I'm trying Substack Live for the first time, tonight at 6pm ET -- a huge Q&A with all of YOU, breaking down the news, political chaos, and court battles. This one is open to EVERYONE, so come join!
What happens if judges rule against Trump and he defies their orders including defying SCOTUS if any cases goes that far? What reliable enforcement mechanisms are in place to ensure illegal actions are stopped and anyone attempting to ignore judicial efforts to reign them in are held accountable? Are there any ways left that Trump can be held accountable? If his executive orders are deemed illegal would they fall outside the immune "official duties"?
I'd love to see you promote Professor Timothy Snyder's excellent suggestion of having our Democratic party leaders forming a "shadow cabinet" (as in Britain) in order to have a cohesive body to counter the lies and suggest a way forward.
Impeachment, of course, is out of the question right now because of the cowardly Republicans in Congress. However, is there a way for the courts to be used to stop this regime in its tracks. A good way to start would be by having Musk and his minions arrested and locked up pending trial. Is there any way that the courts could accomplish this and with a degree of urgency?
To add to that list, there are credible reports that there was electronic vote tampering in key states which resulted in the Trump "victory." Is there a mechanism whereby we could have hand-counts of the ballots in the swing states.
Do American citizens have any other means besides FBI and DOJ to investigate, charge, and prosecute crimes committed by the party in power? Something like a "People's Team" or a "Shadow Team"?
As great as it is that courts are granting injunctions and that various entities are filing lawsuits to stop some of the illegal actions, that has not stopped any of the illegal actions. Is there anything that makes you believe that any court orders or legal rulings will stop the unlawful activities? What can be done to ensure that those in charge of enforcing the laws and court rulings actually do anything (especially when the administration is ousting everyone they believe does not put personal loyalty to this president above loyalty to the constitution and the rule of law)?
Question: A lot of people are calling all Democrats in Congress to demand action. Is this really the best way to spend our time? How far can politics as usual take us when Trump is crushing our democratic institutions? And if it’s not the best response, what can we do instead?
Trump and crew need to know executive orders to lead a country illegally like ours is totally unacceptable to millions of us . How else would you suggest we " spend our time" ?. Congress is where the action is - ground zero , so to speak - and they should be backing their constituents and the United States Constitution / Rule of Law .
If we need to light a fire under several of them, so to speak, then that's what is needed.. And ask this question, if they need a fire lit under them, " do they really belong there "?.
If the regular law enforcement or the courts are unable or unwilling because they refuse to protect American citizens - Can an individual citizen make a citizens arrest of Elon Musk? He has control of OUR data and WE did not give him permission to have it and he has NO legal right to have it! (The Supreme Court, led by John Roberts, seem perfectly fine going along with this COUP, and may be helping it, through things like granting Trump immunity and other questionable things they are doing or not doing)
Ask any way. What Musk and his 6 members are doing is ILLEGAL. "DOGE" is an ILLEGAL thing. It has NO LEGAL standing. Musk and these people have NO RIGHT to access our data or that of anyone else. Imagine someone you have no clue who they are coming to your place of work and telling you - I am from "______". I am here to take over your job, eliminate you, take control of your materials, and oh by the way get out and leave. What would you do? Say - sure whatever you want. Or something else........
I completely agree. I cited resisters like Rosa Parks, MLK, etc., and he just kept insulting me. He told me that any federal employee who did that could become a target. Well sure. But you have to sacrifice to protect democracy. BTW, apparently he is a federal employee, FWIW.
If he is who you think he is he might be afraid for his job, like Musk and Trump want him to be. And everyone can do things from where they are it in their life situation. But, who knows...... Just move on and keep up the fight in any way you can......... We need all hands on deck from many and varied directions. You have to be who you are......
Agree. One thing I have found that sometimes works, firmly with resolve - "I am not going to talk to you like that and I will not allow you to speak to me like that." And quit the interaction. (Quite often the phrase "hurt people hurt people" is true. People who are hurting sadly lash out at the very people who could be allies as you say.). Keep up your efforts at turning things around. We need all hands on deck......
Mr. Snell, this is a great development for you. You must as part of this tell people what they can DO. Civic activism includes calling and directly communicating with elected representatives. People will tell you this is a waste of time. This is not correct. Flood the phone lines, break the internet with complaints. Politicians respond to pressure-yes-even Republicans. If they don't respond, then people can publicly post that Congressperson _____________refuses to respond and therefore agrees with Musk, Trump etc. And put the same type of pressure on the media especially LOCAL media and complain that they are failing to cover the story. These are old fashioned tried and true methods that do work especially if thousands (hopefully millions) of people do this. It is the right of every citizen to do this. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Talking to like minded people in everyone's own little group does not do enough.
Calling and emailing are excellent things to do. I would add meeting with Senators / Representatives constituent advocates is an important approach and makes a strong impression upon the members of Congress. If someone is part of a group, such as Indivisible, the is an even more effective way to express concerns..
1- What can we do to recount the 2024 votes asap (i.e. demand this of our secretaries of state, create class action lawsuits, etc?)
