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Why and How to Hold John Roberts Accountable
Every time Trump flouts the law, we need to remind people that John Roberts gave Trump sanction to do so.

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“False in Numerous Respects:” House Democrats Package Up Liz Cheney’s Evidence of “Despicable Malice”
In arguing that Speech and Debate would protect her even if there were no evidence to support the criminal referral Barry Loudermilk made against her, Liz Cheney suggested that that same Speech and Debate protection is the one thing that protects him from a defamation claim.

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Barry Loudermilk Wasted $250K Making Security Footage available on Rumble
Barry Loudermilk wasted $250,000 of taxpayer money so extremists who favor Rumble could have privileged access to security footage showing how US Capitol Police defend the Capitol.

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Lefty Pundits Absolve Their Own Failures on Holding Trump Accountable for His Coup
In October, Jack Smith provided new information about Trump's premeditation to use violence on January 6. And most of the same people complaining that DOJ didn't provide more information on the case against Trump missed it.

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Yes, Trump Is Trying to Prevent the Release of Jack Smith’s Report
As I expected he might, Trump is trying to prevent Jack Smith from releasing his report.

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Why and How to Hold John Roberts Accountable

60 Comments

January 8, 2025

emptywheel

Every time Trump flouts the law, we need to remind people that John Roberts gave Trump sanction to do so.

2020 Presidential Election, January 6 Insurrection

"False in Numerous Respects:" House Democrats Package Up Liz Cheney's Evidence of "Despicable Malice"

22 Comments

January 7, 2025

emptywheel

In arguing that Speech and Debate would protect her even if there were no evidence to support the criminal referral Barry Loudermilk made against her, Liz Cheney suggested that that same Speech and Debate protection is the one thing that protects him from a defamation claim.

2020 Presidential Election, January 6 Insurrection

Barry Loudermilk Wasted $250K Making Security Footage available on Rumble

7 Comments

January 7, 2025

emptywheel

Barry Loudermilk wasted $250,000 of taxpayer money so extremists who favor Rumble could have privileged access to security footage showing how US Capitol Police defend the Capitol.

2020 Presidential Election, 2024 Presidential Election, emptywheel

Lefty Pundits Absolve Their Own Failures on Holding Trump Accountable for His Coup

36 Comments

January 7, 2025

emptywheel

In October, Jack Smith provided new information about Trump's premeditation to use violence on January 6. And most of the same people complaining that DOJ didn't provide more information on the case against Trump missed it.

2020 Presidential Election, 2024 Presidential Election

Yes, Trump Is Trying to Prevent the Release of Jack Smith's Report

73 Comments

January 7, 2025

emptywheel

As I expected he might, Trump is trying to prevent Jack Smith from releasing his report.

2020 Presidential Election, 2024 Presidential Election

On January 6

49 Comments

January 5, 2025

emptywheel

How January 6 was the culmination of Trump's effort to sell his grievance con.

Culture, Media

Open Thread: Reading Is Fundamental As Is Journalism

63 Comments

January 5, 2025

Rayne

In which a few birds are killed with one post: an open thread published, a discussion thread launched on a topic in which most of us have an interest, and address an essential issue critical to our survival over the next several years. LFG!

2016 Presidential Election, 2020 Presidential Election, 2024 Presidential Election, Hunter Biden, Mueller Probe

Gravity and Trump's Conspiracy Cabinet

31 Comments

January 5, 2025

emptywheel

Gravity will undoubtedly bring to earth the conspiracies of all the people Trump is installing to defy science. But I'm much less confident that anything will ground Kash Patel's even more expansive conspiracy theories.

2024 Election, 2024 Presidential Election

On the Ambivalence of Speaker Mike's Gavel

32 Comments

January 4, 2025

emptywheel

Mike Johnson was able to cheat and leverage blind fealty to Trump to become Speaker.

2016 Presidential Election

Judge Merchan's Half Baby

39 Comments

January 3, 2025

emptywheel

Judge Merchan's decision upholding Trump's guilty verdict offers the President-elect a choice. He can have an unconditional discharge and a mean to appeal -- replete with the judicial contempt on which SCOTUS has already upheld Merchan. Or he can have the sentence hanging over his head for his entire term.

2020 Presidential Election, 2024 Presidential Election, emptywheel, Hunter Biden

Leo Wise Buries Bill Barr with Six Year Sentencing Recommendation

17 Comments

January 3, 2025

emptywheel

Leo Wise argues that you should face six years in prison if you to try to frame Joe Biden. But his retelling gave a virgin birth to Alexander Smirnov's willingness to frame Joe Biden. Wise buries all the Republicans, starting with Bill Barr, whose concerted efforts ensured that Smirnov's effort to frame Joe Biden got aired over and over and over again.

2020 Presidential Election, 2024 Presidential Election, Hunter Biden

Alexander Smirnov's Vetting

8 Comments

January 2, 2025

emptywheel

The July 2020 assessment done of the Alexander Smirnov allegation should have given the FBI cause to question the FBI informants claims. It also suggests that claims sourced to Rudy probably did have a role in searching for Smirnov.

2024 Presidential Election, Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Frameworks about Elon: On Adrian Dittmann and Tommy Robinson

27 Comments

January 2, 2025

emptywheel

Beware South African oligarchs pitching fascists and technological fixes. Because you may often overlook the technological underbelly.

2024 Presidential Election

Live this New Year with Considered Agency

37 Comments

January 1, 2025

emptywheel

May you have a healthy, effective New Year.

2024 Presidential Election, Hunter Biden, January 6 Insurrection, Leak Investigations

The Opportunity Costs of Conspiracy Theories about Merrick Garland

144 Comments

December 30, 2024

emptywheel

You have a choice. You can spend the next few weeks making a big stink about the fact that the aspiring FBI Director tried to help Trump steal classified documents. Or you can spend it clinging to false claims about Merrick Garland so you can blame him rather than John Roberts for the fact that Trump won.

Civil Rights, Culture, Democrats, Elections

Farewell to the Man from Plains

69 Comments

December 29, 2024

Rayne

Former president Jimmy Carter passed away today. He was 100 years old.

2024 Presidential Election, emptywheel, Hunter Biden, Press and Media

The Two Smear Attacks against Jeff Bezos and His Partner

26 Comments

December 29, 2024

emptywheel

Jeff Bezos' response to being targeted by the same kind of gossipy dick pic sniffing that WaPo has picked up from NYPost was to demand the kind of corrections WaPo hasn't made.