I've played nice long enough

[senseandsensibility]

I am tired of being the good soldier and going along with whatever the Dem leadership is doing. I won't do it anymore. I was noncritical during the campaign and never made suggestions, let alone criticisms.

But I just can't anymore. After trump dismissed 12 independent watchdogs in defiance of federal law, this is Chuck Schumer's response:

Trump's decision to fire 12 of the federal government's independent watchdogs is a glaring sign that it's a golden age for abuse in government and even corruption-- when government agencies disobey the law in the next year and there's no independent IG to keep them in check."

Okay, but what about when the president breaks the law by not notifying congress? Any comment about that? Any action planned beyond a stern letter? Or are we just rolling over and taking it (again)?

The point, Mr. Speaker, is that he is breaking the law by not notifying the congress. Please don't obey in advance. At least make it inconvenient for them. File a lawsuit. Something. My God.

Schumer's statement is not going over well on BlueSky.

[underpants]

1. He's replacing them with loyalists

The Constitution says there can’t be a religious test for government jobs but that doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be a cult test.

[BannonsLiver]

2. Not a Chuck fan either

[yardwork]

3. I agree that Schumer's response is weak and mealy mouthed.

For one thing, the statement is too long and complicated. Democrats need to start using simple, plain English when making public statements.

[senseandsensibility]

4. Yes, I agree completely

and that is a very long standing problem in the Dem party in general.

[yardwork]

5. It really is.

Fetterman won his race because he spoke in simple language. The DNC needs to learn from that.

The Republicans have sound bites and slogans that fit on bumper stickers. We have blah blah blah - too long, too complicated, too weak.

[ananda]

6. That might have been a hint that he was really Republican.

....

[yardwork]

8. I don't see that. He's a populist.

He ran a hell of a campaign, I'll say that.

[Prairie_Seagull]

17. If context is absolutely needed, so-be-it, otherwise

keep it short, even curt. The resistance will take some bravery. HAVE SOME CONGRESS.!

I always say. haha

[allegorical oracle]

18. Had to read it twice. Have criticized his word salads for years.

[Butterflylady]

7. I agree,

My late husband didn't like Shumer at all, said he was wishy, washy. He was a get along guy and now is not the time to be like that, we need to be like AOC, loud and mouthy.

[BComplex]

9. I love AOC! And Jasmine Crockett!! I love their mouths!

[FakeNoose]

16. I still blame Schumer for allowing Al Franken to resign without a fight

According to Al, Chuck Schumer never wanted him in the Senate in the first place.

[choie]

27. And don't forget Gillibrand.

[Kid Berwyn]

10. In 2017, Leader Schumer expressed to Speaker Pelosi that he thought Trump liked him.

They were talking as they came out of the White House, after meeting with the good for nothing shitheel.

I wanted to puke.

[Vinca]

11. I'm afraid Schumer talks a good game but is as forceful as a soggy pancake.

Democrats have got to get beyond the hope for bipartisanship. It's not going to happen. No need to make nice.

[Evolve Dammit]

12. Not the time for business as usual. Wake TFU.

[patphil]

13. Mr. Speaker is Representative Mike Johnson. Senator Schumer is Senate Minority Leader.

As minority leader, Senator Schumer doesn't have any authority to do anything other than object.
The real problem here isn't the Democratic members of Congress, it's the Republican majorities in both houses that think Trump's actions are OK.
In any event, Trump can fire them with 30 days notice, and a written rational, as per a 2022 law.
Congress would have to do something to stand up for them for Trump's actions to be stopped.
I doubt they would do that.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/01/25/trump-accused-of-dismantling-checks-on-his-power-after-firing-inspectors-general-heres-what-to-know/

It does no good to rail against Senator Schumer, as he's powerless to stop this blatant abuse of power.

[Cirsium]

32. Really??

Really?

McConnell was far from powerless when he was in the same position.

Enough with the damned excuses.

[patphil]

39. Excuse? What can Schumer do?

Last edited Sat Jan 25, 2025, 10:56 PM - Edit history (1)

He can ask for cause, but he can't stop the process. It's not illegal for Trump to fire them, just highly unethical.
Unless the Republican Congress takes a stand here and demands Trump provide good cause for their firings, Schumer is just engaging in an exercise in futility.
All he can actually do is try to get Trump's nominees for their replacement rejected. Good luck on that one, they just confirmed Pete Hegseth.
Again, tell me what Schumer can do to prevent the removal of these Inspectors General. And don't tell me he can sue Trump. That goes nowhere.
This is all on the Republicans. If you want to blame Schumer, OK, but don't expect it to have any impact on the process.
We're in for at least 4 years of absolute horror. And that's the fault of the American Voters.

Note: The law says 30 day notice to Congress before firing, and a detailed listing of the reasons why each of the Inspectors General is being fired. So Trump has 30 days to find good causes. It will be interesting to see what the Congress agrees to as probable cause.

