The Republican Agenda 2016 forward

[lizkat]

Followup: Well that went fast. DEA pick calls himself out of the picture after three days [of press coverage?]

Trump's pick to lead the DEA withdraws from consideration

Florida sheriff Chad Chronister took his name out of the running three days after Trump announced he would nominate him to be the next DEA administrator.

www.nbcnews.com

"To have been nominated by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime," Chronister wrote on X on Tuesday evening. "Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration."

Chronister cited ongoing work that's needed in serving the people of Hillsborough County "and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling."

Florida Republicans largely saw Chronister as a top-tier pick for Trump, but on late Tuesday, after he withdrew his name, many said they understood the rationale.

“He was a target for the Covid stuff,” a longtime Florida Republican said. “He is someone who is seen as a great sheriff here, but there were reasons I think that he got caught up in all this.”

Shortly after Trump nominated Chronister, his Covid-era track record became an immediate problem, but because DeSantis supported his nomination, he avoided Florida-level pushback.

Congressional Republicans, though, were not as forgiving.

"This sheriff ordered the arrest of a pastor for holding services during the COVID panic. He was tapped by Trump to head the DEA," Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said on X. "Glad to see him withdraw from consideration. Next time politicians lose their ever-lovin minds, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution."

As I said... The Rs are eating their own on some of these nominations. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[P___X]

Followup: Well that went fast. DEA pick calls himself out of the picture after three days [of press coverage?]

Trump's pick to lead the DEA withdraws from consideration

Florida sheriff Chad Chronister took his name out of the running three days after Trump announced he would nominate him to be the next DEA administrator.

www.nbcnews.com

As I said... The Rs are eating their own on some of these nominations. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Skeletons in the closet.

 

[lizkat]

Skeletons in the closet.

Nah it's still the issue of Senators and House reps being afraid of their own constituents.

The MAGA followers in some quarters (ironically, not especially in Florida!) are still steamed over the idea that a federal agency had the nerve to mandate lockdowns during covid, and ESPECIALLY' to include churches in that mandate.​

​

I didn't realize what a big f'g deal that was until I had read Tim Alberta's book The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory about the changes in evangelical focus during the Trump era. A lot of white Christian evangelical or charismatic sects totally linked up to their worship services to MAGA politics. Most non-evangelical churches took covid lockdowns in stride, but not so with that crowd.​

​

So "You had to be there" sort of morphed into "You had to be one of us" to get the level of outrage, I guess. They amped it up as persecution of the church. Grievance politics gone viral... pun intended.​

Anyway some congress critters way outside of Florida took exception over the DEA guy having arrested (but later rescinded the arrest of) a non-conforming pastor during the covid pandemic. All because of MAGA constituent pressure and suggestion that accepting this guy was accepting "liberal" persecution of Christianity.

Heh, and there I was thinking that the issue for Senators to raise was whether this DEA nominee was hooked up with the CSPOA. Funny now that the same guys that objected to the nomination on the pastoral issue probably wouldn't have cared if the guy was a "constitutional sheriff" since MAGA are all in on that.
Go figure. Anyway. Whatever it takes. The problem with Trump picks that are withdrawn is that his next one could be even worse.

Man, I feel so alienated. Got that Eagles song "Learn to be Still" on heavy rotation: "how do I get outta here? How do I fit in?"

 

[P___X]

Nah it's still the issue of Senators and House reps being afraid of their own constituents.

The MAGA followers in some quarters (ironically, not especially in Florida!) are still steamed over the idea that a federal agency had the nerve to mandate lockdowns during covid, and ESPECIALLY' to include churches in that mandate.​

​

I didn't realize what a big f'g deal that was until I had read Tim Alberta's book The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory about the changes in evangelical focus during the Trump era. A lot of white Christian evangelical or charismatic sects totally linked up to their worship services to MAGA politics. Most non-evangelical churches took covid lockdowns in stride, but not so with that crowd.​

​

So "You had to be there" sort of morphed into "You had to be one of us" to get the level of outrage, I guess. They amped it up as persecution of the church. Grievance politics gone viral... pun intended.​

Anyway some congress critters way outside of Florida took exception over the DEA guy having arrested (but later rescinded the arrest of) a non-conforming pastor during the covid pandemic. All because of MAGA constituent pressure and suggestion that accepting this guy was accepting "liberal" persecution of Christianity.

