Notices by Laffy (gottalaff@mstdn.social), page 12

Um...

Via Steve Vladeck:

Just the <checks notes> Chair of the House Appropriations Committee going on the record to say that appropriations statutes “are not a law.”

The United States Congress, ladies and gentlemen.

"When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal"

Via Joyce Vance:

WH Press Conference: "The President has the right to fire anyone he wants to."

Via Elie Mystal:

#Trump *cannot* stop all federal funding "all by his onesie." Not because of any constitutional principle or statutory bar but b/c stopping funding requires HUNDREDS of functionaries throughout the government. Just like Jack needs Will to port the ship, Trump needs loyalists to carry out his orders.

He has them. And so the next question is: can anybody stop him? The ship IS docking, can anybody prevent it? Can anybody turn the money back on? And the answer is: not really. 1/…

@Danetteb We need more. Trump will do everything he can to destroy them

#UnionStrong

Whole Foods Workers in Philadelphia Vote to Form Chain’s First Union

The union win comes as Amazon, which owns the grocery chain, is also fighting labor organizing in its warehouse and delivery businesses.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/business/whole-foods-union-vote.html

Corporate news media shrug, continue to kiss Trump’s ass.

Via Brian Schatz:

Multiple states locked out of #Medicaid portal. This is a #Trump shutdown, except this time it’s unlawful.

Via Emptywheel:

Democrats have the ability to use Trump's power grab to make government visible. They need to be very specific, they need to show that #Trump is stealing appropriated funds from Red States as much as Blue, and they need to explain why this is illegal.

Then do cheap ads targeting GOPers.

💦This firehose of atrocities from #Trump?

It's intended to instill fear, cowering, compliance, and of course, to desensitize you to all the horrific actions he takes, one after the other.

People tend to forget the onslaught from yesterday after the new firehose blast today.

NEVER allow that. Don't get desensitized. Don't ever normalize this.

Follow the advice of Tim Snyder, Marc Elias, Indivisible, others, to cope and do what YOU can (do a search).

Big hugs to every one of you.

👏🏼

Via Rupar:

Jim Acosta announces on air that he's leaving CNN and says, "it is never a good time to bow down to a tyrant ... don't give in to the lies."

#Israel to cease all contact with Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, intermediaries: Israel UN envoy— AFP

She’s absolutely right.

Via Katie Phang:

Don't be fooled by any sleight of hand with the use of the phrase, "TEMPORARILY PAUSE"

If any of these federal funds/awards are being used for activities/programs inconsistent with #Trump's policies or his Administration's priorities, they'll be gone.

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25506361/omb-memo-on-federal-aid-freeze.pdf

I'm done.

These days it just hits me like a punch in the face at the end of the day... all the political news... it's like abuse.

But it's important to stay informed, so enduring the abuse is mandatory.

I hate this.

I hate this with you.

Sleep well if you can.

I'll post breaking news alerts as they come in.

#Kansas seeing largest #tuberculosis outbreak in U.S. history, dozens of cases reported https://www.cbsnews.com/video/kansas-seeing-largest-tuberculosis-outbreak-in-us-history-dozens-of-cases-reported/

Via Kyle Griffin:

Sen. Lisa Murkowski and a member of the Danish Parliament representing Greenland issued a joint statement today saying the territory is "not for sale."

The statement said the United States must view Greenland as "an ally, not an asset."

Wha—?

“White House pauses all federal grants, sparking confusion

Trillions of dollars could be on hold, according to an Office of Management and Budget memo.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/01/27/white-house-pauses-federal-grants/

#ProLifeMyAss and OMFG

BREAKING: The #Trump administration has instructed organizations in other countries to stop disbursing HIV medications purchased with U.S. aid, even if the drugs have already been obtained and are sitting in local clinics.

🎁https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/health/pepfar-trump-freeze.html?unlocked_article_code=1.sU4.nnB5.iT69u4FuwlEZ&smid=url-share

Gaa!! NO. Just…NO!! 🤯😖😫🤦🏻♀️

Google says it will change Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’ in Maps after government updates

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/27/google-maps-to-show-gulf-of-america-after-government-updates.html

Via Maddow:

do you enjoy knowing that when you deposit money in a US bank, you won't lose that money? nice, right?

it's because bank deposits are insured by FDIC.

i don't know what FDIC ever did to these people, but apparently it too is now on their blow-it-up list: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/01/27/fdic-bank-examiners-job-offers-rescinded/

"Rubio said he was authorising visa restrictions on Colombian officials & their families “who were responsible for interference of US repatriation flight operations”

BUT:

"Colombia’s statement: Murillo & Colombia’s ambassador to US would..travel to DC to continue diplomatic dialogue & ease tensions"

+ #Colombia refused to accept 2 US military aircraft:

"“The government of Colombia … has the presidential plane ready to facilitate the return of Colombians.."
#Trump

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/1/27/how-trump-coerced-colombia-to-accept-deportees-by-threatening-us-tariff-war

@Wileymiller Colombia, of course, got more than Trump lied about/let on.