“This little gnat on our shoulder called the Democrats”

Some guardrails we can count on?

The last two weeks started on a hopeful note, with hundreds of generals and admirals sitting in stony silence as Secretary of Defense? War? Hegseth rhapsodized about his vision for the warrior ethos.

The President, for his part, told them they were welcome to applaud. The military leaders unanimously declined to show appreciation for Trump’s remarks about using “crime-ridden” Democratic-led cities as military training grounds to fight “the enemy within.”

So maybe that’s a set of guardrails we can trust.

Define “civil disorder.”

But on September 25, the President issued NSPM-7, a memorandum on “Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence.” Here’s one particularly unsettling paragraph:

“(h) The Attorney General shall issue specific guidance that ensures domestic terrorism priorities include politically motivated terrorist acts such as organized doxing campaigns, swatting, rioting, looting, trespass, assault, destruction of property, threats of violence, and civil disorder.”

Civil disorder. That could mean anything the government wants it to mean. Did the Portland Frog really deserve to be pepper-sprayed?

This government attributes a “pattern of violent and terroristic activities under the umbrella of self-described ‘anti-fascism.’” The memorandum ascribes this view to Charlie Kirk’s alleged murderer. These are the domestic terrorists Trump is after: liberals.

Marking the 250th anniversary of the Navy, Trump spoke aboard the USS Harry S. Truman at Naval Station Norfolk on October 5. “We have to take care of this little gnat that’s on our shoulder called the Democrats,” he said.

A partisan assault on Democrat-run cities and a weaponized DOJ

After Los Angeles and Washington DC, we’re now seeing a full-on partisan assault on Chicago and Portland. A federal judge — appointed by Trump — blocked his attempt first to nationalize the Oregon National Guard, and then to bring in troops from other states. Judge Immergut said the President’s description of Portland “burning to the ground” was “untethered by facts.” Trump said that he wasn’t well served by the people that picked judges. They’re not there to serve him!

Trump continues make the DOJ an instrument of personal revenge. After indicting James Comey, the DOJ has brought charges against NY AG Letitia James and is expected to file them soon against John Bolton, his former national security advisor.

Resistance is building, in ways small and large

On October 7, six former US surgeons general appointed by every president since George H.W. Bush (in office 1989-’93) published an opinion in the Washington Post. Their message? That HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s management of that organization is “endangering the health of the nation.”

On October 9, in a signed statement given to Axios, 40 leaders past and present (and mostly Republican) slammed the President for using the “Power of law enforcement” to go after Americans he has a “personal animus” against. Signers include former Republican governors, federal judges and US attorneys, ambassadors and DOJ leaders, congressmen and women, and faith leaders.

Writer and activist Rebecca Solnit takes notes on acts of rebellion:

• George Stephanopoulos cut short an interview with J.D. Vance when the latter wasn’t telling the truth.
• A long list of news organizations — including conservative ones — said they will not sign a Defense Department document about its new press rules.
• At least five airports are refusing to run Kristi Noem’s video blaming the Democrats for the shutdown.
• Pope Leo called on bishops to stand up for migrants rights.
• MAGA sycophant Laura Loomer reacted to a Qatari military base in the US: “THIS IS AN ABOMINATION.”
• Marjorie Taylor Greene revolted over the proposed budget’s drastically increasing health insurance costs for those using the ACA.
• Rep. Eric Swalwell posted that House Republicans say “this Epstein bomb is about to drop and no one wants to defend a pedo-protector. It’s just a matter of time.”

About the Epstein files…

Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-Arizona) won a special election to replace her late father in the House two weeks ago. This makes her the necessary 218th signature on the petition to release those files.

Or it would, except Mike Johnson refuses to swear her in. Says he won’t do it until the House is in session. But members have been sworn in before while the House was on recess, including two Florida Republican reps in April.

He can’t hide forever.