I’m with you. I have hope, too! I’m in Oregon, but lived many years in Minneapolis and have lots of family there. As someone said, DHS sent ICE to Minnesota, which has lots of descendants of the Vikings, in winter! Minnesota is showing them!
One year of Trump: Lied every time he opened his mouth. Hid the Epstein papers. Threatened and abandoned allies. Undermined NATO. Bullied Denmark over Greenland. Allowed Russia to take over much of Ukraine and threaten Europe. Allowed the destruction of Gaza (Biden too). Threatened Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, Brazil, and Columbia. Increased tariffs and then decreased tariffs on all countries except Russia (chaos). Attacked U.S. citizens in their homes. Threatened U.S. citizens with armed forces in our cities. Increased the deficit. Worsened inflation. Tried to erase African-American history. (MLK day tomorrow) Increased unemployment. Destroyed the civil service. Destroyed half of the White House on a whim so he can build a half billion dollar ball-room. Destroyed the Kennedy Center. Suspended the rights of citizens and non-citizens. Threatened to cancel elections. Violently attacked immigrants most of whom are law abiding and here legally. Accepted contributions from and then pardoned drug kingpins and multi-million dollar fraudsters. Pardoned all the January 6th rioters. Murdered a few citizens and immigrants.
All in one year.
Anyone who thinks America is better off after a year of Trump is probably a billionaire who is too busy counting his money or is as delusional as he is and quite likely a racist.
Curious to hear your opinion on the wording of Judge Menendez in her TRO and injunction as perhaps being influenced by Judge Sara Ellis's decisions in Chicago vis-à-vis ICE, Bovino, and CBP conduct. Recall that on appeal by defendants a 7th CA panel termed her rulings "over-prescriptive" and "overly broad" while issuing a stay against the judge's orders.
Do you believe that Judge Menendez's order could withstand appeal as written?
I admire your (and Ns. Kendrick’s) optimism … and I agree this stinks of desperation … but I don’t think SCOTUS minds the authoritarianism … as long as it can insinuate itself as part of the (dictatorial) narrative.
In the U.S. and abroad, Trump would do well to bear in mind the wit and wisdom of Robespierre criticizing those in France in the 1790's who thought they could impose an "empire of liberty" on their neighbors by force of arms:
“The most extravagant idea that can be born in the head of a political thinker is to believe that it suffices for people to enter, weapons in hand, among a foreign people and expect to have its laws and constitution embraced. No one loves armed missionaries; the first lesson of nature and prudence is to repulse them as enemies.”
Now the Idjit in the Oval has written to Norway, that since he didn't get the Nobel Peace Prize, he doesn't have to think about Peace, and it's ok to invade Greenland. I kid you not.
I cry, “NO MORE”!! All citizens must defend themselves and their neighbors against the actions of this most terrible, (illegal?) administration! Trump and his ideologues are hell-bent on destroying our nation… for what? For pure power and $$$$!
By “pushback,” do you mean left-wing armed militias, coordinated street obstruction, or full-scale civil war cosplay? Because that’s where this rhetoric actually leads. Dressing up resistance as civic virtue while cheering lawlessness is disingenuous at best. Courts, counsel, and elections are legitimate checks; mobs and intimidation are not. You don’t “defend liberty” by blocking lawful enforcement, harassing officers, or laundering chaos through class actions. That’s not pushback—it’s provocation. If critics want restraint, fine—argue policy, litigate cleanly, win elections. But stop romanticizing street escalation as patriotism. Words matter. When “pushback” becomes a wink at violence, the result isn’t freedom—it’s fracture, and everyone knows it.
Not only is this a great call to keep showing up and fighting for what we believe in and love, I learn something about the legal system every time I read your work. Thank you. I'm hopeful to be in an economic position to support you financially one day. Until then, please know how valuable your work is to so many.
I’m with you. I have hope, too! I’m in Oregon, but lived many years in Minneapolis and have lots of family there. As someone said, DHS sent ICE to Minnesota, which has lots of descendants of the Vikings, in winter! Minnesota is showing them!
As always, thank you for your analysis and for your thoughts!
Good column.
