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Report Card Table of Contents - Dirty Donnie's Report Card - on Quora 13 May 2025

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We are sort of organized, but sometimes don’t know where to put things in our contents. Our contents is organized around Trump’s goals for his first term. His second term - the revenge tour - may require some new entries, as Trump seems to be engaged in some goal post moving.

Dirty Donnie's Report Card · June 5
HOW WE GOT HERE: THE PERCEPTION MACHINE The Perception Machine shows us how we got ourselves into the MAGA mess. What role do media and rhetoric play in shaping perceptions of fascism in America today?
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/HOW-WE-GOT-HERE-We-need-to-understand-how-we-got-ourselves-into-the-MAGA-mess-https-www-quora-com-What-role-do-medi
Dirty Donnie's Report Card · April 16
Still Alive, are You?
You might not be much longer if you dare oppose our Rioter-in-Chief! Although the agency has renamed the death list the “ineligible master file,” according to the documents reviewed by The Times, it has not developed a new way to mark people as being ineligible for benefits. For now the immigrants added are being given supposed dates of death If convicted felon Donald J. Trump doesn’t approve of your politics, YOU may soon find that YOU are dead as far as access to your bank accounts, investments, property, medical care, etc. are concerned! Comments welcome! From Comments: This is what we are tracking here on Dirty Donnie's Report Card Eric Aberle · 13h Is no one going to file articles of impeachment on this mango madman? Even some MAGA Republicans would vote to remove Trump at this point. Naggy Maggie Greene filed articles of impeachment on Biden's first day, for nothing more than revenge. The country is in a chaotic free fall. Truth, honesty, democracy, our constitution, government, and elections, are under attack. Anyone who doesn't kiss the fat, fascist, tangerine tyrant's, ass, could be facing imprisonment in an El Salvadorian, maximum security prison, with legal immigrants. Yet, a civilly liable rapist, tax fraud, adjudicated insurrectionist, and 34 time convicted felon, isn't accountable for any of his crimes, corruption, or incompetence. He's rewarded with another stolen election. This is the end of America as we know it. Every day looking more like North Korea and Russia. Working Americans are deliberately being bankrupted, while only billionaire oligarchs are getting wealthier. Greedy, selfish, power hungry, billionaires, are enriching themselves at our expense. I've never seen anything so corrupt, criminal, and self indulgent, in my 68 years. Defunding our government, Social Security, and federal benefits, for billionaire tax breaks and taxpayer funded, government contracts for Musk. Pitiful!
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/Still-Alive-are-You

TRUMP’S MISSION STATEMENT IN TRUMP’S WORDS & ACTIONS:

“We got a bad man in the White House coming after our civil liberties. We're here. We either walk away, we either ignore it, or we fight back. Don't be afraid. No, no, no. Let me rephrase that. You'll always be afraid. Don't let the fear stop you from doing what you must do to resist”

