In yesterday’s Trail Mix Live chat Carolyn explains how the Trump administration ignored the statute on appointing U.S. attorneys, which the judge relied on to dismiss the cases.
Lu spotlights the irony: Trump used the same argument to get his own documents indictment tossed… and now it’s freeing the people he targeted.
Here’s the 60-second short:
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Attribution: Seditious behavior by Dave Whamond, Canada, PoliticalCartoons.com
how the aussies are reporting the cases this morning
A US federal judge has dismissed the indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The judge found that President Donald Trump’s appointment of interim US Attorney Lindsey Halligan in Alexandria, Virginia, was invalid.
Trump handpicked Halligan for the role amid increasing pressure to bring criminal cases against his political enemies, including Comey and James.
Attribution: Pam Bondi builds a case against Trump’s enmies by Michael de Adder, CagleCartoons.com
scripture suggested by Wiki for today’s sermon
in re the quintessential example of “pot calling kettle black:”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/seditious-behavior-punishable-by-death/
our hymnal selection
7:41am ET — A U.S. official told CBS News on Tuesday that Ukraine’s government had “agreed to a peace deal” brokered by the Trump administration to stop Russia’s nearly four-year assault. The American official and Ukraine’s national security adviser Rustem Umerov said a common understanding on a proposal had been reached, with details still to be worked out.
OK, what is the purpose of leaking this before it’s done? To put more pressure on Ukraine? Or just to create a morning headline showing the administration is in charge? Media should not take this seriously until the Ukraine side confirms it, or at least prominently add they haven’t confirmed.
Macron standing strong in support of Ukraine not crumbling to Russia as it puts Europe in danger. My solution is simple if ugly:
Give Russia the Donbas
Admit Ukraine to NATO immediately with full implement of article 5 if Russia violates again
Give dumb Donald his Nobel.
Craig – it is standard operating procedure for the group. Think back to all the “deals” stupid announced that sometimes included having talked to some foreign state low level minion about meeting to discuss meeting. I think we will see more of these fantasy plays as mangomoron completely collapses into his alternative world. It is like the playground his father had once he was totally consumed by Alzheimer’s, only in a real world setting with real world actions.
One you need to take the time to read. Why a family of four needs $100,000 a year to not sink into poverty.
My Life is a Lie – by Michael Green
https://www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-life-is-a-lie
For those not familiar with the Donbas and why Russia wants it to go with Crimea
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donbas
Trying to get Trumps attention?
In one of my regular reads the author was discussing “Trumps broken policy making process” and was talking about Rubio. It occurred to me that many of Rubio’s perceived miss steps could easily be explained as not having access to Trump. That made me wonder if Rubio’s public pronouncements were just Rubio trying to reach Trump and affect public policy. We all know Trump is an avid consumer of traditional news.
Jack
Amy Klobuchar seems to be running hard for something: Senate President, President, VP … definitely something. Right now, she is hitting hard on both international and national issues in every post on Blue Sky @amyklobuchar.com.
Look who lost the shutdown
THE JUDGE WHO SHUT IT DOWN
Judge Cameron McGowan Currie just tossed the DOJ’s political prosecutions of James Comey and Letitia James — ruling that the Trump-era interim U.S. attorney was unlawfully appointed under the Constitution.
In these shorts cut from our livestream chat yesterday, we walk through why the cases collapsed, how the Appointments Clause was violated, and why Trump’s own legal argument in his documents case ended up freeing the people he targeted.
Judge Currie’s bio (quick recap):
Semi-retired federal judge appointed by President Clinton, known for plain-spoken constitutional rulings and a disciplined read of the statute. She ruled the prosecutor lacked lawful authority, leaving no choice but dismissal.
Watch the Full conversation
Follow our full Targeting Comey playlist (autoplay):
Yep BB, they are playing to type, announcing deals before they’re done, forcing the other side to play along without conceding anything. To the Administration leak a deal was done Ukraine just said “not yet”:
A top Ukrainian official said his country and the U.S. reached “a common understanding on the core terms” of an agreement
“other side” indeed
maybe he can win a Nobel prize for extortion
is there a Nobel prize for extortion?
