Trump is taking the country apart, bit by bit. Why are all the elected republicans helping him??
13
Stephen Bannon is on record as one who said he will work with Trump to "deconstruct government". This means a return of the US to 19th Century bare-knuckle capitalism with no government regulations or controls of any kind. Welcome to the Alternate Universe of Donald Trump....where many working class Trump lovers will pay the heavy price for "deconstruction" and still think Trump is a god who works for their benefit. Sad.
9
You can't have a really nifty kleptocracy if there are cops on the beat. Trump isn't satisfied with his own astonishing corruption. He wants to enable every grifter, con artist, scammer and thief to run free, fleecing the peons. You know; you and me and grandma. He wants to make the world ready for ten thousand Trump Universities.
14
The US is fast achieving banana republic status. A president whose interests are centered on himself and extend in a two-foot radius around him; a cabinet reduced to showering him with group groveling admiration; a hollowing out of the machinery of government; and government by intimidation, disrespect, and lies.
The US now has only the most meager claim to being a civilized, democratic society.
The US now has only the most meager claim to being a civilized, democratic society.
8
A make-believe conversation:
Hello Boris, is that you?
Da.
I've been having trouble with the advise you gave me. I'm ignoring the press, have not appointed loads of people to important government positions, and have fired a few of my own people. What should I do?
John (Barron), have you sent in the secret police to arrest these traitors?
No, we have laws here in the USA, I can't do that.
Too bad, John. That usually works. Keep trying. I'll ask "my men" what they can do to help you out. Proshchay, John.
Hello Boris, is that you?
Da.
I've been having trouble with the advise you gave me. I'm ignoring the press, have not appointed loads of people to important government positions, and have fired a few of my own people. What should I do?
John (Barron), have you sent in the secret police to arrest these traitors?
No, we have laws here in the USA, I can't do that.
Too bad, John. That usually works. Keep trying. I'll ask "my men" what they can do to help you out. Proshchay, John.
7
At today's Cabinet Lovefest, Trump said, "We've been about as active as you can possibly be and at a just about record-setting pace." Many people scoffed, since few major pieces of legislation have been passed, such as, repealing Obamacare, launching the infrastructure program, or restructuring the tax code. Maybe Trump meant the record-slow pace!
However, after reading this editorial, perhaps Trump was serious. He has led a record-setting pace of attacks on our government checks and balances.
Trump has hobbled the inspector generals. He has left scores of high level agency positions vacant for 3 months, including all of the US Attorneys. Trump has publicly questioned the credibility of many judges. He has interfered with law enforcement via direct contact with the FBI Director and US Attorneys. He flaunts ethics rules with blatant conflicts of interest.
Perhaps Trump was boasting about his record-setting pace of dismantling our democracy.
However, after reading this editorial, perhaps Trump was serious. He has led a record-setting pace of attacks on our government checks and balances.
Trump has hobbled the inspector generals. He has left scores of high level agency positions vacant for 3 months, including all of the US Attorneys. Trump has publicly questioned the credibility of many judges. He has interfered with law enforcement via direct contact with the FBI Director and US Attorneys. He flaunts ethics rules with blatant conflicts of interest.
Perhaps Trump was boasting about his record-setting pace of dismantling our democracy.
11
About half of all US attorneys resigned as Trump took office - the other half were fired shortly thereafter. According to the last reports I have seen, the Trump Administration has not yet nominated even one US Attorney.
7
I have made three complaints to the DOJ-IG through the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board regarding misuse of stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009.
(RATB-2013-DOJ-65F070B-O) is the reference #.
I have not heard from the DOJ-IG.
I should have been contacted within six months per the Act.
There is no statute of limitations on the misuse of these funds thus my complaints are timely.
These complaints regard funds misused by the City of Chicago.
(RATB-2013-DOJ-65F070B-O) is the reference #.
I have not heard from the DOJ-IG.
I should have been contacted within six months per the Act.
There is no statute of limitations on the misuse of these funds thus my complaints are timely.
These complaints regard funds misused by the City of Chicago.
1
Mr. Trump is ignorant, not all that smart, and I believe, born without a conscience. The fact that enough people in the right states where the electoral college mattered voted for him is scary as well. There is no normal with him nor will there ever be. Conforming to abnormal is dangerous. Those that don't seriously stand up against all of this, are as bad as he is.
9
Interesting article indicating that Trump.might fire Mueller. A comical red herring given that Mueller's former firm represents Trump family members and Manafort. What a joke.
3
Of course the Trump administration wants to license crime on the part of bankers and other rich supporters.
This is how Trump "drains the swamp." By making it deeper and wider.
When will the public stop yawning and rise up to stop the rampant corruption in this administration? Are we turning into a third-world dictatorship where stuff like this is the normal fabric of life? It certainly seems that we are headed that way.
This is how Trump "drains the swamp." By making it deeper and wider.
When will the public stop yawning and rise up to stop the rampant corruption in this administration? Are we turning into a third-world dictatorship where stuff like this is the normal fabric of life? It certainly seems that we are headed that way.
7
What does it take to remove Donald from office?
3
I am becoming accustomed to seeing the news that Trump is attacking independent investigators and challenging the media. I expect no less now, which is sad. Trump is forcing all of us to accept his dictatorial rule.
2
The lowest of low.
3
Do you remember when you used to turn on the News at the end of the day before going to sleep? Those days are long gone, at least for this American. Cowardly, of course, but we may have reached the stage where one might sense that the Future of America hinges on Luck.
Reading this latest, I started to laugh because there appears to be no turning on the brake with this presidency. Trump feels that he is intuitive, while I picked up a novel published in 1926, the author ('a devoted member of the Communist Party'), which features a Mrs. Trumpet and Mrs. Leak?
Pleasantries and frivolities aside, if We the People can keep our Economy separate from our Politics, there might be hope for some of us. Our States, our Governors, Mayors and Public Officials, our Communities, moving ahead, and leave this president and his trumpery red herrings to Washington and the Republican Party, let us go forth as a Nation to gather momentum.
The People are not at war. Some of us may feel that our Country has been singularly occupied and under siege. Aye. The New York Times to keep us informed and never surrender to the dangerous ineptitude of this president and his administration holed up at The White House.
Reading this latest, I started to laugh because there appears to be no turning on the brake with this presidency. Trump feels that he is intuitive, while I picked up a novel published in 1926, the author ('a devoted member of the Communist Party'), which features a Mrs. Trumpet and Mrs. Leak?
Pleasantries and frivolities aside, if We the People can keep our Economy separate from our Politics, there might be hope for some of us. Our States, our Governors, Mayors and Public Officials, our Communities, moving ahead, and leave this president and his trumpery red herrings to Washington and the Republican Party, let us go forth as a Nation to gather momentum.
The People are not at war. Some of us may feel that our Country has been singularly occupied and under siege. Aye. The New York Times to keep us informed and never surrender to the dangerous ineptitude of this president and his administration holed up at The White House.
The president's cabinet meeting today demonstrated his narcissism to a greater degree than ever before. And the pathetic sycophantic praise of him by everyone of his cabinet officers demonstrates that he has no interest in the federal government employing anyone who will not bow down to him as the ultimate ruler. He is no better than Kim Jung Un, except that Trump has a far greater nuclear capacity than North Korea. Pence proved today that impeaching and convicting Trump will do nothing to change the perilous course of this country. And Ryan is next in line. I don't even know what to hope for. The rest of his cabinet is not worth a hill of beans.
8
No one is to question the king or what he does. The only thing those sycophants in the cabinet failed to do today is call him "Dear Leader ". And now he might fire Mueller? Before or after Mueller finds a horse head in his bed? Soon there will be no one to investigate anything Trump and his family does.
7
I wonder what our country will look like when Trump finishes screwing it up. I wonder what the world will look like. The next four years feel like they are going to be an eternity. I can hardly believe that there are about 35 million people that would still vote for him. What is wrong with the human brain? What is wrong with Trump's brain? He is a con man thru and thru. I just keep shaking my head in bewilderment. The man is "not right"-----in the head. There is something going on in that brain of his and its not good.
As for the GOP; it no longer exists.
As for the GOP; it no longer exists.
8
The Trump weapons of choice: Firing and defunding.
Last I heard, he was planning to fire Mueller.
Don't dismiss "megalomaniac" as a simple slur. It's not even hyperbole.
Last I heard, he was planning to fire Mueller.
Don't dismiss "megalomaniac" as a simple slur. It's not even hyperbole.
4
If only he could fire Congress. He thinks he is still on television.
3
If Trump is allowed to continue being President, we'll soon have no country left. What is he breaking point going to be? We are quickly running out of time. We are living a nightmare.
5
A kleptocracy. It really is.
5
Wow, I'd have though someone as business savvy as Donald would realize the enormous return on the dollar, and run the country in a way to generate badly needed income in ways that are different from taxes.
Hmmm, what could the reason be? Perhaps the fraud and waste are more valuable to Bannon's friends or Donald's friends?
Hmmm, what could the reason be? Perhaps the fraud and waste are more valuable to Bannon's friends or Donald's friends?
3
Grover Norquist, drown government in a bathtub, now coming true!
5
I THOUGHT...I recognised the Trump Method: Disney's Evil Queen in Snow White!
'...Some time later, the queen gives birth to a baby daughter whom she names Snow White, but dies shortly thereafter.
A year later, Snow White's father, the king, takes a new wife, who is very beautiful, but a wicked and vain woman. The new queen possesses a magic mirror, which she asks every morning, "Magic mirror in my hand, who is the fairest in the land?" The mirror always replies: "My queen, you are the fairest in the land." The queen is always pleased with that, because the magic mirror never lies. But as Snow White grows up, she becomes more beautiful each day and even more beautiful than the queen, and when the queen asks her mirror, it tells her that Snow White is the fairest.'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White
Further evidence: the creepy WH45 love-in, devastatingly parodied by the Dems. No wonder Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey gave up...
'...Some time later, the queen gives birth to a baby daughter whom she names Snow White, but dies shortly thereafter.
A year later, Snow White's father, the king, takes a new wife, who is very beautiful, but a wicked and vain woman. The new queen possesses a magic mirror, which she asks every morning, "Magic mirror in my hand, who is the fairest in the land?" The mirror always replies: "My queen, you are the fairest in the land." The queen is always pleased with that, because the magic mirror never lies. But as Snow White grows up, she becomes more beautiful each day and even more beautiful than the queen, and when the queen asks her mirror, it tells her that Snow White is the fairest.'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White
Further evidence: the creepy WH45 love-in, devastatingly parodied by the Dems. No wonder Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey gave up...
2
President Bannon's swamp gets bigger, deeper, and more foul by the day.
5
Well, If President Obama appointed them, or changed their mandate, then n matter what good they are doing for the American people, they are doomed. The only reasonable explanation I have found for the way the Trump administration is operating is that they are out to get anything that was created or modified by the previous president and administration: TPP, ACA, Paris Climate Agreement, beautiful national monuments, Dreamers, Dodd-Frank, etc, etc. I have seen this same thing played out by various dictators in a banana republic that I lived in for many years. An authoritarian (especially one with a grudge) needs to wipe out any signs of the previous leader's work, no matter how good her or she was, nor how positive the change was.
9
Where's the stand up guy who said they'd cut waste, fraud and abuse" Oh, yeah, he's playing golf.
8
Thank you NYT! I didn't think anyone could turn up yet another way this corrupt bungler is turning the U.S. into a dictatorship.
It's infuriating that we hear so little of substance from the parties investigating him and his cronies, and have to put up with all the yammering about "No evidence! See, no evidence!"
But I think this silence speaks volumes. The investigators don't want the evidence to be tainted by too-early revelation, as they were in Iran-Contra. We want it to stand up in court, whether that court is congressional or criminal--or both!
It's infuriating that we hear so little of substance from the parties investigating him and his cronies, and have to put up with all the yammering about "No evidence! See, no evidence!"
But I think this silence speaks volumes. The investigators don't want the evidence to be tainted by too-early revelation, as they were in Iran-Contra. We want it to stand up in court, whether that court is congressional or criminal--or both!
4
Is there anything this dimwitted, disgraceful and highly unethical president won't stoop to????
Moscow on the Potomac. That's what this is. Let's just hope he doesn't start poisoning people.
Moscow on the Potomac. That's what this is. Let's just hope he doesn't start poisoning people.
3
Actually, little known fact: Trump never said he was going to "drain" the swamp. He was misquoted.. he actually said he would "gain" the swamp. And so it appears he has.
Many people said they wanted Trump because he would ru the country like a business. Well, that's what he is doing, running the country like a robber baron. Now, we all are paying for this stupidity. If you want the country run like a business, elect Bill Gates or Warren Buffet - men who have a conscience and heart for our country, not this disaster of greed and self interest.
3
Diatribes not required: What did those who voted for Mr. Trump expect? He has skirted the law (and broken it!) during his entire business career. Did people expect a 70-year-old man who has been living in a bubble to change?
5
of course he is !!!
Reagan, the jc of the republican party allowed the meat companies to inspect their own products,
Reagan, the jc of the republican party allowed the meat companies to inspect their own products,
Its all very well for Republicans to use "waste, fraud, and inefficiency" as an excuse to cut budgets for programs they ideologically oppose. But when your top man, the president, is a con man, a known and convicted fraudster (Trump "University") it becomes very problematic to actually -do- anything to track, identify, and prevent "waste, fraud, and abuse". Much better to rail and complain about it, use it as an excuse to cut budgets you don't like, and quietly and deviously gut the ranks of Inspectors General, so that *your* fraud goes unchecked. Like when dozens of Secret Service agents stay in Trump hotels whenever Trump decides to take a golfing weekend (how often? compared to Obama, how often?). Or when Trump decides that foreign governments hiring ballrooms in his hotels to hold parties is OK, just 'business as usual'. When your personal goal is to make as much money off the federal government as you can, and you're the president, why it's not illegal. "Conflict of interest doesn't apply to the president." But it sure helps to not have any pesky Inspectors General poking their noses in where they might embarrass the president.
3
The Trump Corruption Syndicate is in power until whenever.
1
“Now it (Congress) needs to protect the watchdogs from an administration that wants to starve them.”
So who exactly are the individuals in the Trump Administration responsible for this latest reported effort to clear the way for a Trump plutocracy, anyway?