2 - Why aren’t local police arresting musk & his minions?
As a former employee in SF’s tech world, what we are seeing is in line with the white male supremacy values that permeate too much of the tech industry. Standing up to these guys is easy because the only goal they have is total dominance. They don’t care about anything else. Their motivation is always very obvious & sad & gross af.
Isn’tElon‘s unfettered access to our personal information A blatant breach of security that is causing, and has already caused immediate irrevocable harm ? Shouldn’t we be at the courthouse today demanding a full stop so that we can make new emergency modifications to and firewalls in our system to prevent information that has already been disseminated from being used against us – – somebody help me out here
Ms Kilgore, Elon Musk's activities in breaching ALL of our data is illegal and unconstitutional and may have caused irrevocable harm. Musk's techies doing the breaches, gathering personal data, such as SSNs, DOBs, monthly payment amounts, our banks' routing and transit numbers do not have security clearances. DOGE is not a real department of government because it has not been created by an act of Congress. Also, if it is created by Congress, it must have equal representation by equal numbers of opposing parties and beliefs. DOGE is not official, it is a one man wrecking crew trying to create chaos and fear. Remember, the wealthiest man in our America receives more government subsidies and payments than any other business. WE are subsidizing Elon Musk, the wealthiest person in our country, and he and his businesses paid NO income tax last year. This is the reason for the chaos: to steal our Entitlements and hide the amount of subsidies he receives, while paying no income tax, corporate or personal.
In the 1990s, Ecuador had a president whose name was Abdalá Bucaram, also know as El Loco, whose presidency only lasted a few months. After even his followers realized that he was not 'haha loco' but rather, 'WTF loco", he was removed from power, escorted to the airport, and sent into exile. Is that something that we can do in this country, or are we going to have to get used to repeatedly saying "The United States isn't able to do what developing countries are able to do"?
I am extremely worried about Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. What can we do to save these programs? Musk has no business interfering with these programs! What can we do to stop Musk and his cohorts in crime?
Hi Tristan, I don't have a computer, just a phone, which is why I don't participate in live events or podcasts. It is too difficult to see and hear. When I have a computer, I will be eager to listen and pose a question or two. You are doing a good job at summarizing salient points and updating that information regularly. Thank you. For all that you are and all that you do.
Can someone please arrest Musk and his teenage fanboys? Fast.
What happens if judges rule against Trump and he defies their orders including defying SCOTUS if any cases goes that far? What reliable enforcement mechanisms are in place to ensure illegal actions are stopped and anyone attempting to ignore judicial efforts to reign them in are held accountable? Are there any ways left that Trump can be held accountable? If his executive orders are deemed illegal would they fall outside the immune "official duties"?
That is exactly my question too.
Dear Tristan,
I'd love to see you promote Professor Timothy Snyder's excellent suggestion of having our Democratic party leaders forming a "shadow cabinet" (as in Britain) in order to have a cohesive body to counter the lies and suggest a way forward.
Impeachment, of course, is out of the question right now because of the cowardly Republicans in Congress. However, is there a way for the courts to be used to stop this regime in its tracks. A good way to start would be by having Musk and his minions arrested and locked up pending trial. Is there any way that the courts could accomplish this and with a degree of urgency?
To add to that list, there are credible reports that there was electronic vote tampering in key states which resulted in the Trump "victory." Is there a mechanism whereby we could have hand-counts of the ballots in the swing states.
Can we as the public file a Class action lawsuit against Elon, Bessent and all the people that helped Elon illegally take our information?
Hi, A Rob, I would like to know that, too.
Do American citizens have any other means besides FBI and DOJ to investigate, charge, and prosecute crimes committed by the party in power? Something like a "People's Team" or a "Shadow Team"?
As great as it is that courts are granting injunctions and that various entities are filing lawsuits to stop some of the illegal actions, that has not stopped any of the illegal actions. Is there anything that makes you believe that any court orders or legal rulings will stop the unlawful activities? What can be done to ensure that those in charge of enforcing the laws and court rulings actually do anything (especially when the administration is ousting everyone they believe does not put personal loyalty to this president above loyalty to the constitution and the rule of law)?
Question: A lot of people are calling all Democrats in Congress to demand action. Is this really the best way to spend our time? How far can politics as usual take us when Trump is crushing our democratic institutions? And if it’s not the best response, what can we do instead?
Trump and crew need to know executive orders to lead a country illegally like ours is totally unacceptable to millions of us . How else would you suggest we " spend our time" ?. Congress is where the action is - ground zero , so to speak - and they should be backing their constituents and the United States Constitution / Rule of Law .
If we need to light a fire under several of them, so to speak, then that's what is needed.. And ask this question, if they need a fire lit under them, " do they really belong there "?.
Will there be a recording available for those that cannot attend tonight please?
