 and continue to be state wide elections.and seventh would be a voting requirement for all eligible voters with specific fines for unexcused failures to carry out the most profound obligation of all citizens ( and btw employers would be required to allow all voters to meet this obligation and not dock their pay under penalty of paying the employees’ fines. There’s a lot more on my laundry list but I would be overjoyed to see the above. These would help make our government more representative. I know it means more of them but I really do think it would still protect minority opinions but allow for better representation of what could be an overwhelming majority. Yes I know it’s a pipe dream but since we live in a total state of chaos, I can explore my fantasies.
The Party that shuts down the government loses their pay, all financial benefits and medical insurance for every day the government is closed. No money can be earned from any other avenue either on those days.
Also, every member of Congress is required to use VA clinics and VA hospitals for their medical care - for the first 12 months of their first term as members of the House and the first three years of their first term as Senators. Zero exceptions. No cutting to the front of any line either. If Congress deems VA healthcare good enough for those who serve and sacrifice for this country then they have to experience the same healthcare for the timeframes listed.
The difference between the politicians of the late 70s and today is integrity and ethics. Gone are the days where the phrase LAW AND ORDER had meaning. Now too many people go into service to enrich themselves and destroy our CIVIL RIGHTS with their religion.
I don’t know how to explain how sad this whole situation is. Is there no one in Washington that cares enough about our country to stand up to a dictator?
I any upgrade right now due to Altadena fires. On top of that the man in the White House is creating chaos in every part of this country. He promised it and uninformed ignorance let's him do it.
Everyday your posts are so well researched and well written that they have become one of my absolutely "must" daily reads. However, today's discussion about the firing of IGs was incredibly helpful and succinctly summarized the oversight lapses we've seen from congress over the past two decades. Bravo--excellent work.
The day will come when the current corrupt administration starts erasing and deleting articles like this. It is good to have printed copies of the work they will find ‘offensive’ because it shines a light on their corruption and lawless actions.
This piece on the ongoing collapse of Congress as a meaningful branch of government is brilliant. I hope many people read it. Kudos
For tomorrow: are you able to explain why this federal funding freeze is so opaque about the impact on current students in higher education? Pell Grants and federal loans are technically in the student’s name, but disbursed directly to the institution, and thus we are sitting in a very gray area (until further clarification from the administration, I presume). Selfishly, as a college counselor who works predominantly with low income students who rely heavily on federal, state, and institutional aid for upward social mobility, I’m trying to understand what information my students will need to navigate these changes.
Looks like Pell Grants were officially listed in funding that won't be impacted, and the Times says federal student loans won't be either but the language makes me uneasy and untrusting that that is the case.
Thank you for this. It's very worrisome.
The days of Advice and Consent are fairly well done. The President, for awhile, not just Trump, has not looked for Advice and has simply demanded Consent. The Constitution was set up with the provision that Congress had the bulk of the power. It has thrown it mostly away, for a title, and tv appearances. It desperately needs to reassert itself, not just for its own sake, but for ours as well.
Is President Trump going to get away with firing the 15 IG because not enough of majority Republican lead Congress will call him out and hold him accountable for not giving 30 days notice or specific reasons?
I’m confused why he can get away with this when some Democrats signed a letter stating it was illegal.
The quick answer - he gets away with this because he’s a bully and not enough people have the courage to stand up to him.
A bit longer answer - both personally and professionally he’s a bully, a tyrant and a wannabe dictator. He revels in professional (on the job) retaliation and flat out personal revenge and does not hesitate to use both. In addition, he has and will call for his cult to make people pay for standing up to him. We all know this means vile threats and violence. Which, if carried out, he will throw up his hands and proclaim “I was just joking”. (Yet his cult will still do his bidding even when/after he throws them under the bus.)
Thank you, Gabe, for this detailed description. I’m watching the Senate floor as often as I can to hear what is going on. I’m terrified about Russell Vought getting in again. The fever dream of Project 2025 is a nightmare for the rest of us.
Excellent piece today! I am wondering if many of the Congress members subscribe to Wake Up to Politics?
We tend to punish those who stand up for what is right vs. what is the best for the party, e.g., Cheney, Kinsinger, AOC, etc. The first step is to stop political gerrymandering. The second step is to increase the members of congress to provide better representation. The third step is to strengthen the fourth estate so they are less vulnerable to the super rich and are required to fact check everything and everybody, the fifth thing is to make social media outlets responsible for allowing lies and hate speech on their platforms, the sixth thing is to make the number of senate seats proportional to the population of a state but no less than 2 and continue to be state wide elections.and seventh would be a voting requirement for all eligible voters with specific fines for unexcused failures to carry out the most profound obligation of all citizens ( and btw employers would be required to allow all voters to meet this obligation and not dock their pay under penalty of paying the employees’ fines. There’s a lot more on my laundry list but I would be overjoyed to see the above. These would help make our government more representative. I know it means more of them but I really do think it would still protect minority opinions but allow for better representation of what could be an overwhelming majority. Yes I know it’s a pipe dream but since we live in a total state of chaos, I can explore my fantasies.
Interesting ideas. I would add a few.
The Party that shuts down the government loses their pay, all financial benefits and medical insurance for every day the government is closed. No money can be earned from any other avenue either on those days.
Also, every member of Congress is required to use VA clinics and VA hospitals for their medical care - for the first 12 months of their first term as members of the House and the first three years of their first term as Senators. Zero exceptions. No cutting to the front of any line either. If Congress deems VA healthcare good enough for those who serve and sacrifice for this country then they have to experience the same healthcare for the timeframes listed.
The difference between the politicians of the late 70s and today is integrity and ethics. Gone are the days where the phrase LAW AND ORDER had meaning. Now too many people go into service to enrich themselves and destroy our CIVIL RIGHTS with their religion.
Also gone - any idea of what shame means.
It isn’t loyalty to the party. It is “loyalty “ to 🍊💩. These people need to have some guts. Disgusting.
I don’t know how to explain how sad this whole situation is. Is there no one in Washington that cares enough about our country to stand up to a dictator?
There are a few but only a few.
Gabe your last paragraph of this article hits the mark! Well written!
Exceptional reporting! Thank you Gabe.
This was excellent. Thank you.
This is why I’m a proud subscriber! Excellent work!
I any upgrade right now due to Altadena fires. On top of that the man in the White House is creating chaos in every part of this country. He promised it and uninformed ignorance let's him do it.
Everyday your posts are so well researched and well written that they have become one of my absolutely "must" daily reads. However, today's discussion about the firing of IGs was incredibly helpful and succinctly summarized the oversight lapses we've seen from congress over the past two decades. Bravo--excellent work.
I agree. I’ve printed this one out to keep.
The day will come when the current corrupt administration starts erasing and deleting articles like this. It is good to have printed copies of the work they will find ‘offensive’ because it shines a light on their corruption and lawless actions.