A Declaration of Accountability

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Watch: The Echoes of 1776
Before reading our modern grievances below, look back at where the line was drawn. Watch historian Bill Barker deliver the full 10-minute reading of the original Declaration of Independence, set to a custom edit of classic period paintings produced entirely before the era of generative AI:

For today’s would-be monarch:

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Open & Print Document

There Are No Kings

A Declaration of Grievances

When the power of the presidency becomes the possession of one man, the Republic is no longer truly self-governed.

When loyalty is demanded rather than earned, and dissent is punished rather than answered, freedom becomes little more than a rumor.

We therefore set forth these grievances against the current occupant of the White House, Donald Trump—not as partisans, but as citizens defending the common trust: the Constitution, the rule of law, and the enduring promise that no person shall be king in this land.

He has…

  • He has concentrated extraordinary power in his own hands and among a circle of allied oligarchs.
  • He has declared peaceful assemblies to be “insurrections,” while threatening mayors and governors who refused his demands.
  • He has deployed masked federal agents to detain citizens without due process of law.
  • He has sued and intimidated members of the free press, weaponizing the courts against reporters and critics.
  • He has threatened criminal prosecution and imprisonment of political opponents.
  • He has targeted universities and students to suppress protected speech and political expression.
  • He has menaced law firms and independent counsel for representing clients opposed to his interests.
  • He has threatened judges with impeachment for rulings that cross his will.
  • He has ignored Congress, openly challenged its spending authority, and lawlessly redirected public funds for purposes never authorized.
  • He has punished states that opposed him politically by withholding critical federal support.
  • He has subverted the electoral process by weaponizing federal authority to influence partisan voting maps.
  • He has purged thousands of career civil servants, replacing independent public service with absolute political loyalty.
  • He has accepted prohibited gifts, favors, and foreign financial benefits in open violation of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clauses.
  • He has sought to strip birthright citizenship from American soil by executive fiat, defying the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendment.
  • He has deployed federal troops into American cities over the explicit objections of state leaders.
  • He has claimed unilateral authority to impose sweeping, punitive tariffs without congressional approval.
  • He has summarily removed inspectors general charged with investigating administration misconduct.
  • He has actively defied and resisted the lawful authority of the federal courts.
  • He has permitted members of his immediate family to pursue lucrative foreign business interests while holding public trust.
  • He has assumed unilateral authority to commit American forces to foreign conflict and wage war without the constitutionally mandated declaration of Congress.

Therefore, We Affirm

That government belongs to the governed—not to those who govern.

That no person may place himself above the law.

That power without accountability is but another name for tyranny.

We protest not as radicals, but as neighbors.

We gather not to overthrow our Republic, but to remind it of its founding promise.

ADD YOURS

Use the space below to write in your grievances before signing.

THERE ARE NO KINGS
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Signed,

July 4, 2026

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109 thoughts on “A Declaration of Accountability”


  4. Jun 28, 2026
    The men who signed the Declaration of Independence were flawed, but what they did in the summer of 1776 changed the world forever. Correspondent Mo Rocca talks with experts about how 18th century colonists such as Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams defied a king and proposed a government of the people, and how their fight for equality continues today.

  6. ECHOES OF AMERICA: DAILY ALMANAC
    Date: July 4, 1776
    Weather: A surprisingly pleasant and mostly clear summer day in Philadelphia, starting at 68 degrees at dawn and peaking at 76 by mid-afternoon.
    The News: The Continental Congress approved the final, revised wording of the Declaration of Independence, officially resolving to sever all political ties with Great Britain.
    Poor Richard says: “He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.”
    Watch our YouTube series: ECHOES OF AMERICA.
    Read the companion reports: TRAIL MIX SUBSTACK.

  8. He has declared emergency powers and arrogated to himself the authority to remake the White House and surrounding environs into gaudy copies and mimics of past efforts of kings, hereditary leaders and autocrats without input or oversight by the people or their representatives.

  9. Time for an increase in House members

    802,000 – The average number of people represented by each member of the U.S. House of Representatives. India is the only democracy with a higher representation ratio.

  10. Where is there left to hide from the idiots and their gun powder? Last night was bad, at least there has been no more explosions after 1:45 am. Today will be worse. Freedom?

    I am now prepared to celebrate two deaths, hopefully simultaneous. Many bottles of good champagne are standing by. The mental state to be happy, but not boisterous about it.