Did Donald Trump actually know any of his cabinet members prior to his run? Did he know Jeff Sessions, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, or any of the other GOP leaders who are now his apologists? Did he know Reince Priebus, former Republican National Committee chairman and former RNC general counsel? Did he know: Rex Tillerson, Steve Mnuchin, Sonny Perdue, Wilbur Ross, or Tom Price, before his campaign? They are all very wealthy men, but it’s doubtful that their names sprang out of Trump’s own forehead. More likely they were darlings of the GOP-run Congress and perfect picks to further the GOP agenda.
It’s a fantasy to think that this GOP march toward one-party rule in America would somehow halt in order to protect the very government watchdogs it intends to remove. The GOP is a cancer on the nation; the Trump Administration is simply a debilitating symptom of this disease.
So who exactly are the individuals in the Trump Administration responsible for this latest reported effort to clear the way for a Trump plutocracy, anyway?
Did Donald Trump actually know any of his cabinet members prior to his run? Did he know Jeff Sessions, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, or any of the other GOP leaders who are now his apologists? Did he know Reince Priebus, former Republican National Committee chairman and former RNC general counsel? Did he know: Rex Tillerson, Steve Mnuchin, Sonny Perdue, Wilbur Ross, or Tom Price, before his campaign? They are all very wealthy men, but it’s doubtful that their names sprang out of Trump’s own forehead. More likely they were darlings of the GOP-run Congress and perfect picks to further the GOP agenda.
It’s a fantasy to think that this GOP march toward one-party rule in America would somehow halt in order to protect the very government watchdogs it intends to remove. The GOP is a cancer on the nation; the Trump Administration is simply a debilitating symptom of this disease.
4
Clearly Trump will attempt to crush anything which is objective and decent unless it has pledged loyalty to him.
He has dementia. Ask him to draw a clock.
He has dementia. Ask him to draw a clock.
4
Let a hundred mushrooms sprout! Clear away the dead weight of regulation so that Corruption can take hold everywhere. Trump and his cronies couldn't be more obvious about their intentions.
4
Trump, running for election:
I'll drain the swamp.
I'll help working Americans.
I'll make America great.
Trump, after getting elected:
Appoints a cabinet that has assets of $4.5 billion. Appoints lobbyists to be his advisors. Nominates Joseph Otting, former leader of OneWest, to be the next Comptroller of the Currency and encourages him to strip powers from and bring under political control the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Critics have repeatedly raised concerns about OneWest’s foreclosures and use of illegal tactics like “robo-signing” in the wake of the financial crisis. The bank has also faced attacks over the practices of its reverse mortgage subsidiary Financial Freedom, which announced an $89 million settlement with the Justice Department last month.“The president’s choice for watchdog of America’s largest banks is someone who signed a consent order — over shady foreclosure practices — with the very agency he’s been selected to run,”
That's Trump, protecting the interests of workers - foreclose on their houses and they'll have to work - for whatever an employer wants to pay them
I'll drain the swamp.
I'll help working Americans.
I'll make America great.
Trump, after getting elected:
Appoints a cabinet that has assets of $4.5 billion. Appoints lobbyists to be his advisors. Nominates Joseph Otting, former leader of OneWest, to be the next Comptroller of the Currency and encourages him to strip powers from and bring under political control the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Critics have repeatedly raised concerns about OneWest’s foreclosures and use of illegal tactics like “robo-signing” in the wake of the financial crisis. The bank has also faced attacks over the practices of its reverse mortgage subsidiary Financial Freedom, which announced an $89 million settlement with the Justice Department last month.“The president’s choice for watchdog of America’s largest banks is someone who signed a consent order — over shady foreclosure practices — with the very agency he’s been selected to run,”
That's Trump, protecting the interests of workers - foreclose on their houses and they'll have to work - for whatever an employer wants to pay them
2
Unless individual Americans shout, insist, sue and confront, there will be no let up in the assaults on the republic from the horde of profit crazed business people surrounding the Dear Leader. If we don't we'll be getting just what we deserve. Not that we don't deserve it.
3
Isn't this Bannon's plan of destroying the 'administrative state'?
Each of these vacancies in every sector are part of a deliberate plan and should be denounced everyday
Each of these vacancies in every sector are part of a deliberate plan and should be denounced everyday
2
Yes. What about BANNON?
1
I finally agree with a GOP mantra: the government is the problem. Specifically, the Trump so called government is the problem. Drown it in the bathtub ASAP!
1
Trump does not love America. People need to understand that. He does not love America. He does not love this country. He would never fight for it. He would never give his life for our freedom. What a ridiculous thought; that he would be a patriot ! Try to picture him in Bastogne or in the battle of the bulge or riding in a jeep next to Patton or jumping from an airplane into raining bullets in order to rush the Germans from behind. Imagine him on the beaches in Normandy. Cant do it can you ? Just try to picture him fighting for us. literally. It cannot be done. because we know he is a coward. a liar, a thief. and most importantly he is not someone who would take a bullet for anyone; not a child, not a villager, not a fellow soldier, no one. So he should be no one to us; to the U.S.
5
This subject is important, but: you don't "run roughshod"; you "ride" roughshod"--"roughshod" horses are those whose shoes have projecting nails to prevent slipping, indicating risky terrain.
3
Well Ol' Donald hasn't really drained anything except the bill folds of folk's who support him .He has replaced the current swamp dwellers with his own set of reptiles with he being the biggest gator
1
The number of experts this Trump idiot wants to strip grows with his
Pumped up egotistical picture of himself as dictator in chief.Congress must take action to keep this from happening these are the people the Bush administration muzzled and took us into 2 wars.These are also the experts
Ignored by president Johnson and Gen. Westmoreland who led us into Vietnam and then Nixon ignored and spread our warmongering to Cambodia.
Do not let THIS idiot bo it again!
Pumped up egotistical picture of himself as dictator in chief.Congress must take action to keep this from happening these are the people the Bush administration muzzled and took us into 2 wars.These are also the experts
Ignored by president Johnson and Gen. Westmoreland who led us into Vietnam and then Nixon ignored and spread our warmongering to Cambodia.
Do not let THIS idiot bo it again!
If everything had been going perfectly up until Trump got into office, I'd agree and ask why is he messing with stuff. As I recall it wasn't, hence we got Trump so now he's changing some things in something that was already less than perfect. This just sounds to me like the only way how something is supposedly to get to perfection. But it can't be fully realized until the end because there are no degrees nor stages of perfection, it's absolute. I suppose it's just human nature to criticize the driver regardless if they get us safely to where we wanted to go, because we know so much.
We are DOOMED, just plain and simple.
5
Aren't any Republicans concerned that Trump is making this country unsafe for any but the unsavory few like him? Isn't he upending his oath of office? Hello, is anyone out there listening????????/
The fact inspectors have generated lots of dollars and cases does not ineluctably lead to the conclusion that these cases and recoveries are valid. Prosecutors and the government have untrammeled power to force companies and individuals to settle or be ground into dust. Prosecutors bring cases to bolster their reputations or political careers or because they are droogs. If you believe in grace and redemption, as we all should, you would know that we are all good at heart and only the paranoid need inspectors.
What a strange morality. We "should"? WE need to read our own constitution, appreciate our Separation of Powers, and INSIST our leaders take responsibility for protecting our rights, our safety, and the resources of our country. "We" are certainly not all "good." This is why we have the complex constitution we have and why we have consumer protection through agencies in our federal government.
Yes, there is injustice, and there are ridiculous sentences thanks to the "Federal Sentencing Guidelines", but nothing like the injustice that Donald Trump will inflict on a population of people who cannot defend themselves from Corporate lies and corruption between corporations and government. He has just begun to hurt us and he will not stop unless we stop him. #RESIST!
Yes, there is injustice, and there are ridiculous sentences thanks to the "Federal Sentencing Guidelines", but nothing like the injustice that Donald Trump will inflict on a population of people who cannot defend themselves from Corporate lies and corruption between corporations and government. He has just begun to hurt us and he will not stop unless we stop him. #RESIST!
Where were the Inspectors General when Donald decided he was qualified for public office. Now he is President and I go to bed every night praying that all
Of his administrative moves do not send us into a national train-wreck.
Stay healthy Bernie. Stay healthy Elizabeth. Stay healthy Claire. We need you.
Of his administrative moves do not send us into a national train-wreck.
Stay healthy Bernie. Stay healthy Elizabeth. Stay healthy Claire. We need you.
1
Just trying to comprehend how and in what ways exactly, firing Inspector Generals will help Make America Great Again? What is this administration's concept of what constitutes a great America? Are fairness and thrift part of the equation? How about by the people, of the people, for the people. This issue goes to the heart of America's Constitution.
1
So... Donald is going after the FBI, U.S. Attorneys, IGs, business and banking regulators, Park and Forest Rangers, IRS agents, etc. -- anyone whose job it is to rein in the very kind of business excess that Donald practices in his business and in the White House: total executive control without interference.
Government really works best when you cooperate and compromise. Half the nation likes regulation. The election of the president or Congress is not territorial conquest. The rest of us are still here.
Government really works best when you cooperate and compromise. Half the nation likes regulation. The election of the president or Congress is not territorial conquest. The rest of us are still here.
1
Not after the swamp starts drying up.
It's almost as if we have a mob boss for president. Oh, sorry, we do have a mob boss for president.
2
If this is what we are reading about in the press, just imagine the carnage at the invisible level of everyday bureaucracy. Rust never sleeps.
1
Did he get this idea from Erdogan? Trump's goal is to dismantle civilization. Remember the GOP Congresswoman who said "Well, we don't really need the National Weather Service anymore because we have weather.com." You can't make this monumental ignorance up.
5
This reader always thought that a Trump presidency will ruin US NOT just for four years - God forbid for eight.
It will ruin US for MANY more years to come!
It will ruin US for MANY more years to come!
1
Yet another example of ignorant Trump/GOP ideology:
All government is bad government. No exceptions (oh wait... except the military).
All government is bad government. No exceptions (oh wait... except the military).
1
I am glad this president is put in his place by our courts, an authoritarian wannabe!
The ban was nothing more than a shameless and hypocritical move by this self serving man to appear true to his campaign promise of being tough on Islamic terrorism. But the way he showered love on Saudi Arabia in his recent trip to the Middle East, a nation well known for wreaking havoc the world over by pushing its intolerant and violent brand of Islam; clearly demonstrated that all this man cares about is building relationships with these irresponsible rich arabs to grow his family's business empire post-presidency. He is in it all for himself; he is too greedy and ignorant to do otherwise.
The ban was nothing more than a shameless and hypocritical move by this self serving man to appear true to his campaign promise of being tough on Islamic terrorism. But the way he showered love on Saudi Arabia in his recent trip to the Middle East, a nation well known for wreaking havoc the world over by pushing its intolerant and violent brand of Islam; clearly demonstrated that all this man cares about is building relationships with these irresponsible rich arabs to grow his family's business empire post-presidency. He is in it all for himself; he is too greedy and ignorant to do otherwise.
1
Clearly this is one more way for Trump to enrich himself, his ilk, oil, gas and industry to enrich themselves. They do not care one iotoa about the middle class, the working class and the poor. They all are married to money and do not care that in order to enrich themselves, they have to change this democratic Republic one way or another into a plutocracy. When will the underclass and working class wake up? Do people have to die because Trump wants to get rid of the inspector generals of these oversight committees? On top of it he slashes the budgets in order to starve to the point where these agencies no longer have teeth and cannot protect the public at large.
We all have heard of food poisoning, drinking water contamination, violations committed by the carmakers and workplace safety violations just to name a few for I could go on and on. Where is the the GOP and Paul Ryan the "good catholic", in all of this? Forget about Mitch McConnell he only stands up for the wealthy and their ilk. I hate to say this but the future for the US surely looks bleak.
We all have heard of food poisoning, drinking water contamination, violations committed by the carmakers and workplace safety violations just to name a few for I could go on and on. Where is the the GOP and Paul Ryan the "good catholic", in all of this? Forget about Mitch McConnell he only stands up for the wealthy and their ilk. I hate to say this but the future for the US surely looks bleak.
2
Streaming his daughter's recent interview on Fox, I lost all hope that anything can be done to get Trump to 'hear' the vast majority of the people. She echoed his constant and unfounded accusations that the press are lying, developing fake news, and hurting the wonderful man that the country elected to bring great change. She proved that the 'apple' didn't fall too far from the Donald tree. What a sad, sad family this group of people are.
2
Fox is in the hen house.
2
Hmmm. Someone needs to look into this! Oh Jared....
1
Trump's actions are undermining our democratic infrastructure...he wants total control to loot and pillage our country. He continues to act like a dictator, a thug and the republicans in Washington are complicit in enabling his actions. Trump and his republican thieves are trying to push an $800 billion tax cut for himself and his billionaire cronies and then politically spinning it as their healthcare bill ! Talk about outright crooks ... the mafia would be proud of Trump and his corrupt republicans.
1
This is very strange. I'd think going after inefficiencies and corruption would be right up Trump's alley. I'd expected he'd have added inspectors
11
There you go again, taking him at his word. But his deeds tell the real tale.
2
Looks like the unfolding of an American kleptocracy. Trump not only likes Putin, but is emulating him.
32
Here I smell the 'Bannonaliy of evil' afoot. He would be the one capable of figuring out how to install a fascist state, and this would an essential step, no?
21
And don't forget his plans to gut the IRS, another agency that recovers huge amounts of money for every dollar spent in their budget.
Waiting for Trump's audit to be completed so he can release his tax returns? That will never happen.
Waiting for Trump's audit to be completed so he can release his tax returns? That will never happen.
Trump supporters are owned by right wing 0 propaganda, and they in turn are very good at blaming the government for any problem. The article describes one of the ways to undermine efficiency and increase corruption, then turn around and point fingers "We told you so, government doesn't work". At the end Trumpkins are convinced that Trump is constraining the big govenment and giving them freedom. That is why they need to pass the tax cuts, thow borrowed money at consumers and generate 1-2 quarters of above average growth. Deficits don't matterany more. A winning strategy for 2018.
We are in bigger trubble than most people realize.
We are in bigger trubble than most people realize.
1
I'm still hootin' from the report on that "cabinet meeting," with his 12 minute self-love-in, and Preibus invoking the Blessings of Donald Upon the Earth. Comparisons with Pyongyang, yes, but people don't remember Ferdinand Marcos and Bokassa I, Emperor of the Central Congo.
