Don't Overcomplicate the Scandal of Trump's Lawless High Seas Attacks

Originally published at: Don’t Overcomplicate the Scandal of Trump’s Lawless High Seas Attacks

What Else Is There to Know, Really? As I was describing yesterday the Trump administration’s emerging line of defense to the unlawful strike on the survivors of the already-unlawful high seas attack, I came perilously close to falling into one of the traps of the Trump era. Unlike political scandals of the past, where the…

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First!

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Not going to be around much today, but just wanted to comment on King Rat’s horrible racist comments about Somalis yesterday.

As I listened to the absolute vitriol pour out of his ignorant mouth while he called an entire community of people “garbage”, I thought that it could not get any worse.

Then I heard the people in the room applaud him at the end.

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I can’t tell you how many times the same thing has happened to me.

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Alcoholics are, by definition, liars.

Pete Hegseth is an alcoholic who drinks.

Donald Trump is an alcoholic who presumably doesn’t drink.

The stories by KegBreath and DJT surrounding the alleged drug smuggling attacks are full of lies.

Ergo…………

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Trump pardons Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar | AP News
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump pardoned Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife in a federal bribery and conspiracy case on Wednesday, citing what he called a “weaponized” justice system.

Trump, who has argued that his own legal troubles were a partisan witch hunt, said on social media without presenting evidence that Cuellar and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, were prosecuted because the congressman had been critical of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.

Trump, a Republican, said in a social media post that Cuellar “bravely spoke out against Open Borders” and accused Biden, a Democrat, of going after the congressman and his wife “simply for speaking the TRUTH.”

Federal authorities had charged Cuellar and his wife with accepting thousands of dollars in exchange for the congressman advancing the interests of an Azerbaijan-controlled energy company and a bank in Mexico. Cuellar is accused of agreeing to influence legislation favorable to Azerbaijan and deliver a pro-Azerbaijan speech on the floor of the U.S. House.

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What’s the over/under on when Trump uses the n-word in public–and is applauded for that?

Because that is coming, unless the devil claims him first.

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Hegseth has bragged about being a mass murderer and and announced his intent to continue murdering.

He’s taunting the world just like other serial killers do.

He needs to be tried for murder in civilian or military court, and he needs to be court-martialed for possible war crimes while he was on active duty.

If he steps foot outside of the United States he needs to be arrested by whatever county and held on charges of crimes against humanity.

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Our country is now being run by people who watched A Few Good Men and thought Jack Nicholson was the hero.

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Chiselin’ Trump, too.

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Off topic:

Terrific analysis, David Kurtz! Thank you for describing the heart of the issue in today’s Morning Memo

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It was the Harkonnen, they’re smuggling spice out of Arakis, er Venezuela.

David is absolutely correct. There are more details, the preemptive pardons for committing war crimes is an admission so we don’t really need to get caught up in asking if there was a criminal act. He’s wrong about it waking up Republicans from their torpor though. They got themselves up to Susan Collins levels of “concern.” That’s all the effort they’ll ever deliver on that front. They know that a significant percentage of their base is in favor of “killin’ the folks what needs it.” They also know that includes them if they object.

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And, from Judge Beryl Howell in DC:


(@cristianfarias.com on Bluesky )

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When I lived in a small town in Kansas, one of its main businesses was a meat packing plant. At one point, they relocated a Somalian community from their Wisconsin branch to work in my town. For a few glorious weeks, the town wasn’t so white and it actually had some Somali restaurants. Locals screamed and hollered about the situation for various reasons, some legit but mostly not. (Legit: the company didn’t pay them enough, so the workers had to rely on community services.) People actually passed around stories about Somali men driving around in vans, forcing white women into the vehicles for lewd purposes. “They’re taking our women” actually came out of the mouth of an African American college student, who would have been subjected to the same slur in times past. It was unbelievably awful.

All this flashed back into my memory when I read yesterday’s news.

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“Tonight is a sign that 2026 is going to be a bitch of an election cycle. Republicans can survive if we play team and the Trump administration officials play smart. Neither is certain.”

“Play team” means to accept the lies despite the contradictory evidence offered by reality, and to vote party over country, again despite the contradictory evidence offered by reality.

The second condition, expecting the Trump administration to play smart, is the stuff of which dreams are made.

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Hi everyone! I’ve been reading TPM since Georgie Porgie and Darth Vader were appointed by the Supremes.

I am not a social media person, at all. So I’ve happily relished the teasing between Hivers and all the intelligent opinions. Never feeling the need to post myself.

Over the years, I’ve enjoyed everything from @castor_troy spy craft to @txlawyer breaking down the legalize to @becca656 goat pics. I follow the exploits of Puppy, love @StevieDee111 gorgeous pets, and still laugh at @darrtown fat cat.

I’ve been worried when some of you have had difficult times. I’ve mourned the loss of Mattinpa and miss @tena.

I don’t imagine I will post that often. But I wanted all of you to know that your comments are encouraging, insightful, and frankly, just fun. THANK YOU!

Lastly, TMFWWNBN will always be Dotard to me too.:smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

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Another disappointing obituary page. This shit has to stop.

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Shithole state :rofl:
BREAKING: California has officially become the Fourth-Largest Economy in the World — surpassing Japan in nominal GDP.

With an economic output of over $4.1 trillion, California’s economy now sits just behind the U.S., China, and Germany when compared globally.

From Silicon Valley’s tech powerhouses to Hollywood’s entertainment industry, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and world-leading agriculture — California continues to shape global innovation and economic growth.

While the ranking is based on nominal GDP (not adjusted for living costs), the milestone highlights just how massive and influential California’s economy truly is.

California isn’t just a state — it’s a global economic force.

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Donnie’s always been hot to meet with Vlad.
Maybe they could have a kinda summit in the Hague?

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Oh do please.

Actually, it’s the perfect metaphor for America under the turnip administration. I guess it breaks down because apparently the raccoon recovered, and aside presumably from a hangover is fine. The jury on the US isn’t out because the raccoon hasn’t finished it’s closing arguments.

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