Weekend open thread: What's happening?
Trump advisors worried about Trump and marital law. He floated bringing Sydney Powell on as a special counsel. And we still have a month left before he's gone.
Welcome to The Signorile Report, where you’ll read hard-hitting political commentary and exposés, hear interesting conversations, join in great discussions and get lots of other stuff.
An open thread for you all to jump in with your thoughts on everything that is going on and just let us know what’s up this weekend.
Some alarming stories have surfaced reminding us that Donald Trump is still in office for another month.
In a contentious White House meeting, Trump apparently suggested bringing in the Qanon conspiracy theorist attorney Sidney Powell — yes, the nutbag who argued votes were switched by Dominion machines, led by the long-dead Hugo Chavez or some such craziness — as a special counsel to investigate voter fraud. Even Giuliani opposed the idea!
And Axios reports officials in the White House really are alarmed by Trump’s desire to declare martial law or use the military to stay in office:
The big picture: Their fears include Trump's interest in former national security adviser Michael Flynn's wild talk of martial law; an idea floated of an executive order to commandeer voting machines; and the specter of Sidney Powell, the conspiracy-spewing election lawyer, obtaining governmental power and a top-level security clearance.
A senior administration official said that when Trump is "retweeting threats of putting politicians in jail, and spends his time talking to conspiracy nuts who openly say declaring martial law is no big deal, it’s impossible not to start getting anxious about how this ends."
Meanwhile, Russia has hacked into American agencies in what Mitt Romney and other senators called an attack on this country and an extraordinary breach, and Trump spent days saying nothing. When he finally tweeted about it, after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pointed fingers at Russia, Trump downplayed the breach, and said he thought it was — China. Of course, once again bowing to Vladimir Putin, as President-elect Joe Biden has spoken out forcefully about the hack and the consequences for Russia.
The White House had been preparing to speak out against Russia, but officials were told by Trump to to stand down.
It’s as if Trump allowed Russia to hack into American systems — and analysts say it’s not known how long it’s been going on or even how to stop them because they’ve “embedded” in our systems — and, if he can’t stay in office, he’ll just leave us with Russia fully lurking deep inside American agencies.
Personally, I think Democrats should impeach him immediately, and dare Republicans in the Senate not to remove him.
Other than all that — a snow-filled weekend here in New York City as the snow is still on the ground from Thursday’s storm, so I’ve been taking it easy and doing stuff around the house. And some last minute shopping, but of course it will be a Christmas like Thanksgiving — just the two of us.
What are you up to and what are you planning for the holidays? The coronavirus pandemic this week reached its worst numbers, in cases and deaths, and it’s just staggering to see. And while it’s keeping many from traveling others are still planning to go places.
What are you up to to this weekend, and for the holidays, and what are you thinking about regarding everything going on? I’ll be jumping back in over the weekend.
My non-hubby and I are spending Christmas at home, just the 2 of us. He has always been a homebody; I’m the opposite although my creative artist side has been perfectly happy staying put since the pandemic. I suspect my brother will roll the dice again re Covid exposure and go to Christmas family dinner with his ex-wife’s family.
Trump is really going beyond scraping the bottom of the barrel with Sidney Powell. Not surprised. And the GOP needs to stop the pretense of being shocked about the Russian hacking. They enabled it.
Michelangelo, I wish you and your husband a safe and joyous holiday. Thank you for helping all of us get through this horrific year. You definitely kept me from falling off the cliff. Looking forward to spending 2021 with you!
My concern is not tRump's wild fantasies, but the reaction by his cult followers. tRump is "stoking" up the planned protest on Jan 6th & giving his dog whistle imprimatur for that protest.....and that is gaining momentum amongst his "crazies". The statement by the self confessed criminal Flynn of military intervention will be "interpreted" by tRump followers like Proud Boys, QAnon, and the other white "terrorists" as their cue to be tRump's de facto "military" substitute led by the disgraced General Flynn. Pence is not leaving the country for nothing, he will be very aware of what will eventuate & intends to escape the aftermath kerfuffle that will ensue. The Disgraced Repugnants should come out of hiding and put a stop to this "crazy talk" military intervention leading to obvious violence by these domestic terrorists. I won't hold my breathe but it will be on the Repugnants leadership when things turn ugly.