Ebenezer Trump Plays Golf while Thousands Die, Millions Starve and More Are About to Lose Their Unemployment Benefits and Homes

Photo from CNN

What did Ebenezer Trump do when he flew to his taxpayer-subsidized retreat Mara Largo in West Palm Beach, Florida?

Did he give a thoughtful and comforting Christmas Day address to the American People during this time of the pandemic and economic uncertainty?

No.

Did he express sadness and a resoluteness to work hard these last 25 days of his Presidency for the memories of the thousands that have died from COVID 19, the thousands that are infected with the Coronavirus, the millions that are facing food insecurity, and the other millions facing the prospects of losing their unemployment insurance and/or homes?

Are you kidding?

Did he sign the COVID 19 relief and Omnibus Spending bill that passed with large bipartisan margins in Congress that will provide extended unemployment insurance, an eviction moratorium, direct (albeit pitifully small) payments to Americans, small business assistance, vaccination purchasing and distribution to the states, and aid to schools, infrastructure, and the transportation sector?

Nope, and it has been on his Florida desk since Thursday.

What has Donald Trump been doing since he landed in Florida?

• Played Golf.
• Tweeted criticism of the media for not putting his wife on the cover of any fashion magazines since she became First Lady. 
• Played Golf. 
• Tweeted his criticism of the COVID 19 relief and Omnibus Spending Bill, calling for an increase in direct payments of $2000 to all Americans and the cutting of foreign aid. 

It is amazing that the Trump supporters probably do not fathom that it was his administration that negotiated the COVID 19 and Omnibus spending bills with Congress and that the 2016 and 2020 Popular Vote Loser did not give any indication he would not sign the bill.

The Democrats were willing to go along with Trump's call for $2000 in direct payments (remember it was the Democrat's idea in the first place) and pass it through unanimous consent in the House on Christmas Eve.

The House Republicans, acting like little Scrooges, objected and instead offered a motion to cut the foreign aid which was also rejected.

Lindsey Graham, the blow with the wind backstabbing Senator from South Carolina played golf with Trump yesterday and called on Republicans to consider both the $2000 in direct payments and the repeal of section 230 big tech liability protection in the Defense bill that Trump did veto.

While Mr. Trump's actions and inactions this last week (do not forget his pardons of personal cronies and mass murderers,) are a political gift to Democrats (especially for Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock running in the two Senate runoff elections in Georgia,) it would be better for the country and the American People if the COVID 19 relief and Omnibus funding Bill were signed into law so the suffering could stop for some and lessen for others.

Democrats can still move forward on increasing the direct payments to Americans and override Mr. Trump's veto of the Defense bill and let Republican Representatives and Senators show what they care about more: The American People and the Nation's Defense or their deference to the Chief Executive Demagogue.

Hopefully, Republicans will pick the American People and the Nation's Defense.

Hopefully.

 

Tumulty and Brooks from 12/25

 

Crime and Pardon by Donald Trump

Photo from WS Local Six

 Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote Crime and Punishment in 1866.

154 years later, Donald Trump, with his gross misuse of his Presidential powers, is writing the perverse sequel Crime and Pardon.

Throughout his Presidency, Donald Trump has seen his office as a way to issue get out of jail free cards to people who:

• Support him and his views.
• Are represented by supporters, patrons, or sympathetic news organizations (Fox.)

Among the notable questionable pardons and commutations issued before this week were those issued to:

• Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
• Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.
• Trump political consigliere Roger Stone.
• Dick Cheney ally Scooter Libby.
• Conservative filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza
• Former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik.
• Navy Seal Edward Gallagher.

Over the last two days, the "Law and Order" President, with less than a month to go in his tweet filled tyranny,  has set new lows in his misuse of the pardon powers granted him by the Consitution.

These undeserved pardons and commutations were given to:

• Three corrupt ex Congressmen who supported Donald Trump (Christopher Collins, Duncan Hunter, and Steven Stockman.)
• Duncan Hunter's wife.
• Charles Kushner, the father of Mr. Trump's son in law.
• Four individuals who obstructed the Mueller Investigation or lied to Congress (Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, George Papadopoulos, and Alex Van Der Zwaan.)
• Blackwater Employees who killed 17 innocent Iraqis in 2007 (Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty, and Dustin Heard.) These "men" worked for Trumpist Eric Prince. He is the brother of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

So in Donald Trump's mindset, you can commit any crime ranging from campaign finance violations to obstructing Congress and federal investigations to mass murder as long as you pay homage (and donations)  to the Chief Executive Demagogue, Donald Trump.

Or as Paul Waldman headlined in a recent column:

"Trump’s new pardons send a message: Corruption is fine if you’re a Republican"

This is probably not how the Founders envisioned the President using the Pardon powers granted to the Executive Branch in the Constitution.