2
We must monitor the House and Senate closely on these matters tracking those representatives leaning to comply with the executive branch and expose them accordingly!
If something is wrong to do, like weaken inspectors general in the federal government, Trump is sure to want to do it. He has faulty wiring, so right equals wrong and wrong equals right. In just about every area and on any given subject you can be guaranteed that his judgment will be poor.
1
Why is it that nobody remembers that there was no IG at state when Hillary Clinton was secretary of state?
2
Another clear example of the fraud Trump pulled on his base to get elected.
He campaigned on his promise to "drain the swamp". Instead he has filled it with alligators.
For example, he appointed Ryan Zinke as Secretary of Interior. Zinke's business background included oil and gas development. Here is a quote from his bio " Zinke formed Continental Divide International, a property management and business development consulting company. Zinke's family members are officers of the company. In 2009, he formed the consulting company On Point Montana. Zinke served on the board of the oil pipeline company QS Energy (formerly Save the World Air) from 2012 to 2015. In November 2014, Zinke announced that he would pass Continental Divide to his family while remaining in an advisory role. Zinke just recommended greatly shrinking Obama's designation of Bear Ears National Monument. Oil and gas drilling would be allowed on thousands of square miles.
In 2008 the Interior Department’s inspector general, Earl Devaney, delivered three reports to Congress detailing widespread corruption and conflicts of interest in the division overseeing the oil industry. Zinke appears to be trying to re-establish control of interior by oil & gas lobbyists. And Trump is attacking all of the Inspector Generals, rather than supporting them in draining the swamp.
Hopefully those who voted for Trump will wake up and realize how he has conned them in virtually every promise he has made
He campaigned on his promise to "drain the swamp". Instead he has filled it with alligators.
For example, he appointed Ryan Zinke as Secretary of Interior. Zinke's business background included oil and gas development. Here is a quote from his bio " Zinke formed Continental Divide International, a property management and business development consulting company. Zinke's family members are officers of the company. In 2009, he formed the consulting company On Point Montana. Zinke served on the board of the oil pipeline company QS Energy (formerly Save the World Air) from 2012 to 2015. In November 2014, Zinke announced that he would pass Continental Divide to his family while remaining in an advisory role. Zinke just recommended greatly shrinking Obama's designation of Bear Ears National Monument. Oil and gas drilling would be allowed on thousands of square miles.
In 2008 the Interior Department’s inspector general, Earl Devaney, delivered three reports to Congress detailing widespread corruption and conflicts of interest in the division overseeing the oil industry. Zinke appears to be trying to re-establish control of interior by oil & gas lobbyists. And Trump is attacking all of the Inspector Generals, rather than supporting them in draining the swamp.
Hopefully those who voted for Trump will wake up and realize how he has conned them in virtually every promise he has made
If American businesses had this much bureaucratic oversight into every aspect of their operations the country would be in an economic depression. There is reason a $3 hammer costs the government $100. Yes, we need some level of audit and oversight but the federal government tends to overreact and pass laws that make the government less efficient and more costly to operate.
1
@Raul Campos
"Overreact"? I think you meant 'Under-react'. That $100 hammer was discovered by an inspector and brought to public scrutiny, not simply by an enterprising reporter. The fact that we STILL have cases like these proves the point. Government is not an anchor around the neck of business OR the American people.
In fact, it is being systematically neutered BY the private sector. Trump is merely an accelerant to what's been going on for decades through corporate infiltration of our public institutions. With exclusions and exceptions to every rule and law being lobbied for by those with the means to afford lobbyists, it's a wonder anyone thinks the government 'overreacts'. In so many things it is practically inert.
If it ever does 'overreact', it is in the direction of those who can afford to register a grievance with our money-grubbing representatives, rather than the taxpayers footing the bill for corruption, complacency, and cost overruns.
"Overreact"? I think you meant 'Under-react'. That $100 hammer was discovered by an inspector and brought to public scrutiny, not simply by an enterprising reporter. The fact that we STILL have cases like these proves the point. Government is not an anchor around the neck of business OR the American people.
In fact, it is being systematically neutered BY the private sector. Trump is merely an accelerant to what's been going on for decades through corporate infiltration of our public institutions. With exclusions and exceptions to every rule and law being lobbied for by those with the means to afford lobbyists, it's a wonder anyone thinks the government 'overreacts'. In so many things it is practically inert.
If it ever does 'overreact', it is in the direction of those who can afford to register a grievance with our money-grubbing representatives, rather than the taxpayers footing the bill for corruption, complacency, and cost overruns.
4
Please! Read the editorial rather than babbling anti-regulatory claptrap. The government gets a 14-1 return on its investment in inspector generals.
2
That's logical on it's face, but it doesn't follow that we should dismantle oversight of billions of expenses taxpayers have provided to banks and private contractors and just 'trust' their word!
People are honest when someone is looking. Otherwise? Not so much....
People are honest when someone is looking. Otherwise? Not so much....
With all of the open positions in this administration, we need to hope / pray that there are no attacks / weather catastrophes in the near future. God help us if there is one.
5
As a now-retired federal prosecutor (1978-2005), I would note that the first big expansion of federal inspectors general (into almost every federal agency) came as part of Ronald Reagan's effort to combat government fraud, waste and abuse. I recall a gathering of the new inspector's general, federal prosecutors and members of the Attorney General's Economic Crime Council in Atlanta in 1984 or 1985 to discuss white collar crime. The IGs were an eager, talented and non-partisan group, dedicated to government integrity. They have made a huge contribution. President Trump obviously sees them as a threat, to be weakened of leadership and starved of funds.
14
Of course he does, he wants to be the Emperor fraudsters.
"...a return of $14 for every dollar in the offices’ budgets."
Have I missed the tweet claiming Trump Inc. gets a better return on investment? I don't think so.
Have I missed the tweet claiming Trump Inc. gets a better return on investment? I don't think so.
5
Obviously, inspectors are not loyal enough for Trump's tastes.
3
Today, at a so-called cabinet meeting, trump basked in the fawning of sycophants. It was so disgusting!
Likely a Bozo PR effort to rehabilitate a failing administration.
Nate Silver at 538 has him 18% under water! It's that bad!
And in the face of investigations, censure by international leaders, and a majority of Americans viewing him negatively - to see a cabinet meeting, comprised of nothing but accolades for Dear Leader is frankly scary!
Likely a Bozo PR effort to rehabilitate a failing administration.
Nate Silver at 538 has him 18% under water! It's that bad!
And in the face of investigations, censure by international leaders, and a majority of Americans viewing him negatively - to see a cabinet meeting, comprised of nothing but accolades for Dear Leader is frankly scary!
The real predecessor-model for Trump is Grant, not Lincoln, whose administration was known for graft and corruption.
4
We are becoming a lawless society. Clearly the rule of law will have no role in a country run by a kleptocracy aided and abetted by a compromised republican congress. God save the US!
8
A smart thief, as a first step in carrying out a heist, locates and disarms surveillance cameras and alarms.
Is there any doubt that the trump administration is a gang of thieves? They are methodically dismantling the human infrastructure that could catch them, and the legal infrastructure that would be used to prosecute them. This is their plan. It has been their plan from the outset.
Our Great Lady Democracy is under siege.
Please help us, Mr. Mueller. Please help us, Free Press.
We also must act as individuals in defense of our Democracy. The Special Elections and the Mid-Term elections in 2018 are the only sure way to stop the thieves before they succeed.
Is there any doubt that the trump administration is a gang of thieves? They are methodically dismantling the human infrastructure that could catch them, and the legal infrastructure that would be used to prosecute them. This is their plan. It has been their plan from the outset.
Our Great Lady Democracy is under siege.
Please help us, Mr. Mueller. Please help us, Free Press.
We also must act as individuals in defense of our Democracy. The Special Elections and the Mid-Term elections in 2018 are the only sure way to stop the thieves before they succeed.
7
All according to Steve Bannon's plan. The deconstruction of the administrative state.
5
One of Trump's campaign "promises" was to provide better health care, increase military spending, build the wall and spend $1trillion on infrastructure while balancing the budget by eliminating fraud, waste and abuse.
Trump is a special kind of liar. We all tell "white lies" to avoid revealing some stupid mistake we made or not to hurt another's feelings. Politicians "guild the Lilly" with promises that they know they are unlikely to achieve. True liars defraud for gain or hide their misdeeds. Trump lies in the moment with complete disregard for facts or reality. When he made his campaign promises he didn't care that fraud, waste and abuse did not constitute a significant percentage of the budget. Now that the inspector generals might look into his and his extended family's business conflicts, his education, EPA, treasury, HHS and other department head's conflicts, and worse, they are an expense the survival of his administration cannot afford.
Trump is a special kind of liar. We all tell "white lies" to avoid revealing some stupid mistake we made or not to hurt another's feelings. Politicians "guild the Lilly" with promises that they know they are unlikely to achieve. True liars defraud for gain or hide their misdeeds. Trump lies in the moment with complete disregard for facts or reality. When he made his campaign promises he didn't care that fraud, waste and abuse did not constitute a significant percentage of the budget. Now that the inspector generals might look into his and his extended family's business conflicts, his education, EPA, treasury, HHS and other department head's conflicts, and worse, they are an expense the survival of his administration cannot afford.
5
The frightening thing is that we are seeing the nexus of Trump-Kushner emolument driven self enrichment, Koch-Bannon destruction of the regulatory and oversight functions of the government and Ryan-McConnel Republican destruction of tax policy needed to provide protection and relief for the poor and the middle class.
2
I worked for the VA hospitals. I had to call the VA inspector general's office on my own hospital when it was going to admit a high-risk pedophile to a building within 1000 feet of the day care center for employee's children on campus, contrary to state law (VA's are not immune to these kinds of state laws). As soon as the inspector general's office started investigating, the admission was quashed. They serve a valuable function of rooting out waste, corruption and fraud in the government, albeit some inspector generals believe they are demigods. But is it any wonder this lying administration run by a probable thief (Trump University) and very possibly a sexual predator (remember the Billy Bush conversation?) is afraid of this component of the government?
6
How is that Marla Trump has not been hired yet by this regime?
2
Wait, I thought he was going to finance is $2 Trillion in tax cuts by identifying waste and mismanagement. It must have been that guy who found people who were receiving less in social security than they were due, and gave them what they had earned who screwed it up for all the others. How are we going to finance tax cuts for corporations and the rich if we keep giving retired people all they earned?
45
The Inspector General program was one of the great, successful reforms that followed Watergate. There are 73 of them, and they keep tabs on most of the important federal departments. The record of their accomplishment since 1978 has been stellar, and my guess is that they have saved the taxpayers more money than they cost. This is not a logical place to cut.
10
June 12, 2017
Getting confused - who's policies are we encountering in the Trump administration and what are the criteria to determine the implementation - it is one thing to reorganize by casting out the present workers, yet are to await the evaluation of the replacements to determine if and what and who's agenda ('s) are replacing the seasoned and existing personnel. Policy makers must beware and able to explain to new personnel what are the rules of government loyal and yet ones professional expertise that bring affordable and justifiable practice - both for economics pay scales and as well the resumes of experience to guiding the top managerial government practices before one is prosecuted for incompetence.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
Getting confused - who's policies are we encountering in the Trump administration and what are the criteria to determine the implementation - it is one thing to reorganize by casting out the present workers, yet are to await the evaluation of the replacements to determine if and what and who's agenda ('s) are replacing the seasoned and existing personnel. Policy makers must beware and able to explain to new personnel what are the rules of government loyal and yet ones professional expertise that bring affordable and justifiable practice - both for economics pay scales and as well the resumes of experience to guiding the top managerial government practices before one is prosecuted for incompetence.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
2
I can't think of any better area for Putin agents to effectively work than our Inspectors. Again. Trump carrying out Putin's plans perfectly.
10
Please keep this topic in your sights and on your pages. Unfortunately, everyone's attention has been diverted by Trump's shenanigans. As a result, folks aren't aware that this sort of thing is happening.
21
Bannon has said that he seeks "the destruction of the administrative state." Feb. 2017, CPAC. Trump is his useful idiot.
21
Trump has overlaid his own paranoia and disdain for authority onto the oversight functions of our government. This is both dangerous and disastrous. When a government removes its own self-monitoring processes, it establishes itself as an outlaw government of which no one is to hold accountable. Does the conservative party of this country even care about accountability any longer? It will have to be the courts, outside activist groups and the press to hold this Administration accountable from this point forward.
10
Take back the House. It is the ONLY way. A divide Congress can require bi-partisan work on a budget. Vote in the 2018 mid-terms. Contribute to the House race of Dems who are running in areas where Hilary won.
Until then, call your rep, the Speaker of the House and your senator to demand that they uphold this democratic republic and its checks and balances.
Until then, call your rep, the Speaker of the House and your senator to demand that they uphold this democratic republic and its checks and balances.
19
One of the things that authoritarians like to do once the gain an office, is to reach way down into a bureaucracy and stock it with people loyal to them. Imagine the role of these inspectors being performed by Trump loyalists
17
Instead of Obama/Democratic loyalists? Elections have consequences.
Where will they get jobs? Looks like unemployment will be on the rise in the USA and/or there will be an exodus of experienced staff to foreign nations that will offer the Inspectors jobs because of their experience in their field of work.
4
It’s true. We need more inspectors general, not fewer.
16
There is there is always the debate about whether this sort of thing is due to incompetence or deliberate action. In Trump's case I will give him the benefit of the doubt: all of the above.
10
Those are operative words: "Congress has demonstrated bipartisan willingness to step jp for inspectors general in the past". Given the current join the swamp atmoshere, will history repeat itself?
5
Which Inspector General saved us the 1.7 billion dollars of cash that Obama sent the Iranians?
3
It was money seized by us and owed to them. Returned as part of negotiations. Not one single penny of tax dollars went to Iran.
34
You know that was negotiated before Obama, right? Of course not.
3
No. It was money owed to victims of Iranian state sponsored terrorism.
3
Really? Isn't reduction of government spending through identification of fraud, mismanagement and waste a common Republican talking point?
14
It is but when it reduces the size of Republicans bank account it is bad and must be stopped. Republicans only favor and fund things that put money in their pockets
1
This happens while the nation is mired in Trump-Russia scandal and Comey testimony. The stealthiness has Bannon written all over it.
20
He didn't come to drain the swamp. He came to drain the treasury.
