Yes, Bannon is way smarter than Trump. And yes, Bannon is manipulating Trump. BUT Bannon is also driving the exact same policies Trump would choose, from the exact same worldview. Trump believes every word of this. The two are joined at the hip. And, 11 days in, what they both stand for is looking an awful lot like fascism. We'd better *all* realize the stakes, *now,* because they are moving fast.
138
A sociopath whose stated goal is to "blow up Washington" as chief strategist / advisor for an infantile narcissist. What could possibly go wrong?
179
Sounds like Mr Trump would do well to have some "extreme vetting" of his screwball advisers.
80
Is it any surprise that a man as dim and limited as Trump, needs his Svengali? In W's case, it was Cheney. Now Trump has Bannon. At least we know now who the puppet master really is.
75
Our government, purchased and paid for by plutocrats. Thank you, Koch brothers, for making America grate again!
www.endthemadnessnow.org
www.endthemadnessnow.org
48
Didn't Axelrod play the same role? How about Valerie Jarrett?
The past 4-5 years does not define a man. Bannon is a brilliant mind on history, and economics.
Obama was a tactician. He surrounded himself with the same. Dodge and weave, react, don't look ahead.
Bannon is a strategic thinker, his mind is 5, 10, 20 years out.
The past 4-5 years does not define a man. Bannon is a brilliant mind on history, and economics.
Obama was a tactician. He surrounded himself with the same. Dodge and weave, react, don't look ahead.
Bannon is a strategic thinker, his mind is 5, 10, 20 years out.
9
Mr. Bannon has achieved his mission by consolidating power. Trump wanted him in the NSC as he alone would be lost. Without Bannon there is no Trump presidency. For all practical purpose he will be running the country behind the scenes.
55
Bannon is Trump's Rasputin.
63
Bannon's agenda is more dangerous than Cheney's, the bug in Bush's ear.
56
I see what you're doing here, and it's high time someone did it. Keep it up. There's nothing I want more than to hear Trump, in a fit of rage and jealousy, say to President Bannon, "You're fired!". The relationship is much like that of Putin and Medyedev, except Putin is Bannon and Trump is Medyedev.
52
This is a fast and bold move by Bannon, who is usually very shrewd in picking strategy. It makes me wonder what other forces are forming around the President for Bannon to miscalculate, or did the greed blind him from the public optics and backlash? Or does he think he is above the fray? Use your voice, speak your mind, empower your community!
45
More investigative reporting about Bannon needs to be performed and published. What organizations has he belonged to in the past (besides US Navy, Goldman Sachs and Breitbart)? What organizations has he contributed to? Has he written anything in which his political views are expressed?
What do we really know about this guy?
What do we really know about this guy?
71
I believe who is even more influential in all these executive orders is Benjamin Netanyahu the Prime Minister of Israel. Look at the chain of events about the muslim ban. Netanyahu sends Iranian a friendly video message telling them that the state of Israel is a friend of the people but an enemy of the Iranian regime. On the same day he speaks with Trump. Right after that Trump speaks with Saudi Arabia and Egypt, probably to reassure them that this is not a muslim ban ans is only targeting the common enemy who is Iran. And then we hear about the ban. It is obvious that Iran, and not the muslim world is the target. Yesterday Netanyahu said in a news conference that Iran just tested a ballistic missile and he is going to discuss it with trump on Feb 15 when he travels to the States. White house just confirmed that Iran did do that test and that they are concerned. Netanyahu is going to push for more sanctions on Iran. This so called Muslim Ban was supposed to act as "tearing up the nuclear deal" in disguise. When Netanyahu is in the states Iran should brace itself for the worst. Netanyahu is the real president here.
18
Bannon is pure evil.
82
This scares me! How is he getting away with this?
31
Congress - act now. You have a short time to stop the takeover of the government. Oh, by the way, you will all be unemployed, lose your health insurance, and your pensions.
69
Dissenting voices - your fired - find the door!
Media - your fired. Don't waste your time with the Constitutional Rights!
Education - it's not for all!
Treasury - here we go again with corporations to big to fail and the bottomless pit of taxpayer prop us up!
Environment - hey there's money to be made here so forget about green, and forget about breathing.
A Nation of Immigrants - We have Melania!
LIES - not lies; just alternative facts.
Congress - doing an amazing job of being spineless and sticking up for this country. Only the party matters!
Media - your fired. Don't waste your time with the Constitutional Rights!
Education - it's not for all!
Treasury - here we go again with corporations to big to fail and the bottomless pit of taxpayer prop us up!
Environment - hey there's money to be made here so forget about green, and forget about breathing.
A Nation of Immigrants - We have Melania!
LIES - not lies; just alternative facts.
Congress - doing an amazing job of being spineless and sticking up for this country. Only the party matters!
63
Bannon is a Christian Crusader. He practically says so himself in this lengthy interview two years ago:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/lesterfeder/this-is-how-steve-bannon-sees-the-e...
He believes we are in a War against Islam. He believes this so fervently, that while acknowledging that Putin runs a kleptocracy, and that the alt-right is filled with white racists, he feels we must ally ourselves with these two and focus on the real enemy. A secondary enemy for Bannon is atheism (i.e. China) and secularism (i.e. liberals). He believes that only the Judeo-Christian tradition can properly moderate capitalism, while atheist or hedonist capitalists are responsible for much suffering. Hence, he's at War with Islam, China, and liberals, probably in that order. Its a good interview: forewarned is forearmed.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/lesterfeder/this-is-how-steve-bannon-sees-the-e...
He believes we are in a War against Islam. He believes this so fervently, that while acknowledging that Putin runs a kleptocracy, and that the alt-right is filled with white racists, he feels we must ally ourselves with these two and focus on the real enemy. A secondary enemy for Bannon is atheism (i.e. China) and secularism (i.e. liberals). He believes that only the Judeo-Christian tradition can properly moderate capitalism, while atheist or hedonist capitalists are responsible for much suffering. Hence, he's at War with Islam, China, and liberals, probably in that order. Its a good interview: forewarned is forearmed.
42
Trump is very rarely, if ever, seen without a suit and tie. He admonished Sean Spicer for his sloppy suit at his first press briefing. Whenever he is photographed with others in his entourage all the men, almost without exception, are wearing suit and tie, obviously at his insistence.
Have other readers noticed that Bannon is the one individual that often does not conform to trump's dress code?
This seemingly small detail goes a long way to show where much of the real power lies in this White House.
Have other readers noticed that Bannon is the one individual that often does not conform to trump's dress code?
This seemingly small detail goes a long way to show where much of the real power lies in this White House.
101
Doesn't Bannon have to get Senate Approval to sit on the National Security Council? If he's not one of the 5 regular members of the NSC, then shouldn't he be under Federal Rule 50, Article 3021:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/3021
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/3021
61
Per usual, the NYT's Editorial Board didn't mention the extraordinary influence of Obama's Senior Advisor, Valerie Jarrett. I guess all the knives they hold out for Trump and Bannon got in their way writing this claptrap.
8
I haven't seen A detailed biographical article on Steve Bannon. I think the public needs to know details about his military Service including his highest rank. Seven years in the Navy doesn't really tell us anything. For all we knowThe country is now being led by a Navy lieutenant junior grade.
32
Trump is, to quote a NYT's article, Bannon's "imperfect vessel".
Trump is the Pequod.
Bannon is Captain Ahab.
Moby Dick is Democracy, Civil Rights, a Free Presss and the Constitution.
We must not allow an Alt-Ending.
Trump is the Pequod.
Bannon is Captain Ahab.
Moby Dick is Democracy, Civil Rights, a Free Presss and the Constitution.
We must not allow an Alt-Ending.
23
Don't forget that Trump thinks Jared Kushner is just the guy to fix the Middle East mess. That should be interesting!
14
And the Mercers? What about the Mercers?
8
Let him enjoy his fifteen minutes of fame-- his arrogance will bring him down soon enough.
9
Did the New York Times and American Left forget that Trump is presiding exactly as he promised? His platform was laid-out before Bannon was hired.
7
This statue appears to prohibit Bannon's appointment to the NSC or, at least, require Senate confirmation: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/3021
21
NY Times is fake news, reduced to tabloid level stories and unable to avoid their own hypocrisy. Was there a corresponding article about Valerie Jarrett in the Times? Nope. But there was in numerous conservative publications. So this is mirror plagiarism.
6
Wouldn't Bannon need a senate confirmation? This seems to indicate that he does. That should prove "interesting".:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/3021
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/3021
26
Bannon was best described by Stephen Colbert - "He's the best looking guy in the liquor store."
75
"May I remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice?"
--Barry Goldwater
The more things change, the more they remain the same. #CivilWar
--Barry Goldwater
The more things change, the more they remain the same. #CivilWar
18
"Presidents are entitled to pick their advisers."
You could have saved yourselves the rest of the ink.
You could have saved yourselves the rest of the ink.
6
Its frightening to think of Trump leading the nation in a crucial internal or foreign policy crises. What if China blockades Taiwan or the South China Sea? Yikes.
13
It gets no scarier. Svengali. Rasputin. Cheney. Bannon. Who's next?
Count Dracula?
Count Dracula?
19
Clearly, Donald cannot perform. Sad
29
It seems like our new President now has his own Rasputin. Of course Rasputin worked out so well for the czar and his family 100 years ago. I’m sure this one will turn out much better. I also find it somewhat ironic that the last five letters in ‘Rasputin’ spell the name or another Trump friend and potential advisor.
19
Given the destructive extent of the deep security state that W. Bush and Obama ramped up, putting Bannon on the NSC is a good thing.
4
Trump's advisors. A ship of fools.
14
moving the chairs on the Titanic
8
Every czar needs a Rasputin, someone who can speak with the power of Catholic christianity, to make authoritarian power appear as a religious nationalist myth. Russian orthodox church does this for Putin. Bannon through Conservative catholic cardinals will direct the same. Bannon is the American catholic church's St Paul and The Donald's Rasputin with the ability to make control absolute and damnation nuclear.
Mattis, Dunford, Kelly and Flynn are mere tin soldiers awaiting orders...don't underestimate their limitations.
Mattis, Dunford, Kelly and Flynn are mere tin soldiers awaiting orders...don't underestimate their limitations.
11
6 of the first 6 headlines in the opinion nsection of the NYT had you know who's name in them on 1/30/17. Please. Don't encourage him. I know you take pride in your work as journalists so just have a regular feature entitled "The latest absurdities of He Who Shall Not Be Named", put it in the entertainment section where it belongs, and leave it at that. It's not news when the sun comes up every day, nor are his daily lies. He has something in common with terrorists: they rely on our irrational fears. Ignore them and they've instantly lost their power. Example: we are still sniveling 15 years after the 9/11 bee sting. In the words of the great thinker and humanitarian George W Bush: "go shopping". Of course that was before somebody whispered in his ear, "hey man, you're letting a perfectly good crisis go to waste".
6
from Constitutional Rights Foundation re IMPEACHMENT: "The convention adopted “high crimes and misdemeanors” with little discussion. Most of the framers knew the phrase well. Since 1386, the English parliament had used “high crimes and misdemeanors” as one of the grounds to impeach officials of the crown. Officials accused of “high crimes and misdemeanors” were accused of offenses as varied as misappropriating government funds, appointing unfit subordinates, not prosecuting cases, not spending money allocated by Parliament, promoting themselves ahead of more deserving candidates, threatening a grand jury, disobeying an order from Parliament, arresting a man to keep him from running for Parliament, losing a ship by neglecting to moor it, helping “suppress petitions to the King to call a Parliament,” granting warrants without cause, and bribery. Some of these charges were crimes. Others were not. The one common denominator in all these accusations was that the official had somehow abused the power of his office and was unfit to serve."
13
“Lenin,” Bannon answered, “wanted to destroy the state, and that’s my goal too. I want to bring everything crashing down, and destroy all of today’s establishment.” (http://thebea.st/2b8LxSf)
The coup has begun, America. Wake up.
The coup has begun, America. Wake up.
48
Would you start writing extreme right wing instead of alt-right, please.
28
Is it any wonder that Trump would welcome someone like Bannon? Roy Cohn (Joe McCarthy's advisor) taught Trump early on the value of pushing back in a big way against discrimination lawsuits and other litigation. Bannon is the newer sidekick to give Trump the information he needs and the pathway to implement. Not to mention the troubling verbiage he spouts. Sad.
17
Bannon has better qualifications than Valeri Jarret and Susan Rice, Obummer's advisors. At least he served in the military. Rice was the useful idiot that lied to America five times telling us Benghazi was the result of the Mahammad video.
6
Trump's father Fred programmed Donald to be a "killer." That's what he called "winners" or in other words the only people on our planet who mattered. Roy Cohn, the notorious NY attorney who reveled in ruining lives during the McCarthy era, was one of Trumps early mentors. He taught Trump how to be a devious "killer" to never admit mistakes, never apologize, when punched punch back harder and so on. It's possible that in Trump;s mind. he's found a replacement for Cohn who died many years ago. Bannon like Cohn, appears to also have a "killer" take no prisoners approach. Just the opposite of what's needed in the Oval Office. But Trump hasn't figured that out. And about now, no one's holding their breath.
22
I'm sorry, but I just have to say this. Doesn't Bannon always look like he's coming off of a 5-day drunk? His general appearance is always disheveled, haphazard and unshaven. We already know about his mind but now it’s being reflected in his exterior.
29
What a hack job. While my heart breaks for the Jewish that experienced the holocaust, I can't forget about the similar number of gypsies and disabled people who met the same fate.
1
Funny, I don't remember any similar hatchet jobs on Iranian-born Valerie Jarrett during her 8 years as Obama's special advisor.
5
Bannon is clearly driving the "secretive" bus in the White House. Don't blame Stephen Miller, he is only Bannon's mouthpiece. Bannon is also behind the "media as the opposition". As Trump continues his war with the media, his camp relies more and more on his tweets for the only source of honest news. I love the photo you used here. Bannon's brain, Trumps mouth. The more distrust and fear that Bannon/Trump can create the more power it gives them. Autocracy in the making.
17
I'm going to watch a rerun of Dr Strangelove to see what comes next...
7
Most would say the same thing about Valerie Jarrett and David Axelrod. The GOP felt the same way with those two.
3
Trump is gutless, cowardly and terrified. He cannot remain in office, nor ought his Vice President be allowed to step into his shoes.
God Bless America.
God Bless America.
10
Bannon is trump's Rasputin, but less honorable.
9
This is very much in keeping with Trump's management style. He's not a detail man, not a deep thinker. If something sounds good to him, that's all he cares about - he'll leave the implementation to others. Bannon tells him what he wants to hear, not what he needs to know.
It's why he'll take FOX News over an intelligence briefing every time. He knows what he knows. Don't try to tell him anything different.
While Bannon may be amassing a lot of power, Trump doesn't care - because it's what he'd do if he could be bothered to do the actual heavy lifting. Meanwhile, it leaves him free to tweet, take the credit, and move on. Trump simply doesn't care as long as he thinks he's winning - and so far he is.
It's why he'll take FOX News over an intelligence briefing every time. He knows what he knows. Don't try to tell him anything different.
While Bannon may be amassing a lot of power, Trump doesn't care - because it's what he'd do if he could be bothered to do the actual heavy lifting. Meanwhile, it leaves him free to tweet, take the credit, and move on. Trump simply doesn't care as long as he thinks he's winning - and so far he is.
14
Our President will fire at will. Mr. Bannon had best watch his Ps & Qs. If we start giving him credit instated of the President, he'll find himself fired.
7
Mr. Comey is watching from his perch while Rome burns! Please read Eliot Cohn's article in the Atlantics.
7
All Trump staff and appointees must now be asked the following questions:
Will you uphold the U.S. Constitution?
If the President demands illegal actions or violations to the U.S. Constitution, will you follow our laws or this new President's?
PS: Kellyanne, the under-eye highlight creme isn't working. Try something else. Thanks!
Will you uphold the U.S. Constitution?
If the President demands illegal actions or violations to the U.S. Constitution, will you follow our laws or this new President's?
PS: Kellyanne, the under-eye highlight creme isn't working. Try something else. Thanks!
11
You can't damage a presidency that was damaged from its inception. Bannon and trump are setting the stage for anarchy.
9
Bannon and Trump are going to do immense damage to this country if they are not stopped.
7
Trump’s immigration ban doesn’t effect the majority Muslim dominated countries that the previous Obama administration hadn’t already designated as terrorist havens…so sovereign nations like Indonesia (87.2% Muslim), Pakistan (96.4%), Bangladesh (90%), Turkey (98.6%), Algeria (98.2%), Morocco (99.9%), Afghanistan (99.8%), Egypt (90%), Uzbekistan (96.5%), Malaysia (61.4%), Niger (98.3%) and, for some reason, Saudi Arabia (99.9%) are unaffected by the ban, for now.
I’m Jewish, and the Trump administration did not disregard the unique horror and decimation experienced by the European Jewish community during the Holocaust memorial, they were merely being inclusive, reminding us that the Nazis also exterminated the disabled, the mentally ill, people who were ideologically against Nazism, Roma (Gypsies), African (black) Germans, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc.
And, after only two weeks of the Trump administration’s existence, the hyperbole that “Mr. Bannon is positioning himself not merely as Svengali but as the de facto president”, is just editorial idiocy, and the NY Times should temper such claims if it hopes to remain a relevant source of not fake news.
I’m Jewish, and the Trump administration did not disregard the unique horror and decimation experienced by the European Jewish community during the Holocaust memorial, they were merely being inclusive, reminding us that the Nazis also exterminated the disabled, the mentally ill, people who were ideologically against Nazism, Roma (Gypsies), African (black) Germans, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc.
And, after only two weeks of the Trump administration’s existence, the hyperbole that “Mr. Bannon is positioning himself not merely as Svengali but as the de facto president”, is just editorial idiocy, and the NY Times should temper such claims if it hopes to remain a relevant source of not fake news.
4
There's a stupendous editorial cartoon currently burning up the Internet. It depicts 'dad' Steve Bannon sitting at the Oval Office desk with 'son' Donnie Trump sitting on his lap and signing a presidential executive order.
Bannon: "That's it. Who's a Big Boy now?"
Trump (proudly): "I'm a Big Boy!"
Google Pia Guerra (who drew it) and you should be able to access it.
Bannon: "That's it. Who's a Big Boy now?"
Trump (proudly): "I'm a Big Boy!"
Google Pia Guerra (who drew it) and you should be able to access it.
13
Lawrence Tribe has accurately described Mr. Bannon as Trump's Svengali. We all need to be vigilant but particularly Donald Trump.
5
Now this sounds all well and good, but Bannon is at the top of the trust list and Trump will never let go of his security blanket and good luck charm. After all, it was Bannon who lit the right wing fire under Trump and it was Bannon's wacky ideas that won Trump the primary. Of course Comey and Russia won him the White House. And make no mistake: Trump will reward his lucky charm, Putin, too. Bigly. But I digress.
Let's face it. Bannon is in it for the long run and Trump is never going to let him go...never going to give him up.
Let's face it. Bannon is in it for the long run and Trump is never going to let him go...never going to give him up.
7
It's getting crazier faster than I expected
9
How about we stop calling them the " Alt-right", Bannon's term, when we all know what it means. White supremists.
11
Can someone please explain how Mr. Bannon was able to get a security clearance?
12
Why doesn't the NYT do a more extensive expose on Bannon's past. He has a long record of documented spousal abuse and drug addiction.
While I know Trump's blatant boasts of sexual abuse did nothing to stop his supporters, perhaps revealing more about Bannon's instability will wake people up.
While I know Trump's blatant boasts of sexual abuse did nothing to stop his supporters, perhaps revealing more about Bannon's instability will wake people up.
14
Reminds me of President Cheney. Look how it worked out for him.
4
Bannon is now consolidating the real power. He is a grave danger to our nation.
11
You radical leftists should go try and talk to peeps outside of your NYT bubble sometime. You might learn something about why your party is no longer relevant. Or don't.
President Bannon? I'm fiscally conservative and socially liberal and I'm not ecstatic but I am pleased at the influence Bannon has in this administration. So far, watching the unhinged left flailing in hysterics has me feeling like this administration is definitely on the right on track!
President Bannon? I'm fiscally conservative and socially liberal and I'm not ecstatic but I am pleased at the influence Bannon has in this administration. So far, watching the unhinged left flailing in hysterics has me feeling like this administration is definitely on the right on track!
5
"Imagine tomorrow if Mr. Trump is faced with a crisis involving China in the South China Sea or Russia in Ukraine. Will he look to his chief political provocateur, Mr. Bannon, with his penchant for blowing things up, or will he turn at last for counsel to the few more thoughtful experienced hands in his administration, like Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and General Dunford?"
Neither. He will turn to a mirror, gaze adoringly at his uninformed self, and make a precipitous, uninformed decision based on who he dislikes more because of a perceived slight.
Neither. He will turn to a mirror, gaze adoringly at his uninformed self, and make a precipitous, uninformed decision based on who he dislikes more because of a perceived slight.
4
Bannon is a Russian mole directing Putin's puppet. Got a problem with that?
8
Bannon is Trump's brain, with additional lobes occupied by Miller and Flynn. With the Director of National Intelligence and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff kept at arms length, what could possibly go wrong? Plenty.
2
Poor Donald Trump. All he wanted was to be president, but his advisor Bannon duped him.
12
The not too bright Breitbart Bannon is Trump's Karl Rove, the Brain, the Architect. Since anyone of common sense knows Trump has a brain of a ten-year old, Trump needs someone to write them executive orders.
The only thing we don't see here is Bannon wearing his pointy white hood and sheet. That's in the closet for now.
DD
Manhattan
The only thing we don't see here is Bannon wearing his pointy white hood and sheet. That's in the closet for now.
DD
Manhattan
13
Someone should check out Bannon's Roman Catholic agenda. It's deep. It's pernicious. It's paranoid. His views are to the right of Torquemada. He is a flake.
9
Trump controls the country. And Bannon controls Trump.
11
anyone else who is a cabinet member would have to be vetted by hearings in the senate before they were approved. Can anyone imagine this guy surviving such a process. "Err Mr. Bannon is it true you've said you want to "blow things up?" But of course now that its happened and he is where he is, there's nothing the Senate or anyone else can do about it. We are in a huge amount of trouble.
10
I would like to know, where is the extreme vetting of this individual. I seriously suspect that a man like this has a very sordid past. It would be good journalism to look at the activities of Steve bannon when he was at The Firm. Please NYT dig deep.
12
If the press and dissenters loudly send Trump the message, "impeach Bannon, the real POTUS," it might turn Trump against this adviser who is taking the center stage and causing us all to toss and turn at night.
6
It has become all too clear that the only way to push Trump in the right direction is to get under his thin skin. An editorial like this and drumbeat of #PresidentBannon could actually make our unfit (mis)leader wonder about the alt-right man behind the curtain.
9
Watch Pres. Bannon mock American values as his flunky, Trump, fires AG Yates for defending the real Constitution, on the latest episode of the new "Alternative Apprentice". Now airing 24/7, 7 days a week! This show is being labeled the greatest audience draw in history by its producer...
4
The quickest way to get rid of Bannon is to keep calling him President Bannon - Trump's ego will not be able to withstand that for very long.
22
Bannon is the Grand Puppeteer, who strategised the electoral college win and and is now busy remaking America into the Breitbart image. He has to go. The quickest way to get rid of him would be to repeatedly portray Trump as Bannon's fool, which is no stretch of the imagination. Trump's ego will have him screaming "You're fired" in no time.
7
I've searched the Times in vain in the hope of discovering an article speculating on the shadow presidency of Valerie Jarrett. What a disappointment! Oh, well! I would settle, though, for a reprise of Walter Duranty's famous Times' articles praising the art and wisdom of Josef Stalin's homey brand of Communism.
5
By now it's self-evident that Trump makes many decisions based on what he reads in the news. In terms of shaping his policy through reporting, drawing attention to Bannon's prominence seems to be the right track. Trump has a child's way of responding to criticism. If you say, "Trump is leaning on X because he doesn't know enough," he'll say, "No, I'm not," and fall over himself to show that he's not leaning on X. So if you broadcast, "He's letting Bannon do the work," he might, out of pride, take steps to distance himself from Bannon. On the other hand, if you say, "Trump should do Y," he will -- like a child -- do the opposite, along the lines of, "I will not do what the liberal media tells me I should do! I fact, I will from now on avoid that tactic altogether!" Bannon is, clearly, dangerous, and traditional media does have power over Trump. But journalists should "speak" to him strategically, keeping in mind that he fancies himself a lone wolf. It seems Bannon has been able to use that vanity, and thus has gotten Trump's ear.
1
Trump is the fall-guy, the puppet, the dupe. No match for the cunning of Bannon.
Woe is us.
Woe is us.
13
A guy like Bannon has plenty of skeletons in his closet - it is without doubt. What does it take for your investigators to dig a lot deeper into him - enough that we the people can compile a "Kompromat" on him, and see to his departure?
6
Bannon's disheveled appearance is that of a seriously ill man. He needs help before he spreads more chaos and does irreparable harm.
8
Steve Bannon must have some serious dirt on Trump that he doesn't want to be revealed.
6
Why doesn't the Times capture Bannon's psychopathy more comprehensively, show how his desire is to destroy democracy and replace it with white nationalism / white supremacy (distinction w/out a difference)? There's plenty of evidence, much of it out of Bannon's own mouth.
Holocaust denial? Check.
Provoking terrorists to foment war through ban on Muslims? Check.
Suppression of the press? Check.
Purging the government of anti-Trump/pro-Constitution individuals with conscience? Check.
Replacing legitimate experts with political hacks (himself)? Check.
Blatant disregard of the Constitution (Emoluments Clause, etc.)? Check.
Still waiting on starting a war to consolidate power, though. Let's see what the second week brings.
There's no need for the "murky shadows and fog" approach used by the NYT when discussing HRC's supposed transgressions: Bannon's malevolence shines like a beacon.
Holocaust denial? Check.
Provoking terrorists to foment war through ban on Muslims? Check.
Suppression of the press? Check.
Purging the government of anti-Trump/pro-Constitution individuals with conscience? Check.
Replacing legitimate experts with political hacks (himself)? Check.
Blatant disregard of the Constitution (Emoluments Clause, etc.)? Check.
Still waiting on starting a war to consolidate power, though. Let's see what the second week brings.
There's no need for the "murky shadows and fog" approach used by the NYT when discussing HRC's supposed transgressions: Bannon's malevolence shines like a beacon.
8
Darth Vader is a president whisperer. I'll pray for him too.
1
Trump has never shown any interest in the nitty-gritty work of governing. He is perfectly happy to let Bannon run the country while he struts about the White House.
4
Dear U.S. Congress,
On Nov. 13, 2013, Steve Bannon bragged to The Daily Beast's Ronald Radosh that he--Bannon--was a Leninist. (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/22/steve-bannon-trump-s-to... The following is a direct quote from Radosh's report:
"Shocked, I asked him what he meant.
'Lenin,' he answered, 'wanted to destroy the state, and that’s my goal too. I want to bring everything crashing down, and destroy all of today’s establishment.' Bannon was employing Lenin’s strategy for Tea Party populist goals. He included in that group the Republican and Democratic Parties, as well as the traditional conservative press."
Now we've got Putin's Puppet taking his policy cues from an avowed [Vladimir] Leninist who fervently wishes to destroy--his word--all of today's establishment. And in the first 10 days in office, both individuals seem intent on provoking a new Bolshevik revolution a century after the first one occurred in Russia.
Hmmm....
How many "high crimes and misdemeanors" will it take for you gutless wonders to actually do the job we, the majority of the American people, sent you to Congress to do?
Disrespectfully Submitted,
The Real Americans
On Nov. 13, 2013, Steve Bannon bragged to The Daily Beast's Ronald Radosh that he--Bannon--was a Leninist. (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/22/steve-bannon-trump-s-to... The following is a direct quote from Radosh's report:
"Shocked, I asked him what he meant.
'Lenin,' he answered, 'wanted to destroy the state, and that’s my goal too. I want to bring everything crashing down, and destroy all of today’s establishment.' Bannon was employing Lenin’s strategy for Tea Party populist goals. He included in that group the Republican and Democratic Parties, as well as the traditional conservative press."
Now we've got Putin's Puppet taking his policy cues from an avowed [Vladimir] Leninist who fervently wishes to destroy--his word--all of today's establishment. And in the first 10 days in office, both individuals seem intent on provoking a new Bolshevik revolution a century after the first one occurred in Russia.
Hmmm....
How many "high crimes and misdemeanors" will it take for you gutless wonders to actually do the job we, the majority of the American people, sent you to Congress to do?
Disrespectfully Submitted,
The Real Americans
13
" Imagine tomorrow if Mr. Trump is faced with a crisis involving China in the South China Sea or Russia in Ukraine." The middle east and North Korea.
