Trump Presidency

[makemoreturns]

Wow. That’s my first time seeing that. How many times have you looked at it?

[XtremeJibber2001]

But politics wasn’t a thing until T-rump, right?

No, but Trump has negatively influenced US social mores to an extent greater than any other POTUS since Andrew Jackson (maybe ever).

Clueless again. Recall Biden needing to pardon his family going ten years back, the topless tranny at the WH, the gay boys having sex in the house chambers, cocaine found at the WH, Biden sniffing little kids, trannies in the military and his admin, celebrating day of trans visibility on Easter, etc.

Then you have his disaster son Hunter. A total embarrassment and laughing stock of the world.

But, but TRUMP!

Are you saying Biden had more influence over social mores than Trump?

[asher2789]

Hunter Biden Derangement Syndrome

5c3o7u.jpg

i think it says way more about you that youre posting a near naked man with his junk outlined by his tighty whiteys and obsessing over trans people and gay men. just put a dick in your mouth and get it over with already. youre obviously subconsciously curious about it, go figure it out. have a taste. maybe it wont be your thing, its not mine, i get it. lifes too short to be this repressed.

[easyrider16]

I agree, Asher. The way these MAGA folks focus so much attention on transgender and gay people really does speak to some level of repressed sexual frustration.

[XtremeJibber2001]

Hegseth is in the position he's in for a reason and I've yet to hear one that makes sense. Trump has everything to gain and little to lose by giving this a go.

Sure but this is where the competence problem comes in. If you want to control the U.S. military, you've got to do more than just replace the SecDef. You need to replace officers all up and down the line, probably down to the battalion level. Or you could do what some totalitarian regimes do and create a political officer corps so each commander down to battalion level gets an enforcer who makes sure orders are followed. This would take a lot of time and effort. This administration? I doubt they have the patience or the capacity to do this.

Anything can happen. But if you look at the history of despots that have seized power, they are usually highly capable people that earned the respect of the people who do the grunt work for them. Trump doesn't have this. He never has.

Officers like these? I wonder what 'president wanting the right people around him' means?

Assume the generals that make the cut will make changes at Colonel, Major, Captain, etc. Just like we saw done at some of our other gov't insitutions.

Hegseth directs active duty military to cut 20% of its four-star general officers
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/heg ... l-officers

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday directed the active duty military to shed 20% of its four-star general officers as the Trump administration moves forward with deep cuts that it says will promote efficiency but that critics worry could result in a more politicized force.

Hegseth also told the National Guard to shed 20% of its top positions and directed the military to cut an additional 10% of its general and flag officers across the force, which could include any one-star or above or officer of equivalent Navy rank.

The cuts are on top of more than a half-dozen top general officers that President Donald Trump or Hegseth have fired since January, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. CQ Brown Jr. They also have fired the only two women serving as four-star officers, as well as a disproportionate number of other senior female officers.

In the earlier rounds of firing, Hegseth said the eliminations were “a reflection of the president wanting the right people around him to execute the national security approach we want to take.”

[easyrider16]

Yeah, that's concerning, but the real question is who's left? Are they people who will support Trump? I doubt you'll find many in the current ranks that would support Trump in a dictatorship. Keep in mind, the Senate has to approve the appointment of all new flag officers, so it's not like they can just wholesale replace leadership without oversight.

I also read some criticism of this, that reducing 20% of four star officers amounts to like 8 people since there are only 38 of those. As for the 10% cuts to flag officers, it depends on how those cuts are made. Is Hegseth directing them? Or, as the article is written, is he directing the military to do it? Who is actually choosing which officers get to stay?

Do you really think just eliminating 10% of flag officers will turn the military into a force that would support Trump in a dictatorship? I don't see it. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, I'm saying it isn't terribly likely to happen with Trump and Hegseth because they aren't well respected among the ranks, nor do I think they're competent enough to put the right people into the right places to make it work.

[XtremeJibber2001]

I doubt you'll find many in the current ranks that would support Trump in a dictatorship.