30
If 45 excels at anything, he excels at allowing his minions who have sworn to "tear the whole thing down" to push policy that does just so. He sees this as easing his way to the trough of the real money to be had. Ours. Meanwhile the Repubs facilitate and push their agenda through while we chase out tails trying to keep up with it all. It is disgraceful, and we are going to pay. Not him nor those in leadership who are allowing it. Disheartening. And his voters will have no recourse when they lose their pitiful (life saving) government subsidies to those up the food chain, who want even that. This is a shameful display by 45, his minions at the White House and the Republican Party. The Dems should be ashamed because they have no real leadership or message for the people because of infighting. Country first? This is now a sick joke and we are the brunt of it.
All of this was obvious during the campaign. Fact-checking and oversight are anathema to Trump, but this did not stop him from becoming President.
The decline of the United States is accelerating: will we do anything to stop it?
The decline of the United States is accelerating: will we do anything to stop it?
15
Trump does not particularly care for rules, laws or other constraints. Inspectors General live by rules and laws, Hence, in a Trump administration, no inspectors brings us closer to no functional rules. On top of this, he's got the gutless GOP willing to look the other way. It's like when the cops are not present in a burning neighborhood...that's when the looting takes place.
12
The American voters forgot to properly "inspect"the candidate they selected for POTUS.........and determine what he stands for and who he represents!
10
Trump's ambition is to destroy our democracy from the inside out. He is doing that by actions this editorial States. It is imperative we tie his hands on the ability to do this until we know what team he's playing on. Because quite frankly to me this looks more like Russia then it does the United States of America
13
It was the Third Report of the Inspector General of the CIA that revealed the massive cocaine smuggling by the Contras with the knowledge of the CIA.
7
Liars, crooks and thieves oh my! There should be no surprises anymore in terms of what this administration is about. Shame on the voters and supporters of this corrupt administration.
14
This has Steve Bannon's fingerprints all over it. Remember, it's his desire to "destroy the administrative state".
So much for reducing "waste, fraud, and abuse" eh, Donald?
So much for reducing "waste, fraud, and abuse" eh, Donald?
9
I guess by draining the "swamp" Trump was referring to the swamp of inspectors, checks and balances, protections, and guards against corruption.....
5
"...the offices identified $26 billion in potential savings and recovered an additional $10 billion through criminal and civil cases..."
Sure, but that's 26 Billion that Trump and his future co-defendants won't get to skim off.
Sure, but that's 26 Billion that Trump and his future co-defendants won't get to skim off.
9
Every day is loaded with more bad news, and it's often like this bad news, i.e. insidious neglect of our government, which is important, but will never make the headlines.
9
I know intellectual consistency is way, way too much to expect from this laughable administration. But how many times did Trump blare 'drain the swamp' and encourage the answering chant in his base? So it makes no sense whatsoever to get rid of the Inspectors General. Unless, of course, corruption and cronyism is part of what they look for.
7
We knew Trump was corrupt long before he stole the presidency. But this is way beyond - or beneath - what we expected.
8
If you are a criminal, you want fewer COPs. This is not a hard thing to understand. Inspector Generals are COPs. In order to be a fully lawless president, like Trump's role model Putin, the COPs must be either neutered, eliminated or co-opted.
Republicans have become the party for the lawless, if you are both rich and lawless. This is why Trump is their leader.
Republicans have become the party for the lawless, if you are both rich and lawless. This is why Trump is their leader.
Absent the Inspectors General, the swamp would be even worse.
So much for "Drain the Swamp." Anyone who seriously wanted to do so would increase the budgets of IGs, increase the number of IG offices, and sign an executive order in front of IGs touting the stories here.
This story was not even mentioned by CNN, MSNBC, or any of the other MSMs. It should be headline news.
So much for "Drain the Swamp." Anyone who seriously wanted to do so would increase the budgets of IGs, increase the number of IG offices, and sign an executive order in front of IGs touting the stories here.
This story was not even mentioned by CNN, MSNBC, or any of the other MSMs. It should be headline news.
4
One cannot help but wonder what Trump's endgame is here. Do we have a government free of any constraints so that it ceases to exist or do we have no restraints on the Trump family syndicate so self dealing continues unabated.
Then what happens?
The treasury is looted by those who run the government and contracts are awarded to cronies and as payoff for patronage?
I don't know. It sounds a lot like how government has often been run but on a much grander scale and without the penalty when identified to be corrupt.
It's a shorter walk to this without the inspectors. I can see that as the goal. Free looting must look good to Trump. He's been taking advantage of every loophole for years so why not open it up more.
Bad, very bad. Where are the voices in congress. Where is the concern and outrage.
One can only wonder where we are heading when the store is open for looting and no protection exists.
Then what happens?
The treasury is looted by those who run the government and contracts are awarded to cronies and as payoff for patronage?
I don't know. It sounds a lot like how government has often been run but on a much grander scale and without the penalty when identified to be corrupt.
It's a shorter walk to this without the inspectors. I can see that as the goal. Free looting must look good to Trump. He's been taking advantage of every loophole for years so why not open it up more.
Bad, very bad. Where are the voices in congress. Where is the concern and outrage.
One can only wonder where we are heading when the store is open for looting and no protection exists.
104
Don't look to Congress to step up here, at least not Republicans. Their agenda consists entirely of further enriching the already wealthy at the expense of everyone else--oh, and throwing more billions at the military, whether they want it or not. It's not enough to sell out the country to the fossil fuel industry and Russia--we need to make sure defense contractors get their turn at the trough, too.
Protecting people whose job is to keep the government honest? Oh, that's just adorable.
Protecting people whose job is to keep the government honest? Oh, that's just adorable.
11
Make American Crooked Again
In the late 1970s, I led inspection teams from the State Department's Inspector General's office across Asia and in the Department of State. Neither I nor my fellow team leaders got everything right and our recommendations underwent rigorous review by the Inspector General. But then as now, our auditors discovered chicanery and in general, our inspections improved the conduct of foreign relations.
The evidence, as your editorial indicates, is overwhelming that Inspector Generals across the government uncover wrongdoing, save the taxpayer money and improve the quality of governance. Only a criminal conspiracy or an absolute monarchy (same thing?) would dramatically weaken them.
In this matter, the Congress has an opportunity to assert its power as a co-equal branch as restore funding to the watchdogs. It is more likely, however, that Ryan and McConnell will act like the leaders of the old Roman Senate and acquiesce in the Trump administration's latest effort loose the bonds imposed on Executive whim by the Founders system of checks and balances.
In the late 1970s, I led inspection teams from the State Department's Inspector General's office across Asia and in the Department of State. Neither I nor my fellow team leaders got everything right and our recommendations underwent rigorous review by the Inspector General. But then as now, our auditors discovered chicanery and in general, our inspections improved the conduct of foreign relations.
The evidence, as your editorial indicates, is overwhelming that Inspector Generals across the government uncover wrongdoing, save the taxpayer money and improve the quality of governance. Only a criminal conspiracy or an absolute monarchy (same thing?) would dramatically weaken them.
In this matter, the Congress has an opportunity to assert its power as a co-equal branch as restore funding to the watchdogs. It is more likely, however, that Ryan and McConnell will act like the leaders of the old Roman Senate and acquiesce in the Trump administration's latest effort loose the bonds imposed on Executive whim by the Founders system of checks and balances.
21
I think the simplest explanation for Trump's actions to date is that he has three objectives:(1) Weaken international institutions that Putin dislikes; (2) reduce taxes on the rich; (3) weaken or eliminate effective government entities that deliver services or that constrain harmful business activities. The Republicans in Congress may be uncomfortable with (1), but they support (2) and (3).
11
This is how our system of democratic governing withers and dies on the vine.
Without clear congressional opposition that overturns this unilateral effort to
convert the government into a supine service agency for corporations, run for and by those who have the resources to purchase what they want, government by the people and for the people will surely
perish.
It would be very useful to monitor this ongoing story on a regular basis and highlight the continuous efforts by ideologues and swamp dwellers to emasculate the role of department and agency inspectors.
Without clear congressional opposition that overturns this unilateral effort to
convert the government into a supine service agency for corporations, run for and by those who have the resources to purchase what they want, government by the people and for the people will surely
perish.
It would be very useful to monitor this ongoing story on a regular basis and highlight the continuous efforts by ideologues and swamp dwellers to emasculate the role of department and agency inspectors.
16
The Bad invariably drives the Good out of any human pursuit whatsoever when there is no hard socially-enforced floor under minimum acceptable conduct in that activity.
This is called "Gresham's Law" after the monetary theorist who established it is true about the making of money.
This is called "Gresham's Law" after the monetary theorist who established it is true about the making of money.
11
We have a government where checks and balances assure a modicum of fairness. Obviously the Trump administration doesn't want to be seen too closely, but even for them, this is heavy handed.
9
More than anything this sabotaging of oversight reveals what this administration is about: the accumulation of power and wealth through corruption.
18
I hope that the Mueller team has added the issue of this editorial to its list of potential investigative targets. Obstruction of justice on a large scale, across multiple federal departments? A possible R.I.C.O. criminal conspiracy charge involving those White House aides and their superiors? I wonder whether Bannon's white board has "A Systemic Gutting of Inspector Generals Offices" written on it?
13
I can't imagine what the alt right defense of these shenanigans will be, but I'm sure mindless defenses will sprout over the airwaves and on the internet like toadstools.
7
So much for budget savings by eliminating "Waste, Fraud & Abuse."
9
Very simple answer. Unless the American voter is even dummer than I thought, just win the house and senate in 2018. That would effectly check trump and
Pretty much cripple his destructive course. Why is this so hard to figure out.
Pretty much cripple his destructive course. Why is this so hard to figure out.
7
Do you understand that only one third of the Senate seats are at stake in 2018, and that two thirds of those are currently held by Democrats?
8
Let's just do away with all rules and regulations and head straight for the demolition derby.
4
President Trump evidently does not want thorough oversight and inspection of the government.
5
My proximity to DC has allowed me to work within and around federal agencies for a large portion of my career.
I am certain that a vast majority of the companies throughout this land would be more than pleased to have employees the caliber of the people that I have met, but you would never know it listening to DJT.
DJT would not know a good, honest days work if he saw one.
That is what IG' s do in part! Insure a good honest day's work by reinforcing rules and providing oversight.
We cannot expect DJT to advocate for something he does not understand or even knows exists!
Per ryan, for DJT " he is new to this!"
I am certain that a vast majority of the companies throughout this land would be more than pleased to have employees the caliber of the people that I have met, but you would never know it listening to DJT.
DJT would not know a good, honest days work if he saw one.
That is what IG' s do in part! Insure a good honest day's work by reinforcing rules and providing oversight.
We cannot expect DJT to advocate for something he does not understand or even knows exists!
Per ryan, for DJT " he is new to this!"
12
That's President Trump to you. All of you. Even those of you that are hurting.
4
The way Trump is destroying America makes you wonder if he is actually working for the Kremlin.
13
This administration (using the term loosely) seems unconcerned about what it leaves for a successor. They appear intent on undermining government, without any vision or understanding of how important government is in ensuring a healthy business climate, and in legitimizing the appropriate of public assets and space by private industry.
God help us all if we're dependent on the party in power to save the republic from a coup d'etat by bungling looters. If nothing else the last election exposed the failure of the American public education system to teach citizenship and critical thinking.
God help us all if we're dependent on the party in power to save the republic from a coup d'etat by bungling looters. If nothing else the last election exposed the failure of the American public education system to teach citizenship and critical thinking.
12
Thank you, NYT, for this editorial.
Trump's efforts to emulate Putin's kleptocratic habits and escape public scrutiny seem limitless. We have only seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Trump's brazen violations of ethics rules and his past and present shady dealings.
The U.S. system of checks and balances must stay strong. The Inspectors General play an important role in keeping the government clean and Trump's effort meddle with it must be exposed and stooped. Period.
Trump's efforts to emulate Putin's kleptocratic habits and escape public scrutiny seem limitless. We have only seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Trump's brazen violations of ethics rules and his past and present shady dealings.
The U.S. system of checks and balances must stay strong. The Inspectors General play an important role in keeping the government clean and Trump's effort meddle with it must be exposed and stooped. Period.
13
There is much legitimate concern about the incompetence -- at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue -- of the elected federal government. But as a retired civil service employee still in contact with former colleagues, the real work of the government is clearly remains in the hands of the two-plus million civil service and non-political SESes who get up, go to work, and do their jobs to the best of their ability every single day. I don't have poll numbers, but my anecdotal evidence suggests that they are mostly pretty ticked off, albeit quietly. And I would venture that nearly all 35,000 employees of the FBI and who-knows-how-many employees in national intelligence are fairly beyond merely being "ticked off"; they're mad as hell. There are ways in which each and every federal employee can be a "mini-IG," and they have serious protections in federal law. The federal government is not a faceless edifice, uncaring about American people. It is made up of hard-working, dedicated individual employees. The Resistance does, in fact, extend deeply into the federal government in the lives and daily work of thousands of dedicated civil servants. Many have worked in the administrations of both parties, and they're determined to survive this one, the one that is decidedly making American NOT great. But this administration will, sooner or later, pass into an ignoble history, and the daily work of the government for the benefit of the American people will go on.
15
FFS - how much more of this corruption can we take?
Is this even American anymore?
Is this even American anymore?
10
"Pray for the government, for without it a man would devour his neighbor."
This is the aim of those in the Trump administration who seek to deconstruct an accountable government.
This is the aim of those in the Trump administration who seek to deconstruct an accountable government.
9
Perhaps Trump learned from Putin how to continue corruption more easily. As we have seen now the Russian people are now in the streets protesting Russia's corruption. If we look a bit closer at eastern Europe we see the same patterns of corruption in other countries that once were under the Russian banner. Some of these countries have been protesting quietly and noisily to corruption for years. Trump is no Robin Hood.
6
Even if Putin himself were in the White House, it is hard to image what he could do better to undermine the American democracy.
9
It's unlikely that Trump himself has any awareness of the existence of "inspectors general". His image and his base do not involve such minutiae.
However, the Trump billionaire entourage and their choice inappropriate appointees are another matter. That is where the focus should be, not upon the doddering old man who can't count, can't read, can't avoid typos, and can't tell if it's raining. He has a few other frailties...
However, the Trump billionaire entourage and their choice inappropriate appointees are another matter. That is where the focus should be, not upon the doddering old man who can't count, can't read, can't avoid typos, and can't tell if it's raining. He has a few other frailties...