If Macron is going to help get Ukraine settled, he needs to hustle. A far right candidate may win France which would bolster Hungary/Orban positions within NATO:
French poll shows far-right leader Bardella winning presidential election
If you put link in the website slot when you post, readers can see your name in blue on the post and clicking it will take you to their blog or linked site.
Bronc, your link seems to be broken.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/speaker-johnson-flashes-red-on-trumps-healthcare-push-11b70dd5?mod=RSSMSN
Speaker Johnson Warns White House GOP Is Wary of Trump’s Healthcare Push
Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) cautioned the White House that most House Republicans don’t have an appetite for extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, according to people familiar with the matter, showing how hard it will be politically to stave off sharp increases in healthcare costs next year for many Americans.
*Huh? GOP doesn’t want to extend subsidies & they know folks will vote them out. Moscow Mike is a demon.
The message from Johnson, in a phone call with administration officials, came as President Trump’s advisers were drafting a healthcare plan that extended the subsidies for two years.
*Putin and JD/Thiel want to create more trouble in the US & I fully believe Mike has his marching orders, otherwise the first paragraph makes no sense.
*Today, on this one thing, I’m pulling for tRUMP to show Mikey who’s boss.
The emerging White House plan would extend the subsidies temporarily, while imposing income caps for ACA enrollees to qualify, as well as measures to crack down on healthcare fraud, according to people familiar with the matter. Several Republicans want to pair the subsidy wind-down with the creation of health savings accounts, an approach Trump has praised.
Republicans could seek to attach a healthcare measure to a must-pass funding measure if they fail to pass a stand-alone healthcare package. Should that fail, some Republicans want Trump to use a process known as budget reconciliation that only needs a simple majority in the Senate, rather than 60 votes.
*How long will they be out for Thanksgiving? Down to the wire. If he wanted to, tRUMP could publicly demand it.
Oh, wait. Then GOP could block it & he could attempt to absolve himself of responsibility…except he signed the big, ugly bill.
today’s meme…
meme #2…
The christians couldn’t care any less what the christ is reputed to have said while he was allegedly alive—they just really really like that part about a dude being nailed up on and hanging there on the cross.
They actually worship that part.
I love it when some christian tries to tell me what he knows about “Eternal Life” which somehow the christ dude made possible by his getting nailed to a cross. I never could figure that out.
HA!
When did the WH decide this? After Mamdani won? After tRUMP decided to glom onto a winner? After their meet cute?
There’s an enrollment deadline and it will leave folks scrambling. This needs to happen by November 30th.
Jamie – there is a booboo going on with the website. One of the software packages is updated, but for some reason has not updated with WordPress. I will put a different website on here.
…but you get to hang out with Grandpa
FOREVER
hope you like Grandpa
“hey grandpa don’t you have anything to do?”
“nope”
He is absolutely the most cruel and hateful man we’ve ever had in office. No wonder more than half the country is going into this holiday season dejected and demoralized.
The number one lesson in the New Testament is:
Don’t fuck with the Romans…..those crazy bastards will nail you up on a cross just for being a nuisance.
Thanks Bronc. Always look forward to anything you want to say, and a website would give me another place to see.
The Health Savings Account is a pure scam. It’s nice to have for little things, but absolutely useless with a single $2000 deposit. Not big enough to buy insurance and completely wiped out by any big illness or accident.
https://www.semafor.com/article/11/23/2025/how-trump-is-trying-to-remake-american-culture-starting-with-rush-hour
President Donald Trump has strong views about news media and an interest in asserting them; he’s long claimed credit for ending the careers of journalists and comedians. CNN staff now worry that if their company is sold to Paramount, his friend Larry Ellison may fire two of the network’s most prominent women: Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar.
Somewhat less attention, however, has been paid to the ways in which Trump wants to shape popular culture outside news and late night comedy.
But now Larry Ellison, one of Trump’s most prominent financial supporters, owns a second-tier studio, Paramount, and is on the cusp of taking control of the great Warner legacy, with the giant library and sprawling production that come with it.
The film producer Dallas Sonnier predicts “a wave of classically male-driven movies with mentally tough, traditional, courageous, confident heroes. Maybe even a tad cocky, but dedicated to honor and duty. Plus, of course, a few explosions, gun battles, helicopters, fistfights, and car chases!”
