Weekend Report: What's happening?

Biden reminds world why democracy must be saved, angering MAGA. Trump's authoritarian plan to take control of federal spending. Clarence Thomas admits billionaire gave him gifts.

President Biden used his speech in Pointe du Hoc, France, commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, to remind the world why democracy is worth fighting for. He spoke out against Vladimir Putin and warned of a dictator marching through Europe again. He also urged us all to defend attacks on democracy at home, though he never mentioned Donald Trump’s name. But right-wing commentators went into a rage because, it appears, they’re now just flat-out defending anyone who attacks fascism…

Nothing we’ve heard about Trump and his allies’ plans should shock any of us, as they’ve made it all very clear. And sitting right on the Trump campaign website is a plan to have the president seize control of federal spending, taking the power away from Congress. It would mean the president making massive cuts to federal programs passed by Congress—and violating the Constitution. Add this to the many stories the media need to relentlessly repeat about Trump’s extremist promises. And today, at least, we’re seeing that in the major news publications…

Clarence Thomas has finally fessed up to having billionaire Harlan Crow, the guy who collects Nazi memorabilia as well as favors from Supreme Court justices, pay for his lavish trips. Thomas acknowledged that the reporting by ProPublica in its exposé last year was accurate—after his MAGA defenders brutally attacked the stories—belatedly filing his financial disclosures. Now we, once again, need to see Senate investigations…