Gabe, This is a question I'd wanted to ask you some weeks ago, but which I didn't have the focus or energy to send in. Your JOE BIDEN article (as always, an excellent addition to dialogue on a subject) makes it all the more important that I send you the question now AND the question will also serve as a comment on your BIDEN piece. Here goes:
The nationally televised presentation of the research results of the U.S. House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021 catastrophe at the U.S. Capitol included some vivid allegations regarding Trumps behavior while the capitol catastrophe was in progress. Particularly I remember allegations of Trump's behavior while he was alone (except for appropriate dining room service staff) in a private dining area and (as I remember it from watching the presentation) he threw the food in front of him (and the tray that it was on, maybe?) against a nearby wall.
The allegation/description was considerably more detailed and compelling than my description just above, but my perception upon witnessing that part of the committee's presentation was clear and heavy duty: TRUMP IS CERTIFIABLY MENTALLY ILL and THE FORM THAT ILNESS TAKES IS THE BEHAVIOR OF AN INFANT. Here's my question:
Isn't that allegation in that context sufficient to generate the exact kind of concern that you've identified in your BIDEN essay as having been absent from the media with regard to Biden's mental condition. In other words you are correct to identify shortcomings of media coverage on problems of Biden's mental capacities that were mostly hidden by his staff and allies BUT still hinted at by publicly available factual information that simply was not followed through by journalists.
DOESN'T THE EXACT SAME CONDITION EXIST RIGHT NOW WITH REGARD TO TRUMP AND HIS MENTAL CONDITION ? Instead of following those kinds of leads, all our current media take Trump's daily public activities at face value and as the essential unfolding news that is the most important.
Shouldn't someone be looking into Trump's possible or even likely craziness?
Just like perhaps YOU might have searched into Biden's likely mental incompetence due to aging, if not due to long term mental illness?
Click the three dots to the right of your post, Click on edit and take your phone number off before it starts ringing off the hook as us fellow old guys used to say...and you have to get a new number.
You might want to remove your phone number and other personally identifying information in future posts - I'm assuming that for this post you might not know how to edit to remove it. Based on your other subscriptions it would be fairly easy to figure out who you are and where you live. You may think it doesn't matter or it doesn't bother you if strangers on the internet can look you up but in this dystopian world we find ourselves, anything can happen. Stay safe.
I have been wanting to hear what the temperature is in MAGA land about all the profiting he and his kids and family (including Mr Kushner senior) are bragging about. The new toys and buildings profit the Trumps but does anybody anywhere care about the US population's issues? Can the emoluments standards be used? Do Republicans think this is cool?
Gabe, No question at this point but rather pure praise. I have so enjoyed reading your posts and listening to your interviews. You are doing a superb job reporting and I am thankful for your efforts! I was an early subscriber, sharing the post with my husband and the piece you wrote today Trumps Theory of the Presidency is Failing made such a positive impression on my husband he is going to get his own subscription to support your efforts. I have enjoyed sending various pieces to friends who have then subscribed as well. Keep up the great work as you are filling a niche that is so needed!!! We read Heather Cox Richardson but what we are particularly enjoying is your unbiased, "old school" state the facts kind of reporting that allows the reader to form their own opinion. Thank you. Bravo!
I am curious, since most judges that rule against him are getting doxed with 2am pizza deliveries (some under the name of one judge's murdered son) and their families are threatened, when can we finally expect to get some contempt rulings on the multiple court orders he is ignoring? Thank you. (The judge whose son was murdered was on MSNBC yesterday and it was very powerful)
Hello Gabe. It is my understanding that buried in the big budget bill recently approved by the House and currently being debated in the Senate, there is this little item: “No court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued.”
Does this mean that if this big budget bill is passed, federal judges can no longer enforce their rulings with a contempt citation — effectively neutering the federal judiciary, making them powerless should Trump and his cronies opt to ignore their judicial decisions? This seems profoundly important, yet I hear no discussion about it. Please elaborate.