[dlk]

15. Appeasement never works with tyrants

The history books are full of these failed efforts.

[FirstLight]

19. We're essentially "on our own" now...

Congress is becoming nothing more than a figurhead. I believe the Three Branches of Government have literally been wiped out...SCOTUS s obviously in the bed with TSF and Leon, etc... Congress is either paid off or blackmailed into submission.

How long before they start sending black SUV's in the middle of the night to round up those who defy or decry the Administrations Orders.
How long did it take Hitler to dissolve the govt?
Remember who's book was on TSF's nightstand for years?


I'm not playing nice either, Im just not playing at ALL. Gonna find a place to huker down and live with my family off grid... I swear it's happening...hunger games, anyone?

[BattleRow]

22. A figurehead? I figure it's

perhaps more like a concept of a Congress...

[FirstLight]

23. thaks, I was searching for the correct term!

We should definitely make that a saying now... we have "a concept of a Congress" it has a nice ring to it.

But it really sucks that they are being such pussies

[BattleRow]

29. Concept,Congress ..it all starts with a con,doesn't it?

[FirstLight]

34. NAILED IT!!! 100%

we're waking up, collectively. Let's keep it going

[BattleRow]

38. Thank you..

[Monsieur_Grumpe]

20. Anyone have the bluesky link?

[BattleRow]

21. Are the terms good Germans and good Democrats interchangeable now?

[Nigrum Cattus]

24. NO MORE Mister/Misses nice people !

The IG garbage is a "crossing the rubicon" moment

[Baron2024]

25. Lawsuit

A lawsuit should be one of the few things that we can and should do. The Executive has to inform Congress 30 days ahead of time that they are going to fire an IG. Trump has broken the law, again. If a lawsuit can be filed, there could be an injunction against the firings and the IGs would possible stay in at least a month, which would give us some time to strategize. It is not much, but it is much better than the toothless response of weak Democrats like Chuck Schumer. Normal democratic processes will not deal with this situation. We are not in a normal period of American history. We are in the middle of a fascist takeover of the federal government, and it is going to get worse. We need a resistance plan, and yesterday.

[senseandsensibility]

28. Thank you for this thoughtful reply

I assumed that Dem leadership would respond as you suggest, but it appears to be beyond them. I saw an interview with Mark Warner on MSNBC (think that's his name, from Virginia) and he sounded even more mealy mouthed than Schumer on this topic.

[Baron2024]

30. You Are Welcome

The old politics will not work. Old rhetoric is like bringing a pillow to a knife fight. Our people (Dems and their Allies) need to be forcefully repeating that Trump's actions are illegal and calling for lawsuits and law enforcement action. Call for Impeachment. Every day. High Crimes and Misdemeanors. The Constitution still matters and needs to be defended. The Congress is controlled by MAGAs but I do not care. An Impeachment will not happen unless we regain control of Congress in 2026. We still should be calling for Impeachment every day, and calling out Trump and his Regime for what they are- Fascists and Criminals that violate the law and the US Constitution. I do not care that the Supreme Court says that a President can not commit a crime. SCOTUS have invalidated their authority. They are defunct as far as I am concerned. They have chosen a Dictator over the Constitution. They no longer have authority and have abandoned their mission to protect the Constitution. Likewise the MAGAs in Congress have failed to defend the Constitution, as is their oath. Anyone that violates their Oath to the Constitution is a traitor by definition.

[BattleRow]

31. And Trump will reply that the laws have been broken since the tablets of the Ten Commandments were broken on Mt Sinai.

And he plans to rewrite them..Le Dieu c'est moi!

[Raven123]

26. The DSCC sent me a fundraising request this week

Returned the request with the note to ask me again when they have a winning message. I don’t think Chuck is the best messenger. Hope they figure it out.

[republianmushroom]

33. The education of America is happening

and it will not be just trumpers who will receive this education.

[Cirsium]

35. If there is no struggle, there is no progress

If there is no struggle, there is no progress

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want the rain without thunder and lighting. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one, and it may be a physical one, and it may be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did, and it never will."

Frederick Douglass

[Maru Kitteh]

36. For 48 months, teams of twisted, hateful scholars and lawyers toiled on ways to destroy the US.

WHAT THE FUCK WERE WE DOING ALL THAT TIME . . CHUCK?
WHY ARE WE NOT BETTER PREPARED FOR THIS, CHUCK?

[Skittles]

40. I agree

I'm tired of the old and want NEW DEM LEADERSHIP

PASS THE BATON ALREADY

[UTUSN]

37. Not critical of OP nor suggesting something else replace the option

Each has their own way to respond. Mine is to focus the fight priority on Drumpf and MAGAts, close second on enablers of whatever label, and third on circular firing squad.