9
I think that it's pretty clear by now that Resident Trump has a peculiar and special discomfort with oversight agencies in general. He appears to prefer no oversight which would naturally lead one to believe that he prefers to operate in the dark where prying eyes would have difficulty in uncovering the truth about certain illicit activities.
Why should this not be a surprise to anyone?...Of course, in his defense, he'll publicly claim that he's saving taxpayers' money when, in reality, the only thing that he's saving is his own hide and, perhaps, the hides of some of his unsavory associates, from possible future prosecution.
I guess his underlying fear is that too much public sunlight focused on him and his activities might give his ultra pale skin a terrible and painful burn that would look embarrassing on the public stage.
Mr. Trump, I'm reminded of that oldie-but-goldie 70's song entitled "Here Comes the Sun" that served to uplift our collective spirits during painful or difficult times. However, it should be noted that your efforts to apply a great deal of sun screen to protect your public image will prove futile.
The political weather is projected to be hot and sunny for the foreseeable future!
Why should this not be a surprise to anyone?...Of course, in his defense, he'll publicly claim that he's saving taxpayers' money when, in reality, the only thing that he's saving is his own hide and, perhaps, the hides of some of his unsavory associates, from possible future prosecution.
I guess his underlying fear is that too much public sunlight focused on him and his activities might give his ultra pale skin a terrible and painful burn that would look embarrassing on the public stage.
Mr. Trump, I'm reminded of that oldie-but-goldie 70's song entitled "Here Comes the Sun" that served to uplift our collective spirits during painful or difficult times. However, it should be noted that your efforts to apply a great deal of sun screen to protect your public image will prove futile.
The political weather is projected to be hot and sunny for the foreseeable future!
9
Deconstruction the administrative state. Caveat Emptor, the mission statement of all of Trump's businesses.
6
Thankfully "Mr. Trump Goes after The Inspectors" is countered by the good news that the Maryland and D.C. attorneys general are going after him. Trump's corrupt practices deserve a complete public airing.
President Trump mistakenly believes there are no laws that forbid presidential conflicts of interest. He also has long evidenced a disdain for ethical norms. The conflicts between Trump's presidential duties to uphold the national interest and his promotion of his own and his family's business interests are evident to many--and will now be brought to focused public attention.
Norman Eisen, an Obama administration ethics oversight official, sums it all up: “Trump is the framers’ worst-case scenario; a president who would seize office and attempt to exploit his position for personal financial gain with every governmental entity imaginable, across the United States or around the world."
Trump the materialistic narcissist is the ultimate anti-idealist. His world has no place for justice, the common good and patriotism. He does not understand the norms presupposed for the effective functioning of our democratic republic. Even if he did understand them, he would dismiss them as irrelevant to his primary objective: Self aggrandizement.
I doubt that Trump has ever actually read the U.S. Constitution. If he has, he evidences minimal reading comprehension.
Does cutthroat capitalism assure that Trump and other such shameless individuals rise to the pinnacle of wealth and power?
President Trump mistakenly believes there are no laws that forbid presidential conflicts of interest. He also has long evidenced a disdain for ethical norms. The conflicts between Trump's presidential duties to uphold the national interest and his promotion of his own and his family's business interests are evident to many--and will now be brought to focused public attention.
Norman Eisen, an Obama administration ethics oversight official, sums it all up: “Trump is the framers’ worst-case scenario; a president who would seize office and attempt to exploit his position for personal financial gain with every governmental entity imaginable, across the United States or around the world."
Trump the materialistic narcissist is the ultimate anti-idealist. His world has no place for justice, the common good and patriotism. He does not understand the norms presupposed for the effective functioning of our democratic republic. Even if he did understand them, he would dismiss them as irrelevant to his primary objective: Self aggrandizement.
I doubt that Trump has ever actually read the U.S. Constitution. If he has, he evidences minimal reading comprehension.
Does cutthroat capitalism assure that Trump and other such shameless individuals rise to the pinnacle of wealth and power?
11
I don't understand why Trump wasn't pressuring Comey to do all that he could to find out who the Russian election meddlers were and to make that a top priority to defend America from future attacks.
7
Could it be that Al Capone didn't die from syphilis in 1947 at his mansion in Palm Island, Florida, as was reported, and was subsequently elected POTUS in November, 2016? Not unexpectedly, one of his first presidential actions was to fire the equally long-lived G-man, Eliot Ness. Number two on Capone's hit list is rumored to be the director of the Internal Revenue Service, since old Al was finally brought to justice in 1931 for income tax evasion.
3
Trump is trying to Make America Secret Again.
2
Ironic is it not that on the day this editorial goes to press, tens or hundreds of thousands of Russians take to the streets in anti corruption rallies against the dictatorial kleptocracy of Vladimir Putin, a Trump hero. My fear is Trump anxiously awaits a terrorist attack on American soil so he can declare a national emergency, announce martial law and begin mass arrests as Commander in Chief of the military. Perhaps Robert Mueller will be declared an enemy of the state and arrested the same way as Putin's political foe Alexei Navalny during those Russians demonstrations. You may think this alarmist but America is now bobbing around in uncharted, dangerous political waters. What was unthinkable less than a year ago is no longer relevant.
11
What kind of constructive criticism does Trump have about IGs?
Does your editorial board have any?
Does your editorial board have any?
1
Both Sides of his Mouth. That's the slogan that should be under Trump's portrait. One side says "Save big league ("bigly") by cutting waste and corruption." The other side says,"We don't need no stinkin' reg-lations." (Or enforcement!) Hypocrisy, lies, "deconstruct" tricks are all hiding under the noise and chaos of purposefully outrageous "shiny objects" from Trump's tweets, contradictions and general Trumpishness. Great harm is being done to our nation by this malign sleight of hand
2
Why would the editorial board be surprised that a 71 year old individual, who has demonstrated no trace of an ethical compass all of his adult life, suddenly have a Road to Damascus experience at the Inauguration, when he saw millions of angels in the crowd!
7
Trump wants no oversight of anything, ever, especially if said oversight means cracking down on unethical behavior or making sure that established rules can't be skirted (if not outrightly flaunted) for one's personal benefit. Rules and regulations are merely pesky details to this man, to be ignored whenever deemed inconvenient.
What will this government look like, should Trump make it through his first term? What will government oversight look like? I know I sound like a broken record, but my fear is total chaos, which is exactly how Trump wants it. How can society -- let alone government -- function under that?
What will this government look like, should Trump make it through his first term? What will government oversight look like? I know I sound like a broken record, but my fear is total chaos, which is exactly how Trump wants it. How can society -- let alone government -- function under that?
5
I think that it's pretty clear by now that Resident Trump has a peculiar and special discomfort with oversight agencies in general. He appears to prefer no oversight which would naturally lead one to believe that he prefers to operate in the dark where prying eyes would have difficulty in uncovering the truth about certain illicit activities.
Why should this not be a surprise to anyone?...Of course, in his defense, he'll publicly claim that he's saving taxpayers' money when, in reality, the only thing that he's saving is own hide and, perhaps, the hides of some of his unsavory associates, from possible future prosecution.
I guess his underlying fear is that too much public sunlight focused on him and his activities might give his ultra pale skin a terrible and painful burn that would look embarrassing on the public stage.
Mr. Trump, I'm reminded of that oldie-but-goldie 70's song entitled "Here Comes the Sun" that served to uplift our collective spirits during painful or difficult times. However, it should be noted that your efforts to apply a great deal of sun screen to protect your public image will prove futile.
The political weather is projected to be hot and sunny for the foreseeable future!
Why should this not be a surprise to anyone?...Of course, in his defense, he'll publicly claim that he's saving taxpayers' money when, in reality, the only thing that he's saving is own hide and, perhaps, the hides of some of his unsavory associates, from possible future prosecution.
I guess his underlying fear is that too much public sunlight focused on him and his activities might give his ultra pale skin a terrible and painful burn that would look embarrassing on the public stage.
Mr. Trump, I'm reminded of that oldie-but-goldie 70's song entitled "Here Comes the Sun" that served to uplift our collective spirits during painful or difficult times. However, it should be noted that your efforts to apply a great deal of sun screen to protect your public image will prove futile.
The political weather is projected to be hot and sunny for the foreseeable future!
1
Hats off to Michael Horowitz and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency for continuing to take their responsibilities seriously in the face of presidential threats to fire them. For the time being, he has settled for harassing them, underfunding them, and not filling vacancies.
And thank you to the NYTimes, an independent-of-the-government news outlet, for informing the readers. Taxpayers will not be unhappy, I think, to know that in FY2015, the Office of the Inspectors identified for recovery $14 for every dollar of their own budget. Now what kind of businessman would turn away from that kind of return? And why, oh why, would a President?
And thank you to the NYTimes, an independent-of-the-government news outlet, for informing the readers. Taxpayers will not be unhappy, I think, to know that in FY2015, the Office of the Inspectors identified for recovery $14 for every dollar of their own budget. Now what kind of businessman would turn away from that kind of return? And why, oh why, would a President?
4
Of course "Mr. Trump Goes After the Inspectors." Norman Eisen, an Obama administration ethics official, sums it all up:
“Trump is the framers’ worst-case scenario; a president who would seize office and attempt to exploit his position for personal financial gain with every governmental entity imaginable, across the United States or around the world."
Alexander Hamilton favored the Electoral College as a hedge against the election of an unqualified candidate possessed of a talent for "low intrigue and the little arts of popularity" (Federalist No. 68). James Madison endorsed the Electoral College as a safeguard against the possibility that a majority of citizens, "actuated by some common impulse of passion," might unite in support of an unqualified candidate with results that are inimical "to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community" (Federalist No. 10).
How ironic! Due to the current functioning of the Electoral College (and intense gerrymandering) a minority of voters have elected a president devoid of civic virtue and otherwise unfit for office.
“Trump is the framers’ worst-case scenario; a president who would seize office and attempt to exploit his position for personal financial gain with every governmental entity imaginable, across the United States or around the world."
Alexander Hamilton favored the Electoral College as a hedge against the election of an unqualified candidate possessed of a talent for "low intrigue and the little arts of popularity" (Federalist No. 68). James Madison endorsed the Electoral College as a safeguard against the possibility that a majority of citizens, "actuated by some common impulse of passion," might unite in support of an unqualified candidate with results that are inimical "to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community" (Federalist No. 10).
How ironic! Due to the current functioning of the Electoral College (and intense gerrymandering) a minority of voters have elected a president devoid of civic virtue and otherwise unfit for office.
5
President Obama ignored the findings of the Inspector General for the Tax Administration. Audits found that the IRS was assigning Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) to illegal immigrants with which they could file income tax forms. Virtually no illegal immigrants earn enough to pay federal income taxes. They use their ITIN numbers to claim the Additional Child Tax Credit. One does not have to pay income taxes to claim this money. It is not necessarily a credit, in the sense of a refund. In the case of those who do not owe income taxes, it is a cash hand-out.
On 7/7/11, the Inspector General issued a report stating that illegal immigrants had used ITIN numbers to claim $4.2 billion from the I.R.S. I imagine the amount has gone up every year since then because the IRS refuses to stop payments, and increasing numbers learn how to get the free money. The Inspector General’s report says a 1996 law makes it illegal for aliens who are living here, without authorization, to receive Federal benefits except in certain emergencies and programs. Yet, the IRS continues to disregard the report.
What is the point of filling the positions of Inspector Generals and of funding their offices, if their reports are ignored?
On 7/7/11, the Inspector General issued a report stating that illegal immigrants had used ITIN numbers to claim $4.2 billion from the I.R.S. I imagine the amount has gone up every year since then because the IRS refuses to stop payments, and increasing numbers learn how to get the free money. The Inspector General’s report says a 1996 law makes it illegal for aliens who are living here, without authorization, to receive Federal benefits except in certain emergencies and programs. Yet, the IRS continues to disregard the report.
What is the point of filling the positions of Inspector Generals and of funding their offices, if their reports are ignored?
2
Perhaps going after poor, desperate people seemed a low priority considering that billionaires like Trump avoid taxes completely. The GOP did not cut funding of the IRS to stop prosecution of immigrants, but to stop investigation of billionaires, like themselves. When you are talking about the money coming from the top ten percent versus money coming from the poorest 10 percent which priority would better serve an underfunded, understaffed agency? If recovering money owed is the priority of the IRS, and it is, then the top is target, not the bottom.
2
It is false that undocumented immigrants pay no taxes:
Released March 2nd, 2017
A newly updated report released today provides data that helps dispute the erroneous idea espoused during President Trump’s address to Congress that undocumented immigrants are a drain to taxpayers. In fact, like all others living and working in the United States, undocumented immigrants are taxpayers too and collectively contribute an estimated $11.74 billion to state and local coffers each year via a combination of sales and excise, personal income, and property taxes, according to Undocumented Immigrants’ State and Local Tax Contributions by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
On average, the nation’s estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants pay 8 percent of their incomes in state and local taxes every year. While it is unlikely to happen in the current political environment, undocumented immigrants’ state and local tax contributions could increase by up to $2.1 billion under comprehensive immigration reform, boosting their effective tax rate to 8.6 percent.
https://itep.org/immigration/
Released March 2nd, 2017
A newly updated report released today provides data that helps dispute the erroneous idea espoused during President Trump’s address to Congress that undocumented immigrants are a drain to taxpayers. In fact, like all others living and working in the United States, undocumented immigrants are taxpayers too and collectively contribute an estimated $11.74 billion to state and local coffers each year via a combination of sales and excise, personal income, and property taxes, according to Undocumented Immigrants’ State and Local Tax Contributions by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
On average, the nation’s estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants pay 8 percent of their incomes in state and local taxes every year. While it is unlikely to happen in the current political environment, undocumented immigrants’ state and local tax contributions could increase by up to $2.1 billion under comprehensive immigration reform, boosting their effective tax rate to 8.6 percent.
https://itep.org/immigration/
7
In response to J:
How much are the illegal immigrants costing us when you total up what we spend on their medical care, education, correctional services, social services (such as foster care), and so on? I suspect that the amount they pay in taxes is a pittance in relation to this.
Could we expect more from succeeding generations? Sociologists at UCLA ,Telles and Ortiz, wrote up a longitudinal study which showed that the first generation of Mexicans to be educated in the U.S. went to school for more years than their parents had back in Mexico, but many of their children and grandchildren attended school for fewer years than they had. Consequently, these Mexican-Americans did not move up the career ladder. They were stuck in low-paying jobs, lived in low-income communities, and retained a primarily Mexican identity.