My guess is that this would end up in some court or other and would get struck down. It would get appealed and end up at the Supreme Court. What that court would rule is anyone’s guess. But my money is on them also striking it down.
Assuming SCOTUS rules against Trump on the citizenship issue, what do you think will happen if Trump thumbs his nose at SCOTUS and moves ahead with deportation of hundreds or thousands of U.S. citizens born to illegal immigrants? SCOTUS does not have its own enforcement "police" to enforce the effect of its decisions.
Hello Gabe, you mentioned in a 2024, November 5th article that if Harris lost Pennsylvania and the Blue Wall it would be a “Call this the 2028 nominee Josh Shapiro scenario”. Do you still believe this to be the case for the Democratic Party? As in, what it ought to do, will do, and or should do?
If Democrats convincingly take back the House in 2026, what do you expect their top priorities will be? And do you expect meaningful investigations into some of the Trump family’s seemingly corrupt financial deals (shady crypto transactions, jumbo jet from Qatar, questionable real estate deals, etc.)?
I hate to say it but after Trump won by using DEI and Trans issues as scapegoats for everything - putting an, albeit very experienced, minority duo out there would be handing the election to Vance. Kamala was experienced and she's still lost (I know for additional reasons other than being a black woman)
I'd love to see Pete Buttgieg/Crockett. I'm just concerned that people won't vote for him because he's gay. But I could see him going on Rogan and such and having a good conversation that gets back the attention of our young men.
With consistuents in both parties annoyed at how the others president has been using the power of the pardon, what are the chances we see the power curbed?
Oooh good one. I personally think that if a court of law found someone guilty, they should remain guilty unless they go through the appeal process through that same court of law. Not because a President likes them.
Turkeys are the only ones that should be pardoned.
Gabe, Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) recently co-sponsored an amendment which would have protected Medicaid and other health care programs as the Big Beautiful Bill proponents intend to gut them. Although this amendment narrowly failed in the Senate by one vote, it appears to be a rare example of bipartisan cooperation. In these highly polarized times on the Hill, can you cheer us up with news of other signs of cooperation in Congress? Thanks!
I would also like to, at some point, see some numbers on how much all of these lawsuits against the current administration are costing the American taxpayer (me). Of course, comparisons to the same from recent past administrations would be helpful.
Everyone says Trump wants to be a king, but modern kings are just figureheads with no political power. I certainly doubt that Trump wants to be anything like King Charles III, for example. What is it that Trump really wants to be? George III maybe? How ironic. He lost America. And he was well and truly mad.
This question won't win any prizes for legal subtlety, but the fact is that today Trump pardoned the ringleader of one of Chicago's most infamously violent gangs who has continued to run an extensive criminal operation from prison--where he will remain despite the Trump pardon as he owes 200 years on his state convictions. Nevertheless, along with the J6 pardons and any other pardons, Trump's constant threats of "we're watching you" and his rants against the judiciary are thus gaining a dedicated and grateful (to Trump) armed force of the worst of the worst, who now know from experience that Trump is their protector--not to even mention that nether the Bondi DOJ nor the Patel FBI is likely to restrain them. Talk me down! I hear the crunch of jackboots.
Gabe, when/(IF?) the Senate passes Trump's 1BBB will the provision "No court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued,"
apply to any of the court cases you talked about in 'Trump’s Theory of the Presidency' should Trump choose to ignore court orders that go against him?
Gabe, This is a question I'd wanted to ask you some weeks ago, but which I didn't have the focus or energy to send in. Your JOE BIDEN article (as always, an excellent addition to dialogue on a subject) makes it all the more important that I send you the question now AND the question will also serve as a comment on your BIDEN piece. Here goes:
The nationally televised presentation of the research results of the U.S. House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021 catastrophe at the U.S. Capitol included some vivid allegations regarding Trumps behavior while the capitol catastrophe was in progress. Particularly I remember allegations of Trump's behavior while he was alone (except for appropriate dining room service staff) in a private dining area and (as I remember it from watching the presentation) he threw the food in front of him (and the tray that it was on, maybe?) against a nearby wall.
