At 9:40 this morning, Donald J. Trump carefully exited his motorcade on the tarmac of Palm Beach International Airport. Once on his feet, he shuffled his way to the waiting press with a large, badly covered bruise on his right hand. And over the next 22 minutes and 13 seconds, the President of the United States said things that, from any other president, would have initiated an immediate call for the 25th Amendment. But for Trump, it was just another day. He attacked one of his own friendly reporters for daring to ask a question he didn't like. He talked about bombing another country like it was a hobby he enjoyed. But maybe the most unsettling thing the President of the United States said was that he's in talks with a mystery man he "believes" is the leader but refused to name, and that he is considering appointing himself into a joint leadership position in the Middle East...
Thank you…your hard work is so essential..my concern is the people that need to hear & understand these “truths” are not getting the information..they are still watching & believing “the Fox machine”…you are spot on w/ what the “chaos” is all about…how do we stop the people behind the scenes “dismantling” our country..that’s the really hard part!
Well said Debra. Heather"s ability to speak truth to power is essential to our wellbeing in these historic time. As our country turns away from the norms and moral fabric that has held us together, it is not the time to turn away, because Democracy dies in darkness. We all need to keep shining the light!
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”, MKL
It’s a huge help to know that “chaos” is a tactic not an indicator of disorganization. It is a way to keep us off balance and distracted while the dismantling of our democracy rolls on. Thank you once again for your invaluable insights!
Thanks from UK; you are working so hard to help us understand how a corrupt, self-enriching, destructive network, is undoing the fabric of our closest partners . Your nation has to find the energy to remove this cancer for the sake of future generations and for the sanity of the world order !
Heather: your writing is so crisp, so beautiful and so humane. At the same time, what you provide in information and perspective is devastating. EVERYONE needs to hear/read your summaries of the organizations tracking democratic decline. I will do my best to get this out there. Today we went to the coast to spiritually refresh. When we returned home, we found a note clipped to our mailbox that said “thank you!” The beautiful card inside explained their appreciation for our front yard signage (Syracuse Workers lawn sign that begins “in our America…”) and flag display (Canada, Mexico, Ukraine, US, and LGBT 🏳️🌈), noting that seeing it keeps their hopes alive that we will make it through “this mess.” Humbling. Strengthening. March on March 28th! As a rally sign recently proclaimed “public outrage is the final guardrail against the DJT regime.”
OMG… he is deeply done! Cooked thru. I imagine the remaining of his leftover little brain cells running around full panicked and screaming: help help help. That disgraced convict donaldo reminds me of caligula and his favourite horse due to be appointed consul.
Well I just can't believe it. The mango Mussolini has finally lost it (not that he ever had it). He's talking absolute rubbish. Why is he talking about the invention of the paper clip - a 19th century office supply device? Why are the people around him not taking action to remove him from office. It's like Nazi Germany when Hitler surrounded himself with people like Goering, Himmler and Goebbels.
I'm awaiting the No Kings march on the 28th with eagerness. America, most of us here in the UK are with you all the way.
I'm off now to Facebook to see what Tilly the adventurous cat has been up to.
It sure seems to me that the entire Republican Party spent the four years during the Biden administration, taking a demon’s blood oath to project 2025. And no matter what the face of the party said or how he said it or how demented he would become, they had to stick to the plan, no matter what. Deeply EVIL.
Thanks to Heather Delaney Reese and her excellent work as my new favorite journalist.
I too am very puzzled and dismayed by the behavior of people around this man. I would appreciate another explanation other than abject fear for their political position, the money they stand to lose and definite discredit and banishment if they have an original thought that varies from gospel. Am I missing something? They need to be reminded why they're there and who they work for. They need to be brought back to center and get over themselves. Public safety employees and the military conquer their fears, so can they if they work together and speak with one voice. Safety in numbers.