  11. He has by the misuse of executive orders assigned to himself and to his temporary bureaucrats powers granted to the Congress by the Constitution.

  12. All tax dollars from non-bid contracts shall be clawed back and used to help taxpayers.

    Nobody shall obtain a government contract (through a fair bid process) unless they also pay taxes on their earnings and holdings; no hiding assets that never get taxed; no more Social Security taxation cap; Medicare for all.

  19. Maine news

    From the “Portland Press herald” 0704/26

    What flying the American flag means to Mainers

    While some feel Old Glory is being used as a political football, many believe it should remain a symbol of our country and the things it should stand for.

    Doreen Gay has been hanging the American flag on her front porch in South Portland for more than 45 years, but lately she’s wondered if she should.

    She put it up before Independence Day to honor the nation. But she worries that it’s become a political football, with some on the right using it to promote President Trump’s agenda, while others are displaying it upside down or not at all, as a protest of the party in power.

    “I think that the political right has taken the flag as its symbol of their cause, but it’s supposed to be a symbol of a united country and our democracy,” said Gay, 70, a retired financial services worker. “So I struggle. I want that back, to use the flag as it was intended. But I feel like it’s almost been hijacked.”

  21. The Air Force officer protest guy; I don’t like his idea of making MAGA Mike Johnson president.

  22. The National Park Service cancelled today’s 4th of July parade in Washington DC due to extreme heat.

    And this report is from today’s “Guardian.”

    Also affected by the temperatures has been the president’s Great American State Fair on the National Mall. That event temporarily closed down on Friday after reports that 44 visitors had been treated for heat-related illnesses.

  23. 20 grievances for July 4th.

    A new Declaration against absolute tyranny. Are we repeating history or just watching the dumpster fire burn?

    Watch the full Short here, hop on our livestream at 11am ET:

  27. A seldom sung verse of America the Beautiful

    Oh beautiful for glory-tale
    Of liberating strife,
    When once and twice for man’s avail
    Men lavished precious life!
    America! America!
    God shed His grace on thee,
    Till selfish gain no longer strain
    The banner of the free!

  28. Poll: Canadian patriotism was fading. Then Trump came back.

    OTTAWA — As they celebrate their national day, Canadians feel a renewed sense of national pride — a reversal of a stubborn trend that dates back at least 40 years.

    All it took was an unpredictable and aggressive next-door neighbor whose sovereignty threats and trade war left a lasting mark.

    A new POLITICO Poll of six countries reveals in Canada a country rethinking its place on the global stage, reconsidering its relationship with Americans and bucking global patriotism trends.

    As Europeans eye flag-waving with skepticism, prideful Canadians are wrapping themselves in the Maple Leaf.

    In question after question, Canadians report far greater levels of national pride and patriotism than respondents in the U.K., France, Germany and Spain. Canadians were even more likely than Americans to want young kids to sing the national anthem at school.

    Jean Chrétien, an outspoken former prime minister, has repeatedly joked about nominating Donald Trump for the Order of Canada for uniting so many people north of the border.

    Non-Canadians are eligible for the country’s highest civilian honor if they have “brought benefit or honour to” Canada.

    While Canada’s honors system is unlikely to induct the president, Chrétien’s joke points to an apparent reversal of a decades-long trend. For years, Canadians were increasingly blasé about their national identity. Pride had shrunk to record lows.

    True patriot love, revived
    There’s no mistaking the new trend.

    “For progressive leaders around the world, Canada may show that there is a way to capture a message of national pride that does not alienate key voters,” said Seb Wride, principal at Public First, which conducted the survey. “But it also shows the challenge in doing so, if what it takes is a geographical neighbor dramatically turning up the temperature as much as Canadians feel Trump has.”

    Poll and commentary at link

  29. Where the REAL party is being held:

    The major America 250 concert in Los Angeles is “America’s Block Party benefiting Giving 4th,” a massive event taking place on July 4, 2026, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

    The star-studded event serves as a benefit concert to establish a new tradition of annual charitable giving in America. Specific details include: Headliners: Chris Stapleton, The Smashing Pumpkins, Maren Morris, and Anthony Ramos, with special guest Chaka Khan. Host: Queen Latifah. Schedule: The Block Party Village opens for ticket holders at 3:00 p.m. PDT with free food, drinks, face painting, and games. The main concert kicks off at 6:00 p.m. PDT, concluding with fireworks and a massive drone show.