The allegation/description was considerably more detailed and compelling than my description just above, but my perception upon witnessing that part of the committee's presentation was clear and heavy duty: TRUMP IS CERTIFIABLY MENTALLY ILL and THE FORM THAT ILNESS TAKES IS THE BEHAVIOR OF AN INFANT. Here's my question:
Isn't that allegation in that context sufficient to generate the exact kind of concern that you've identified in your BIDEN essay as having been absent from the media with regard to Biden's mental condition. In other words you are correct to identify shortcomings of media coverage on problems of Biden's mental capacities that were mostly hidden by his staff and allies BUT still hinted at by publicly available factual information that simply was not followed through by journalists.
DOESN'T THE EXACT SAME CONDITION EXIST RIGHT NOW WITH REGARD TO TRUMP AND HIS MENTAL CONDITION ? Instead of following those kinds of leads, all our current media take Trump's daily public activities at face value and as the essential unfolding news that is the most important.
Shouldn't someone be looking into Trump's possible or even likely craziness?
Just like perhaps YOU might have searched into Biden's likely mental incompetence due to aging, if not due to long term mental illness?
Oh honey, bless your heart but don't put all that personal information on the internet.
Click the three dots to the right of your post, Click on edit and take your phone number off before it starts ringing off the hook as us fellow old guys used to say...and you have to get a new number.
Rick,
You might want to remove your phone number and other personally identifying information in future posts - I'm assuming that for this post you might not know how to edit to remove it. Based on your other subscriptions it would be fairly easy to figure out who you are and where you live. You may think it doesn't matter or it doesn't bother you if strangers on the internet can look you up but in this dystopian world we find ourselves, anything can happen. Stay safe.
Thank you so much JustRaven and Ron Fox for the good and important advice.
My question is….can anything be done to stop the blatant use of the presidency to reap profits for himself and his family?
I have been wanting to hear what the temperature is in MAGA land about all the profiting he and his kids and family (including Mr Kushner senior) are bragging about. The new toys and buildings profit the Trumps but does anybody anywhere care about the US population's issues? Can the emoluments standards be used? Do Republicans think this is cool?
Gabe, No question at this point but rather pure praise. I have so enjoyed reading your posts and listening to your interviews. You are doing a superb job reporting and I am thankful for your efforts! I was an early subscriber, sharing the post with my husband and the piece you wrote today Trumps Theory of the Presidency is Failing made such a positive impression on my husband he is going to get his own subscription to support your efforts. I have enjoyed sending various pieces to friends who have then subscribed as well. Keep up the great work as you are filling a niche that is so needed!!! We read Heather Cox Richardson but what we are particularly enjoying is your unbiased, "old school" state the facts kind of reporting that allows the reader to form their own opinion. Thank you. Bravo!
I am curious, since most judges that rule against him are getting doxed with 2am pizza deliveries (some under the name of one judge's murdered son) and their families are threatened, when can we finally expect to get some contempt rulings on the multiple court orders he is ignoring? Thank you. (The judge whose son was murdered was on MSNBC yesterday and it was very powerful)
Hello Gabe. It is my understanding that buried in the big budget bill recently approved by the House and currently being debated in the Senate, there is this little item: “No court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued.”
Does this mean that if this big budget bill is passed, federal judges can no longer enforce their rulings with a contempt citation — effectively neutering the federal judiciary, making them powerless should Trump and his cronies opt to ignore their judicial decisions? This seems profoundly important, yet I hear no discussion about it. Please elaborate.
My guess is that this would end up in some court or other and would get struck down. It would get appealed and end up at the Supreme Court. What that court would rule is anyone’s guess. But my money is on them also striking it down.