GOALS & ACHIEVEMENTS

Dirty Donnie's Report Card · June 15
JUNE 2025: WHERE WE STAND
I wish I had not asked Gemini Pro to compose this assessment. It is dismal. However, if we are to recover from the mortal blows Project 2025, the Federalist Society, FOX entertainment TV, cowardly congresscritters and others with evil intent have administered to the USA, we must dispassionately assess where we are. image credit: Project 2025 and the Reshaping of the American State: An Assessment as of June 2025 by Gemini Pro based on the following prompt composed by Jeffrey Diver: “To what extent have MAGA's Project 2025 goals been achieved as of 15 June 2025? Has the United States season as "leader of the free world" ended? Has Project 2025 succeeded in destroying the agencies & alliances, to say nothing of the economy that once made us strong along with our reputation? What goals of Project 2025 remain?” Introduction: The Conservative Promise and the 'Blitzkrieg' on the Administrative State The first five months of the second Trump administration have been characterized by a political and administrative campaign of unprecedented speed and scope. This is not the result of improvisation but the execution of a meticulously prepared strategy years in the making: Project 2025. Established in April 2022 by The Heritage Foundation with a reported budget of $22 million, Project 2025 represents the ninth and most ambitious iteration of the conservative Mandate for Leadership series.1 It is far more than a collection of policy recommendations; it is a comprehensive operational blueprint designed to fundamentally reshape the American state, consolidate executive power, and permanently install a conservative, Christian nationalist worldview at every level of government.1 The project's architecture is built on four pillars, each designed to ensure a rapid and irreversible transformation. The first is the nearly 900-page policy book, Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise, which serves as the ideological and practical guide for every federal agency.1 The second is a vast personnel database, a "conservative LinkedIn," pre-vetting tens of thousands of individuals loyal to the president to replace the career civil service.1 The third is the "Presidential Administration Academy," an online training program to indoctrinate these new appointees in the project's goals and methods.3 The final pillar is a "180-day playbook" detailing a sequence of actions, including a "stack of Executive Orders" prepared for signature on day one, designed to overwhelm institutional resistance.5 This operation is grounded in a controversial and expansive interpretation of the unitary executive theory, which posits that the entire executive branch is under the absolute control of the president.1 Where the first Trump administration was often stymied by institutional friction and an unprepared transition team, Project 2025 was conceived as a pre-planned insurgency. Its stated goal is not to reform but to "destroy the Administrative State" 5, which its proponents view as an unaccountable, liberal bureaucracy. The events of early 2025 are the direct consequence of this multi-year preparation, a "blitzkrieg" intended to seize the government's operational levers so swiftly that traditional forms of congressional, judicial, and public opposition are rendered ineffective in the immediate term. This report provides an exhaustive assessment of the extent to which this project has achieved its goals as of June 15, 2025, analyzing its impact on the structure of the federal government, the rule of law, the national economy, and the United States' standing in the world. Project 2025 Scorecard (as of 15 June 2025): Achieved vs. Outstanding Goals The following table provides a systematic assessment of the implementation status of Project 2025's key goals. It distills the sprawling 900-page agenda into a clear scorecard, allowing for a direct evaluation of the administration's success in its own terms. Part I: The Deconstruction of the Administrative State The foundational assault of the new administration has been on the structure and personnel of the U.S. government itself. The "destruction" of federal agencies, a term used by the project's advocates and critics alike, has not been primarily a matter of budget cuts but a systematic campaign to eliminate institutional independence, expertise, and memory. This has been achieved through a revolutionary change to the civil service, followed by the targeted dismantling and repurposing of key federal bodies. The 'Schedule Policy/Career' Revolution: The Lynchpin of the Project The single most critical action enabling the entirety of the Project 2025 agenda was the immediate reinstatement and rebranding of the "Schedule F" civil service classification. Through a day-one executive order and a subsequent rule finalized by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the administration created the "Schedule Policy/Career" category.6 This reclassification is the master key unlocking the administrative state for political control. The rule targets career federal employees in roles deemed to have "policy-determining, policy-making, policy-advocating, or confidential duties".7 OPM estimates that approximately 50,000 positions, or 2% of the federal workforce, will ultimately be moved into this new schedule.7 The change is profound: these employees are stripped of their statutory civil service protections, including due process rights that prevent at-will termination.8 They are transformed from merit-based, nonpartisan experts into political appointees who can be fired for poor performance, misconduct, or, most critically, for "subversion of Presidential directives".7 This mechanism effectively returns a significant portion of the federal government to the "spoils system" of the 19th century.8 As critics from federal unions and civil rights organizations have noted, an employee can now be dismissed for refusing to follow an order, even if that order is "illegal, immoral, unethical, or unconstitutional".2 The purpose is not to improve government efficiency, but to enforce political loyalty. Federal agencies were given a deadline of April 14, 2025, to submit their plans for reclassifying positions, triggering a rapid purge of senior career staff across the government whose expertise and adherence to the law were seen as impediments to the new agenda.6 This "loyalty purge" has been the essential prerequisite for the radical policy shifts that followed, as it neutralized the very individuals who would have otherwise formed the first line of institutional resistance. Agency Realignment and Elimination: A Status Report With the civil service effectively brought to heel, the administration has moved swiftly to execute Project 2025's plans for restructuring the federal government. As of mid-June 2025, several major agencies are in advanced stages of being dismantled, repurposed, or prepared for abolition. Department of Education (ED): Project 2025 calls for the complete elimination of the Department of Education, arguing that education policy should be returned to the states.1 President Trump signed an executive order in March 2025 to begin this process.10 While full abolition requires an act of Congress and remains an outstanding goal, the administration has aggressively moved to render the department inert. Staff has been significantly cut, and plans are underway to transfer its remaining functions, such as civil rights enforcement and student loan administration, to other agencies like the Department of Justice.6 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): The Mandate for Leadership outlines a plan to eviscerate the nation's top environmental and climate science agencies.11 The administration is downsizing the EPA, with proposals to eliminate its Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights and its Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance.11 The goal is to halt climate-related regulation and science. The plan for NOAA is even more extreme: it calls for the agency, which it labels a primary driver of the "climate change alarm industry," to be broken up and its functions scattered.1 These actions are designed to remove regulatory hurdles for the fossil fuel industry and "eradicate climate change references from absolutely everywhere".1 Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The Mandate advocates for dismantling DHS and replacing it with a new, standalone border and immigration agency.1 This new entity would consolidate immigration-related functions from DHS, the Department of Justice, and HHS, and would be staffed by over 100,000 employees.3 This restructuring is not an administrative shuffle; it is a strategic realignment designed to create a more powerful and singularly focused apparatus for carrying out the project's goal of mass arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants. Health and Human Services (HHS): The plan for HHS is to rebrand it ideologically as the "Department of Life".13 This involves a systematic purge of terminology from all HHS rules and programs, deleting words like "gender," "gender equity," "reproductive health," and "abortion".14 The department's mission is being reoriented away from public health as it has been traditionally understood and toward the project's "pro-life" agenda, including laying the groundwork to attack access to abortion and contraception.3 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): The administration's war on "woke" ideology began on its first day. An executive order ended all DEI programs within the federal government, and the Mandate calls for the deletion of terms like "DEI," "gender equality," and "sexual orientation" from every federal rule, contract, and grant.10 Federal employees working on DEI initiatives were among the first to be targeted, with many placed on administrative leave pending reclassification or termination.6 Part II: The Rule of Law and Democratic Norms Under Duress Beyond restructuring the government's machinery, the administration has moved to alter its fundamental operating principles, targeting the rule of law, the justice system, and the civil rights framework that has defined American public life for decades. The Department of Justice as a Political Instrument The transformation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) has been central to the administration's project. The goal, as explicitly stated in the Mandate for Leadership, is to make the DOJ less independent and to wield it as an enforcement arm of the White House.1 Under Attorney General Pam Bondi, a staunch supporter of Project 2025, this transformation is well underway.15 The plan's execution has followed the blueprint with remarkable fidelity. The number of political appointees is being vastly expanded in every DOJ component to ensure ideological conformity and to "promote the President's agenda".2 This politicization extends to the core functions of the department. The Mandate calls for a review of all major FBI investigations to ensure they align with the president's political priorities.2 Furthermore, the administration is using the DOJ to target political adversaries. The blueprint specifically names Pennsylvania's former Secretary of State for prosecution over her actions in the 2020 election, and reports indicate that similar investigations are being prepared.17 This represents a fundamental shift from the principle of the "rule of law," where legal standards are applied impartially to all, to a system of "rule by law," where the state uses the legal apparatus as a tool to reward allies and punish enemies. This is a defining characteristic of the illiberal regimes, such as Viktor Orbán's Hungary, that Project 2025's architects openly admire.19 The department's traditional priorities have been inverted. Enforcement of civil rights laws has been gutted. The Mandate proposes eliminating administrative tools like consent decrees and resolution agreements, forcing all civil rights enforcement into the courts, where it is slower and more difficult.17 The authority to prosecute election-related offenses has been transferred from the career experts in the Civil Rights Division to the more politically malleable Criminal Division.17 The DOJ's focus has shifted from protecting voting rights and prosecuting discrimination to pursuing baseless claims of "voter fraud" and a new, politically charged mandate to prosecute "anti-white racism".2 When the institution meant to be the guardian of impartial justice becomes a political weapon, the most critical check on executive overreach and potential tyranny is dangerously eroded. Redefining Rights: The Assault on Civil, Voting, and Reproductive Freedoms With a compliant DOJ in place, the administration has launched a multi-front assault on established rights, seeking to enact the deeply conservative social agenda at the heart of Project 2025. Reproductive Rights: The administration is moving to criminalize abortion nationwide without new legislation from Congress. The primary vehicle for this is the proposed enforcement of the Comstock Act, a dormant 19th-century law that prohibits the mailing of any "article or thing designed, adapted, or intended for producing abortion".3 The DOJ has been directed to prosecute providers and distributors of abortion medication under this act.3 Concurrently, the administration is pressuring the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reverse its decades-old approval of mifepristone, a safe and widely used abortion pill.3 Legal "stress tests" in federal courts prior to 2025, which challenged the FDA's approval, provided the blueprint for this strategy, demonstrating how the judiciary could be used to achieve these goals even if the legal arguments were ultimately rejected on procedural grounds at the time.13 LGBTQ+ Rights: The project mandates a rollback of federal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. This includes removing non-discrimination protections in federal employment, housing, and healthcare; excluding transgender people from military service; and codifying a definition of sex as strictly biological and binary into federal policy.3 The Mandate calls for the HHS chief to "proudly state that men and women are biological realities" and that a married man and woman is the "ideal, natural family structure," making this ideology the basis for federal family policy.3 Voting Rights and Elections: Project 2025 seeks to fundamentally change the federal government's role in elections from one of protecting access to one of restricting it. The plan aims to "criminalize voting" by shifting the DOJ's focus from combating voter suppression to prosecuting voter fraud, a phenomenon that has been repeatedly shown to be exceedingly rare.18 In a direct blow to election security, the project calls for substantive cuts to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the very agency founded by President Trump in his first term to protect elections from foreign interference and disinformation.18 This is paired with a plan to prohibit the FBI and other agencies from combating domestic disinformation related to elections.18 Finally, the administration is reviving the push to add a citizenship question to the U.S. Census, a move the Supreme Court blocked in 2019. The goal is to depress participation in immigrant communities, leading to an undercount that would reduce their political representation in Congress and their access to federal funding for the next decade.21 Part III: The 'America First' Economy: Disruption and Realignment The administration's economic agenda, central to its "America First" platform, has been pursued with the same aggressive, top-down approach as its governmental and social reforms. The core policies—sweeping tariffs and a broad deregulatory push—are justified as necessary to create a "Production Economy" that benefits American workers.22 However, independent economic analyses conducted in the spring of 2025 project that these policies will have a devastating impact on U.S. growth, wages, and household wealth. The Tariff Shock and its Economic Fallout On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed a memorandum directing an investigation into the U.S. trade deficit, setting the stage for aggressive tariff action.22 This culminated on April 2, 2025, when the administration signed an executive order imposing a minimum 10% tariff on all U.S. imports, with even higher reciprocal tariffs on goods from specific countries.23 These actions represent the largest American tax increase since 1993.24 The administration's stated goal is to use tariffs to force the reshoring of manufacturing, protect domestic industries, and raise wages.22 However, leading independent economic models project the opposite outcome. The core contradiction lies in the policy's impact on capital. Tariffs, by reducing imports, also reduce the flow of foreign capital into the United States. This means U.S. households and businesses must finance a larger share of the national debt, diverting savings away from productive private investment in factories, technology, and innovation. This "crowding out" effect, combined with the massive economic uncertainty created by the trade war, is projected to decimate long-term economic growth. The table below summarizes the stark findings from two of the most respected non-partisan economic modeling centers, the Penn Wharton Budget Model (PWBM) and the Tax Foundation. The PWBM analysis is particularly damning. It concludes that the tariffs will reduce long-run GDP and wages by more than twice as much as a revenue-equivalent increase in the corporate income tax, a policy generally considered highly distortive to the economy.23 The economic pain felt by American households in the form of higher prices and lower wages is not an unforeseen side effect but a direct and predictable consequence of the administration's chosen policies. According to these models, the "destruction" of economic capacity is a mathematical certainty. Deregulation and the Fraying of the Social Safety Net Running parallel to the tariff shock is a radical deregulatory agenda and a direct assault on the nation's social safety net, both of which are outlined extensively in the Mandate for Leadership. Many of these actions can be implemented through executive power alone, without congressional approval.25 The administration is moving to implement work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which could reduce or eliminate food assistance for a portion of the 40 million Americans who rely on it.3 The project also calls for the complete elimination of the Head Start early childhood education program, which serves over one million low-income children annually.9 Longer-term goals outlined in the Mandate that would require legislation include significant cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.1 On the regulatory front, the plan seeks to abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the primary watchdog agency created after the 2008 financial crisis to protect consumers from predatory lending.1 It also calls for extending the 2017 corporate tax cuts and further reducing the corporate tax rate from 21% to 18%.1 This is coupled with the broad environmental deregulation being pursued through the gutting of the EPA, all under the banner of removing burdens on American industry. Together, these policies represent a massive transfer of wealth and a shift of risk from corporations to individuals and families. Part IV: A New World Order: The Abdication of Global Leadership The administration's "America First" doctrine has been applied as aggressively to foreign policy as it has to domestic affairs. The result has been a rapid and deliberate abdication of the United States' post-World War II role as the anchor of the democratic world and the leader of a system of international alliances and institutions. This has shattered the trust of key allies, emboldened adversaries, and raised fundamental questions about the future of global stability. The 'Transformation' of NATO and the Emboldening of Adversaries Project 2025 advocates for a "transformation" of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the cornerstone of transatlantic security for 75 years.19 In practice, this means handing primary responsibility for deterring Russian aggression to European allies and pulling back U.S. forces and, most importantly, the U.S. political commitment to collective defense under Article 5. While framed as a push for allied self-sufficiency, this policy is widely viewed by allies and critics as a de facto U.S. withdrawal from its leadership role in European security.26 This has had immediate and dangerous consequences. The administration has acted on President Trump's long-stated desire to end the war in Ukraine, halting the flow of military and financial aid.19 The Mandate itself was deliberately vague on the issue, punting it to "presidential leadership," which has translated into a policy that has emboldened Russia's imperial ambitions in Eastern Europe.19 The U.S. withdrawal from its role as Europe's security guarantor, combined with a pivot to a unilateral and confrontational stance toward China, is seen by security analysts as a strategic blunder that weakens the collective defense of democracies and creates a power vacuum that both Moscow and Beijing are eager to exploit.26 This shift is not merely an isolationist turn; it is a profound ideological realignment of American foreign policy. The administration has shown a clear affinity for authoritarian leaders like Hungary's Viktor Orbán, whose methods for consolidating power within a nominal democracy are seen as a model by Project 2025's architects.19 The domestic culture war is also being exported. The Mandate calls for a purge of terms like "gender equity" and "reproductive rights" from all U.S. foreign aid programs. The mission of agencies like USAID is being changed from promoting development and democracy to advancing "religious freedom" and "protecting life," as defined by the administration's conservative Christian worldview.14 The United States is not simply stepping back from its role as "leader of the free world"; it appears to be actively working to forge and lead a new global coalition of illiberal, nationalist states. Withdrawal from the Global Stage: International Institutions and Agreements The administration is systematically disengaging from the multilateral system of international institutions that the U.S. itself was instrumental in building. The Mandate for Leadership calls for a "comprehensive cost-benefit analysis" of U.S. participation in all international organizations, a clear signal of intent to withdraw or defund them.19 The document goes further, stating that international bodies that are perceived to erode U.S. sovereignty should be "abandoned," not reformed.14 This policy is now being put into practice. The administration has questioned continued support for the United Nations and the World Health Organization.19 It is moving to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports international reporting through outlets like PBS and NPR.1 And it has signaled its intent to withdraw the U.S. from international climate agreements like the Paris Accord, in line with its broader effort to dismantle domestic climate policy.27 This retreat from multilateral engagement damages U.S. credibility, cedes influence to global rivals, and undermines the world's ability to coordinate responses to shared challenges, from pandemics to climate change to nuclear proliferation. Part V: Assessment and the Remaining Agenda Five months into the new administration, the implementation of Project 2025 has proceeded at a pace that has stunned many observers, though it is consistent with the project's design as a pre-planned "blitzkrieg." A significant portion of the agenda that can be achieved through executive power has either been accomplished or is in an advanced stage of progress. Project 2025 Scorecard (as of 15 June 2025): Achieved vs. Outstanding Goals The following table provides a systematic assessment of the implementation status of Project 2025's key goals. It distills the sprawling 900-page agenda into a clear scorecard, allowing for a direct evaluation of the administration's success in its own terms. Conclusion: The State of the Union and its Global Standing This analysis leads to a series of sober conclusions that directly address the core questions posed. Has the United States' season as "leader of the free world" ended? The evidence compiled in this report strongly suggests that this era has not merely ended but has been deliberately terminated. The administration is not retreating into simple isolationism but is actively pursuing a new role on the world stage: the leader of a global movement of illiberal, nationalist, and culturally conservative states. The damage to traditional alliances, the abandonment of democratic norms as a foreign policy priority, and the withdrawal from international institutions represent a fundamental and perhaps irreversible shift in America's relationship with the world. Has Project 2025 succeeded in destroying the agencies and alliances, to say nothing of the economy and our reputation? The term "destroy" is strong, but in several key areas, it is analytically appropriate. * Agencies: The independence, nonpartisan expertise, and institutional missions of key federal agencies have been effectively destroyed. They are being hollowed out from within and repurposed as instruments of raw political will, loyal only to the executive. * Alliances: Core alliances like NATO have been critically damaged. While the formal treaty structure may remain for now, the trust and political commitment that give it meaning have been shattered, emboldening adversaries and leaving democratic partners in a state of profound uncertainty. * Economy and Reputation: The economy is experiencing a severe, self-inflicted shock, with credible, non-partisan models predicting significant long-term damage to growth, wages, and household prosperity. The nation's reputation as a stable democracy, a reliable partner, and a predictable steward of the global economic system has been fundamentally undermined. What goals of Project 2025 remain? The administration has demonstrated that the executive-led "blitzkrieg" envisioned by Project 2025 can be highly effective in the short term. The goals that have been achieved are largely those that can be implemented through executive orders, regulatory changes, and the control of agency personnel. The next, more difficult frontier for the administration involves the goals that require the consent of the other branches of government. Major legislative undertakings—such as the formal abolition of entire cabinet departments, fundamental reforms to entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid, the repeal of bedrock environmental laws, or a move to a national consumption tax—will require sustained support from Congress. Likewise, the administration's legal theories and actions will continue to face challenges in the federal courts. The battle for the administrative state may have been won by the executive in the first 180 days, but the larger struggle over the future of American law and the constitutional separation of powers has only just begun. Works cited 1. Project 2025 - Wikipedia, accessed June 15, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_2025 2. Project 2025: What's At Stake for Criminal Justice Reform, accessed June 15, 2025, https://civilrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Project-2025-Justice-Reform.pdf 3. What is Project 2025? What to know about the conservative ..., accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-is-project-2025-trump-conservative-blueprint-heritage-foundation/ 4. Mandate for Leadership | A Product of The Heritage Foundation, accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.project2025.org/training/conservative-governance-101/ 5. Understanding Project 2025 | National Federation of Federal ..., accessed June 15, 2025, https://nffe.org/advocacy/issues-by-subject/p25/ 6. Project 2025 wanted to hobble the federal workforce. DOGE has hastily done that, and more, accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.govexec.com/transition/2025/04/project-2025-wanted-hobble-federal-workforce-doge-has-hastily-done-and-more/404390/ 7. Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Creates New Federal Employee Category to Enhance Accountability - The White House, accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-creates-new-federal-employee-category-to-enhance-accountability/ 8. THE RETURN OF SCHEDULE F AND THE PERILS OF MANDATING LOYALTY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE - Boston University, accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.bu.edu/bulawreview/files/2025/02/PEREZ.pdf 9. Project 2025: Threats to Education - The Thurgood Marshall Institute at LDF, accessed June 15, 2025, https://tminstituteldf.org/project-2025-threats-to-education/ 10. How Trump's policies and Project 2025 proposals match up after first 100 days - CBS News, accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-project-2025-first-100-days/ 11. Project 2025: Eviscerating environmental protections • Friends of the ..., accessed June 15, 2025, https://foeaction.org/project2025/ 12. Project 2025 Outlines Possible Future for Science Agencies - AIP.ORG, accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.aip.org/fyi/project-2025-outlines-possible-future-for-science-agencies 13. Project 2025 Update: Recent Examples and Growing Concerns - LULAC, accessed June 15, 2025, https://lulac.org/research/project_2025_update/ 14. global impacts of project 2025 | rfsu, accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.rfsu.se/globalassets/pdf/global-impacts-of-project-2025.pdf 15. Project 2025: Reshaping American Justice Under Trump - The ..., accessed June 15, 2025, https://thefulcrum.us/rule-of-law/department-of-justice-under-trump 16. Project 2025, Explained | American Civil Liberties Union, accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.aclu.org/project-2025-explained 17. Project 2025: What's At Stake for Civil Rights, accessed June 15, 2025, https://civilrights.org/project2025/ 18. How Project 2025 Would Endanger Our Elections - Union of Concerned Scientists, accessed June 15, 2025, https://blog.ucs.org/liza-gordon-rogers/how-project-2025-would-endanger-our-elections/ 19. The Global Dimensions of Project 2025: A Foreign Policy for ..., accessed June 15, 2025, https://kettering.org/the-global-dimensions-of-project-2025-a-foreign-policy-for-authoritarianism/ 20. Project 2025: What's At Stake for Education, accessed June 15, 2025, https://civilrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Project-2025-Education.pdf 21. Unmasking the Anti-Democracy Agenda of Project 2025, accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/unmasking-the-anti-democracy-agenda-of-project-2025/ 22. the president's 2025 trade policy agenda | ustr, accessed June 15, 2025, https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/reports/2025/President%20Trump's%202025%20Trade%20Policy%20Agenda.pdf 23. The Economic Effects of President Trump's Tariffs — Penn Wharton ..., accessed June 15, 2025, https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2025/4/10/economic-effects-of-president-trumps-tariffs 24. Trump Tariffs: Tracking the Economic Impact of the Trump Trade War - Tax Foundation, accessed June 15, 2025, https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/trump-tariffs-trade-war/ 25. The People's Guide to Project 2025 - Democracy Forward, accessed June 15, 2025, https://democracyforward.org/the-peoples-guide-to-project-2025/ 26. Project 2025 Will Undermine America's National Security - Center ..., accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.americanprogress.org/article/project-2025-will-undermine-americas-national-security/ 27. Project 2025: A Threat to Global Health, Climate Resilience, and Reproductive Rights, accessed June 15, 2025, https://www.pathfinder.org/project-2025/ Can you admit that the MAGA goals have already been achieved, that our season as "leader of the free world" has ended and that Project 2025 has succeeded in destroying the agencies & alliances that once made us strong along with our reputation? Comments welcome! Posted in the space “on Diplomacy and Warfare:” Kirk Kirkpatrick · 29m This analysis is pointed and persuasive, and it captures a real transformation in U.S. foreign policy—but it merits scrutiny on a few fronts. First, the claim that the U.S. “season” as leader of the free world has ended is not new—but suggesting it’s been deliberately terminated is a bolder assertion. That implies intent, not drift. The supporting evidence—undermining traditional alliances, retreating from multilateralism, and cozying up to nationalist regimes—does point to a coherent ideological realignment rather than just incompetence or fatigue. Second, the idea that the U.S. is shifting from liberal democratic leadership to a figurehead of a global illiberal bloc aligns with recent behavior: admiration for strongmen (Orbán, Modi), disdain for NATO, UN, and even the EU, and a cultural export model based on Christian nationalism and “anti-woke” values. If that’s the case, it’s not a withdrawal from leadership—it’s a rebranding of what that leadership looks like. Finally, calling it “perhaps irreversible” may be premature. The U.S. has swung between internationalism and isolationism before—Wilson vs. Harding, FDR vs. Taft Republicans, Bush vs. Obama. But what’s different this time is the domestic cultural war aligning with the foreign one. That’s what makes the shift so potentially durable. In short: this isn’t just the end of an era—it may be the birth of a new, darker one where “freedom” is defined not by openness and democracy, but by nationalism, religion, and control. From the space “Kamala Harris Should Have Been Our Next President:” Gregory Rice · 5h It's hard to upvote such a dismal assessment, but it is accurate, if not precise. All this absolutely unnecessary destruction of what our ancestors fought to give us, and for what? So a few super wealthy spoiled brats can have even more wealth than anyone can or should be able to spend in a hundred lifetimes. As for the Christian support of this disaster: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:44–46
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Dirty Donnie's Report Card · April 4
Truth or Consequences
* The Conspiracy Theory: All the World is Against Us * The policy: Erect defensive tariff walls. LIBERATION DAY!! * The Result: Championed by Trump, nonsense economics has taken hold. Now that Trump has given the world his middle finger, the world is most likely going to respond in a way that confirms the original theory, however nonsensical it was when first asserted. So now the world really IS against us. And for good reason. Happy Bear Market, all! Comments welcome!
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/Truth-or-Consequences
Dirty Donnie's Report Card · April 17
Send Trump’s US Political Opponents to Foreign Gulags!
Detaining people — that’s right, people — charged with crimes, awaiting trial or convicted of crimes as far away from their communities as possible is the old prison game in the USA. Find a nice, remote rural town miles from any major population center & build your pens there! Trump wants to play this game on an international scale. Without due process, Trump would permanently disappear his opponents. The current situation is merely a practice run. As demonstrated by the recent behavior of the Trump administration in regards to supposed “Venezuelan” so-called “gang members,” deportation would likely happen without so much as a howdy-do to the current Constitution’s provisions for citizens to contest the charges against them. Sweep & Go! Trump’s One-Way Tickets to Hell would be issued to Trump’s political opponents liberally. NPR explains: 'Homegrowns are next': Trump hopes to deport and jail U.S. citizens abroad April 16, 202511:56 AM ET Heard on Morning Edition Brian Mann Listen· 4:11 4-Minute Listen President Trump met with President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador in the Oval Office on April 14. Trump and Bukele are exploring a proposal to send U.S. citizens to be held in Salvadoran prisons, a move that critics describe as dangerous and unconstitutional. [Win McNamee/Getty Images] President Trump says his administration is actively exploring a proposal to detain U.S. citizens and send them to prisons in El Salvador. Speaking Monday, minutes before a press briefing alongside El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, Trump could be heard embracing the concept. "The homegrowns are next, the homegrowns. You've got to build about five more places," Trump said to Bukele, an apparent reference to prison space that would be needed in El Salvador to house U.S. citizens. El Salvador is already holding hundreds of people in a maximum-security prison. They were flown from the U.S. in recent weeks after being detained for allegedly lacking legal status or having gang affiliations. What Trump Wants for US Citizens — for YOU! Human Rights Watch declaration on prison conditions in El Salvador for the J.G.G. v. Trump case I, Juanita Goebertus, declare the following under 28 U.S.C. § 1746, and state that under penalty of perjury the following is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief: I am the Director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch and have worked with the organization since 2022. I hold BAs in Law and Political Science from the Universidad de los Andes (Colombia) and an LLM from Harvard Law School. I oversee Human Rights Watch’s work on El Salvador and have traveled to the country several times, most recently in 2024. I provide this declaration based on my personal knowledge and experience. Individuals deported pursuant to the 1789 Alien Enemies Act have been sent to the Center for Terrorism Confinement, the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT) in Tecoluca, El Salvador. The prison was first announced for a capacity of 20,000 detainees. The Salvadoran government later doubled its reported capacity, to 40,000. As Human Rights Watch explained to the UN Human Rights Committee in July 2024, the population size raises concerns that prison authorities will not be able to provide individualized treatment to detainees, thereby contravening the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. People held in CECOT, as well as in other prisons in El Salvador, * are denied communication with their relatives and lawyers, and * only appear before courts in online hearings, often * in groups of several hundred detainees at the same time. The Salvadoran government has described people held in CECOT as “terrorists,” and has said that they “will never leave.” Human Rights Watch is not aware of any detainees who have been released from that prison. The government of El Salvador denies human rights groups access to its prisons and has only allowed journalists and social media influencers to visit CECOT under highly controlled circumstances. In videos produced during these visits, Salvadoran authorities are seen saying that prisoners only “leave the cell for 30 minutes a day” and that some are held in solitary confinement cells, which are completely dark. While CECOT is likely to have more modern technology and infrastructure than other prisons in El Salvador, I understand the mistreatment of detainees there to be in large part similar to what Human Rights Watch has documented in other prisons in El Salvador, including Izalco, La Esperanza (Mariona) and Santa Ana prisons. This includes * cases of torture, * ill-treatment, * incommunicado detention, * severe violations of due process and inhumane conditions, such as * lack of access to adequate healthcare and food. Prison conditions in El Salvador should be understood within the context of the country’s three-year-long state of emergency, which has suspended constitutional due process rights. Since the state of emergency was instituted in March 2022, security forces report detaining 85,000 people (the equivalent of 1.4% of the country’s population). Although the government has denied Human Rights Watch information on the number of detainees it holds and its prison capacity, Human Rights Watch estimates based on official data that there are 109,000 people held in prisons with an official capacity for 70,000. Since the state of emergency was instituted, over 350 people have died in El Salvador’s prisons according to Salvadoran human rights groups, including the organization Cristosal, which jointly authored our December 7, 2022 report on El Salvador’s prisons titled, “We Can Arrest Anyone We Want” (hereinafter “We Can Arrest Anyone”).[1] In July 2024, Human Rights Watch published a report on abuses committed against children during the state of emergency, titled “Your Child Does Not Exist Here.” Over 3,300 children have been detained, many without any ties to gang activity or criminal organizations. Human Rights Watch documented * 66 cases of children subjected to torture, ill-treatment and appalling conditions, including at times * extreme overcrowding, * unhygienic conditions, and * inadequate access to food and medical care while in custody. In February, the Legislative Assembly approved a law ordering the transfer of children detained for organized crime offenses to the country’s adult prison system, exposing them to a heightened risk of abuse and violating international juvenile justice standards. For “We Can Arrest Anyone,” and in “Your Child Does Not Exist Here,” Human Rights Watch has interviewed more than 30 people released from El Salvador’s prisons, including children, and dozens of people who have relatives in jail.[2] These interviews were conducted in person in several states in El Salvador or by telephone and corroborated by additional research and media reports. One of the people we spoke with was an 18-year-old construction worker who said that police beat prison newcomers with batons for an hour. He said that when he denied being a gang member, they sent him to a dark basement cell with 320 detainees, where prison guards and other detainees beat him every day. On one occasion, one guard beat him so severely that it broke a rib. The construction worker said the cell he was imprisoned in was so crowded that detainees had to sleep on the floor or standing, a description often repeated by people who have been imprisoned in El Salvador. Another detainee we interviewed was held for two days in a police lock-up with capacity for 25 people, but he said that when he arrived, there were over 75 prisoners. He slept on the floor next to “the bathroom,” a hole in the ground that smelled “terrible.” He was sent in a group of other prisoners to Izalco prison on the third day, where they were ordered the group to take off their clothes. They were forced to kneel on the ground naked looking downwards for four hours in front of the prison’s gate. Guards took the group to a room with five barrels full of water with ice, he said. Fifteen guards forced him and others to go into the barrels for around two hours in total, as they questioned them. The detainee was forced into a barrel “around 30 times,” and was kept there for about a minute each time. Guards forced his head under water so he could not breathe. “I felt I was drowning,” he said. Guards repeatedly insulted them, calling them “dogs” and “scum” and saying they would “pay for what [they] had done.” A third detainee held in prison in June 2022 described being sent to what he described as a “punishment cell.” He said officers moved him and others there to “make room for other detainees.” The new cell was constantly dark, detainees had to sleep standing due to overcrowding, and there was no regular access to drinking water. For “We Can Arrest Anyone,” Human Rights Watch and Cristosal gathered evidence of over 240 cases of people detained in prisons in El Salvador with underlying health conditions, including * diabetes, * recent history of stroke, and * meningitis. Former detainees often describe filthy and disease-ridden prisons. Doctors who visited detention sites told us that * tuberculosis, * fungal infections, * scabies, * severe malnutrition and * chronic digestive issues were common. Out of the estimated 350 detainees who have died in El Salvador’s prisons, we documented 11 of these cases in detail in “We Can Arrest Anyone”, based on interviews with victims’ relatives, medical records, analysis by forensic experts, and other evidence. In one case, a person who died in custody was buried in a mass grave, without the family's knowledge. This practice could amount to an enforced disappearance if authorities intentionally concealed the fate or whereabouts of the detainee. In at least two other cases, officials appear to have failed to provide detainees the daily medication they required to manage underlying health conditions such as diabetes. In at least four of the eleven cases, photographs of the bodies show bruises. Members of the Independent Forensic Expert Group (IFEG) of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), who reviewed the photos and other evidence in two of the cases, told Human Rights Watch and Cristosal that the deaths were “suspicious” given that the bodies “present multiple lesions that show trauma that could have been caused by torture or ill-treatment that might have contributed to their deaths while in custody.” In a separate Human Rights Watch report from February 2020, titled “Deported to Danger,” Human Rights Watch investigated and reported on the conditions in Salvadoran prisons experienced by Salvadoran nationals deported by the United States.[3] In interviews with deportees and their relatives or friends, we collected accounts of three male deportees from the United States who said they were * beaten by police or soldiers during arrest, followed by * beatings during their time in custody, which lasted between three days to over a year. * During their time in prison, two of these individuals reported being kicked in the face and testicles. * A third man described being * * kicked by guards in his neck and abdomen, after which he * * sustained injuries requiring an operation for a ruptured pancreas and spleen, * * month-long hospitalization, and * * 60 days of post-release treatment. Executed on this 19th day of March, 2025 in Villa de Leyva, Colombia. [1] Human Rights Watch, “We Can Arrest Anyone We Want”: Widespread Human Rights Violations Under El Salvador’s “State of Emergency”, Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people in 100 countries worldwide, spotlighting abuses and bringing perpetrators to justice, Dec. 7, 2022, https://www.hrw.org/report/2022/12/07/we-can- arrest-anyone-we-want/widespread-human-rights-violations-under-el#3683 (last visited Mar. 19, 2025). [2] Human Rights Watch, “Your Child Does Not Exist Here”: Human Rights Abuses Against Children Under El Salvador’s “State of Emergency” , Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people in 100 countries worldwide, spotlighting abuses and bringing perpetrators to justice, Jul. 16, 2024, https://www.hrw.org/report/2024/07/16/your- child-does-not-exist-here/human-rights-abuses-against-children-under-el (last visited Mar. 19, 2025). [3] Human Rights Watch, Deported to Danger: United States Deportation Policies Expose Salvadorans to Death and Abuse, Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people in 100 countries worldwide, spotlighting abuses and bringing perpetrators to justice, Feb. 5, 2020, Deported to Danger (last visited Mar. 19, 2025). Comments welcome!
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/Send-Trump-s-US-Political-Opponents-to-Foreign-Gulags
Dirty Donnie's Report Card · April 20
Q: Pardoned Jan 6 “Tourists:” Where Are They Now? 21 April 2025
A: Lurking. Have they changed their stripes? Are they still committed to violence against “protected groups” and quite likely, YOU? Trump’s FBI won’t show much interest in tracking these convicts. Many who were involved with Nazi gangs will probably return to them, proudly. If Trump organizes a cadre of violent loyalists to do his bidding, it is likely some of these names will surface again as members/leaders/enforcers. The full list of convicts pardoned for their crimes: Full List of People Pardoned | January 6th On occasion, one or some of these folks will make news. Here’s what we’ve got so far. GOP groups around the country are platforming pardoned rioters By The Associated Press’ count, at least two dozen local Republican groups nationwide in recent months have invited Jan. 6 rioters to speak at regular meetings or special fundraisers. They include people who only trespassed, but also rioters who were convicted and pardoned for more serious crimes, such as carrying a firearm on Capitol grounds or violently attacking law enforcement. The Western Wake Republican Club in North Carolina in March featured remarks from James Grant, a pardoned rioter who was among the first to assault police officers and breach a security perimeter during the attack. A Republican women’s club in Lawrence County, Tennessee, earlier this month hosted an event for Ronald Colton McAbee. He was employed as a sheriff’s deputy in Tennessee when he went to the Capitol, dragging an officer away from a police line and punching another who tried to stop him. Some of the local GOP groups welcoming Jan. 6 rioters have faced pushback from their communities, prompting them to relocate or even cancel scheduled events. One such event in California faced so much public backlash that three potential venues canceled, according to TV station KSBW. It was held at a fourth, with protesters outside. It makes sense that Republicans are featuring Jan. 6 rioters, said Matt Dallek, a historian at George Washington University who studies the conservative movement. “Those who are pardoned can testify, like no one else can, to the horrific power of the federal government to destroy their lives,” Dallek said. “It’s a potent rallying cry, and also probably a potent fundraising tool.” But there also is a danger to elevating them, he said. Many of those pardoned used violence to stop the peaceful transfer of power, and juries determined their actions to be criminal. “It is, I think, a mainstreaming, a growing acceptance on the right of political violence, as long as it’s done in the service of Trump and his ongoing election lie,” Dallek said. Four of those who attended the event served prison time in connection with the Capitol riot, including two who the government said were members of the Kansas City chapter of the Proud Boys. The organization of self-described “Western chauvinists” known for street-level violence and confrontations with anti-fascists at protests received national attention during a 2020 presidential debate when President Donald Trump told them to “stand back and stand by.” By the Associated Press’ count, at least two dozen local Republican groups nationwide in recent months have invited Jan. 6 rioters to speak at regular meetings or special fundraisers, some with titles such as “Insurrection Hoax” and “Patriots Vindicated.” From conviction to candidacy Some pardoned rioters are taking things a step beyond speaking at political events and setting their sights on local, state or even federal office. Jake Lang, who was convicted for assaulting an officer, civil disorder and other crimes before he was pardoned by Trump, recently announced he is running for Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s former U.S. Senate seat in Florida. Enrique Tarrio, the former Proud Boys leader who was sentenced to 22 years in prison after being convicted of seditious conspiracy and other crimes before his full pardon, said in an interview with Newsmax that he will take a “serious look at running for office” in 2026 or 2028 and believes his “future is in politics.” In Texas, pardoned rioter Ryan Nichols announced a run for Congress but withdrew days later. Kelley, who is considering the pleas that he make another run for Michigan governor next year, said is not sure he can commit his young family to the grind of the campaign. He said he wants Michigan to win, whether or not he is the one in office. Still, he recognizes that Trump’s pardons have opened a window of opportunity that may not last forever. “Now is kind of the time that I could catapult with that, right?” he said in an interview. “We get a lot of hate, but I’m also going to get a lot of support.” Image above: Among the network of people pardoned for their Jan. 6, 2021, roles pursuing actions against the government are from left: Ivan Raiklin, Ethan Nordean, Enrique Tarrio, Joe Biggs and Stewart Rhodes. (Credit: SPLC) Ivan Raiklin, self-described ‘secretary of retribution’ Ivan Raiklin, a U.S. Army veteran and election denier who calls himself the Trump administration’s “secretary of retribution,” met with both Rhodes and Tarrio within hours of their release. Rhodes and Tarrio were originally sentenced to 18 and 22 years in prison, respectively, for seditious conspiracy. According to a post by Raiklin on X, he visited Tarrio at least once while he was incarcerated. On Jan. 21, Raiklin attended a vigil outside the Washington, D.C., jail for people charged after the events of Jan. 6, 2021. When Rhodes took questions from the media, Raiklin congratulated Rhodes on his freedom before the two hugged and began answering media questions. Raiklin is a former Green Beret, election denier and anti-vaxxer who has flirted with QAnon and made his way onto TV by claiming the U.S. military is “woke.” He took part in the Take Our Border Back Convoy and holds close ties to conspiracy propagandist Michael Flynn. Raiklin has developed a “deep state target list” that includes more than 300 lawmakers, members of the media, people in law enforcement (including the FBI and U.S. Capitol Police), and their families. He suggests a livestreamed arrest of those on his target list and their imprisonment for alleged crimes. Those on his list include former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and former Vice President Mike Pence. Raiklin has also courted so-called constitutional sheriffs for his retribution cause. In April 2024, he attended the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA) Convention in Las Vegas. During a press conference, he asked the speakers, including former Sheriff Richard Mack and Michigan Sheriff Dar Leaf, what was the “maximum level” they would pursue to bring government officials to justice. The question received applause from the audience, and multiple speakers supported using their authority for arrests. Washington Sheriff Bob Songer opined, “It’s a fight that needs to be fought.” In the month following Rhodes’ release, he and Raiklin have been close. No longer barred from U.S. Capitol grounds, Rhodes was with Raiklin as they attended the congressional nomination hearings for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard. In between hearings, Rhodes, wearing a Trump 2020 hat, had multiple interactions with reporters filmed by Raiklin as they toured the Capitol, amplified bogus claims about the 2020 election, downplayed the insurrection and proclaimed his innocence. Rhodes and Raiklin also met with at least one U.S. House member to lobby for the release of Jeremy Brown, who was pardoned of charges stemming from Jan. 6 and was still imprisoned at the time for a separate weapons conviction. He was eventually released in late February. Both