So far, only one Republican in the United States Senate, frequent Trump critic Ben Sasse, has criticized Trump on his pardons, stating:

“This is rotten to the core.”

Where are the other Republicans in the House and the Senate?

Do they not realize their enabling and humoring of the 2016 and 2020 Popular Vote Loser over the last five years, including the impeachment process, only made matters worse for the American People and the country?

Who is he going to be pardoned next? Steve Bannon? Family Members? Himself?

In this holiday season when people are suffering and dying in large part because of Donald Trump's mishandling of the COVID 19 pandemic, the people that deserve the least reason to cheer the day before Christmas are the criminals whose sole redeeming quality, according to Individual One, is they support him.

Thankfully, the rest of the country will have reason to celebrate when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris take over the helm of the ship of state on January 20, 2021.

 

Happy Holidays

 

President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris select Dr. Miguel Cardona as the Next Secretary of Education

Fulfilling their promise to nominate a teacher for Secretary of Education, President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris have announced that they will send the nomination of Connecticut Education Commissioner and Public Classroom teacher Dr. Miguel Cardona as the next Secretary of Education to the Senate for confirmation consideration.

Please click here to read Dr. Cardona's biography.

President-Elect Biden commented on the Cardona Nomination, writing:

“In Miguel Cardona, America will have an experienced and dedicated public school teacher leading the way at the Department of Education — ensuring that every student is equipped to thrive in the economy of the future, that every educator has the resources they need to do their jobs with dignity and success, and that every school is on track to reopen safely. He will help us address systemic inequities, tackle the mental health crisis in our education system, give educators a well-deserved raise, ease the burden of education debt, and secure high-quality, universal pre-K for every three- and four year-old in the country. As a lifelong champion of public education, he understands that our children are the kite strings that keep our national ambitions aloft — and that everything that will be possible for our country tomorrow will be thanks to the investments we make and the care that our educators and our schools deliver today.”

Vice President-Elect Harris stated:

“Even as we work to reopen our schools safely and responsibly, we also need to build a public education system that lifts up all Americans, regardless of race, background, or zipcode. Miguel Cardona is not only an experienced public servant, he is also a former public school teacher and administrator who understands what our students, teachers, and schools need to be successful. From making universal pre-K a reality for three- and four-year-olds to ending the status quo where school districts with the greatest needs get the fewest resources to making college more affordable, Miguel will help make sure all of our students have the knowledge and skills to thrive in a 21st-century economy. And I look forward to working alongside him to help every child reach their God-given potential.”

With these latest selections, the makeup of the Biden/Harris Administration is:

White Women: 22

Black Women: 15

Latino Women: 6

Asian Women: 6

Native American Women: 1

White Men: 16

Black Men: 4

Latino Men: 7

Asian Men: 6

Native American Men: 0

The remaining cabinet-level positions to be announced are:

Attorney General.
Central Intelligence Agency Director.
Secretary of Education.
Secretary of Labor.
Secretary of Commerce.
Head of N.A.S.A.

Small Business Administrator.

Say it. NO More Betsy DeVos in 28 days.

Trump wants $2000 Direct Payments to Americans; Democrats Rejoice

Photo from Chicago Sun Times.

After the Law and Order President issued a series of underserving pardons for confederates who lied for him in the Mueller Investigation, Blackwater employees (who worked for the brother of the Secretary of Education) that killed innocent Iraqi civilians, and three convicted-Trumpist former House Representatives, the 2016 and 2020 Popular Vote Loser injected more chaos in the American Economy by seeming to threaten, in a Twitter Video, to veto the just passed COVID 19 Relief Bill unless:

• Direct Payments to American Individuals were increased from $600 to $2000.
• Foreign Aid provisions were removed from the General Funding Bill (although the Great Dealmaker seemed to confuse the two bills.)

Democrats upon hearing the news that Donald Trump had just called for $2000 in direct payments to all Americans rejoiced.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted:

https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1341557535732604935

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also tweeted:

https://twitter.com/SenSchumer/status/1341562357433163776

Bernie Sanders posted on social media:

"That's great! I first introduced a bill to provide a $2,000 direct payment with Sen. Kamala Harris and Sen. Ed Markey 7 months ago. Now, Mr. President, get Mitch McConnell and your Republican friends to stop opposing it and we can provide working-class Americans with $2,000. Let's do it."

There has been no official comment yet by the Biden/Harris Transition team on Trump's remarks (or the pardons) but at a Press Conference earlier on Tuesday (please see video below,) the President-Elect contended that the COVID 19 relief bill passed in Congress was just a deposit on a later stimulus measure he would promote after taking office on January 20, 2021. Mr. Biden also told the American People that the worst of the pandemic was yet to come. He also blasted Trump for his handling of the Russian cyberattack on American Government offices.

Republicans in the White House and Congress squirmed.