In a few months or at the most years all this will change-we think or hope. Perhaps we envisage something like what happened after Germany was defeated and Nuremberg trials were held aimed at bringing retribution to the fascist criminals and beasts but this wasn’t the case, the whole German nation whether they pretend it or not were wholly behind Hitler and it wasn’t all down to the SS storm troopers who perpetuated the Holocaust or the mass killing of innocent civilians but they were all in it - the fascist mentality is like a Hydra you can cut off a few heads but not all after a token program of de-nazification the supporters and fellow travellers simply went back into the woodwork. HCR demonstrated how this has happened in Hungary and is bubbling below the surface in Germany. Clearly it’s excessive and unfair to blame a whole nation but the Nazis came into power as a result of freely held elections-of course there were those who didn’t vote for them but in the end an elected democracy even when it morphs into an autocracy must take overall responsibility for its actions so it is for America. There are many brave independent voices shouting from the sidelines but in the end it’s a state that has come to power as a result of free elections that is responsible for the chaos and murder throughout the Middle East. Whilst one of the stated aims of the current war is regime change in Iran but will you ever get regime change in the USA or will it just be back into the woodwork for a few years?
Living in the time of the U.S. slide into Authoritarianism or "Electoral Democracy" is fucking maddening given that the smokescreen called "Chaos" is so easily seen through by those of us who are both sane and fully appreciate the value of "Liberal Democracy". In addition, what infuriates me is the opportunity cost associated with ALL OF THE THINGS that the Federal Government is NOT DOING to address: Climate Change, Tax Code Reform, Education Reform, etc... Recognizing that there are many, many, many of us out here who will not be silent while our basic freedoms and futures are stolen..."The strength of the Wolf is in the pack, and, the strength of the pack is in the Wolf"...
Sometimes, I'm optimistic because of the many critical contributions on Substack, feeling that American democracy will survive this regime. This article brings me back to reality: democracy is in free fall. There's only one option left to stop this: a tsunami, meaning free midterm elections, if they do take place.
In Europe, we are of course also eager to see if Viktor Orban can continue to block the entire EU. Unfortunately, the authors of constitutions did not think of everything, e.g. that an entire party loses humanity and turns off all checks and balances (USA) or that the principle of unanimity is used by minorities to terrorize majorities (EU).
Still, we need everyone who can paint a clear picture of it. Thanks to Heather for the commitment
As a comment going viral in my news feed (well, in my daughter’s feed) has it: America has gone from superpower to superjoke. Thanks always, Heather, for your vigilance in tracking the horror, the horror.
Thank you…your hard work is so essential..my concern is the people that need to hear & understand these “truths” are not getting the information..they are still watching & believing “the Fox machine”…you are spot on w/ what the “chaos” is all about…how do we stop the people behind the scenes “dismantling” our country..that’s the really hard part!
Well said Debra. Heather"s ability to speak truth to power is essential to our wellbeing in these historic time. As our country turns away from the norms and moral fabric that has held us together, it is not the time to turn away, because Democracy dies in darkness. We all need to keep shining the light!
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”, MKL
It’s a huge help to know that “chaos” is a tactic not an indicator of disorganization. It is a way to keep us off balance and distracted while the dismantling of our democracy rolls on. Thank you once again for your invaluable insights!
Thanks from UK; you are working so hard to help us understand how a corrupt, self-enriching, destructive network, is undoing the fabric of our closest partners . Your nation has to find the energy to remove this cancer for the sake of future generations and for the sanity of the world order !
My thoughts exactly. It’s urgent.
Thank you, from Australia.
Heather: your writing is so crisp, so beautiful and so humane. At the same time, what you provide in information and perspective is devastating. EVERYONE needs to hear/read your summaries of the organizations tracking democratic decline. I will do my best to get this out there. Today we went to the coast to spiritually refresh. When we returned home, we found a note clipped to our mailbox that said “thank you!” The beautiful card inside explained their appreciation for our front yard signage (Syracuse Workers lawn sign that begins “in our America…”) and flag display (Canada, Mexico, Ukraine, US, and LGBT 🏳️🌈), noting that seeing it keeps their hopes alive that we will make it through “this mess.” Humbling. Strengthening. March on March 28th! As a rally sign recently proclaimed “public outrage is the final guardrail against the DJT regime.”
OMG… he is deeply done! Cooked thru. I imagine the remaining of his leftover little brain cells running around full panicked and screaming: help help help. That disgraced convict donaldo reminds me of caligula and his favourite horse due to be appointed consul.
