@trelar27.bsky.social
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Is the Constitution just a suggestion? I’m live tonight with AJ Jacobs to talk about why Republicans seem to hate everything that makes America America.
Habeas Corpus, Due Process, the right to own a Musket oh my…
@mayaonstage.bsky.social welcomes Bestselling author and journalist AJ Jacobs on Punching up today at 5pm ET
Watch: open.substack.com/live-stream/...
@mayaonstage.bsky.social welcomes Bestselling author and journalist AJ Jacobs on Punching up today at 5pm ET
Watch: open.substack.com/live-stream/...
May 21, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Is the Constitution just a suggestion? I’m live tonight with AJ Jacobs to talk about why Republicans seem to hate everything that makes America America.
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Just a reminder for any member of Congress who seems to have forgotten...
May 14, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Just a reminder for any member of Congress who seems to have forgotten...
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This week, Trump has escalated the weaponization of his Justice Department to a disturbing new level with new charges against a Democratic member of Congress. And when it comes to the Trump administration's abject cruelty, it's worth digging into the motives at the heart of it. Read more here.
This Week In The Big Picture
With Donald Trump and his MAGA faithful, every accusation is a confession.
thinkbigpicture.substack.com
May 21, 2025 at 7:14 PM
This week, Trump has escalated the weaponization of his Justice Department to a disturbing new level with new charges against a Democratic member of Congress. And when it comes to the Trump administration's abject cruelty, it's worth digging into the motives at the heart of it. Read more here.
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Also: In March, Musk’s personal lawyers said in a court filing that he’s “in charge of Establishing and Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency..”
They then linked to the executive order creating the U.S. DOGE Service, which the SG now says Musk is “not part of.”
They then linked to the executive order creating the U.S. DOGE Service, which the SG now says Musk is “not part of.”
![Corp.'s highest ranking official first-before they depose any lower-level employees, and before submitting interrogatories to Musk. They clearly have not exhausted other, less intrusive means of discovery.3 And again, simply using the 9 hours of Musk deposition testimony they already have access to is clearly less intrusive than ordering another deposition. See Reif, 248 F.R.D. at 452 (citing case denying deposition where plaintiff already had copy of "prepared statement" from the apex witness).
And the presumed undue burden from a deposition is heightened because Musk is not only X Corp.'s (and other companies) highest executive, but he is a high-ranking government official. Cf.
Apple v. Samsung, 282 F.R.
259, 263 (N.D. Cal. 2012) (weighing "a person's degree of 'apex-ness'
in relation to these factors"). The White House has designated Musk a "special government employee" in charge of Establishing and Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency ("DOGE"). 90 FR 8441, https://tinyurl.com/26vey9vr Such "high level government officials [must be] permitted to perform their official tasks without disr lion" by depositions, given their "greater duties and time constraints than other witnesses." Johnson v. Atty Gen. of N.J., 2015 WL 4915611, at *3 (D.N.J. 2015). This rule raises Plaintiffs' bar under the apex doctrine, which they clearly have not met.
C. There is palpable risk of harassment here. Plaintiffs have not satisfied either requirement necessary to justify an apex deposition. Both requirements ultimately serve to deter depositions that would harass or unjustifiably burden executives and government officials. See, e.g., In re Transpac. Passenger, 2014 WL 939287, at *5 (N.D. Cal. 2014). All available evidence suggests that Plaintiffs seek to depose Musk for an improper purpose, which the Court should not indulge.
At the meet and confer, Plaintiffs' counsel would not agree to limit the topics of the deposition, no matter whether information is av…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:t4x2ruk2qmob2b2cx55h4v7r/bafkreifqzrykkdd6elb6rjujn5gl4b22lipxln6rx66v76p2actbaqxr5m@jpeg)
May 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Also: In March, Musk’s personal lawyers said in a court filing that he’s “in charge of Establishing and Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency..”
They then linked to the executive order creating the U.S. DOGE Service, which the SG now says Musk is “not part of.”
They then linked to the executive order creating the U.S. DOGE Service, which the SG now says Musk is “not part of.”
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ST. LOUIS wants federal help after a storm — meanwhile Mississippi has been waiting months. As Trump “overhauls” (cuts/tries to privatize) FEMA.
Predictable consequences of electing people who don’t believe in government helping people who aren’t them.
abcnews.go.com/Business/wir...
Predictable consequences of electing people who don’t believe in government helping people who aren’t them.
abcnews.go.com/Business/wir...
May 21, 2025 at 2:14 AM
ST. LOUIS wants federal help after a storm — meanwhile Mississippi has been waiting months. As Trump “overhauls” (cuts/tries to privatize) FEMA.
Predictable consequences of electing people who don’t believe in government helping people who aren’t them.
abcnews.go.com/Business/wir...
Predictable consequences of electing people who don’t believe in government helping people who aren’t them.
abcnews.go.com/Business/wir...
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This story is important because even after Signalgate, Trump officials continued to use Telemessage, an app that they had been informed was compromised by hackers.
I’m starting to believe these are not the best and brightest.
www.yahoo.com/news/exclusi...
