Just before 5:00 this morning, while most Americans were asleep, senators had been locked away inside the Capitol building for a heated debate during an all night vote-a-rama. And as the night turned into morning, it became clear that the outcome had already been decided long before the first vote was cast. Democrats had forced these votes to put Republicans on the record regarding immigration enforcement, Trump policies, and spending priorities. Yet Republicans remained solely focused on their loyalty to Trump and carrying out his demands regardless of the impact on their fellow Americans.
The destruction of an educated American public began long ago. Otherwise we would not be in this disaster. We will not be able to fight back effectively until we shake off the illusion that electing more Democrats will save us. Only a mass movement that forces this fascist machine to a halt will give us a fighting chance.
Yes! We the People are the ones who can stop this madness. Trump is the useful idiot spewing the chaos and hate, while the rich and powerful pull the strings that are destroying our Democracy and county. I believe the fight to stop this madness is becoming stronger every day, as Heather and others in the independent media, shine a bright light on the truth.
Do not comply to the lying propaganda. Think while it's still legal.
I am so appalled at the disgusting money , land grab and the constant finger pointing at others when Trumps revolting band of viscous underlings are busy taking handfuls of gold to line their pockets.
All I can think of to help is that each person is kind and helpful to their neighbours and the neighbours pass on the same kindness. Hopefully that can cause a tidal wave of looking out for each other and making sure these money grabbing toads finally fall.
Thank you, thank you for my daily essential read. Here in the UK we have had the murder of a young (white) man by another young (Sikh) man used as an excuse for violent rioting whipped up by far right thugs, and encouraged by the extremist rhetoric of the dangerous Nigel Farage and his cronies. Now JD Vance has stepped in, without the facts, without waiting for the results of a review of the case, to fan the flames with blatant, provable lies about immigration in Europe "ruining our civilisation". Then Musk throws his vile views into the mix... All of this despite the passionate pleas of the victim's parents not to politicise the tragedy. Sorry. Rant over. Despair mixed with hope, encouraged to do so by your posts.
This is one the best columns I've read on what is happening in our country... Thank you for eloquently describing the cliff we are headed toward if you continue to allow the Trump machine to move forward.... I only hope that Americans wake up before November's election...
In addition to dismantling public education, we have substituted entertainment (NFL, World Cup, UFC, You-Name-It) for critical thinking. Distraction reigns supreme for the GOP base - if you don't know you are being fleeced, you are not asking: Who is fleecing me? Trump is the circus barker constantly pointing at the two-headed calf, the bearded lady or the unicorn, thereby filling the news cycle with stunts and stupidity while his handlers and enablers empty the vault........
Much of television today contributes to mass ignorance and distraction. It is the equivalent of the circuses of "bread and circuses" of the Roman Empire. It takes effort to ferret out the educational, informative programming presented. Let us make the right choices and support PBS, NPR, reruns of 60 Minutes and any other platforms that reflect on ourselves, our institutions, and our government.
Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA), Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) We live in WA-3 and have been fighting with Marie Perez since her election last time. She ran as a Democrat against Joe Kent (yes the guy Trump fired) and has supported Trump on several issues. Now, we're working against her re-election. We'll make sure her voting record will tell the truth about who she is this time!
It centers as a lack of character and commitment to uphold their sworn oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States... over personal gain and corrupt ideology. I don't think it's complicated. In my opinion an elected officials duty is to the people of the country, not what we are seeing now.
All 4 House members are from districts where margins in their last races were within 1% of each other. In other words, it's about as tight as you can get for all of them. So I'm guessing this was one of those issues that required a 'strategic' vote rather than one based on ideology. Of course, it stinks, but it possibly could help save their seat for even more important future votes on.....say.... impeachments and convictions.
As another WA-3 hostage of Marie Gluesenkamp Perez I am right there with you. She needs to be replaced. She repeatedly sides with trump. There's an uproar. She votes once or twice with the dems. Sends out emails about THAT support and turns around and votes to take food from women and children or fund ICE. It is so infuriating.
