US Politics

Although, it has to be said that if their concern is really for American democracy, then they wouldn't be supporting the reinstatement of a man who has repeatedly denigrated it and whom many would like to see as the start of a hereditary dynasty.

I seem to remember a 5 38 podcast,
possibly an add-on their Gerrymandering series,
proposing a more equable Senate.
It reveolved around California choosing to break into 3 or 4 states,
all of which would be Democrat majority,
that would remain some of the more populous in the US.
The counter argument, was that Republicans would do the same with Texas,
but mainly to ensure that some Senate seats remained for the GOP,
to counter the Blue spreading from cities like Austin and San Antonio.

I just found this article that may give some background.

Hence Trump saying well I won’t be there so have at it

Have we had the new Illinois Congresswoman quoting Hitler in a broadcast speech yet;

https://twitter.com/markmaxwelltv/status/1346891485791330313?s=12

She can read a mood like no other.

Nitpickingly, it wasn't broadcast, but still an unusual point of reference to choose.

MAGAs chasing Lindsey Graham round Ronald Reagan airport screaming “Traitor”

‘You bought the ticket, now you take the ride’

https://mobile.twitter.com/dlippman/status/1347612365093826565

Mexico will want it back.

They’ll (edit: we’ll) potentially want the Rio Grande valley back (plus San Antone, South Padre, Austin...). The rest, may I suggest a wall?

^ the Rio Grande valley and its outlet malls is oft-frequented by Mexicans for shopping; South Padre is a popular beach destination for northeastern Mexicans; Austin is cool; San Antonio is nice, has good shopping, and is conveniently already full of Mexicans.

wow those antifas are really committed to the role.

MAGAs chasing Lindsey Graham round Ronald Reagan airport

accompanied by Benny Hill music I hope

seceded Republic of Texas

BTOB crossover!

https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/kt2ish/trump_was_deliberately_trying_to_stage_a_coup/

Link says all. Edit- claim was made by Natl Security official that used to work for trump.

Hence Trump saying well I won’t be there so have at it

My money is on Trump abdicating the day before the inauguration, making Pence acting President who will then pardon him, on the final day. Hence he won't be attending because he won't be the sitting President, and Pence will only be acting President.

who will then pardon him

He can’t be pardoned for something he has been convicted of, yet.

At least that’s seems to be the general consensus.

He doesn't have to be sitting President to attend, it's the norm for all living Presidents to attend if they can. The only question is if he hadn't declared, would the invite have been withdrawn? He's saved JB a dilema

'preemptive pardons can be done' says yale prefessor Bruce Ackerman on BBC just now.

Also ‘strong case to be made...that his actions were a knowing violation of the insurrection act of 1807..he could
go to prison for the rest of his life..’

In other news Sleepy Joe goes weird 1/2 Godwin with a poorly framed Dresden/Goebbels analogy attacking Ted Cruz. (Don't read this as me saying that Ted Cruz doesn't need attacking btw.)

Joe, you were doing so well!

There is massive amount of uncertainty here, and nobody will know the answer if/until it gets to SCOTUS.

Also there is a lot of speculation about how specific the pardon has to be. There is a massive Catch 22, do you say I pardon myself for anything I have done/will do, or do you describe in detail your crimes that you are pardoned for, running the risk that you've told everyone exactly what you've done, and SCOTUS may decide you're not immune, and send you down for it.

Any Presidential pardon would only solve Federal crimes.
The Southern District of New York has a big bundle of indictments
to serve on the 20th.

Yes,

Very interested to see what they do with his tax affairs.

Also interested where defamation stands in response to a pardon. Dominion is already going after Sydney Powell to the tune of $1.3B

I'm expecting a bit of a feeding frenzy.

I think the Trump Inc podcast say the Trump empire is also guilty of insurance fraud,
differing valuations of property for insurance and property tax,
and that's before (was it) 'Person 1' in the Michael Cohen case for
campaign funding violations.

Defamation is civil law so presidential pardon not applicable

Dominion is already going after Sydney Powell to the tune of $1.3B

The reputed $6k/day fee income sounds great for spouting Trumps lies,
until
it comes with a $1.3bn contingency.
(I'm guessing any retainer expires before the required 6000 years to cover that amount?)

“NBC News obtained a draft of the article of impeachment against Trump, just read on @MSNBC
It's one article: "ARTICLE I: INCITEMENT OF INSURRECTION."

Spicy