Illegal immigrants are demanding huge cost expenditures from our local, state, and federal governments (as well as using many of our affordable housing units). And the UCLA study suggests that future generations will continue to be a drain on our country.
How much are the illegal immigrants costing us when you total up what we spend on their medical care, education, correctional services, social services (such as foster care), and so on? I suspect that the amount they pay in taxes is a pittance in relation to this.
Could we expect more from succeeding generations? Sociologists at UCLA ,Telles and Ortiz, wrote up a longitudinal study which showed that the first generation of Mexicans to be educated in the U.S. went to school for more years than their parents had back in Mexico, but many of their children and grandchildren attended school for fewer years than they had. Consequently, these Mexican-Americans did not move up the career ladder. They were stuck in low-paying jobs, lived in low-income communities, and retained a primarily Mexican identity.
Illegal immigrants are demanding huge cost expenditures from our local, state, and federal governments (as well as using many of our affordable housing units). And the UCLA study suggests that future generations will continue to be a drain on our country.
The animus against the "regulators" continues?! What a greedy, uncaring, feral human Trump is.
6
You can't fix stupid, but republicans can impeach him.
4
But they won't, as long as he is useful and doesn't threaten their reelection.
So, waste, fraud, and abuse in government are now protected under the new Trump CPA - Criminal Protective Agency.
4
We the people......are screwed.
3
Drain the swamp indeed! Then where would the alligators and other reptiles who populate the current administration feed? Not gonna happen.
3
Knowing, now, Trump and his cabal, I am quite sure that this cutting of inspectors does not come as a surprise to anyone. Trump and his minions feel more secure and unencumbered when they can operate out of sight of any critic or inspector. Eliminating or defunding inspectors is the easy way for the robbers to do their robbing. Just watch as many other "controls" are eliminated as we sink slowly beneath the waves of memory.......
178
It does not help that most Americans think bureaucracy is a bad word. In fact, it has dedicated people who help run the country. Civil servants are the guys who do the real work of government. Inspectors help keep that system running. Getting rid of them is like getting rid of all the doctors in s community. Not good for the health of the country.
12
I don't like Trump elimination of inspectors, but in the defense industry they must not be working. I've never seen more corruption in that industry then in any others I've worked, and I've plenty.
Out of the limelight, still at the helm, Steve Bannon's deconstruction continues apace. In the shadows, the morlocks are tearing the American democratic edifice of checks and balances asunder. Donald the Magnificent tweets, rants and blows smoke. The media watch the spectacle, mesmerized. One day they'll wake up and be surprised at what has happened, but it will be too late.
249
Yes. This is about oil, power, money. Thank you for the well-written and well-informed comment. Wish you could post your info. world-wide. NYT can someone there please do a comprehensive story connecting all the dots so we can stop this corruption.(?) please!
3
@ Rudy Flameng: The media have already been "mesmerized" by the spectacle of Trump. That's why we have Trump, the popular-vote-loser & embarrassment-in-chief, as president. The media were so busy covering Trump's antics that they did not call him out for his constant lies, his showboating, his bullying, his self-aggrandizement, & his clear inability to deliver what he promised, except to his so-called "friends."
Trump promised to cut taxes & repeal Obamacare, replacing it with Trumpcare which would be better & cheaper. Trump's supporters heard "cut taxes" & thought Trump was talking about them. Trump's supporters heard "repeal Obamacare" & assumed he really would replace it with a health care plan that would be better and cheaper.
Trump really meant he would cut taxes on the billionaires who comprise him & his family (supposedly) & the rest of the top 1% who already do not pay their fair share in taxes. To do that, getting rid of Obamacare is the "low hanging fruit" that would pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. Throwing 23 - 24 million people off health insurance meant nothing to him. Or to the Republican majority in Congress.
Remember when Trump said "I love the poorly educated"? Trump's Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, will ensure there are many more "poorly educated" whose poorly educated parents won't even know what their children are missing.
The poorly educated & the wealthy. They put Trump-the-Pretender in the Oval Office. Only the wealthy will benefit.
Trump promised to cut taxes & repeal Obamacare, replacing it with Trumpcare which would be better & cheaper. Trump's supporters heard "cut taxes" & thought Trump was talking about them. Trump's supporters heard "repeal Obamacare" & assumed he really would replace it with a health care plan that would be better and cheaper.
Trump really meant he would cut taxes on the billionaires who comprise him & his family (supposedly) & the rest of the top 1% who already do not pay their fair share in taxes. To do that, getting rid of Obamacare is the "low hanging fruit" that would pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. Throwing 23 - 24 million people off health insurance meant nothing to him. Or to the Republican majority in Congress.
Remember when Trump said "I love the poorly educated"? Trump's Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, will ensure there are many more "poorly educated" whose poorly educated parents won't even know what their children are missing.
The poorly educated & the wealthy. They put Trump-the-Pretender in the Oval Office. Only the wealthy will benefit.
3
Tyranny plain and simple.
9
Trump wants his cut.
5
It will take a long time to recover from the damage tdump and his cronies are causing.
7
What an obvious and predictable move on the part of our Kleptocrat in Chief!
7
Trump wishes he could do what Putin does:arrest the opposition. Trump fires them.
11
Once again Trump demonstrates that his real paymasters are the Oil and Gas industries and the military-industrial complex. Who else in their right minds would want to see these checks and balances dismantled, these faceless corporations are the only ones who will benefit. They are there to serve and protect the American people from abuse. Trump is supposed to be a servant of the American people and yet he is doing everything in his power to cut an unhindered path to allow Big Oil and Industry to ride rampant over the rights of the individual.
147
It is at least possible that Trump's real paymasters are Putin and his buddies, not the Oil and Gas industries. Trump will take money from anyone, but his biggest paymasters are almost certainly Putin and Putin's cabal.
"Who else in their right minds would want to see these checks and balances dismantled, these faceless corporations are the only ones who will benefit."
W did.
W did.
1
In Trump's mind, he's not anyone's servant. As far as he's concerned, the universe exists to do his bidding. That's one definition of sociopathy.
The trump administration is trying desperately to usher in an era of anarchy and lawlessness that allows the rich to undermine the rule of law and our very democracy because they believe they will benefit financially from such anarchy.
What hypocrisy! Trump campaigned as someone who would combat the opioid crisis in the country, and now he wants to cut the resources of the Inspectors who are in a unique position to stop the flood of drugs that are trafficked through the U.S. Postal Service?
Read this testimony from Tammy Whitcomb, the Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service on the U.S. strategy to combat illicit drugs:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-Ma9Pbd31xUMlIxV3hMb1ByT2c/view?usp=dr...
The Inspectors General need more funding, not budget cuts and unfilled positions. Perhaps the real agenda of this administration is to Keep America Addicted.
Read this testimony from Tammy Whitcomb, the Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service on the U.S. strategy to combat illicit drugs:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-Ma9Pbd31xUMlIxV3hMb1ByT2c/view?usp=dr...
The Inspectors General need more funding, not budget cuts and unfilled positions. Perhaps the real agenda of this administration is to Keep America Addicted.
4
More news that should be on the front page, but?
4
it's going to cone down to obeying the law and respecting the Constitution
45 is toast the first crisis that hits - esp in a red state
45 is toast the first crisis that hits - esp in a red state
4
Encouraging government whistle-blowers when you aren't in power isn't much of an indicator that you support the role of inspectors general.
Regulations bad, tax-cuts good is pretty much the motto of the Republicans. Trump seems right on board with that. On top of which, he isn't going to want to empower any body which could conceivably add tentacles to 'the Deep State'.
It's just amazing how many norms we thought were laws have been cruelly revealed in how the government conducts itself. It turns out that if you have a credulous base who take all their information from a partisan source, both Houses and the Presidency you can pretty much do (or not do) whatever you want.
Republicans will tell stories of these days to their grandchildren. As they recount tales of how much money they raked in and how nobody and nothing could stop them, their eyes will mist up and they'll smile fondly into the distance.
Regulations bad, tax-cuts good is pretty much the motto of the Republicans. Trump seems right on board with that. On top of which, he isn't going to want to empower any body which could conceivably add tentacles to 'the Deep State'.
It's just amazing how many norms we thought were laws have been cruelly revealed in how the government conducts itself. It turns out that if you have a credulous base who take all their information from a partisan source, both Houses and the Presidency you can pretty much do (or not do) whatever you want.
Republicans will tell stories of these days to their grandchildren. As they recount tales of how much money they raked in and how nobody and nothing could stop them, their eyes will mist up and they'll smile fondly into the distance.
10
Trump as a thief , crook swindler knows he works best when unencumbered by the law. It amazes me so many stupid people in this country do not see him for the cheap criminal that he is.
29
He's not the only one. Birds of a feather will protect each other and keep the hunting fields open so they can continue to prey upon other people.
Women are familiar with the idea of predators making the water safe for other predators so that they can continue to prey upon without hindrance.
Women are familiar with the idea of predators making the water safe for other predators so that they can continue to prey upon without hindrance.
7
Mass elimination of all "inspectors"? Next the editors. Who's left, the police?
Who then will protect us from evil doers?
Who then will protect us from evil doers?
7
The White House, busy destroying checks and balances, gutting the inspector generals who make sure there is honesty and upright dealing.
So, complain to Congress? That gerrymandered body that won't do anything to buck their Chief? The GOP Congress? That one?
America, pay attention to the midterms and vote for Congress members who are opposing the White House right now!
If you wait to see the GOP and DINO incumbents who suddenly start saying "so sorry" as election day nears ... don't get sucked in by lies and stop being so gullible!
So, complain to Congress? That gerrymandered body that won't do anything to buck their Chief? The GOP Congress? That one?
America, pay attention to the midterms and vote for Congress members who are opposing the White House right now!
If you wait to see the GOP and DINO incumbents who suddenly start saying "so sorry" as election day nears ... don't get sucked in by lies and stop being so gullible!
8
The headline says Trump goes after the inspectors. Does Trump sign their paychecks? Let's face it. Somebody is trying to please Trump or at least obey
the people doing "Trump's" business. The investigative reporters might consider naming names. WHO is actually carrying out the wishes of the people who want to "do away with government" ? They might just be following orders, but
there were a lot of Nazis just following orders too. Somebody has to actually be
doing all these terrible things. I know, for starters. that I am not doing it.
the people doing "Trump's" business. The investigative reporters might consider naming names. WHO is actually carrying out the wishes of the people who want to "do away with government" ? They might just be following orders, but
there were a lot of Nazis just following orders too. Somebody has to actually be
doing all these terrible things. I know, for starters. that I am not doing it.
10
"The cuts in staff and budget would force inspectors general to do less, just as a new administration generates new matters to investigate."
I think that about says it all.
I think that about says it all.
8
Of course 45 would defund-to-destroy Inspectors having the authority to report corruption in his most questionable administration. When your stated goal is to shrink government by selling off the assets that have worth to your crony friends, a watchdog with teeth is the last thing you want breathing down your neck. Especially now that 45 is already up to his neck in inquiries into his kleptocratic ways. SAD!
165
I would say Pres. Trump does not want to "...shrink government by selling off the assets that have worth" to his crony friends; he wants to simply give the assets to them to be stripped and plundered away from the taxpayers who paid for them.
The Donald doesn't want ANYONE looking into ANYTHING unless they are LOYAL to Donald.
15
Not filling positions is the easiest way of unmooring the ship of state. The Captain is in his Suite down below while his first mate Bannon is at the helm . The Sturm und Drang (Storm and Fog) is deliberate in its creation as a means to an end , the creation of a Putin- like robber baron oligarchy that can only be thwarted by men and women of integrity who possess absolute belief in our Constitution and Rule Of Law .
15
For Mr. Trump this is a no brainer perfect for him. If you are about to rape and pilledge the government treasury or sell that to the highest bidder, oil companies et. al. you do not need someone looking over your shoulder. I would think his highest priority would be the IRS inspector who looks over the behavior of our tax system which has been a thorn in his side for decades. After all the only thing that matters to Trump is Trump and the effectiveness of government is irrelevant to him.
236
Yes, and if you asked the average American which presidency was most scandalous, they would probably say Clinton. But in reality it was Reagan who had the most cabinet officers and other appointees in deep trouble for malfeasance and possibly embezzlement (e.g., Neil Gorsuch's mother, Anne Gorsuch who was Reagan's EPA director and "lost $2.5 billion" in that agency before resigning.
1
How do you "drain the swamp" if you fire the chief swamp drainers?
218
Because "draining the swamp" was never the idea. It was meant to fool the gullible, and it succeeded.
This is what he and the GOP mean by 'draining the swamp'.
The ones that are happy with the status quo and are embedded (in bed in the swamp)? The watchers have not been watched to the tune of 20 trillion dollars. There's a new sheriff in town and he isn't queasy about ripping a tick out by the head.Don't worry he won't give an eloquent speech about how nothing can be doneafterwards
Question to ask Trump-
How does cutting funds to agencies that brings us much more money than they cost us make us greater?
How does cutting funds to agencies that brings us much more money than they cost us make us greater?
10
Banana Congress
+ Banana Administration
+ Banana President
___________________________
= Banana Republic
Sad :(
+ Banana Administration
+ Banana President
___________________________
= Banana Republic
Sad :(
28
Change Banana Administration, to
Banana Regime... that's what we currently have sitting in our WH
Banana Regime... that's what we currently have sitting in our WH
1
Dialectic of a deranged despot? Putin's theater of the absurd? The democracy lies in tatters while Congresspersons are busy raising money for their reelection.
9
It's simple -- get rid of all the supervising investigators so that no one will dispute anything you do, and you then, will be able to do any and everything you wish.
Hitler did it, Mussolini did it, Stalin did it, Batista did it, and those are just a few of the modern ones.
It is history re-read, over and over. We probably will never learn.
Hitler did it, Mussolini did it, Stalin did it, Batista did it, and those are just a few of the modern ones.
It is history re-read, over and over. We probably will never learn.
11
Hugo Chavez did and now the people of this oil rich nation are dying of starvation.
Does the NYT really think that the Republican Party wants ANYONE lifting up the rocks under which they dwell?
Its smelly, nasty and certainly not viewable by children though one burrow under the rock is always left open for money to be allowed in.