I am sure you livid right now!!! I have never been a violent person, but right now I feel like buying a gun and going after everyone in Washington. I am shaking and any thoughts of going to sleep are long gone. My eyes are tearing up but yet I am looking for hope. God, please someone give me an answer as to what to do!!
Thank you Heather for your writing. The bill extends funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at $70 Billion which takes it through the remainder of tRump’s term.
The only Republican that did NOT vote along partisan lines was Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). Yep the only Republican. All Democrats opposed the legislation, and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) missed the vote.
Three Republican senators voted with Democrats on June 4, 2026, for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's motion to block the tRump regime’s $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund:
* Susan Collins (R-Maine)
* Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska)
* Jon Husted (R-Ohio)
Now there’s no guardrail for that taxpayers money to be spent and given to insurrections…It now goes to the House..
All that has occurred since that Felon has been in that Oval Office that now looks like a brothel… All the illegal activities, just the entire mess this country has become from the oligarchs to no longer having any idea of a core who and what an American is anymore…
Read Professor HCR letter in the early morning hours today. Her letter was a historical reminder of June in 1944… At the end of her piece were these two paragraphs — “On the morning of June 6, 1944, five naval assault divisions stormed the beaches of Normandy. Seven thousand ships and landing craft operated by more than 195,000 naval personnel from 8 countries brought almost 133,000 troops to beaches given the code names UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO, and SWORD.
By the end of the day, more than 10,000 Allied troops were wounded or killed, but the Allies had established a foothold in France that would permit them to flood troops, vehicles, and supplies into Europe.”
D-Day 1944 to our current situation in this country… Have taken numerous walks and been thinking about my grandfather and great uncles who all fought in WWII and are no longer here on this Earth..all the female members of my family who worked to keep the home fires burning and supplies being sent over to fight fascism.. All the sacrifices, all the lives lost and changed forever from that war… and subsequent wars that family members sacrificed so much for this nation and to defend our Constitution.. A democratic-republic…
Haven’t stopped going from being nauseated, to crying to anger..
History shows that democratic freedoms are never permanently won; they are continuously maintained. We have dropped the ball, became complacent and took for granted what our history has shown all that bleed and fought for. The point of fighting fascism has never been to achieve a permanent, effortless utopia, but to defend human dignity and keep the possibility of a free society alive. A democratic republic if we can keep it… VOTE and make your voices heard..
As an outsider looking in, I've got to the stage when I'm thinking "has it really got this bad??". It is at the unbelievable and incredulous stage. The news is not painting such an appallingly bleak picture as you are, Heather. So keep writing. It is exhausting enough reading this, day after day. Writing it must be totally wearing. So I admire you doing it.
Part of what you wrote in this post reminded me of a line in a great song: "I owe my soul to the company store.".
CAPITALIST CAPITALIZE CONFLICT. We commoners have way more in common with each other than with them.
99% > 1%
Follow the money. Their game is to distract while they pull funds away from the public like a mugger on the street. The Art of the Deal is The Artful Dodger.
I learned a new word today. I think it is appropriate to the column. The feeling we all get every time Trump or the Republicans open their yap. The word is:
SHITSTINCT;
(n.) That deep gut feeling that tells you something is absolute bullshit before you even have proof. No screen shots, no evidence, no full story yet, just your body simply whispering "Babe, this smells wrong." And somehow your shitstinct is almost always right. Courtesy of Fxcktology, the X is a U. I would rather not use foul language unnecessarily.
Good grief, even when given a chance to push back on even more of this blatant theft and fraud some Dems still voted on the wrong side of the aisle. You’re absolutely shameful pieces of shit
Isn’t it obvious that they are trying to prop Trump along until after the mid terms and the end of his second year in office, after which he can be dumped via the 25th and open the way for Vance to finish Trump’s term and still be eligible to run twice?
The destruction of an educated American public began long ago. Otherwise we would not be in this disaster. We will not be able to fight back effectively until we shake off the illusion that electing more Democrats will save us. Only a mass movement that forces this fascist machine to a halt will give us a fighting chance.
