General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWe are under attack. I finally have to say it out loud.
It has been nagging at me for a few days.
Our rule of law is under attack. Our system of justice is under attack. Our governmental infrastructure is under attack. Our bureaucratic stability and our federal employees are under attack. The American people are under attack.
I remember the feeling as we watched Russia creep toward Ukraine, three years ago. I remember the visceral feeling of helplessness as we watched the full on attack on Ukraine, and their people, and their landscape, and their physical infrastructure. Granted, we are not being awakened in the middle of the night by air raid sirens. But I see alarms going off all around me. Our landscape and our buildings are not being blown up around us - yet. Our neighbors are not being murdered and raped - we are conditioned to believe that is not possible here, and I hope that we never learn otherwise. However, if this path continues we may be in a place where we no longer trust our neighbors.
We are watching many aspects of our security and safety be attacked. We no longer know that our Social Security and Medicare are safe. We no longer have a functioning CDC intended to keep us safe. Will it feel safe to fly after Musk and his under-qualified creepy hacker punks get their hands on the air traffic control systems?
We feel vulnerable and compromised. Knowing that our private data has been breached feels like a violation. We are having things (that were dear to us) stolen from us, bit by bit. Everything from our privacy and security to our health infrastructure and regulatory systems.
The Grifter in Chief signed an executive order yesterday, in which he made a power grab over many agencies. The courts will have to intervene - we hope Article III will hold and protect us from the assault on the Constitution. The Grifter claimed power over independent agencies, such as the FCC, SEC, and FTC. Will the Congress finally stand up and protect the agencies and departments they created? Or will we see The Grifter wage a next level attack on the media. Our freedoms are a target.
Those of us who are paying attention are watching this play out as a blitzkrieg.
We learned today that Ed Martin has launched an investigation into Chuck Schumer. (https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143399527) We learned that Tom Homan has targeted AOC for legal consequences. (https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trumps-border-czar-ups-ante-aoc-seeks-doj-investigation-rcna192556)
Our precious rule of law is under attack.
As I write this I am hearing that The Grifter has called himself King, and he is in some manner claiming power over the sovereignty of NY state. Our Federalist system is under attack.
And soon, the attack is going to come from even heavier artillery. A short time ago, I heard a reporter say that Hegseth is planning to fire the generals and flag officers...probably next week. I am stalking the news feeds for print reporting on this.
This just came across the wire - it is identified as a developing story.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/hegseth-fire-remove-generals-senior-officers-us-officials/story?id=118985348
There is no good reason to fire the generals.
I don't care if you call this a coup, or a soft coup, or a State capture, or a take over (hostile or otherwise) - we are under attack. It is time we started acting like it. And that means you, Congress. You were elected to do something more than just run for the next election. You were elected to represent us. You took an oath - now honor it.
"I, __________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter."
Chemical Bill
(3,171 posts)CrispyQ
(40,973 posts)I'm worried they'll capitulate, too.
I realize now, the privilege I've had my entire life to live in a stable system. Now, everyday is like reading some South American or Asian regime change story.
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)I feel like I am in the Twilight Zone.
Marcuse
(9,017 posts)synni
(778 posts)Most of them are RepubliCONS.
CrispyQ
(40,973 posts)In his first term I read that trumpism was more prevalent among the enlisted class than the officer class & that makes sense to me. Not to say there aren't trumper officers, or course. I'd like to think there's all sorts of Plan B activity going on behind the scenes on our side, but it feels like we're just gonna ride it out.
Wiz Imp
(10,023 posts)But exit polls said that veterans favored Trump 65%-34%.
I did find a poll of active military from August 2020 that showed Biden leading Trump 41%-37%.
Pretty good evidence that the military overall leans Republican but is far from majority MAGA.
orangecrush
(30,338 posts)In the military.
Something Trump and MAGATS have no conception of.
Tumbulu
(6,630 posts)and the momentum will morph into mob mentality. The kind that brutally lynched people. But this time it will be setting off nuclear weapons.
Sorry, I do believe this is an already done deal.
Wiz Imp
(10,023 posts)Trump may have slight majority support among active duty military, but there is definitely a large portion who hates him and would never follow illegal orders from him.