Its smelly, nasty and certainly not viewable by children though one burrow under the rock is always left open for money to be allowed in.
10
and you might want to let Alito know what you think of corporations as "people"
and the money he voted to permit to enter the political sphere.....
Free Speech? Like hell....guess who speaks louder Koch or you?
That blunder goes along in magnitude with our tragic foray into Iraq.....
Your elected leaders will only do what you let them do......
Resist
and the money he voted to permit to enter the political sphere.....
Free Speech? Like hell....guess who speaks louder Koch or you?
That blunder goes along in magnitude with our tragic foray into Iraq.....
Your elected leaders will only do what you let them do......
Resist
2
The swamp investor disguised his intent by claiming to drain the swamp.
This is the big lie.
There is a place in hell for Trump.
Let's hop it finds him soon.
This is the big lie.
There is a place in hell for Trump.
Let's hop it finds him soon.
11
One thing that our insecure weak incompetent ignorant immature stupid lying President Trump does not want is in any inspectors general or specific looking at his malign efforts to enhance his personal and family wealth by occupying the Oval Office of our White House aided and abetted by Vladimir Putin.
12
swamp McConnell with calls...post cards letters
...and you might want to tell Schumer to get on the ball too.....
...and you might want to tell Schumer to get on the ball too.....
1
Straight out of the Koch brothers radical Libertarian playbook. Starve the Fed Govt., and leave industry alone. They and their fellow travelers want to see us go back to conditions in this country reminiscent of the early 1900's. And the poor, the sick, the Unions, the planet be damned.
17
Where's the hysteria of last week? Wow, that wore off quick.
-Comey illegally leaks and outs the sources
-NYT publishes fake news
-Comey doesn't know that FBI agents must report crimes they witness
-Lynch asked Comey to lie and he complied
-Trump not under investigation
-Flynn not center of Russia probe
-No votes were changed
Is this why Trump supporters are just ecstatic right now?
-Comey illegally leaks and outs the sources
-NYT publishes fake news
-Comey doesn't know that FBI agents must report crimes they witness
-Lynch asked Comey to lie and he complied
-Trump not under investigation
-Flynn not center of Russia probe
-No votes were changed
Is this why Trump supporters are just ecstatic right now?
And then God made Man in his Image. . . .
2
well said........and somewhere along the way Man thought himself equal.....
1
Trump is a financial gangster ... and a CANCER on our Country!!
6
I am beginning to think that the menace to world order is ....this mentally ill
man who Putin has managed to use to create such chaos....
The disinformation on social media must be discredited....and some journalists
are crippled by this constant stream of false narrative....Perhaps a daily fact
check sheet on the OP ED...is needed.
LIARS.....and LIES.....cannot be the Normal News......LIES....do not belong
on the Front Pages of The New York Times....so this is the war that
The Fourth Estate must take on openly....and on a daily basis....
Let those do so on Television....and on Social Media...yes ....time for
a FACE DOWN.....on FACEBOOK......so journalists ...."ink up".....and polish
up your oratory skills...and good grammar matters when you speak out
and write...say what you mean...writers/orators ....and mean what you say.
and be brutally TRUTHFUL......when the light of truth shines....their is
definitely a future ahead for brave hearts in your trade....Go Lightly Go Well .
man who Putin has managed to use to create such chaos....
The disinformation on social media must be discredited....and some journalists
are crippled by this constant stream of false narrative....Perhaps a daily fact
check sheet on the OP ED...is needed.
LIARS.....and LIES.....cannot be the Normal News......LIES....do not belong
on the Front Pages of The New York Times....so this is the war that
The Fourth Estate must take on openly....and on a daily basis....
Let those do so on Television....and on Social Media...yes ....time for
a FACE DOWN.....on FACEBOOK......so journalists ...."ink up".....and polish
up your oratory skills...and good grammar matters when you speak out
and write...say what you mean...writers/orators ....and mean what you say.
and be brutally TRUTHFUL......when the light of truth shines....their is
definitely a future ahead for brave hearts in your trade....Go Lightly Go Well .
3
and for God's sake stop covering his diversions.....boring
and definitely NOT in the country's interest........
There are back pages of the NYTimes....use them for the nonsense if you feel you must cover the deliberate distractions......Don't tell me you can't out-maneuver
this twit!
Russia.......Russia.......Russia......and more Russia
and definitely NOT in the country's interest........
There are back pages of the NYTimes....use them for the nonsense if you feel you must cover the deliberate distractions......Don't tell me you can't out-maneuver
this twit!
Russia.......Russia.......Russia......and more Russia
2
How many checks and balances need to be eroded before congress feels the rage that should erupt like projectile vomiting? Are they waiting for a sign? A burning bush? Or, the reichstag burning down to the ground?
It's rather ironic to attack Trump on this, since The New York Times recently announced they were eliminating their one and only Public Editor.
7
It makes no sense to falsely equate the Federal Government and the NY Times editorial staff. While I am a long-term subscriber to and reader of the Times, there is no correlation between the staffing of their editorial department and billions or trillions of dollars of taxpayer dollars being misspent.
11
Phil, have you really read the article ?
Trump doesn't like oversight -- in his business, in his taxes, in his personal life and, most significantly, in his dealings with Russia. With a crook, serial liar and sexual predator in the White House we need IGs more than ever, including a special IG just to oversee the presidency. Trump doesn't know what he's cutting because he doesn't read. This is Bannon's work.
8
Donald the Distroyer
1
Every critique of Trump contained herein is spot on, but the writers all forget something: Trump voters and a majority of Republicans don't care. THEY DON'T CARE. They know who they hate---the black ex-President and all the people who voted for him, the blacks, the browns, the gays, the Jews (except for Kushner, for now)---and as long as they think, imagine, believe that Trump is sticking to to those people, he can do whatever the hell else he want. They'll put on his cap, they'll chant his slogans.
6
All that remains to be seen is if Trump was to jump off of a cliff, will his supporters, those who fervently believe in him, follow him over the edge, or realize they have been bamboozled by a skilled grifter and con artist.
1
and when their healthcare disables them and casts them aside.........what then?
That another little thing that belongs on the front page....every day
That another little thing that belongs on the front page....every day
2
Why would he want anyone seeing him as he raids the till?
This administration is criminal. Literally.
This administration is criminal. Literally.
3
Trump and the Republican Party are a scourge on this country. This is just one example among many of the nefarious attempts at undermining our democracy. Beyond that their policies are consistently wrong. Those of you supporting this need to wake up and vote them out of office.
4
More of Bannon deconstruction of the administrative state. Drag your feet and don't fill positions. The next administration will have to rebuild.
3
And his ignorant base will cheer him on.
5
Whatever the GOP was before, it has now become a gang of barbarians, shredding and stealing everything they can. They dream of turning us into Russia, with Trump as our Putin, and the Republican leaders as our oligarchs. Where there will be no law, except whatever benefit them.
As for the rest of us ... we can either die or become subservient, begging for whatever crumbs they decide to toss. Under this fascist regime ordinary people will have next to nothing. Healthcare will be only for the very rich. There will be no retirement, except for the rich. They will steal all the money people have put into Social Security & Medicare for themselves. Everyone else will work till they die.
And when this plague of barbarian locusts have squeezed every penny of wealth they can out of the United States and turned it into a slag heap, we'll simply be abandoned as they move on to a country that hasn't been destroyed yet. And then they will destroy that one too.
This way of life will inevitably destroy the Republican locusts ... I mean, oligarchs. But they don't have the ability to think ahead anymore than the insects they resemble.
As for the rest of us ... we can either die or become subservient, begging for whatever crumbs they decide to toss. Under this fascist regime ordinary people will have next to nothing. Healthcare will be only for the very rich. There will be no retirement, except for the rich. They will steal all the money people have put into Social Security & Medicare for themselves. Everyone else will work till they die.
And when this plague of barbarian locusts have squeezed every penny of wealth they can out of the United States and turned it into a slag heap, we'll simply be abandoned as they move on to a country that hasn't been destroyed yet. And then they will destroy that one too.
This way of life will inevitably destroy the Republican locusts ... I mean, oligarchs. But they don't have the ability to think ahead anymore than the insects they resemble.
5
Mary Anne I am gratified that your comment was published. Previously I have written comments that the difference between us and the ancient civilizations which were destroyed by invading barbarians was that our barbarians are already here. Posing as us. But I didn't see them published. I was worried that the use of the term "barbarian" was too strong for those who would ruin our freedom and country from withing. But I an relieved that it seems to be acceptable.
I wonder if Trump's proclivities to insulate American is really a ruse to allow unseen and unfettered control such as occurs behind closed doors at his businesses or when someone shuts off their family from the outside world?
I wonder if Trump's proclivities to insulate American is really a ruse to allow unseen and unfettered control such as occurs behind closed doors at his businesses or when someone shuts off their family from the outside world?
1
Trump probably plans to privatize the whole Civil Service, put it on the stock exchanges, and load himself and his family members with stock options of the new issue before it starts trading.
A time and period of governance of the country will be forever stamped with the forward written by the GOP congressional/senate members with the trump footnote of shame.
My little understanding of why are they, the leadership congress/senate so willing to see and understand what happens today is forever inscribed in history, that the historical documents will be shown as a tarnished nation, an example to the rest of the world what happens when the 'agents of chaos' are let loose in the capital of the US.
My little understanding of why are they, the leadership congress/senate so willing to see and understand what happens today is forever inscribed in history, that the historical documents will be shown as a tarnished nation, an example to the rest of the world what happens when the 'agents of chaos' are let loose in the capital of the US.
Is there no end to the sleaze?
2
of course
Does anybody know just how concerned Trump himself is interested in such matters, which have no value to him in promoting his image, and must be extreme minutiae for a guy who can't be bothered to read a one page summary of a bill he is signing.
C'mon, NYT, let's dig a little. Isn't it likely to be a Bannon-Mercer thing, part of disassembling democracy?
C'mon, NYT, let's dig a little. Isn't it likely to be a Bannon-Mercer thing, part of disassembling democracy?
5
If Trump can take the time to personally block individuals (a teenager from Mass over the weekend as reported on local TV) from receiving his twitter feed from @realDonaldTrump or report that "Ivanka on @foxandfriends now!" I suspect that Trump can be caught up in the minutiae pretty easily.
Nor would I consider eliminating inspector generals as extreme minutiae.
Nor would I consider eliminating inspector generals as extreme minutiae.
1
Trump is not draining the swamp to remove corruption in government, he is moving it to larger Trump owned property.
1
"Lotta room in that swamp", is what Chalky White says about a situation in "Boardwalk Empire."
2
Frightening. All are consumed with the numerous scandals, while this is a serious undermining of our government. The press needs to continue emphasizing the horror behind the obvious.
1
Sad is that this is all part of a de-civilization process (like Norbert Elias once described) that will go on and on, backed and defended by big money and corruption. Big money thinks it can survive de-civilization. System theory will prove them wrong, See the chaos theory. They will surely fail unless they already have moved all their riches to a separate inhabitable planet.
2
Drain the Swamp? NO. Create a tar pit.
2
Bet you won't see this story during Primetime on FOX News.
1
This is a perfect example of the Fox guarding the Hen House, What we have is a fraud ( Trump University ) in control of an Agency that could impeach him. This is a repeat of Nazism, it can’t happen here, That’s what righteous Germans said.Lets not wait for the Brown Shirts to march down our streets. It’s time for all righteous Americans no matter what Party to come together for the common good, & save our Nation, and realize we are dealing with a deranged individual, who must be replaced.
2
When will Trump begin calling for vast investigations of FBI, CIA, NSA, Congress, DOJ, and every government agency to find the source of the Putin spies/conspirators? They must be lurking somewhere. The fact that Putin continues to deny the existence of Russian infiltration and manipulation is evidence enough. History has proved that every Russian government denial was found to be a reality. The Russians doth protest too much!
3
I am surprised that Trump has not done away with Mr. Mueller's salary. That pesky investigation has got to go.
3
Trump has spent his entire life exploiting everything he can from anyone he can. Why in the world would he want to support any program whose goal was to reduce it? He loves exploiters! They are the winners!
10
Trump's petulant, arrogant, ignorant and self interested assault on the American government oversight and regulatory apparatus is unprecedented. Even morRon, "you ain't seen nothin' yet", didn't have Donnie's scope.
Big government is necessary government for a country of America's enormous complexity. How much of this deregulation is vindictive springing from T's corporate beatings?
Big government is necessary government for a country of America's enormous complexity. How much of this deregulation is vindictive springing from T's corporate beatings?
12
45's sole reason for getting his tiny little hands on the reins of government is to seek revenge, as he seeks revenge for his low inauguration count, revenge for his loss of the popular vote by 3 million votes, revenge for having to follow the rules that we all must as Americans, revenge on all those who would not kiss the tiny little ring finger of his inadequate hand. Revenge has often been the modus operandi for this unaware ill-educated brute. SAD!
1
The people must speak up. This is our nation, not Trump Land. Enough.
12
Once again we read an infuriating screed regarding the Trump administration and feel powerless. Tell us what to do to stop this!
We're regular citizens who are busy with our work-a-day lives...
We're regular citizens who are busy with our work-a-day lives...
7
We, the regular citizens, will feel, bigly, the effects of the ineptness of the Trump "presidency" as he postures himself, and his grifter family, to be free of regulations and the oversight that accompanies the regulations. Sad.
Nothing can be done until and unless the House gets the power to investigate and introduce legislation.
When will this person be impeached? It is embarrassing to see how he continues to lie and scheme to promote his agenda for the super wealthy .1% and some up to the1%. I don't believe he is one of .1%, because he was never a very successful business man. (Note he is not showing his tax returns). He will now try to use this office to get there. Reagan and Bannon is his Idol. Everything the GOP, lobbyists and cronies have done is to enrich themselves. The middle class and below will find themselves struggling even more that started with the lying to main street Reagan era. I wish citizens look at facts instead of recentment toward each other.
5
Everyone,please remember who is at the head. The King of fraud and abuse is running the show. Pad the pockets of the family and friends. Hold no one accountable, least himself. Lie, cheat and deceive. That's Donald and his family.
Maybe, just maybe, the gutless Paul Ryan will find the courage to stop making excuse for Trump. The only other hope we have is Donald being Donald, and he will shoot himself in the foot, again and again. Eventually. Congress will have no choice but do their job.