The overwhelming majority of military members, past and present, voted for Trump. A man that incited insurrection in the storming of the US Capitol in an attempt to overthrow the US gov't. If they voted for him after January 6, what basis do you argue they wouldn't support him under a dictatorship?

Keep in mind, the Senate has to approve the appointment of all new flag officers, so it's not like they can just wholesale replace leadership without oversight.

They had to approve RFK and Hegseth, too.

I also read some criticism of this, that reducing 20% of four star officers amounts to like 8 people since there are only 38 of those. As for the 10% cuts to flag officers, it depends on how those cuts are made. Is Hegseth directing them? Or, as the article is written, is he directing the military to do it? Who is actually choosing which officers get to stay?

I assume we'll never know. From Hegseth's book, one might assume anyone exhibiting left leaning views would be replaced.

Do you really think just eliminating 10% of flag officers will turn the military into a force that would support Trump in a dictatorship? I don't see it. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, I'm saying it isn't terribly likely to happen with Trump and Hegseth because they aren't well respected among the ranks, nor do I think they're competent enough to put the right people into the right places to make it work.

No, probably not. The purge of JAG officers was ~3 months ago. I doubt this is the end of the changes. While Trump and Hegseth may not be competent enough, folks in their orbit probably are.

Midterms are just 18 months away, but I don't see the Democrats having any leverage over what's happening afterwards. They will most likely take the House, but most of what's been going on hasn't gone through congress. I can't even name a notable bill Trump has signed.

I don't think the Democrats have any leverage. Impeaching Trump again will just make them appear as obstructionists. They will not win the Senate and, even if they did, I don't see a scenario where they convict Trump.

Democrats are damned if they do, damned if they don't. They made this bed.

[asher2789]

Yeah, that's concerning, but the real question is who's left? Are they people who will support Trump? I doubt you'll find many in the current ranks that would support Trump in a dictatorship. Keep in mind, the Senate has to approve the appointment of all new flag officers, so it's not like they can just wholesale replace leadership without oversight.

I also read some criticism of this, that reducing 20% of four star officers amounts to like 8 people since there are only 38 of those. As for the 10% cuts to flag officers, it depends on how those cuts are made. Is Hegseth directing them? Or, as the article is written, is he directing the military to do it? Who is actually choosing which officers get to stay?

Do you really think just eliminating 10% of flag officers will turn the military into a force that would support Trump in a dictatorship? I don't see it. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, I'm saying it isn't terribly likely to happen with Trump and Hegseth because they aren't well respected among the ranks, nor do I think they're competent enough to put the right people into the right places to make it work.

i wrote this elsewhere but ill link to it again, one of the first things trump did upon taking office a second time was getting rid of most of the JAG officers. theyre the people who tell the military "hey dont do that its illegal". hes getting rid of every roadblock in his way to establishing a fascist dictatorship. the trump admin is behaving like there wont be free and fair midterms or another presidential election again.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/202 ... neral.html

https://archive.is/0kimQ

[asher2789]

I doubt you'll find many in the current ranks that would support Trump in a dictatorship.

The overwhelming majority of military members, past and present, voted for Trump. A man that incited insurrection in the storming of the US Capitol in an attempt to overthrow the US gov't. If they voted for him after January 6, what basis do you argue they wouldn't support him under a dictatorship?

Keep in mind, the Senate has to approve the appointment of all new flag officers, so it's not like they can just wholesale replace leadership without oversight.

They had to approve RFK and Hegseth, too.

I also read some criticism of this, that reducing 20% of four star officers amounts to like 8 people since there are only 38 of those. As for the 10% cuts to flag officers, it depends on how those cuts are made. Is Hegseth directing them? Or, as the article is written, is he directing the military to do it? Who is actually choosing which officers get to stay?

I assume we'll never know. From Hegseth's book, one might assume anyone exhibiting left leaning views would be replaced.

Do you really think just eliminating 10% of flag officers will turn the military into a force that would support Trump in a dictatorship? I don't see it. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, I'm saying it isn't terribly likely to happen with Trump and Hegseth because they aren't well respected among the ranks, nor do I think they're competent enough to put the right people into the right places to make it work.