I’m starting to believe these are not the best and brightest.
www.yahoo.com/news/exclusi...
Exclusive-Hacker who breached communications app used by Trump aide stole data from across US government
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A hacker who breached the communications service used by former Trump national security adviser Mike Waltz earlier this month intercepted messages from a broader swathe of Americ...
www.yahoo.com
May 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM
This story is important because even after Signalgate, Trump officials continued to use Telemessage, an app that they had been informed was compromised by hackers.
I’m starting to believe these are not the best and brightest.
www.yahoo.com/news/exclusi...
I’m starting to believe these are not the best and brightest.
www.yahoo.com/news/exclusi...
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The absolute disgrace taking place today in front of cameras in the White House is yet another reminder that for all the talk of Joe Biden's failures, the people who failed America the most are our citizens. Empowering this guy (again) was a foreseeable disaster we'll be lucky to survive.
May 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The absolute disgrace taking place today in front of cameras in the White House is yet another reminder that for all the talk of Joe Biden's failures, the people who failed America the most are our citizens. Empowering this guy (again) was a foreseeable disaster we'll be lucky to survive.
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Jeffries: There are three big issues with the bill
1. It represents the largest cut to healthcare in American history.
2. It represents the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history.
3. All of this is being done to enact the largest tax break for billionaires in American history.
1. It represents the largest cut to healthcare in American history.
2. It represents the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history.
3. All of this is being done to enact the largest tax break for billionaires in American history.
May 21, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Jeffries: There are three big issues with the bill
1. It represents the largest cut to healthcare in American history.
2. It represents the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history.
3. All of this is being done to enact the largest tax break for billionaires in American history.
1. It represents the largest cut to healthcare in American history.
2. It represents the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history.
3. All of this is being done to enact the largest tax break for billionaires in American history.
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This is illogical. And anti-science.
May 21, 2025 at 6:18 PM
This is illogical. And anti-science.
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"I really think we're helped a lot by the tariff situation that's going on, which is a good situation, not a bad. It's great."
April 9, 2025 at 12:45 AM
"I really think we're helped a lot by the tariff situation that's going on, which is a good situation, not a bad. It's great."
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More in No, Other People:
New poll:
“America would be better off if more people worked in manufacturing.”
• 80% of Americans agree
• 20% disagree
“I would be better off if I worked in a factory.”
• 25% of Americans agree
• 73% disagree
• 2% currently work in a factory
New poll:
“America would be better off if more people worked in manufacturing.”
• 80% of Americans agree
• 20% disagree
“I would be better off if I worked in a factory.”
• 25% of Americans agree
• 73% disagree
• 2% currently work in a factory
April 13, 2025 at 5:06 PM
More in No, Other People:
New poll:
“America would be better off if more people worked in manufacturing.”
• 80% of Americans agree
• 20% disagree
“I would be better off if I worked in a factory.”
• 25% of Americans agree
• 73% disagree
• 2% currently work in a factory
New poll:
“America would be better off if more people worked in manufacturing.”
• 80% of Americans agree
• 20% disagree
“I would be better off if I worked in a factory.”
• 25% of Americans agree
• 73% disagree
• 2% currently work in a factory
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Warren: Whenever there’s a crisis anywhere in the world—terrible things happen—and investors, you know what they do? Investors go to the United States government treasuries, because damn, it just doesn’t get any safer than that.
Except with Donald Trump as president.
Except with Donald Trump as president.
April 13, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Warren: Whenever there’s a crisis anywhere in the world—terrible things happen—and investors, you know what they do? Investors go to the United States government treasuries, because damn, it just doesn’t get any safer than that.
Except with Donald Trump as president.
Except with Donald Trump as president.
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Bring back Kilmar Abrego García... NOW.
🧵(1 of 6)
🧵(1 of 6)
The Constitutional crisis all Americans fear is here. A battle between the executive and judicial branches is underway.
The Trump regime defiantly refused to meet another court-issued deadline in the case of Kilmar Abrego García.
Dismissed was a federal judge’s deadline to disclose steps…
The Trump regime defiantly refused to meet another court-issued deadline in the case of Kilmar Abrego García.
Dismissed was a federal judge’s deadline to disclose steps…
April 13, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Bring back Kilmar Abrego García... NOW.
🧵(1 of 6)
🧵(1 of 6)
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Would men need to provide a marriage certificate to vote? No? Just women? Got it.
Legal experts say states could help married women who have changed their last names by accepting documents like a legal decree or a marriage certificate, but it might not fix the issue for all.
Will the SAVE Act make it harder for married women to vote? We ask legal experts
Legal experts say states could help married women who have changed their last names by accepting documents like a legal decree or a marriage certificate, but it might not fix the issue for all.
www.npr.org
April 13, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Would men need to provide a marriage certificate to vote? No? Just women? Got it.
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Elon is upset that the public is staying informed. So many threats from him lately. We are public servants, not Elon servants.
March 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Elon is upset that the public is staying informed. So many threats from him lately. We are public servants, not Elon servants.
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I hear people are calling his cars “Deplorians” these days.