*Propaganda to feed the beta males. Warfighters!
Hate the term “war fighters”. I guess a “soldier” might allow for women, so the guys scared of them had to find something that made them sound brave.
Jamie – Exactly. And, if you aren’t covered by insurance, there is no negotiated rate.
Also, where is that HSA money coming from and how much will it be? $2K wouldn’t even buy me two months on ACA (cheapest, bronze tier), and folks still have only about 3 weeks to make a decision and sign up.
Maybe Adolf will call his new, favorite person, Mamdani, and ask him what to do. Ha!
Leaky Pete Hegseth looks like he’s so ‘roided up and ridiculous when he calls the “warfighters,” and beyond exclusion of women, he’s trying to high jack brains; this is mostly for optics and propaganda for new recruits.
In addition to the inflation of everyday costs, you definitely don’t want to go overseas.
Over the past month, the United States Dollar has strengthened 1.41%, but it’s down by 6.22% over the last 12 months. Mango Man isn’t doing well in currency.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/sanders-warren-senate-fight-club
Angered by the Democratic leadership’s fecklessness and lack of a bold vision for the future, a group of senators including Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has formed an alliance to push back on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the party’s campaign arm ahead of next year’s critical midterm elections.
The existence of the group, known as the “Fight Club,” was first revealed Monday by the New York Times, which reported that the senators are pressing the Democratic Party to “embrace candidates willing to challenge entrenched corporate interests, fiercely oppose the Trump administration, and defy their own party’s orthodoxy.”
*Keep hope alive!
DoDo posted this on X with the underlining, apparently thinking it proved his point. He’s not too long on reading comprehension.
About an hour ago:
If anyone knows or hears anything, Reuters wants to talk.
Andy Bruce (Reuters)
@bruceandy.bsky.social
Obviously if anyone would like to send me the budget, that would be great too
Andy Bruce (Reuters)
@bruceandy.bsky.social
· 7mo
Drop me a line if you:
💁have an interesting story to tell
⚠️think an issue needs national press attention
☕️have insight into big institutions or powerful people
🙊heard interesting rumours or gossip
DM/Signal in bio
@reuters.com has a long history of protecting sources
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/social-media-reacts-pete-hegseth-trolling-mark-kelly_n_6925dd74e4b063285310d51a
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to troll Sen. Mark Kelly after the Pentagon announced on Monday it would be investigating the Arizona Democrat caused a real war of words on social media.
The Pentagon claimed Kelly’s participation and statements in a video calling for U.S. troops to refuse unlawful orders interfered with the “loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces.”
The announcement said that Kelly might be recalled to active duty so he can be court-martialed for his actions. <-
Kelly responded to the news by posting a photo of his medals, noting, “If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work.”
On Tuesday, Hegseth responded to Kelly’s post by trolling him, claiming that the former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and astronaut’s medals were “out of order & rows reversed.”
Hegseth added: “When/if you are recalled to active duty, it’ll start with a uniform inspection.”
Kelly’s wife, Gabrielle Giffords, a former politician, jumped to his defense, as did many former members of the military.
***
“Eugene Vindman is expressing his intention to return to active duty as a military lawyer (JAG) to support Mark Kelly, although there are discussions about the appropriateness of this move and the training JAG officers undergo. The situation has sparked debate among commentators regarding military law and the authority of JAG officers.” -Search Assist ai
Can Donny understand this paraphrasing? If orders and the law conflict, the law must be followed. (That means they don’t follow the orders, because they are illegal.)
Although he says he is the law (and above it, himself), he is not. Be prepared from more unhinged nonsense from the tRUMPsy regime.
Did military Repugz in Congress speak up?
An interesting thread of stupid has been filled by a lot of people who do not know or understand the wearing of ribbons and medals. The biggly attack on Senator Kelly by the secretary for setting up the racks of medals and ribbons showed how screwy he is. All sorts of puffery with the power of a mouse fart.
It is a pain setting up the ribbons and medals on the racks. At least you can buy racks of two, three and more rows.
Senator Mark Kelly earned a great number of medals and ribbons. Earned is how an award is given and presented on your chest. He has the rarest, outside of Medal of Honor, as an astronaut.