We will be in a new shooting war in the next six months.
We will be in a new shooting war in the next six months.
For the last 8 years the GOP has created a vacuum where there should have been conservative leadership.
Into that vacuum walks Trump.
Trump has demonstrated he has no idea of what to do "the Trump vacuum"
Into the "Trump vacuum" walks Bannon.
In the Trump/GOP vacuum of leadership conservatism is lost; it is now filled with, racism, anti Semitic, hate.
Trump influenced by Bannon works to break the confines of the constitution as well as breaking the law.
Only 11 days into this administration and already legal scholars have listed ways Trump is threatening U.S. Rule of Law.
The new vacuum under Trump "the rule of law vacuum".
Into that vacuum walks Trump.
Trump has demonstrated he has no idea of what to do "the Trump vacuum"
Into the "Trump vacuum" walks Bannon.
In the Trump/GOP vacuum of leadership conservatism is lost; it is now filled with, racism, anti Semitic, hate.
Trump influenced by Bannon works to break the confines of the constitution as well as breaking the law.
Only 11 days into this administration and already legal scholars have listed ways Trump is threatening U.S. Rule of Law.
The new vacuum under Trump "the rule of law vacuum".
1
We basically have Breitbart News running our once-great country. For those who have never gone to Breitbart, I suggest spending a few minutes at the site. That should be enough to convince you that Bannon must be kept far away from the White House. But who is going to remove him? That's the question of the day.
If Bannon stays in his job for 4 years, there will be no putting the shattered America back together again.
If Bannon stays in his job for 4 years, there will be no putting the shattered America back together again.
9
If I didn't know better, I would say that Bannon is trying to start a civil war. Oh, wait. He IS trying to start a race-based civil war, and he thinks he's winning. Hey, white people, don't depend on your race to save you. Trump is widely known for stiffing his contractors and betraying his friends.
BTW, read paragraph 1 of section 4 of the 25th Amendment. Trump's appointment of Bannon (who reportedly wrote most of the refugee ban) is proof positive of unfitness to serve.
BTW, read paragraph 1 of section 4 of the 25th Amendment. Trump's appointment of Bannon (who reportedly wrote most of the refugee ban) is proof positive of unfitness to serve.
3
Trump's original Mentor was Roy Cohn. Cohn aided McCarthy, if you recall.
Bannon is the Ghost of Roy Cohn. The Mentor behind Trump. Or the blackmailer of Trump? Maybe both.
There must be a clean sweep. Getting rid of trump and bannon is insufficient.
Trump is delusional and a Sociopath. *Which means a Malignant Narcissist on steroids.*
Delusional as he is, every one of Trump's appointments and decisions is suspect, tainted. And must be rescinded.
Remove and Indict the players!
Bannon is the Ghost of Roy Cohn. The Mentor behind Trump. Or the blackmailer of Trump? Maybe both.
There must be a clean sweep. Getting rid of trump and bannon is insufficient.
Trump is delusional and a Sociopath. *Which means a Malignant Narcissist on steroids.*
Delusional as he is, every one of Trump's appointments and decisions is suspect, tainted. And must be rescinded.
Remove and Indict the players!
2
GOP Congressional leaders need to demand that Bannon resign. They should do the right thing.
2
Trump will hate this article and will become extremely jealous.
5
President Bannon is doing a great job handling the puppet. It moves naturally, it speaks fluidly and can sign papers on its desk just like a human--and you can't even see the strings. The President is a genius!
6
Bannon advising Trump is a gift to the Democrats - just like Cheney drove W into the Iraq ditch, Bannon will drive Trump's administration into a ditch from which the rest of the Republicans will struggle to climb out of.
Democrats, just sit back, relax, and watch the reality show - the American people in the red states will realize their mistake, as they did with Cheney-W, and then, only then, will progressives get any chance at power.
Democrats, just sit back, relax, and watch the reality show - the American people in the red states will realize their mistake, as they did with Cheney-W, and then, only then, will progressives get any chance at power.
This is a valid belief. Trump often repeats the words that are attributed Bannon. May be Bannon picked Trump and encouraged him to run given his ignorance of government and his ego.
2
Bannon is a conscious choice, a value statement from Trump.
1
Bannon is the instrument of the Mercers, along with Conway. Why does the press not report on this? (Apart from Rachel Maddow) Who placed Bannon and Conway in Trump's team after Ted cruz failed?
3
One of the scarier aspects of Bannon's appointment to the NSC is that it is outside of FOIA. Given the info coming out about how secretively the 7-Muslim country ban was put together, the closed door nature provides permanent cover--it certainly explains the exclusion of DNI and Chair of JCS, right? They will justify more repressive actions in the name of national security.
2
Beware! In my opinion this should be interpreted and fought as an unconstitutional Alt-Right coup d'état.
6
We must watch this man, Bannon, closely. Do not become distracted with dump. He is a fool and a puppet. Bannon is our real enemy of liberty and justice for all. The ACLU needs a case in front of the Supremes before Bannon completely takes over the government.
9
We will not be allowed to vote again.
7
Bannon is pulling Trump's strings. I'm certain he was the one who wrote the immigration proclamation.
4
Fourth Reich, here we come! Get organized, or it will be too late.
8
I forgot - what is the process for impeachment?
4
This is an excellent article, well written, but should be revised and rewritten in simpler language so that the "President" can understand it.
2
Thank you, Times, for finally calling attention to what may be the most important issue regarding the Trump government!
7
I'm sorry, but if you take one look at the dude, Bannion is deeply at war within himself. If the eyes are the window to the soul, something is just not right there.
7
Another Bannon touch was that the Executive Order was signed last week in front of a backdrop of the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor actually framed President Trump's face in some of the photos. "VALOR" as a prop for this evil deed. Disgusting.
3
When will the NYT stop "white-washing" Breitbart news by using the term "alt-right." Why do you accept that label? Call them what they truly: White Christian Supremacists. "Alt-right" makes them sound like a group of conservatives we have never met before. But they are clearly part of a long lineage of racist, antic-Semitic organizations and using the term "alt-right" disassociates them from their true past.
7
It's well known Valerie Jarrett controlled and isolated Obama from advisers and I don't recall anyone every vilifying her as President Jarrett....She was Obama's puppet master funded by Soros.
2
This is not going to end well.
2
So first the Times reports that Trump is a dictator and strongman who is going to take over the country and now he is a wimp that allows Bannon to run him. This sounds like global cooling, warming. somewhere in the middle, or climate change.
bravo! keep the spotlight on bannon. he doesn't like it, but wants to operate unaccountably out of sight, out of mind, pulling trump's strings to undermine America's democracy and world leadership. so keep the bright lights on; cockroaches hate it because it keeps them from running amok, spreading germs and disease.
10
"[T]he few more thoughtful experienced hands in his administration, like Defense Secretary Jim Mattis"?
That was Mattis standing behind Trump and smiling broadly as he accepted the pen with which the Tweeter in Chief had signed the executive order creating the Muslim ban. Thoughtful? Hardly.
That was Mattis standing behind Trump and smiling broadly as he accepted the pen with which the Tweeter in Chief had signed the executive order creating the Muslim ban. Thoughtful? Hardly.
4
The folks who take orders from the president should remember that "just following orders" did not safe them from the gallows.
5
Political correctness prevents Americans from identifying villains. Bannon is a neo-Nazi. He is a dangerous man with a history that all Americans would recognize if Bannon had to sit before the Senate and defend his record. The Senate should subpoena Bannon.
5
Steve Bannon is an existential threat to liberal democracies. Our efforts must neuter his.
2
According to federal statute 50 U.S. Code 3021, a civilian like Steve Bannon will in fact need to go through Senate confirmation and approval in order to serve on the National Security Council. That obscure law, which has remained obscure because no president has ever tried to put a political strategist/advisor on the NSC, was dug up by MSNBC analyst Jonathan Alter late last night (Jan 30, 2017). Will anyone pursue further? NYT? GOP? Democrats?
6
When Trump figures out that he is being upstaged and is a Puppet Ruler, he'll do what he does best and fire the Usurper.
4
As president Bannon has said, Trump is an "imperfect vessel", but a vessel all the same.
4
the best way to get under trump's skin is to repeatedly broadcast to everyone Bannon is telling him what to do because he cannot handle it
3
1. Trump's incompetent to goven;
2. Trump's a stooge of Bannon's.
2. Trump's a stooge of Bannon's.
4
Trump, Pence, and Ryan all need to hire food tasters.
4
Seeing General Mattis stand by hands clasped and smiling, while Trump waved his executive order around for the cameras destroyed any hope I had that Mattis will be much more than a movie prop for President Bann...I mean Trump.
4
On the internet there is a report that Bannon apparently needs senate confirmation to join the NSC - section (a)(6) of federal statute 50 U.S. Code 3021. Is this true and can the NYT investigate and advise?
3
Terrifying developments with Trump and his innermost circle.
1
Pathetic that Donald Trump can't fulfill the duties of the presidency and had to set up a shadow regime run by Steve Bannon.
Clearly Trump is not up to the job. Will he be a figurehead, ceremonial president with a little 'p' while Bannon calls the shots?
Can't believe he'd let someone else usurp the powers of the Presidency.
Any fool can see Bannon is in charge.
Sad!
Clearly Trump is not up to the job. Will he be a figurehead, ceremonial president with a little 'p' while Bannon calls the shots?
Can't believe he'd let someone else usurp the powers of the Presidency.
Any fool can see Bannon is in charge.
Sad!
3
Trump isn't even a charming, smart sociopath, he's a dumb and obnoxious one. The real snake in the grass has always been Bannon.
We are really in some seriously deep doo-doo here.
We are really in some seriously deep doo-doo here.
6
Much ado about nothing. More information is better. Trump trusts Bannon. We had an election. The people voted Trump won. Politics and national security are inseparable. Why deny it. Embrace it. How else can you explain Obama's idiotic decision to squander the peace and abandon Iraq? That was a political decision, albeit a bad one, to keep a campaign promise. So get over yourselves NY Times. It is a new era of governing. The Trump era if you will. Get used to it.
1
As far as am concerned they are all bad. I remember alarm bells rung over the appointment of Flynn. When a Crazy Man is leading all bets are off.
1
Bannon's contempt for governance is his main motive. Destruction of the structure of authority. He is like a sadistic frat boy.
Will Trump dig in his heels for his fantasy game 'Movement and move in lock step with the Bannon subversion ? Or will there be enough awareness that he is losing all respect -as incompetent policies unfold in chaos- that Trump changes course ? Trump does resonate with Bannon's bile, but he wants to be Great, not a bull in a china shop horror.
George W Bush distanced himself from Cheney...too late.
Will Trump dig in his heels for his fantasy game 'Movement and move in lock step with the Bannon subversion ? Or will there be enough awareness that he is losing all respect -as incompetent policies unfold in chaos- that Trump changes course ? Trump does resonate with Bannon's bile, but he wants to be Great, not a bull in a china shop horror.
George W Bush distanced himself from Cheney...too late.
3
Where is Congress when we need it? Will the Supreme Court support the Constitution? Will we escape the conflagration Trump/Bannon are marching toward?
1
Where is the Republican leadership? Where is the system of checks and balances? When can I vote the bunch of them out of office? Soon, please!
3
I hope Bannon will follow Trump as President of the United States.
1
The National Security Council's committees have budgets, too. Why not have a Presidential watchdog observing and reporting on their deliberations on their expenses. Do you realize the amount of food waste coming out of just the luncheon meetings of White House & Congressional committees, which would feed most of a refugee camp in Syria for a day? When the editorial board has a luncheon meeting, does the publisher order filet mignon, lobster and crown roast, including salad and desert, with Rothschild 10-year-aged wine, from New York's finest restaurants? Oh? He doesn't, you say. Ask for the menu at the Pentagon Joint Chiefs luncheons!
Where are the decent Republicans, or is that now an oxymoron? Is it worth selling your soul to the devil in exchange for tax cuts for the rich? History will not be kind to those who enabled this. This is not normal, nor is it ok.
4
One wonders what the Russophiles on the NSC are planning by elevating Bannon while the joint chief and intelligence director are out of the room.
3
If the Kushner/Ivanka team starts to regard Bannon as a threat to their future business and political aspirations, it could result in a fascinating showdown. Who really owns Little Donald?
6
Steve Bannon alone is reason enough for Democrats NOT to "give the President a chance to govern." Bannon is like the hired help for grandpa who talks him into transferring the deed to the farm before he dies. Then he changes the locks to the door of the house before the family knows what has happened, and calls the cops when they show up for the funeral. Everyone's nightmare.
3
I thought Trump planned to be a dictator. Apparently I'm wrong. It's Bannon.
9
A person being interviewed last night on CNN continually referred to Trump as "President Bannon"; each time quickly correcting himself to "President Trump". And now this, the headline for this article. It struck me that the one surefire way to get rid of Bannon would be for people, and specifically Democratic politicians, to keep referring to Trump as "President Bannon", a la "Fake Tears Chuck Schumer", "Crooked Hillary", etc.. It's time to start fighting fire with fire. Trumps fragile ego wouldn't be able to handle the monicker for long and Bannon would be gone in no time. Believe me!
7
What are McConnell and Ryan waiting for?
They were hoping to slam through tax reductions for millionaires, eliminate the ACA, and put an extremist on the Supreme Court.
Their silence is deafening
They were hoping to slam through tax reductions for millionaires, eliminate the ACA, and put an extremist on the Supreme Court.
Their silence is deafening
It all makes sense to me. If Trump wants to form an axis with Russia, he needs to distract the American public, who just a few years ago held Russia in low regard. Enter the Muslim Scare, "Radical Islamist Terrorists" in the current formulation. Seems to be working. Don't hear a lot about Russia from the chattering classes lately.
1
Thank you, NYTimes. Please continue reporting and opining on Bannon. Please also Google "addictive thought patterns" or "thinking errors that characterize the cognitive processes of alcoholics" or "irrational ways of thinking that keep an alcoholic angry" and apply the checklist that emerges to Bannon. Always putting the blame on others. Check. Black or white thinking. Check. Grudge holding. Check. Revenge thoughts. Check. Entitlement thinking. Check. The list is longer than can be included here. The errors in thinking that typify an alcoholic's or addict's thought patterns seems to be on full display in Bannon's own words and actions. Please can the NY times investigate and report on this angle? Please, someone, report on what is emerging about Bannon possibly addictive thought patterns. Is this is a person who should be making decisions at the highest levels of government and able to act out on the world stage his own disordered thinking?
3
The MSMedia is attacking Bannon because he knows the is on to their game of manipulation and trying to control the agenda. In the parlance of the internet, "The Media is shook that they are being exposed as frauds."
I'm generally no conspiracy theorist. However... Let's unpack this and the surrounding evidence for a whole lot of wrong-doing:
1. According to Josh Marshall at TPM, who references Politico, the Edict banning Muslims was written together with Hill staffers, behind the back of their Member. (!?!?) Thus conflating two branches of govt. The staffers had to sign non-disclosure agreements. (?!?!) (But somebody must blown the whistle.)
2. Theresa May came on Friday and must have made some kind of deal with Trump, where he tipped her to the coming ban, the next day, together with her agreement not to criticize it but just to say the magic words that this was a matter for the US govt. (The British Press and people are all over this!)
3. Deutsche Bank has admitted laundering Russian money. Trump has big loans from Deutsche Bank. Could Putin or his cronies be behind the laundering? Does Bannon know about that? Is he blackmailing Trump?
4. This developing scandal has more legs than a centipede!
I am horrified.
I am outraged.
I am disgusted.
And I want Impeachment and Indictments!
1. According to Josh Marshall at TPM, who references Politico, the Edict banning Muslims was written together with Hill staffers, behind the back of their Member. (!?!?) Thus conflating two branches of govt. The staffers had to sign non-disclosure agreements. (?!?!) (But somebody must blown the whistle.)
2. Theresa May came on Friday and must have made some kind of deal with Trump, where he tipped her to the coming ban, the next day, together with her agreement not to criticize it but just to say the magic words that this was a matter for the US govt. (The British Press and people are all over this!)
3. Deutsche Bank has admitted laundering Russian money. Trump has big loans from Deutsche Bank. Could Putin or his cronies be behind the laundering? Does Bannon know about that? Is he blackmailing Trump?
4. This developing scandal has more legs than a centipede!
I am horrified.
I am outraged.
I am disgusted.
And I want Impeachment and Indictments!
5
I keep reading the term "alt-right". This means "white supremacist". Alt-right means white supremacist. Note to self.
2
I feel like the President invited all of us to back him up in the world's largest bar fight.
1
Checks and balances no longer functioning independently. Where is Congress?
2
I hope the New York Times reporters will thoroughly investigate the companies that include Steve Bannon on their boards and update us on the status of his board participations. The data mining company, Cambridge Analytica, for example now holds several deep connections to the White House through Bannon and Rebekah Mercer. Has Cambridge received contracts? What are the implications of these close connections?
3
This is what happens when people "Elect" a puppet.
5
Of course, the buck stops with Trump. This article is flawed in it presumes to know how much influence he has with Trump. No one can know this early in the process so the NYTimes makes it up and causes hysteria.
Also, any influence he has is still up to Trump and not Bannon.
Also, any influence he has is still up to Trump and not Bannon.
1
Donald Trump is a "president" lacking qualification or sufficient popular votes, who benefited from a statistical fluke of the narrowest electoral margins (of less than 100K votes from three states) engendering his "win".
A sliver of a win.
Undeniable are the facts that our and the Russian government -- both -- publicly stated that Russian hackers subverted this election using clandestine cyber-warfare, influencing Trump's illegitimate electoral "win". Together the facts clearly say Donald Trump lacks mandate and populace support, and definitely has no legitimate claim to the presidency.
Donald Trump regularly lies and refutes irrefutable facts that multitudes of experts assert. His cancerous despotism grows unchecked. His lack of abilities, evidenced through his selection of unqualified dubious staff whom he publicly undermines for show, shows an opportunistic tramp way over his head.
Embodying Trump's ineptitude is his selection of Steve Bannon, a bush-league quack with a well-documented long history of supporting anti-Semite and white-supremacist hate-speak.
Certifying Trump's dangerous lunacy is his promotion of Steve Bannon to lead the National Security Council -- our foremost national security and military brigade of commanders.
Bannon is an unshaven reckless mouthpiece lacking even a driblet of integrity. Yet Trump, our first naked emperor, elevated this imp to a critical position, to control and bully into subservience the esteemed National Security Council.
A sliver of a win.
Undeniable are the facts that our and the Russian government -- both -- publicly stated that Russian hackers subverted this election using clandestine cyber-warfare, influencing Trump's illegitimate electoral "win". Together the facts clearly say Donald Trump lacks mandate and populace support, and definitely has no legitimate claim to the presidency.
Donald Trump regularly lies and refutes irrefutable facts that multitudes of experts assert. His cancerous despotism grows unchecked. His lack of abilities, evidenced through his selection of unqualified dubious staff whom he publicly undermines for show, shows an opportunistic tramp way over his head.
Embodying Trump's ineptitude is his selection of Steve Bannon, a bush-league quack with a well-documented long history of supporting anti-Semite and white-supremacist hate-speak.
Certifying Trump's dangerous lunacy is his promotion of Steve Bannon to lead the National Security Council -- our foremost national security and military brigade of commanders.
Bannon is an unshaven reckless mouthpiece lacking even a driblet of integrity. Yet Trump, our first naked emperor, elevated this imp to a critical position, to control and bully into subservience the esteemed National Security Council.
2
Bannon is feeding Trump's ego. He put the gun President's shoulder then started shooting. Bannon has nationalistic agenda and he is working on his agenda. He hates everybody except white Christians ( Catholic is not that much favorite). He will change America as have known for its nobility and compassion.
6
We have to face this possibility with a number of Trump's appointees--some are just smarter than Trump' His belief in his own superior intelligence makes it more than likely that others in his administration will out-flank him. The bigger problem for the rest of America is what happens when the smarter appointees clash with one another.l
1
Gloom and doom....gloom and doom. Yes this is a very serious situation, but we readers need to REMEMBER that half the people in the U.S. voted for him, expecting him to do exactly what he is doing. That half also lives with us in our country, as our neighbors, friends, and relatives. Trump has been in office less than two weeks, and the sky is falling. I'm confident that our legislative and judicial branches, along with our free press will blunt any real harm that these Bozo's can do. We made it through Bush II and the economic disaster of Wall Street. This is the United States, and we have endured worse.
2
Bannon is totally unqualified to be in the position he's in. bannon is a sniveling hate filled bigot who has no business representing america or determining policy.
8
Oh don't worry. The vast majority of Trump's supporters in Ohio beauty salons and Wisconsin coffee shops have no clue who Bannon is.
7
Say it.
Stop mincing words. It is not merely the a political operative has been appointed to the principals committee of the N.S.C.
An overt fascist has been appointed to the committee.
Stop mincing words. It is not merely the a political operative has been appointed to the principals committee of the N.S.C.
An overt fascist has been appointed to the committee.
7
"According to section (a)(6) of federal statute 50 U.S. Code 3021, a civilian like Steve Bannon will in fact need to go through Senate confirmation and approval in order to serve on the National Security Council because he doesn’t fit into any of the five listed pre-approved categories. That obscure law, which has remained obscure because no president has ever tried to put a political hack on the NSC until now, was dug up by MSNBC analyst Jonathan Alter late on Monday night. This sets up a remarkable showdown if Trump goes ahead with the Bannon pick, because few in either party have shown any affinity or trust for the guy – and they’ll have limitless material for embarrassing him." The Palmer Report 1/30/16
5
The NSC has always been politicized, remember Condoleezza Rice and Rumsfeld were connected to it in its decision to run up the Iraq wars. I am not sure where Bannon will take it but politicizing the process for national security decisions is old stuff for Republicans. Removing politics from The NSC (or at least trying) is a democratic thing.
2
The Orange Man himself has proved to be too scatterbrained and too prone to self-contradiction to formulate a coherent policy. Bannon is amateurish, but known to have fascist tendencies, and the policies so far bear his handprints.
5
Just because people say first impressions are everything, doesn't literally make them so. They only say that because they're either too lazy or too impatient to find out for real. Hence today's editorial.
1
Two things:
1) At least Bannon will have to be approved by the Senate to assume a position on the NSC. If nothing else this will allow Dems to lay bare in public, Bannon's creepy soul and life.
2) Keep your eye on Jared Kushner. How can he subjugate what some might expect would be a reasonable degree of moral principles associated with his Orthodox Jewishness, in order to stand shoulder to shoulder with Trumpolini and Bannon, all in the name of furthering his own power and future as a third generation real estate heir seeking political power. Kushner should make the skin of good people crawl.
1) At least Bannon will have to be approved by the Senate to assume a position on the NSC. If nothing else this will allow Dems to lay bare in public, Bannon's creepy soul and life.
2) Keep your eye on Jared Kushner. How can he subjugate what some might expect would be a reasonable degree of moral principles associated with his Orthodox Jewishness, in order to stand shoulder to shoulder with Trumpolini and Bannon, all in the name of furthering his own power and future as a third generation real estate heir seeking political power. Kushner should make the skin of good people crawl.
6
The more the Left fears Bannon, the more certain we can be that he is the right man at the right time for America
2
Alt-Right = White Supremacist
Use the correct wording. Using alt-right normalizes white supremacy.
Use the correct wording. Using alt-right normalizes white supremacy.
4
Trump snorting and pacing during the debates, always sniffing, hires Bannon, he of the red nose, pebbled, unshaven face, and always disheveled look. Two meglomaniac drug users/boozers running the country. God help us. And I'm an atheist.
8
I am sure others have thought of it- Bannon is almost like Rasputin- behind the scenes- yet so glaringly- bending the tide of affairs to his will.
3
Well this clown is our Rasputin, with his fanatical hellustional paranoia, and a totally morally corrupt president to manipulate.
3
Its amazing to see the far left talk about the right. #1, The Muslim ban is temporary. It is simply to put together a better, more intense vetting process. Seeing that 95% of terrorist activity comes from those listed Muslim countries, we need to know who is coming into our country to avoid those terrorist activities. #2 Trump didn't defy the Jews, if anything it was Obama and breaking off with Israel at the UN. Get it right news. I love how the far outreaching left are crying like little babies at this point. Instead of looking at the bigger picture for some of these Trump issues, they want the country to fall further into decay. They are the first to call someone racist, sexist, homophobic etc. Hell, if it were up to the democrats we'd have an open border society with everyone living off the government and the government taking 70% taxes from our paychecks.
2
Whenever we decide to elect a weak or largely inept president, there appears to be someone whispering in their ear, creating a puppet president...case in point....George Bush and Richard Cheney.
3
Maybe it's not all Bannon? Maybe it's also Kushner? If he were a mensch he would quit the White House and denounce his miserable father-in-law. I suspect, though, that he is in cahoots with Bannon, ample justification for rabbinical censure (herem).
2
Please, New York Times, assign a few reporters to investigate and write a full, balanced profile of Steve Bannon. Now readers just tend to stumble on pieces off gossip about the man in Slate and the Huffington Post (that his newspaper, Breitbart, published a story claiming birth control makes women ugly; that Bannon abused his wife; that Bannon says he's "Alt-Right, whatever that means ... is there a loose organization of alt-righters? All guys?; that Bannon admires Lenin and wants to bring down the government; that Bannon has hooves and fangs ... wait, never mind, I imagined that one).
Write a full analysis. It's important. Editorials are not enough given what little we know about this man and his growing, obscure power.
Thank you!
Write a full analysis. It's important. Editorials are not enough given what little we know about this man and his growing, obscure power.
Thank you!
9
"Jingoism"? The Times has barely left off criticising the inaugural for being too insular on foreign policy!
1
We now have our very own Mad King George. So who is running the country? A bigoted despot elected by no one. And Mitch McConnel and Paul Ryan stand-by hoping to grab a few crumbs from beneath the royal table. What a crew. I hope everyone is now combing the constitution, looking for legal options to right this tragic situation.
6
It's difficult to watch footage of Trump and Bannon together, because you can see Bannon analyzing, surveying and manipulating his puppet, while others in the room seem oblivious. I can't imagine that Jared Kushner won't soon hate Bannon.
8
Regardless of party affiliation, as citizens we can no longer underestimate Bannon. He is a smart, dangerous sociopath who either intends to ensure the destruction of our country - or pull off what could be the greatest cash grab con in history.
The chaos surrounding each executive order is by his design, triggering emotions, confusion and dissent throughout our government and amongst our citizens. His actions during the campaign and especially now are carefully calculated and cannot be dismissed anymore as sloppy, ignorant or rushed.
Bannon deserves much more attention and investigation into his motives - which seem to invite crisis and violence more so than moving the country forward. His actions, ideologies, and manipulation of information should cause great concern for all Americans, regardless of party affiliation.
Thank you, NYTimes for publishing this editorial.
The chaos surrounding each executive order is by his design, triggering emotions, confusion and dissent throughout our government and amongst our citizens. His actions during the campaign and especially now are carefully calculated and cannot be dismissed anymore as sloppy, ignorant or rushed.
Bannon deserves much more attention and investigation into his motives - which seem to invite crisis and violence more so than moving the country forward. His actions, ideologies, and manipulation of information should cause great concern for all Americans, regardless of party affiliation.
Thank you, NYTimes for publishing this editorial.
6
Who has responsibility for inviting the Chairman of the JCS or the director of national intelligence when the cabinet is unknowingly entering an area fraught with danger in the military or intelligence arena?
4
Keep the heat on Bannon and reveal how he is manipulating Trump at every turn. Trump is, and always has been, a spokesman for a brand. Trump is an intellectual lightweight, poorly schooled in diplomacy and world history. He is now just the front man for Brannon's vision of jingoistic rule. The more the spot light shines on Bannon the better as he is the most belligerent and unstable of any advisor so far to have access to the ear of an American President.
10
Based on articles like this (and these http://motherboard.vice.com/read/big-data-cambridge-analytica-brexit-trump) Bannon is emerging as a serious threat to what we as a country stand for. He lives off from chaos: disinformation, quick and world changing acts– anything so that people feel unmoored and disconnected. The more that happens the more they'll eschew the normal acts of human interaction— conversation based in some verifiable information— and move to social media where, using the gift of data collection, he can whisper in each ear, where he can be our own little Iago— our own little Satan.
More than ever before, people need to be able to turn to reputable sources of information. This is the reason he denigrates the NYT and other sources of journalism. This is the reason he wants the media to shut its mouth and why he wants to keep banging on that one note of bias. He wants to replace truth with his lies.
More than ever before, people need to be able to turn to reputable sources of information. This is the reason he denigrates the NYT and other sources of journalism. This is the reason he wants the media to shut its mouth and why he wants to keep banging on that one note of bias. He wants to replace truth with his lies.
