Notices by Mary Nelson (marynelson8@mstdn.social)

‘This is a coup’: Trump and Musk’s purge is cutting more than costs, say experts
In slashing staff and disabling entire agencies the administration is lacerating the structures of US democracy

“In the US, we appeal rulings we disagree with – we don’t ignore court orders or threaten judges with impeachment just because we don’t like the decision. This is a coup, plain and simple,” Arizona’s attorney general, Kris Mayes, said.

#USpol #USpolitics #Trump #ElonMusk

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/17/trump-musk-government-cost-cutting-coup

From above:

" A former IG, who requested anonymity to speak freely, warned bluntly: “Trump and Musk are gaslighting the American people. No one should believe Musk and his troops have actually discovered billions of dollars of waste, fraud, abuse and ‘corruption’. If they had, we would know the specifics. They can’t provide them and they won’t. At most, they have seen things that may need to be explained, but they haven’t bothered to seek the explanation from anyone with relevant knowledge.” "

It's gotten so that I can barely review news headlines. My blood pressure won't endure more.

I'm watching the systematic destruction of the Executive branch, and its attempt to capture the powers of the other branches, while Congress abdicates and the Judiciary delays.

Americans who believe what Trump is doing will make the country "great" will get their wake-up calls soon, if they haven't already. The rest of us see what's coming...unless those with real power act.

#USpol #USpolitics

Sure. Makes sense, if you're a Trump lackey (or a Republican or oligarch worried about getting audited).

"IRS will lay off thousands of probationary workers in the middle of tax season"

#USpol #USpolitics #Trump #TrumpAdministration #IRS #Taxes

https://apnews.com/article/irs-treasury-layoffs-doge-tax-season-2be8db11fdd510b7ce6ac0db56f9a503

All the ways Elon Musk is breaking the law, explained by a law professor

#USpol #USpolitics #ElonMusk #Musk #RuleofLaw

https://www.vox.com/politics/398618/elon-musk-doge-illegal-lawbreaking-analysis

"FBI agents sue over Justice Dept. effort to ID employees involved in Trump-related investigations"

"FBI agents who participated in investigations related to President Donald Trump have sued over Justice Department efforts to develop a list of employees involved in those inquiries that they fear could be a precursor to mass firings."

#USpol #USpolitics #FBI #JusticeDepartment

https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fbi-justice-department-8460829a0874f91a95bc4a9d22e36fce

🚨 DOGE is not an official federal government agency, yet Musk continues to mess around and "disrupt" the operations of much of the Executive branch, even locking employees out of their accounts.

"Aides to Elon Musk charged with running the U.S. government human resources agency have locked career civil servants out of computer systems that contain the personal data of millions of federal employees, according to two agency officials."

#USpol #USpolitics #ElonMusk

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/musk-aides-lock-government-workers-out-computer-systems-us-agency-sources-say-2025-01-31/

When will people object to an unofficial government "department" being run by the world's richest man -- who was never nominated or confirmed by Congress -- mucking about in the entire Executive Branch of the US federal government, including its computer systems and databases?

This is beginning to get ridiculous.

Musk represents Musk. He was never elected by anyone to alter the US government.

Call your reps and complain.

#USpol #USpolitics

I would love to see Elon Musk called before Congress to explain himself, but with these sycophantic Republicans in charge, I don't see that happening.

Frankly, I think the GOP loves what Musk is doing, even when it encroaches on their power.

But as citizens we need to remember that we ELECT our reps to work for the people, and Musk is only one guy among 300+ million of us. He should not have the power to alter our republic without the people's consent.

#USpol #USpolitics #ElonMusk

Hi, #PortfolioDay. I'm a digital art and photo hobbyist, primarily interested in landscapes, still life, and florals. (And birds, not pictured here.)

Here's some of my work.
You can find more at @marynelson8@pixelfed.social

#MastoArt #DigitalArt #Photography

Nothing like causing a government shutdown when you don't know what you're talking about.

Musk is not a government official. Republicans are showing their cowardice yet again.

"What Elon got wrong about the CR"

"...among the 100-plus tweets Musk sent Wednesday were a number of misleading or outright false claims..."

#USpol #USpolitics #ElonMusk #Congress #GovernmentShutdown

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/inside-congress/2024/12/18/what-elon-got-wrong-about-the-cr-00195226

Watch how all these Republicans alter their opinions of Trump over the years...which shows you cannot believe what they say. They're all liars. But they're not embarrassed by their flip-flops, because it's always their perspective that their party comes before their principles or their country.

They're dishonorable men.

" ‘You’re all so embarrassing’: Nicolle Wallace on top Republicans flip-floping on Donald Trump "

#USpol #USpolitics #Election2024 #Republicans #Trump
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQLi9ROfewQ

In his most extreme and desperate plea, Trump promises anything he thinks will help him get elected, no matter how absurd:

Now it's NO TAXES. Only tariffs, which are in fact...taxes, and regressive ones at that.

SMDH

"Trump Flirts With the Ultimate Tax Cut: No Income Taxes at All"

"...both liberal and conservative experts have dismissed his idea as mathematically impossible and economically destructive."

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/24/us/politics/donald-trump-tax-policy.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Uk4.SGjJ.N1oLDWOGe53P&smid=url-share

#GiftLink #USpol #USpolitics #Election2024 #Trump

The country deserves to hear about Trump's health. After months of reports about Biden, how can we not know whether he is fit--both mentally and physically--to perform the duties of the President?

Example:

Yesterday during a town hall event in PA, the point of which is to allow voters to ask him questions, Trump asked, “Who the hell wants to hear questions?” and subsequently stood on stage listening to music for more than 30 minutes.

What?

#USpol #USpolitics #Trump

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/lets-just-listen-music-trumps-townhall-event-gets-weird-rcna175449

"The Dangers of Donald Trump from Those Who Know Him"

"The New York Times editorial board has made its case that Mr. Trump is unfit to lead. But the strongest case against him may come from his own people. For those Americans who are still tempted to return him to the presidency or to not vote in November, it is worth considering the assessment of Mr. Trump by those who have seen him up close."

#GiftLink #USpol #USpolitics #Election2024 #Trump

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/09/26/opinion/donald-trump-personality-history.html?unlocked_article_code=1.OE4.Swlg.8dheFsCj1AG5&smid=url-share

The New York Times' Editorial Board this morning:

"The Only Patriotic Choice for President"

Excerpt below. Link to full editorial below.

#GiftLink #USpol #USpolitics #Election2024

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/30/opinion/editorials/kamala-harris-2024.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Ok4.D_1e._glSFJmgJplN&smid=url-share

Excerpt from the Washington Post piece above, regarding the most recent leadership by the House GOP:

#USpol #USpolitics #USHouse #GOP

Lest you consider much of what the GOP voted to do during its most recent term in the House as mindless blather, consider this irresponsible vote, which went nowhere in the Senate (thank goodness): With the power of the purse, they ignored what would need to be abolished, and voted mindlessly for this unbelievable proposal.

Need I say it? We need to vote these irresponsible people out of office.

#USpol #USpolitics #USHouse #GOP

"The House GOP is a circus. The chaos has one source.
Republicans spent two years sabotaging the U.S. House. Another two years would be ruinous."

Opinion by Dana Milbank

#GiftLink #USpol #USpolitics #House #GOP

https://wapo.st/47vZUrg

Retired military leaders defend Harris while placing blame on Trump for Afghanistan withdrawal in letter

#USpol #USpolitics #election2024

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/09/politics/kamala-harris-afghanistan-withdrawal/index.html