Frank D. Russo
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Frank D. Russo
@fdrtoday.bsky.social
Attorney, active in politics & public policy half a century starting with JFK & civil rights movement, Ex Publisher California Progress Report & Legal Counsel to Speaker of CA Assembly. Trying to enjoy life in difficult times with music, photography travel
Pinned
I’m a mediator & seek agreement on facts hence my banner at top with another FDR. I also work as an arbitrator where I decide truth amongst “alternative facts.”

With all the news & opinion maybe I should focus more on WHAT SHOULD BE DONE about this “fine mess” we’re in.
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Trump-Licensed Presidential Seal Beer Pong Set & Other Products Appear to Violate Federal Law
Forbes
Commercial use of seal prohibited unless authorized under regulations prescribed by president & published in Federal Register It's a federal crime

Website pays licensing fees to Trump
bit.ly/3LJ1tva
Trump-Licensed Presidential Seal Beer Pong Set Could Violate Federal Law
A site affiliated with Lee Greenwood sells merchandise with the seal—such as a $20 beer pong set with “Presidential themed balls”—and pays licensing fees to a Trump LLC.
bit.ly
November 15, 2025 at 6:28 PM
U.S. Catholic bishops take stand against Trump immigration tactics, winning praise at churches
LA Times

Solidified their support for immigrants — long a vital part of the U.S. Catholic Church that has a history going back to massive immigration sweeps in Los Angeles in the 1980s
bit.ly/47JfxNV
U.S. Catholic bishops take stand against Trump immigration tactics, winning praise at churches
Bishops issued a statement supporting immigrants and opposing mass deportations. It was the first time since 2013 that they had collectively voiced concerns over an issue.
bit.ly
November 15, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Judge Orders Trump Not to Threaten University of California’s Funding
NYT Gift Article

Extraordinary rebuke to Trump's campaign against elite schools ruling could upend settlement talks with university system and beyond

Finds systematic violation of First Amendment to purge ideas
nyti.ms/3M4hU5h
November 15, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I Am a Drug Historian. Trump Is Wrong About Fentanyl in Almost Every Way.
NYT Gift Article

A MUST READ ARTICLE because it debunks the myths Trump spreads about the drug crisis, blame for it, why it appeals to MAGA, history of drugs in US, and why military action will be ineffective

bit.ly/49n5U8W
November 15, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Veteran Georgia Prosecutor Appoints Himself to Oversee Trump Case

Pete Skandalakis tasked by law with finding new prosecutor for the election interference case after Fani Willis was removed

He couldn't find takers & didn't want case dismissed

Note: Trump can't pardon or interfere!
bit.ly/3WY5yhu
November 15, 2025 at 4:31 PM
In the Epstein Saga, Trump Is His Own Worst Enemy
Is this the beginning of the end for Trump and his MAGA base?
NYT Gift Article

A very good discussion between Jamelle Bouie, Michelle Cottle and David French that you can watch, listen to, or read about where we are and likely to go

bit.ly/49hGwkP
November 15, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Trump pulls nominee for top IRS post who drew conservative activist's ire
Politico

No reason for abrupt move given but nominee had been criticized by conservative influencer Laura Loomer who posted he had been "#LOOMERED”

He was cleared by Senate Committee and awaiting floor vote
bit.ly/3JAxTHJ
Trump pulls nominee for top IRS post who drew conservative activist's ire
The president gave no reason for his abrupt move, but the nominee had been criticized by conservative influencer Laura Loomer.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Trump says he’s asking Justice Department to investigate Epstein’s ties to slew of high-profile figures
CNN

Time to appoint a truly neutral, respected Special Prosecutor on the entire Epstein related cases, IF that is possible

"His" DOJ with his former defense attys etc. can't do it
bit.ly/47SkUZW
Trump says he’s asking Justice Department to investigate Epstein’s ties to slew of high-profile figures | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump said Friday he will ask Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to many other high-profile figures, in an extraordinary step that...
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The Dumb Truth at the Heart of the Epstein Scandal
Atlantic gift article

Compares this moment to the nationally televised car chase featuring O. J. Simpson fleeing police in a white Bronco

A skeleton key for understanding the dynamics of Donald Trump’s America

bit.ly/49T7FL2
The Dumb Truth at the Heart of the Epstein Scandal
When QAnon meets Veep
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Trump’s Unpublished National Security Strategy Is Stephen Miller’s Far-Right Dream
Zeteo

The president’s new national-security draft document rants against migration and cultural “erasure” – and endorses far-right political parties abroad

Beware
bit.ly/49kcFIz
Trump’s Unpublished National Security Strategy Is Stephen Miller’s Far-Right Wet Dream
The president’s new national-security draft document rants against migration and cultural “erasure” – and endorses far-right political parties abroad, sources tell Zeteo.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Top Fannie Mae officials ousted after sounding alarm on Pulte sharing confidential mortgage data
AP

Bill Pulte the Trump admin top housing regulator abusing his position and prompting mortgage fraud investigations of prominent Democrats

Ethics watchdogs were investigating him
bit.ly/49DrrKH
Top Fannie Mae officials ousted after sounding alarm on sharing confidential housing data
A confidant of Bill Pulte, the Trump administration’s top housing regulator, provided confidential mortgage pricing data from Fannie Mae to a principal competitor.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 7:26 PM
JD Vance Received Dire Warning About the Groyper Takeover of GOP From a Strange Source
TPM

Groypers are followers of Neo-Nazi live streamer Nick Fuentes, who Trump lunched with at Mar-a-Lago