7
what could possibly go wrong with bannon playing ceo and trump selling the word that the ban wws a smashing success? sounds like trump applauds this chaos
and bannons dark desire to destroy the foundations and soul of our blessed nation. stay strong people. we must defeat this evil incarnate.
and bannons dark desire to destroy the foundations and soul of our blessed nation. stay strong people. we must defeat this evil incarnate.
6
What we are all seeing coming out of the White House today, should not be a surprise. During the election campaign, people have witnessed and expressed concern over the behavior and unacceptable comments from then candidate Donald Trump. There were names such as that of Michael Flynn, Steve Bannon and Kushner that often appeared in the spotlight. People like Flynn and Bannon were publicly making known their extreme views. So, there was this team with Donald Trump and his so called advisors working on the election campaign.
Both Michael Flynn and Steve Bannon have not gone away after the election campaign. They are still there, both been rewarded for their support to the Trump campaign. Whether someone like Steve Bannon should be part of the National Security Council is a good question. But, it is not a question or concern for President Trump. From that point, the debate will continue.
Both Michael Flynn and Steve Bannon have not gone away after the election campaign. They are still there, both been rewarded for their support to the Trump campaign. Whether someone like Steve Bannon should be part of the National Security Council is a good question. But, it is not a question or concern for President Trump. From that point, the debate will continue.
2
This is truly scary! A blowhard with no political experience and an American Goebbels, also with no experience in government. They do not even have two weeks in office under their belts and they are turning the country upside down.
The founding fathers, although brilliant in their forward thinking visions, could have never even imagined these two, or even just one of them, for that matter.
If we get through the next four years, and that is a big IF, when cooler heads prevail, laws will have to change to prevent this from ever happening again.
In the meantime, Republican Senators and Congressman might consider growing a pair.
The founding fathers, although brilliant in their forward thinking visions, could have never even imagined these two, or even just one of them, for that matter.
If we get through the next four years, and that is a big IF, when cooler heads prevail, laws will have to change to prevent this from ever happening again.
In the meantime, Republican Senators and Congressman might consider growing a pair.
3
First,we should be thankful that we have daring press, at least some of the time. but in times like this, free press that speaks truth to "president Bannon", is our first line of defense against this junta who are trying to dismantle American democracy and purge our pluralistic society. "president Bannon" is pillaging and gutting our values from being " a city upon a hill, [where] the eyes of all people are upon us" to nothing more than vandals looting the booty.
1
While we are focusing on de facto President Bannon and the Great White Hope Celebrity President, let's not forget the Mercer family of LI who made The Don an offer he could not refuse after Cruz dropped out. They have given us the untethered-from-the-truth trio, Bannon, Miller and Conway. How smugly smiling they must be knowing that their personal/corporate interests will be protected. Sad!
2
1. The Times is correct to focus on Bannon.
2. There is a huge impediment to understand what he is saying - it is the inverse of an extremely important truth that may decide our very survival.
Bannon is not stupid. He recognizes a real problem. If you look at isolated aspects of his speeches, he sounds like Bernie - talking about the working and middle class getting unfairly treated by the millionaires and billionaires.
But there's a more difficult point he's making, more difficult for the average Times reader. He is looking at what he, from his inverted perspective, sees as a lack of spiritual values in the marketplace. Looking at his views inverted, you can hear Rabbi Lerner's "Spiritual progressives." Lerner has been telling the average center-left liberal for decades that you can't possibly speak to people's values by focusing purely on economic issues, not even by focusing on economic and social justice.
They haven't listened to Rabbi Lerner, and so the alt-right picks up the mantle, and links up with Putin who is also very intelligent and can, in very limited passages of his speeches, also appear to be speaking to the same needs as Rabbi Lerner.
Folks like Gemli and Socrates, both of whom write beautifully and powerfully, completely miss the deeper aspect of Rabbi Lerner's message.
People are desperate for this, and if they don't hear a meaningful, progressive version, they will fall for the counterfeit. This is very, very dangerous.
www.remember-to-breathe.org
2. There is a huge impediment to understand what he is saying - it is the inverse of an extremely important truth that may decide our very survival.
Bannon is not stupid. He recognizes a real problem. If you look at isolated aspects of his speeches, he sounds like Bernie - talking about the working and middle class getting unfairly treated by the millionaires and billionaires.
But there's a more difficult point he's making, more difficult for the average Times reader. He is looking at what he, from his inverted perspective, sees as a lack of spiritual values in the marketplace. Looking at his views inverted, you can hear Rabbi Lerner's "Spiritual progressives." Lerner has been telling the average center-left liberal for decades that you can't possibly speak to people's values by focusing purely on economic issues, not even by focusing on economic and social justice.
They haven't listened to Rabbi Lerner, and so the alt-right picks up the mantle, and links up with Putin who is also very intelligent and can, in very limited passages of his speeches, also appear to be speaking to the same needs as Rabbi Lerner.
Folks like Gemli and Socrates, both of whom write beautifully and powerfully, completely miss the deeper aspect of Rabbi Lerner's message.
People are desperate for this, and if they don't hear a meaningful, progressive version, they will fall for the counterfeit. This is very, very dangerous.
www.remember-to-breathe.org
2
No wonder why white supremacists never succeeded in History, they believe so much in their so called "superiority" that they don't acquire the needed tools to make their governments efficient, Bannon and et. al. are simply oblivious to what government means and the only agenda they follow is a hate rampage that can transform itself in a catastrophe for the whole world, destroying in the mean time a great nation like the US, like Germany and Japan before
2
So when is this winning that would happen so much we would get tired of it going to start? Bannon knows he only has to pander to one person-Trump. He presciently got on the right side of Trump when Trump was a guest of his on his radio show. He gave Trump the flattery he craves so, of course, Trump thinks he is brilliant. And I am sure he compliments Trump every morning when he sees him. But this sort of turmoil Bannon has created through Trump is inherently unstable and will come crashing down at some point. The question is, will it be before they are able to cause much more damage to the American reputation and economy?
3
Why is the Editorial Board walking on eggshells? Call this what it is: Steve Bannon is a white supremacist who is using his advisory role to move us closer to fascism. And Trump doesn't care as long as he can monetize the Presidency! Seriously, let's stop tippy-toeing around the problem and start sounding the alarm. The triumvirate of Trump-Bannon-Tillerson is bent on quelling dissention and creating distractions so their highly unethical actions fly under the radar. We will always be one step behind this team of madmen if the press keeps focusing on the violation of governmental norms. They. Don't. Care. And by the time the law catches up to them (if, indeed, Congress is willing to launch an investigation, which, to date, doesn't seem likely), they will have already consolidated power and reaped huge windfalls of profit from their overseas business dealings. The question we need to ask our elected officials is, what will it take for you to block Trump and his minions? A government overthrow? Better not blink; it may have already happened.
7
The Trump administration has all the earmarks of a rolling disaster of historical proportions, which might be exactly what a smart, evil man like Steve Bannon desires to achieve. Everyone I talk to, including my own family, is terrified. We can only hope that our democratic traditions have the means to fight back successfully. And we hope that true patriots in the Republican party, like Senators McCain and Graham, recognize the threat posed by Trump and Bannon, and find a way to remove them.
4
"As his first week in office amply demonstrated, Mr. Trump has no grounding in national security decision making, no sophistication in governance and little apparent grasp of what it takes to lead a great diverse nation."
And that is exactly what Trump voters wanted.
And that is exactly what Trump voters wanted.
5
I am not a fan of Donald Trump and loathe Steve Bannon even more. Yet I feel that they are on the right track because of the following
a) Why is Saudi Arabia - the richest Arab nation not adopting or granting refuge to their Muslim brethren? Not a word from the Saudi Kingdom either by means of pledges or open borders or policy to help the refugees. If Americans can pledge to help the refugees post the ban, I am sure the billions of dollars amassed by the Saudi Royal family could also be put to good use
b) First they come as refugees. Then they demand a Mosque or an Islamic Center. Then they want madrassas to coach their kids. Then they want to enforce the hizab in school and public places. Then occasionally some nut preaches hatred and yada yada. We have seen this pattern happen on and on. No. Unless they assimilate in American societies they need to be kept at bay
c) With so many bonafide American citizens lacking jobs and healthcare, is it practical to accept refugees. Who pays for their healthcare? Who pays for their education and moreover who will ensure their assimilation?
a) Why is Saudi Arabia - the richest Arab nation not adopting or granting refuge to their Muslim brethren? Not a word from the Saudi Kingdom either by means of pledges or open borders or policy to help the refugees. If Americans can pledge to help the refugees post the ban, I am sure the billions of dollars amassed by the Saudi Royal family could also be put to good use
b) First they come as refugees. Then they demand a Mosque or an Islamic Center. Then they want madrassas to coach their kids. Then they want to enforce the hizab in school and public places. Then occasionally some nut preaches hatred and yada yada. We have seen this pattern happen on and on. No. Unless they assimilate in American societies they need to be kept at bay
c) With so many bonafide American citizens lacking jobs and healthcare, is it practical to accept refugees. Who pays for their healthcare? Who pays for their education and moreover who will ensure their assimilation?
Scary!
"or, will he turn at last for counsel to the few more thoughtful experienced hands in his administration, like Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and General Dunford?"
You mean "Mad Dog" Mattis?!
That's how bad things have are when "Mad Dog" is considered the most thoughtful!
"or, will he turn at last for counsel to the few more thoughtful experienced hands in his administration, like Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and General Dunford?"
You mean "Mad Dog" Mattis?!
That's how bad things have are when "Mad Dog" is considered the most thoughtful!
1
Let's play a board game. You can be Trump, Putin, ISIS or any tin-can dictator or vested interest you choose. You get to buy Republican politicians when you accumulate enough dollars. Nobody goes to jail in this game except for Russian journalists and rights advocates. Each player in turn rolls the dice, goes to the Bank and gets $$ to buy a favorite way to corrupt America's democracy -institutionally, ethically and in the eyes of the world. Weakening America and making the world safe for totalitarian governments and vested interests is the game's ultimate objective. It's a high stakes game. Trump and Bannon seem to be all in and controlling the allocation of chips. Trump has already managed to alienated well over half the US population, Europe, the Middle East, religious leaders (Evangelists sold their chips for Roe v. Wade), and people of good faith everywhere. Even the Koch brothers if news reports are reliable --which they seldom are in this game. But it is the Putins and "radical Islamic terrorists" that are winning hands down. What fun. America is reeling in the balance. And every day there are more opportunities to hammer the USA. Tomorrow it's the Supreme Court nominee. The Supreme Court is also in play. What fun!
Finally the NYT is paying attention to Bannon. Stay with him. He is dangerous as well as hateful.
6
Let's hope that President Trump doesn't repeat Jimmy Carter's mistakes, when he brought in all of his redneck buddies from Georgia. Kushner and Bannon Should listen, but keep their mouths shut, and listen to the experts, like the accomplished and respected cabinet members...especially when it comes to foreign policy and homelands security.
1
Thanks NYT for the expose on Bannon. The only thing I would have done differently: there would be no question mark. As most thinking people know, Trump has neither the knowledge to carry out, nor inclination to learn how to do his job. President Bannon knows his way around Trump's fourth grade level mind, and is running the office of POTUS. Trump is content to do what he does best, if not the only thing he knows - salve his own ego.
4
What happened to "let's be bipartisan" and "eliminate gridlock" message? Never mind. Republican is in the White House.
2
remember bannon's quote about being a leninst? please refresh your memories:
“I’m a Leninist,” Bannon proudly proclaimed. “Lenin wanted to destroy the state, and that’s my goal too. I want to bring everything crashing down, and destroy all of today’s establishment.”
you are getting what he promised. he's trump's crasher-in-chief
“I’m a Leninist,” Bannon proudly proclaimed. “Lenin wanted to destroy the state, and that’s my goal too. I want to bring everything crashing down, and destroy all of today’s establishment.”
you are getting what he promised. he's trump's crasher-in-chief
6
NYTimes - this is a clever move you're making. Trump, or man-child-puppet (of Bannon, Putin, and his own Ego), president reads the NYTimes and lusts for its approval. He also fears, yes really fears, being escorted out of the WH (or anywhere with cameras or onlookers) as humiliated or in hand-cuffs (it's actually why he doesn't drink). To suggest that he is the puppet of either Putin or Bannon (or both) will drive him crazy - and add to his Ego's fears. He has lots of literary figures hovering around him, I'm betting on Bannon, a more devious Iago to Trump's child-like Othello, to win the day against all others. He, Bannon, will be the last to fall.
4
You guys have a real problem when you can't use the word President. It's President Trump, Mr. President, etc... respect the office if nothing else. Failure to do so shows your prejudice, and the rest of your editorial opinion is ignored as posturing. Wise up.
1
This humble suggestion can't be anything new here, but can we assume that there are folks who know how to do these things busy digging up information about Bannon's past that will get him out of the White House and, hopefully, into jail? But we'll settle for out of the White House. Come on, little hackers, do something great for your country.
9
Bannon is to Trump, what Rove was to W. Bush.
Trump like Bush is considered unintelligent, cloddish and superficial. Both are easily manipulated by subordinates. Look for a $$money grab as we had in Iraq.
Trump like Bush is considered unintelligent, cloddish and superficial. Both are easily manipulated by subordinates. Look for a $$money grab as we had in Iraq.
6
Bannon, America's Rasputin!
6
I just don't understand how someone can defend Bannon as a NSC pick. I am guessing only Putin would defend and love this pick. This is just idiotic.
9
WHY would any responsible person allow so close to power a person who has embraced Lenin's tenet of bringing down the establishment? Why is that ok? To what purpose is such destruction? Doesn't seem that it can be anything good.
Why isn't the GOP leadership pulling Trump aside and pointing out the perils? We are in terrible trouble. Help us!
Why isn't the GOP leadership pulling Trump aside and pointing out the perils? We are in terrible trouble. Help us!
10
Conspicuously absent in any discussions about the ban is Jared Kushner. Did they deliberately plan to release this after the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath so Kushner's fingerprints weren't on it? Was he involved in the discussion earlier? Or was there no discussion?
7
More tripe from the NYT. At least they moved the fake news to the opinion page.
1
Bucking tradition is one thing. Giving it the middle finger is another entirely.
Trump is not, his own personal opinion notwithstanding, an intelligent person. Bannon, on the other hand is smart, wily, but not in the cartoon coyote sort of way. Bannon's bag of ACME Corp. machinations do not end up backfiring on Trump, but instead wreak damage to the nation, its constitution and citizens. Trump, developmentally frozen at the age of five, loves seeing and hearing things go B-O-O-M!!! and Bannon is delivering in a big way.
Unfortunately, with Bannon becoming, as Trump surely intends, the leading force on the NSC, Bannon's Booms will cause immense and irreparable damage and loss of life.
Trump is not, his own personal opinion notwithstanding, an intelligent person. Bannon, on the other hand is smart, wily, but not in the cartoon coyote sort of way. Bannon's bag of ACME Corp. machinations do not end up backfiring on Trump, but instead wreak damage to the nation, its constitution and citizens. Trump, developmentally frozen at the age of five, loves seeing and hearing things go B-O-O-M!!! and Bannon is delivering in a big way.
Unfortunately, with Bannon becoming, as Trump surely intends, the leading force on the NSC, Bannon's Booms will cause immense and irreparable damage and loss of life.
9
Steve Bannon has used the "I'm Darth Vader" line a couple of times. I'm sure he's very impressed with himself for coming up with that one but does he remember how Return of the Jedi ends? Regardless, I'm sure Bannon thinks he has it all figured out with the "Sow Chaos"/ "Divide and Conquer" schtick but he's not the only one with a say in how things play out...We will see you on the battlefield, Steve! We will be looking for the guy wearing a tinfoil hat.
6
It would help if Mr. Mattis and General Dunford submitted their resignations. As I recall it was Elliot Richardson's abrupt resignation that triggered PResident's Nixon's resignation... No one elected Bannon and if the GOP remains silent on this they will assume the alt-right mantle Mr. Bannon is bestowing on them... MAYBE the resignation of principled appointees would get the GOP's attention...
8
Can you imagine the likes of Bannon, or Trump for that matter, at the table during the Cuban Missile Crisis?
7
The liberals have found their bogeyman. Same playbook every single time. Bannon told you various times that you are still failing to understand what happened in November and that you are still failing to understand the citizens you share this nation with.
The New York Times editorials start to read like Alex Jones and the National Inquirer. You are making mountains out of molehills, nitpicking and exaggerating anything and everything related to Trump, and because of this,you lost all credibility outside your echo-chamber.
1
President Bannon? We had 8 years of President Valerie "Iranian" Jarrett.
1
We get it. The Editorial Board despises Bannon. So it claims he's the real [fill-in-the-blank].
Anyone who believes Bannon is driving things doesn't understand Donald Trump. No surprise, the Editorial Board still gets it wrong again just like it did about the election.
Anyone who believes Bannon is driving things doesn't understand Donald Trump. No surprise, the Editorial Board still gets it wrong again just like it did about the election.
1
Bannon's call for a defense of white Christen Countries against Muslim and secular states is scary beyond belief. His beliefs are far beyond mainstream and have no place on the NSC, or in the White House.
9
The insanity of the 'Left" and liberals in general to what Islam and Muslims are; is a total denial of TRUTH!
The Quran (Koran) commands all Muslims to be jihadists. There are no Muslims, if they adhere to the Quran, who are peaceful or moderates. The toleration and embracing of Muslims is done because of the great amounts of money that Islamic States, such as Saudi Arabia, spends to bribe U.S. institutions and individuals. When islamic advocates, such as the New York Times, upholds Islam, in any fashion, then follow the money. Those who are upholding Islam , in the U.S., are traitors to our nation and way of life.
The Quran (Koran) commands all Muslims to be jihadists. There are no Muslims, if they adhere to the Quran, who are peaceful or moderates. The toleration and embracing of Muslims is done because of the great amounts of money that Islamic States, such as Saudi Arabia, spends to bribe U.S. institutions and individuals. When islamic advocates, such as the New York Times, upholds Islam, in any fashion, then follow the money. Those who are upholding Islam , in the U.S., are traitors to our nation and way of life.
1
No one voted for Bannon, but he's smarter than Trump and has already made himself the REAL President! His hands are probably bigger too.
12
But you will notice not "one dam" word about the "shadow Iranian" president Valerie Jarrett who ran the country into the ground for 8 years. Why is there no mention? Who is she really...in what capacity did she rule over ex president Obama, exactly what were her credentials? Who gave her all of this power? Was she ever really properly vetted by the American taxpayers ? Yeah just what I thought.....no answer because the Liberals don't want to have to answer...because they don't know.
4
As I was wondering what can be done to stop Bannon, I read a brilliant comment by Robert from Boston. Trump can't share the limelight with anyone. Once Bannon starts getting more press, he's gone. That's the answer - make every headline large and bold with the words "BANNON DOES IT AGAIN" and the like. That should do the trick.
20
This editorial is too kind. President Bannon staged a coup over the weekend while the press and the world gasped about the Muslim Ban. When has an adviser EVER tried to muscle out military leadership from the Principals committee of the NSC? And why would anyone do this except as a serious power play. The Chairman of the JCS is the only role with the legal authority (aside form Congress) to actually say NO to a sitting president's commands. And yet no mention of this in the editorial?? PLEASE, don't assume, as you did i the article, that readers find this "boring." It is YOUR job as reporters to tell us why we should care; it is YOUR job as reporters to connect the dots. Please do so.
President Bannon is an existential threat like never before. He won't simply "politicize" national security. He will reshape it in the most bigoted and vengeful of terms. There will be violence. Consider that he will have the keys to the Big Data kingdom of domestic National Security without the military's oversight on him - a specter so terrifying to me I almost don't want to entertain it.
A President Bannon's domestic terrorism program could make Mao's operation look like child's play. All of us -- the NY Times readers, writers, anyone with a mark on our noses from wearing eyeglasses, could be put on that list. This isn't hysteria. They say when a person tells you the truth of himself, believe it. President Bannon has never lied about who he is. We should listen.
President Bannon is an existential threat like never before. He won't simply "politicize" national security. He will reshape it in the most bigoted and vengeful of terms. There will be violence. Consider that he will have the keys to the Big Data kingdom of domestic National Security without the military's oversight on him - a specter so terrifying to me I almost don't want to entertain it.
A President Bannon's domestic terrorism program could make Mao's operation look like child's play. All of us -- the NY Times readers, writers, anyone with a mark on our noses from wearing eyeglasses, could be put on that list. This isn't hysteria. They say when a person tells you the truth of himself, believe it. President Bannon has never lied about who he is. We should listen.
16
Bannon is Roy Cohn and Trump is Joe McCarthy
Thank you America.
Thank you America.
20
More fake news from the New York Slimes! Sean Spicer cleared up any confusion on this matter at the press conference yesterday afternoon!
But with the fake stream media none of that "clarity" matters. All that matters is besmirching EVERY one of President Trumps policies and solutions to get our country back on the right track!
Sad...very very sad
But with the fake stream media none of that "clarity" matters. All that matters is besmirching EVERY one of President Trumps policies and solutions to get our country back on the right track!
Sad...very very sad
2
Blame the enablers. All of the people that allow Bannon/Trump policies to implement without question or critique. This is how we really lose civil society to a dictator..when they are normalized or explained or in this case..silent.
Who will speak for me?
Get your passport...bump up your savings...you many need it.
Who will speak for me?
Get your passport...bump up your savings...you many need it.
9
We need to RISE UP and say, "No more"! Thank you, editorial board, and thank you, Elizabeth Warren for your poignant words yesterday.
17
PLEASE NYTimes editors and reporters, keep reporting FACTS about the president and those around him and their "policies". I feel like brave responsible journalism is the only thing between American citizens and the loss of our democracy. Thank you
15
Are you kidding? Thank God for Steve Bannon. The AMERICAN people love what Trump is doing, and Steve Bannon is a huge part of that. Thank you Steve!
3
Sean Spicer comparing Bannon to David Axelrod sitting in on the Security Council? Laughable in a very sick way.
9
I mostly agree with this article. The mean spiritied, xenophobic, manipulative, far alt-right philosophy and politics expressed by Trump defies belief. What remaining vacuum exists in Trump - and it is considerable - has the obvious footprint of Bannon.
Trump appears too lazy or incapable of focusing and understanding what goes on with the complex data in the NSC (too much time taken from rallies and tweets), hence the naming of Bannon as a principal to the NSC. In this way, Bannon is able to break down in his warped world view, the meetings in easily digestable, paranoid chunks for Trump. With Trump, "Ignorance is strength."
But from what I understand, the chairman of the the Joint Chiefs and the director of national intelligence are 'free to attend any meeting they wish'. They are not prevented from attending, or attending only when invited. I believe Preibus and Spicer have both said this. I don't know if such is true. Nonetheless, it is still an incredibly, breathtakingly stupid demotion. And a frightening promotion.
Naming Bannon as a principal to the council brings to mind a person whose philosophy and aim is best summarized in 1984: "If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever".
Trump appears too lazy or incapable of focusing and understanding what goes on with the complex data in the NSC (too much time taken from rallies and tweets), hence the naming of Bannon as a principal to the NSC. In this way, Bannon is able to break down in his warped world view, the meetings in easily digestable, paranoid chunks for Trump. With Trump, "Ignorance is strength."
But from what I understand, the chairman of the the Joint Chiefs and the director of national intelligence are 'free to attend any meeting they wish'. They are not prevented from attending, or attending only when invited. I believe Preibus and Spicer have both said this. I don't know if such is true. Nonetheless, it is still an incredibly, breathtakingly stupid demotion. And a frightening promotion.
Naming Bannon as a principal to the council brings to mind a person whose philosophy and aim is best summarized in 1984: "If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever".
14
Bannon is supporting Trump in building his brand of a" Man of Action" by having morning meetings, daily Executive actions most of which are full of caveats that mean implementation is going to be delayed for years or not be implemented at all.
Even the executive order on banning refugees from 7 countries fails to meet the objective that it was designed to keep America safe . As pointed out millions of times it excludes Countries whose citizens have been guilty of terrorism on our soil. I certainly do not feel safer only very sad.
This order was part of the brand building for the base , sadly it has evil, illegal in humane consequences. The execution the ensuing chaos is evidence of the incompetence of the Trump Administration.
Trump / Bannon/ Conway / Spicer are all frauds and hucksters we must not be fooled by them and demand results not alternative facts.
Even the executive order on banning refugees from 7 countries fails to meet the objective that it was designed to keep America safe . As pointed out millions of times it excludes Countries whose citizens have been guilty of terrorism on our soil. I certainly do not feel safer only very sad.
This order was part of the brand building for the base , sadly it has evil, illegal in humane consequences. The execution the ensuing chaos is evidence of the incompetence of the Trump Administration.
Trump / Bannon/ Conway / Spicer are all frauds and hucksters we must not be fooled by them and demand results not alternative facts.
8
Sean Spicer--despite his disregard for the media and blunt personality--is the only person able to present Donald Trump as presidential. Conway and Bannon are ridiculous--the former looking for personal exposure and the latter looking to pull the strings. I feel like this is from a movie, right...?
4
The NSC is a creation of Congress, whose membership is governed by statute, and Bannon's appointment seems to clearly violate that statute. The statute (50 USC 3021) says, in relevant part:
"The Council shall be composed of—
(1) the President;
(2) the Vice President;
(3) the Secretary of State;
(4) the Secretary of Defense;
(5) the Secretary of Energy; and
(6) the Secretaries and Under Secretaries of other executive departments and of the military departments, when appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve at his pleasure."
Later provisions specifically address the role of the Chair of the Joint Chiefs and DNI. Bannon, is not a secretary or undersecretary so (a)(6) doesn't apply. The language of the statute concerning the composition of the NSC is clearly mandatory ("shall be composed of") and does not provide for other types of appointees. The suggestion that Trump could add to the list without Senate consent seems an absurd interpretation, since it would allow him to appoint any random civilian without Senate approval, while (a)(6) would require Senate approval for Cabinet level officers other than those named in (1)-(5).
The structure of the act also explains the odd language about the role of the DNI and Chair of Joint Chiefs. Spicer was correct that this language mirrored the language of prior executive orders, but perhaps did not realize that those executive orders drew the language from the statute.
"The Council shall be composed of—
(1) the President;
(2) the Vice President;
(3) the Secretary of State;
(4) the Secretary of Defense;
(5) the Secretary of Energy; and
(6) the Secretaries and Under Secretaries of other executive departments and of the military departments, when appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve at his pleasure."
Later provisions specifically address the role of the Chair of the Joint Chiefs and DNI. Bannon, is not a secretary or undersecretary so (a)(6) doesn't apply. The language of the statute concerning the composition of the NSC is clearly mandatory ("shall be composed of") and does not provide for other types of appointees. The suggestion that Trump could add to the list without Senate consent seems an absurd interpretation, since it would allow him to appoint any random civilian without Senate approval, while (a)(6) would require Senate approval for Cabinet level officers other than those named in (1)-(5).
The structure of the act also explains the odd language about the role of the DNI and Chair of Joint Chiefs. Spicer was correct that this language mirrored the language of prior executive orders, but perhaps did not realize that those executive orders drew the language from the statute.
10
Bannon is part of the alt-right. He is the counter weight to Pribus, McConnel and Ryan. Him being on the security council is no coincidence. He wants more power to influence this government. This isn't over. Look for Bannon to persuade Trump that the press is a threat to national security and must be censored. Shortly afterwards, he will introduce Breitbart as the US state-sponsored news agency. Trump is a hammer. Everyone is a nail to a hammer. We need strong opposition similar to the tea Party right now. Sally Yates brazenness is a symbol of the effect this guy has on Americans. And we're fighting back.
16
Seems that Bannon is the hammer.
2
So much hate, distortions, and silliness as each Democrat has gone batsh.. crazy, I admit I was wrong about Trump, he was the man for the job and the reaction from the world's worst evil, those without a trace of morals, values, integrity or decency who align 'demselves with Daesh has proven it.
Living in an ultra blue part of this nation and seeing people so morally void that they liberalize each and every day and never once felt any kind of remorse over it, whatever they are against I am for, whatever makes them go crazy makes me happy, I know 'dem and I want to be as opposite of 'dem as I can be, I consider it a moral obligation.
Living in an ultra blue part of this nation and seeing people so morally void that they liberalize each and every day and never once felt any kind of remorse over it, whatever they are against I am for, whatever makes them go crazy makes me happy, I know 'dem and I want to be as opposite of 'dem as I can be, I consider it a moral obligation.
4
Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin and Mao could have been said to straighten out their countries too, if you were on their side. The only problem was that there soon was no other side. Bannon has made it clear he wants no other side either, esp. with his planned 50 year reign. I guess we should be happy he's not planning on 1000 years.
4
You use the word "moral" a lot for someone who is defending the most immoral administration in our 240-year history.
I do not think it means what you think it means.
I do not think it means what you think it means.