Tumbulu
(6,630 posts)but look at how the Army Corps of Engineers let billions of gallons of water out at the wrong time of the year, pretty much guaranteeing a water shortage for farmers this summer when they need it. Because they got intimidated. They knew it was wrong to release it.
But they caved. And fast.
But I will hope that you are correct.
Wiz Imp
(10,023 posts)Different type of situation. I don't doubt that plenty will go along with what Trump wants, But i think there are still plenty who will resist the mob mentality as you put it and refuse to go along. What happens then is anybody's guess .
Tumbulu
(6,630 posts)Thanks.
TommyT139
(2,357 posts)Not just Trump, but of course him -- rethugs have mentioned firing squads multiple times.
You think they'd hesitate if an active duty service member declined to follow orders? Court martial, at the very least.
Remember that Hegseth is pro war crime. What sort of men do you think he'll promote?
Mr. Evil
(3,457 posts)This time I firmly believe this is purely Russian.
4catsmom
(667 posts)throughout the world with disinformation. America doesn't have much of a timeline to educate the stupid, and probably would not be able to
Cirsium
(3,944 posts)Following orders is the default position for the military. It is it that we are worried that they will capitulate, but rather that they will fail to stage a mutiny, which is what would be required if they were to not capitulate - if they were to to disobey orders, in other words.
CrispyQ
(40,973 posts)I don't know that answer, or if there's a difference in oaths between officers & enlisted classes. ???
"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
The Oath of Office (for officers):
"I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the _____ (Military Branch) of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God."
https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/swearing-in-for-military-service.html
mn9driver
(4,848 posts)Theres a reason for that.
pnwest
(3,467 posts)...and those who still think it will all blow over need to wake up. We're not heading towards a constitutional crisis, we're smack in the middle of it.
It occurred to me last night as I was surfing Facebook, to wonder, if Zuckerberg is such a die-hard trumper, why is he "allowing" all the anti-trump rhetoric and open planning of protests and strikes? Because they want to know what the populace is planning. Then I thought, if violent protests start breaking out across the nation, trump will HAPPILY declare martial law, and that would likely include shutting down internet and cell towers.
....and then I spiraled out of control into dystopian scenarios of roving bands of starving Proud Boys, lol, so I shut off the worry switch.
But I am a 60 year old woman, alone. No kids, no husband, no parents. I started making real-world plans today. The scariest part of all of this? I don't feel like an idiot jackass for thinking like a prepper. It seems pretty goddamn prudent at this point.
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)It took me a couple of days to get up the courage to write that post.
It still seems so unfathomable that we are here. But we are - it is no longer just a "Chicken Little" moment. Chicken Little is road kill under the sky that fell on her.
Aren't we glad we have DU to keep us engaged and informed?
pnwest
(3,467 posts)until "they" somehow shut us down again as they did ... was 2016 election day? Holy cow, 8 years ago.
defacto7
(14,162 posts)BurnDoubt
(1,742 posts)Don't tell anybody and ruin the surprise. Dotus and Putin have known since "the secret meeting that never happened" eight years ago.
Baron2024
(1,492 posts)Good post, thank you for being here.
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)Right back atcha.
Irish_Dem
(81,345 posts)We are only now noticing it.
And it might be way too late.
Evolve Dammit
(21,779 posts)B.See
(8,524 posts)America, our government, its institutions, our laws, our financial institutions, our healthcare institutions, our privacy, and social safety nets, even the safety of our airspace, our national security and our nuclear deterrence
were under ATTACK and being deliberately SABOTAGED by a FOREIGN ADVERSARY....
IF one didn't KNOW BETTER.
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)pnwest
(3,467 posts)and that others see that as well. I almost said so in my reply above, but checked myself. But it's so clear. Gov't agencies and institutions are being weakened, along with our ability to respond to crises. DOGE isn't giving a shit about saving money - that's cover for the minions to install back doors into all of those agencies' systems, and access to those back doors are being sold to the highest bidder(s) - Russia, China, maybe even N Korea. The US is being made ready for swift, overwhelming takeover.
I hope to Christ I'm wrong. Nothing would make me happier than to eat a mountain of crow if all these fears turn out to be nothing. I will happily admit I was wrong.
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)58Sunliner
(6,331 posts)kimbutgar
(27,257 posts)Will the US military go to war with Europe? And what happens to the bases and its arsenals. Something tells me the military will refuse those insane orders. A lot of Americans like to travel to Europe, have family and friends and enjoy food and wine and other goods from Europe.