March 22, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I hear people are calling his cars “Deplorians” these days.
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This is why the current admin quietly rebranded DEI. We insisted they spell it out: Diversity. Equity. Inclusion—which reveals they're attacking everything America stands for, so they've pivoted to calling it “Discriminatory Equity Ideology” to paint themselves as victims. How do we fight this?👇🏾
Pete Buttigieg breaks down DEI for everyday folks…
“The opposite of diversity is uniformity. The opposite of equity is inequity. The opposite of inclusion is exclusion.” @petebuttigieg.bsky.social
Our problem: too many value uniformity over inclusion and they’re the ones running the government.
🧵
“The opposite of diversity is uniformity. The opposite of equity is inequity. The opposite of inclusion is exclusion.” @petebuttigieg.bsky.social
Our problem: too many value uniformity over inclusion and they’re the ones running the government.
🧵
March 22, 2025 at 5:30 PM
This is why the current admin quietly rebranded DEI. We insisted they spell it out: Diversity. Equity. Inclusion—which reveals they're attacking everything America stands for, so they've pivoted to calling it “Discriminatory Equity Ideology” to paint themselves as victims. How do we fight this?👇🏾
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#WITAOD @annabower.bsky.social Musks lawyer has said in a court filing that he’s in charge of DOGE 👀
Hey there @jerald.bsky.social @joshuaerlich.bsky.social this may be of interest to you.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
March 22, 2025 at 5:48 PM
#WITAOD @annabower.bsky.social Musks lawyer has said in a court filing that he’s in charge of DOGE 👀
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Trump has already been enjoined by courts in his second term more than Biden was in his entire term. It’s not the courts. It’s the illegality.
March 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Trump has already been enjoined by courts in his second term more than Biden was in his entire term. It’s not the courts. It’s the illegality.
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lawyers were key players in limiting the first trump administration and safeguarding the 2020 election, which is why they’re under attack now. this is why the capitulation by paul weiss was so dangerous to all of us, even non-lawyers. the entire profession has to stand against this now.
I don’t see how, unless our entire profession stands shoulder-to-shoulder in unity, we successfully push back against this effort to break our profession and our democracy.
Cowering & compromising won’t work. He is attacking us for the success of our work.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Cowering & compromising won’t work. He is attacking us for the success of our work.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court
MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY SUBJECT: Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court Lawyers
www.whitehouse.gov
March 22, 2025 at 6:42 PM
lawyers were key players in limiting the first trump administration and safeguarding the 2020 election, which is why they’re under attack now. this is why the capitulation by paul weiss was so dangerous to all of us, even non-lawyers. the entire profession has to stand against this now.
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Some democrats are speaking up fighting for us. So when people say democrats aren't doing anything, that's not entirely true.
Get ready for another Jasmine Crockett truth rocket.🚀
@repjasmine.bsky.social
Unlike Elon’s, her rockets never fail to launch, but they will explode in your face if you are lying.
Watch her obliterate “the tech guy” and his BS DOGE audits.
She is the embodiment of what need all our Dems to be!🔥
@repjasmine.bsky.social
Unlike Elon’s, her rockets never fail to launch, but they will explode in your face if you are lying.
Watch her obliterate “the tech guy” and his BS DOGE audits.
She is the embodiment of what need all our Dems to be!🔥
March 22, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Some democrats are speaking up fighting for us. So when people say democrats aren't doing anything, that's not entirely true.
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Weingarten: If you think this is unprecedented. You’re not crazy. It is. It is. We have never faced the kind of assault on people that has happened in the last 60 plus days.
March 22, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Weingarten: If you think this is unprecedented. You’re not crazy. It is. It is. We have never faced the kind of assault on people that has happened in the last 60 plus days.
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When you think of it as an equation…
Education + Empathy = People who resist fascism.
…it’s easy to see why Republicans attack both.
I don’t know how we get there, but a democratic future requires us to (re)build a culture that incentivizes both.
Education + Empathy = People who resist fascism.
…it’s easy to see why Republicans attack both.
I don’t know how we get there, but a democratic future requires us to (re)build a culture that incentivizes both.
March 12, 2025 at 12:22 AM
When you think of it as an equation…
Education + Empathy = People who resist fascism.
…it’s easy to see why Republicans attack both.
I don’t know how we get there, but a democratic future requires us to (re)build a culture that incentivizes both.
Education + Empathy = People who resist fascism.
…it’s easy to see why Republicans attack both.
I don’t know how we get there, but a democratic future requires us to (re)build a culture that incentivizes both.
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Someone tell Fetterman that the Dems are in the minority and are incapable of shutting down the government. Thanks.
The weeks of performative “resistance” from those in my party were limited to undignified antics.
Voting to shut the government down will punish millions or risk a recession.
I disagree with many points in the CR, but I will never vote to shut our government down.
Voting to shut the government down will punish millions or risk a recession.
I disagree with many points in the CR, but I will never vote to shut our government down.
March 12, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Someone tell Fetterman that the Dems are in the minority and are incapable of shutting down the government. Thanks.