4
We must stop trying to see these actions as acts of incompetence. Rather they are carefully orchestrated to create specific effects by at least one person (Banning but possibly Trump as well) who is extremely good at this game. The shock, outcries and protests are intended outcomes and the goal is to divide society even further.
The frightening part is that we don't know Bannon's end game. But I'm getting really concerned that civil war may be part of it.
The frightening part is that we don't know Bannon's end game. But I'm getting really concerned that civil war may be part of it.
27
Me too. I believe this will either end in a civil war, or a military coup. God help us!
2
America is now a Titanic filled with millions of dissenting voices lead by a small group of fanatics that don't believe in iceburgs.
10
At least give credit where credit is due. Or are you going do pretend this half clever missive wasnt plaguerized?
All of us must fight them. Fight them. Fight them.
And if the Republicans ever wake up, for their country AND for their party, they will impeach Trump as fast as they can. If they don't, their party is ruined for decades, and their country will be a place even they don't recognize.
Fight them. Fight them. Fight them.
And if the Republicans ever wake up, for their country AND for their party, they will impeach Trump as fast as they can. If they don't, their party is ruined for decades, and their country will be a place even they don't recognize.
Fight them. Fight them. Fight them.
12
I've seen it stated more than once that Bannon "looks like" an alcoholic.
Is there any evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that he is, in fact a drunk?
Is there any evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that he is, in fact a drunk?
6
Responsible Congressmen and women: Impeach Trump Now! He is not fit to hold the office of President of the United States.
17
He is Trump's Rasputin. Trump is sufficiently weak minded to be thoroughly manipulated by this insane and dangerous man. I don't know what Congress can do to take him off the NSC, but they need to try something. They certainly were not so week kneed against Obama. They need to show some spine now that our country is faced with a truly terrible and malevolent influencer on the NSC
13
Rather slanted and slightly panicked article.
I can see tremendous regional differences in national aims and morals simply by reading the article and comments.
I have a good phrase for how most of the rest of the nation feels.
Death to socialism.
Here is another: "Defend and uphold the U.S. Constitution."
Continue down the road of the last eight years and Democrat political party planks and see what kind of Union you buy. I can tell you now.
None.
I can see tremendous regional differences in national aims and morals simply by reading the article and comments.
I have a good phrase for how most of the rest of the nation feels.
Death to socialism.
Here is another: "Defend and uphold the U.S. Constitution."
Continue down the road of the last eight years and Democrat political party planks and see what kind of Union you buy. I can tell you now.
None.
3
And do you really think the Constitution supports a religious text for ANYTHING. The hypocrisy of the right astounds me.
9
"Death to socialism."
Most of the rest of the nation doesn't even know what socialism is. And I must say, it is very funny that the same people who hate and fear "socialism" seem to be cool with Trump's bromance with a lifelong Communist.
"Here is another: 'Defend and uphold the U.S. Constitution.'"
As long as Bannon is calling the shots, you are going to be very busy for a long, long time.
Continue down the new road and see what kind of party you have left.
Most of the rest of the nation doesn't even know what socialism is. And I must say, it is very funny that the same people who hate and fear "socialism" seem to be cool with Trump's bromance with a lifelong Communist.
"Here is another: 'Defend and uphold the U.S. Constitution.'"
As long as Bannon is calling the shots, you are going to be very busy for a long, long time.
Continue down the new road and see what kind of party you have left.
3
All hail sociopathy.
5
As more than half of the voters knew, Trump is an ignorant, insecure individual. The bedrock of good decision making is listening to differing opinions and creating constructive contention. What we have here is a case of "The Emperor Has No Clothes". And Republican members of Congress are too worried about their next election to do anything meaningful. A sad state we've entered.
14
I don't disagree, but the Democrats are voting in his Cabinet picks. Why no scorn for those spineless appeasers?
1
Are members of the National Security Council now going to be summarily fired if they speak unpleasant but absolute truth to power in the White House? Trump's actions yesterday, and the "get on board or get out" threat by the White House would indicate that answer to be yes.
I think we are in the beginnings of a coup in America by this administration, led by the alt-right minority's unofficial leader in Bannon, and a president that cannot be bothered with the enormous demands made on an American president unless it means barking orders and firing people - the only things Trump really knows how to do and likes to do, other than bask in sycophantic adoration. Bannon needs to go. Now. He is a cancer on our Constitution, our rights, and our innate patriotic decency.
We were the country that turned the tide to victory in World War II. There is no country to do that for us.
I am sickened beyond comprehension at the actions of Trump, his minsters of propaganda, and Bannon, whose dirty fingerprints are all over the place. Even Dick Cheney, a man I loathe, and the despicable Kochs have spoken out against the Muslim ban. Thank God most of our biggest tech companies are speaking out against it and Starbucks just announced it would hire 10,000 refugees - a great reason to support the company.
A five-year-old Iranian child held in detainment for hours without his mother because he "posed a potential threat" to my country? Despicable. This is NOT MY AMERICA.
I think we are in the beginnings of a coup in America by this administration, led by the alt-right minority's unofficial leader in Bannon, and a president that cannot be bothered with the enormous demands made on an American president unless it means barking orders and firing people - the only things Trump really knows how to do and likes to do, other than bask in sycophantic adoration. Bannon needs to go. Now. He is a cancer on our Constitution, our rights, and our innate patriotic decency.
We were the country that turned the tide to victory in World War II. There is no country to do that for us.
I am sickened beyond comprehension at the actions of Trump, his minsters of propaganda, and Bannon, whose dirty fingerprints are all over the place. Even Dick Cheney, a man I loathe, and the despicable Kochs have spoken out against the Muslim ban. Thank God most of our biggest tech companies are speaking out against it and Starbucks just announced it would hire 10,000 refugees - a great reason to support the company.
A five-year-old Iranian child held in detainment for hours without his mother because he "posed a potential threat" to my country? Despicable. This is NOT MY AMERICA.
39
If the media continues the (likely true) narrative that Bannon control's Trump, Donald may give him the apprentice treatment ("you're fired!") to assuage his own vulnerable ego.
4
And the problem with that would be what?
1
I place the blame for these illegal actions squarely on the heads of the Republican Party members who encourage and agree with Bannon's actions.
It appears to me that the President is being led around by his need for adoration and he is getting that adoration from his followers in the Republican Party.
It appears to me that the President is being led around by his need for adoration and he is getting that adoration from his followers in the Republican Party.
8
You don't blame Democrats for losing an election and then voting to confirm Trump's Cabinet picks?
Interesting.
Interesting.
If this is truly a Democracy, by their words alone, these men should be disqualified from public service.
9
My father and a few million young men of his generation put their lives on the line, on foreign soil, and almost half a million of them died there, all to rid the world of the very thing Stephen K. Bannon now represents. On our own soil. In our own White House.
10
The very idea that the wise councils of a general nicknamed "Mad Dog" are an effective deterrent on the ravings of an alt-right opportunist set a truly new standard of sheer idiocy from you Americans. It is my opinion that not only your right wing is clueless and prone to fascist action but your so-called left wing is, at its base, as jingoistic as the right. Please do not move into Canada, we simply do not want your continual bickering and genuine dysfunction to creep in across our border. Seems that it certainly did in Quebec City.
3
A question for those better versed in federal law. 50 U.S.C. 3021 provides as follows for the composition of the National Security Council:
The Council shall be composed of—
(1) the President;
(2) the Vice President;
(3) the Secretary of State;
(4) the Secretary of Defense;
(5) the Secretary of Energy; and
(6) the Secretaries and Under Secretaries of other executive departments and of the military departments, when appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve at his pleasure.
How can Bannon be placed on the Council, and particularly how can he be there without Senate approval?
The Council shall be composed of—
(1) the President;
(2) the Vice President;
(3) the Secretary of State;
(4) the Secretary of Defense;
(5) the Secretary of Energy; and
(6) the Secretaries and Under Secretaries of other executive departments and of the military departments, when appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve at his pleasure.
How can Bannon be placed on the Council, and particularly how can he be there without Senate approval?
10
If anyone actually thinks Trump allows anyone to run roughshod over him they haven't been paying attention. Trump is the boss. Everyone else, including Bannon, are his minions, his creatures, hand picked to do his bidding in exactly the manner he prescribes.
This is one of the more absurd Opinion pieces I have seen in the times... and that is a low bar to crawl under.
This is one of the more absurd Opinion pieces I have seen in the times... and that is a low bar to crawl under.
1
I was thinking Rasputin rather than Svengali, but yes. The key point to be made is that pretty much everything Bannon preaches is irrational, racist demagoguery - not "populism". The power in the hands of an extremist who was neither elected nor confirmed by the Senate is unacceptable. He must be removed.
8
As a daughter of the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council under Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, I am appalled and deeply concerned by the changes Donald Trump has made to that august body.
I remember in its early days, the work of the NSC was considered so important that my father, James S. Lay, Jr., gave daily briefings to President Truman on matters of national security. Needless to say, as one of the highest level civil servants in the federal government, my father's security clearance was Top Secret. The Department of Defense applies Top Secret to "information in which the unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security."
I ask, do we consider it wise and appropriate to entrust a presidential adviser like Stephen Bannon with such sensitive information? And do we value his opinions more than the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the director of national intelligence, both of whom have sat on the National Security Council since it's inception in 1947?
Donald Trump's executive orders during his first week in office are already having disastrous consequences, but this single decision is the most dangerous to the safety of our country.
I remember in its early days, the work of the NSC was considered so important that my father, James S. Lay, Jr., gave daily briefings to President Truman on matters of national security. Needless to say, as one of the highest level civil servants in the federal government, my father's security clearance was Top Secret. The Department of Defense applies Top Secret to "information in which the unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security."
I ask, do we consider it wise and appropriate to entrust a presidential adviser like Stephen Bannon with such sensitive information? And do we value his opinions more than the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the director of national intelligence, both of whom have sat on the National Security Council since it's inception in 1947?
Donald Trump's executive orders during his first week in office are already having disastrous consequences, but this single decision is the most dangerous to the safety of our country.
22
Well, yeah, because the priveleged children of political figures of the past have garnered so much expertise, insight and saavy via osmosis.
Kakistocracy leading to ochlocracy. First, internal implosion of the USA along racial, pseudo-religious and socio-economic fault lines. Second, external regional powers exploit the vacuum provided by the first to pursue their expansionist agendas. Third, capital markets collapse. Fourth, a rudderless world order, major armed conflicts, perhaps nuclear. The end. Thank you "Republicans", unless you can reacquaint yourselves---quickly---with the more glorious spirits of your party's past.
6
Enrico Fermi called it: technological civilizations probably kill themselves off in two centuries or less after exploding their first nuclear bombs, going by how vacant the sky is of signs of intelligent life despite the innumerable profusion of stars and planets.
3
Written from Switzerland. A nation which has refined collaboration and economic exploitation over several centuries. The duplicity found on the European Continent is beyond repulsive.
1
One of Bannon's heroes is Vladimir Lenin. No surprise there. But what a scary ideologue he is, and many don[t yet realize it but trump is his puppet.
He wants to bring down through skillful use of lies and propaganda everything that represents to him "the elite establishment". And simultaneously wage war against all followers of Islam.
He doesn't advocate rational change per our normal legal and government structures or processes, or holding adult discussions that may be needed and that are conducted in a thoughtful way.
This order to ban Muslims in the way trump has done it is totally his idea.
Tear things down without thinking or caring about its legality or harm caused, create chaos...appease trump voters...and then figure out how to keep all Muslims out. Our constitution and historic national values regarding how we treat people don't matter. Banning all Muslims is his real agenda.
As well as removing all who hold political or economic power -- whether democrat or republican -- that oppose the re-establishment of some version of Christian traditionalism.
He doesn't just fantasize about a return to the cultural norms of a white, Christian America he idealizes. It is one of his absolute goals. And if a war is required to accomplish this, so be it.
This guy is so scary we all need to really wake up to the threat. And not only have him removed from the Security Council, but from any position in government.
He wants to bring down through skillful use of lies and propaganda everything that represents to him "the elite establishment". And simultaneously wage war against all followers of Islam.
He doesn't advocate rational change per our normal legal and government structures or processes, or holding adult discussions that may be needed and that are conducted in a thoughtful way.
This order to ban Muslims in the way trump has done it is totally his idea.
Tear things down without thinking or caring about its legality or harm caused, create chaos...appease trump voters...and then figure out how to keep all Muslims out. Our constitution and historic national values regarding how we treat people don't matter. Banning all Muslims is his real agenda.
As well as removing all who hold political or economic power -- whether democrat or republican -- that oppose the re-establishment of some version of Christian traditionalism.
He doesn't just fantasize about a return to the cultural norms of a white, Christian America he idealizes. It is one of his absolute goals. And if a war is required to accomplish this, so be it.
This guy is so scary we all need to really wake up to the threat. And not only have him removed from the Security Council, but from any position in government.
11
According to polls somewhere around 40 percent of American voters prefer Russian autocracy to American democracy. Not true you say? Trump made it clear he sees Putin as roll model and people voted for him anyway. Now Generalissimo Trump, Kellyanne "alternative facts" Conway, and National Socialist Leninist Steven Bannon are taking baby steps to autocracy. The Generalissimo really enjoys issuing edicts from his little desk and if they hurt people who cares. In college I read Sinclair Lewis's "It can't happen here" and thought it couldn't happen here. It's happening with a big dose of 1984 thrown in.
4
The majority of America have no idea of what is really going on and what is at stake. Donald's inner circle has continued to employ its tried and tested campaign strategies of headfakes and distractions to test the limits of democracy (notably checks and balances) in securing a lasting form of government well beyond this presidency.
How it works- Propose or announce an audacious edict (EO) and see how the media and Democrats react. If there is strong opposition, scale back. In the meantime, they get what they originally wanted anyway (DJT's Art of the Deal) and more importantly, the whole country is distracted from other more sinister manueverings. Example, sign an EO on Muslim immigration travel ban. People protest everywhere including noncompliance from the acting AG. What does DLJ's inner circle do- Scale back by saying green card holders will be allowed back and fires acting AG to show who is really in charge and gives notice to future dissenting government officials. This also shows Trump fulfills another of his promises to his supporters. IN THE MEANTIME, the National Security Council committee is being altered in such a way that our existential future is potentially at stake and we (both the Legislative and Judicial branches) are helpless in doing anything about it. Partisan aside, would the Republicans have kept silent if Obama did the same?
God save us all (Dems and Republicans) for we know not what we do.
How it works- Propose or announce an audacious edict (EO) and see how the media and Democrats react. If there is strong opposition, scale back. In the meantime, they get what they originally wanted anyway (DJT's Art of the Deal) and more importantly, the whole country is distracted from other more sinister manueverings. Example, sign an EO on Muslim immigration travel ban. People protest everywhere including noncompliance from the acting AG. What does DLJ's inner circle do- Scale back by saying green card holders will be allowed back and fires acting AG to show who is really in charge and gives notice to future dissenting government officials. This also shows Trump fulfills another of his promises to his supporters. IN THE MEANTIME, the National Security Council committee is being altered in such a way that our existential future is potentially at stake and we (both the Legislative and Judicial branches) are helpless in doing anything about it. Partisan aside, would the Republicans have kept silent if Obama did the same?
God save us all (Dems and Republicans) for we know not what we do.
21
No, but Republicans actually dig in and fight for their insane, antidiluvian beliefs and stand up for their base of deplorables. Democrats never do that
Also, although there are statements that there is a major Russian offensive just launched against Ukraine, that story appears nowhere--even in the Times. What was discussed w/ Putin on Saturday?
2
I don't recall seeing Mr. Bannon's name on the ballot. He and Trump have made an end run around security clearances, Congressional vetting, and any form of background checks, but now is at the heart of the nation's security. This is so wrong in so many ways.
24
The NYT editorial board right focuses on the most egregious move in a series of incompetent moves in the first weeks of the administration. Bannon on NSC, and not the chairman of the joint chiefs or intelligence? Ludicrous.
And Bannon has just demonstrated his meat cleaver approach to policy. The Muslim ban, excluding countries that Trump has business ties to, was the epitome of incompetence. "Secretly" using Congressional staffers without informing law makers? The only thing that will stiffen Congressional Republican spines will be presidential actions that hurt Congress. The ban was such a move. It just plain made everyone involved look stupid and venal. All except the Acting Attorney General, who took time to think and act.
There are other considerations. Both Trump and Bannon strike me, visually, as very physically unhealthy individuals. Trump watches television for hours every day. How long can that last? And though we know little of Bannon's exercise regimen, his splotchy skin speaks volumes.
Both politically and medically, these two cannot be long for this world.
And Bannon has just demonstrated his meat cleaver approach to policy. The Muslim ban, excluding countries that Trump has business ties to, was the epitome of incompetence. "Secretly" using Congressional staffers without informing law makers? The only thing that will stiffen Congressional Republican spines will be presidential actions that hurt Congress. The ban was such a move. It just plain made everyone involved look stupid and venal. All except the Acting Attorney General, who took time to think and act.
There are other considerations. Both Trump and Bannon strike me, visually, as very physically unhealthy individuals. Trump watches television for hours every day. How long can that last? And though we know little of Bannon's exercise regimen, his splotchy skin speaks volumes.
Both politically and medically, these two cannot be long for this world.
6
Where the heck is the real Republican Party leadership? They now own the presidency and congress, yet in their relative silence, are showing incredible lack of courage - thereby allowing our country to be increasingly divided and damaged. All Americans are watching closely, as is the entire world.
10
"Where the heck is the real Republican Party leadership?"
Obviously, they are non-existent. Leadership is not in their playbook.
Obviously, they are non-existent. Leadership is not in their playbook.
3
This is the message to spread:
"With the politicizing of National Security and its reckless moves on immigration which will foment anti-American actions at home and abroad and its clear rag-tag incompetence, the Trump white house will bear primary responsibility for any failures in security and terror attacks that result."
It is in their lap completely.
There are nasty, foolish children running our country now.
They are breaking things and they'll miss key warning signs of danger and will be squarely responsible when lives are lost.
"With the politicizing of National Security and its reckless moves on immigration which will foment anti-American actions at home and abroad and its clear rag-tag incompetence, the Trump white house will bear primary responsibility for any failures in security and terror attacks that result."
It is in their lap completely.
There are nasty, foolish children running our country now.
They are breaking things and they'll miss key warning signs of danger and will be squarely responsible when lives are lost.
4
The Democrats need to swallow their pride and approve the rest of the cabinet appointments where at least the nominees, for the most part, are qualified though not to their liking. Right now all the decisions seem to be coming from an inner circle of advisers (Bannon) in the White House and there are is no one to give Trump another viewpoint. This is dangerous as we saw over the weekend with the thoughtless executive orders that have been issued so far.
2
Have you ever heard of Neville Chamberlain? That was his approach.
2
The recent travel ban is pure political theater. It looks like a decision made by a political operative rather than by a security expert.
8
Ultimately, all the decisions are Mr Trumps, he has the final word on everything. The resources he uses to make those decisions are probably the most important decisions he makes and are very telling as to his competency. I would not allow Bannon to walk my dog let alone make life and death decisions about the fate of my country.
7
trump and bannon have a lot of common interests. They both hate brown skin, non-Christians, and women. And, they both love to physically, and verbally, abuse women who are close to them. Just a couple of gentlemen and scholars. How can we tell the difference between them. What difference does it make?
10
Unless the House Republicans and the Senate Republicans step in to moderate President Trump and Mr. Bannon behavior and actions nothing will change at the White House. And I doubt the Republican leaders will do anything to stop their behavior.
The Republicans do not want to anger President Trump's base. The Republicans want all the upcoming Supreme Court nominees to be solid conservative justices. The Republicans want ACA undone. The Republicans wants Row v Wade overturned. Only when these objectives have been met with the Republicans power brokers even consider replacing President Trump and removing Mr. Bannon from their position of power.
The Republicans do not want to anger President Trump's base. The Republicans want all the upcoming Supreme Court nominees to be solid conservative justices. The Republicans want ACA undone. The Republicans wants Row v Wade overturned. Only when these objectives have been met with the Republicans power brokers even consider replacing President Trump and removing Mr. Bannon from their position of power.
5
One would think that a man who once served as an aide to a top naval officer would have some appreciation of the government, but Bannon seems fixed on disrupting it for some nihilistic view of history in which a populist revolt should replace government of law with charismatic leaders who will act with dictatorial authority to replace the tired old liberal democracy in America. He just should not be a part of any rational Chief Executive's administration.
5
Bannon doesn't seem to hate the government enough to turn down his taxpayer-funded sakary.
2
Lenin begat Stalin.
3
I must admit, I have been in a state of terror since election night and probably before while Trump's campaign trampled over everyone. What has shocked me and many, many Americans I think is that it was all on display -- the racism, the jingoism, the xenophobia and every other phobia you can imagine. The man threatened his opponent with death and jail on a regular basis. My depression in all of this is for this country -- I never thought the mean spiritedness would rule the day, but it has and now as Mr. Trump just continues to play to his base what are the millions of other Americans who do not feel this way to do. There will be more marching, more chaos as the fear of being governed by these people becomes stronger and stronger. The anger on both sides will not subside and when Mr. Trump's base realizes that he will not do anything for them, that it's all been a smoke screen and power grab by Mr. Bannon -- albeit a power grab that Mr. Bannon I suspect never thought he would win -- I believe there will be violence. Many of these people are desperate and were desperate for change and a way to better their lives and it seems pretty clear now that Bannon and Trump have no interest in that at all. It's a sad day for America when so many people were duped with lies and fake news and phony promises.
12
I believe America is headed for another Civil War. Not a civil disturbance. Not demonstrations or sign waving or protests. An actual Military style Civil War like the first one; the kind where people arm themselves and take to the streets.
It is not by accident that Trump has turned our government into a circus; it is a deliberate strategy to undermine the institutions of government - the bedrock that has given stability to our democracy for more than two hundred years - and has set up a cult of personality similar to what despots have done since the beginning of time.
People do not think it can happen here, but it has before and it can again. Remember that Trump has Steve Bannon whispering in his ear every day and night. The same Steve Bannon who stunningly said, "I am a Leninist. Lenin wanted to destroy the state and that is my goal too. I want to bring everything crashing down and destroy all of today's establishment."
With an infantile and ignorant Trump as his sock puppet, he is very capable of doing it. Don't think it cannot happen. It can.
It is not by accident that Trump has turned our government into a circus; it is a deliberate strategy to undermine the institutions of government - the bedrock that has given stability to our democracy for more than two hundred years - and has set up a cult of personality similar to what despots have done since the beginning of time.
People do not think it can happen here, but it has before and it can again. Remember that Trump has Steve Bannon whispering in his ear every day and night. The same Steve Bannon who stunningly said, "I am a Leninist. Lenin wanted to destroy the state and that is my goal too. I want to bring everything crashing down and destroy all of today's establishment."
With an infantile and ignorant Trump as his sock puppet, he is very capable of doing it. Don't think it cannot happen. It can.
14
Bannon is known for enjoying the attention that comes from causing outrage and hurting others. My sister-in-law is the same. That is a personality disorder.
We have two mentally ill men, in charge of the White House, making vital decisions about our future, with absolutely no experience in any capacity.
The only foreign affairs experience we've heard associated with Trump, involves paying to be being humiliated in a Russian hotel room.
American really knows how to pick em'
We have two mentally ill men, in charge of the White House, making vital decisions about our future, with absolutely no experience in any capacity.
The only foreign affairs experience we've heard associated with Trump, involves paying to be being humiliated in a Russian hotel room.
American really knows how to pick em'
8
This is the result of electing a person to the Presidency who only listens if his ego is being stroked or if there is criticism so he can react on Twitter. Of course, Bannon has to participate at all levels of the NSC; then, the so-called President doesn't really need to pay attention. We now have a puppeteer who was smart enough to figure out how to manipulate this very insecure man. This is a perfect set of senior advisors. Bannon is the brains, Priebus, the yes man, and Kellyanne is the mouthpiece able to outtalk anyone in the room.
This is the most disgraceful misuse of power in our country ever.
This is the most disgraceful misuse of power in our country ever.
9
The liberal PC crowd just can't tolerate that Trump and Bannon are making good on Trump's campaign pledges unlike most politicians. The American voters knew what these pledges were and voted Trump into office. The progressive liberals had their day in the sun and their policies created the opening for someone like Trump. So my suggestion to the left is sit back and relax for the next 4 years. Their protest will have zero affect on Trump and Bannon. They are both provocateurs and so I believe their protest and outrage is giving them great pleasure and will only add fuel to their fire.
2
Remember that it is only due to the electoral college that trump won. Clinton won 3 million more votes. Not even a plurality wanted Trump. And he is leading us down the path to fascism.
9
Stop referring to Bannon as "alt-right." The correct term is white supremacist.
10
I wish Trump would try to America greater than it is. Any way he could bring back the America of January 19, 2017?
2
The level of gossip and lies that this paper now regularly engages in is startling.
You are part of the "Alt Left." -- a progressive, socialist initiative that just cannot accept reality. I have written to some of your advertisers and explained that I will never buy their wares again until I see the likes of Ann Coulter regularly writing for the New York Times. You are a sack of dirty liars.
You are part of the "Alt Left." -- a progressive, socialist initiative that just cannot accept reality. I have written to some of your advertisers and explained that I will never buy their wares again until I see the likes of Ann Coulter regularly writing for the New York Times. You are a sack of dirty liars.
1
At this point I can only trust Mr Trump has not lost the capacity to learn.
1
He has never had the capacity to learn. He has never admitted to mistakes, nor has he ever apologized.
3
Trump is doing exactly what he said he would which is why ALL of his supporters(not just his "base") voted for him. This incessant assumption that you as media, entertainers, or losing political party has a say in or control over who the President nominates, is getting old. We all know what is going on here with the war between Trump, and the entrenched luciferic globalists. This is why we elected him. This is why nothing you say or do tarnishes him. This is why if anything happens to him, we as a people know who to place blame on, and who to go after. This nation is ours. The people are the masters not criminal elites. Articles like these are why MSM ratings suck and alternative media sites are flourishing.
Trump is my President and I would defend him to the death!
Trump is my President and I would defend him to the death!
2
It is hard to tell, at this point, whether Bannon (and Trump) are simply trolls sitting in a powder magazine playing with matches, or have a very good idea what they're doing.
Boston College historian Heather Richardson has likened this past weekend's jerry-built ban to a "shock event," a tactic designed to inflame, confuse, and hyper-polarize, so that universal opposition to a plan or policy even more nefarious cannot be achieved. If Richardson is correct, look out now for something economic that would, in ordinary circumstances, elicit bipartisan opposition, indeed rage, from the "99%_==that is something that would anger both the Coasts and Middle America.
In the wake of the emotional hyper-polarization triggered by the shock event, Trump supporters will reflexively support anything from his pen, even if it is manifestly counter to their interests. Such diversion from economic to scoio-cultural issues "God, guns, and gays," e.g.) is a time-tested technique--but the shock event twist can compress the process into a kind of political blitzkrieg.
One can only hope they're just dumb kids playing with matches.
Boston College historian Heather Richardson has likened this past weekend's jerry-built ban to a "shock event," a tactic designed to inflame, confuse, and hyper-polarize, so that universal opposition to a plan or policy even more nefarious cannot be achieved. If Richardson is correct, look out now for something economic that would, in ordinary circumstances, elicit bipartisan opposition, indeed rage, from the "99%_==that is something that would anger both the Coasts and Middle America.
In the wake of the emotional hyper-polarization triggered by the shock event, Trump supporters will reflexively support anything from his pen, even if it is manifestly counter to their interests. Such diversion from economic to scoio-cultural issues "God, guns, and gays," e.g.) is a time-tested technique--but the shock event twist can compress the process into a kind of political blitzkrieg.
One can only hope they're just dumb kids playing with matches.
10
I've come to realize that the US's two-party system was what kept its democracy in check: Having only the opportunity of two candidates, both better be (somewhat) good. When the Republican party let Trump win their primaries, and the Democratic party let HRC win (someone for which such a large population had an aversion to), the system broke down. As a result, the unimaginable happened: The US has an autocratic, crazy president. Welcome to a third world government! You are not going to like it.
12
From Wiki: He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in urban planning and holds a master's degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. In 1985,[31] Bannon received a Master of Business Administration degree with honors from Harvard Business School.[32]
Bannon was an officer in the United States Navy for seven years in the late 1970s and early 1980s, serving on the destroyer USS Paul F. Foster as a Surface Warfare Officer in the Pacific Fleet and stateside as a special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon.[33].
Then he went onto working for Goldman Sachs, as an investment banker, then went on to environmental and movie projects. Not too shabby for people talking about how uneducated and inexperience he is....