Yes! We the People are the ones who can stop this madness. Trump is the useful idiot spewing the chaos and hate, while the rich and powerful pull the strings that are destroying our Democracy and county. I believe the fight to stop this madness is becoming stronger every day, as Heather and others in the independent media, shine a bright light on the truth.
Do not comply to the lying propaganda. Think while it's still legal.
The goal it seems was to make Americans so stupid that they won’t know they’re stupid. Thus able to control, our thoughts, emotions.
Thank you Heather.
I am so appalled at the disgusting money , land grab and the constant finger pointing at others when Trumps revolting band of viscous underlings are busy taking handfuls of gold to line their pockets.
All I can think of to help is that each person is kind and helpful to their neighbours and the neighbours pass on the same kindness. Hopefully that can cause a tidal wave of looking out for each other and making sure these money grabbing toads finally fall.
Thank you, thank you for my daily essential read. Here in the UK we have had the murder of a young (white) man by another young (Sikh) man used as an excuse for violent rioting whipped up by far right thugs, and encouraged by the extremist rhetoric of the dangerous Nigel Farage and his cronies. Now JD Vance has stepped in, without the facts, without waiting for the results of a review of the case, to fan the flames with blatant, provable lies about immigration in Europe "ruining our civilisation". Then Musk throws his vile views into the mix... All of this despite the passionate pleas of the victim's parents not to politicise the tragedy. Sorry. Rant over. Despair mixed with hope, encouraged to do so by your posts.
This is one the best columns I've read on what is happening in our country... Thank you for eloquently describing the cliff we are headed toward if you continue to allow the Trump machine to move forward.... I only hope that Americans wake up before November's election...
In addition to dismantling public education, we have substituted entertainment (NFL, World Cup, UFC, You-Name-It) for critical thinking. Distraction reigns supreme for the GOP base - if you don't know you are being fleeced, you are not asking: Who is fleecing me? Trump is the circus barker constantly pointing at the two-headed calf, the bearded lady or the unicorn, thereby filling the news cycle with stunts and stupidity while his handlers and enablers empty the vault........
Much of television today contributes to mass ignorance and distraction. It is the equivalent of the circuses of "bread and circuses" of the Roman Empire. It takes effort to ferret out the educational, informative programming presented. Let us make the right choices and support PBS, NPR, reruns of 60 Minutes and any other platforms that reflect on ourselves, our institutions, and our government.
You nailed it on the head. The pettiness, meanness, callousness, and selfishness are beyond words. The corruption is blatant and massive.
Who are the four Democrats that voted to cut food assistance?
Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA), Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) We live in WA-3 and have been fighting with Marie Perez since her election last time. She ran as a Democrat against Joe Kent (yes the guy Trump fired) and has supported Trump on several issues. Now, we're working against her re-election. We'll make sure her voting record will tell the truth about who she is this time!
Thank you--any insights on WHY they did this?
It centers as a lack of character and commitment to uphold their sworn oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States... over personal gain and corrupt ideology. I don't think it's complicated. In my opinion an elected officials duty is to the people of the country, not what we are seeing now.
All 4 House members are from districts where margins in their last races were within 1% of each other. In other words, it's about as tight as you can get for all of them. So I'm guessing this was one of those issues that required a 'strategic' vote rather than one based on ideology. Of course, it stinks, but it possibly could help save their seat for even more important future votes on.....say.... impeachments and convictions.
As another WA-3 hostage of Marie Gluesenkamp Perez I am right there with you. She needs to be replaced. She repeatedly sides with trump. There's an uproar. She votes once or twice with the dems. Sends out emails about THAT support and turns around and votes to take food from women and children or fund ICE. It is so infuriating.
Right On neighbor! Let's keep spreading the word about her.
Thank you!!! NC, TX and CA: Take note!!
I’m in the 5th district with Baumgartner. He’s no better than Perez.
beyond belief that anybody could vote for that in the circumstances, but anybody not being loyal to Trump? wow!
YES!!! That's what I'd like to know. 😵💫🤢🤮
Just posted the answer above!