    Tickets: Available for just $17.76.Livestream: You can watch the event nationwide via the official America 250 website or mobile app.

  32. Today in the Diner:
    A New Declaration of Grievances Against Trump

    We need a new declaration of grievances against current president Donald Trump. We analyze the 4th of July, voting rights, and a modern tyrant.

    Instead of letting the right co-opt the 250th anniversary of America, it is time to turn the 4th of July on its head. We look at the actual text of the Declaration of Independence and realize it reads like a perfect blueprint for dealing with the current president. From purging civil servants to defying federal courts, the unconstitutional grievances are piling up fast.

    Meanwhile, as fighter jets rattle the windows here at TrailMix headquarters, we dive into the latest election-stealing schemes, the absurdity of the National State Fair, and the Jeanine Pirro reflecting pool meltdown. We also take a quick detour into the Lazy Man Cooks archives to settle the great rib debate. Saint Louis or baby back? You decide.

    We wrap up this July 4th special with a complete, ten-minute reading of the original Declaration of Independence by Robert Barker. No AI, no filler, just the foundational text that started it all. Today is going to be a peaceful day.

    Live Chat: https://trailmix.cc/chat
    Website: https://trailmix.cc
    Alerts: https://trailmix.cc/alerts

    00:00 Intro
    01:30 A New Declaration of Grievances
    08:23 Trump Explains the Declaration
    16:00 Midterm Elections Strategy
    24:00 Voting Rights and Election Integrity
    38:15 Reflecting Pool Vandalism
    45:50 Cooking Ribs with Lazy Man Cooks
    54:05 WWII Veteran Warns of Fascism
    1:00:35 Declaration of Independence Full Reading

  34. White nationalist incels are marching in DC, starting at Union Station. Masks, apparently, are not optional. If they are so effing proud, they should show their faces. Kowardly, Konfederate kreeps.

  36. from a comment on today’s chat:
    “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President or any other public official save exactly to degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him in so far as he efficiently serves the country.”
    – Theodore Roosevelt’s “The Great Adventure”
    Happy 4th ♥️🇺🇸

  37. Patriotism also doesn’t mean to march through DC wearing a mask, carrying a Confederate flag, yelling that you’re going to take back ~your~ country. Buncha weak-ass fckheads. They, of course, will be allowed to do their thing, unlike anyone protesting them, the Confederacy, the current regime, data centers, or capitalism.

  39. From my morning read.
    If you know someone who declares we are an English language only country. 4 days after the Declaration was signed copies of it in German were being distributed. How to get the word out to this diverse nation has always been a challenge. As it was a challenge for me, in my little neighborhood so it was a challenge for the founders of this nation. It gives me a connection to them that I didn’t have before, (Here is a link to the article.)

    The Declaration of Independence in German

    declaration in german

  40. You can add French to a commonly used language in the colonies. My Du Chemin (Dishman) line has the first marriage recorded in 1689.

  41. George Washington spoke only one language: English. Despite his extensive military and diplomatic career, he never learned to read, write, or converse in any foreign language. When conducting business with French or Dutch representatives, he relied on translators and interpreters.

    Among those on whom he depended: Thomas Jefferson was highly multilingual. In addition to his native English, he spoke and wrote French, Italian, and Latin. He could also read and understand Ancient Greek and Spanish, and had some foundational knowledge of German, Dutch, and Anglo-Saxon (Old English).

    Other founders:

    John Quincy Adams: Considered one of the most prolific polyglots to hold office. He knew Dutch, French, German, Ancient Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, and Russian.

    John Adams: Spoke fluent French and was highly proficient in reading and writing Latin, which was standard for a Harvard education.

    Benjamin Franklin: Self-taught in French, Italian, Spanish, Latin, and German. He famously used his linguistic skills to secure essential European alliances during the Revolutionary War.

    James Madison: The “Father of the Constitution” learned Latin early in his education and mastered Ancient Greek, later adding Hebrew and French to his linguistic repertoire

  42. Haven’t finnished this article on religion and the revolution.yet but this quote was just too good not to share

    Thomas Smith, a supporter of the crown in Pennsylvania he held the view “that the whole was nothing but a scheme of a parcel of hot-headed Presbyterians.”