No, probably not. The purge of JAG officers was ~3 months ago. I doubt this is the end of the changes. While Trump and Hegseth may not be competent enough, folks in their orbit probably are.

Midterms are just 18 months away, but I don't see the Democrats having any leverage over what's happening afterwards. They will most likely take the House, but most of what's been going on hasn't gone through congress. I can't even name a notable bill Trump has signed.

I don't think the Democrats have any leverage. Impeaching Trump again will just make them appear as obstructionists. They will not win the Senate and, even if they did, I don't see a scenario where they convict Trump.

Democrats are damned if they do, damned if they don't. They made this bed.

you cant name a bill because trump is ruling by executive action decree like a king. he needs to be reminded this is a republic.

the democrats voted for RFK and hesgeth. the democrats are spineless, corrupt, feckless cowards who are absolutely complicit in the rise of fascism. all because it was her turn! had they not f*** over bernie in 2016 and 2020 we would not be having this conversation. they rather capitulate to fascists than dare to allow a social democrat who believes in milquetoast reforms like medicare for all from getting anywhere near the presidency. whatever their corporate donors and israel want, they get.

[XtremeJibber2001]

the democrats voted for RFK and hesgeth.

They did? I thought it went down party lines?

[easyrider16]

The overwhelming majority of military members, past and present, voted for Trump. A man that incited insurrection in the storming of the US Capitol in an attempt to overthrow the US gov't. If they voted for him after January 6, what basis do you argue they wouldn't support him under a dictatorship?

Based on all the military folks that worked in his administration last time and called him out, and all the relationships I have with officers of various stripes in the military, and from what I know and have read about high-ranking military members, I just don't see them supporting a guy like Trump in overthrowing the Constitution. I'm also fairly skeptical of the data you're referring to - I highly doubt a majority of flag officers voted for Trump, but I also don't think that's data we will ever be privy to.

But I hear what you're saying and I think we should keep a close eye. I agree that if they continue to screw with things it could be a really bad sign. But I think the panic is premature. Again, I've been saying this - calling him a fascist and a threat to democracy lost Democrats the election last time. Most people didn't buy it. I think there's some wisdom in the crowd.

[asher2789]

the democrats voted for RFK and hesgeth.

They did? I thought it went down party lines?

sorry, i stand corrected. not exactly down party lines, some republicans and the independents voted no. but of the overall cabinet a bunch of questionable picks got voted yes by dems.

https://ballotpedia.org/How_senators_vo ... nees,_2025

[asher2789]

The overwhelming majority of military members, past and present, voted for Trump. A man that incited insurrection in the storming of the US Capitol in an attempt to overthrow the US gov't. If they voted for him after January 6, what basis do you argue they wouldn't support him under a dictatorship?

Based on all the military folks that worked in his administration last time and called him out, and all the relationships I have with officers of various stripes in the military, and from what I know and have read about high-ranking military members, I just don't see them supporting a guy like Trump in overthrowing the Constitution. I'm also fairly skeptical of the data you're referring to - I highly doubt a majority of flag officers voted for Trump, but I also don't think that's data we will ever be privy to.

But I hear what you're saying and I think we should keep a close eye. I agree that if they continue to screw with things it could be a really bad sign. But I think the panic is premature. Again, I've been saying this - calling him a fascist and a threat to democracy lost Democrats the election last time. Most people didn't buy it. I think there's some wisdom in the crowd.

i think they are frogs in boiling water. youve got people disappeared to forever prison in el salvador (and soon libya! make penal colonies great again!) on flimsy charges and zero due process, youve got a tech coup de etat where they are illegally privatizing the federal government and contracting the work out to shady as hell tech companies that are going to create a single system with all your sensitive data, which would make the USSR blush to have such a dossier on everyone; youve got trump firing most of the people high up in the military that would stop him from ordering troops against his domestic enemies, or foreign ones for that matter. he let all his j6 paramilitary goons out of prison. oh and trumps ignoring the courts, he even managed to get a unanimous SCOTUS decision against him in such a divided court. as we are learning, laws are meaningless without enforcement. when trump gets court martialed for defying court orders thats when ill believe we actually have the power to turn this ship around. he literally says he doesnt know if he has to defend the constitution.... that he swore to defend upon taking oath. i mean how much more evidence do you need? the level you need is when its too late to fight back.