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)That sets up another scenario that we can't imagine.
pnwest
(3,467 posts)Beck23
(411 posts)Because he is African American.
SleeplessinSoCal
(10,412 posts)He's insane. And we shouldn't have to put up with any of his dangerous maneuvers.
Where are the adults???
c-rational
(3,203 posts)we have arrived at this point.
JMCKUSICK
(6,064 posts)Imagine the very worst you think can happen, and know it will be worse. I'm not really sure we are preparing for what is coming! The Germans could plead ignorance at the very beginning, we don't have that luxury. It seems we are far worse, as we do remember it and are still bound and determined to repeat it.
Imagine the rise of Nazi Germany, and clearly understand that this is the equivalent of 1935 or so. We don't have time for hemming and hawing.
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)And we have the benefit of instant communication.
There is no excuse for us to go the way of Germany in the 30's.
timms139
(547 posts)to arm themselves . I know a lot are down on owning guns but it might just be our only defense to do our part to save our country . If the military refuses to obey unlawful orders for the sake of democracy you can rest assured that they will come under attack from the king's little militias that he has feed to answer his call to violence .And you can welcome them or stand up and fight if it's just in memory of the ones who have gave their lives for what this cabal is trying to destroy .I'm just saying be prepared and don't wait until it's too late to get what might be needed . We may not have to use weapons but better to have them and find out you need them than find out you need them and can't find one. This is what the second amendment covers the way they believe so we have to expect them to act on it for their dear leader .
AntiFascist
(13,752 posts)Trump's "little militias" are not well-regulated, and they have proven to operate outside of Constitutional law, no matter what the delusional "king" of America may try to dictate. Also, Trump now has a cabinet member, namely Russell Vought head of the OMB, who claims that the US is now in a "post-Constitutional" time. These are fighting words, and all US citizens, including those in the military who are loyal to the Constitution, should be ready to defend the US Constitution!
We don't need to declare that we are at war, the simple act of making such preparations should send a strong message.
Metaphorical
(2,635 posts)The barbarians have stormed the gates. The security apparatus of this country is now under the control of a set of malignant narcissists who have no care whatsoever for the rule of law, indeed, they rejoice in its destruction.
I have been predicting for some time (a couple of decades now) that we were headed in this direction and that the US would fall from within. Congress, for all intents and purposes, has no checks on Trump, and as such they are now irrelevant, because Trump can now force banks to bend their knee and give him all the money he needs. The courts are discovering that Trump is simply ignoring him. What are they going to do? Arrest him?
I do not believe that Trump was legitimately elected, however, that is irrelevant now.
My belief is that the Republic, as we know it, is over. There may or may not be elections in 2026, but it won't matter, because the Dems will mysteriously lose big. The next stage is going to be a purge of military officers and a purity test to be administered for their replacements. They will be loyal to Trump, not the Constitution. That's how these things work. Businesses that had government contracts will all kowtow and will lay off anyone who isn't MAGAT, and CEOs of other companies will follow suit, because they don't want to be seen as being in opposition to a punitive, arbitrary, capricious government.
Once that happens, the next stage will be a bomb or drone attack that will take out the Capital Building (cf., the Reichstag Fire), with loyalists mysteriously out of town that day. Trump will use this as an excuse to declare martial law, suspend the Constitution, and declare himself Chaiman of the Board of the Trumplandia. Citing security concerns, he will move the seat of government to Mara Lago.
The reconstituted Congress will still be convened, but it will represent only MAGAT loyalists. The only real opposition is going to come from the States. At that point, I suspect that the West Coast (and possibly the Acela corridor) and the Canadian border states will secede, form mutual support pacts with Canada and Mexico, and will reach out to both NATO and (ironically) China for assistance. This is going to pit the military against itself.
I've been figuring that a breakup will occur, the question I was unsure about was not whether it would happen, but whether it would be a voluntary agreement or by war. I am increasingly pessimistic about this being peaceful. A second civil war will be devastating, but it is looking increasingly possible.
Cirsium
(3,944 posts)Make this an OP.