    (Link here(

  43. Never thought I would ever see: hot-headed and Presbyterian. in the same sentence.
    Have to pass this on to my sister, a Presbyterian church lady.

    Jack

  47. One of the ~Patriot~ Front incels was at Mr. Rushmore with Dumbass. Maybe a lot of those cosplaying as Teddy’s Rough Riders were also in the klan. FDT

  48. https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/national-mall-flyover-schedule-for-july-4-released/4125502/

    *How much is this costing us & is this a good use of fuel?

    National Mall July 4 flyover schedule
    • 1:14 PM – NASA F-5 Flyover
    • 1:24 PM – NASA Fleet Review
    • 1:44 PM – USCG Helo Flyover
    • 1:54 PM – USCG Fixed Wing Flyover
    • 2:09 PM – Golden Knights, Leap Frogs
    • 2:29 PM – Army Helo Flyover
    • 2:44 PM – USAF Fleet Review – Wave 1 – Heavies
    • 2:54 PM – USAF Fleet Review – Wave 2 –
    AFSOC
    • 3:04 PM – USAF Fleet Review – Wave 3 – Fighters
    • 3:29 PM – Executive Rotary Wing Airlift
    • 3:39 PM – USMC Fleet Review – Wave 1 – Rotary
    • 3:49 PM – USMC Fleet Review – Wave 2 – Fixed Wing
    • 3:59 PM – USN Fleet Review – Wave 1 – Rotary

    • 4:09 PM – USN Fleet Review – Wave 2 – Fixed
    Wing
    • 4:19 PM – USN Fleet Review – Wave 3 –
    Fighters
    • 4:21 PM – USN F-18F Demonstration
    • 4:59 PM – USN Blue Angels
    • 5:26 PM – USMC MV-22 Osprey Demonstration
    • 5:44 PM – USAF Fleet Review – Fighters
    • 6:02 PM – USAF Tri-Bomber Formation
    • 6:05 PM – USN F-35C Demonstration
    • 6:25 PM – USAF Thunderbirds Demonstration
    • 7:03 PM – Air Force One Flyover
    • 7:07 PM – USAF Thunderbirds Delta Break
    • 7:17 PM – HUGE 1 Flyover Led by the Newly Renovated Air Force One
    • 7:38 PM – U.S. Stealth Airpower Flyover
    • 7:39 PM – F-22 Raptor Demo
    • 7:53 PM – F-22 Raptor in Atterburner
    • 7:59 PM – B-1 Flyover
    • 8:07 PM – B-1’s in Afterburner
    • 8:11 PM – HUGE ONE Fly Over Review
    • 8:22 PM – Golden Knights Twilight Jump
    • 10:36 PM – B-1 Afterburner Night Pass

  50. well, they can’t win a war so they might as well do something with all those planes

    asshole america

  51. if it’s politics or history
    It really is no mystery
    The only thing you gotta know is
    everything is showbiz

    -Springtime for Hitler

  52. The kids in ABC just now, wow, have they eaten up the propaganda. In this country you can get an education, but there isn’t the opportunity in other countries? In this country you can get any job you want? In this country we’re all united? Ah, I probably would’ve given the same answer when I was ten.

  53. i’m not anti-fun but it’s pretty disgusting when you cut social safety nets and then fly obsolete military technology around all day for no reason on the taxpayers dime

    especially after they inflated the price of gas with their ill conceived war

    remind them of their waste fraud and abuse when they say they don’t have any money for anything

  55. flinging this out to social media now — PASS IT ON TO YOURS…

    Got Trump Derangement Syndrome? Here’s the antidote. Channel that energy into a formal, print-ready Declaration of Grievances to stop the mad king. Sign the permanent ledger so your grandkids know you tried.
    👉 trailmix.cc/sign

  56. so I planted 20 loofah seeds and only one germinated and matured but guess what that’s all you need

    pretty excited 😀

  57. Interesting blog article on the nations that make up the United States

    Tuesday, June 30, 2026
    American Nations by Colin Woodard
    Source of book: Borrowed from the library

    American Nations, like any book that attempts to reduce a complex issue to a system, stretches its point a bit beyond where I think it works. However, it does propose a system that does make sense of a lot of things about American politics.

    The way I look at it – just like with ideas about stories – no one system explains everything, and no one paradigm will work at all times. That said, a good system or paradigm will be helpful in understanding things, and can be a part of a better knowledge of dynamics that can be easily missed.