If the regular law enforcement or the courts are unable or unwilling because they refuse to protect American citizens - Can an individual citizen make a citizens arrest of Elon Musk? He has control of OUR data and WE did not give him permission to have it and he has NO legal right to have it! (The Supreme Court, led by John Roberts, seem perfectly fine going along with this COUP, and may be helping it, through things like granting Trump immunity and other questionable things they are doing or not doing)
I suggested that on another Substack yesterday and some guy called me stupid. He claimed you can't do that for a federal crime. Then he blocked me.
Ask any way. What Musk and his 6 members are doing is ILLEGAL. "DOGE" is an ILLEGAL thing. It has NO LEGAL standing. Musk and these people have NO RIGHT to access our data or that of anyone else. Imagine someone you have no clue who they are coming to your place of work and telling you - I am from "______". I am here to take over your job, eliminate you, take control of your materials, and oh by the way get out and leave. What would you do? Say - sure whatever you want. Or something else........
I completely agree. I cited resisters like Rosa Parks, MLK, etc., and he just kept insulting me. He told me that any federal employee who did that could become a target. Well sure. But you have to sacrifice to protect democracy. BTW, apparently he is a federal employee, FWIW.
If he is who you think he is he might be afraid for his job, like Musk and Trump want him to be. And everyone can do things from where they are it in their life situation. But, who knows...... Just move on and keep up the fight in any way you can......... We need all hands on deck from many and varied directions. You have to be who you are......
I understand being afraid but that doesn't excuse being hostile toward potential allies. Which isn't your problem. You obviously get it.
Agree. One thing I have found that sometimes works, firmly with resolve - "I am not going to talk to you like that and I will not allow you to speak to me like that." And quit the interaction. (Quite often the phrase "hurt people hurt people" is true. People who are hurting sadly lash out at the very people who could be allies as you say.). Keep up your efforts at turning things around. We need all hands on deck......
Tell us some tangible things the people can do to make a difference, besides just talking about the chaos. Thanks.
Mr. Snell, this is a great development for you. You must as part of this tell people what they can DO. Civic activism includes calling and directly communicating with elected representatives. People will tell you this is a waste of time. This is not correct. Flood the phone lines, break the internet with complaints. Politicians respond to pressure-yes-even Republicans. If they don't respond, then people can publicly post that Congressperson _____________refuses to respond and therefore agrees with Musk, Trump etc. And put the same type of pressure on the media especially LOCAL media and complain that they are failing to cover the story. These are old fashioned tried and true methods that do work especially if thousands (hopefully millions) of people do this. It is the right of every citizen to do this. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Talking to like minded people in everyone's own little group does not do enough.
Calling and emailing are excellent things to do. I would add meeting with Senators / Representatives constituent advocates is an important approach and makes a strong impression upon the members of Congress. If someone is part of a group, such as Indivisible, the is an even more effective way to express concerns..
1- What can we do to recount the 2024 votes asap (i.e. demand this of our secretaries of state, create class action lawsuits, etc?)
2 - Why aren’t local police arresting musk & his minions?
As a former employee in SF’s tech world, what we are seeing is in line with the white male supremacy values that permeate too much of the tech industry. Standing up to these guys is easy because the only goal they have is total dominance. They don’t care about anything else. Their motivation is always very obvious & sad & gross af.
Isn’tElon‘s unfettered access to our personal information A blatant breach of security that is causing, and has already caused immediate irrevocable harm ? Shouldn’t we be at the courthouse today demanding a full stop so that we can make new emergency modifications to and firewalls in our system to prevent information that has already been disseminated from being used against us – – somebody help me out here
Ms Kilgore, Elon Musk's activities in breaching ALL of our data is illegal and unconstitutional and may have caused irrevocable harm. Musk's techies doing the breaches, gathering personal data, such as SSNs, DOBs, monthly payment amounts, our banks' routing and transit numbers do not have security clearances. DOGE is not a real department of government because it has not been created by an act of Congress. Also, if it is created by Congress, it must have equal representation by equal numbers of opposing parties and beliefs. DOGE is not official, it is a one man wrecking crew trying to create chaos and fear. Remember, the wealthiest man in our America receives more government subsidies and payments than any other business. WE are subsidizing Elon Musk, the wealthiest person in our country, and he and his businesses paid NO income tax last year. This is the reason for the chaos: to steal our Entitlements and hide the amount of subsidies he receives, while paying no income tax, corporate or personal.
In the 1990s, Ecuador had a president whose name was Abdalá Bucaram, also know as El Loco, whose presidency only lasted a few months. After even his followers realized that he was not 'haha loco' but rather, 'WTF loco", he was removed from power, escorted to the airport, and sent into exile. Is that something that we can do in this country, or are we going to have to get used to repeatedly saying "The United States isn't able to do what developing countries are able to do"?
I am extremely worried about Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. What can we do to save these programs? Musk has no business interfering with these programs! What can we do to stop Musk and his cohorts in crime?
Hi Tristan, I don't have a computer, just a phone, which is why I don't participate in live events or podcasts. It is too difficult to see and hear. When I have a computer, I will be eager to listen and pose a question or two. You are doing a good job at summarizing salient points and updating that information regularly. Thank you. For all that you are and all that you do.