then you have the collapse of peoples minds. theres no collective truth, AI is rapidly getting better and more adopted, peoples critical thinking skills are gone. i have a close friend - hell, former lover - say the other day that they think the people sent down to el salvador without due process deserve it and we should rip up the constitution and start over. i mean. what the actual f***. im hoping they come around to seeing how bad that is, but i doubt it. ive known them since ive been up here. they watch a ton of youtube.... a noted far right manipulation algorithm. to see someone close to me fall down that rabbit hole....

i cant believe people arent freaking the f*** out right now. im utterly baffled. i keep wondering if im just better educated in history than the majority of the population with a decade of hebrew education on top of a good public school. as a child i met holocaust survivors often where they shared their stories one on one - we warned as children over and over for what to look for. first they came for the migrants...

[Heywood jablowmee]

The overwhelming majority of military members, past and present, voted for Trump. A man that incited insurrection in the storming of the US Capitol in an attempt to overthrow the US gov't. If they voted for him after January 6, what basis do you argue they wouldn't support him under a dictatorship?

Based on all the military folks that worked in his administration last time and called him out, and all the relationships I have with officers of various stripes in the military, and from what I know and have read about high-ranking military members, I just don't see them supporting a guy like Trump in overthrowing the Constitution. I'm also fairly skeptical of the data you're referring to - I highly doubt a majority of flag officers voted for Trump, but I also don't think that's data we will ever be privy to.

But I hear what you're saying and I think we should keep a close eye. I agree that if they continue to screw with things it could be a really bad sign. But I think the panic is premature. Again, I've been saying this - calling him a fascist and a threat to democracy lost Democrats the election last time. Most people didn't buy it. I think there's some wisdom in the crowd.

i think they are frogs in boiling water. youve got people disappeared to forever prison in el salvador (and soon libya! make penal colonies great again!) on flimsy charges and zero due process, youve got a tech coup de etat where they are illegally privatizing the federal government and contracting the work out to shady as hell tech companies that are going to create a single system with all your sensitive data, which would make the USSR blush to have such a dossier on everyone; youve got trump firing most of the people high up in the military that would stop him from ordering troops against his domestic enemies, or foreign ones for that matter. he let all his j6 paramilitary goons out of prison. oh and trumps ignoring the courts, he even managed to get a unanimous SCOTUS decision against him in such a divided court. as we are learning, laws are meaningless without enforcement. when trump gets court martialed for defying court orders thats when ill believe we actually have the power to turn this ship around. he literally says he doesnt know if he has to defend the constitution.... that he swore to defend upon taking oath. i mean how much more evidence do you need? the level you need is when its too late to fight back.

then you have the collapse of peoples minds. theres no collective truth, AI is rapidly getting better and more adopted, peoples critical thinking skills are gone. i have a close friend - hell, former lover - say the other day that they think the people sent down to el salvador without due process deserve it and we should rip up the constitution and start over. i mean. what the actual f***. im hoping they come around to seeing how bad that is, but i doubt it. ive known them since ive been up here. they watch a ton of youtube.... a noted far right manipulation algorithm. to see someone close to me fall down that rabbit hole....

i cant believe people arent freaking the f*** out right now. im utterly baffled. i keep wondering if im just better educated in history than the majority of the population with a decade of hebrew education on top of a good public school. as a child i met holocaust survivors often where they shared their stories one on one - we warned as children over and over for what to look for. first they came for the migrants...

As those ever clever Kinks used to sing….”paranoia will destroy ya……..”……

[XtremeJibber2001]

Trump is flirting with raising taxes - hate to see it.

Trump urged US House Speaker Johnson to raise top tax rate, sources say
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump- ... 025-05-08/