![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/USFlag_PaulMatheson-Unsplash_04JUL2019-495x400.jpg)
Repairing the Faults in this Nation's Foundation
Last year and this year, however, critical faults in the founders’ efforts to create a more perfect union have been revealed, and in a particularly ugly way.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/14813621881_dbcd015933_c-495x400.jpg)
Dick Biondi Introduced Me To The Music
Summer in my mind, Dick Biondi on the radio playing the Beach Boys.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Screen-Shot-2023-07-01-at-2.51.54-PM-495x400.png)
On Bill Barr and Sex Workers: Whistleblower X Raised Hunter Biden's Baby Momma in Response to a Prostitute Question
In response to a question about Hunter Biden paying sex workers, one of the purported IRS whistleblowers in the case raised the mother of Hunter Biden's illegitimate daughter.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1259px-Twitter_bird_logo_2012_Ded-X_11APR2023-495x400.jpg)
I Did Nazi Crustpunk Bar Fail, Redux [UPDATE-1]
Here's a dedicated thread because you people will NOT stop whining about the bird-logoed crustpunk Nazi bar sinking even further below the waterline.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Screen-Shot-2023-07-01-at-2.10.01-PM-495x400.png)
How Many Podunk Local DAs Ought to Arrogate Themselves Federal Election Police?
For anybody that has read me here, or followed me on Twitter, you know I have maintained from the start that Fani Willis, and her "investigation" is a complete joke.
Have also maintained the Trump conspiracy actions in Arizona were as bad…
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Screen-Shot-2023-07-01-at-2.51.54-PM-495x400.png)
Republican House Chairmen Are Resorting to Immunizing Crimes to Gin Up Their Fake Scandals
Everyone knows that James Comer and Jim Jordan are doing nothing with their gavels but manufacturing fake scandals. So the willingness to bow to their demands that the manufactured scandal around the prosecution of Hunter Biden be immediate and relentless is just willingness to be used, manipulated, to perpetuate the kind of manufactured conspiracy that is designed to kill democracy.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Unknown-2.jpeg)
Frontman
Who is the best frontman in rock and roll history?
I don't think it is even close. It is Mick. Here is some early Stones from 1971.
Okay, there are later things. From Copacabana Beach in front of an intimate crowd of nearly 1.5 million.
The…
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Dog-jumps-through-hoop.jpg)
SCOTUS Takeover Continues
SCOTUS says you can't govern yourselves through your elected representatives unless they approve of every element of the rules.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Stewie-420x400.jpeg)
OATH KEEPER SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY CONVICTIONS WERE THE BATTLE; APPEALS MAY BE WAR
A potential showdown is brewing as several Oath Keepers convicted of seditious conspiracy are on the march to appeal.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-30-at-13.04.24-495x400.png)
Paul Manafort Remains a Bigger Scandal than Hunter Biden
Even assuming the allegations from disgruntled IRS investigators -- which have already been contested -- all prove to be true, Paul Manafort remains a far bigger scandal than Hunter Biden, not least because he lied to protect President Trump.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Deripaska_Oleg_September_2020_cropped-495x400.jpg)
Seth DuCharme Really, Really Wants to Graymail Charles McGonigal's Path to Freedom
There's something funky going on in the CIPA process in Charles McGonigal's Oleg Deripaska related prosecution.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-09-at-7.53.48-PM-495x400.png)
Susie Wiles Named in A(nother?) Trump-Related Indictment
Susie Wiles' reported mention in Trump's Espionage Act indictment as the "PAC Representative" to whom he allegedly showed a classified map may not be her first mention in a Trump-related indictment. She may have been mentioned in the IRA Troll indictment.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Dog-jumps-through-hoop.jpg)
SCOTUS Takes Over
How long will we consent to allow five unaccountable lawyers to control our ability to govern ourselves?
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-28-at-10.29.15-AM-495x400.png)
FBI Saw Itself "Managing What the Elephant Sees and Hears" in Advance of January 6
On January 2, 2021, the guy in charge of counterterrorism in DC's FBI office suggested that managing what the Federal government -- which he called an "elephant" -- sees and hears is sometimes the best way to control the Federal government's movements. And he helped to ensure that the elephant saw only First Amendment protected activities.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-10-at-08.02.55-495x400.png)
Moving the Boxes: Trump's Valet and Alleged Co-Conspirator Buys the Boss a Three-Week Delay in His Trial
Walt Nauta's lawyer Stan Woodward, who is being paid by Trump's PAC, got some in the press to report that Nauta's further delay of his arraignment was caused by bad weather. It wasn't. It was his failure -- amid anonymous quotes planning to delay this trial until after the election -- to secure local counsel.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-09-at-7.53.48-PM-495x400.png)
The Milley Tape: "Bring Some Cokes in Please!"
The recording of Trump attacking Mark Milley with a stolen Iran document includes damning details not included in the indictment.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cannon-495x400.webp)
Aileen Cannon's Not-Abnormal Orders
Aileen Cannon issued three orders. None are anything to panic about.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-20-at-10.41.19-AM-495x400.png)
"Nonzero:" On Evidence-Based Investigations and Rudy Giuliani's Devices
Before Matthew Graves was confirmed as US Attorney, DOJ had already secured the content on Rudy Giuliani's phone, making it available without privilege review as soon as January 6 investigators developed probable cause.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Alexander-and-Shroyer-495x400.png)
WaPo's First Amendment Blindness: When Exploiting a Media Figure's Phone Gets Reported as "Cautious"
Among the investigative steps WaPo treated as "cautious" in its 8,000 word story purporting to describe the January 6 investigation was the arrest of Owen Shroyer and the exploitation of his phone.
![](https://www.emptywheel.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Map_Ukraine_NationsOnlineProject_23JUN2023jpg-495x400.jpg)
Done Cookin': Putin's Chef Moves to Belarus [UPDATE-1]
If you have a bead on what transpired in Russia from Friday through Saturday, you're ahead of most folks.