Beautifully, exquisitely, powerfully, intelligent, Heather! I am lost in admiration and gratitude!
So am I! She is brilliant.
Me too. You took the words out of my mouth! Thank you, Heather 🙏
Heather, what a monumental piece of journalism. You have done yourself proud, and we should all be grateful for your efforts. Thank you!
Brilliantly written. Thank you!!
Well I just can't believe it. The mango Mussolini has finally lost it (not that he ever had it). He's talking absolute rubbish. Why is he talking about the invention of the paper clip - a 19th century office supply device? Why are the people around him not taking action to remove him from office. It's like Nazi Germany when Hitler surrounded himself with people like Goering, Himmler and Goebbels.
I'm awaiting the No Kings march on the 28th with eagerness. America, most of us here in the UK are with you all the way.
I'm off now to Facebook to see what Tilly the adventurous cat has been up to.
It sure seems to me that the entire Republican Party spent the four years during the Biden administration, taking a demon’s blood oath to project 2025. And no matter what the face of the party said or how he said it or how demented he would become, they had to stick to the plan, no matter what. Deeply EVIL.
Thanks to Heather Delaney Reese and her excellent work as my new favorite journalist.
I too am very puzzled and dismayed by the behavior of people around this man. I would appreciate another explanation other than abject fear for their political position, the money they stand to lose and definite discredit and banishment if they have an original thought that varies from gospel. Am I missing something? They need to be reminded why they're there and who they work for. They need to be brought back to center and get over themselves. Public safety employees and the military conquer their fears, so can they if they work together and speak with one voice. Safety in numbers.
In a few months or at the most years all this will change-we think or hope. Perhaps we envisage something like what happened after Germany was defeated and Nuremberg trials were held aimed at bringing retribution to the fascist criminals and beasts but this wasn’t the case, the whole German nation whether they pretend it or not were wholly behind Hitler and it wasn’t all down to the SS storm troopers who perpetuated the Holocaust or the mass killing of innocent civilians but they were all in it - the fascist mentality is like a Hydra you can cut off a few heads but not all after a token program of de-nazification the supporters and fellow travellers simply went back into the woodwork. HCR demonstrated how this has happened in Hungary and is bubbling below the surface in Germany. Clearly it’s excessive and unfair to blame a whole nation but the Nazis came into power as a result of freely held elections-of course there were those who didn’t vote for them but in the end an elected democracy even when it morphs into an autocracy must take overall responsibility for its actions so it is for America. There are many brave independent voices shouting from the sidelines but in the end it’s a state that has come to power as a result of free elections that is responsible for the chaos and murder throughout the Middle East. Whilst one of the stated aims of the current war is regime change in Iran but will you ever get regime change in the USA or will it just be back into the woodwork for a few years?
Living in the time of the U.S. slide into Authoritarianism or "Electoral Democracy" is fucking maddening given that the smokescreen called "Chaos" is so easily seen through by those of us who are both sane and fully appreciate the value of "Liberal Democracy". In addition, what infuriates me is the opportunity cost associated with ALL OF THE THINGS that the Federal Government is NOT DOING to address: Climate Change, Tax Code Reform, Education Reform, etc... Recognizing that there are many, many, many of us out here who will not be silent while our basic freedoms and futures are stolen..."The strength of the Wolf is in the pack, and, the strength of the pack is in the Wolf"...
THIS! It needs to be read by everyone every day. Thank you.
Sometimes, I'm optimistic because of the many critical contributions on Substack, feeling that American democracy will survive this regime. This article brings me back to reality: democracy is in free fall. There's only one option left to stop this: a tsunami, meaning free midterm elections, if they do take place.
In Europe, we are of course also eager to see if Viktor Orban can continue to block the entire EU. Unfortunately, the authors of constitutions did not think of everything, e.g. that an entire party loses humanity and turns off all checks and balances (USA) or that the principle of unanimity is used by minorities to terrorize majorities (EU).
Still, we need everyone who can paint a clear picture of it. Thanks to Heather for the commitment
Thank you, Heather. This is the most chilling post, yet.
As a comment going viral in my news feed (well, in my daughter’s feed) has it: America has gone from superpower to superjoke. Thanks always, Heather, for your vigilance in tracking the horror, the horror.