Week 44 - The Return
Experts in authoritarianism advise to keep a list of things subtly changing around you, so you'll remember.
This week, Congress is back in session, and so is the Jeffrey Epstein files story. Congress was greeted upon their return by Epstein survivors, who called for the release of files and accountability. This has been the one story Trump has not been able to spin or control, and he found himself, his regime, and most Republicans contorting themselves to respond, especially after his entry to Epstein’s 50th birthday book, something Trump had denied existed and even sued over, was released by the Epstein estate.
A major theme this week is the Supreme Court siding with Trump, and, according to many lower court judges, therefore undermining the rule of law. As of this week, an astonishing three-quarters of lower court rulings have been reversed. Republicans in Congress too continue to almost completely abdicate their role to Trump and look the other way, including on his self dealing and corruption.
Notable this week is Trump’s pettiness shining through. I wrote more about it here, but as someone who has tracked this man daily for five years, I’ve noted that he cares immensely about being liked. Big parts of his agenda, despite abdication and assists from the Supreme Court and Republican eunuchs, are stalled or failing. When he feels unsuccessful or not in control, he strikes out, often in the most petty of ways.
As a final note, I would encourage you to read through all of this week’s broken norms. There’s a lot happening on a myriad of fronts! Because of the fragmentation and demise of much of our media, many of these stories are exclusive to one news outlet. One subscriber wrote to me, I subscribe to three publications and read them daily, but I still missed so much this week! Exactly. Take the time to keep up with what he is up to!
NBC News reported on interviews of a dozen judges appointed by Democrats and Republicans, including by Trump, who criticized the Supreme Court’s handling of Trump cases, with most worried about the practice of undermining the judiciary by overturning rulings.
As of Thursday, Trump has won 17 of the 22 cases brought to the Supreme Court, with 2 losses, 2 withdrawn, 1 pending, and 1 dismissed. Most often the decisions are given on the so-called shadow docket, with limited or no explanation for overturning the lower courts’ rulings.
WAPO reported the alumni association at West Point canceled a scheduled award ceremony for actor and veterans advocate Tom Hanks, who was to be honored as an “outstanding U.S. citizen,” citing vague reasons, but really in reaction to not being in political alignment with Trump.
Trump praised the cancellation of the Hanks ceremony, posting on Truth Social, “Important move!” and “We don’t need destructive, WOKE recipients getting our cherished American Awards!!!”
In an op-ed, University of Utah professor Paisley Rekdal said the U.S. Air Force Academy canceled her upcoming lecture, not because of the content, but because some of her comments on social media “were disparaging of the commander in chief.”
In a memo, the U.S. Tennis Association asked broadcasters to censor any protest or reaction in coverage of Trump attending the men’s finals at the U.S. Open. This was Trump’s first appearance at the Open since 2015, when he was first running for president, and was booed.