I disregarded this article the minute it started talking about Trump offending Mexicans for the wall (who cares, and many legal Mexicans support the wall and Mexico has no right being offended when they have draconian immigration policies on their own southern border). And the immigration ban is not on Muslim countries...its on countries already identified by Obama as high risk terrorist countries (he also banned Iraqis for 6 months). Trump is simply putting Obamas words into action and taking pause of our immigration system, who everyone says needs fixing. His order does not say anything about a Muslim ban....and its not permanent either.
Bannon was an officer in the United States Navy for seven years in the late 1970s and early 1980s, serving on the destroyer USS Paul F. Foster as a Surface Warfare Officer in the Pacific Fleet and stateside as a special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon.[33].
Then he went onto working for Goldman Sachs, as an investment banker, then went on to environmental and movie projects. Not too shabby for people talking about how uneducated and inexperience he is....
I disregarded this article the minute it started talking about Trump offending Mexicans for the wall (who cares, and many legal Mexicans support the wall and Mexico has no right being offended when they have draconian immigration policies on their own southern border). And the immigration ban is not on Muslim countries...its on countries already identified by Obama as high risk terrorist countries (he also banned Iraqis for 6 months). Trump is simply putting Obamas words into action and taking pause of our immigration system, who everyone says needs fixing. His order does not say anything about a Muslim ban....and its not permanent either.
1
Bannon has said that he admires Lenin and aims for the total economic destruction of the US. What happens to our homes, our bank accounts and the ability to carry on our everyday lives in Bannon's New World Order?
3
I work with a young Iranian physicist who is having her first child in June. Her mother who still lives in Iran is now barred from seeing her first grandchild. How is this going to protect my family from terrorists? The ridiculous board stroke policy of declaring certain predominately Muslim countries as banned while letting other predominantly Muslim countries come and go as before shows the presidents incompetence and bias in his personal business dealings. Saudi Arabia being the most telling choice since almost all of the 911 attackers came from THAT Muslim country, not Iran or Iraq. Bush was incompetent but not to this level. I never thought I would see the day when Russia's clear manipulation of our election and having a white supremacist on the White House staff would somehow be okay to conservatives. How can they possibly rationalize this? Is reversing Roe vs Wade so important to them they can go along with undermining all that America holds dear? It was bad enough that conservatives would think a boorish foul mouthed narcissist who brags about assaulting women is suitable for president, but this? Heaven help us. Now go donate to the ACLU, I know I am.
7
No, it is not President Bannon. It is Republican President Trump put into the White House by the Republicans. The country is up in arms about the Republican view of American which is the Trump view of America. This scum does not represent the ideals of America.
4
I am reminded of the "political" officer on board the sub in "The Hunt for Red October". Not a well liked man. Mr. Bannon seems to fit the stereotype perfectly just not as well groomed as his Russian character.
3
Like this is news? Yep, Trump and his henchmen (they are mostly men) are mostly going to be a wrecking crew, this has been a long time coming though, Reagan started the ball rolling, Clinton doubled down, Bush /Cheney doubled down again, Obama, with his extra judicial killings, sheparding massive inequities, doing virtually nothing about the banks or US wars or infrastructure didn't quite double down but really, besides his personal decency, offered nothing substantially different to most people in this country. Btw, the times has to stop using or allowing the use of 'alt right' in its editorials, these are neo nazi white supremacists
1
Why not cite the leftist advisors of Pres. Obama? As I recall Van Jones and Rahm Emmanuel (along with the chaos organizer George Soros) are very contemptuous of the constitution and created the environment we now find ourselves in. Your bias is showing NYT. That is why you are not respected by most Americans.
1
Steve Bannon is our own home-grown Joseph Goebbels.
26
something that i suspect bannon would delight in.
3
Intelligence officials launched an attack on the incoming Administration, pushing for the War Party policies that lost.
Of course they lost their seat at the table.
Perhaps new leadership will win it back. Quality work will be necessary, not partisan attack on the President they wish to serve.
But then, the current intelligence agencies don't wish to serve this President, did not, and now are out of even their seat.
Of course they lost their seat at the table.
Perhaps new leadership will win it back. Quality work will be necessary, not partisan attack on the President they wish to serve.
But then, the current intelligence agencies don't wish to serve this President, did not, and now are out of even their seat.
You really would benefit from some reading of history. The Iraq War was the result of ignoring intelligence professionals in favor of political hacks who took raw intelligence and spun it to fit the narratives which they wanted to sell. All the intelligence professionals warned the Administration that they were relying upon information from questionable sources but they would not listen.
2
The president they wish to serve?. Interesting choice of words. I believe they are interested in serving their country. Not a madman.
I notice you focused on the head of intelligence when most people are talking about the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff. What is your justification for removing the military from the council?
You're a Trump apologist, so let's hear the talking point for that one.
You're a Trump apologist, so let's hear the talking point for that one.
2
Steve Bannon is playing Rasputin to Donald Trump's playing Czar Nicholas II. Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is delighted.
Plus Putin must be very happy that even more Slavic communist atheist models who share his ethnic socioeconomic political heritage like Ivana and Melania Trump are still welcome to come to America under cover of Russian military GRU and civilian FSB intelligence to interfere even more in American politics and elections. The Kremlin rules over Trump must rest hidden somewhere in his income tax returns, his business holdings, an unknown personal immoral caper and his two wives immigration status
Bannon's deputy Stephen Miller resembles a combination Roy Cohn and Reinhard Heydrich. Miller was formerly a deputy of Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, III. They are whistling Dixie. We better reply with "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". Before it's too late.
Plus Putin must be very happy that even more Slavic communist atheist models who share his ethnic socioeconomic political heritage like Ivana and Melania Trump are still welcome to come to America under cover of Russian military GRU and civilian FSB intelligence to interfere even more in American politics and elections. The Kremlin rules over Trump must rest hidden somewhere in his income tax returns, his business holdings, an unknown personal immoral caper and his two wives immigration status
Bannon's deputy Stephen Miller resembles a combination Roy Cohn and Reinhard Heydrich. Miller was formerly a deputy of Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, III. They are whistling Dixie. We better reply with "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". Before it's too late.
10
Is there no limit to Trump's idiocy? Bannon is not an elected official but he has become Trump's Rasputin. Not only should he been removed from the WH, he should be jailed for treason. And at the same time the House should impeach Trump before he does lasting damage to the nation and our democratic system of government.
15
The greatest threats to our nation now come from Trump and Bannon. They are the terrorists whom we should fear.
21
Banning is an enemy of the state. He will up in power, or in prison.
10
If Bannon is the power and hand behind the throne, the American people need to know everything there is to know about him - his background, his education, his investments, his travels, his contacts, his memberships, his friends, everything, down to the choice of his shoes. Please investigative journalists, give us the facts, the real facts.
12
They lost me at "alt-right"
NYT continues to either be clueless to what the American people are thinking, or arrogant enough to press on with their Alinsky-esque agenda. Demeaning Steve Bannon's previous career, because he was a competitor seems trivial.
NYT continues to either be clueless to what the American people are thinking, or arrogant enough to press on with their Alinsky-esque agenda. Demeaning Steve Bannon's previous career, because he was a competitor seems trivial.
5
So once more we have a conservative defending a self described Leninist.
4
I wonder what kind of rationalizations those who voted for Trump because they hated Hillary (I wasn't a fan, and held my nose voting for), those who voted for him because they thought he would bring change. and are not racists or white supremacists and the like, are giving themselves right now. Are they saying "Oh, Steve Bannon isn't in control, and Trump will make the decisions", are they saying "No worries, the congress will stop him", are they saying "This is just the first 100 day push, it will get better as things go along".....
And if they are, God help them, because it means they really are deluded. The GOP congress is afraid of Trump and his supporters, worried if they alienate the 35% that still like him they won't get re-elected, and the Democrats seem to have no fight, no sense of vision. I called my Senators, who are Democrats, and their office told me we need to wait and see, this happens, and the local rep (GOP) office told me that they were excited to work with the new administraton (!).
I hate to use the analogy of Nazi Germany, nothing Bannon or Trump could dream up would match those horrors (I think), but Bannon seems to be in the Hitler role under Hindenburg, ie the power behind the throne, the Germans worshipped Hindenburg but were run by the madman who himself didn't win a majority of the votes.
And if they are, God help them, because it means they really are deluded. The GOP congress is afraid of Trump and his supporters, worried if they alienate the 35% that still like him they won't get re-elected, and the Democrats seem to have no fight, no sense of vision. I called my Senators, who are Democrats, and their office told me we need to wait and see, this happens, and the local rep (GOP) office told me that they were excited to work with the new administraton (!).
I hate to use the analogy of Nazi Germany, nothing Bannon or Trump could dream up would match those horrors (I think), but Bannon seems to be in the Hitler role under Hindenburg, ie the power behind the throne, the Germans worshipped Hindenburg but were run by the madman who himself didn't win a majority of the votes.
11
There can be only one explanation for why so many Americans support Trump and his Fellow Deviants:
America truly has gotten dumbed-down.
America truly has gotten dumbed-down.
16
This editorial is a transparent attempt to incite Trump against Bannon. Trump is known to actually personally read the NYT, so he will read this, and may be angry that people see him serving Bannon, and may take steps to make clear that he is calling the shots. Or so the NYT editorial board hopes. I hope Trump is not actually that easy to manipulate.
4
I'm sure Trump reads the headlines, I doubt he reads the articles. I'm hoping this headline will make his tiny little head explode.
6
I'm not sure that's their intention but it would be a wonderful consequence if it worked.
4
There is irony in your position.
The last president who wrapped his party in ideology took us to war w/ over 900 lies ignoring our military and intelligence experts. Over 4000 USA soldiers died, thousands maimed and and disabled; over 100,000 Iraqis died and millions fled disrupting the region and our world to this day.
6
Trump is to Bannon as Bush was to Cheney. Two Trojan horse, too dumb (in different ways) to know how they are/were played.
7
What a tired playbook. The pages must be yellow by now. Discredit a sitting Presidents by claiming someone is doing their thinking. Cheney called the shots for Bush, Nancy aided Ronald Reagan, Kissinger was Nixon's brain. It's a tiresome argument.
3
It is historical fact, not an argument, not an "opinion".
2
Let's show a modicum of optimism. Trump will eventually listen to experienced advisors. Chaos, or even improvisation, are not the best decision-making strategies. Even apparently sound policies entail unintended consequences.
Trump probably cares about his image. Very likely he does want to be known as President Trampusconi. Who needs an American version of Silvio Berlusconi?
Trump probably cares about his image. Very likely he does want to be known as President Trampusconi. Who needs an American version of Silvio Berlusconi?
2
Article headline- 'State Dept Should Quit If They Disagree with Trump, White House Says,' which is what Bannon wants: a gov filled with yes people. No one to question Trump and his followers (or leaders).
Our gov is based on discussion and disagreements and compromises. That's the way it should be. We are a democratic republic not a dictatorship. For all those who like what he is doing, you should think again about the lasting and immediate repercussions his actions will have.
Our gov is based on discussion and disagreements and compromises. That's the way it should be. We are a democratic republic not a dictatorship. For all those who like what he is doing, you should think again about the lasting and immediate repercussions his actions will have.
5
The most chilling thought: what happens when this administration actually learns from its mistakes?
4
Bannon, as advisor, works to weaken Trump since ultimately Trump must fail for Bannon to succeed. He is to the President as Wormtongue was to King Theoden in the Ring Triology, described by JRR Tolkein as "a wizened figure of a man, with a pale wise face, and heavy lidded eyes", with a "long pale tongue."
2
In a parody of that famous TV ad, Donald Trump is not a real president but he is playing one on TV. Given his background, this comes naturally to him. With the short attention span that he constantly demonstrates and the depth of his messaging that rarely exceeds 140 characters, did we really expect anything different but sound bites?
So he is deferring policy-making to his alt-right guru, Steve Bannon, who is likely to get his boss in real trouble, real soon. Maybe, if the media didn’t love the country so much, it would really “shut up” and “listen” to Trump via Bannon, “for a change,” and let them lead us on a road to perdition.
So he is deferring policy-making to his alt-right guru, Steve Bannon, who is likely to get his boss in real trouble, real soon. Maybe, if the media didn’t love the country so much, it would really “shut up” and “listen” to Trump via Bannon, “for a change,” and let them lead us on a road to perdition.
6
When do the actions of Bannon and Trump cross over to 'Treasonous Behavior'?
Will anyone in the Republican majority have the wherewithal to stop this?
Not likely. And it is not likely that many of the Democrats in Congress will either.
It is time to throw the emergency brake on this or the American Idea will perish. Things appears that dire to the majority of people and maybe now for some of the minority who voted for Trump.
Will anyone in the Republican majority have the wherewithal to stop this?
Not likely. And it is not likely that many of the Democrats in Congress will either.
It is time to throw the emergency brake on this or the American Idea will perish. Things appears that dire to the majority of people and maybe now for some of the minority who voted for Trump.
8
Why are the Republicans not loudly and collectively voicing their dissent?
8
They are weighing whether doing so helps or hurts the party. I guarantee it.
5
We are in the midst of a coup.
I hope the Democrats and enlightened Republicans wake up to this fact.
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/steve-bannon-christian-holy-wa...
I hope the Democrats and enlightened Republicans wake up to this fact.
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/steve-bannon-christian-holy-wa...
5
What planet are these people on? We are on our way to a major crash and burn situation!
8
Trump does not have the intellect, background or focus to be President of the US. Therefore he definitely needs a shadow President to do his thinking for him. Many of us thought that it would be Pence, but it appears that Bannon is the one.
Great job America - you have installed a neo-Nazi in the White House and your "rights" will soon be a thing of the past. The stupidity and gullibility of a large segment of the US population defies belief and will lead to its downfall. I have never felt more pessimistic about the future of the US and the world than I do today.
Great job America - you have installed a neo-Nazi in the White House and your "rights" will soon be a thing of the past. The stupidity and gullibility of a large segment of the US population defies belief and will lead to its downfall. I have never felt more pessimistic about the future of the US and the world than I do today.
13
Bannon knows how to twist and manipulate Trump and make Trump believe that everything was his own idea.
Bannon understands Trump's weaknesses and will exploit them, just as Trump does to others. Trump is an inwardly fearful man who needs Bannon.
This is explosive. We thought that Trump was the Manchurian Candidate, but it might be Bannon.
Bannon understands Trump's weaknesses and will exploit them, just as Trump does to others. Trump is an inwardly fearful man who needs Bannon.
This is explosive. We thought that Trump was the Manchurian Candidate, but it might be Bannon.
7
Just think, four years of this. Just think how much damage this will cause. I don't think the people who voted for Trump care ( thinking was not a big part of their decision making it was all rage against others) they are just happy others will be suffering. These alt right folks are just miserable older white men who see their views being vindicated by despots like Bannon.
9
Please don't publish headlines like "President Bannon." It's horrifying enough that he got sneaked into the White House under cover as "strategic adviser" (in essence, "Reich Minister of Propaganda"). If and when he's really, truthfully a "shadow president" (der Führer), masses of people will need to consider emigrating from this scary, darkening country.
6
What I don't get is ... Why do the Republicans in the Congress and the Senate think they're safe from all this upheaval?
Bannon & Trump aren't going to let them keep their jobs, no matter what they've been promised or threatened with. Dictators don't keep a Congress or a Senate any more than they keep a judicial branch. They'll be out on the street shortly with Yates. Totally powerless. Or maybe in jail.
They've got at least as much to lose as the rest of us. And since they hold potential positions of power, I'm sure Bannon & Trump see them as a potential threat that needs to be eliminated. In the game of chess, you always remove the strongest pieces from the board as soon as you can so you can consolidate your own power.
They need to act now, if only to protect themselves.
Bannon & Trump aren't going to let them keep their jobs, no matter what they've been promised or threatened with. Dictators don't keep a Congress or a Senate any more than they keep a judicial branch. They'll be out on the street shortly with Yates. Totally powerless. Or maybe in jail.
They've got at least as much to lose as the rest of us. And since they hold potential positions of power, I'm sure Bannon & Trump see them as a potential threat that needs to be eliminated. In the game of chess, you always remove the strongest pieces from the board as soon as you can so you can consolidate your own power.
They need to act now, if only to protect themselves.
14
Republicans see it as their job to tread on 99% of the U.S. and use the country as their personal piggybank. They're on board with Trump and co. because he will help them do this. When Trump outlives his usefulness, they'll turn on him, kick him out and proceed to finish destroying the country on their own, they'll just do it in a quieter manner.
2
What if Bannon has laid such a trap that even members of Congress are somehow compromised/blackmailed by him?
1
With ever changing executive orders on immigration restrictions and the ban on Muslims from the select Muslim majority countries not only the national security has been compromised but also turned into a plaything in the hands of handpicked advisors who would simply push Trump to ever new confrontational course in the already worsening international arena.
3
There is very little likelihood that the American national security has been compromised. Perhaps Professor Sharma speaks of the impact on international security, more specifically that of Central Asia. India, a neighbor to many Muslim countries, has a less than exemplary history in treatment of its Muslim minority of 180M. (14+% of the population) The Bharatiya Janata Party could be considered by many a nativist political party comprised of primarily Hindus. This, coupled with India's continual identity with the caste system, makes it particularly ill-suited for any international criticism of American domestic politics.
I've been reading about Bannon since just after the election waiting for this shoe to drop. My question is how can we legally and peacefully remove him from this position of power and influence? Do we have to wait for impeachment? If so, how can this process get started? I encourage readers to use twitter to reach out to your senators and congressional reps to turn this around pronto.
9
Don't tweet. Don't post on Facebook. Don't send letters or emails.
Pick up your phone, dial the number and CALL. If you don't get a person -- LEAVE A MESSAGE.
I know many among us -- especially millennials -- feel the telephone is an instrument about as outdated as an 8-track tape or CB Radio. But it's actually the most effective way to make your voice heard in Washington.
Call your representatives today. Call every day.
Not one more Cabinet nominee gets approved until Bannon is gone.
Resistance will not be futile.
Pick up your phone, dial the number and CALL. If you don't get a person -- LEAVE A MESSAGE.
I know many among us -- especially millennials -- feel the telephone is an instrument about as outdated as an 8-track tape or CB Radio. But it's actually the most effective way to make your voice heard in Washington.
Call your representatives today. Call every day.
Not one more Cabinet nominee gets approved until Bannon is gone.
Resistance will not be futile.
2
All this is a diversion. Just wait until Ryan, McConnell and the right wingers in congress start passing bills the real drstruction of government woll begin. Republicans have wanted to be in permant power now they can attain their goal. Trump does not bother them since they have no more respect for democracy than he does. It is all about economic power.
3
I truly wonder have we come to this:
Would a military coup be in the offing, then to bow out and rerun the election? Or, do I watch as Richard Nixon the 2nd destroys The Constitution and allows and causes the political destruction of a Nation, as per Bannon's desired statements?
Would a military coup be in the offing, then to bow out and rerun the election? Or, do I watch as Richard Nixon the 2nd destroys The Constitution and allows and causes the political destruction of a Nation, as per Bannon's desired statements?
2
Bannon's biography reads like a train wreck; domestic violence, bullying ex-spouses, predatory business practices, social climbing at its most ambitious, anti-Semitism and embracing all manner of racist and jingoistic ideology. What a perfect match for Mr. Trump. Likely far shrewder than Trump, he's far more of a threat. As a Georgetown alumni, I'm embarrassed that this man passed through that venerable (not perfect) institution of Jesuit enlightenment and came out a grand medievalist. He's ambition is so keen as to subordinate any ethical, moral or religious principals to his thirst for power. A bad man indeed.
14
For heaven's sake, and the truth's sake, the NY Times must stop using the moniker that Steve Bannon invented to sugar coat what his movement truly is all about. Stop referring to it as "alt-right" and call it what it is: White Supremacist, Ultra Right-wing, Nazism. Failure to do so just legitimizes this blatant example of "fake news". Having lived through, and studied, politics from the Nixon era to the present, never in my lifetime has it been more important for the world's most preeminent source of news and opinion to have the guts to present the unvarnished truth.
18
I agree, but with their names published and their addresses easily found, can anyone blame the reporters and editors for being AFRAID of Bannon and his followers?
2
Our true president, a complete thug.
6
And what are the chances that "he would be wise to reconsider" is likely to happen? When did trump every reconsider?
5
Svengali? Perhaps, but Rasputin might be a more apt comparison given the fondness for Putin in the administration.
8
It's no surprise that President Trump would surround himself with people who have radical views like Steve Bannon. This man is a bigot who has demonstrated his hate for anyone who doesn't share his views and his skin color. What saddens me is Americans knew all this, but yet elected Donald Trump as president. Who would've thought that a 70 year old man who automatically change his deep rooted elitist attributes when he got to the White House? The president lacks reading skills, basic logic, and common sense. Steve Bannon (who is not illiterate) has seen seized the opportunity to play on President Trump. Steve Bannon will go down in history as the guy who became president without taking an Oath. Good luck America.
8
Trump is a puppet: to Putin and of course to Bannon. All Trump cares about is making money. The nation is on a course with disaster.
7
Steve Brannon is a self-professed Leninist and anarchist who has stated that his goal is to destroy our society.
I tremble in horror.
I tremble in horror.
12
Elections have consequences. And consequently you lost.
2
I love how you so called patriots have no problem with destroying this nation that you profess to love. It's all about winning to you and not about serving. You are no patriot, in fact, you are Unamerica and so is Bannon and Trump. You elected a man who has a surrogate who has stated he wants to destroy our democratic institutions and government. You profess to love the vets but are willing to allow a non-elected know-nothing dictate policy that will most certainly hurt our service men and women.
2
We really need a well researched NYT article looking into Bannon and Conway's past ties to the Ultra conservative National Council on Policy. That will tell us a lot about where they are planning to take the country.
5
Editorial Board, you left out a final two sentences:
And to think we could have had a president Bernie Sanders. With a weak sitting president as nominal head of the Democratic Party and instead the Clintons running the Democratic Party machine, we made the blunder of not endorsing Bernie Sanders.
And to think we could have had a president Bernie Sanders. With a weak sitting president as nominal head of the Democratic Party and instead the Clintons running the Democratic Party machine, we made the blunder of not endorsing Bernie Sanders.
6
Lest we forget, we have the Robert Mercer family to thank for Bannon. They brought him in to run Trump's campaign.
10
Ironic, isn't it? Enough voters rejected Hillary for getting rich making speeches to Goldman Sachs to enable Trump's victory. Then Trump lets Goldman Sachs take over the government.
Either way, the country loses.
Either way, the country loses.
9
It is clear to anyone with a functioning brain that we are staring at a fascist administration. The fact that a nihilistic white supremacist neo-Nazi is freely operating at its core is sufficient cause to declare that the Donald Trump presidency is illegitimate, and that it is a clear and present danger to our country.
Trump is poisoning our nation by the hour, and everyone within his inner circle, Mike Pence included, needs to be forced from office. Now.
Trump is poisoning our nation by the hour, and everyone within his inner circle, Mike Pence included, needs to be forced from office. Now.
18
It certainly seems as if we have a co-Presidency. Therefore, we need a serious, deep, no holds barred journalistic investigation of Bannon and Breitbart, and a serious, deep, no holds barred investigation of Mr. Trump's background. The kind of deep journalism that was not done, during the campaign.
Russians agents were murdered this week. Mr. Bannon is in the Oval office. What is happening to our republic? Let's follow the dark money, and find out.
It will surprise no one, if there are ties to the same kind of oligarch semi-Mafia Cayman Island mystery meat financial deals that the Panama Papers disclosed.
These are dangerous people. Their ties with Putin and Neo-Nazi demagogues across the world are probably linked with that global tide of cash, as lethal to our government and free ideas, as a toxic tide.
One way of easing doubt about that toxic tide, would be to release Mr. Trump's taxes. He who pays the piper, calls the tune.
Russians agents were murdered this week. Mr. Bannon is in the Oval office. What is happening to our republic? Let's follow the dark money, and find out.
It will surprise no one, if there are ties to the same kind of oligarch semi-Mafia Cayman Island mystery meat financial deals that the Panama Papers disclosed.
These are dangerous people. Their ties with Putin and Neo-Nazi demagogues across the world are probably linked with that global tide of cash, as lethal to our government and free ideas, as a toxic tide.
One way of easing doubt about that toxic tide, would be to release Mr. Trump's taxes. He who pays the piper, calls the tune.
15
We needed those things a year ago and to some extent we got them but not enough voters paid attention.
2
In our democracy, I believed there were checks and balances. I am beginning to wonder whether it is true. If a President is not bound by ethics laws; if the majority party in both the house and senate are silent for the most part because they have alternative agendas; qualified staff are fired or asked to leave because they are not "yes" people; a Quinnipiac poll finds majority approve of discriminating executive orders. Lauren Duca from Teen Vogue is right - I feel gaslit.
12
This article is yet another spasm from the NYTimes that echoes the liberal's woes and misunderstanding of a Nation that does not think like them.
This article is a clear attempt to delegitimatize President Trump or to paint him as incompetent. The majority of Americans are applauding the POTUS for his much needed action on immigration and his revival of the economy. This article is proof that liberals are antagonists with those who do not agree to their goals and the politicization of journalism. An Editor should be open to be proved wrong, "Woe to the man who believes he knows everything."
Conservatives gave liberals the opportunity to lead the country and the immigration chaos and the national debt are emblematic of where and how they want to lead this Nation. The majority of states have voiced their disgust at their misguided and lack of touch with the American people. It shows an oligarchic mentality that would like to pontificate it to the masses in such a way that do not appeal to reason but to emotions. This patronizing attitude towards the masses by means of the media is what has placed Mr. Trump to the presidency and what the masses continue to vomit from their minds.
No one, likes to be treated like children. No one likes those who think they know best. No one respects those who think they know everything.
This article is a clear attempt to delegitimatize President Trump or to paint him as incompetent. The majority of Americans are applauding the POTUS for his much needed action on immigration and his revival of the economy. This article is proof that liberals are antagonists with those who do not agree to their goals and the politicization of journalism. An Editor should be open to be proved wrong, "Woe to the man who believes he knows everything."
Conservatives gave liberals the opportunity to lead the country and the immigration chaos and the national debt are emblematic of where and how they want to lead this Nation. The majority of states have voiced their disgust at their misguided and lack of touch with the American people. It shows an oligarchic mentality that would like to pontificate it to the masses in such a way that do not appeal to reason but to emotions. This patronizing attitude towards the masses by means of the media is what has placed Mr. Trump to the presidency and what the masses continue to vomit from their minds.
No one, likes to be treated like children. No one likes those who think they know best. No one respects those who think they know everything.
2
So you see this as a good argument for putting a political operative on the national security council and removing the chief of staff and the head of intelligence?
9
"No one respects those who think they know everything."
You mean like those who continuously boast about how smart they are, about the prestigious college they graduated from, about the high IQs of the people they surround them with, about how they "know more about" virtually any subject than people who are recognized experts?
If so, then yes -- you are absolutely right.
You mean like those who continuously boast about how smart they are, about the prestigious college they graduated from, about the high IQs of the people they surround them with, about how they "know more about" virtually any subject than people who are recognized experts?
If so, then yes -- you are absolutely right.
2
Is it President Bannon or President Goebbels? This is getting increasingly scary, and in less than two weeks! The checks and balances supposedly inherent in our government needs to apply to all that have power and can influence policy. Not only should Congressional approval be required for Cabinet secretaries, but for all high-ranking officials in the White House as well.
10
Consider Bannon like the Soviet political officers who were attached to every governmental agency and department, including the military, to ensure that the party line was followed to a T.
12
So many comments asking "Does Trump even realize Bannon is using him?", "Does Trump even realize Bannon is the de facto President?"
Let me answer that with a question: "Does Trump care?"
Donald Trump IS the President. The title is his. The prestige of the office is his. Everyone in the world sees him high on his horse. That's all Trump ever cared about anyway, his ego. Decisions? Policy? Critical thinking?
"Go ahead Stevey, you can handle to paperwork, I'm going to watch cartoons and tweet about that fat cow Rosie O'Donnel".
Just keep in mind my fellow Americans. It is becoming very clear no one in the Executive Branch gives a damn about the values of the 3million+ who didn't vote for them, Republicans in congress are mute, and the Democrats lack the numbers to do anything drastic without Republican support. Even if there are people like *former* Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates who defy Trump now, there is no guarantee they won't be cast aside or circumvented continuously. This is in our hands now, until 2018 congress has no hope of serving our Republic.
Let me answer that with a question: "Does Trump care?"
Donald Trump IS the President. The title is his. The prestige of the office is his. Everyone in the world sees him high on his horse. That's all Trump ever cared about anyway, his ego. Decisions? Policy? Critical thinking?
"Go ahead Stevey, you can handle to paperwork, I'm going to watch cartoons and tweet about that fat cow Rosie O'Donnel".