    The basic premise of Woodard’s book is that the United States was never a single nation, never a single culture, and never a single political idea. Instead, there were eleven rival cultures that date back to the European colonization of what is now the United States, and these rivals cludged together a union that occasionally works, but often doesn’t. Thus, understanding the regional cultures and political viewpoints does a lot to explain American politics, past and present.

    Conclusion at link.

  63. Cement Pond Felony by Bare Hands:

    YouTube thumbnail

    Pirro uncovers the real crime. A rogue Olympian destroys the reflecting pool with zero tools.

    From today’s Digital Diner menu 🍽️

  64. ai:

    An F-15 fighter jet costs between $21,000 and $42,000 per hour to operate, depending heavily on the specific model and how the military calculates the Cost Per Flight Hour

  67. Ga! The E-4B costs over $177,000 per hour to operate. It’s aka the “doomsday” plane.

  68. The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III burns roughly 28.33 gallons of jet fuel every minute, which amounts to a cost of $212.22 per minute based on average fuel rates.

  69. At least one of yesterday’s cosplaying “Rough Riders” is a Patriot Front weasel.

    Afraid to show their faces…just like ICE.

    Hmmmm, are these weasels just off-duty ICE N&zis?

  70. Watching fair site live and to heck with the schedule, the planes are practically non stop. They’re probably charging it off to pilot training.

  72. If curious AI will give you the approximate population of your home state area in 1776. For California this was:

    In 1776, California’s population was approximately 300,000 to 310,000. The vast majority were Indigenous Californians. The Spanish and colonial settler presence was incredibly small at that time, consisting of only a few hundred soldiers, missionaries, and settlers establishing coastal missions and presidios.

    For historical context, the entire United States had an estimated population of only 2.5 million during the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

  74. Doris Kearns Goodwin with FDR response to question.

    Q: If you succeed you will be the greatest President. If you fail you will be the worst.

    FDR: If I fail, I will be the last.

    Our next President may face the exact same challenge.

  75. First, here’s today’s Gene Pool Gene Poll:

    POLL
    If you were in the Washington area today, would you go to the fireworks display, which, Trump has promised, will be the largest and most mighty fireworks display in world history, setting a Guinness record?
    I’m in the DC area, and plan to go.
    1%
    I am in the DC area and will not.
    36%
    I’m not in DC, would go if I were.
    3%
    I’m not in DC, but no, I wouldn’t.
    60%
    1324 VOTES · 2 DAYS REMAINING

  77. National Mall evacuated. It doesn’t seem like anything will happen tonight. Of course, Dumbass can always speak from inside the WH, in the AC…or wait and do it tomorrow.

    There are 850,000 fireworks shells just itching to scare the crap outta Craig’s pigeons.

  78. I never did enjoy professional fireworks shows It is always a lot more fun when I got to light the fuses. Fire works are for children.
    As to fly overs, that would get boring fast unless it included vintage airplanes like the Confederate Airforce. When they did the annual airshow in Kansas City those old airplanes used to practice their routines up and down the river. We were working just north of the river and got to watch them all day.
    Jack

  82. They really thought this through, didn’t they. Ha! Hope he’s stewing in his own juices. Mother Nature is paying him back for cutting regulations and destroying stuff.

  83. They’re saying they might go forward with his 9:45 speech but surely it will take hours to get all these people back through security into. That
    does not seem feasible.WH might be thankful for the excuse to cancel it. Organizers claim150,000 people. Local news is calling bullshit on that, Even the local Fox.

  86. ALERT DC: National Mall gates will reopen at 9:45 PM. More info: freedom250.org

    But it will take how long to get all those people back through security? Is he going to give a 90-minute speech at 10:30 and make everybody wait until midnight for the fireworks?

  93. So Dumbass is going to give his speech around 11? I’m afraid I’ll be otherwise occupied. Pity.

  96. It’s funny he said a storm makes everything better but it made him so mad during that interview with Kristen Welker

  99. At least the celebratory fireworks won’t probably happen until the 5th. Anyone still there is a MAGAt there to worship him and be eaten alive by mosquitos.

  102. All the Wild West heroes just happen to be white. Even Buffalo Bill Cody was ashamed of the number of bison he slaughtered.

  104. Did they get clearance for the military house band to cover these songs because I don’t think Prince would want to be associated with this mess.

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