Kelly is more decorated than Leaky Pete (does he have any), and Cadet Bonespurs has done zilch.
There is no American tradition that Dodo has not found a way to besmirch or blight.
AI says…
Zelensky gets slammed for not wearing a suit to the WH, while Putin’s puppet is doing Moscow’s bidding in their war against Ukraine.
MTV Duffy wants folks to dress up to get on plane and sit in a tiny seat, after hanging around the airport for hours, while tRUMPsky tries to take away passenger rights.
Leaky Pete is yammering about medals on a uniform, while he leaks sensitive data.
*These are terrible people who value optics, especially the optics of the regime’s control over an increasing number of things, and who have little substance themselves. They will soon be the dirtbag idiots of history.
***
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/25/donald-trump-turkey-pardons-biden-pritzker/87466322007/
I’m not going to tell my Pritzker joke,” Trump said. “I have a very cute little joke. Some speechwriter wrote some joke about his weight. I would never want to talk about his weight. I don’t talk about people being fat. I refuse to talk about the fact that he’s a fat slob. I don’t mention it.”
*Hmmm, Adolf refuses “to talk about the fact he’s a fat slob.” They must have funhouse mirrors at the WH and MAL.
Pfft, ~215 pound~ Donald calls Pritzker “fat” and calls a reporter whose question he didn’t like “Piggy.
What I am not enjoying is all of the emails showing up, supposedly asking for donations from one congressperson or another, in response to tRUMP’s outrageous and possibly illegal action of the day. It’s like unsubscribe-whack-a-mole, and I only assume Act Blue disseminates the master email list, because I have never subscribed or even heard of some of them.
Tonight, Slotkin/FightforthepeoplePAC – same reason as Mark Kelly, last night. Get the money out of politics.
GOD, DO I LOVE IRONY. F* ck Trump🔩
Miss you, KGC
Yes, missing Crackers. Always good to see Corey drop by.
https://www.newsweek.com/home-depot-ice-scraper-protest-monrovia-california-11097010
Protests against Home Depot’s alleged involvement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) worksite raids have taken the form of disruptive “buy-ins” in at least one California store, with people lining up to purchase 17-cent ice scrapers only to return them immediately.
A video shared on social media shows a long line of customers inside a Home Depot store in Monrovia, California, on Saturday waiting to purchase an ice scraper priced at 17 cents at the automatic cashiers. Many of the customers can be seen wearing stickers on their clothes reading “ICE out of the Home Depot.”
*This is brilliant! ICE scrapers!
https://www.kens5.com/article/news/community/texas-video-san-antonio-ice-raid-food-trucks-agents-breaking-security-camera/273-11150acd-7a3d-4e4d-8120-b512ae835c21
Chaos in a San Antonio ICE raid shows people hiding in food trucks, agents breaking security camera
New surveillance video shows people running from the raid and climbing into the food trucks parked directly in front of the event building. Customers sitting at picnic tables were also taken into custody, witnesses told KENS 5.
Genesis Valadez, owner of Las Pollitas Snack y Tacos, said her trailer was closed at the time but her cameras captured everything.
“We close at 2 a.m., and the raid happened around 3 a.m.,” she said. “It was scary because through the cameras we could see everything… them going into our trailer and those around us.”
Employees said they noticed drones flying over the lot in the days leading up to the operation, suggesting law enforcement surveillance had already been underway.
Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Greg Casar (TX-35) sent a letter this week to DHS, DOJ, ICE and the FBI demanding transparency about the raid and the status of detainees. They say more than 140 people were arrested, but federal agencies have provided no information on their whereabouts.
@JoaquinCastrotx
“It’s un-American to round people up and claim they have ties to a gang without evidence or proof. Especially as 92 people got caught in the crosshairs and were charged with NOTHING-including two teenage boys who were grabbing something to eat—just to meet quotas.
No answers, no transparency, and no evidence. Texans deserve better.”
@JoaquinCastrotx
“If ICE has nothing to hide from its raid in San Antonio, why did they smash security cameras?
If authorities are so sure they arrested 51 members of Tren de Aragua, why can’t they offer proof?
Immediately after the raid, I demanded answers alongside @RepCasar, from the agencies involved. We have not received answers.
This kind of secrecy and disregard for accountability is unacceptable.”
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