the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys played central roles in the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Before that, both groups were known for sparking or participating in hostile incidents in communities around the country. Now, leaders of these two extremist groups have been rewarded for their Jan. 6 actions by the president and are working closely with a hard-right figure laser-focused on retribution. The specter of retribution is coming from both inside and outside the federal government, and the network of pardoned people pursuing it are moving rapidly toward their goals. As Raiklin continues to make connections with vindictive Jan. 6 attackers, there is a complementary effort to build a DOJ motivated to streamline revenge. Raiklin has said his role is facilitating these connections by coordinating the political will and courage within government to enact revenge, “whether they allow me in their office or not.” The DOJ is seeking to disclose a list of thousands of FBI special agents who participated in Jan. 6 investigations, an effort that FBI employees are currently fighting in court. Outside the government, some of the people who were pardoned are seeking retribution against those they think have wronged them in the past by pursuing litigation and talking about doxing their perceived enemies. Deadly Silence When prisoners are released from prison, expectations for their successful integration into peaceful society are low and recidivism is often a problem. It appears that the Jan 6 rioters will not be an exception to these low expectations. The Proud Boys & Oath Keepers communicate with each other in the privacy of their chat groups, keeping collaboration under wraps and maintaining deniability as much as possible. Local groups that currently disrupt school board meetings will no doubt be unable to resist the tempting targets presented by peaceful demonstrations against the destruction of democracy in the US this summer. The number of people killed by extremists in America dropped for a third consecutive year last year, but this year’s death toll has already exceeded 2024 and is likely to rise even more, according to new data provided exclusively to USA TODAY by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism. Ever since the ADL started tracking extremist deaths in 2008, the majority of those killings have been by far-right extremists including white supremacists and neo-Nazis. Researchers who track extremist groups say it’s too early to tell whether 2025 will see a resurgence of the far-right groups that typically spawn violent extremists. All extremist murders in 2024 committed by the far-right For the third year in a row, all of the extremism-related murders last year were committed by far-right extremists, the ADL researchers found. The murders in 2024 included eight killings involving white supremacists and five deaths at the hands of far-right anti-government extremists. At least two of those 13 murders were committed last year by members of the so-called “Sovereign Citizen” movement," a collection of thousands, if not tens of thousands, of anti-government radicals who believe they're not subject to local or national laws or authority. …in the month since President Donald Trump issued pardons and commutations of everyone charged in the Jan. 6 attack, including violent felons and members and leaders of known extremist groups, researchers have seen the spaces where far-right extremists congregate come roaring back to life ‒ at least online. Segal [Oren Segal, ADL senior vice president for counter-extremism and intelligence] noted that the biggest threat to American lives for decades has been far-right extremists. He voiced concern about Trump’s pardons and commutations and what signal that sends groups with a history of violence like the Proud Boys or the Oath Keepers or other armed so-called “militia” groups. “When the disincentives are removed, when accountability is removed and extremists feel emboldened or supported or that they're able to get away with anything, that means that they inherently become more dangerous,” Segal said. If Trump’s encouragement of domestic violence bears fruit in the form of destruction & increased physical confrontation this summer, it is likely He will declare some sort of emergency and institute martial law. (Per usual, Constitution be damned.) As of 21 April 2025, we haven’t heard much in public from the extreme right in American politics. We will hear from them again… and soon! 2024–2025: The Return of Trump and Empowerment of Extremism The 2024 presidential election cycle was a pivotal period for the MAGA movement and its extremist wing. Donald Trump, despite multiple criminal indictments, ran for president again and, in this scenario, won the 2024 election — returning to the White House in January 2025. (Even had he lost, there were fears of new violence, but his victory carried its own ramifications for extremism.) This section examines how Trump’s post-2024 actions — from pardons to policy shifts — have supercharged the MAGA paramilitary fringe, further blurring the lines between the political and militant components of the movement. * Late 2024 — Campaign Rhetoric and Threats: During the 2024 campaign, Trump and his allies increasingly leaned into menacing rhetoric. He spoke at rallies about “retribution” against his enemies. At one rally, he ominously said, “It’s not just me they’re after, it’s you. I’m just standing in the way.” This portrayed his constituency as under assault, implicitly justifying extraordinary responses. In October 2024, shortly before the election, an NPR analysis found Trump had made over 100 public threats to investigate or punish perceived enemies — from labeling the press and Democrats as “the enemy within” to vowing to imprison opponents if he regained power​. And who constitutes the “enemy” for Trump and MAGA? Trump believes the 75,017,613 Americans who voted for Democratic Presidential Candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, the 262 duly elected Democratic and Independent elected members of Congress and thousands of duly elected Democratic party elected officials at the State, County and Municipal level as the enemy within and that he wants to imprison or deport. He even mused about using the military or National Guard against “radical left lunatics” on Election Day if they protested​. Remember, those “radical left lunatics” are the 75,017,613 American Democratic 2024 Presidential Candidate voters and the 81,268,924 Americans who voted for President Biden in 2020. Such rhetoric signaled to extremist followers that violence might be sanctioned in the pursuit of political goals. It also drew comparisons to how autocrats speak. Observers noted the parallel to Sinn Féin/IRA tactics — essentially warning that if he (the political leader) isn’t heeded, his more extreme followers might take matters into their own hands​[19]. * November 2024 — Election Aftermath: Upon Trump’s victory over the Vice President Kamala Harris, celebrations in MAGA world were mixed with a sense of vindication. However, the stage was also set for score-settling and emboldenment. Trump’s rhetoric about an “enemies list” — which he’d openly referenced, learning from Nixon — raised alarm. Indeed, Vice-President-elect Harris (the defeated candidate) had warned during the campaign that Trump “has an enemies list of people he intends to prosecute”​. Immediately, far-right forums lit up with triumphant and threatening messages — some MAGA terrorists viewed Trump’s win as a green light for their agenda, no longer fearing federal crackdowns. On the flip side, some fringe elements who actually disliked Trump (for not going far enough previously) saw his return as an opportunity to push him even more towards their worldview. * January 20, 2025 — Trump’s Inauguration and Day One Pardons: On Inauguration Day 2025, Donald Trump took two unprecedented steps: he issued a blanket pardon to roughly all of individuals convicted or charged in connection with the January 6, 2021 MAGA Capitol Terrorist attack​ and he spend his inauguration speech to verbally attack President Biden, Vice President Harris, President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary, Senator and First Lady Hillary Clinton, along with American Democratic party voters. His pardons for his MAGA Terrorist soldiers included high-profile figures like Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders who were serving lengthy prison terms for seditious conspiracy, as well as many low-level January 6th Terrorists. Trump had long hinted he would do this, even campaigning on promises to pardon “political prisoners” of Jan 6. The effect of this mass pardon was electric in the MAGA terrorist and extremist sphere. It was perceived as vindication — the U.S. government (under Trump) was effectively saying that trying to overthrow the 2020 election was not a crime but an act of loyalty. Not only did this demoralize law enforcement, but it also massively encouraged the MAGA Terrorist militant base. One Proud Boy member, upon release thanks to the pardon, told the press, “Jan 6 was just the beginning — we’re coming back” (an alarming statement caught on video). While only anecdotal, it captured the mood: impunity fuels boldness. From a legal perspective, the pardons were within presidential power (the Constitution gives unfettered clemency power for federal crimes​), but Democratic and Independent members in Congress decried it as an abuse that undermined the rule of law and signaled the normalization of political violence. State officials braced for those pardoned individuals potentially returning to activism or plotting — now effectively conquering heroes in MAGA circles. * Executive Orders and Policy Shifts Favoring MAGA Extremists & MAGA Terrorists: Within his first days back in office, Trump signed a flurry of executive orders and directives that directly or indirectly empowered the MAGA extremist ecosystem: * “Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government” Executive Order (Jan 20, 2025): This order directed the Attorney General and all agency heads to review and report on any investigations or enforcement actions during 2021–2024 that Trump viewed as targeting his supporters​. In practice, it was a broad mandate to scrutinize and potentially halt ongoing cases against far-right individuals (including any remaining Jan 6 prosecutions, or investigations of militant groups). It specifically mentioned reviewing the DOJ’s handling of Jan 6 cases, the FBI’s domestic extremism probes, and even things like the FTC or SEC actions against conservatives​. The chilling effect was immediate — federal agents working domestic terror cases felt their work could be undermined. This dovetailed with Trump’s creation of a DOJ task force under new Attorney General Pam Bondi to implement this “weaponization” review​. Bondi’s task force was reported to be looking at Special Counsel Jack Smith’s probes, federal cooperation with state cases against Trump, and even prosecutions of individuals that the right-wing felt were unjust (such as some anti-abortion protesters)​. In essence, the new DOJ was turning its sights not on the terrorists, but on the investigators of the terrorists. This is a profound inversion of counterterrorism priorities. * Rescinding DOJ Guidance on Extremism: Bondi, on Day 1, issued memos rescinding several Garland-era DOJ directives, including those related to monitoring violent white supremacy and domestic terror coordination with states​. One memo reportedly instructed the FBI to “reprioritize” resources away from “politically sensitive” cases — widely read as meaning far-right extremism cases — and toward violent crime broadly. Another memo dismantled the DOJ’s initiative on combatting extremism within police agencies. The message to federal law enforcement was clear: back off the MAGA terrorist militarized wing. * “Restoring Freedom of Speech” Executive Order (Jan 20, 2025): This order barred federal employees from “censorship” or flagging misinformation on social media and directed DOJ to investigate any past efforts to counter election or COVID misinformation as violations of First Amendment​. While on its face about free speech, the practical effect was to hamstring government cooperation with tech companies to monitor extremist organizing online. During 2020–2021, federal agencies had worked quietly with platforms to track violent threats (e.g., the FBI got data from Facebook about potential Jan 6 plots). Now, that was politically taboo. Extremist groups rejoiced, calling it the end of “Big Brother” watching them. Meanwhile, disinformation flooded back into mainstream sites since government scientists and officials were muzzled from correcting false narratives. * Targeting “Deep State” Opponents: Another Day 1 order, “Holding Former Government Officials Accountable for Election Interference”, revoked security clearances of ex-intel officials who had criticized Trump​. It specifically named people like John Bolton and others as losing clearance. More ominously, insiders reported that lists were being drawn up of FBI and DHS personnel who worked on domestic terror and could be reassigned or pushed out for having been part of the “witch hunts.” The administration publicly spoke of rooting out the “deep state” and even raising the idea of using the Insurrection Act to dispatch troops against urban crime or gang violence, but observers feared that was a pretext to potentially use force against political protesters (should mass anti-Trump protests occur). All these moves signaled an environment where far-right terrorists felt they had allies at the highest levels of government. For example, on fringe forums, some wrote that the Feds will think twice before “persecuting patriots” now, since Trump has their back. * Department of Homeland Security & Intelligence Changes: According to leaks, the new administration dramatically shifted DHS focus. The DHS Office of Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention, which had ramped up programs to counter far-right extremism after 2019, saw its budget slashed or redirected to focus exclusively on “radical left Antifa” and foreign actors. One DHS memo even floated reassigning intelligence analysts from tracking white supremacist networks to the southern border to monitor migrants (aligning with Trump’s immigration agenda). Key DHS reports on domestic terror were “revised” or suppressed. For instance, a planned 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment draft that named white supremacists as the top threat was buried; the published version emphasized anarchists and foreign jihadists instead. Intelligence sharing with state Fusion Centers about Proud Boys or militia activities dried up, per state law enforcement complaints. Essentially, the federal intelligence apparatus turned a blind eye to the MAGA terrorists, which those terrorists surely noticed. * State-Level Paramilitary Activities (2025): Empowered by the changed national climate, MAGA-aligned paramilitary and extremist groups have become more active in certain regions. In early 2025, multiple state capitals (especially in blue states) have seen intimidating rallies by armed groups. For example, in Oregon (again) in February 2025, a posse of armed protesters showed up during a legislative hearing on gun control, causing a shutdown of the Capitol for a day. In Arizona, a group of “poll watchers” from a militia filmed and followed voters in a predominantly Latino area during a local election — a harassment that local officials said “we haven’t seen since the Jim Crow era.” What’s different now is there’s little fear of federal intervention; previously, these actions might prompt DOJ civil rights lawsuits or FBI investigations, but in 2025, those threats feel remote. Some Democratic governors are exploring what they can do with state laws (for instance, New York’s AG invoked the state’s anti-paramilitary statutes to sue a neo-Nazi training group on Long Island). But states are patchwork; in red states, some officials are openly sympathetic to the militias. In Texas, the governor floated forming a “State Guard” to empower civilians against federal overreach — a move celebrated by militia leaders. * Proud Boys, Oath Keepers Reborn: With their leaders pardoned, the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers have attempted to rebrand and regroup. The Proud Boys, whose reputation was badly tarnished after Jan 6 convictions, have claimed they are now just a “social club” but at the same time held celebratory rallies for their freed members. The Oath Keepers, a militia originally composed of ex-military/police, went somewhat dormant after Jan 6 (their founder Stewart Rhodes was in prison until pardoned). Now, we see efforts to reorganize under new names. Intelligence reports indicate new groups like “Liberty Boots” and “American Sentinel” are essentially successor organizations, holding paramilitary training camps in rural areas. They are buoyed by Trump’s public statements hinting at gratitude for “the patriots who suffered unfairly after Jan 6.” It’s the IRA/Sinn Féin dynamic in action: the political leader in power ensures the militant wing faces no serious consequences, thus the militant wing is free to operate — often with the understanding that their aggressive presence can help the leader’s agenda by intimidating opponents. In summary, by March 2025, the timeline of MAGA-related terrorism and violent incidents reveals an ever-more emboldened movement. What began in 2017 with isolated hate crimes and rallies grew into a nationwide insurgent mindset by 2020, exploded at the Capitol in 2021, and now in 2025 is institutionalizing itself — with allies in high office and a base that sees violence as justified and rewarded. This aligns disturbingly well with historical examples of dual political-paramilitary movements. We are experiencing the quiet before the storm. When violent criminals are released into the general population, foolish expectations of a peaceful society are dashed. When Trump creates hundreds of thousands of potential enemies by firing Federal employees without any excuse or due process whatsoever, it is reasonable to expect there will be some violent backlash. Social instability should surface by the 2nd half of 2025, if not sooner. We should not be surprised at the extent of the destruction, but we probably will be shocked initially by the ferocity & widespread destruction unleashed. The US Civil War never ended. MAGA efforts to reinforce the American racial & gender caste system will lead to another lengthy battle among the trigger (and drone) happy which will lead to many casualties among those who have always thought of themselves as mere spectators to a historical reenactment. Comments welcome! From Comments: It appears that not all of the Jan 6 defendants are not necessarily going to be free to conspire with the others! They may have to carry on their correspondence behind bars either now or in the future. John Mix · 5h I know a couple of them were immediately arrested for child molestation charges that were pending when they were arrested for January 6th. You have a good memory. Thanks for jogging mine! Here’s the summary from Google’s Gemini AI: While the vast majority of the charges against the January 6th rioters were related to their actions at the Capitol, such as unlawful entry, disorderly conduct, and assault on law enforcement, some individuals involved did face or have a history of child molestation or related charges. Here's what the search results indicate: Prior Convictions/Charges: NPR reported that among the Jan. 6 defendants, dozens had prior convictions or pending charges for crimes including sexual abuse of a minor and production of child sexual abuse material. Theodore Middendorf: This individual, who participated in the January 6th riot, had a prior conviction in Indiana for "Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child" involving a 7-year-old victim. He pleaded guilty in May 2024 and was sentenced to 19 years in prison. At the time of the January 6th events and his subsequent guilty plea in the child sexual assault case, he was a registered sex offender. David Daniel: This Jan. 6 defendant from North Carolina was charged with "Production of Child Pornography" and "Possession of Child Pornography," allegedly involving a prepubescent minor and a child under 12 years old. A magistrate judge described the evidence as compelling, suggesting Daniel engaged in sexual acts with young girls in his family and took photos of their genitalia. These charges were part of his legal issues separate from the January 6th events. Andrew Taake: A man from Houston who participated in the January 6th riot and was later pardoned by President Trump was being sought on a 2016 charge of online solicitation of a minor. He allegedly sent sexually explicit messages to someone he thought was a 15-year-old, who was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. He had been serving a 74-month sentence for assaulting officers on January 6th before his pardon. He was later arrested on the outstanding child sex charge. Kyle Travis Colton: This accused Jan. 6 rioter from Citrus Heights, CA, was indicted for receiving child sexual abuse imagery between July 2022 and December 2023, after his arrest related to the Capitol attack. It's important to understand that these child molestation charges or allegations are separate legal cases from the charges related to the January 6th Capitol attack, although investigations into the January 6th events sometimes uncovered other potential crimes.
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/Q-Pardoned-Jan-6-Rioters-Where-Are-They-Now
Dirty Donnie's Report Card · April 29
Trump’s English Language Tyranny Designating English as the Official Language of The United States Many Americans do not understand oppression & tyranny as well as others, as none of us in the upper castes have experienced it anytime in living memory. We are now being beaten down by it via King Trump’s Executive Order Machine combined with His exercise of powers formerly assigned to the legislature or the courts. If your native language is not English, beware! The Federal government is no longer going to make any effort to communicate with you in any language other than English! Executive Order 13166 of August 11, 2000 (Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency), is hereby revoked The English only order was followed up by this bit of Executive trickery: Proficiency in English, which I designated as our official national language in Executive Order 14224 of March 1, 2025 (Designating English as the Official Language of the United States), should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers. They should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers. Drivers need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English. This is common sense. That is why Federal law requires that, to operate a commercial vehicle, a driver must “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.” Yet this requirement has not been enforced in years, and America’s roadways have become less safe. My Administration will enforce the law to protect the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and others, including by upholding the safety enforcement regulations that ensure that anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is properly qualified and proficient in our national language, English. From now on (if King Trump gets his way) those who speak English will be upper caste and those who struggle with English will be offered fewer government services and may enjoy fewer rights, such as the right to vote or perhaps the ability to be employed in the profession of their choice. For more on the tyranny of language, we explored the subject briefly via Poe.com’s AI Web Search. Web-Search Poe The term "tyranny of language" refers to the idea that language can be used as a tool of power and control, shaping thought, behavior, and social dynamics. It suggests that those who control language—through policies, rhetoric, or cultural norms—can influence or dictate how people communicate, think, and interact with one another. This concept often highlights the ways in which language can marginalize certain groups, reinforce hierarchies, or limit freedom of expression. Trump's Use of the Tyranny of Language 1. Promotion of English as the Official Language: Trump's administration has emphasized the use of English in government and public life, framing it as a means to promote national unity. This approach can be seen as a way to control the narrative around American identity, suggesting that proficiency in English is a prerequisite for full participation in society. Critics argue that this marginalizes non-English speakers and immigrant communities, effectively limiting their voices and contributions. 2. Rhetoric and Messaging: Trump's communication style often employs simple, direct language that resonates with his base. This use of language can create an "us vs. them" mentality, where those who do not align with his views or who speak different languages are positioned as outsiders. By controlling the language of political discourse, he shapes public perception and influences how issues are framed. 3. Censorship and Disinformation: The administration has been accused of using language to manipulate information, labeling certain media outlets as "fake news" and delegitimizing dissenting voices. This tactic can create a climate of fear and confusion, where individuals may hesitate to express opposing viewpoints or seek information from diverse sources. 4. Cultural Narratives: Trump's language often invokes themes of nationalism and traditionalism, which can resonate deeply with certain segments of the population. By framing issues in a way that appeals to these sentiments, he reinforces a specific cultural narrative that can marginalize alternative perspectives and promote conformity. In summary, the "tyranny of language" in the context of Trump's administration can be seen in the promotion of English, the strategic use of rhetoric, and the framing of cultural narratives that seek to unify his base while alienating others. This approach can significantly influence public discourse and the social fabric of the United States. To resist the tyranny of language, individuals and communities can adopt several counter-strategies that promote inclusivity, diversity, and critical engagement with language. Here are some effective approaches: 1. Embrace Multilingualism Encouraging the use of multiple languages in public discourse can help counteract the dominance of a single language. This includes supporting bilingual education and promoting the use of native languages in community settings. 2. Create Alternative Narratives Developing and sharing narratives that challenge dominant language frameworks can empower marginalized voices. This involves using creative forms of expression, such as literature, art, and social media, to present diverse perspectives and experiences. 3. Promote Critical Language Awareness Encouraging individuals to critically examine the language used in political and social contexts can help them recognize manipulative rhetoric. This includes analyzing how language shapes perceptions and influences behavior, fostering a more informed citizenry. 4. Engage in Active Listening and Dialogue Facilitating open conversations that prioritize listening to diverse viewpoints can help break down barriers created by language. Engaging in small talk and making eye contact can strengthen community ties and promote understanding among different groups [1]. 5. Support Inclusive Institutions Defending and participating in institutions that promote linguistic diversity and inclusivity is crucial. This can involve advocating for policies that protect the rights of non-English speakers and supporting organizations that work towards language equity [1]. 6. Practice Personal Responsibility in Communication Individuals can take responsibility for their language use by avoiding jargon and promoting clarity in communication. This includes being mindful of the words chosen and striving to express ideas in ways that are accessible to all [1]. 7. Educate and Advocate Raising awareness about the implications of language policies and advocating for change can mobilize communities. This can involve organizing workshops, discussions, and campaigns that highlight the importance of linguistic diversity and the dangers of language tyranny. 8. Engage with Diverse Media Consuming and supporting media that reflects a variety of languages and perspectives can help counteract dominant narratives. This includes subscribing to publications that prioritize investigative journalism and diverse voices [1]. By implementing these strategies, individuals and communities can actively resist the tyranny of language and promote a more inclusive and equitable society. Learn more: [1] Twenty Lessons for Fighting Tyranny | Carnegie Reporter Winter 2022 | Carnegie Corporation of New York [2] Books against Tyranny – Vanderbilt University Press [3] Twenty ways to resist tyranny - Open Canada Here’s to the resistance! Comments welcome!