Initech
(108,788 posts)When they started calling the election for Trump, I had the same sense of fear and dread that I did when 9/11 happened. We are under attack. And now that everything is coming to fruition, there's no limit to how fucking evil these monsters are. And it will get worse if we don't stop them now.
Botany
(77,347 posts)I was in Ohio 2004. Those fuckers cheat and play ugly they did it then and they are
doing it now.
Initech
(108,788 posts)I wouldn't be surprised to learn if Sean Hannity was on Vladimir Putin's payroll.
Botany
(77,347 posts)Last edited Thu Feb 20, 2025, 11:16 PM - Edit history (1)
Vlad's Payroll you say?
Well on what was Election night 2016 in America there happened to be a party going on in Moscow
and they were all excited about Trump winning and guess who was there? Sean Hannity's former executive producer and a former Ex @ News Corp too. He got on the Russian produced show and babbled some half baked shit about Jesus and the Trump voters coming home to him. BTW you could recognize some of the Russians who had been @ Trump Towers and I think the RNC too.
Moscow is how many hours ahed of NYC time? London is 5 hours ahead of us and Moscow is another
2 or 3 hours ahead of London. So the Moscow Trump Victory party was @ 4 or 5 in the morning and
was set up to be a pravada type of thing that was TV ready? Russia knew the fix was in and so did
people from Trump/Fox.
God damn it was dirty.
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)So much connective tissue. Hmmm
Botany
(77,347 posts)Rupert and Vlad P are bffs.
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)Botany
(77,347 posts)Hi @seanhannity how are your former producer Jack Hanick and his buddy Konstantin Malofeev doing in Moscow?
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/968315401141673986.html
Vlad Putins Russian GRU or other Russ-Bots are way deep into Fox and have been for years.
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)at Fauxnews (and notnewsmax). I monitor them (so icky and painful) to fact check and inform on social media.
Thanks for all the data.
Botany
(77,347 posts)30 miles to the east of me in the town of Newark, Ohio is a Fox affiliated classic rock station
and they are a propaganda cancer via some of their radio commercials
Bidenomics got
you down? Well check out Chucks plumbing where we have your back. Or something like
that even though this area has been going through an economic boom with a multi billion dollar
dollar silicon chip factory going in thanx to Bidens chips act.
Initech
(108,788 posts)And EVERY GOP politician from Trump through Congress, Senate, state and local governments keeps feeding that machine - daily, and Hannity acts like he's the regional manager for the MAGA Qongress. Though nobody really watches that shit anymore.
Hope22
(4,754 posts)The bombers From J6th still not located. Tragedy ..
Initech
(108,788 posts)The poll bombers are still on the loose. WTF.
patphil
(9,083 posts)As each level of protection provided by those who really believed the oath they took are stripped away from the positions they hold, the seditious intent of the Musk/Trump presidency is made more evident.
cer7711
(612 posts)Last edited Thu Feb 20, 2025, 03:26 PM - Edit history (1)
It is plain as day: There is no longer any rule of law.
We are in a full-blown Constitutional crisis.
DOGE is working lightning-fast to utterly destroy the federal government and leave us with a confederated-states scenario.
Viewed clearly and properly, what is currently taking place in full view of the public is nothing less than the destruction of our government, international reputation and the social security of our aged and infirm.
In other words: We are now engaged in all-out civil war--though as yet the shooting has not begun.
WHERE IS THE DEMOCRATIC FIREBRAND LEADER PUSHBACK?!!!!!
Stop telling us what you can't do, and start acting like a strong, morally outraged and steely-nerved opposition party.
GET YOUR PEOPLE INTO THE STREETS!
Initech
(108,788 posts)And he did so by attacking undecided voters with a nonstop propaganda barrage. If there's any proof to this, he's trying to do it again in Germany.
https://www.reddit.com/r/WhitePeopleTwitter/comments/1iu1d1w/x_needs_to_be_permanently_banned_in_every_country/
I want nothing more than to see him shot into space on one of his shitty rockets, and please make it a one way trip. And he can take Zuckerberg, Ellison, and Bezos with him.
CaptainTruth
(8,204 posts)I said it a couple weeks ago & I stand by it.
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)I think Congress should act like it.
DENVERPOPS
(13,003 posts)The dems should have circled the wagons, and prepared for a Republican Party that was already utilizing guerrilla warfare against us
Many of us were screaming our heads off from the rooftops..........At that time, we were branded as radical, crazy, fanatics, especially by the crowd of so called "Reagan Democrats"............
