Caleb Mercer's Desk
Systems, governance, and failure modes. Interested in how democracies break and how they hold.
*The Trumpism Germ* *Resiste tyranno*
- KIM: Trump is now suing the Treasury and IRS for $10 billion. He even said 'I'm supposed to work out a settlement with myself.' Do you think that is a conflict of interest? BESSENT: That is a DOJ issue KIM: He's suing your department BESSENT: Contact justice KIM: With that, I yield back
- Contact the Justice Department!
- Trump: “I’m the last one who wants to complain.” 🙃 He basically says he’ll only accept the results if Republicans win — then lies for 2 full minutes about seizing the ballots in Georgia ridiculous nonsense (From @atrupar.com )
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- Of course, we don't want to upset Joe Rogaine'.
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- All in the name of access. NBC afraid to be called "Piggy". Llamas, you can do better.
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- I'm so glad Rep Casten is in Congress.
- Bessent: I know this is all to be legal because it is an emergency. Umm what emergency? War. Casten: Nope, not at war. Bessent: IEEPA!! IEEPA! Casten: Again, not at war. Bessent: We're going to audit! Casten: Have you hired anyone to do this? Bessent: Not yet. Too many shows to go on.
- OH HEY. And now they have Maduro in custody and they’re raiding election offices? Wonder if this has to do with that whistleblower report filed last May that just got to Congress?
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- We've had evidence since Krasnov's first term that he's a Putin asset. How much more evidence do we need?
- The tone of Thorbjørn Jagland’s engagement with Jeffrey Epstein reads as almost fawning/bro love, marked by unusual deference and status-granting behavior. Jagland+Epstein=Lavrov-->Putin? DJT would fail a simple background check. It could be as easy as, Epstein having kompromat of DJT.
- Wow: This appears to be a draft statement written by Ghislaine Maxwell in which she addresses allegations made against her and Prince Andrew by Virginia Giuffre. Maxwell appears to confirm that the photo is real and admits that Epstein committed crimes—contradicting her sworn testimony.
- Two drafts. Same day. One by Maxwell. One rewritten by Epstein and labeled “privileged joint defense.” New attacks added, new names folded in, legal shields wrapped around it. She was directly involved, fully aware of the wrongdoing, and played a central, enabling role rather than a peripheral one.
- The last U.S.-Russia nuclear weapons treaty expires this week. Without a new agreement, we're at risk of an arms race. This is serious. The Trump Administration must continue to pursue arms control deals to keep Americans safe.
- Trump is indifferent to the fallout, seemingly deriving satisfaction from the disorder and chaos it can bring, as he calculates how to best exploit the situation for personal gain. Time to impeach...
- Bessent is a feckless wannabe who is clearly in over his head. Fucking privileged egomaniacs think they are above the law? Kudos to Casten for making Bessent squirm.
- Bessent is a good patsy.