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/Trump-s-English-Language-Tyranny-Designating-English-as-the-Official-Language-of-The-United-States-https-www-whiteho?ch=10&oid=221116320&share=d40eb375&srid=EFYdv&target_type=post
Dirty Donnie's Report Card · May 3
Attacking the Free Press
It all sounds so innocently benign when the attacks are couched in the language of “free speech,” ending “government censorship,” etc. But free speech MUST be stifled, ended altogether if possible, to guarantee the success of Dictator Trump’s authoritarian regime. To this end, Trump is bullying corporations that own various types of media by * threatening to suspend or pull their broadcast licenses, * attempting to choke off their income streams by any means, fair or foul, * harassing them via idiotic lawsuits & biased rules enforcement, * “investigating” them ad nauseum, * attacking their user base, * competing against them with Trump family-owned entities, * intimidating their CEOs and * populating their Boards of Directors with Trump toadies eager to do Trump’s bidding. Trump’s “Free Speech” in Operation: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose. National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) receive taxpayer funds through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Unlike in 1967, when the CPB was established, today the media landscape is filled with abundant, diverse, and innovative news options. Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence. At the very least, Americans have the right to expect that if their tax dollars fund public broadcasting at all, they fund only fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news coverage. No media outlet has a constitutional right to taxpayer subsidies, and the Government is entitled to determine which categories of activities to subsidize. The CPB’s governing statute reflects principles of impartiality: the CPB may not “contribute to or otherwise support any political party.” 47 U.S.C. 396(f)(3); see also id. 396(e)(2). The CPB fails to abide by these principles to the extent it subsidizes NPR and PBS. Which viewpoints NPR and PBS promote does not matter. What does matter is that neither entity presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens. I therefore instruct the CPB Board of Directors (CPB Board) and all executive departments and agencies (agencies) to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS. Sec. 2. Instructions to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (a) The CPB Board shall cease direct funding to NPR and PBS, consistent with my Administration’s policy to ensure that Federal funding does not support biased and partisan news coverage. The CPB Board shall cancel existing direct funding to the maximum extent allowed by law and shall decline to provide future funding. (b) The CPB Board shall cease indirect funding to NPR and PBS, including by ensuring that licensees and permittees of public radio and television stations, as well as any other recipients of CPB funds, do not use Federal funds for NPR and PBS. To effectuate this directive, the CPB Board shall, before June 30, 2025, revise the 2025 Television Community Service Grants General Provisions and Eligibility Criteria and the 2025 Radio Community Service Grants General Provisions and Eligibility Criteria to prohibit direct or indirect funding of NPR and PBS. To the extent permitted by the 2024 Television Community Service Grants General Provisions and Eligibility Criteria, the 2024 Radio Community Service Grants General Provisions and Eligibility Criteria, and applicable law, the CPB Board shall also prohibit parties subject to these provisions from funding NPR or PBS after the date of this order. In addition, the CPB Board shall take all other necessary steps to minimize or eliminate its indirect funding of NPR and PBS. Sec. 3. Instructions to Other Agencies. (a) The heads of all agencies shall identify and terminate, to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, any direct or indirect funding of NPR and PBS. (b) After taking the actions specified in subsection (a) of this section, the heads of all agencies shall identify any remaining grants, contracts, or other funding instruments entered into with NPR or PBS and shall determine whether NPR and PBS are in compliance with the terms of those instruments. In the event of a finding of noncompliance, the head of the relevant agency shall take appropriate steps under the terms of the instrument. (c) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall determine whether “the Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio (or any successor organization)” are complying with the statutory mandate that “no person shall be subjected to discrimination in employment . . . on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex.” 47 U.S.C. 397(15), 398(b). In the event of a finding of noncompliance, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall take appropriate corrective action. Sec. 4. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any agency, person, or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other agencies, persons, or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. DONALD J. TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE, May 1, 2025. Of course, the edict above unconstitutionally attempts to defund & intimidate an independent Corporation acting outside the authority of the Executive branch of the US government. This nefarious order was accompanied by the attempted dismissal of Corporation for Public Broadcasting board members likely to resist government interference in the media. Just to see how many Quora users were aware of the order above, we used its wording to ask a question: Do you agree that in 2025 the media landscape is filled with abundant, diverse, and innovative news options & that Federal funding of news media in this environment is outdated, unnecessary & corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence? Yahoo Finance reproduced a media ownership map with the following commentary: Chart: These 6 Companies Control Much of U.S. Media · Fortune Nicolas Rapp Updated: July 24, 2018 Traditional media giants are racing to consolidate in the face of tech industry disruption. Can they retain control of the medium and the message? Welcome to Hollywood, AT&T. The company that most people associate with mobile phones entered show business in June when a U.S. District Court judge approved its acquisition of Time Warner, giving AT&T command of Warner Bros., HBO, and Turner. (Stay tuned: The Justice Department filed an appeal in July.) A Disney acquisition of 21st Century Fox may follow—that is, if Comcast doesn’t get there first. What prompted this wave of megamergers? Silicon Valley, of course. Netflix has become an entertainment powerhouse; Amazon isn’t far behind. Meanwhile Apple, Facebook, and Google are all dipping their toes in the content pool. Consolidation gives traditional mass media a chance to stave off tech domination. Here’s a look at who controls what—for now. A version of this article appears in the August 1, 2018 issue of Fortune with the headline “Watch this Space” As the parent corporations bow down before Dictator Trump, their publications will become servile, too. “I don’t know if Trump himself has a ‘game plan’ per se, but it is clear that the overall picture is of an Administration that disdains a free press,” Rebecca Hamilton, a law professor at American University, said in an email. “Their view — and this is evident from Trump’s rhetoric, his prior lawsuits, the Pentagon office space memo, and the FCC investigations — is that any media outlets that don’t align themselves with Trump’s agenda are the enemy. This reflects a fundamental disrespect for the principles underlying a democratic commitment to a free press.” Brendan Carr, the newly installed Federal Communications Commission chair, … has wasted no time launching investigations against many of the media companies Trump often criticizes. Carr has launched investigations into NPR and PBS — two media companies often targeted with conservative rhetoric over perceived liberal bias and their government funding — over on-air recognition of financial sponsors and into a San Francisco radio station over its broadcast of the live locations of federal immigration agents. The FCC has also reopened a probe of CBS for “news distortion,” which are rules around the “intentional falsification of the news” that it has rarely tapped in the past, and it reopened a probe of ABC over how it handled a debate between Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Carr has also opened an inquiry into Comcast, the owner of NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News, over its promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion programs. “The FCC will be taking fresh action to ensure that every entity the FCC regulates complies with the civil rights protections enshrined in the Communications Act ... including by shutting down any programs that promote invidious forms of DEI discrimination,” Carr said in a letter to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, according to Reuters. One takes no pleasure in reading Trump’s mind, but when Trump talks about diversity, He is most likely thinking of X, YouTube, Instagram, Truth Social and other social media as “innovative news options.” He is also viewing them as He does ALL media: propaganda outlets. Tracing Social Media Ownership For those interested in tracking team Trump’s attacks, here is a basic ownership breakdown of social media as presented by Gemini, Google’s AI in 2025: A corporate ownership chart for social media typically illustrates the parent companies that own various social media platforms. Here's a breakdown based on the provided information: Major Parent Companies and Their Social Media Holdings: * Meta Platforms: * * Facebook (3.07 billion monthly active users) * * WhatsApp (2 billion monthly active users) * * Instagram (2 billion monthly active users) * * Messenger (1.01 billion monthly active users) * * Threads (300 million monthly active users) * Alphabet Inc. (Google): * * YouTube (2.504 billion monthly active users) * * Meet (100 million daily participants) * ByteDance: * * TikTok (1.582 billion monthly active users) * * Douyin (755 million monthly active users) * Tencent: * * WeChat (1.343 billion monthly active users) * * QQ (554 million monthly active users) * * Qzone (517 million monthly active users) * Microsoft: * * LinkedIn (930 million registered users) * * Teams (300 million monthly active users) * * Skype (300 million monthly active users) * X Corp.: X (formerly Twitter) (600 million monthly active users) * Snap Inc.: Snapchat (850 million monthly active users) * Reddit: Reddit (500 million monthly active users) * Naver: Line (178 million monthly active users) * Amazon: Twitch (180 million monthly active users) * Automattic: Tumblr (135 million monthly active users) * Rakuten: Viber (260 million monthly active users) Other Significant Social Media Companies: * Sina Corporation: Weibo (586 million monthly active users) * Kuaishou Technology: Kuaishou (700 million monthly active users) * Telegram FZ LLC: Telegram (1 billion monthly active users) * Baidu: Tieba (300 million monthly active users) * Pinterest, Inc.: Pinterest (498 million monthly active users) * Quora, Inc.: Quora (400 million monthly active users) * Xiaohongshu: (300 million monthly active users) * VerSe Innovation: Josh (300 million monthly active users) * PageBites: imo (200 million monthly active users) * Discord Inc.: Discord (200 million monthly active users) * Bigo Live: Likee (150 million monthly active users) * Picsart, Inc. (Armenia): Picsart (150 million monthly active users) * Vevo: Vevo (150 million monthly active users) Key Observations: * A significant portion of the most popular social media platforms is owned by a few major tech conglomerates, particularly Meta Platforms, Alphabet, and Tencent. * Many popular platforms operate as subsidiaries of these larger corporations. * The landscape of social media ownership is dynamic, with acquisitions and the rise of new platforms constantly shaping the industry. It's important to note that this chart focuses on the ownership of the platforms themselves. The organizational structure within a company's social media marketing team is a separate topic, involving roles like social media managers, content creators, and community managers, which can be structured in various ways (centralized, decentralized, matrix, etc.) depending on the company's size and goals. Who’s Behind that Podcast: Gemini traces ownership as of spring 2025: While a definitive list of the "leading corporate owners" of podcasts is dynamic and can be interpreted in various ways (e.g., by listenership, number of podcasts, or influence), several major corporations have significantly invested in and own substantial podcast networks or produce a large number of podcasts. Here are some prominent examples: Leading Corporate Owners of Podcasts and Their Involvement: * Spotify: Spotify has become a major player in the podcasting industry through acquisitions like Gimlet Media (known for narrative and journalistic podcasts like Reply All and Heavyweight) and Parcast (specializing in true crime and fiction like Crime Junkie and Conspiracy Theories). They also host numerous exclusive and popular podcasts, including The Joe Rogan Experience and Call Her Daddy. * Amazon/Wondery: Amazon acquired Wondery, a large podcast network known for shows like Dirty John, Dr. Death, and Business Wars. This acquisition has significantly expanded Amazon Music's podcast offerings. Wondery also operates a subscription service, Wondery+, offering ad-free listening and exclusive content. * SiriusXM: SiriusXM owns Stitcher (which includes podcast production company Midroll) and Earwolf (home to comedy podcasts like Comedy Bang! Bang! and How Did This Get Made?). They also feature podcasts based on their radio content and original shows. * iHeartMedia: One of the largest radio broadcasters, iHeartMedia has a massive podcast network, the iHeartPodcast Network, featuring a wide range of genres, including popular shows like Stuff You Should Know and The Breakfast Club. They leverage their radio reach to promote their podcasts. * Audacy: Formerly Entercom, Audacy owns several podcast networks, including Cadence13 (known for premium audio storytelling) and PodcastOne (featuring a variety of celebrity-hosted and genre-based podcasts). They also have their own podcast listening app. * The New York Times: A major news organization, The New York Times produces highly influential news and narrative podcasts, most notably The Daily, as well as other shows like Sway and Ezra Klein Show. * National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Radio Exchange (PRX): These public media organizations are significant producers and distributors of podcasts. NPR is known for shows like Fresh Air, Planet Money, and How I Built This. PRX distributes shows like Radiolab and This American Life (though This American Life is now independent). * Vox Media: Known for its digital media brands, Vox Media has a strong podcast network featuring shows related to their various verticals, such as Pivot and Today, Explained. * The Walt Disney Company: Through ESPN, Disney is a major producer of sports podcasts. They also have Disney-branded podcasts and shows related to their entertainment properties. Corporate-Sponsored or Produced Podcasts (Branded Podcasts): Many corporations are creating their own podcasts as a form of content marketing, brand building, and audience engagement. These are often referred to as "branded podcasts." Here are some examples of companies and the podcasts they sponsor, produce, or host: * GE: The Message and LifeAfter (fiction/sci-fi podcasts that subtly feature GE technology). * McDonald's: The Sauce (a narrative podcast addressing a public relations issue). * Sephora: #LIPSTORIES (interview series celebrating women and their stories, tied to a lipstick line). * Blue Apron: Why We Eat What We Eat (explores the history and science of food). * Microsoft: WorkLab (explores the future of work). * Duolingo: Duolingo Podcasts (language learning through storytelling). * HubSpot: My First Million (explores business ideas and trends), iDigress with Troy Sandidge. * Netflix: Know It All, You Can't Make This Up (related to their content). * Google: Search Off the Record (behind the scenes of Google Search). * Expedia Group: Powering Travel, Out Travel the System (travel-related content). * Trader Joe's: Inside Trader Joe's (insights into the company). * American Express: The Next Chapter (business-focused interviews). * Deloitte: The Green Room (discussions on business and technology). * McAfee: Hackable? (explores cybersecurity). * Morgan Stanley: What Should I Do With My Money? (financial advice). * PwC: Finance in 15 (short financial updates). * Interac: Everyday Trust (explores trust in technology). * Jack Daniel's: Around the Barrel (stories related to the brand). * Dior: Dior Talks (interviews with individuals influencing the brand). * Headspace: Dear Headspace (mindfulness and mental health). * OnStar: Tell Me What Happened (safety and technology). * Yelp: Behind the Review (stories behind Yelp reviews). Podcast Sponsorship: Beyond creating their own podcasts, many companies sponsor existing popular podcasts to reach specific audiences. Examples of prominent podcast sponsors include: * Shopify * FanDuel * LinkedIn * BetterHelp * Squarespace * Amazon Music * American Express The landscape of corporate involvement in podcasting is constantly evolving, with more companies recognizing the value of audio content for marketing, branding, and direct audience engagement. Here’s what Congress intended for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting: “Subpart B—Corporation for Public Broadcasting “Congressional Declaration of Policy “Sec. 396. (a) The Congress hereby finds and declares — “(1) that it is in the public interest to encourage the growth and development of noncommercial educational radio and television broadcasting, including the use of such media for instructional purposes; “(2) that expansion and development of noncommercial educational radio and television broadcasting and of diversity of its programing depend on freedom, imagination, and initiative on both the local and national levels; “(3) that the encouragement and support of noncommercial educational radio and television broadcasting, while matters of importance for private and local development, are also of appropriate and important concern to the Federal Government; “(4) that it furthers the general welfare to encourage noncommercial educational radio and television broadcast programing which will be responsive to the interests of people both in particular localities and throughout the United States, and which will constitute an expression of diversity and excellence; “(5) that it is necessary and appropriate for the Federal Government to complement, assist, and support a national policy that will most effectively make noncommercial educational radio and television service available to all the citizens of the United States; “(6) that a private corporation should be created to facilitate the development of educational radio and television broadcasting and to afford maximum protection to such broadcasting from extraneous interference and control. “Corporation Established “(b) There is authorized to be established a nonprofit corporation, to be known as the ‘Corporation for Public Broadcasting,’ which will not be an agency or establishment of the United States Government. The Corporation shall be subject to the provisions of this section, and, to the extent consistent with this section, to the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act. “Board of Directors “(c) (1) The Corporation shall have a Board of Directors (hereinafter in this section referred to as the ‘Board’), consisting of fifteen members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Not more than eight members of the Board may be members of the same political party. “(2) The members of the Board (A) shall be selected from among citizens of the United States (not regular fulltime employees of the United States) who are eminent in such fields as education, cultural and civic affairs, or the arts, including radio and television; (B) shall be selected so as to provide as nearly as practicable a broad representation of various regions of the country, various professions and occupations, and various kinds of talent and experience appropriate to the functions and responsibilities of the Corporation. “(3) The members of the initial Board of Directors shall serve as incorporators and shall take whatever actions are necessary to establish the Corporation under the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act. “(4) The term of office of each member of the Board shall be six years; except that (A) any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term; and (B) the terms of office of members first taking office shall begin on the date of incorporation and shall expire, as designated at the time of their appointment, five at the end of two years, five at the end of four years, and five at the end of six years. No member shall be eligible to serve in excess of two consecutive terms of six years each. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, a member whose term has expired may serve until his successor has qualified. “(5) Any vacancy in the Board shall not affect its power, but shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointments were made. “Election of Chairman; Compensation “(d) (1) The President shall designate one of the members first appointed to the Board as Chairman; thereafter the members of the Board shall annually elect one of their number as Chairman. The members of the Board shall also elect one or more of them as a Vice Chairman or Vice Chairmen. “(2) The members of the Board shall not, by reason of such membership, be deemed to be employees of the United States. Here’s how Dictator Trump proposes to manipulate the CPB board if efforts to “defund” the corporation are not successful: A two-line email News of the president's intent arrived Monday evening in an email to the three board members from Trent Morse, the deputy White House director of presidential personnel for the executive office of the president. It read, in full: "On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service." From the source above: In a recent U.S. House subcommittee hearing, the president's conservative allies sought to portray public media as a plaything for liberals and Democrats. Yet the CPB chief executive now suing Trump, Patricia de Stacy Harrison, is a former co-chairperson of the Republican National Committee and State Department official under President George W. Bush. Of course, Harrison is just not MAGA enough for supporters of Trump’s illegitimate totalitarian regime! To refresh our memory, as reiterated by Poe’s Web Search AI, here are the Censorship Goals of Project 2025: Web-Search Poe Project 2025 outlines several recommendations aimed at controlling media and social media in the United States. Here are 12 key tactics proposed in the document: 1. Defund Public Broadcasting: Project 2025 suggests defunding organizations like NPR and PBS, which they label as biased and noneducational, thereby stripping them of their noncommercial status and imposing licensing fees [1]. 2. Censor Government Language: The plan includes banning specific words and phrases from government documents, such as "diversity" and "gender," to enforce ideological conformity [3]. 3. Transform U.S.-Funded Media: It proposes converting U.S.-funded media outlets into propaganda arms or shutting them down entirely, which would affect organizations like Voice of America [3]. 4. Ban TikTok: The project calls for a national ban on TikTok, citing national security concerns related to data collection by the Chinese government [1][3]. 5. Restrict Journalist Access: There are recommendations to reevaluate the relationship between the White House and the Correspondents Association, potentially limiting access for journalists who do not align with the administration's views [1]. 6. Investigate Media Outlets: The plan suggests investigating news media relationships and possibly restricting the presence of journalists on White House grounds [1]. 7. Control Social Media Content: Project 2025 advocates for prohibiting American social media platforms from censoring users at the behest of foreign governments, particularly China [1]. 8. Impose Licensing Fees on Media: By imposing hefty licensing fees on public broadcasting services, the project aims to financially cripple these organizations [1]. 9. Limit Educational Content: The recommendations include redefining what constitutes educational content in public broadcasting, which could lead to a reduction in diverse programming [1]. 10. Promote Ideological Conformity: The project seeks to impose an ideological litmus test on government communications, which could stifle free expression and dissenting views [3]. 11. Enhance Government Control Over Information: By advocating for a more centralized control of information dissemination, the project aims to limit the free flow of information and promote government-approved narratives [3]. 12. Encourage Media Literacy Initiatives: While not explicitly stated as a control measure, there is an implication that enhancing media literacy could be used to promote government-approved information over independent journalism [1]. These recommendations reflect a significant shift in how media and social media might be regulated under a conservative administration, raising concerns about free speech and the independence of the press. Learn more: [1] Project 2025: What a second Trump term could mean for media and technology policies [2] How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America : Fresh Air [3] Analysis: Project 2025 Wants to Censor Government Language with a Hit List of Forbidden Words - PEN America Although Trump claims to “know nothing” about Project 2025, it is quite evident that His fellow cons are implementing the plans outlined by the Project with Trump’s hearty approval. Comments welcome!
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/Attacking-the-Free-Press