Many, including his economic advisors that negotiated with Congress on his behalf, were surprised at Mr. Trump's video.

Many thought he was informed on the contents of the bill and he would sign it.

According to reporting by the Washington Post, one unnamed Administration official said:

“So dumb. So, so dumb.”

To be fair, Trump, who had no direct role in the negotiations, had called for direct payments of $2000 last week in the relief bill but was rebuffed by his own staff. Some dealmaker.

Republican Congressional Leaders Kevin McCarthy and Mitch McConnell, according to reporting by CNN, have not commented on Trump's latest moves.

Others expressed hope that Trump is just posturing and will sign the passed COVID relief bill since he did not use the magic veto word.

If Democrats play this right, they could use this to their advantage in the Georgia Senate Runoff elections with the Democratic Candidates putting the Republican ones in a corner by challenging them to take a stand on the direct payments.

If Republican candidates Loeffler and Perdue do not commit to $2000 direct payments to all Americans and Ossoff and Warnock do, this could provide the turning point the Democrats need to retake the Senate.

This actually may be Trump's revenge because he is incensed that McConnell and Senate Republican leadership are not supporting his attempts to overturn the election when Congress meets to validate the Electoral College results on January 6, 2021.

It would be great for the American People and the economy If the $2000 in direct payments to individuals can be secured and delivered in a timely fashion. Republicans in the House and Senate should follow the Democratic lead and apparent Trump support and allow the measure to pass by unanimous consent.

However, if Republicans bicker with Trump and amongst themselves and throw the COVID relief and government funding process into chaos, the American People should vehemently call them out on this and tell them to stop treating the citizens of this country as disposable pawns.

Lives are at stake and the American People should not be held hostage to the sore loser in the White House one senior Republican called "...a petulant child not getting his way throw a tantrum."

 

President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris fill more White House Senior Positions

 Over the last two days, the Biden/Harris transition team has filled several vacancies on the White House staff.

Among these selections are:

• Anne Filipic as the Director of Management & Administration
• Joelle Gamble as Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy
• Elizabeth Wilkins as the  Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff.
• David Kamin as the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council.
• Ryan Montoya as Director of Scheduling & Advance.
• Gautam Raghavan, Deputy Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel.
• Bharat Ramamurti as the Deputy Director for the National Economic Council for Financial Reform and Consumer Protection
• Vinay Reddy as Director of Speechwriting.
• Bruce Reed as Deputy White House Chief of Staff.

Commenting on the additions to the National Economic Council, President-Elect Biden wrote:

“Working families are struggling through the deepest, most inequitable economic, and jobs crisis in modern history. This is no time to build back the way things were before — this is the moment to build a new American economy that works for all. Today’s appointees have broad viewpoints on how to build a stronger and more inclusive middle class. With their robust experience and qualifications, they will provide the needed voices to guide my administration in overcoming our nation’s unprecedented economic challenges."

Vice President-Elect Harris stated:

“In the face of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, this team is ready to hit the ground running on day one to rebuild an economy that works for working people and all those looking to work. These seasoned public servants have the knowledge and experience to act quickly and decisively to address this economic crisis, responsibly open our economy, and put people back to work. And I look forward to working with them to create jobs and opportunity for all Americans.”

Incoming White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain relayed:

“President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris share a bold agenda to build our nation back better than before for working families. These individuals join an impressive group of White House staff and advisors focused on making sure every American has a fair shot to pursue and achieve the American dream.”

The President-Elect also commented on the new additions to the White House staff, writing:

“These experienced individuals are joining my administration to carry out policies that will put our nation on a path to building back better than ever before. They are respected leaders whose values and priorities align with my own and who will dutifully execute their roles to serve the American people. Their dedication to overcoming the challenges facing our country are rooted in their diverse backgrounds and experiences, helping deliver the change America needs in these difficult times.”

Vice President-Elect Harris stated:

“Our country is grappling with a pandemic, an economic crisis, a long-overdue reckoning on racial injustice, and a climate crisis. To meet these challenges, we need a team that reflects the very best of our nation. These public servants have the knowledge and experience to help us deliver on our commitment to build our country back better. And I look forward to working with them to usher in a brighter future for all Americans.”

Mr. Klain relayed:

“We are building a White House staff to reflect the diversity of America in every sense. These individuals have a breadth of experience, and will bring a commitment to serving the American people each and every day. They will advance the bold agenda of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, creating a more just, equitable, and united nation.”

Please click here and here to access the biographies on these and other new White House Personnel.

With these latest selections, the makeup of the Biden/Harris Administration is:

White Women: 22

Black Women: 15

Latino Women: 6

Asian Women: 6

Native American Women: 1

White Men: 16

Black Men: 4

Latino Men: 6

Asian Men: 6

Native American Men: 0

It has been reported that President-Elect Biden will nominate Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona as his choice for Secretary of Education.

More information will follow.