Just keep in mind my fellow Americans. It is becoming very clear no one in the Executive Branch gives a damn about the values of the 3million+ who didn't vote for them, Republicans in congress are mute, and the Democrats lack the numbers to do anything drastic without Republican support. Even if there are people like *former* Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates who defy Trump now, there is no guarantee they won't be cast aside or circumvented continuously. This is in our hands now, until 2018 congress has no hope of serving our Republic.
11
The Democrats caused the Civil War 1.0 seeking to enslave people to do their own work and were never pacified during Reconstruction.
The Democrats are again trying to cause the Civil War 2.0 seeking to enslave people to do their own work by using the government as their tool.
Either 'you people' start acting like Americans and obey the laws and leave your citizen neighbors alone or expect the same results as in 1865
The Democrats are again trying to cause the Civil War 2.0 seeking to enslave people to do their own work by using the government as their tool.
Either 'you people' start acting like Americans and obey the laws and leave your citizen neighbors alone or expect the same results as in 1865
1
You seem to have missed History 101. The southern Democrats of the antebellum period are the Republicans of today.
3
The fact that Trump has forever told us that he knows more than the generals, more than the NSA and intelligence community and so on, we have been given a clear signal, and Bannon was quick to see it, that he is simply and intellectually a ball of Silly Putty.
To take another metaphor, there is no dimmer switch to Trump's brain and personality. It is either on or off. Happy or angry. He is happy only when he gets his way. He is angry, which translates into revenge, when something or someone violates his narrow focus.
Trump is a sociopath with my-way-or-the-highway tendencies. Miller, Bannon and Conway each knows how to push him just so far without incurring his rath. They know that as long as Trump feels the warmth of the spotlight on him, he is happy. They manipulate him as long as he doesn't feel manipulated. They know how to make Trump feel as though their ideas are his and his alone. They are the darkest of forces sitting on Trump's shoulders whispering into his ear like alter-egos.
Thus the hapless sociopath is ripe for the pickings. VP Dick Cheney used George W. Bush much the same way to the point that Cheney was basically the acting president for eight painful years. While Bannon is not the VP, he has the ever-pliable DJT to provide the power he needs for his alt-right, all-white agenda.
To take another metaphor, there is no dimmer switch to Trump's brain and personality. It is either on or off. Happy or angry. He is happy only when he gets his way. He is angry, which translates into revenge, when something or someone violates his narrow focus.
Trump is a sociopath with my-way-or-the-highway tendencies. Miller, Bannon and Conway each knows how to push him just so far without incurring his rath. They know that as long as Trump feels the warmth of the spotlight on him, he is happy. They manipulate him as long as he doesn't feel manipulated. They know how to make Trump feel as though their ideas are his and his alone. They are the darkest of forces sitting on Trump's shoulders whispering into his ear like alter-egos.
Thus the hapless sociopath is ripe for the pickings. VP Dick Cheney used George W. Bush much the same way to the point that Cheney was basically the acting president for eight painful years. While Bannon is not the VP, he has the ever-pliable DJT to provide the power he needs for his alt-right, all-white agenda.
24
I felt pretty safe last year. I feel less safe today, not so much by the travel ban (although that will inflame extremists both here and abroad), but more from within, the white nationalist kkk, confederate flag wavin' types who now feel "sanctioned" by Donald J Bannon.
14
Outside this echo chamber half of America approves of the Muslim ban. Hannah Arendt tried to tell us after she attended the Eichman trial in the early sixties that evil is banal, Eichman was no monster, he just didn't think. Her implication was that kid in the Einsatzgruppen that without conscience enthusiastically engaged in the mass murder of Eastern European Jews and the majority of Germans who didn't care is no different from the mob that would gladly let Steve Bannon bring that brand of fascism back to America.
15
Very dangerous. Bannon clearly intent on pursuing policy at expense of views of at least 50% citizens. Is he a public servant or not?
5
This is hilarious, though I admonish myself for being surprised by the continued intellectual dishonesty of the Left. Trump is accused of politicizing national security by adding a guy to the NSC who supposedly just made Trump sign what the Times views as the deeply unpopular (and therefore politically damaging) travel ban. You can't make this stuff up!
Yet again, and again, and again, the Left's world view crumbles in the face of even mild critical thinking. No wonder they've been doing everything they can to eradicate it from the public school system!
Yet again, and again, and again, the Left's world view crumbles in the face of even mild critical thinking. No wonder they've been doing everything they can to eradicate it from the public school system!
1
The Trump white house conflagration will be greater than that of 9/11 when the total impact on the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights and social disintegration comparisons are made.
6
Bannon has that weaselly look around his eyes that Trump's mentor Roy Cohn had. Trump really likes to hang with the weasels, doesn't he? I think they suit his own weaselly way of thinking. Great to have someone with such a twisted mentality influencing our Dear Leader, isn't it?
5
After reading your "Times Picks" comments, most (all?) of which are based on pure speculation and Dem talking points, I am deeply offended that these people called me crazy for wanting to see the birth certificate that Obama refused to show for four years.
1
I think it's a bit of a mistake to focus on Bannon's alt-right ideology -- the more basic problem is his lust for power and his willingness to sow chaos in order to achieve it. He is not a "true believer" of a false or evil, ideology. He is a nihilist who is flattering Trump in order to gain power for himself. An executive order to ban Muslims from only some countries and not others, undertaken without any vetting through proper channels: could be incompetence and ignorance, but I would suggest that it's a deliberate attempt to sow chaos at home and abroad. I don't think it's an accident that it only angered and emboldens Islamic extremists; I think that was part of the intent. While he was at Breitbart he came to see in Trump a route to power -- I don't think it was only the alt-right that he drew in to support Trump in the election. I believe that his efforts to deepen mistrust of Hillary Clinton and of the mainstream news media also drew in many swing voters who would not, if they knew the full truth, support his darkest views. He doesn't care why people voted for Trump, he only cares that Trump won. And now he's been promoted not only to be his top political adviser but also to sit on a council that has very broad powers -- of life and death, war and peace. Don't expect him to take the burden of that influence to heart and to exercise it wisely; expect him to use it for evil and his own pleasure. His removal from the NSC and the White House cannot happen too soon.
13
Trump may, in fact, be insulated for the duration, with the evil puppeteer Bannon pulling the strings.
Frankly and though I am no conspiracy theorist, it is impossible now to imagine that non of Mr. Bannon's activities -- with white nationalists, with Russians, and even in his own articulated words describing himself as a "Leninist" whose goal was to bring down the government --- none of these connections has brought the Intelligence community down on him. Surely, he has committed treason and will continue to do so with impunity.
Both he and the puppet Trump will bring down our democracy to be sure, with the Congress gerrymandered to their advantage, the court soon to be overrepresented by reactionaries, and the White House insulated from voters, by both a press secretary and a President who lie with impunity.
Frankly and though I am no conspiracy theorist, it is impossible now to imagine that non of Mr. Bannon's activities -- with white nationalists, with Russians, and even in his own articulated words describing himself as a "Leninist" whose goal was to bring down the government --- none of these connections has brought the Intelligence community down on him. Surely, he has committed treason and will continue to do so with impunity.
Both he and the puppet Trump will bring down our democracy to be sure, with the Congress gerrymandered to their advantage, the court soon to be overrepresented by reactionaries, and the White House insulated from voters, by both a press secretary and a President who lie with impunity.
13
Trump is the clown keeping us all distracted while Bannon prepares his coup d'etat. The GOP is so desperate for power they'll turn a blind eye until it's too late. After Bannon declares himself dictator for life, he'll purge every last member of the Republican establishment with extreme prejudice.
Don't cheer, Trumpeteers; Bannon and his band of alt-right goons will be coming for you next. No one is safe from a dictator's extreme paranoia. Remember, he who lives by the coup d'etat fears dying by the coup d'etat more than anything.
Don't cheer, Trumpeteers; Bannon and his band of alt-right goons will be coming for you next. No one is safe from a dictator's extreme paranoia. Remember, he who lives by the coup d'etat fears dying by the coup d'etat more than anything.
3
the baby in the the bannon bathwater is his "shut up and listen" to the media...it was the failure to hear the millions of voices of our fellow citizens, the ones H(R)C so disdainfully dumped into her "generalstic" baskets (not to mention her madame defargrery on bernie) that gave us trump and the rage against him that is so blind it can only be from guilt.
1
I knew Bannon was a nut job before the election, now he's making all the decisions because Trump is too busy tweeting and watching TV.
6
I wonder if we will see a Tianamen Square in Washington DC in the coming months as popular demonstrations grow massive? Kent State was unthinkable but it happened. Bannon and his clique seem capable of this.
6
The US Congress is designed to be a brake on presidential overreach. Will the GOP Congress do its Constitutional duty or roll over?
5
They will roll. If anyone expects something different then they should submit a bid on the sale of the Brooklyn Bridge.
2
"While Mr. Trump long ago embraced Mr. Bannon’s politics, he would be wise to reconsider allowing him to run his White House. . ."
Wisdom and Donald Trump. . . Does not compute.
Yes, the rallies during the campaign fueled Donald Trump and stroked his massive (and frail) ego, and now he is governing as if he is still campaigning. Those of us who took the time to actually immerse ourselves in the issues and examine this man's business background could see this coming a mile away.
Now the question is whether the Democrats can seize this momentum to create the Anti-Tea Party movement and reset the playbook as the Republicans did six years ago. Time will tell, but it begins now. The sooner the better.
Wisdom and Donald Trump. . . Does not compute.
Yes, the rallies during the campaign fueled Donald Trump and stroked his massive (and frail) ego, and now he is governing as if he is still campaigning. Those of us who took the time to actually immerse ourselves in the issues and examine this man's business background could see this coming a mile away.
Now the question is whether the Democrats can seize this momentum to create the Anti-Tea Party movement and reset the playbook as the Republicans did six years ago. Time will tell, but it begins now. The sooner the better.
6
This move just makes what has been and will be happening more obvious. Trump is the front man, being a TV star and a con is his forte. Bannon is the driver. And together, they will take this nation over the cliff. Too bad they'll take the majority of us who did NOT vote for either of them with them.
10
This is beginning to strongly resemble Hitler s consigliere in the 1930 s
12
"Plenty of presidents have had prominent political advisers, and some of those advisers have been suspected of quietly setting policy behind the scenes (recall Karl Rove or, if your memory stretches back far enough, Dick Morris)."
Yet, the editorial board saw fit to ignore Obama's senior advisor Valerie Jarrett? The woman characterizedby the NYT as:
The question that is hard to get inside of, the black box, is whether she is really influencing him or merely executing decisions he’s made. That’s like asking, ‘Is the light on in the refrigerator when the door is closed?’ ”
The woman who, according to the same article, was afforded secret service protection.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/02/us/politics/valerie-jarrett-is-the-oth...
What's particularly interesting is that the NYT editorial board has decided to follow the Fox News script in attempting to demonize someone with whom it disagrees:
http://nation.foxnews.com/valerie-jarrett/2012/05/30/author-valerie-jarr...
Yet, the editorial board saw fit to ignore Obama's senior advisor Valerie Jarrett? The woman characterizedby the NYT as:
The question that is hard to get inside of, the black box, is whether she is really influencing him or merely executing decisions he’s made. That’s like asking, ‘Is the light on in the refrigerator when the door is closed?’ ”
The woman who, according to the same article, was afforded secret service protection.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/02/us/politics/valerie-jarrett-is-the-oth...
What's particularly interesting is that the NYT editorial board has decided to follow the Fox News script in attempting to demonize someone with whom it disagrees:
http://nation.foxnews.com/valerie-jarrett/2012/05/30/author-valerie-jarr...
1
I don't see the comparison. Did Valerie Jarrett ever advocate the total destruction of our government?
6
Bannon, through his own words, wants to tear down society, so it can start over, as a white, Christian caliphate, the last bastion of white hope and a white civilization. The casual voter who did not understand this, and voted for Trump, gave Bannon the power to implement his vision.
Yesterday, the New York Review of Books republished these words from Hannah Arendt, who, as a German Jew in the 1930's, knew something about totalitarianism:
"Totalitarianism begins in contempt for what you have. The second step is the notion: Things must change-no matter how".
Our very special and unique democracy is now in the hands of these dark forces. This situation, and the dangers it represents to civil society, is not an exaggeration or even a partisan political issue; totalitarianism could be implemented by the very conservatives that have feared liberal tyranny.
Yesterday, the New York Review of Books republished these words from Hannah Arendt, who, as a German Jew in the 1930's, knew something about totalitarianism:
"Totalitarianism begins in contempt for what you have. The second step is the notion: Things must change-no matter how".
Our very special and unique democracy is now in the hands of these dark forces. This situation, and the dangers it represents to civil society, is not an exaggeration or even a partisan political issue; totalitarianism could be implemented by the very conservatives that have feared liberal tyranny.
8
How dangerous is this man and his radical right wing politics? How does he "see" this country moving forward? Does he even believe in our Constitution, and finally, how can he be stopped before he destroys the presidency and our democracy.
8
Serious people are still discussing the Trump administration as if it were serious and had honorable intentions. Trump got elected by whipping up and exploiting hysterical fears of terrorists. A recent poll showed the most important thing to a Trump supporter is anxiety about terrorism. Even in Kansas! Right. ISIS is celebrating Trump's ban on immigrants from 7 harmless Muslim nations. So are his supporters. So is Russia. I'm not usually a paranoid person, but I am beginning to see how a major terrorist attack on the people of the United States would strengthen Trump, and the Republican Party, just as it did GW Bush on 9/11. Michael Moore is probably right. People are going to die, and we'll be panicked into throwing away democracy. The pretests are heartening, but deep down I have a bad feeling. Trump/Bannon government is inviting an attack. The GOP will do nothing to stop them and they will be re-elected. I have a bad feeling.
15
Our own version of the Reichstag fire is at hand.
4
This pot-bellied Stalin wannabee is a clear and present danger to the Republic. His job is to find political sanction for Trump's worse impulses.
10
According to section (a)(6) of federal statute 50 U.S. Code 3021, a civilian like Steve Bannon will in fact need to go through Senate confirmation and approval in order to serve on the National Security Council because he doesn’t fit into any of the five listed pre-approved categories. That obscure law, which has remained obscure because no president has ever tried to put a political hack on the NSC until now, was dug up by MSNBC analyst Jonathan Alter late on Monday night. This sets up a remarkable showdown if Trump goes ahead with the Bannon pick, because few in either party have shown any affinity or trust for the guy – and they’ll have limitless material for embarrassing him. This should be fun :)
15
NYT says "he would be wise to reconsider allowing him to run his White House, particularly after the fiasco over the weekend of the risible Muslim ban. "
If Trump followed any of NYT advice he would not be president. Similarly, if he listed to your council on this matter, he would not be elected to a second term.
As a subscriber, I received an apology letter from NYT publisher regarding the poor coverage of the election. Nothing has changed. You still cannot read the sense of the country outside of the city. I am expecting a second apology letter in 4 years, unless I get tired of your bias and drop my subscription before that.
You may, of course, choose not to publish this contrarian opinion, like you normally do, but that would simply prove my point.
If Trump followed any of NYT advice he would not be president. Similarly, if he listed to your council on this matter, he would not be elected to a second term.
As a subscriber, I received an apology letter from NYT publisher regarding the poor coverage of the election. Nothing has changed. You still cannot read the sense of the country outside of the city. I am expecting a second apology letter in 4 years, unless I get tired of your bias and drop my subscription before that.
You may, of course, choose not to publish this contrarian opinion, like you normally do, but that would simply prove my point.
1
I was very surprised and dismayed to read this article. Last night as I was thinking about Trump's move to appoint Bannon as a principle member of the National Security Council I came to the realization that it is not Trump who is the president of the United States but Steve Bannon. As further solidification of my belief, the political cartoon on the editorial page of the Raleigh, NC "News and Observer" showed a petulant Trump on the throne, but the power behind the throne was none other than Steve Bannon. It is very frightening that such a egotistical, racist, xenophobic, misogynist person is the one directing the President of the United States.
18
Mr. Trump ruled over a private business organization as a dictator with a few "trusted" advisors, because that is how many CEO's of private businesses operate. He is now using the same model to attempt to run one of the world's most respected governments. This business model does not work, as we are seeing. Unfortunately, a large and ignorant number of voters did not understand how private (not shareholder) businesses operate. Let us not forget the Australian study that was published last year that revealed that 1 in 5 CEOs were psychopaths. Looks like we hit the jackpot.
9
Trump's supporters have been conned by a con man. They are just being used as a means to an end and don't realize that they themselves are the people who will be most affected by Bannon's ideology. One can't help but compare Trump supporters to the German people when Hitler was in power. Many German people idolized Hitler and he was going to be the country's salvation. Need I remind anyone what happened to them.
10
For forty years I have thought America longed for a dictator.
It happened even faster than I thought.
It happened even faster than I thought.
9
This is what the racist, moronic Trump voters wanted, a neo Nazi regime. Like Sinclair Lewis' prescient novel "It Can't Happen Here" it has. The stupid have put the worst, most nightmarish elements into power. Trump is an imbecile, and Bannon is his brain. Our democracy and our country is in deep trouble, and unfortunately with the shameless, Republicans in control there are no checks nor balances.
8
It is remarkable to me that this sick individual has risen to be the power behind the throne. We can only hope and pray that sensible Republicans and Democrats see the extreme danger we are in and are planning some way to impeach Trump. And thank God for the NYTimes showing the courage and conviction to write this editorial.
6
Instead of a President, Trump is looking more and more like a puppet whose strings are being pulled by an extremist like Bannon who is intent on playing out his own agenda.
6
With President Obama's intellect we had well reasoned strategy, with George W Bush's we had, "Strategery" and now with Trump's we have, "Bannonegery" which is no strategy, only reactionary rhetoric.
7
More like this. And then more and then more. Knowing Trump reads the papers vociferously for any mentions of himself he only hope I see at this point is that it becomes painfully obvious that the real president, the one with the real power, is Bannon. Trump's third-grade ego won't allow it and maybe he'd get rid of him. It's a small chance. But this reeder truly sees little hope in what lies ahead. If he feels it's it's right to be above he courts....what's left but war. Which is what they want: a civil war. They will sit protected and smirking in the WH and the rest of us...? This is a national and global nightmare unfolding in real time.
17
All of us need to use the words "President Bannon" at every opportunity. It will drive Trump out of his tiny little brain and might even enrage him enough to cut Bannon loose.
4
What has changed? We thought you loved change.
The urge to control is the result of fear. Don't be afraid. Liberal protestors are beating people at airports; BLM is urging murder and assassination in Seattle. Obama is encouraging it. What has changed? I'm confident Trump will promote peace and his enemies will promote unrest in the name of peace. What has changed?
The urge to control is the result of fear. Don't be afraid. Liberal protestors are beating people at airports; BLM is urging murder and assassination in Seattle. Obama is encouraging it. What has changed? I'm confident Trump will promote peace and his enemies will promote unrest in the name of peace. What has changed?
You can remove the question mark from the title. It's not necessary. There's no question. Trump is nothing without this guy. The true villain. A true villain.
8
Let's face it, this has been a most successful six months for Steve Bannon. Basically, he has come out of nowhere onto the world stage to occupy the second most important seat in Trump World. Forget V.P. Pence, who is just a well-dressed stooge, compared to Bannon, this guy is the real deal. Smart and cunning, and positioned to wreck havoc. For all you Trump supporters, be careful what you wish for.
7
How to put it: people who believe one being can become another are progressive, depending on time and evolution to reassure them that they are at the apex of human history when, in fact, human nature has never changed. That's why they're never wrong and can't see conversely that that indicates they're never quite right.
Progressive thought depends on anticipation. Often, the result is fear.
In any case a being with two faculties cannot be the cause of a being with three.
Whether one chooses to demonize Trump by Bannon or Bannon by Trump you're telling us that one is the other, not by influence but by being.
When an ape stands up it's a standing ape.
Obama is not the President. Trump is.
The tendency or reflex of relativists is to make things what they are not. It's not as philosophical as it is emotional. One person is not another.
The urge to control must be disciplined.
Trump is responding to his voters. Let's see what happens.
Progressive thought depends on anticipation. Often, the result is fear.
In any case a being with two faculties cannot be the cause of a being with three.
Whether one chooses to demonize Trump by Bannon or Bannon by Trump you're telling us that one is the other, not by influence but by being.
When an ape stands up it's a standing ape.
Obama is not the President. Trump is.
The tendency or reflex of relativists is to make things what they are not. It's not as philosophical as it is emotional. One person is not another.
The urge to control must be disciplined.
Trump is responding to his voters. Let's see what happens.
Judging by Breitbart News' news Mr. Bannon's understanding of world events is seriously flawed. Combined with Mr. Trump's unreliable grasp of reality the Bannon/Trump worldview will inevitably lead to unrealistic policy decisions. Ignoring his intelligence briefings and shutting himself off from the wisdom of his senior military and security advisers will only work to further distort Mr. Trump's vision. These early days have shown us the blunders willful ignorance can bring. Unless Mr. Trump avails himself of better sources of information catastrophic mistakes are likely.
9
I"m sure that Mr. Bannon will see to it that Mr. Trump hears only the 'right' advise.
1
You are 16 years too late to be concerned about this stuff. You are recycling the same arguments that the right did when Obama was elected. Inaugural crowd size, the reading of 1984, Tea Part Protests (Now BLM), etc... I half expect to see reporting that Trump isn't a citizen and should produce his birth certificate. The public is tired of the childish political arguments from both sides. It was time for change so Trump was elected. You will not be able to convince his base that they shouldn't like it when Trump delivers on the change that he promised. You will only galvanize them more. Where were you when Obama seized all of these executive powers? Obama was like a child who left all his toys out when he left the White House. You thought it was okay because Hillary was supposed to win. Remember, you reap what you sew. Can we begin to have a dialogue yet or are you just going to continue with your feigned outrage backed up by even less knowledge of what Obama really did in the world? Less outrage over the immigration executive order would be a good start. It is after all Obama's executive order that Trump is using, it just happens to have Trumps signature on it.
3
The public isn't tired of childish arguments from both sides or it wouldn't have elected the most childish man of all time to be president. Listen to yourself talk sometimes when you are in the middle of justifying the idiot in office,
3
Obama is the blame and scape goat for everything -- amazing they can't see the forest for the trees .
1
"Where were you when Obama seized all of these executive powers?"
Obama did NOTHING of the sort. He tried, unsuccessfully, to "reach across the aisle", and enlist help in improving conditions in our country. The response?
"We'll make sure he's only a one term president. We'll defeat any legislation he proposes, even if the ideas originated within our party. We'll shut down the government rather than do our civic, social and moral duties as elected representatives of the American people." And, of course, there was a constant undercurrent of racism in their words and destructive actions.
Your false equivalences are just that.
You need to reread the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the Constitution. If you don't believe in those words and principles, you are not an American.
If you do, you must see the new president as a dishonest, self-serving danger to this country.
Obama did NOTHING of the sort. He tried, unsuccessfully, to "reach across the aisle", and enlist help in improving conditions in our country. The response?
"We'll make sure he's only a one term president. We'll defeat any legislation he proposes, even if the ideas originated within our party. We'll shut down the government rather than do our civic, social and moral duties as elected representatives of the American people." And, of course, there was a constant undercurrent of racism in their words and destructive actions.
Your false equivalences are just that.
You need to reread the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the Constitution. If you don't believe in those words and principles, you are not an American.
If you do, you must see the new president as a dishonest, self-serving danger to this country.
4
The "Devil's Triangle" of Trump's narcissism, Bannon's almost malevolent nihilism and the magical-thinking of Trump supporting fellow Americans isn't something that is going to heal itself. Like Sam Waterson wrote in his WaPo opinion piece: Trump's lying and that of his administration has got to be continually brought front and center in the story. Our two most beloved presidents, Washington and Lincoln, were admired precisely for their honesty. Will someone tell me: how did we get here? If we want to live in a society that passes for ethical, where the rule of law is not a vanishing point in the distance, the lying has got to be lanced and brought to the surface like one does with a serious infection.
11
If you want to make anything function well, you must respect all of those natural laws that automatically enforce themselves.
Natural law is objective. Human law is subjective.
Natural law is objective. Human law is subjective.
Trump is incapable of tossing Bannon, despite external expressions of concern.
Trump is not smart enough to realize what he's done. Were he smart enough, he wouldn't have let Bannon have all the power in the first place.
Trump is not smart enough to realize what he's done. Were he smart enough, he wouldn't have let Bannon have all the power in the first place.
5
There once was a would-be Svengali
Who enjoys his power by golly
So we must be aware
Not to yield to despair
Lest we aid his journey to folly
Who enjoys his power by golly
So we must be aware
Not to yield to despair
Lest we aid his journey to folly
3
Which one is Batman and which is Robin?
Cannon is as unqualified as Trump. Two unqualified co-presidents still don't equal one qualified President.
The last week has shown swift but incompetent actions that will reverberate for years to come. Countries are reevaluating their relationships with this country. They are beginning to look for different trading partners. When the US pulls back from the world stage to navel gaze, other countries will step into the vacuum. Will we like the countries that dictate the rules to us?
At least Bannon had a whopping 7 years in the Navy in the 1980's before making the big bucks at Goldman, Sachs. That meager, long ago military experience certainly qualifies Bannon to outguess admirals and generals with more current and substantive experience. Not.
I wish Trump and Bannon were more forthcoming about their long term vision for this country. They are dragging us step by step somewhere. But where?
Cannon is as unqualified as Trump. Two unqualified co-presidents still don't equal one qualified President.
The last week has shown swift but incompetent actions that will reverberate for years to come. Countries are reevaluating their relationships with this country. They are beginning to look for different trading partners. When the US pulls back from the world stage to navel gaze, other countries will step into the vacuum. Will we like the countries that dictate the rules to us?
At least Bannon had a whopping 7 years in the Navy in the 1980's before making the big bucks at Goldman, Sachs. That meager, long ago military experience certainly qualifies Bannon to outguess admirals and generals with more current and substantive experience. Not.
I wish Trump and Bannon were more forthcoming about their long term vision for this country. They are dragging us step by step somewhere. But where?
3
Trump knows he is in way over his head. He knows he needs people he can trust to advise him. Unfortunately, the only people he trusts, his immediate family and Bannon, are as incompetent as he is.
I give the train wreck two more months until Republicans in Congress realize something must be done to stop it.
I give the train wreck two more months until Republicans in Congress realize something must be done to stop it.
5
As more preposterous events unfold daily, a Republican-controlled congress smugly looks on from the sidelines at the Titanic they created. Makes you wonder, when do we hit bottom? To what depths must we descend before action is taken to rescue our nation from this disastrous shipwreck?
2
The most powerful person in Washington is not the president but the person who prepares the news he reads. Now we have the Breitbart-Fox-Bannon axis filling his head with conspiratorial nonsense. In this Mad Hatter Tea Party of an inner circle, it would be a miracle if any reasonable proposals eminated from the Head Cheeto.
3
Please include the speed which which President Trump has moved to alienate Americans.
What a mess.
What a mess.
5
Really nice photo, could Mr. Bannon and by extension President Trump look any more evil? This cheap propaganda technique used to demonize your political opponents was pioneered in Nazi Germany and is typical of your razed earth campaign to destroy the Trump administration as of course the ends justify the means. Your moronic claims that President Trump is an egotistical maniac/narcissist which your gullible readers lap up wouldn't seem to line up with a President Bannon or the strong personalities he has chosen to advise him. You, the anonymous man behind the curtain, too cowardly to sign your diatribes should get your many narratives straight. Often, as most lies do, they begin to cancel each other out as conflicting claims bump up against reality. A real dictator would be surrounded by yes men, not a Mattis or a Bannon. So we have NYT assertions that a mad narcissist suddenly transforms into a docile chump so President Bannon can make decisions for him.Your extreme partisan meanderings have one object in mind, and this is for the gutless(actually a gluttonous gut) author of this baloney too timid to sign his name to this propaganda, destroy the presidency of Donald Trump at any cost. There is no journalism here, just partisan propaganda of the lowest sort. Good job while you have it.
2
What's next, a cabinet position for Alex Jones? Charging government officials who disagree with the President with treason? DJT is proving that he is totally unfit to be President and his choice of advisers is from the bottom of the swamp. The Republican party better grow a spine and get this under control soon or face utter destruction in the next election.
2
Mr. Bannon's dark brilliance has realized in Trump a fantastic marionette. Trump, so full of raging showmanship and void of moral compass, is proving his most cooperative puppet. Rewarded by world-wide attention, Donald is a satiated Pavlovian dog, eager to perform another distracting dance while master manipulator Bannon pulls the strings. Who will show true leadership by putting and end to this horror show?
5
America! How Could You? It can be said that a malfunctioning idiot is now at the Helm, and creating storms that will drag America into a swamp of limitless greed, guided by unlimited power to suck the lifeblood out of every worthwhile effort that America previously enjoyed. http://www.AmericaHowCouldYou.com
5
Hillarys emails are getting to be pretty inconsequential, right? Too bad the media didn't see this coming as they were too busy blather on and on about HRC emails.