WEAKEN THE UNITED STATES AS A GLOBAL POWER BY DESTROYING US ALLIANCES AND FORCING THE US MILITARY INTO OBSOLESCENCE

Dirty Donnie's Report Card · April 15
MAKE AMERICA WEAK AGAIN - Let’s Stop University Research!
You get what you pay for. In the age of missiles and drones, Americans will fight back with muskets. The government does not support universities via gifts. The government PAYS universities fees for services rendered. No pay, no services! Federal progress in military & health research is hereby terminated. Smart idea, eh?! The government will no longer pay universities & colleges for research into such projects as these, formerly contracted at Cornell University: ——- Research to Strengthen the US Military: In the defense realm, the government sent orders to stop work on the following federally funded research initiatives: * Real-time sensor data to prevent mid-air collisions of airplanes and spacecraft * Robot actuators that can enable rapid, reliable airway management for combat soldiers or disaster victims * Jet engine and airplane materials * Synchrotron work involving military vehicle safety and performance * Vulnerabilities in America’s semiconductor supply chain * Novel propellants for the U.S. Air Force in areas vital to space exploration and national security * Automation of tedious and error-prone parts of U.S. military decision-making * The operation of the nation’s only high-intensity X-ray housed at a research university, used in imaging for physics, chemistry, biology and environmental and materials sciences research Health & Cancer Research: The orders have also stopped work on the following cancer research initiatives: * Dietary folate’s impact on genetic mutations that can lead to lung cancer * A combined approach of radiation and immunotherapy that could help the body’s immune system detect and eliminate cancerous prostate tumors, as well as development of a tumor-targeting radiotherapy for prostate cancer patients * Investigating methods to address brain swelling and immunosuppression in patients whose cancer has metastasized to their brain * Genetic testing to determine why certain bladder cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapy * New approaches to detect breast cancer earlier through blood-based testing and fight specific forms of breast cancer through a combination of radiation, hormone therapy and immunotherapy Research on heart-assist pumps for infants, toddlers and young adults with congenital and acquired heart disease has paused as well, including bulk milk testing for avian flu and farm surveillance to detect the virus. Meanwhile, Cornell continues to fight other efforts to handicap research that might strengthen the USA. Joint lawsuit challenging Department of Energy indirect cost cuts April 14, 2025 Dear Cornell community, Today, Cornell University joined the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the American Council on Education, and other leading research universities in litigation challenging the Department of Energy’s (DOE) proposed immediate cuts to indirect costs for existing sponsored research grants. This is the second time this semester that Cornell has taken the unprecedented step of seeking emergency judicial intervention after a federal agency abruptly breached the negotiated rate for indirect costs. Government-sponsored research grants include both the direct cost of doing the work and the indirect cost of facilities, utilities, financial administration, and operations that accompany this highly technical research. Research sponsored by the Department of Energy entails significant indirect expenses such as large-scale computing, lab maintenance, and safety requirements for hazardous and radioactive materials. Cornell has long engaged in research sponsored by federal agencies, which rely on universities to undertake basic and applied scientific studies that are critical to the American economy and national security. The Department of Energy (DOE) chooses universities like Cornell to take on critically important scientific exploration that adds immeasurably to our economy and scientific understanding, including discoveries that support manufacturing and industrial efforts vital to national security, American manufacturing, economic competitiveness, and progress toward energy independence. Projects cover a wide range of disciplines and applications, including revolutionizing the fundamental understanding of electroanalytical chemistry, developing materials for energy independence, designing circuits for artificial intelligence, maintaining safety and security of nuclear weapons, developing biodegradable plastic, and creating materials for stealth technology. Arbitrarily cutting indirect costs will cause irreparable harm to Cornell’s research enterprise, paralyze progress on projects of national importance, and threaten the training of the next generation of energy scientists. Cornell remains committed to its ambitious research mission and appreciates every opportunity to harness scientific inquiry for the public good. We are eager to have a thoughtful conversation about how we could partner with the federal government to reduce research operating costs while preserving the partnership that underlies the many benefits of sponsored research for the American people, economy, and global competitiveness. Sincerely, Michael I. Kotlikoff President Kavita Bala Provost Comments welcome!
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/MAKE-AMERICA-WEAK-AGAIN-Let-s-Stop-University-Research

DISUNITE THE STATES BY ENCOURAGING INTERNAL CONFLICT, DIVISION & DISBELIEF IN NEWS MEDIA NOT CONTROLLED BY TRUMP OPERATIVES

GUARANTEE THAT THE UNITED STATES IS NOT PREPARED FOR CLIMATE COLLAPSE OR GLOBAL PANDEMICS

INITIATE BRAIN DRAIN FROM THE US BY TREATING IMMIGRANTS WITH GREAT SUSPICION & CRUELTY

Dirty Donnie's Report Card · April 2
Suspicion & Cruelty will not be confined to “Illegal Aliens” or Immigrants.
The flow of talent OUT of the United States has only just begun. Not only will global citizens not want to spent their time in the USA, but some US citizens will be emigrating from the United States to various more democratic countries. 75% of US scientists who answered Nature poll consider leaving Americans Are Heading for the Exits From the article above comes Alaric DeArment‘s excellent description of our situation as of April 2025: Naturally, descent into full-blown genocidal tyranny is not yet inevitable, particularly as Trump and Musk’s actions have encountered resistance, especially from the courts. And with many Western countries, especially in Europe, experiencing their own problems with far-right politics, the number of safe havens from autocracy is depressingly low, particularly as figures like Musk and Vice President JD Vance openly interfere in German elections by endorsing the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party, as Vance did in a February 14 speech at the Munich Security Conference that left European leaders stunned. Nevertheless, Trump and his cronies have clearly spent their four years out of power carefully studying the authoritarian playbook of leaders like Hungarian autocrat Viktor Orbán. Now, Hungarians are warning us that if we don’t stop Trump, we could suffer their country’s fate. And lest anyone think far-right authoritarians are better at economic management, Hungary is a sign of what’s to come: Their economy is teetering while it hemorrhages people who no longer see a future there for themselves. Obviously, emigrating won’t solve this country’s problems. But many of those problems will take a lot more than an election to solve because they stem from deep structural flaws in our system of government rooted in * an antiquated constitution and * a political culture contaminated by * * selfishness, * * ignorance, * * cruelty, * * violence, and * * authoritarian * * white, * * Christian supremacy. This is why it’s seemingly impossible to meaningfully address even serious problems like gun violence, let alone have nice things like universal health care, while other industrialized nations have accomplished both feats and more with little to no fuss. It’s why this country rejected a highly qualified presidential candidate who happened to be a Black woman, in favor of a psychopathic fascist who all but promised to ruin it. The reason it stings some people is because the entire notion of the U.S. being a country people flee from rather than fleeing to turns American exceptionalism on its head. Much like right-wing superpatriots’ reflexive defensiveness when someone points out how far we lag other industrialized nations in areas like health care access or public transportation, it’s a reminder of the hollowness of the refrain that we are “The Greatest Nation in the World”—a pin popping the balloon that is the American ego. Maher inadvertently reinforced this when he correctly pointed out that the U.S. is a nicer place to live than China or Uganda, but had to resort to jokes about bland Dutch food and elderly Italians playing bocce when comparing us to other industrialized democracies. It shows how full of ourselves we remain as a country, even as our political conditions have degraded to the point that some of us see a better life abroad than at home. It’s emigration, not immigration, that should worry Americans. Because people wanting to leave, even if a relatively small number actually do it, is a sign that this country is losing its capacity to address even its most pressing problems. And authoritarian countries do not typically benefit when minorities, young people, and those with valuable skills start fleeing. So, ridicule Americans who want to flee abroad all you want. But remember, there’s a reason why Germany produced the most Nobel laureates before World War II, but the U.S. took the lead afterward. The United States’ loss will be some other nation’s gain—a lesson that we used to teach the rest of the world, but no longer. For those considering leaving the country, there are resources: * Guide for Americans who want to leave * Want To Leave The U.S.? The Best Countries For Americans To Move To * American citizens have a large pool of countries to choose from in terms of their immigration from USA. Some countries offer favorable routes for US citizens specifically, while others have a large US expat community. You can move almost anywhere in the world as a US national. In most cases, with good opportunities for Americans. We concentrate on some of the most desirable countries for US expats including: 1. Ireland 2. Canada 3. United Kingdom 4. Germany 5. Australia 6. Portugal 7. New Zealand 8. Japan 9. South Africa Feb 23, 2025 PARIS [~16 min.] I moved to France eight years ago and haven't looked back 🥂🇫🇷 You can reach out to the consultants I mentioned here: https://www.treneerconsulting.com/ Need help finding an apartment and relocating? Flatz Paris is fantastic: https://www.flatzparis.com/en/home Get a copy of my book on how I got to Paris here: https://amzn.to/3LoYuDi The Thread that spawned this: https://www.threads.net/@jayswanson/p... Those Americans choosing to stay & fight as necessary will be in good company. Three Yale University professors steeped in the history and techniques of authoritarianism are leaving the United States for new teaching positions at the University of Toronto. They won’t be the last. Dangers and Warnings This isn’t the first time I’ve been in a dangerous situation, especially when I was exposing the brutality, criminal, activity, and worldwide, political spying operation of the LAPD. A friendly senior officer, very much on the QT, warned me that my life could be in grave danger. I told him I had to do what I had to do, but I also wrote a 31-page memo and placed copies of it in multiple places in case I turned out to be dead wrong. I’m not leaving. It’s my country and I will defend our Constitution and the liberties of the people until my last breath. And I say that having warned that down the road, whether it’s a few weeks away or decades away, all dictatorships lead to firing squads. I’m also not going to criticize those who make a different decision.As the journalist Donald Trump has said he hates more than any other, I understand perfectly the reasons why these fellow professors, both prominent Trump critics, made their decisions to flee America. I won’t be joining them, but I also won’t criticize their choices. I'm Not Leaving With the breakdown in health services here in the USA, many Americans may be forced to leave or to stay & die. That’s a most awful choice. Hopefully, we still have time to prevent that from happening. Comments welcome!
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/Suspicion-Cruelty-will-not-be-confined-to-Illegal-Aliens-or-Immigrants

CRIPPLE THE US ECONOMIC ENGINE BY SUBSTITUTING THE YUAN, OR CYBER CURRENCY FOR THE DOLLAR AS THE STANDARD WORLD CURRENCY WHILE ENGAGING IN TARIFF WARS.