Once again, the perfect title for a book about the last 45+ years would be:
WHILE THE NATION SLEPT
......and here the dems are today..........too little, too late, and on the threshold of being past the point of no return, if not already past it
Greg Palast? and Thom Hartman have described where the corruption was that threw the election. People who have been watching the past several elections spotted that technique of dumping registered voters off the voting polls in Dem Precincts, esp in the swing states.............
I have this funny feeling that the Dems didn't fight the election night results, and for good reason. Doing so would have touched off a civil war the next morning across the entire nation.........The Trumphumpers were all following Trump's orders of: Stand Back and Stand By...... and not..... Stand Back and Stand Down........They were all primed and ready to go, if Trump hadn't won.....
Regardless, I still think something will take place that makes the Trumphumpers understand that they have been played royally by their Republican Party and Trump is the devil, and not a saint..........And Putin is the the roots of their backing.
CaptainTruth
(8,204 posts)DENVERPOPS
(13,003 posts)for me to be called your friend.....
Please try to stay safe and warm......easier in some places than others around the nation......
Wild blueberry
(8,300 posts)You've put my thoughts and feelings clearly. It is this bad.
All my family and friends feel the same.
It is up to us, in whatever form that takes, in whatever skills we offer.
Goddess help us.
Thank you.
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)If the DU community were in charge, imagine the possibilities.
Nigrum Cattus
(1,319 posts)And convincing the 36% that didn't bother to vote is job
number one.
MiHale
(13,037 posts)bdamomma
(69,532 posts)are the enemy within.
DENVERPOPS
(13,003 posts)bravo, YD, extremely well said, and thank you..........
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)ificandream
(11,838 posts)And Putin is cheering him on.
BarbD
(1,438 posts)We can't afford to. There is too much at stake. I have 10 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and three more on the way. We cannot let them win.
bluestarone
(22,198 posts)It's gonna take an armed revolt if we want our democracy.
proud patriot
(102,514 posts)and our Constitutional Democratic Republic .
I carry the US Constitution in my purse so it goes with me everywhere.
I sure wish Trump voters would read it, clearly they have not read it.
LetMyPeopleVote
(179,940 posts)These are truly bogus claims designed to suppress free speech. The Acting US Attorney is trying to suppress information about Musk and trump
JUST FILED: Acting U.S. attorney opens inquiries into Democrats alleging possible threats to DOGE, Supreme Court justices
— Scott MacFarlane (@macfarlanenews.bsky.social) 2025-02-20T23:16:14.544Z
www.cbsnews.com/news/acting-...
Link to tweet
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/acting-u-s-attorney-inquiry-schumer-possible-threat-doge-supreme-court-justices/
The inquiry will also review a public statement made by Rep. Robert Garcia, a second-term House Democrat from California, Garcia told CBS News.
The U.S. attorney's memo, which was obtained by CBS News, alleges the public statements of Democratic legislators could constitute a threat to Supreme Court justices and the newly hired employees of the Trump administration's new Department of Government Efficiency, the DOGE operation linked to the world's richest man and close ally of President Trump, Elon Musk.
Mr. Trump appointed Martin to serve as acting U.S. attorney for D.C. hours after he was inaugurated last month. Martin, a one-time activist in the post-2020 election "stop the steal" movement, previously served as a defense attorney for some U.S. Capitol rioters. He posts on social media under the handle "Ed the Eagle."
Martin's memo to his new subordinates in the U.S. attorney's office is titled "Operation Whirlwind" and said the office would prioritize investigations into threats against public officials. The memo alleged, "One of the most abhorrent examples was when Senator Charles Schumer led a rally to attack US Supreme Court justices. Schumer said, reading from notes in his hand: 'I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price. You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.'"
yellow dahlia
(5,925 posts)bdamomma
(69,532 posts)Project 2025 posse, all those in his cabinet need to be ousted. This is an assault on us all. Hardship?? that is what Muskrat said we will be going through, he can fuck off. He needs to go back to South Africa.
We must stop this, never surrender, call your Senators and Reps every day.
IzzaNuDay
(1,296 posts)I wondered if he was crossing his fingers instead as if to say, F the constitution, Im gonna do presidency MY way.