Attacks on Democracy

January 6th, election interference, acts of authoritarianism, voter suppression, and systematic undermining of democratic institutions.

1799

Stories

Republicans pick the worst hill to die on - Daily Kos

Republicans pick the worst hill to die on - Daily Kos

Congressional Republicans largely defended Donald Trump's tariffs despite their unpopularity and the Supreme Court ruling against them, with some lawmakers claiming they protected American jobs and revived manufacturing. However, experts and Democrats argue that the tariffs failed to produce the promised economic benefits, resulting in job losses and higher costs for consumers. GOP leaders indicated that they are uncertain about their next steps, while Democrats plan to remind the public of the economic harm caused by the tariffs and Republican support for them.

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NGA Meeting: GOP Govs Split as Trump Threatens State Power - Puck News

NGA Meeting: GOP Govs Split as Trump Threatens State Power - Puck News

At a private meeting of the National Governors Association, tensions arose over concerns about ICE and Trump's efforts to nationalize elections, highlighting divisions among Republican governors. The meeting also focused on ongoing partisan disagreements and the upcoming presidential race, amid broader debates over federal influence and state interests during a period of increasing political polarization.

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Decades of feminism paved the road to Andrew's arrest | Rebecca Solnit | The Guardian

Decades of feminism paved the road to Andrew's arrest | Rebecca Solnit | The Guardian

The article attributes the recent arrest of Prince Andrew to decades of feminist activism that increased public awareness of sexual abuse and victims' rights, culminating in revelations about Jeffrey Epstein's crimes. It emphasizes that feminist movements, including the #MeToo wave, have played a crucial role in exposing powerful men and challenging systemic misogyny and impunity. The piece also criticizes ongoing efforts to undermine women's rights and portrays Jeffrey Epstein’s network as an example of how capitalism and patriarchy enable exploitation and trafficking, highlighting the importance of continued feminist work.

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Evangelicals and the cost of silence in America | The Seattle Times

Evangelicals and the cost of silence in America | The Seattle Times

An evangelical pastor highlights the moral and civic responsibility of evangelical supporters of President Trump, criticizing their support despite his repeated dishonesty, moral scandals, and undermining of democratic norms. He emphasizes that loyalty to Trump has led to silence on significant issues such as truth, character, and human dignity, which damages the moral credibility of evangelicalism and the nation. The article calls for honesty and courage within the movement to uphold democratic values and prevent further erosion of trust.

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"Still hard to comprehend": Conan mulls deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner, Catherine O'Hara

"Still hard to comprehend": Conan mulls deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner, Catherine O'Hara

Conan O’Brien reflected on the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, who were killed by their son after attending his holiday party, describing the loss as shocking and devastating. He praised Rob Reiner's prolific career and influence, particularly noting his impact on his generation and political activism. O’Brien also expressed admiration for Catherine O’Hara, calling her a brilliant performer and one of the nicest people he's encountered, and discussed the difficulty of finding comedy in the current political climate marked by outrageousness.

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Mechanisms may change, but the Trump regime's goal to reshape global trade remains the same

Mechanisms may change, but the Trump regime's goal to reshape global trade remains the same

The US Supreme Court's ruling that global tariffs are illegal has challenged Donald Trump's trade strategy, which relied heavily on tariffs under broad legal interpretations. Despite this, Trump announced new tariffs using alternative legal authorities, such as Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act and Section 301 of the Trade Act, indicating his continued efforts to reshape global trade. The decision also impacted India's existing tariff arrangements, prompting potential renegotiations. Overall, while legal mechanisms may shift, the Trump administration aims to persist in its goal of redefining international trade policies.

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US tariff policy 'hasn't changed' despite supreme court ruling, trade chief says

US tariff policy 'hasn't changed' despite supreme court ruling, trade chief says

US trade negotiator Jamieson Greer stated that the Trump administration's tariff policy remains unchanged despite the Supreme Court ruling that deemed many of Trump's tariffs illegal. He affirmed that the US will continue to pursue its tariff strategy and uphold existing trade deals with countries such as the UK, EU, and Japan, even though some tariffs were found to lack legal basis. The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision rejected the use of a 1977 law to justify tariffs, affirming congressional authority over such measures during peacetime. Critics, including Democrats and some state officials, described the tariffs as damaging and called for an end to the trade war.

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JPMorgan concedes it closed Trump's accounts after Jan. 6 attack - VernonReporter

JPMorgan concedes it closed Trump's accounts after Jan. 6 attack - VernonReporter

JPMorgan Chase has formally admitted in court that it closed President Donald Trump's accounts and those of his businesses in February 2021, following the January 6 Capitol attack. This marks the first written acknowledgment by the bank of the account closures after initially only discussing the issue hypothetically. Trump sued the bank alleging political discrimination and wrongful debanking, with his lawyers claiming the bank's actions caused significant financial harm and violated legal rights.

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Rising This Week: 'These f***ing courts' - by Adam Klasfeld

Rising This Week: 'These f***ing courts' - by Adam Klasfeld

Following a Supreme Court decision on tariffs, Donald Trump reacted with a profane outburst, criticizing the courts and minimizing the impact of the ruling on his tariffs regime. The article highlights how courts have thwarted certain aspects of Trump's agenda, including his attempt to levy taxes by executive action, and details ongoing legal challenges, such as the case of undocumented immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, which underscores the perceived limitations of Trump's power and the resilience of legal processes. Despite efforts to undermine judicial rulings, courts continue to uphold legal and constitutional standards against Trump's initiatives.

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Wounded Trump Goes Fire and Fury After SCOTUS Humiliation - Michael Wolff | Substack

Wounded Trump Goes Fire and Fury After SCOTUS Humiliation - Michael Wolff | Substack

Following a Supreme Court ruling on tariffs, Donald Trump has responded with strong rhetoric, calling the justices "unpatriotic" and "fools," marking an unprecedented escalation in his criticism of the judicial branch. Analysts suggest this reaction reflects his tendency to magnify setbacks and raise the stakes, highlighting concerns about his approach to governance and potential challenges to the separation of powers. The incident is viewed as part of a broader pattern of the president's theatrical and confrontational style.

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TSA says PreCheck still operational after previous announcement of suspension during funding fight

TSA says PreCheck still operational after previous announcement of suspension during funding fight

The TSA announced that its PreCheck program would remain operational during the partial government shutdown, contradicting earlier statements from the Department of Homeland Security that claimed the service was suspended. Despite staffing constraints, TSA indicated it would evaluate and adjust operations case-by-case, and airport security checks appeared largely unaffected at the time. It was unclear whether Global Entry would also continue, but the shutdown had prompted concerns over disruptions to expedited traveler services. The shutdown stemmed from funding disagreements between lawmakers and the White House, with security programs like PreCheck and Global Entry being prioritized for continuation amidst broader budget constraints.

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Fox News Attacks CNN's 'Hit Piece' On Christian Nationalism With Misleading Edit

Fox News Attacks CNN's 'Hit Piece' On Christian Nationalism With Misleading Edit

Fox News criticized CNN's documentary on Christian nationalism, claiming it was a "hit piece," but selectively edited the clip to omit key context. The full footage included a line indicating the documentary's thesis about the alignment between Christian nationalists and the Trump administration, which Fox cut to portray the program as an attack on Christianity itself. This selective editing aimed to shape viewers' perception, misleadingly framing the documentary as an attack on faith rather than an examination of political theology.

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