DESTROY THE ABILITY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES TO SERVE US CITIZENS

Dirty Donnie's Report Card · April 1
Dismantling the Deep State = Ending Federal Services to Citizens
This isn’t so much Trump’s idea as it is the brainchild of Confederates from way back in American history. The goal has been to “shrink” the Federal government by: * Choking off its revenue stream by ALWAYS opposing taxation as a means of raising money and * Deleting as many Federal services provided to citizens as possible. To this end, self-described “conservatives” have steadfastly opposed taxing the people/corporations who have the money and instead propose to tax those who do not have any money. Makes cents for them! In any case, for our documents dump, here’s how Trump and the fElonious MUSKrats outline their objectives: Agenda47: President Trump’s Plan to Dismantle the Deep State and Return Power to the American People | Donald J. Trump For President 2024 Agenda47: President Trump’s Plan to Dismantle the Deep State and Return Power to the American People President Donald J. Trump announced a bold plan to return power back to the American people by cleaning out the Deep State, firing rogue bureaucrats and career politicians, and targeting government corruption. This plan will also end the ongoing weaponization of the justice system that targets its political enemies simply because of their political or religious beliefs. PRESIDENT TRUMP’S PLAN TO SHATTER THE DEEP STATE AND RETURN POWER TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE “I will shatter the Deep State, and restore government that is controlled by the People.” - President Donald J. Trump CLEAN OUT THE DEEP STATE: President Trump has announced a ten-point plan to dismantle the deep state and reclaim our democracy from Washington corruption: 1. On Day One, re-issue 2020 executive order restoring the president’s authority to fire rogue bureaucrats. 2. Overhaul federal departments and agencies, firing all of the corrupt actors in our National Security and Intelligence apparatus. 3. Fundamentally reform the FISA courts, ensuring that corruption is rooted out. 4. Establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to declassify and publish all documents on Deep State spying, censorship, and abuses of power. 5. Launch a major crackdown on government leakers who collude with the media to create false narratives, pressing criminal charges when appropriate. 6. Make every Inspector General’s Office independent from the departments they oversee, so that they do not become protectors of the deep state. 7. Establish an independent auditing system to continually monitor our intelligence agencies to ensure that they are not spying on our citizens or running disinformation campaigns against the American people. 8. Continue Trump administration effort to move parts of the federal bureaucracy outside of the Washington Swamp, just like President Trump moved the Bureau of Land Management to Colorado. Up to 100,000 government positions could be moved out of Washington. 9. Ban federal bureaucrats from taking jobs at the companies they deal with and regulate, such as Big Pharma. 10. Push for a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on members of Congress. FIRE ROGUE BUREAUCRATS AND CAREER POLITICIANS: President Trump’s plan will ensure that federal bureaucrats and politicians are held accountable to the American people. Currently, removing corrupt or poor-performing federal workers is time consuming and cumbersome. Firing underperforming employees takes a year or longer, and is often completely impossible. One study found that over a ten-year period, federal employees were fired at a rate of less than one in one thousand per year. Additionally, Congressional term limits are necessary to curb the rise of career politicians—the reelection rate for House members is 94% and over the past half century has not fallen below 80%. The re-election rate for the Senate in 2022 was 100% and has not fallen below 75% since 1982. TARGET GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION: President Trump’s plan targets the corruption that has plagued our federal government and harmed Americans. The Biden administration has weaponized the FBI and DOJ to target conservatives, Christians, and their political enemies. A leaked and since-withdrawn FBI memo recently revealed that FBI agents were likening traditional Catholics to “domestic terrorists.” Bureaucrats from the FBI and DHS directly colluded with social media companies during the 2020 election to censor Americans’ speech. During the Russia collusion hoax, government officials routinely selectively leaked information to the media to further their anti-Trump narrative. The FISA Court process was corrupted by the Obama-Biden administration. In the leadup to the 2016 election, the FISA court issued multiple warrants to spy on members of the Trump campaign that were later declared invalid by the Justice Department Inspector General because the FBI made “material misstatements” in obtaining them. The Justice Department’s Inspector General found that in their applications for FISA warrants, the FBI made 17 significant “errors” and “omissions.” The Justice Department’s Inspector General found that the “central” piece of evidence the FISA warrants relied on was opposition research from the Clinton campaign. An FBI lawyer admitted that he forged an email in an attempt to ensure that the Obama-Biden administration’s spying on the Trump campaign through FISA warrants could continue. TRANSCRIPT Here's my plan to dismantle the deep state and reclaim our democracy from Washington corruption once and for all, and corruption it is. First, I will immediately re-issue my 2020 Executive Order restoring the President's authority to remove rogue bureaucrats. And I will wield that power very aggressively. Second, we will clean out all of the corrupt actors in our National Security and Intelligence apparatus, and there are plenty of them. The departments and agencies that have been weaponized will be completely overhauled so that faceless bureaucrats will never again be able to target and persecute conservatives, Christians, or the left's political enemies, which they're doing now at a level that nobody can believe even possible. Third, we will totally reform FISA courts which are so corrupt that the judges seemingly do not care when they are lied to in warrant applications. So many judges have seen so many applications that they know were wrong, or at least they must have known. They do nothing about it, they're lied to. Fourth, to expose the hoaxes and abuses of power that have been tearing our country apart, we will establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to declassify and publish all documents on Deep State spying, censorship, and corruption, and there are plenty of them. Fifth, we will launch a major crackdown on government leakers who collude with the fake news to deliberately weave false narratives and to subvert our government and our democracy. When possible, we will press criminal charges. Sixth, we will make every Inspector General's Office independent and physically separated from the departments they oversee so they do not become the protectors of the Deep State. Seventh, I will ask Congress to establish an independent auditing system to continually monitor our intelligence agencies to ensure they are not spying on our citizens or running disinformation campaigns against the American people, or that they are not spying on someone's campaign like they spied on my campaign. Eighth, we will continue the effort launched by the Trump administration to move parts of the sprawling federal bureaucracy to new locations outside the Washington Swamp. Just as I moved the Bureau of Land Management to Colorado, as many as 100,000 government positions can be moved out. And I mean immediately out of Washington to places filled with patriots who love America, and they really do love America. Ninth, I will work to ban federal bureaucrats from taking jobs at the companies they deal with and that they regulate. So they deal with these companies and they regulate these companies and then they want to take jobs from these companies. Doesn't work that way—such a public display cannot go on and it's taking place all the time, like with Big Pharma. Finally, I will push a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on members of Congress. This is how I will shatter the deep state and restore government that is controlled by the people and for the people. Thank you very much. On the campaign trail, Trump had memory problems. He just could not remember seeing or having anything to do with Project 2025 . Yet, many of Project 2025’s backers have managed to be absorbed into His administrations from time to time. The following image informally compares Project 2025 with Agenda 47 . They have much in common and no doubt will work together to achieve their nefarious purposes. Dans became a sacrificial lamb. Pressured to resign from Heritage, Dans left in a fit of pique at the end of July [2024], and he later criticized LaCivita and campaign co-head Susie Wiles [White House Chief of Staff 2025] for campaign “malpractice.” Now Dans, who lives in Charleston, South Carolina, and works as a lawyer and government relations consultant, is letting bygones be bygones and says he’s delighted with the extent to which Project 2025 has, in fact, become the Trump administration’s playbook. This week, in his first in-depth interview since Trump returned to the presidency, Dans effectively confirmed what Democrats were saying all along and Trump himself denied: There really is almost no difference between Project 2025 and what Trump was planning all along and is now implementing. And if the White House were to call, he’d be glad to get back on the team. Spencer Chretien has spent his entire career in the conservative movement and served in the Trump administration as Special Assistant to the President and Associate Director of Presidential Personnel. He also worked in the Office of Secretary Ben Carson at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Currently, he serves as Associate Director of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project, which is organized by The Heritage Foundation and helps prepare for the conservative administration that will take office in 2025. Spencer has broad experience at conservative organizations in the nation’s capital and has traveled extensively across America to meet with state-based partners, legislators, and grassroots activists. Troup Calhoun Hemenway is the president of Personnel Policy Operations, a non-profit dedicated to de-risking civic engagement for conservatives. He previously served in the Trump White House as Associate Director for National Security in the Office of Presidential Personnel, where his portfolio included the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Energy, and the Intelligence Community. Hemenway was a Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering in the Pentagon and a member of the Senior Executive Service, serving previously as a Defense Fellow and a Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He was a member of the Presidential Transition Team and the Trump Campaign policy team. Hemenway earned his degree in cybersecurity from the University of Virginia, graduating with highest distinction. He is a founder of the Association of Republican Presidential Appointees, a native Virginian, and a proud descendent of veterans of Washington’s Continental Army. So there you have it! The only part left out is the BIG one played by Elon Musk. Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which is directing the cuts, is not making the government more effective, said Kathleen Clark, a professor of ethics at Washington University in St. Louis. "It is becoming increasingly obvious that Musk’s & DOGE’s mission has absolutely nothing to do with efficiency, and instead is aimed at enabling Musk to use - and abuse - power within the federal government," she said. "Authorizing a Musk-controlled agency like OPM to hire a driver while slashing essential federal workers who actually help Americans in need is a good example." The Trump Administration is Elon Musk’s playpen. He is having some fun and games while inflicting immeasurable pain on both Federal staff and ALL American citizens. The Deep State is now gone, boys. What’s next? Comments welcome!
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/Dismantling-the-Deep-State-Ending-Federal-Services-to-Citizens

2ND TERM GOALS: REVENGE & RETRIBUTION

Dirty Donnie's Report Card · April 9
Degrading Top US Colleges & Universities: Transforming Outstanding into Mediocre, average, run-of-the-mill
Universities famous for their high standards attract scholars and great minds from all over the world. Trump will stop this “dangerous” trend if He can. Once again, Trump & the fElonious MUSKrats are nibbling away at one of the pillars of American power. It is not enough to discard America’s international friends, to kill off the means of both generating and collecting Federal income, to interfere with the delivery of social security and other federal funds to private citizens. Now the image of America itself is further tarnished by degrading top Universities, making them just average diploma mills generating inferior products like Donald J. Trump (BS U of PA’s Wharton School) and sidekick Vance (Ohio State, Yale Law School). Trump administration sends Cornell stop work orders amid reports of $1 billion funding freeze - The Ithaca Voice It's part of a broader push to use government funding to get major academic institutions to comply with President Donald Trump 's political agenda. The White House confirmed the funding pauses late Tuesday night, but offered no further details on what it entails, or what grants to the schools are being affected. The moves come as the Trump administration has increasingly begun using governmental grant funding as a spigot to try and influence campus policy — previously cutting off money to schools including Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania. From the Ithaca Voice story: The administration’s decision will impact “mostly grants and contracts with the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Education and Health and Human Services,” according to the NYT report. The New York Times report does not cite a specific reason for the decision, though the university was placed under federal investigation in February for “antisemitic harassment and discrimination.” The investigation by the U.S. Department of Education [or what’s left of it] stems from the school’s handling of on-campus protests criticizing Israel in its ongoing war in Gaza. Using a federal department scheduled for demolition to “investigate” is, of course, just a subterfuge. The intention is NOT to investigate actual events. It is to diminish or eliminate Federal funding of the nation’s premier universities’ cooperative research programs. Just as immigrants are being permanently deported to foreign torture chambers without hearings, these funds are simply being denied with little to no intention of EVER restoring them. Comments welcome! From Comments: It turns out Trump’s actions mirror those taken by Dictator Orbán in Hungary, someone Trump greatly admires: Lynda Stevenson · 5h This is what happened in Hungary. He went after CEU - the University George Soros founded in the early 90s. None of trump's ideas/policies are original including tariffs. Orbán’s Assault on Academic Freedom Berkeley Political Review(Excerpts) By Anna Fetherston on May 4, 2023 “Since his election in 2010, President Viktor Orbán of Hungary has been wreaking havoc on liberal democratic institutions and channels of political and everyday freedoms. Orbán has changed the rules of the game. Among his major assaults on democracy have been changing the original constitution to override constitutional-court decisions, introducing a new constitution, and implementing new laws that restrict free media. A major element of Orbán’s restrictions of freedom in Hungary has been his growing control over institutions of higher education. The Expulsion of Central European University Unfortunately, CEU’s commitment to freedom and excellency became its downfall. Hungarian-Jewish philanthropist George Soros established Central European University (CEU) in Budapest, Hungary, among other Eastern European cities, in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Soros imagined the university as an independent and strong center of progress in the post-Soviet rebuilding of Hungary and other countries of Eastern Europe—and that’s exactly what it became. CEU blossomed into a training center for the region’s top minds and leaders, a globally respected institution, and a key element of an open society with a growing democracy. Eliminating Opposing Ideology: Banning Gender and Women’s Studies Departments Orbán’s actions make it clear that his assault on academic freedom is not just about consolidating his own power; it also takes the form of a return to “traditional” values. He holds a number of ideologies seen through populist movements around the world, including opposition to immigration and the LGBT+ community and staunch support for ethnonationalism.” The article also included some insight into the pattern of government oversight Trump is trying to copy for higher education in the USA: A New Playing Field for Government Oversight: The Foundation System In a strong effort to subvert the autonomy of institutions of higher education, Orbán has created a new system that reallocates the financial and decision making power of universities. The Hungarian government recently forced universities to submit to newly created foundations that will assume ultimate authority. During the creation of these foundations, Hungary transferred billions of dollars in state assets under the guise of public funds for education. Earlier legislation allowed this by changing the legal definition of public funds that, in turn, will allow these foundations to use their billions with fewer eyes watching them. Of course, these changes are passed off as necessary reforms of the state’s role, but in reality, they represent a blatant power grab that will affect the autonomy and freedom of universities. The bill itself states that these foundations will be responsible for the “strengthening [of] national identity,” which aligns with Orbán’s plan for restructuring curriculum to fit his agenda. It is important to recognize that the ousting of CEU from Budapest is just one step in a serious campaign to hinder academic freedom and education broadly. Orbán’s attacks go beyond higher education and are targeting primary and secondary education as well. The age for completion of compulsory education has been lowered to 16, which will surely have great effects on the population, as it has already resulted in an increase in dropout rates. His regime is also altering material taught in primary and secondary schools. In an effort to bolster Orbán’s campaign of traditional values and ethnonationalism, curriculum and teaching materials have come under control of the government. Schools now promote “family values”, support anti-immigration sentiments, and glorify Orbán as an inspirational leader.
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/Degrading-Top-US-Colleges-Universities-Transforming-Outstanding-into-Mediocre-average-run-of-the-mill

2ND TERM GOALS: ANNEX NEW TERRITORY

2ND TERM GOALS: ESTABLISH AUTHORITARIAN REGIME

Dirty Donnie's Report Card · April 8
GOOSE STEP GALA TO HONOR TRUMP: 14 June 2025 [image from Library of Congress archives] What do you think about Trump's plans for a military parade to salute Trump on the occasion of Trump's 79th birthday on 14 June 2025? Should Trump hold military parades to glorify Trump annually at taxpayer expense? Or should Musk fund it?
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/What-do-you-think-about-Trumps-plans-for-a-military-parade-to-salute-Trump-on-the-occasion-of-Trumps-79th-birthday-on

CONSEQUENCES

RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE!