Told 30 to 40% of Zoomers who work in official Republican Washington are fans of Fuentes
bit.ly/49ljKZo
JD Vance Received a Dire Warning About the Groyper Takeover of the GOP From a Strange Source
The call warning of a dangerous tide of extremism in Donald Trump’s...
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 7:02 PM
WH claims 'inflation tamed,' per DoorDash stats. Company says that's not in its report

It comes the same week we learned the WH would likely not release key economic reports for October

Trump gutted BLS and is gaslighting us with fake facts

bit.ly/47SEi96
WH claims 'inflation tamed,' per DoorDash stats. Company says that's not in its report.
It comes the same week we learned the WH would likely not release key economic reports for October.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 6:48 PM
‘We are guilty of spending our rainy-day fund in sunny weather’: Top economists, historians unite to urge action on $38 trillion national debt
Fortune Magazine

Nonpartisan Peter G. Peterson Foundation analyzes risks and impact on interest, inflation and national security

bit.ly/3JKMArH
'We are guilty of spending our rainy-day fund in sunny weather': Top economists unite to urge action on $38 trillion national debt | Fortune
"The day will come when the boiling water finally kills the frog," an essay published by the Peter G. Petersen Foundation said.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Trump’s FIFA Boss Bestie Is Getting the Kennedy Center for Free to Present Made-Up Peace Prize
The Daily Beast

FIFA President Gianni Infantino cooked up his new award as the MAGA leader was licking his wounds

The story behind the story

Concerts being relocated or postponed
bit.ly/3M11UB2
Trump’s FIFA Boss Bestie Is Getting the Kennedy Center for Free to Present Made-Up Peace Prize
Donald Trump’s soccer pal will use the Kennedy Center free of charge to present a new peace prize cooked up after the MAGA president was snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize, according to The Washington ...
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Former Chief of Staff to Gavin Newsom Charged With Corruption
NYT gift article

Dana Williamson top California Democratic consultant accused of conspiring to skim over $200,000 in campaign funds

FBI & DOJ prosecution but this appears to be real and may have political fallout

Read

bit.ly/4oGVe9X
November 14, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Global companies are still protecting the climate – and investing big money in clean tech
The Conversation

Some good news

Multinational companies have scaled back but many including the world’s largest retailer, Walmart, aren’t. They're just quiet about it to avoid retribution
bit.ly/4iaAiFJ
Global companies are still committing to protect the climate – and they’re investing big money in clean tech
While Trump scraps US climate policies, companies still face pressure from states, other countries and their customers. That pressure trickles down supply chains.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
CBS Cuts Trump Interview: What Viewers Didn't See
The National Circus

Fiery outburst about his family's crypto dealings and $16 million settlement with CBS News cut in recent "60 Minutes." Heavy editing

Trump sues when he doesn't like editing of him, or Kamala

Can we now sue?

No
November 14, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Trump official refers Eric Swalwell for federal criminal probe over alleged mortgage fraud
NBC

Payback for criticism of Trump & role in impeachment

Joins distinguished list of Dems in these concocted cookie cutter cases: Adam Schiff, Fed Reserve Lisa Cook & NY AG Letitia James
bit.ly/3LCvmNI
Trump official refers Rep. Eric Swalwell for a federal criminal probe over alleged mortgage fraud
Swalwell is the latest Democrat to face mortgage fraud allegations from Federal Housing Finance Agency head Bill Pulte, who sent a letter to the Justice Department on Wednesday.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Judge appears skeptical of DOJ arguments for keeping Halligan as prosecutor in Comey and James cases
May dismiss indictments
NBC News

Ruling by Thanksgiving

She also had serious concerns over gaps in transcript of grand jury proceedings in Comey case given to her

A credibility gap
bit.ly/43onKEI
Judge appears skeptical of DOJ arguments for keeping Lindsey Halligan as prosecutor in James Comey and Letitia James cases
Attorneys for Comey and James argued that Halligan is unlawfully serving as acting U.S. attorney and therefore the indictments against the pair should be thrown out.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Democrats eye Trump country for special election surprise win & House pick up
Politico

December 2 election to replace retired Republican draws top Democratic names to district Trump carried by more than 20 points

DNC recruiting volunteers!

Early voting now in Tennessee 7th District
bit.ly/49jqmaK
Democrats eye Trump country for a special election surprise
The upcoming special election to replace retired Rep. Mark Green is bringing top Democratic names to a district Donald Trump carried by more than 20 points.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Democrats more energized for 2026 elections than Republicans, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
Reuters

44% of Democrats "very enthusiastic" about voting in midterms versus 26% of Republicans

79% of Democrats said they would regret it if they didn't vote in the election

Cost is top concern
bit.ly/3M0vM0k
November 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
5 suspiciously good cartoons about the Epstein files
by The Week US

Artists take on the relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein

The Don is notorious for not using email like a crime boss. But the web of people he dealt with surely used plenty of emails to nail him
bit.ly/4oyL1fz
5 editorial cartoons about Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein
Political cartoonists take on the relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 5:41 PM
After Trump Split, Epstein Said He Could ‘Take Him Down’
NYT gift article

Jeffrey Epstein cast himself as a Trump insider and wanted to leverage potentially damaging information about the president and his business dealings, according to emails with associates

bit.ly/4oDMxx1
November 13, 2025 at 5:32 PM
BREAKING: Trump Spent Thanksgiving With Epstein—After He Was Already Elected
TNR

Trump Press Sec’s Spin Implodes as New Info Rattles Him Deeply

In newly released email, Jeffrey Epstein said "Trump" was with him on Thanksgiving 2017

Buried in that batch of thousands of documents
bit.ly/4qZAZ8G
Did Trump Spend Thanksgiving With Epstein After He Was Elected?
In a newly released email, Jeffrey Epstein said “Trump” was with him on Thanksgiving 2017.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 5:19 PM