Heh, and there I was thinking that the issue for Senators to raise was whether this DEA nominee was hooked up with the CSPOA. Funny now that the same guys that objected to the nomination on the pastoral issue probably wouldn't have cared if the guy was a "constitutional sheriff" since MAGA are all in on that.
Go figure. Anyway. Whatever it takes. The problem with Trump picks that are withdrawn is that his next one could be even worse.

Man, I feel so alienated. Got that Eagles song "Learn to be Still" on heavy rotation: "how do I get outta here? How do I fit in?"

That's a kind of skeleton. I think I was about 6 when my mom first told me about nazis, when I asked her about some neonazi graffiti I saw on the bus. Paraphrasing, but what she told me that chauvinistic/exclusionary ideologies are dead ends because they always lead to people fighting about belonging more than others. The end-result is the disintegration of society and rapid failure of the system.

 

[SouprMatt]

That's a kind of skeleton. I think I was about 6 when my mom first told me about nazis, when I asked her about some neonazi graffiti I saw on the bus. Paraphrasing, but what she told me that chauvinistic/exclusionary ideologies are dead ends because they always lead to people fighting about belonging more than others. The end-result is the disintegration of society and rapid failure of the system.

Your mom sounds like an extremely smart woman…

 

[lizkat]

Well here's an appointment that can't be blocked by the Senate.... man, talk about a crypto grifter's paradise...

Trump says venture capitalist David Sacks will be AI and crypto ‘czar’

Sacks, a venture capitalist, will guide the Trump administration's policies for artificial intelligence and help create a legal framework for cryptocurrency.

www.nbcnews.com

Sacks will guide the administration’s policies for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, Trump wrote. Some of that work includes creating a legal framework for crypto, as well as leading a presidential council of advisors on science and technology.

“David will focus on making America the clear global leader in both areas,” Trump wrote. “He will safeguard Free Speech online, and steer us away from Big Tech bias and censorship.”

So will Leon/Elmo and Sacks agree on what "free speech" amounts to, or should we buy popcorn for the cage match?

Also, you'd think the Treasury or the SEC or you know, the Federal Reserve might wanna have a hand in cryptocurrency policy and legal fine print...

 

[SouprMatt]

Well here's an appointment that can't be blocked by the Senate.... man, talk about a crypto grifter's paradise...

Trump says venture capitalist David Sacks will be AI and crypto ‘czar’

Sacks, a venture capitalist, will guide the Trump administration's policies for artificial intelligence and help create a legal framework for cryptocurrency.

www.nbcnews.com

So will Leon/Elmo and Sacks agree on what "free speech" amounts to, or should we buy popcorn for the cage match?

Also, you'd think the Treasury or the SEC or you know, the Federal Reserve might wanna have a hand in cryptocurrency policy and legal fine print...

Crypto is nothing BUT a scam. Along with “AI”, tech bros have found a way to burn MORE fossil fuels while claiming to be geniuses helping launch humanity into a better future! Nah, it’s just a rich white boys’ club ripping off as many rubes as they can find.

 

[Thomas Veil]

I’m a little concerned that people on Bluesky, comment sections and elsewhere are running with every little thing they hear and shouting “Look, they’re going to cut Social Security!” “Look they’re going to cut the Consumer Protection Agency!“ and they cite billions of dollars lost to the average American like you and me.

The problem is, they’re expressing that with a large amount of certainty—and you know Trump. He changes his mind the way normal people change underwear. If all these dark predictions don’t come to pass, people will start pointing to the traditional media, social media and liberals and saying “See? They were lying about Trump!”

 

[SouprMatt]

I’m a little concerned that people on Bluesky, comment sections and elsewhere are running with every little thing they hear and shouting “Look, they’re going to cut Social Security!” “Look they’re going to cut the Consumer Protection Agency!“ and they cite billions of dollars lost to the average American like you and me.

The problem is, they’re expressing that with a large amount of certainty—and you know Trump. He changes his mind the way normal people change underwear. If all these dark predictions don’t come to pass, people will start pointing to the traditional media, social media and liberals and saying “See? They were lying about Trump!”

He has specifically said he WILL do these things. I'd rather people cry wolf than just wait for it to happen.

Already, I'm hearing the "talking heads" laugh off his tariff threats as a "bargaining tactic" for a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada.... To, uh... replace the previous trade deal HE made with them? Which was only a minor change or two to NAFTA?

And his "bargaining" is really the Mexican president giving him nothing, but him lying about the meeting and pretending he got some kind of concessions with his "tariff threats". And the media seems fine with riding along on this train of lies, and even contributing to it.