8
Just think, President Trump has been in office for only eleven days and he has already made Chuck Schumer cry. For this alone, Mr. Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.
1
Re: But a new executive order, politicizing the process for national security decisions, suggests Mr. Bannon is positioning himself not merely as a Svengali but as the de facto president." Question: Can such aggressive, determined and ruthless moves by Bannon and Kushner be considered a right-wing coup?
Thank you for the editorial.
Thank you for the editorial.
2
Will Trump's ego tolerate it when attention shifts to Bannon as mastermind, leaving Trump, the puppet, in the dust? I can't help but believe that will bother him sooner or later.
2
Provocative opinion-pieces and noisy front-page stories on the callousness and ineptitude of the Trump administration generally, and The President specifically, are written out of journalistic necessity. The truth must be told, there is no escaping it. But in the addled, fragile brain of Trump, truth (that which questions the Man's legitimacy to lead or capacity to govern) aggravates him to no end. (When it comes from "The Editorial Board" of the Times, that aggravation must spew out of him—and, yes, Mr. Bannon—as rabid indignation.)
But, the question must be asked: Is it safe to provoke The President? The Ego in Chief has already shown that he's willing loose it (regardless of time or place) over issues as normally innocuous as crowd size. And the stories and editorials keep coming. With each , I wince—not at the ever-growing magnitude of the Trumpian mess—but the disturbing notion that they feed Our President's moral and ethical void, and spark a HUGE hatred that may destroy us all.
But, the question must be asked: Is it safe to provoke The President? The Ego in Chief has already shown that he's willing loose it (regardless of time or place) over issues as normally innocuous as crowd size. And the stories and editorials keep coming. With each , I wince—not at the ever-growing magnitude of the Trumpian mess—but the disturbing notion that they feed Our President's moral and ethical void, and spark a HUGE hatred that may destroy us all.
2
Trump and Bannon are perfect together. neither one knows anything about governing a Democracy, and when they are challenged they will merely get angry and strike out at anyone with a different opinion. Perhaps Bannon is marginally more intelligent, but this only makes him mere dangerous because he has more ability to channel his viciousness itnto action.
The combination is deadly and a deep threat to the nation and the world. it will unleash forces that will set back our humanity for decades if we survive.
The combination is deadly and a deep threat to the nation and the world. it will unleash forces that will set back our humanity for decades if we survive.
7
Hitler already controlled the Nazi party by the 1930's but did did not fully consolidate his power over Germany until the Depression was in effect. He then exploited the fear that prevailed and the rest is history. Are not such conditions really what Trump-Bannon are trying to create? Hitler was not taken seriously until it was too late. The shape of the Trump-Bannon vision for not only this country but the world is already clear and should be taken very seriously.
the
the
7
trump has made his position clear, he cannot fulfill his role/duty and now we have the bannon presidency. Jared is there to protect trump's emerging dementia from showing too much. bannon is not stupid, he's just racist and wants to return the US to its white roots. By garnering so much power and setting the stage for the war he wants, now we are all at risk. Reason will not be debated anymore and life long staffers, patriots, recognize that and are concerned. True patriots of democracy, they want to leave because this administration's actions and intentions challenge their integrity, but they stay because they are worried of what might happen if they leave - they stay to protect us. In the end, it's a lose-lose situation. Do things you hate and stay or speak out against wrongs and get fired. Either way, democracy is threatened.
3
I am afraid. I am very afraid. This administration is the biggest threat to our wonderful country to occur in my lifetime. I understand how important the peaceful transition of power is but ... in this case it may lead us to something far worse than the civil war. There has to be a way to stop them before a major disaster occurs. I am an old woman and I am very concerned about what remnant of our country my and everyone else's grandchildren will inherit.
Please, please stop them!
Please, please stop them!
9
The press media, US citizens, and the world are being overwhelmed by loose cannon policy declarations. We cannot survive living on headlines. We need a new/modified reporting paradigm that keeps the detail and timeline of all these parallel developing issues (health care reforms, attacks on civil rights, diffusing international agreements, non-existent voter fraud reforms, etc) front and center.
1
So let me get this straight. This whole article is about the fact that Trump added a close advisor to the National Security Council, which the article states itself isn't unprecedented....and the two officials he downgraded are currently holdovers from the previous administration that are solely there because the replacements haven't been picked/approved. Do I have that right?
Is it possible that Bannon is there so Trump has someone he trusts there until those replacements are put in place? Is that possible? The answer is yes. I would be shocked if, as soon as the replacements are put in place, these two positions aren't put back on to the principals committee. Lot of nothing here....
Is it possible that Bannon is there so Trump has someone he trusts there until those replacements are put in place? Is that possible? The answer is yes. I would be shocked if, as soon as the replacements are put in place, these two positions aren't put back on to the principals committee. Lot of nothing here....
It's the trusting Bannon part that's scary.
2
Go ahead, and keep swallowing the Great Trump Lie. Thanks for voting this regime in. I hope you are the first to suffer, but I know that hope too is in vain.
2
What terrifies me is that many people who voted for Trump did so because they actually wanted to tear the government down, exactly as Bannon has said he wants to do. They believe the country's institutions are so hopelessly corrupt and broken they cannot be improved and must be destroyed. Telling them this is Trump/Bannon's true intent neither shocks nor dismays them, because they are on board with it.
The problem with that line of thinking, which they of course fail to realize, is that if the government falls, if those institutions are dismantled, a wonderful new world order will not rise, phoenix-like, from the ashes any time soon. Just like Trump believing that the ACA could be repealed and replaced within a week, Bannon's believers think that America will throw off her liberal shackles and suddenly there will be jobs and prosperity for all (or at least all who look and think like them). We should all remember that when the Roman Empire fell, the Dark Ages of war and ignorance lasted for centuries. In recent times, when the Soviet Union fell, the result was not freedom and prosperity for all, it is lasting misery under an oligarchy led by a czar wanna-be. Should Bannon, Trump, et. al. succeed in their aims, they will grow fantastically rich divvying up the spoils, while their foolish followers will find themselves fighting to survive for a long, long, time. Climate change would likely see to it the fall would in fact be permanent.
The problem with that line of thinking, which they of course fail to realize, is that if the government falls, if those institutions are dismantled, a wonderful new world order will not rise, phoenix-like, from the ashes any time soon. Just like Trump believing that the ACA could be repealed and replaced within a week, Bannon's believers think that America will throw off her liberal shackles and suddenly there will be jobs and prosperity for all (or at least all who look and think like them). We should all remember that when the Roman Empire fell, the Dark Ages of war and ignorance lasted for centuries. In recent times, when the Soviet Union fell, the result was not freedom and prosperity for all, it is lasting misery under an oligarchy led by a czar wanna-be. Should Bannon, Trump, et. al. succeed in their aims, they will grow fantastically rich divvying up the spoils, while their foolish followers will find themselves fighting to survive for a long, long, time. Climate change would likely see to it the fall would in fact be permanent.
9
It's one thing to see these kind of things on House of Cards, but it is chilling to see them in real life.
8
All this angst and furor over Bannon who is now shaping up as some kind of Svengali who has control of Trump but was smart enough to get Trump elected by what ? Tapping into those voters who want this " type of action".
The real issue is what happened to America and to the the ideals that are taught in schools and churches ? What is the "real " America ? Are we really a bunch of hypocrites who are finally getting to reveal what we actually believe?
It appears as though the MASKS have been ripped off to show the world the dark reality below the surface. The "thin veneer " of civilized peoples has been been torn back and what is revealed is not acceptable except in a hostile realm of warfare . Us versus them. Those who are not with us are against us. The easiest way for the United States to self destruct is for "good men to sit on the sidelines and do Nothing.
Here we go ! Hang on to your seats.
The real issue is what happened to America and to the the ideals that are taught in schools and churches ? What is the "real " America ? Are we really a bunch of hypocrites who are finally getting to reveal what we actually believe?
It appears as though the MASKS have been ripped off to show the world the dark reality below the surface. The "thin veneer " of civilized peoples has been been torn back and what is revealed is not acceptable except in a hostile realm of warfare . Us versus them. Those who are not with us are against us. The easiest way for the United States to self destruct is for "good men to sit on the sidelines and do Nothing.
Here we go ! Hang on to your seats.
8
Perhaps the best way to help thwart extremists like this thrice divorced radical, Bannon, is to contribute money to causes that will sue this administration? Apparently the ACLU is benefiting from moderates who are contributing millions. The Sierra Club may also protect our environment if it is better funded?
10
How to ruin America's international reputation in only 8 days? That should be Trump's new book title. It is incredible how fast and thorough Obama's hard work of restoring respect for America after the Bush years has been decimated. Once Trump pulls out of the Paris Climate deal, as is already announced to happen within 'days', the USA will be rightfully seen as the the world's new villain, or to speak in Trump's word, the new 'bad guy'. Very sad.
10
Two words, Valerie Jarrett, real estate developer and senior advisor to the President. Now look at the Middle East. This paper forgot to report on what high level meetings she sat in on. Steve Bannon was at least an officer in the US Navy.
3
This issue could be Trump's kryptonite. It has been clear for a long time that his ego is his weakness. Flatter him like Putin and he is your faithful friend. Cave in to him, and he will tolerate your presence, but, like with Chris Cristy, his actual contempt will be palpable, and he will rid himself of your presence as soon as possible. McConnell and Ryan should keep that message in mind. Oppose him and you with be dismissed.
But if Americans start saying that Trump is Bannon's toady, that Trump is a not the real President, it may stick. Trump pays close attention to what the newspapers and the people are saying, because he desperately craves everyones adoration. Bannon can't stand between Trump and that information because Trump will demand to see it. And fortunately, even if Trump knows that this is the objective, and Bannon tries to spin it, Trumps pathology is likely to win out. Bannon has been playing that pathology, so it has to be turned against him.
But if Americans start saying that Trump is Bannon's toady, that Trump is a not the real President, it may stick. Trump pays close attention to what the newspapers and the people are saying, because he desperately craves everyones adoration. Bannon can't stand between Trump and that information because Trump will demand to see it. And fortunately, even if Trump knows that this is the objective, and Bannon tries to spin it, Trumps pathology is likely to win out. Bannon has been playing that pathology, so it has to be turned against him.
9
The photo really says it all: the venom in Bannon's brain is being channeled through Trump's mouth.
And it's highly disturbing that that's what Trump voters consciously or unconsciously want. They're fine with a white supremacist ruling -- and destroying -- America.
And it's highly disturbing that that's what Trump voters consciously or unconsciously want. They're fine with a white supremacist ruling -- and destroying -- America.
12
It should now be crystal clear that Trump must be impeached and removed from office. It is the only way our democratic republic can reclaim the Constitution that Trump swore to preserve, protect and defend--a knowingly false promise he made under oath, adding perjury and fraud to the mounting list of high crimes and misdemeanors that are at the core of his executive orders. The Electoral College allowed Trump to claim the Presidency by winning only forty-percent of the popular vote. The Twelfth-Amendment, however, does not allow for governing in a manner that subverts the popular will. Tragically, this anachronistic provision has permitted Bannonism, a variation of Nazism and Fascism, to do just that. The policies and actions spewing out of the West Wing do no more to protect our national security than did the internment of Japanese Americans during WW II. Indeed, they only serve to fuel the fires of terrorism and extremism. Congress and the courts must now demonstrate that the Constitution does work by zealously enforcing our system of checks and balances. With each passing day, Trump proves that he is unfit to execute the office of the U.S. Presidency. The solution is impeachment, not appeasement.
9
Bannon did say that, after the election, they would rule for 50 years. It struck me because of the echo of the thousand-year Reich. Now, 8 years after Hitler became Chancellor, he was still rolling into new territory to be greeted by ladies in folk costume who wreathed the German tanks with flowers. Our Austrian, Ukrainian, and Estonian friends among them. Of course 4 years after that the entire continent was in ruins. I don't expect to live long enough to see the end of this horror, and I thank God for that.
14
Foreign Policy reports that Bannon has made a "Cabal" of the National Security Council, and has assumed complete control of its operations, to exclusion of National Security personal and its normal members. Bannon, a White Supremacist who said in 2013 that (like Lenin) his intention is to destroy all existing institutions of government, wrote Trump's inauguration speech and seems to have made or heavily influenced all of this administration's decisions (including cabinet picks). Bannon was not elected President, nor should a man whose avowed purpose is to destroy our system of government in the name of White Supremacy be involved in White House decision making in any way!!!
12
We should consider that one of the main purposes of the travel ban was to throw the news and public outrage towards it and deflect it from the outrageous fact that Bannon was given a permanent position on the National Security Council while competent, tough-minded generals, who might well have been expected to forcefully oppose him, have been kicked off.
23
The NYT and all its left-leaning liberals are the most mean-spirited, critical, judgmental, and personally defaming group of people I have ever encountered. You have utter disregard for those with whom you disagree. You taken a second to try to understand what the of mainstream America, those who elected Donal Trump, is thinking or feeling.
If you did, you would realize, America is not questioning the legitimacy or the approach of Donald Trump. If the election happened today Trump would win 60%-40%. And it is your failure to hear the cry of the outcry of mainstream America that sways it more and more in Trump's direction. The televised protests are a tiny fraction of your platform. Trump supporters don't need to protest because they're comfortable with the constitution and the way government works. The proof of this is the fact that they were very supportive and respectful of the worst President this country has had in the last 50 years, a president that tried to dismantle Democracy, Capitalism, Federalism, free enterprise and American exceptionalism.
Until you get this you will continue to lose, lose, lose. And that's the platform President Trump ran on. America doesn't win anymore. Well we are going to win now, and you naysayers can sit back and reap the benefits while living with the luxury of protesting the very President who will hand you these benefits on a silver platter.
If you did, you would realize, America is not questioning the legitimacy or the approach of Donald Trump. If the election happened today Trump would win 60%-40%. And it is your failure to hear the cry of the outcry of mainstream America that sways it more and more in Trump's direction. The televised protests are a tiny fraction of your platform. Trump supporters don't need to protest because they're comfortable with the constitution and the way government works. The proof of this is the fact that they were very supportive and respectful of the worst President this country has had in the last 50 years, a president that tried to dismantle Democracy, Capitalism, Federalism, free enterprise and American exceptionalism.
Until you get this you will continue to lose, lose, lose. And that's the platform President Trump ran on. America doesn't win anymore. Well we are going to win now, and you naysayers can sit back and reap the benefits while living with the luxury of protesting the very President who will hand you these benefits on a silver platter.
5
Trump, is that you? Trump ran an entire campaign on being mean-spirited and personally insulting. He lost the popular vote by 3 million and his disapproval numbers even before this were historically high.
3
Wrong. Trump's supporters are not "mainstream America," whatever that means; you are a sizable minority. Now Trump represents ALL Americans, including the majority that didn't vote for him and certainly wouldn't now. In no possible universe would Trump win 60-40. The math simply isn't there. If anything, the term "mainstream" would seem to apply to the majority.
3
He ran that way, because it's the only way to combat the left, who belittles people who do not agree with them. Any other republican candidate would have been crushed under the evil, liberal campaign arsenal. Trump's the only one who knows no shame and didn't collapse.
IF he lost the popular vote it was because of left and east coast liberals. And thank the good Lord for our electoral system, otherwise these so-called progressive strongholds would reign in our country, and that is not who we are. For crying out loud, you even lost the factory worker, who finally gave up on the empty promises about how the left cares for the working man. Yeah, right! They realized the left only cares about winning in order to promote themselves and their Godless/socialist, anti-American agenda. The left hates America and they prove it every day!
IF he lost the popular vote it was because of left and east coast liberals. And thank the good Lord for our electoral system, otherwise these so-called progressive strongholds would reign in our country, and that is not who we are. For crying out loud, you even lost the factory worker, who finally gave up on the empty promises about how the left cares for the working man. Yeah, right! They realized the left only cares about winning in order to promote themselves and their Godless/socialist, anti-American agenda. The left hates America and they prove it every day!
The hyperbolic responses to this extremely biased, factless, and pernicious screed masking as an editorial is quite revealingly as to the fear of liberal cognitive dissonance displayed by putative reasoned responses. I foresee further progressive meltdowns so wrenching that this paper and it's loyal readers' spleens exploding for many months and years ahead. Maybe the vitriol will burn itself out. Maybe not, but for the folks that don't live in Gotham or Lost Angeles, viewing the editorials like this one and the comments are particularly entertaining to the rest of the country...For sure.
1
Maybe you should read some of what BAnnon says instead of dismissing people who have actually read what he says. He didn't like crony capitalism until he could get into their bed. Now he's fine with it.
2
Psychopaths are the Typhoid Marys of mental illness, Stephen Harris.
I fear you have already succumbed to the contagion.
I fear you have already succumbed to the contagion.
2
I don't live in NYC or LA. From where I sit in the mountain west, Trump looks like Bannon's puppet.
3
It is not only what Trump does but how he does it. Eliminating input from our National Security and Congress is not only stupid; it is a pathway to World War III.
We can only hope that the Republicans in charge give up their cowardly fear of his tweets and stop this insanity!
We can only hope that the Republicans in charge give up their cowardly fear of his tweets and stop this insanity!
6
Bannon, an alcoholic with anger issues, is not the devious, let alone super intelligent schemer many seem to think he is, imo. If he were, he'd be an admiral by now. It's obvious he doesn't have what it takes for that position. His angry outburst to the NY Times to shut up is testimony to his ignorance as well. His bungling of Friday's EO on immigration from seven Muslim majority countries is additional proof of his arrogance, lack of knowledge and experience. I think he's jealous of the NY Times and its influence and reach, and tries to use the power he derives from being in Trump's good graces to silence the opposition. But he of all persons, should know the First Amendment and what it means. He may want a revolution, and maybe he'll get it, but not under his leadership. Let's hope it's a peaceful revolution, resulting in a reaffirmation of this countries' democratic values and its Constitution.
9
Lenin was absolutely ruthless and usually the architect of the best-developed plan of action.
1
This article is nothing but pure speculation. No one has any insight into these things except Trump and his advisers. Breitbart is a reputable source of news and the NYTimes does it a disservice by not doing it's due diligence and instead cherry picking headlines and trying to sensationalize them to give a impression of a racist organization. As a reader of Breitbart and listening of Breitbart News Daily (when I have time) I have never once been given a perspective that it is a racist news organization, quite the opposite. I go to Breitbart because I get a better journalism than I would get here.
2
Reputable? Are you trying to be funny?
5
I feel sorry for you.
4
This clown considers Brietfart legitimate? Hey pal, time to reevaluate life, and your horrendous decisions.
4
Bannon needs to go through Senate confirmation to sit on the National Security Council. 50 U.S. Code 3021 (a) (6):
The Council shall be composed of—
(1) the President;
(2) the Vice President;
(3) the Secretary of State;
(4) the Secretary of Defense;
(5) the Secretary of Energy; and
(6) the Secretaries and Under Secretaries of other executive departments and of the military departments, when appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve at his pleasure.
The Council shall be composed of—
(1) the President;
(2) the Vice President;
(3) the Secretary of State;
(4) the Secretary of Defense;
(5) the Secretary of Energy; and
(6) the Secretaries and Under Secretaries of other executive departments and of the military departments, when appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve at his pleasure.
23
It's nice to know that the Times Editorial Board sees what is going on here. But there are a lot of things that Mr. Trump would be wise to consider that he is simply not going to consider. This opinion offers some good advice for Mr. Trump: "He needs to hear from experienced officials...." "He needs advisers who can think strategically and weigh second-and third-order consequences....' etc. etc. Of course he does! But if he did those things, he wouldn't be the ill-equipped, unstable narcissist the minority of voters elected to office! So, while I'm glad to read that I'm not the only one who thinks there's something terribly wrong with putting Steve Bannon in charge of our national security, let's not hold our breath waiting for him or for Trump to take advice from the NY Times Editorial Board. Instead, how about offering some advice for your readers and concerned citizens who are faced with 4 more years (minus 10 days, for those of us counting) of daily incompetence and dangerous rejections of truth? We're going numb with dismay out here, and I don't know if I can keep protesting for the next 200+ weekends.
4
The Republicans in the Senate could stop Bannon and Trump, if they chose to. They are not choosing to. I agree that Bannon is dangerous, but this is hardly all his fault.
5
Trump and associates are using WWII Wehrmacht's blitzkrieg strategy to consolidate political power.
That is, to move in force and as rapidly as possible before the opposition can put up resistance.
The question is: Is there a charismatic Churchill-like figure at bay to rally the opposition against the incoming storm troopers onslaught?
That is, to move in force and as rapidly as possible before the opposition can put up resistance.
The question is: Is there a charismatic Churchill-like figure at bay to rally the opposition against the incoming storm troopers onslaught?
6
Everyone working for Trump or sporting him ( the "give-him-a-chancers") has to decide to comply with whatever, support him, or be prepared to leave. This is about what we allow to happen.
There must be several ways to impeach Trump already.
There must be several ways to impeach Trump already.
2
I fear for the members of the voluntary US military who joined under the rational Presidents GHW Bush, Clinton and Obama. Bannon and Rumsfeld have about the same military experience which is almost none. Rumsfeld asked Army Gen Shinseki how many troops would it take to occupy Iraq once fighting ended and Gen S said- at least 300,000. Rumsfeld sent 160,000 and due to inadequate numbers of troops left the 5 linear miles stacked 10 feet high ammo of Huessain unguarded. That ammo has been turned into IEDs which killed 4000 US, wounded 80,000 and caused 250,000 traumatic brain injuries, not counting harm to Iraqi civilians. We cannot afford another inexperienced decision maker like Rumsfeld and Bannon is that person. Our volunteer military needs protection from poor civilian decision makers.
4
I, too, thought Mattis would serve as an experienced, reality-based and practical voice in the Trump administration. Yet he stood behind Trump as he signed that Muslim ban, smiling and applauding. Very disappointing.
8
Apparently, Mattis and the rest of DOD never saw this executive order before it's release on Friday afternoon.
1
When Obama openly weaponized the DOJ and DeptEd, tying both almost explicitly to his politics, I don't recall the outrage. It really is all about ideology.
Two years from now when the pendulum swings to the left, the first order of business by the Democrats will be to impeach Trump.
10
Let's hope so, if Republicans don't do harm by gerrymandering more voting districts and suppressing voters.
4
The New York Times is in the business of trying to shape public opinion to their leftist way of thinking. It is sad that they just do not report the news. Trying to falsely elevate Mr. Bannon as to his influence and authority is a back-handed way of trying to undermine him in the eyes of Donald Trump. Donald Trump is our President. Banning those who want to destroy us from free access to our country is nothing but the right thing to do. Those who are opposed are blatant liars and traitors, to put it mildly.
1
If you want news, you shouldn't be reading editorials.
Editorial definition: a newspaper article written by or on behalf of an editor that gives an opinion on a topical issue.
Opinions aren't news.
Editorial definition: a newspaper article written by or on behalf of an editor that gives an opinion on a topical issue.
Opinions aren't news.
3
It's been obvious all along what Bannon and the rest of the Pepe-the-Frog lovers intend to do to our poor country. Why was there so much reluctance on the part of media to say what they knew?
12
Brilliant as ever, Editorial Board. But I am weary of applauding NY Times' editorial brilliance that the other side interprets as proof of "the media" being an alternate political universe, in sum and substance a political party in and of itself. The present firestorm over policy will die down, but in the meantime The Times needs to keep up the courage to call things as it sees them. These are momentous and entirely difficult and stressful times to be an American of good conscience. It is always reassuring to know that the Editorial Board sees things as do right-thinking decent folks who believe that America is a beacon of freedom whose doors are always open to those fleeing, etc. etc., throughout the world. And yet, to be fair, there is also a need for the Editorial Board to consider at some points holding its fire so as to not merely play into the Administration's playbook, to wit, "ah hah, you see, the Times really is declining and failing, and should be sold," etc. etc. Watch your collective backs, NY Times friends and colleagues, and yet do not go gently into that terrible dark night we have entered.
9
Treason: Providing "aid and comfort" to an Enemy. It is the consensus of national security experts, who have served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, that Trump's immigration orders will make the nation less safe from terrorist threats and, indeed, will be a powerful recruiting tool for ISIS in its campaign to sow violence outside and within our borders. It is impossible to believe that Bannon, in his central role in creating these destructive orders, was not fully aware of these predictable, nefarious consequences. When further viewed in the context of past inflammatory statements he has made, I.e. embracing V. Lenin, espousing the destruction of the western-capitalistic order, etc., and his recent unprecedented inclusion In the National Security Council, it is time for his very real threat to the nation to be fully, publicly aired. Furthermore, I hope that Bannon has been on the "radar" of Comey's F.B.I. and our national security agencies. This a really, really serious situation, folks. Let's wake up from our stupor and resolutely confront this dangerous state of affairs.
6
It is only a matter of time before this once great newspaper calls for impeachment, and then outright insurrection against a duly elected president and his administration. The rhetoric from The Times, its Editorial Board, and the usual list of journalists and opinion writers is ratcheting up, just 2 weeks into the Trump administration. Incitement to riot is a crime, so be careful. Freedom of the press does not permit shouting fire in a crowded theater. But The Times seems not to give a damn about the consequences of its radical left rantings. Impartiality and journalistic integrity have gone down the sink hole of partisanship and hate politics.
5
There's no sedition here. Just opinion. And it's an opinion shared by the majority of Americans who didn't vote for Trump. He got significantly less than 50% of the vote. There are more of us than of you. Remember that.
2
Freedom of the press permits shouting fire in a crowded theater when that theater is actually on fire. And Trump is that fire.
The Times can't call for open insurrection. But I will.
The Times can't call for open insurrection. But I will.
3
As an edit to my prior comment, the citation to the statue should be 50 U.S.C. 3021(a)(6). (I left out the (a) in my prior comment.) I encourage the NYT to take a look at this statue and run a story to make it more publicly known that Trump cannot appoint Bannon to the National Security Council without Senate approval.
7
Putting Trump's base aside, many but not all are white unemployed men with a high school education living in the rust belt states, it would seem that most Americans are sickened, disgusted, and terrified at what's become of our country in about one week. Who knows what's to come in the next three years and 51weeks? In a very recent observation by Mikhael Gorbachev in Time magazine, the former leader of the then Soviet Union, who, with President Reagan brought an end to the Cold War, opined that it appeared that the world was preparing for war.
The ONLY reason we find ourselves in such a mess, some say at the brink of Armageddon, is because of the anachronistic, antebellum electoral college.
With a vote of between 2.8 and 2.9 million more than Trump, Clinton would be President. Many don't like her. Who'd you rather have in the Oval now?
The ONLY reason we find ourselves in such a mess, some say at the brink of Armageddon, is because of the anachronistic, antebellum electoral college.
With a vote of between 2.8 and 2.9 million more than Trump, Clinton would be President. Many don't like her. Who'd you rather have in the Oval now?
8
I guess that if Caligula made his horse, Incitatus, a consul, number 45 can name whoever he pleases as his adviser.
Just a couple of things to remember: one, Caligula's story should always reminds us of a "leader"'s total ineptitude, and two, let's not forget how Rome ended.
Just a couple of things to remember: one, Caligula's story should always reminds us of a "leader"'s total ineptitude, and two, let's not forget how Rome ended.
5
So now we know who is behind the curtain in the Land of trump.
Puppet master bannon is pulling the strings and trump is dancing as fast as he can. One goal - most executive orders ever signed by a president in first hundred days. Easy when no thought is given to content or repercussions.
Chaos at airports after his Muslim ban. Blame it on Delta airlines who had nothing to do with it.
It seems to be a practice with this president is to throw it all out there and no matter how much havoc it causes, throw it out there and then see what sticks and is legal.
Great, government by chaos. Smacks of a third world country. So much for making America great again. We are becoming the laughingstock of the world. Seeds of distrust are being scattered far and wide. And in only a little over a week.
Most of Congress is acting like cowardly lions in the Land of trump. At least the Cowardly Lion in the Land of Oz was actively searching for courage.
Puppet master bannon is pulling the strings and trump is dancing as fast as he can. One goal - most executive orders ever signed by a president in first hundred days. Easy when no thought is given to content or repercussions.
Chaos at airports after his Muslim ban. Blame it on Delta airlines who had nothing to do with it.
It seems to be a practice with this president is to throw it all out there and no matter how much havoc it causes, throw it out there and then see what sticks and is legal.
Great, government by chaos. Smacks of a third world country. So much for making America great again. We are becoming the laughingstock of the world. Seeds of distrust are being scattered far and wide. And in only a little over a week.
Most of Congress is acting like cowardly lions in the Land of trump. At least the Cowardly Lion in the Land of Oz was actively searching for courage.