One year of Trump: Lied every time he opened his mouth. Hid the Epstein papers. Threatened and abandoned allies. Undermined NATO. Bullied Denmark over Greenland. Allowed Russia to take over much of Ukraine and threaten Europe. Allowed the destruction of Gaza (Biden too). Threatened Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, Brazil, and Columbia. Increased tariffs and then decreased tariffs on all countries except Russia (chaos). Attacked U.S. citizens in their homes. Threatened U.S. citizens with armed forces in our cities. Increased the deficit. Worsened inflation. Tried to erase African-American history. (MLK day tomorrow) Increased unemployment. Destroyed the civil service. Destroyed half of the White House on a whim so he can build a half billion dollar ball-room. Destroyed the Kennedy Center. Suspended the rights of citizens and non-citizens. Threatened to cancel elections. Violently attacked immigrants most of whom are law abiding and here legally. Accepted contributions from and then pardoned drug kingpins and multi-million dollar fraudsters. Pardoned all the January 6th rioters. Murdered a few citizens and immigrants.
All in one year.
Anyone who thinks America is better off after a year of Trump is probably a billionaire who is too busy counting his money or is as delusional as he is and quite likely a racist.
In Minnesota we care about our neighbors, we don't hate them, and we don't abandon them.
Curious to hear your opinion on the wording of Judge Menendez in her TRO and injunction as perhaps being influenced by Judge Sara Ellis's decisions in Chicago vis-à-vis ICE, Bovino, and CBP conduct. Recall that on appeal by defendants a 7th CA panel termed her rulings "over-prescriptive" and "overly broad" while issuing a stay against the judge's orders.
Do you believe that Judge Menendez's order could withstand appeal as written?
I admire your (and Ns. Kendrick’s) optimism … and I agree this stinks of desperation … but I don’t think SCOTUS minds the authoritarianism … as long as it can insinuate itself as part of the (dictatorial) narrative.
In the U.S. and abroad, Trump would do well to bear in mind the wit and wisdom of Robespierre criticizing those in France in the 1790's who thought they could impose an "empire of liberty" on their neighbors by force of arms:
“The most extravagant idea that can be born in the head of a political thinker is to believe that it suffices for people to enter, weapons in hand, among a foreign people and expect to have its laws and constitution embraced. No one loves armed missionaries; the first lesson of nature and prudence is to repulse them as enemies.”
Now the Idjit in the Oval has written to Norway, that since he didn't get the Nobel Peace Prize, he doesn't have to think about Peace, and it's ok to invade Greenland. I kid you not.
https://x.com/nickschifrin/status/2013107018081489006
Thank you for telling us about Jamelle Bouie’s piece. I’m compelled to read it now!
It is excellent.
I just subscribed to his newsletter so I won’t miss his articles!
I cry, “NO MORE”!! All citizens must defend themselves and their neighbors against the actions of this most terrible, (illegal?) administration! Trump and his ideologues are hell-bent on destroying our nation… for what? For pure power and $$$$!
Do something, don’t sit there… RESIST!!
Every morning I wake up hoping to see a certain major headline. Sadly, it hasn't been written yet.
To be honest, Trump’s first year isn’t so much a failure as a catastrophe…
Thank you Chris.
By “pushback,” do you mean left-wing armed militias, coordinated street obstruction, or full-scale civil war cosplay? Because that’s where this rhetoric actually leads. Dressing up resistance as civic virtue while cheering lawlessness is disingenuous at best. Courts, counsel, and elections are legitimate checks; mobs and intimidation are not. You don’t “defend liberty” by blocking lawful enforcement, harassing officers, or laundering chaos through class actions. That’s not pushback—it’s provocation. If critics want restraint, fine—argue policy, litigate cleanly, win elections. But stop romanticizing street escalation as patriotism. Words matter. When “pushback” becomes a wink at violence, the result isn’t freedom—it’s fracture, and everyone knows it.
Not only is this a great call to keep showing up and fighting for what we believe in and love, I learn something about the legal system every time I read your work. Thank you. I'm hopeful to be in an economic position to support you financially one day. Until then, please know how valuable your work is to so many.