Assuming SCOTUS rules against Trump on the citizenship issue, what do you think will happen if Trump thumbs his nose at SCOTUS and moves ahead with deportation of hundreds or thousands of U.S. citizens born to illegal immigrants? SCOTUS does not have its own enforcement "police" to enforce the effect of its decisions.
Hello Gabe, you mentioned in a 2024, November 5th article that if Harris lost Pennsylvania and the Blue Wall it would be a “Call this the 2028 nominee Josh Shapiro scenario”. Do you still believe this to be the case for the Democratic Party? As in, what it ought to do, will do, and or should do?
Why hasn’t Trump been reprimanded or even impeached for all his destruction in past 4 months???
How can he disobey the Supreme Court?
The House has to initiate an impeachment and Gabe has made it pretty clear Congress is supporting Trump's policies.
And if they're not supporting it, they're so scared of losing their re-election seat due to getting primaried that they're kneeling to Trump.
If Democrats convincingly take back the House in 2026, what do you expect their top priorities will be? And do you expect meaningful investigations into some of the Trump family’s seemingly corrupt financial deals (shady crypto transactions, jumbo jet from Qatar, questionable real estate deals, etc.)?
What do you think is the Democrats' strongest ticket for 2028? I am a big fan of AOC/Crockett. It would be the strongest, most inclusive ticket in history! https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/aoc-crockett-2028
I am skeptical of it would be strongest. I am not sure if inclusivity matters. Winning elections matters.
And I'm sorry to say that I have no confidence voters will elect a women for President at least this decade.
I hate to say it but after Trump won by using DEI and Trans issues as scapegoats for everything - putting an, albeit very experienced, minority duo out there would be handing the election to Vance. Kamala was experienced and she's still lost (I know for additional reasons other than being a black woman)
I'd love to see Pete Buttgieg/Crockett. I'm just concerned that people won't vote for him because he's gay. But I could see him going on Rogan and such and having a good conversation that gets back the attention of our young men.
Por favor!
With consistuents in both parties annoyed at how the others president has been using the power of the pardon, what are the chances we see the power curbed?
Oooh good one. I personally think that if a court of law found someone guilty, they should remain guilty unless they go through the appeal process through that same court of law. Not because a President likes them.
Turkeys are the only ones that should be pardoned.
Gabe, Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) recently co-sponsored an amendment which would have protected Medicaid and other health care programs as the Big Beautiful Bill proponents intend to gut them. Although this amendment narrowly failed in the Senate by one vote, it appears to be a rare example of bipartisan cooperation. In these highly polarized times on the Hill, can you cheer us up with news of other signs of cooperation in Congress? Thanks!
I would also like to, at some point, see some numbers on how much all of these lawsuits against the current administration are costing the American taxpayer (me). Of course, comparisons to the same from recent past administrations would be helpful.
Everyone says Trump wants to be a king, but modern kings are just figureheads with no political power. I certainly doubt that Trump wants to be anything like King Charles III, for example. What is it that Trump really wants to be? George III maybe? How ironic. He lost America. And he was well and truly mad.
This question won't win any prizes for legal subtlety, but the fact is that today Trump pardoned the ringleader of one of Chicago's most infamously violent gangs who has continued to run an extensive criminal operation from prison--where he will remain despite the Trump pardon as he owes 200 years on his state convictions. Nevertheless, along with the J6 pardons and any other pardons, Trump's constant threats of "we're watching you" and his rants against the judiciary are thus gaining a dedicated and grateful (to Trump) armed force of the worst of the worst, who now know from experience that Trump is their protector--not to even mention that nether the Bondi DOJ nor the Patel FBI is likely to restrain them. Talk me down! I hear the crunch of jackboots.
Gabe, when/(IF?) the Senate passes Trump's 1BBB will the provision "No court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued,"
apply to any of the court cases you talked about in 'Trump’s Theory of the Presidency' should Trump choose to ignore court orders that go against him?