So, the media will give him a "win" if he doesn't introduce crippling tariffs that he PROMISED to impose? WTF

 

[Jay Mysteri0]

 

[SouprMatt]

They haven’t even been sworn in for the new Congress yet, and they’re discussing how to cut Social Security and Medicare.



Maybe they could start by clawing back the $1.3 trillion Bush stole from Social Security to fund his simultaneous wars and tax cuts for the wealthy?

 

[hulugu]

Nah it's still the issue of Senators and House reps being afraid of their own constituents.

The MAGA followers in some quarters (ironically, not especially in Florida!) are still steamed over the idea that a federal agency had the nerve to mandate lockdowns during covid, and ESPECIALLY' to include churches in that mandate.​

​

I didn't realize what a big f'g deal that was until I had read Tim Alberta's book The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory about the changes in evangelical focus during the Trump era. A lot of white Christian evangelical or charismatic sects totally linked up to their worship services to MAGA politics. Most non-evangelical churches took covid lockdowns in stride, but not so with that crowd.​

​

So "You had to be there" sort of morphed into "You had to be one of us" to get the level of outrage, I guess. They amped it up as persecution of the church. Grievance politics gone viral... pun intended.​

Anyway some congress critters way outside of Florida took exception over the DEA guy having arrested (but later rescinded the arrest of) a non-conforming pastor during the covid pandemic. All because of MAGA constituent pressure and suggestion that accepting this guy was accepting "liberal" persecution of Christianity.

Heh, and there I was thinking that the issue for Senators to raise was whether this DEA nominee was hooked up with the CSPOA. Funny now that the same guys that objected to the nomination on the pastoral issue probably wouldn't have cared if the guy was a "constitutional sheriff" since MAGA are all in on that.
Go figure. Anyway. Whatever it takes. The problem with Trump picks that are withdrawn is that his next one could be even worse.

Man, I feel so alienated. Got that Eagles song "Learn to be Still" on heavy rotation: "how do I get outta here? How do I fit in?"

Florida is totally nuts. The state has the most unhinged politics and it keeps getting worse.

 

[lizkat]

Florida is totally nuts. The state has the most unhinged politics and it keeps getting worse.

We ain't seen nothin' yet.

Lara Trump steps down as RNC co-chair, fuelling Senate speculation

President-elect Donald Trump's daughter-in-law announced the move amid speculation that she could be chosen to fill a potential Senate vacancy.

www.bbc.com

 

[pachyderm]

The incoming, nazi, regime isn't even remotely interested in good governance. They are purely setting up to line their pockets.

 

[P___X]

The incoming, nazi , regime isn't even remotely interested in good governance. They are purely setting up to line their pockets.

Viktor Orbán stopped by to provide instructions on how to run a not-very-successful kleptocracy.

 

[lizkat]

Viktor Orbán stopped by to provide instructions on how to run a not-very-successful kleptocracy.

CPAC's favorite guest speaker... even hosted that wing of the Rs in Hungary in the spring of 2022. giving tips on how important to control media.

 

[lizkat]

On their way out of the Senate, Manchin and Sinema vote to tank a Biden nominee to the National Labor Relations Board. Thanks guys. /S

Manchin and Sinema Screw Biden Yet Again, Give Trump Control of Labor Board

Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema side with GOP to vote against the renomination of Democrat Lauren McFerran to the National Labor Relations Board.

www.rollingstone.com

 

[P___X]

CPAC's favorite guest speaker... even hosted that wing of the Rs in Hungary in the spring of 2022. giving tips on how important to control media.

Orbán's funny like that. Now that he thinks he's a global player he'd delegated internal affairs to his captains. In the past 14 years, he's losing in the polls the first time and his challenger jokes about Orbán now being forced to return from retirement (from national politics) to deal with his clusterfuck. So yeah, even controlling 95% of media can't guarantee power forever.

 

[SouprMatt]

On their way out of the Senate, Manchin and Sinema vote to tank a Biden nominee to the National Labor Relations Board. Thanks guys. /S

Manchin and Sinema Screw Biden Yet Again, Give Trump Control of Labor Board

Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema side with GOP to vote against the renomination of Democrat Lauren McFerran to the National Labor Relations Board.

www.rollingstone.com

No need for them to do this whatsoever, other than being petty pricks. Proof that leopards cannot change their spots.

 

[P___X]

No need for them to do this whatsoever, other than being petty pricks. Proof that leopards cannot change their spots.

It's so unnecessary it screams of "after-the-fact gifting."