I am sure you livid right now!!! I have never been a violent person, but right now I feel like buying a gun and going after everyone in Washington. I am shaking and any thoughts of going to sleep are long gone. My eyes are tearing up but yet I am looking for hope. God, please someone give me an answer as to what to do!!
Thank you Heather for your writing. The bill extends funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at $70 Billion which takes it through the remainder of tRump’s term.
The only Republican that did NOT vote along partisan lines was Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). Yep the only Republican. All Democrats opposed the legislation, and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) missed the vote.
Three Republican senators voted with Democrats on June 4, 2026, for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's motion to block the tRump regime’s $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund:
* Susan Collins (R-Maine)
* Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska)
* Jon Husted (R-Ohio)
Now there’s no guardrail for that taxpayers money to be spent and given to insurrections…It now goes to the House..
All that has occurred since that Felon has been in that Oval Office that now looks like a brothel… All the illegal activities, just the entire mess this country has become from the oligarchs to no longer having any idea of a core who and what an American is anymore…
Read Professor HCR letter in the early morning hours today. Her letter was a historical reminder of June in 1944… At the end of her piece were these two paragraphs — “On the morning of June 6, 1944, five naval assault divisions stormed the beaches of Normandy. Seven thousand ships and landing craft operated by more than 195,000 naval personnel from 8 countries brought almost 133,000 troops to beaches given the code names UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO, and SWORD.
By the end of the day, more than 10,000 Allied troops were wounded or killed, but the Allies had established a foothold in France that would permit them to flood troops, vehicles, and supplies into Europe.”
D-Day 1944 to our current situation in this country… Have taken numerous walks and been thinking about my grandfather and great uncles who all fought in WWII and are no longer here on this Earth..all the female members of my family who worked to keep the home fires burning and supplies being sent over to fight fascism.. All the sacrifices, all the lives lost and changed forever from that war… and subsequent wars that family members sacrificed so much for this nation and to defend our Constitution.. A democratic-republic…
Haven’t stopped going from being nauseated, to crying to anger..
History shows that democratic freedoms are never permanently won; they are continuously maintained. We have dropped the ball, became complacent and took for granted what our history has shown all that bleed and fought for. The point of fighting fascism has never been to achieve a permanent, effortless utopia, but to defend human dignity and keep the possibility of a free society alive. A democratic republic if we can keep it… VOTE and make your voices heard..
As an outsider looking in, I've got to the stage when I'm thinking "has it really got this bad??". It is at the unbelievable and incredulous stage. The news is not painting such an appallingly bleak picture as you are, Heather. So keep writing. It is exhausting enough reading this, day after day. Writing it must be totally wearing. So I admire you doing it.
Part of what you wrote in this post reminded me of a line in a great song: "I owe my soul to the company store.".
CAPITALIST CAPITALIZE CONFLICT. We commoners have way more in common with each other than with them.
99% > 1%
Follow the money. Their game is to distract while they pull funds away from the public like a mugger on the street. The Art of the Deal is The Artful Dodger.
This isn’t art. It’s theft.
Heather, you couldn’t have made what’s happening in our country clearer. I was waiting for someone to lay it out as you have. Thank you 🙏🏻
This could have been a passage lifted straight from “1984”, except that it is happening as we watch.
I learned a new word today. I think it is appropriate to the column. The feeling we all get every time Trump or the Republicans open their yap. The word is:
SHITSTINCT;
(n.) That deep gut feeling that tells you something is absolute bullshit before you even have proof. No screen shots, no evidence, no full story yet, just your body simply whispering "Babe, this smells wrong." And somehow your shitstinct is almost always right. Courtesy of Fxcktology, the X is a U. I would rather not use foul language unnecessarily.
Good grief, even when given a chance to push back on even more of this blatant theft and fraud some Dems still voted on the wrong side of the aisle. You’re absolutely shameful pieces of shit
Isn’t it obvious that they are trying to prop Trump along until after the mid terms and the end of his second year in office, after which he can be dumped via the 25th and open the way for Vance to finish Trump’s term and still be eligible to run twice?