12
Everybody is thinking in more civilized terms than the situation possibly warrants. Bannon is surely in possession of the Russian material on Trump, if not the original then the derivative material, and he could pivot and turn the Breitbart guns on Trump at a moment's notice. Bannon literally has Trump by the short hairs, as we used to say in our more polite moments. So the Breitbart agenda is now the Trump administration agenda.
13
These words "he would be wise to reconsider allowing him to run his White House", when written on the editorial pages of the world's most trusted news source, would normally give pause to a President. Yet, this President has regularly publicly denounced the New York Times and even cast the media itself as the "opposition". Sadly, we know that Mr Trump will not take this advice and that imagined South China sea crisis is likely to happen before the first impeachment hearings get under way. We must remove this madman and his cronies from office with urgency. This has hijacked global progress at a time when the world is at grave risk from climate, war and humanitarian crises only recently placated by the Obama administration. The doomsday clock is ticking ever closer to midnight and our future is more uncertain than ever.
3
Is Pence actually as dumb as he looks and speaks?
If so he might then actually go along with being distant second fiddle in the chain of command in the executive branch!
Many touted he was as bad as trump, would actually be more powerful then self appointed VP cheney, one thing he knows the structure of the executive and legislative branches, bannon has no idea nor does he care!
The bush had his 'brain' rove, the trump has his own personal actual acting president in bannon! Both so ignorant that they can't get the fact that it's their names and themselves studied in history, already being set again, not the VP on down!
How long before Pence goes off the handle as to being the very public, yet so far silent, court jester of the trump cabal, started, dictatorship!!
And will the teapublican congress, already being forced, actually back him and go after the trump and company in actually governing for the country and do their Constitutional duty!!
Keeping My Oath: USN All Shore '67-'71 GMG3 Vietnam In Country '70-'71 - Independent**
If so he might then actually go along with being distant second fiddle in the chain of command in the executive branch!
Many touted he was as bad as trump, would actually be more powerful then self appointed VP cheney, one thing he knows the structure of the executive and legislative branches, bannon has no idea nor does he care!
The bush had his 'brain' rove, the trump has his own personal actual acting president in bannon! Both so ignorant that they can't get the fact that it's their names and themselves studied in history, already being set again, not the VP on down!
How long before Pence goes off the handle as to being the very public, yet so far silent, court jester of the trump cabal, started, dictatorship!!
And will the teapublican congress, already being forced, actually back him and go after the trump and company in actually governing for the country and do their Constitutional duty!!
Keeping My Oath: USN All Shore '67-'71 GMG3 Vietnam In Country '70-'71 - Independent**
3
Pence, Ryan et al are hoping/planning to impeach Trump and then go about inflicting their own brand of horror on all of us.
2
I have long viewed Jared Kushner -- who seems to be in every official photo emanating from the White House -- as the calming voice that whispers in his father-in-law's ear, "Calm down, don't take this personally, I will put this in perspective for you."
But the Holocaust memorial day statement fiasco now raises questions about what sort of person is Mr. Kushner, who had to have cleared off on the language. His extensive construction business experience notwithstanding, its fully plausible that the young Mr. Kushner, too young to possess anything resembling "wisdom" and raised on social media, did not realize the implications of omitting the specific mention of Jews in the statement. Indeed, he might well have thought that no one would notice, given the national attention span.
But perhaps he made a deal with the devil: Let Mr. Bannon manipulate the Holocaust statement in way that would not single out for special mention the Jewish people, and thereby appeal to the uneducated masses that voted for Mr. Trump. Kushner, one might imagine, was thinking to himself, "We will soon be banning Muslim terrorists from coming to the USA and I will move the US embassy to Jerusalem and that will mollify the US Jewish community and all will be well."
I shudder to think what sort of concessions Mr. Kushner will make to Mr. Bannon when it comes to matters of war and peace. As for Mr. Trump, I suspect he will do what he is told.
But the Holocaust memorial day statement fiasco now raises questions about what sort of person is Mr. Kushner, who had to have cleared off on the language. His extensive construction business experience notwithstanding, its fully plausible that the young Mr. Kushner, too young to possess anything resembling "wisdom" and raised on social media, did not realize the implications of omitting the specific mention of Jews in the statement. Indeed, he might well have thought that no one would notice, given the national attention span.
But perhaps he made a deal with the devil: Let Mr. Bannon manipulate the Holocaust statement in way that would not single out for special mention the Jewish people, and thereby appeal to the uneducated masses that voted for Mr. Trump. Kushner, one might imagine, was thinking to himself, "We will soon be banning Muslim terrorists from coming to the USA and I will move the US embassy to Jerusalem and that will mollify the US Jewish community and all will be well."
I shudder to think what sort of concessions Mr. Kushner will make to Mr. Bannon when it comes to matters of war and peace. As for Mr. Trump, I suspect he will do what he is told.
6
Bannon-Trump has put America in crisis mode.
It's delusional to think this messiness is just
going to go away on its own.
The GOP owes it to the sanctity of the U.S. democracy
to stop Trump in his destructive tracks.
It's delusional to think this messiness is just
going to go away on its own.
The GOP owes it to the sanctity of the U.S. democracy
to stop Trump in his destructive tracks.
7
Republicans should have seen this danger miles and miles away but they are so desperate for power and what they thought was an easily malleable president, they would and will do nothing about this. You describe Bannon as "alt-right" but a more truthful and accurate description is white supremacist, bigot and neo-Nazi. "Alt-right" is a despicable euphemism used to make bigotry and white supremacy more palatable sounding, it is the ultimate is Orwellian Newspeak. I fear for the U.S. It seems like the beginnings of a dictatorship and the downfall of your democracy.
9
"You judge a man by the company he keeps." Bannon is not just the company Trump keeps, he is the company he prefers, a man like himself, quick triggered and mean-spirited. A dangerous man holding too much power and, in Bannin's case, not elected by the people. I predict that in years to come it will be difficult to find people willing to admit they voted for Trump.
8
The Times is pulling its punches. We are in the early stages of an attempted coup led by Bannon.
We all know the answer to the question posed at the end of the editorial.
We all know the answer to the question posed at the end of the editorial.
5
Early stages of an attempted coup?
Bannon has had a house in DC for years. So... how many House and Senate Reps has he got the dirt on? And how many can be blackmailed? His perch at Breitbart may have put him in position to get lots of dirt.
We may not be able to count on impeachment if Bannon has long laid the groundwork.
We may have only the Judicial Branch left to help us get out of this mess!
Bannon has had a house in DC for years. So... how many House and Senate Reps has he got the dirt on? And how many can be blackmailed? His perch at Breitbart may have put him in position to get lots of dirt.
We may not be able to count on impeachment if Bannon has long laid the groundwork.
We may have only the Judicial Branch left to help us get out of this mess!
1
Hotels don't run smoothly if you let off stink bombs in some of the rooms. Property developments don't prosper when things are rushed, corners cut, and reputations burnt. Mr Trump is smart enough to achieve needed change without Mr Bannon. It is not always good to have someone who is too like yourself in your corner because it causes you to become blind to those areas of your vision that are not yet developed. I have no problem with Mr Trump having Mr Bannon as an adviser provided he also surrounds himself with people with countervailing views, so the President's decisions can be made carefully and in a nuanced way. But to make Mr Bannon in effect the principal adviser and place him on the "principals' committee" of the NSC is downright dangerous. This is the time when decisions have to be made with the utmost care. It does not serve Mr Trump to have someone there who will urge him on to rash action. It also gives Mr Bannon too much influence in the President's inner circle, makes it too difficult for others to speak out as forcefully as they need to. Mr Trump is weakening himself and therefore the American people.
2
Why is Defense Secretary Mattis still being seen as someone who can provide counterweight to Bannon's presidential puppet? Mattis was standing right behind Trump at the signing of this Executive Order?
4
We’re seeing what happens when those who have made a career of throwing bombs have been put in charge of cleaning up the mess they've convinced us needs to be cleaned up. The only tools they’re comfortable with are bombs, but all they can do is blow up their own chances of achieving anything that isn’t tainted with hate, greed or outright stupidity.
6
By his own admission, Bannon is a Leninist and his sole purpose is to destroy the state. This is what 40 years of Republican propaganda that "government is the problem" has given us: an anarchist in the White House.
9
Not everyone who wants to tear the state down is an anarchist. I think what people like bannon or Richard Spencer want when they say they want to tear down the state or that they don't care about the constitution is that they basically think that liberal democracy has failed to bring safety and prosperity to everyone and therefore needs to be torn down. Indeed when a conservative was interviewed by the Atlantic as to why he supported trump he essentially said that no system of government lasts forever and that the reason why people in the U.S are so dissatisfied with their democracy is because it is no longer able to benefit everyone. In fact seeing as how people all around the world from South Korea to Britain are deeply disappointed with their governments it can be argued that people all around the world are waking up to this. The most interesting thing about all this is that the many people on the right who are for a nationalistic one party authoritarian state make an identical argument about the obsolescence of liberal democracy and seem to be asserting that just as a democracy was the natural thing to move to when people
Realized that they were not benefiting from a monarchy a fascist state is the natural next government to go to now that it is known democracy is obsolete.
Realized that they were not benefiting from a monarchy a fascist state is the natural next government to go to now that it is known democracy is obsolete.
I think your editorial amounts to walking by a burning building and saying "consider those people apparently holding empty gasoline cans. Perhaps someone should speak to them."
2
Bannon and trump do not care about us...the real people who have to put up with this dangerous nonsense. They are both cut from the same cloth and are seeking power, control and money. They will continue to seize power and do it until congress and the people stop them. They will continue to move at a swift pace to keep us off guard and to increase "resistance fatigue". They do not want oversight and are working to this end. I still believe there is a connection to Russian money but will need to put my faith in those courageous reporters currently working on untangling that mess.
I am wondering where the republicans are at this moment? Are they as worried as the rest of us by his setting up a shadow government? When are they going to do their job in protecting the rest of us, the folks who go to work everyday and are now living with a level of anxiety and fear I only read about happening in other countries?
It is all happening at such a dizzying speed that the only thing I am hopeful for is impeachment hearings may come much sooner than I expected...
I am wondering where the republicans are at this moment? Are they as worried as the rest of us by his setting up a shadow government? When are they going to do their job in protecting the rest of us, the folks who go to work everyday and are now living with a level of anxiety and fear I only read about happening in other countries?
It is all happening at such a dizzying speed that the only thing I am hopeful for is impeachment hearings may come much sooner than I expected...
3
The presidency of Bannon is nothing but a counterpart to the presidency of Cheney. Look were that led to.
7
Love seeing the wailing and gnashing of teeth by the left. The safety of the country is far more important than ensuring global Climate Change initiatives or social engineering succeeds. Thank God (the one true living Christian/Judaeo God) that we have a real President, not intimidated by foreign and/or liberal owned media, who loves the United States and puts her first!
1
Who knew that they were voting for Bannon?
2
Yep, he loves the U.S. so much that he makes his products overseas, pals around with a foreign enemy, alienates all of our allies and brags about duping his supporters. He'll love you to death.
3
Remember when Kasich was offered the VP job, and offered foreign and domestic policy power? Wish that Kasich forgot his principles and was in the wings.
2
Trump never, ever admits he is wrong on any decision no matter the outcome, and viciously attacks anyone who suggests he should. It's his ego, it's gravitational pull is setting the course for a US crash landing. With Bannon more obviously pulling Trump's strings, I don't expect any change. Trump dragged out his birther lie for five years, but when he just couldn't carry on with the charade any longer, he blamed Clinton rather than man up and admit his mistake. That is due to Trump's lack of character, he is who he is. Bannon has set our country on an alt right white power hate campaign, and he is winning if hate was his desired outcome. It is no exaggeration to compare Trump's Bannon to Hitler's Goebbels.
7
This is "winning" to the right wing led by Bannon. They want chaos. They are playing divide and conquer to win, and that's how they won the White House. They are scapegoating and targeting liberal women and liberal polices, Muslims, minorities and environmentalists, and going after the rest of white voters.
4
Dividing and conquering is how Obama led for 8 years.
"...he would be wise to reconsider allowing him to run his White House, particularly after the fiasco over the weekend of the risible Muslim ban." Do you actually think that they notice, or care, what the public thinks? Along with the NYT each morning, I read USA Today. Our local paper is so right-wing (Albuquerque Journal) and poorly written that I gave up on it long ago. USA Today does present the conservative view, actually attempts to be balanced, so I can get a tolerable view of the other side. Many in the "Trump Nation" wrote in that they were happy to see what he's done. Some said they would be "mad as hell" if he did not.
So, while we live in the majority, the minority that voted Trump in is perfectly happy with his actions. We can assume it's that they aren't that bright, which we did, and lost, during the election, but continue to ignore them at our peril. I believe Dave Leonhardt's column is about that today. Our actions on the street must be followed by action at the local level, not just yelling in the cities.
So, while we live in the majority, the minority that voted Trump in is perfectly happy with his actions. We can assume it's that they aren't that bright, which we did, and lost, during the election, but continue to ignore them at our peril. I believe Dave Leonhardt's column is about that today. Our actions on the street must be followed by action at the local level, not just yelling in the cities.
7
Knowing what they know now, that a vote for Trump would also be a vote for Stephen Bannon, I wonder how many Trump supporters would still vote for Trump if they had a chance to correct their mistake. It cannot be emphasized enough that making knowledge of presidential candidates should be a top priority for voters; otherwise you wind up in a nightmare - the likes of what we are experiencing now.
8
Sadly, I think most Trump supporters would still vote for Trump and consider Bannon a two for the price of one deal. Trump supporters wanted hatred and bigotry.
4
It's a little late, folks. The hand-writing has been on the wall for some years yet every opportunity to derail this disaster were ignored. Power, greed out of control, failed educational system. Ideology trumping objective knowledge. All supercharged by a technological explosion that has been allowed to turn the human community into a weak minded, somnambulistic herd of button pushers. It's a modern version of an old, old story.
7
HIStory, badman. Women are over one-half the population of America - and the world - and women are tired of it. Women are going to step up and take one-half power in the world to change it to OUR story, which will be one of balance and relative peace in the world.
The nasty boys' game of destruction, war, rape, pillage, plunder, winner-take-all and destroy everyone/everything else must stop. It is centuries past time.
The nasty boys' game of destruction, war, rape, pillage, plunder, winner-take-all and destroy everyone/everything else must stop. It is centuries past time.
2
In the Hollywood Reporter (of all places) http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/steve-bannon-trump-tower-interview... Mr Bannon proudly boasted at the end of the interview that he saw himself as Cromwell at the Tudor Court. Surely that - in his own words - sums up his view of his current perfectly. He plans to do the equivalent of dissolving the monasteries and inculcating an enduring and implacable hatred of the equivalent of catholics all by manipulating the flawed and egotistical Henry VIII by pandering to his needs. Time to dig out 'A Man For All Seasons' to see what to expect ....
3
"A Man for All Season"...is the story of Sir Thomas Moore, a man of principle who stood up to Henry VIII and lost his head. Bannon is Trump's Thomas Cromwell, the king-maker, etc....but he lost his head as well!
1
News flash for Trump supporters: A presidential candidate who displays utter incompetence while campaigning for office will, upon attaining that office, behave in an utterly incompetent manner.
6
The more insulated the President becomes, surrounded by people like Bannon and other "yes-men", the more likely it is that we'll have some kind of disaster occur because of bad decision making (and you could argue we're already seeing that). Research has shown time and again how groupthink destroys good decision making processes. Examples from our past: the launch of the space shuttle Challenger, the war in Iraq, the bay of Pigs...To date, everything the President has done shows that groupthink is and will be alive and well.
4
Some of Trump's behavior and decision-making is ham-handed. And some of your reactions are precise and shrill to align with your strong opposition. In fact, I marvel at the details that you parse to arrive at opposition to Trump moves. Not sure which I find more repellent or challenging.
Bannon won't last. He's a goner either way. He is already overreaching; probably something of his will blow up in his face reasonably soon and Trump will get rid of him. But if not then Trump will get rid of him to prevent being upstaged by his own apprentice. It's just a question of when.
4
These two are in alignment on all their viciousness and bad ideas. Ugly twins. Trump is basically lazy. Bannon is not.
2
Bloomberg News ran an excellent article at least twice BEFORE the election on the democracy-destroying menace Steve Bannon. The link is below. Chilling. After reading this article and realizing how sinister he and his hate machine are I started loudly championing Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton. I was too late but it's never too late to learn who the crooked Robber Barons are.
https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/graphics/2015-steve-bannon/
https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/graphics/2015-steve-bannon/
11
Amongst the apparent crazies there are some honorable people serving in the Trump administration, such as retired Generals Flynn and Mattis and former senator Coats
At what point do these people realize that the nation is being hijacked and take a stand, voice their concerns and if unheard, resign?
At what point do these people realize that the nation is being hijacked and take a stand, voice their concerns and if unheard, resign?
5
Thank you for your editorial. I am begging Congress to lay groundwork for impeaching Trump before he appoints Bannon Vice President during a Congressional recess. I believe the President could fire Pence or force him to resign, then exploit parts of the Twenty-fifth Amendment to install his Iago as an insurance policy against impeachment or as another in-your-face manoeuvre in lieu of leadership. Or self-described “Leninist” Bannon might himself decide that his moment had come [that dossier is still floating around out there, right?] By the time Congress returned, it might be too late. Are obstruction of justice, obstruction of court orders, abuse of authority, negligence and perfidy avenues to explore? Signed, a desperate citizen
1
Bannon is the reincarnation of Rasputin.
At the birth of the Soviet Union the czar and his whole family were shot and dumped down a well.
Will we soon envy their fate?
At the birth of the Soviet Union the czar and his whole family were shot and dumped down a well.
Will we soon envy their fate?
2
Their plan is working. If they can inspire enough demonstrations, they can invoke martial law and do away with any semblance of having to abide by the laws.
4
We must do everything to get Bannon out of the White House. He is an evil and dangerous man. He will go to any lengths to further his agenda of hate and destruction. In the end, he will destroy this country if given the chance. I hope that people will put country above party and make sure he is not given the chance to push his hideous ideas any further. Look at the damage they have already done to us and our standing in the world.
4
I wish there were some way to quadruple or quintuple our checks and balances.
Congress shows little appetite for confrontation at this point.
Congress shows little appetite for confrontation at this point.
I've been wondering for quite awhile why no one was reporting on this man.
It's seems obvious that he has been pulling the puppet's strings.
It's seems obvious that he has been pulling the puppet's strings.
4
First it was Putin, then Spence now Bannon. I think it is a huge mistake to underestimate Trump. I think he is very much the hateful, vindictive, narrow, smart, focused (yes focused) hideous person he is. He doesn't need much help being that. if he is a puppet it is to his own terrors, insecurities and greed.
2
This has the hallmark of a budding dictatorship under the nefarious control of Bannon, the contemporary Rasputin. This frightening progression bring to mnd the poem:
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
That’s what Niemoler said . Now we have to say:
First I am not an Arab and will not speak out.
Then, I am not journalist and will not speak out.
Then I am not a bureaucrat and I will not speak out.
Then I am not Black or Hispanic or women’s right advocate or Gay
and I will, not speak out.
But I am a Liberal and they are sure to come after me.
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
That’s what Niemoler said . Now we have to say:
First I am not an Arab and will not speak out.
Then, I am not journalist and will not speak out.
Then I am not a bureaucrat and I will not speak out.
Then I am not Black or Hispanic or women’s right advocate or Gay
and I will, not speak out.
But I am a Liberal and they are sure to come after me.
2
I don't blame the miscreants like Brannon being who they are. I blame the enablers. Those who know better giving these anti-democratic forces cover. I blame Priebus, Sessions, Mattis, Kelley, Pompeo and Ryan. Without their stature Trump would have been weakened.
These MEN, need to stop defending the indefensible. They need to protect the American people. That is what patriots do.
These MEN, need to stop defending the indefensible. They need to protect the American people. That is what patriots do.
4
If trump is really this smart business man ( which I personally do not believe) he must see that he is off to a horrendous start to his 4 year term. If the GOP ,as a whole, wants to embrace the whole of America they must see this is a total disaster so far. In ten or so days trump has had at least two very large protests against him and his policies, broken his pledge to uphold the constitution and caused turmoil here and around the world and turned long standing allies against us. Instead of seeing his early mistakes he is digging in his heals and sending out twitter insults!! Very bad time for America.
2
The heads of the Joint Chiefs, the DNI, the state and defense departments are all required to be vetted and confirmed by Congress; their views get aired in the public s eye by the people's elected representatives. Mr. Bannon not at all. What we do know for sure so far is that he has told the national press they are "the opposition" and should "just shut up". While the public record includes his statement (2014) that a "Holy War" against Muslims is needed, I suspect his white nationalist hand was behind the EO that banned Muslims and, on the same day it was issued, was also behind the removal of reference to Jews from Holocaust Remembrance Day. The administration's subsequent press briefing in response that all who criticize the removal are "pathetic," smacks of Bannon's MO as well.
1
Where is the Republican Party leadership? Are they all on vacation? With their phones turned off? To provide support by their silense is clear evidence these elected leaders are afraid of the consequences of standing up for the nations laws, alliances and our shared history. But no, they hope to get DT to sign-off on their plans to cut SSI and Medicare / Medicaid, needless increase military funding above the current astronomical levels, all the while cutting taxes on the uber-wealthy. A Faustian bargain indeed!!
3
On top of everything else, Mr. Bannon does not appear to be a particularly empathetic, intellectual, thoughtful, or compassionate man.
Of course, those who baldly and brazenly usurp power typically lack those qualities.
Of course, those who baldly and brazenly usurp power typically lack those qualities.
2
How refreshing it is to have a strong man as president, advised by another strong man. This gets better with every passing day.
Trump has a strong arm, but not a strong mind.
Remember, the Orange One said he liked to be unpredictable.
The beatings will continue until morale improves!
The beatings will continue until morale improves!
5
"Imagine tomorrow if Mr. Trump is faced with a crisis involving China in the South China Sea or Russia in Ukraine."
We are faced with "crisis" right here in the good old USA. What's with this sudden turn in the liberal stance toward resumption of the role of world policeman? Wanting to face down right wing domestic policy by allowing another "global crisis" to divert our critical focus & throwing human & financial resource into another outside threat? We've seen enough of this from every president since the end of World War ll. Enough.
We are faced with "crisis" right here in the good old USA. What's with this sudden turn in the liberal stance toward resumption of the role of world policeman? Wanting to face down right wing domestic policy by allowing another "global crisis" to divert our critical focus & throwing human & financial resource into another outside threat? We've seen enough of this from every president since the end of World War ll. Enough.
2
Bannon has now scored a triple play: the exclusion order, a Holocaust Memorial Day proclamation that was Juden rein (free of any reference to Jews and the six million who perished) and the summary dismissal of Acting AG Sally Yates. I used the German purposely as Bannon is known for his anti-Semitic views. Breitbart News was remade by him into the voice of the alt right which is polite for neo-Nazi, including white supremicists, xenophobes, sexists, racists and Holocaust deniers. It is horrifying and disgusting that such a man not only has the ear of the POTUS, but that he has reinforced his worst inclinations and thereby doubled down on them. He seems to be encouraging Trump to establish a cult of personality that we have seen before with other dictators, and has used Trump's preening narcissism to move the alt right agenda forward, regardless of the Constitution and the norms of governance in the US. Disruption and chaos is a goal, to light so many fires that it will be impossible to chase them all. This is a dream come true for the alt right. This administration has taken only a ten days to touch all of the bases of fascist dictatorship which I cannot list here but can be seen at:
http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm
The US is in peril. Trump must be resisted in every way until he is forced from office by his inevitable impeachment.
http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm
The US is in peril. Trump must be resisted in every way until he is forced from office by his inevitable impeachment.
7
Trump is a clown, but behind him are the neo-fascists like Bannon. The power grab is like in the third world - he took control of the executive, Congress, the military and soon he will have the judiciary - he will seek to appoint someone close to Bannon - the Alabama guy, Pryor. Total control.
1
Yes, the rise of Steve Bannon is frightening. Having a simpleton bully, with the emotional development of a seven year old, scares the hell out of me. And to have the President controlled by an Iago-like Bannon is truly terrifying.
This is, in large measure, what the left has wrought, along with the relentless news organizations keeping Trump, front and center. Laughing at and mocking him, but feeding his insatiable ego with never ending anecdotes and stories about him. Good or bad, Trump doesn't care. He just does not want to be ignored.
Couple that ongoing news coverage, combined with story after story of BLM, transgendered bathrooms, and immigration, and the press created and enabled the President they thought could never happen, leaving the Democrats in rubble.
Now, with each successively more bizarre and insane presidential pronouncement and order, the press are again wringing their collective hands, in angst, crying "woe is me".
Bannon has played this journalistic feeding frenzy like a Stradivarius. How about this idea. Let the news ignore these wackjobs for a while. See what happens when Trump and Bannon, et al, are not fed. Otherwise, we will continue with an administration of loons, egged on and nourished by journalistic sycophants. Leave them out in the woods so they can only hear the sound of one hand clapping. Maybe that will calm the beast.
This is, in large measure, what the left has wrought, along with the relentless news organizations keeping Trump, front and center. Laughing at and mocking him, but feeding his insatiable ego with never ending anecdotes and stories about him. Good or bad, Trump doesn't care. He just does not want to be ignored.
Couple that ongoing news coverage, combined with story after story of BLM, transgendered bathrooms, and immigration, and the press created and enabled the President they thought could never happen, leaving the Democrats in rubble.
Now, with each successively more bizarre and insane presidential pronouncement and order, the press are again wringing their collective hands, in angst, crying "woe is me".
Bannon has played this journalistic feeding frenzy like a Stradivarius. How about this idea. Let the news ignore these wackjobs for a while. See what happens when Trump and Bannon, et al, are not fed. Otherwise, we will continue with an administration of loons, egged on and nourished by journalistic sycophants. Leave them out in the woods so they can only hear the sound of one hand clapping. Maybe that will calm the beast.
2
For all intents and purposes, Bannon, a bigoted conspiracy theorist and outright fascist, is now our president. Nobody voted for him but this is where were are. We have seen the expansion of an intrusive national security state for decades and yet the danger that most threatens our country has arrived from within. It is time for saner voices from both parties who value and want to protect America to stop this madness.
3
Bannon controls Congress by controlling the two groups of the Republicans base - the racists and the evangelicals. He inserted himself on the NSC so he controls the military, he obviously controls the presidency. All that is left standing is the judiciary. There he has Sessions, one of his close friends. The logical next step is to appoint that Alabama judge who is close to Sessions. Then he would have a man inside the Supreme Court.
So basically, trump is a puppet of Bannon, whose strings are being pulled by whom? Which country stands to gain the most by the destabilization of the USA? Could the NYT please do some investigative reporting into the manipulation of the stock market by trump. He makes pronouncements on companies and countries and the market reacts wildly. Who benefits the most? trump and his family through their entanglement of companies, Bannon or some foreign entity?
6
By statute, Mr. Bannon cannot serve on the National Security Council without Senate approval - see 50 U.S.C. Section 3021(6). Because Mr. Bannon does not fall within the five listed, approved categories for serving on the National Security Council in subsections (1) through (5), he must be subject to Senate approval under subsection (6). The Senate can, and must, prevent the dangerous appointment of Mr. Bannon to this position.
20
You may be right, Ms. Herb, but the Robber Barons control the Senate right now. Mass demonstrations at republican senators homes and home offices, as well as a deluge of phone calls to their D.C. offices - and mass demonstrations at OUR Capitol - can put the heat on republicans to protect OUR Constitution and laws as they swore to when they took office. Let's see if any of them have any moral character.
2
This reads like a history of the reign of Henry VIII (although I am sure students of political history and intrigue could come up with better examples) with the infighting, influencing the leader, and the self-serving of the various groups. Perhaps in the not too distant future some of the more rational (?) and real patriots within the inner circle will unite, maybe with some of the outside opposition and get rid of Bannon and those of his ilk and provide a modicum of common sense so we can survive the chaos.
4
My feeling is that Bannon is simply a predator. Nothing in his words or actions (past or present) makes me believe he represents any of the people in this country or elsewhere--not even his alt-right followers. They are simply things for him to manipulate so he can WIN.
I think he likes to provoke and taunt and "tease" people out for the kill. Words, pleas, facts, and reason will have no effect on him. I don't believe he will change.
I think he shares these traits with Trump. If they ever battle, it will be interesting to see who wins.
Tragically, because they have power, we all lose.
I think he likes to provoke and taunt and "tease" people out for the kill. Words, pleas, facts, and reason will have no effect on him. I don't believe he will change.
I think he shares these traits with Trump. If they ever battle, it will be interesting to see who wins.
Tragically, because they have power, we all lose.
3
His aim is the creation of a White Nationalist State!
(With little government.)
That is his only goal.
Anyone who says it isn't is living in alternate facts world.