Dirty Donnie's Report Card · 6m ago
ALLIES! The League of Women Voters
It is great to have strong allies against those seeking to end democracy and establish dictatorship in the USA. For decades, the League of Women Voters has stood for fair, even-handed administration of voting procedures in the US. Their consistent non-partisan supervision of thousands of debates and other electoral functions over time has earned them a sterling reputation. The League’s reputation has only been enhanced by the shade thrown their way by MAGA minions in recent years. https://www.lwv.org/about-us/history Of Special Interest: https://www.lwv.org/library/newsroom Following are portions of the League’s June 2025 Newsletter to supporters: Democracy Updates Supreme Court Decisions * On the last day of their term, the Supreme Court announced that Louisiana v. Callais will not be decided but will be re-argued during the October 2025 term. The case centers on congressional districts drawn by the state of Louisiana and considers whether those districts violate the 14th Amendment. * SCOTUS used its shadow docket to issue a decision with no opinion or hearing, allowing the Trump administration to deport migrants to countries other than their country of origin without due process. Standing for the Rights of Protestors, Politicians, and Public Officials * The League stood in firm support of the right to protest and condemned violence against activists in Boulder, CO, and federal use of force in Los Angeles County, CA. * The League also expressed concern at the indictment of Representative Monica McIver and the violent removal of Senator Alex Padilla from a press conference. Both incidents, as well as the Los Angeles protests, are connected to the Trump administration’s attacks on the migrant community. * LWV spoke out about President Trump’s direction to the Department of Justice to investigate his political rival, former President Joseph Biden. * LWVUS and LWV of Minnesota condemned the tragic political assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her family, as well as the shooting of Senator John Hoffman and his family, stating, “political violence has no place in our democracy.” Defending Democracy in the Courts * The League of Women Voters of Florida and partners acted to block key provisions of a bill that puts sweeping restrictions on the state’s ballot initiative process. * LWV and partners also filed legal briefs urging federal courts to invalidate an illegal executive order that seeks to revoke birthright citizenship. * The League of Women Voters of North Carolina and partners seek to intervene in a lawsuit that wrongly challenges the eligibility of more than 200,000 voters. Remaining Proud in the Face of Oppression * In light of the ongoing attacks against the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly the transgender community, the League loudly affirms that democracy depends on transgender rights. * We encourage supporters to learn about how bills like the SAVE Act threaten the trans community, as well as women and others, and find ways to take action. Contact Your Representatives Speak up on the issues that matter! * Urgent: Tell Congress not to gut Medicaid! * Reject the anti-voter SAVE Act! * Urge Congress to stand up for our democracy! * Demand passage of the Equal Rights Amendment! * Support Voting Rights Expansion! Comments welcome!
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/ALLIES-The-League-of-Women-Voters

DIRTY DONNIE’S DOCUMENT DUMP

To minimize the length of posts and possibly to safeguard information that might be deleted by the US government, important documents & websites will be archived here. Comments are not allowed on some document posts.

Dirty Donnie's Report Card · April 2
The CON: What “Conservatives” Tell “Conservatives”
CAUTION: Entering Conservative habitat, the climate created by Confederates, Conspirators & Conservatives for Conservatives. IS ANYONE STILL PAYING ATTENTION TO THESE IDEAS? Yes. The United Daughters of the Confederacy has an arm called The Children of the Confederacy, with young members who are “encouraged to recite basic beliefs and elements of Confederate history,” according to the group’s website, which also touts Confederate catechisms. The organization even has officers whose duties include spreading the Southern gospel. This post reveals what American conservatives believe. Or want to believe. Or hope others believe: A Confederate Catechism. WHO CREATED THE CATECHISM? [from Gemini, Google’s AI assistant:] The son of a U.S. president, oddly enough. Lyon Gardiner Tyler, whose father was President John Tyler, is credited with writing the 1929 catechism promoted by the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Lyon Tyler, who spent much of his life in Virginia, was a prominent defender of the Confederate cause at a time when Southerners were pushing back against Northern histories of the conflict. While Tyler’s claims seem outside the accepted norm of modern historical scholarship to many, he served as president of the College of William and Mary before his death in 1935. Lyin’ Lyon’s Lies: [Reproduced from A Confederate Catechism] Heritage Foundation Heyday: 2025 In light of the events of 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s Heyday, it is most interesting the way the powers of the Office of the President were discussed above. “this department was confined” It is confined no longer. The Leverage of Lyin’ Lyon’s Lies Web Search, one of the AI assistants on Poe, was consulted on this question. Web-enabled assistant bot that searches the internet to inform its responses. Particularly good for queries regarding up-to-date information or specific facts. Powered by GPT 4o Mini. Our discussion follows: The Confederate Catechism, a document that encapsulated the Lost Cause ideology of the Confederacy, was indeed influential in the education system of the Southern United States, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While specific references to the "Confederate Catechism" being taught in public schools are not extensively documented, the broader context of Confederate ideology and the Lost Cause narrative was propagated through public school curricula in various Southern states. Influence of the Lost Cause in Education 1. Textbook Control: Organizations like the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) played a significant role in shaping educational content. They aimed to ensure that history was taught in a way that glorified the Confederacy and minimized the role of slavery as a cause of the Civil War. This included promoting textbooks that adhered to Lost Cause principles, which often portrayed the Confederacy's actions as noble and justified [1]. 2. State-Specific Examples: North Carolina: The UDC actively worked to influence public school curricula, ensuring that textbooks used in schools presented a version of history favorable to the Confederacy. They even published guidelines for acceptable textbooks, which were widely adopted [1]. Louisiana: After the Civil War, individuals like Lewis Guion, a former Confederate officer, reviewed and approved textbooks for Louisiana schools, ensuring they aligned with Lost Cause narratives. This included rejecting any materials that presented a positive view of figures like Abraham Lincoln or that acknowledged the centrality of slavery in the Civil War [2]. 3. Curricular Variations: The teaching of the Civil War and its causes varied significantly across states and even within districts. In many Southern schools, the emphasis was placed on states' rights and the valor of Confederate leaders, often downplaying or omitting the role of slavery entirely [3]. Conclusion While there may not be direct evidence of the "Confederate Catechism" being taught as a formal curriculum in public schools, the principles it espoused were certainly reflected in the educational materials and narratives promoted in Southern public schools during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This was part of a broader effort to instill a specific interpretation of history that aligned with the Lost Cause ideology. Learn more: [1] TWISTED SOURCES: How Confederate propaganda ended up in the South's schoolbooks [2] The Problem in the Classroom - The American Scholar [3] How is the Civil War taught in school? Depends on where you live. Several specific textbooks have been identified as promoting the Lost Cause narrative, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These textbooks were often influenced by organizations such as the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) and the United Confederate Veterans (UCV), which sought to ensure that history was taught in a way that glorified the Confederacy and minimized the role of slavery. Here are some notable examples: Specific Textbooks 1. "A History of the Civil War" by John W. Daniel: This textbook presented a narrative that emphasized the heroism of Confederate soldiers and downplayed the significance of slavery as a cause of the war. 2. "The History of the Civil War in America" by J. M. McPherson: While McPherson's work is often cited for its historical accuracy, certain editions used in Southern schools were edited to align with Lost Cause principles, portraying the Confederacy in a more favorable light. 3. "The Lost Cause: A New Southern History of the War of the Confederates" by Edward A. Pollard: This book is one of the foundational texts of the Lost Cause ideology, arguing that the Confederate cause was just and that slavery was not the primary issue leading to the Civil War. It was widely read and influenced many subsequent textbooks [3]. 4. "Truths of History" by Mildred Lewis Rutherford: Published in 1920, this book explicitly called out textbooks that the UDC deemed offensive and promoted a Lost Cause perspective. It served as a guide for what was considered acceptable in history education [1]. 5. "A Measuring Rod to Test Text Books" by Mildred Lewis Rutherford: This pamphlet outlined the UDC's standards for history textbooks, promoting the Lost Cause narrative and encouraging the adoption of texts that aligned with these views [1]. Impact on Education These textbooks were part of a broader effort to shape the historical narrative taught in Southern schools. The UDC and other Confederate heritage organizations worked diligently to ensure that only those texts that adhered to the Lost Cause ideology were used in classrooms, effectively rewriting history for generations of students in the South [2]. Conclusion The promotion of the Lost Cause narrative through specific textbooks played a significant role in shaping the historical understanding of the Civil War in the Southern United States. This educational effort was part of a larger campaign to uphold white supremacy and justify the actions of the Confederacy. Learn more: [1] TWISTED SOURCES: How Confederate propaganda ended up in the South's schoolbooks [2] Lost Cause Textbooks: Civil War Education in the South from the 1890s to the 1920s [3] Lost Cause of the Confederacy - Wikipedia The impact of Lost Cause textbooks on Southern racial attitudes has been profound and long-lasting. These textbooks not only shaped the historical narrative taught in schools but also influenced the beliefs and attitudes of generations of students regarding race and the legacy of the Civil War. Here are some key ways in which these textbooks affected racial attitudes in the South: 1. Glorification of the Confederacy Lost Cause textbooks often portrayed the Confederacy as a noble and heroic endeavor, emphasizing the valor of Confederate soldiers while downplaying or ignoring the central role of slavery in the Civil War. This glorification fostered a sense of pride among white Southerners and reinforced the idea that the Confederate cause was just and honorable [2]. 2. Minimization of Slavery's Role These textbooks typically minimized the significance of slavery as a cause of the Civil War, framing it instead as a conflict over states' rights. By presenting slavery as a benign institution and depicting enslaved people as content and loyal, these narratives contributed to a distorted understanding of history that justified racial hierarchies and white supremacy [3]. 3. Promotion of Racial Stereotypes Lost Cause narratives often included racial stereotypes that portrayed African Americans in a negative light. This perpetuated harmful myths about Black inferiority and justified discriminatory practices and policies in the post-Reconstruction South. Such depictions reinforced existing prejudices and contributed to the social and political marginalization of Black individuals [2]. 4. Influence on Generational Beliefs The widespread use of these textbooks in Southern schools meant that the Lost Cause ideology was ingrained in the beliefs of multiple generations. As students learned this version of history, it shaped their perceptions of race relations and contributed to a collective memory that favored white supremacy. This legacy has had lasting effects on Southern racial attitudes, making it difficult to challenge and change these ingrained beliefs [3]. 5. Impact on Contemporary Issues The narratives established by these textbooks continue to influence contemporary discussions about race and history in the South. Many individuals who were educated under these frameworks may still hold onto the beliefs and attitudes fostered by Lost Cause narratives, complicating efforts to address systemic racism and promote a more accurate understanding of American history [2]. Conclusion Overall, Lost Cause textbooks have played a significant role in shaping Southern racial attitudes by glorifying the Confederacy, minimizing the role of slavery, promoting racial stereotypes, and influencing generational beliefs. The effects of this educational legacy are still felt today, as they contribute to ongoing racial tensions and debates about history in the United States. Learn more: [1] Lost Cause of the Confederacy - Wikipedia [2] Rewriting History [3] TWISTED SOURCES: How Confederate propaganda ended up in the South's schoolbooks The beliefs associated with the Lost Cause narrative significantly influenced Northern racial attitudes in several ways. While the North was generally seen as more progressive regarding race compared to the South, the acceptance and propagation of Lost Cause ideology had notable effects on how Northerners viewed African Americans and the legacy of the Civil War. 1. Reinforcement of Racial Stereotypes Lost Cause beliefs often portrayed African Americans in a negative light, depicting them as dependent and incapable of self-governance. This narrative contributed to the reinforcement of racial stereotypes in the North, leading many white Northerners to adopt similar views about Black inferiority and the supposed need for white oversight in their lives [1][2]. 2. Minimization of Slavery's Role The Lost Cause narrative downplayed the significance of slavery as a central cause of the Civil War, framing the conflict instead as a struggle over states' rights. This perspective resonated with some Northern audiences, leading to a diminished understanding of the moral implications of slavery and a reluctance to fully support civil rights for African Americans in the post-war period [1][2]. 3. Nostalgia for the Antebellum South The romanticization of the antebellum South and its culture, as promoted by Lost Cause advocates, created a sense of nostalgia among some Northerners. This nostalgia often overshadowed the harsh realities of slavery and contributed to a more sympathetic view of the Confederacy, which in turn affected attitudes toward racial equality and civil rights [1]. 4. Political Compromise and Racial Apathy The acceptance of Lost Cause beliefs facilitated a political compromise between North and South during the Reconstruction era, leading to a general apathy toward the civil rights of African Americans. Many Northerners prioritized national reconciliation over the protection of Black civil rights, resulting in a lack of sustained commitment to enforcing Reconstruction policies aimed at ensuring equality [3]. 5. Cultural and Educational Influence Lost Cause ideology permeated cultural and educational institutions in the North, influencing how history was taught and understood. Textbooks and public narratives that echoed Lost Cause themes contributed to a skewed perception of the Civil War and its aftermath, affecting generations of Northerners and their views on race relations [2][3]. Conclusion Overall, the beliefs associated with the Lost Cause narrative had a significant impact on Northern racial attitudes by reinforcing stereotypes, minimizing the role of slavery, fostering nostalgia for the South, promoting political compromise at the expense of civil rights, and influencing cultural and educational narratives. These effects contributed to a complex and often contradictory relationship between race and regional identity in the post-Civil War United States. Learn more: [1] Lost Cause | Meaning, Myth, Ideology, History, Significance, & Facts | Britannica [2] Lost Cause of the Confederacy - Wikipedia [3] Northern Racism Helped Doom Reconstruction Comments welcome!
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/The-CON-What-Conservatives-Tell-Conservatives
Dirty Donnie's Report Card · May 13
Victory! The South Wins the Civil War!
Remaking the USA into The Confederate States of America We saw the Union prevail in 1865 and have lived to see the South prevail in 2025. Children at one time were required to memorize a Confederate catechism. Google’s Gemini AI cites links to several versions now extant and available for us to read — or memorize. Here are some resources where you can find the text and images related to Confederate catechisms: Texts: DocSouth at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Offers the full text of "A Catechism to Be Taught Orally To Those Who Cannot Read; Designed Especially for the Instruction of the Slaves" (1862): Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States Also provides the text of "The Catechism of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States" (1862): Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States of America The Catechism of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States. Encyclopedia Virginia: Features the text of "U. D. C. Catechism for Children" (1904): U. D. C. Catechism for Children (1904) - Encyclopedia Virginia Internet Archive: Has a downloadable PDF of "Confederate catechism" by Mrs. J. P. Allison: Confederate catechism : Allison, John P., Mrs : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History: Offers a description of "A Confederate Catechism for Southern Children" (1880) with some text excerpts: A Confederate Catechism for Southern Children Confederate Catechism PDF: Provides the text of another version titled "Confederate Catechism": http://esq.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/15/06/54d43b36c6c32_-_ConfederateCatechism.pdf Here is the text as reproduced in the copy I own and at http://esq.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/15/06/54d43b36c6c32_-_ConfederateCatechism.pdf: This is the history Trump, Musk, Stephen Miller and their ilk are trying to make real for the world in 2025. Happy Apartheid, everyone! Comments welcome!
https://dirtydonniesreportcard.quora.com/Victory-The-South-Wins-the-Civil-War

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