Maybe, just maybe, the gutless Paul Ryan will find the courage to stop making excuse for Trump. The only other hope we have is Donald being Donald, and he will shoot himself in the foot, again and again. Eventually. Congress will have no choice but do their job.
9
Such a long list of "abuses" of the office of the presidency by the person who has embarrassed us throughout the world. What more can be said about him and the puppet masters, cowards, enablers, incompetents, and greedy surrogates who run the administration?
They are dedicated to weakening the fabric of America !
They are dedicated to weakening the fabric of America !
3
Great editorial -- nice that not everyone is distracted by the circus at the White House.
10
It's too bad that the TSA ignores or gives lip service to all the needed improvements set forth by the DHS Inspector General, John Roth.
This editorial gives its readers yet another reason to contact their elected officials.
Truth, justice and the American way seems to be morphing into Catch Us If You Can.
Sad.
Truth, justice and the American way seems to be morphing into Catch Us If You Can.
Sad.
Either the "president" is, to put it gently, not aware of of the service the inspectors general provide, or, he and/or his courtiers or members of his billionaires boys club have a need to rid themselves of this pesky oversight activity.
Bottom line, if we don't have someone watching the government, what will the grifters in our White House do next that will raise many eyebrows.
Bottom line, if we don't have someone watching the government, what will the grifters in our White House do next that will raise many eyebrows.
2
Welcome back to the robber barons and their leader with his slogan " you're fired". Protection for workers (yes - miners too!), consumers, and the Maddofs of this world. It's sad to see decades of protection lost ito the whims of one man and his party. His America Great idea is almost verbatim from the KKK declaration of it's charter. White supremacy for the few. Bleak prospects for the next four years.
What ever happened to "We the people?"
6
Bid'ness is Bid'ness is Bid'ness folks. We don't need no stinking inspectors. I am businessman. Trust me!
1
A woman posted in the Washington Post that she goes to bed every night thinking it can't get any worse and gets up in the morning to find that it has.
4
This is not about saving money!
Once again, this is Trump trying to dismantle anyone, any agency, any authority who will put him in hand cuffs and prevent him from personally digging into the nations coffers. He doesn't care about the people who voted for him and hoped for something better.
His greed and ego makes one want to vomit. But the Republicans just don't want to see it. They are all united! ... in following the Pied Piper into the abyss !
Once again, this is Trump trying to dismantle anyone, any agency, any authority who will put him in hand cuffs and prevent him from personally digging into the nations coffers. He doesn't care about the people who voted for him and hoped for something better.
His greed and ego makes one want to vomit. But the Republicans just don't want to see it. They are all united! ... in following the Pied Piper into the abyss !
5
No surprise, grifters and the law don't mix well.
3
The public cannot give up their loud, enormous demonstrations. Nor can they stop calling and writing Senators and Representatives, every day. How important is this country, and its freedoms, to you? What are you willing to do to save it from a monster...a TEAM of monsters.
9
This is the most corrupt administration in our nstion's history. Trump has no interest in eliminating waste, fraud and abuse.
4
Don't you see what's happening?
This is straight out of the tin-pot dictator's playbook.
It is literally step 2. Once you get into office, immediately begin to degrade democratic checks on your power, especially the press and the courts.
Trump openly admires Eastern European dictators who have destroyed their democracies. He is following their example step by step.
If you don't see what Trump is doing in relation to this overarching strategy, then you don't know what you're dealing with.
This is straight out of the tin-pot dictator's playbook.
It is literally step 2. Once you get into office, immediately begin to degrade democratic checks on your power, especially the press and the courts.
Trump openly admires Eastern European dictators who have destroyed their democracies. He is following their example step by step.
If you don't see what Trump is doing in relation to this overarching strategy, then you don't know what you're dealing with.
8
OUTRAGEOUS, the phony is behaving hypocritically.
The folks need to be aware.
FAKE thriftiness.
The GOP has no shame when they delete the I.G.
The folks need to be aware.
FAKE thriftiness.
The GOP has no shame when they delete the I.G.
2
The world according to Trump is getting real old, just like him.
4
Trump wants to remove all oversight, so that President Bannon's goal of dismantling our country will be that much easier.
4
Getting rid of all the cops. C'mon, people, as so eloquently and plainly stated in the film Pulp Fiction: This Is A Robbery!
5
I'd like to see an in-depth article on this subject. Is this an example of "deconstructing the administrative state?" Recent news reports have Bannon back in Trump's good graces. God help us.
As a foreignor I have the luxury of being entertained.It is no longer funny. Things are getting ugly and disgusting. This sends a bad message around the world and bad precedents for the future
5
trump is not smart enough to consider these actions. President Bannon is at work here.
7
Bannon's deconstruction through attrition.
3
What if the Gambino crime family had the power fire detectives and FBI agents investigating their many illegal activities?
What if they could have cut the budgets of police and prosecutors who served as the foot soldiers on the streets and in the court proceedings that took the stopped bad guys who undermine society?
In other words, what if they could starve away, with budget cuts, or flat out remove the watchdogs and public servants who made it hard for them, and associates who feed their pockets and maintain their criminal empire?
Well, thankfully they could not.
But the Trump Crime Family can.
In matters personal/political (think Russia investigation and the desperate act of firing Comey) or affecting friends in the energy or financial industry who can repay with riches (political cash and, who knows with these people, monetary kickbacks), they would love to systematic let the fox guard the hen houses that affect us all. Or have no guard at all.
Why would bad actors - and their cronies in high places - want anyone watching them? Especially when you can now fire people and cut budgets.
Think.
Then remove as many of these anti-American people as possible by voting in November 2018 and 2020.
Before they ruin everything.
What if they could have cut the budgets of police and prosecutors who served as the foot soldiers on the streets and in the court proceedings that took the stopped bad guys who undermine society?
In other words, what if they could starve away, with budget cuts, or flat out remove the watchdogs and public servants who made it hard for them, and associates who feed their pockets and maintain their criminal empire?
Well, thankfully they could not.
But the Trump Crime Family can.
In matters personal/political (think Russia investigation and the desperate act of firing Comey) or affecting friends in the energy or financial industry who can repay with riches (political cash and, who knows with these people, monetary kickbacks), they would love to systematic let the fox guard the hen houses that affect us all. Or have no guard at all.
Why would bad actors - and their cronies in high places - want anyone watching them? Especially when you can now fire people and cut budgets.
Think.
Then remove as many of these anti-American people as possible by voting in November 2018 and 2020.
Before they ruin everything.
485
Trump crime family -- very good! Hope you don't mind if I borrow that when referring to them in conversation!
This is stated as thoroughly as it can be stated...... This is our Democracy that is at stake..... Please step up... and help us protect it......
'IF' has happened. Now America has to find a solution to put an end to this state of affairs.
As I understand it, Inspectors are supposed to uncover the potential 'weakness', given the occasion, to enrich ourselves at somebody else's expense...if we think nobody is watching. And we do not need to be paranoid about it, given the pervasive cheating going on, uncovered by inspectors, and recovering it's loot (plunder). But don't go telling this to "our" crook, used to steal in plain daylight, thus far with impunity.
3
Laws are only effective if they are enforced. This administration is certainly bent on destroying our government of laws to let corruption run rampant, with the willing support of the Republicans. Government of the rich for the rich, the rest of us - caveat emptor.
3
Only those whose mission is to destroy the the rule of law would engage in going after the inspectors. If the Republican Congress chooses to ignore it's basic job of upholding the rule of law, then it is the people's onerous task to remove the obstructors. Therein lies the peril, because when the electoral process is compromised and corrupted, the only recourse is chaos.
6
It's easy to point to Donald Trump and insist he's the one behind this move, except that it has Steve Bannon written all over it. By removing Inspectors and other watchdogs, the path to destroying the government lies clear -- something that's made all the easier with a complicit and servile Congress.
For the most part, the writing should have been on the wall when the Republican House first made an effort to gut the independent Office of Congressional Ethics.
It's all been downhill since then.
In that sense, it's hardly surprising that Mr. Trump is having a difficult time filling all posts.
Swearing loyalty to HIM, and not the United States of America is not part of the job description.
For the most part, the writing should have been on the wall when the Republican House first made an effort to gut the independent Office of Congressional Ethics.
It's all been downhill since then.
In that sense, it's hardly surprising that Mr. Trump is having a difficult time filling all posts.
Swearing loyalty to HIM, and not the United States of America is not part of the job description.
6
It's great that the IGs indentify so much fraud and corruption. The positions need to be staffed. But why do so many government agencies have so much fraud and corruption.. What is structurally wrong with how these agencies and departments are run, and what is wrong with the people that run them?
If the Republican/Trump destructive actions create more corruption and a scandal down the road, they will certainly take political advantage at that point to say "See?! Government doesn't work. Let's privatize everything..." to get more campaign contributions from industry beneficiaries.
2
This is becoming 1984 when the government does away with facts, any form of facts---which of course, allows Trump and the GOP to make claim after claim with no ability to check what they are claiming. You must say, in a distorted way, it is a brilliant strategy for allowing the deep state to go completely dark.
4
I wonder how long it will take to reach the It's A Wonderful Life moment. You know, the one where George finally realizes that because he wasn't there people didn't have homes, his brother didn't save all those soldiers, and the town was a wreck.
Only this will be why didn't the government do something about those faulty cars, those weakened bridges, those bankers who stole all our money, those dangerous products. Only the answer will be, "You didn't elect a government that does that sort of things, so your daughter is dead and your retirement account reads 0."
Sadly, it will be interesting to see what it takes.
Only this will be why didn't the government do something about those faulty cars, those weakened bridges, those bankers who stole all our money, those dangerous products. Only the answer will be, "You didn't elect a government that does that sort of things, so your daughter is dead and your retirement account reads 0."
Sadly, it will be interesting to see what it takes.
2
Are we surprised? GOP is famous for screaming about government waste as a political show but then cutting the funds to actually cut the waste. They treat the funds to cut waste as the waste.
3
Let's not hold our collective breath waiting for Republicans in Congress to lift a finger to ensure we have a full complement of IGs or that their offices are fully funded. After all, why shouldn't the employees at the Interior Department (to use one example) be able to cozy up to the oil industry on a regular basis?
Isn't it wonderful that Trump can simply not make appointments to key IG positions and hobble their ability to uncover fraud, waste and abuse within the federal agencies -- and then turn around and boast: "See, we can massively reduce the size of the federal government and it still functions just fine."
Isn't it wonderful that Trump can simply not make appointments to key IG positions and hobble their ability to uncover fraud, waste and abuse within the federal agencies -- and then turn around and boast: "See, we can massively reduce the size of the federal government and it still functions just fine."
1
The last thing Scammers want is inspectors or regulators. Seriously.
4
Republicans always complain about government waste and corruption.
And, they do not want anyone inspecting waste and corruption.
It is not a mystery:
Republicans do not want to be caught being wasteful and corrupt.
And, they do not want anyone inspecting waste and corruption.
It is not a mystery:
Republicans do not want to be caught being wasteful and corrupt.
1
It really sounds to me like Trump is taking down America. He is removing all the checks and balances, rules of law, vital regulations, and is against climate control, affordable health care for all, gun control aka the easy availability of acquiring military issue assault weapons, could care less about our national security when we came under attack, and abhors all democratic governments starting with his own. This list grows daily.
I hesitate to say the man is evil as I don't want to sound like one of the lunatic fringe, but all signs point that way.
There is no question that Inspector Generals are desperately needed and should be funded. As a businessman he should be happy they are returning $14 on every dollar spent on their office budgets as this article reports.
What is more desperately needed is an American president and not a Putin wannabe.
I hesitate to say the man is evil as I don't want to sound like one of the lunatic fringe, but all signs point that way.
There is no question that Inspector Generals are desperately needed and should be funded. As a businessman he should be happy they are returning $14 on every dollar spent on their office budgets as this article reports.
What is more desperately needed is an American president and not a Putin wannabe.
2
"Plain bad management." Like how the Trump-Kushner organizations are run, leaving others to absorb losses? They can't run the country into the ground while inspectors are "leaking" reports of their malfeasance.
Trump wants to be the only judge, jury and terminator.
Trump wants to be the only judge, jury and terminator.
1
Trump's war against inspector general shows that he does know how government works -- when it suits him. His recent many debacles, domestic and international, may be it's not so much "incompetence" but a preference for those particular ways of doing things. Those particular ways of doing things maybe detrimental to a 'government' but is very profitable to Trump Organization. We keep judging him by the lens of a 'good government'. That is probably the wrong standard . So far, news are his Trump businesses and his business associates have bloomed.
2
I get so angry when I read stuff like this. It's frustrating to watch evil taking over our country and not to be able to do anything about it. And no, it isn't hyperbole. When you are talking about a "health care" plan which has the sole aim of setting the stage for "tax reform", neither of which means anything good for the poor and middle class, it is evil. It is evil because of the fact that, if people cannot get affordable health care, a certain percentage of them are going to die. All in service of lowering taxes on the wealthy and large corporations. This bunch of Republican legislators and their so-called president need to be thrown off the government payroll as soon as possible.
5
I have been on the receiving end of many of these inspections. I worked in the DOD and these inspections were difficult and scary. A team walks in that knows your job as well or better than you and they start asking questions. You better have your area of responsibility in order or you are going to be found out pretty quick. We maintained things in near inspection order but in the months leading up to a review, you dug deep. Without these inspections, things would not receive the proper oversight and the people responsible would not maintain standards.
2
This government simply doesn't want anyone or anything overseeing its nefarious activities.
2
Back on the campaign trail, I seem to recall something about Trump saying how he was going to reduce government waste and fraud. So puzzling that things look to be very different now.
2
Appoint a Goldman Sachs scion as treasury secretary and defang the office monitoring the taxpayer bailouts for big banks from the 2008 crash? Clearly looking out for the little people.
The sad part is how do you get even a hint of these facts to Fox news nation, there is an entire portion of the country living in a complete propaganda media bubble. There are plenty of good republicans out there who need to wake up and realize putting party before country is deeply damaging to this country.
The sad part is how do you get even a hint of these facts to Fox news nation, there is an entire portion of the country living in a complete propaganda media bubble. There are plenty of good republicans out there who need to wake up and realize putting party before country is deeply damaging to this country.
What a surprise. An administration that is thoroughly committed to corruption, giving private enterprise the ability to ride roughshod over the safety of the public, and the diversion of public wealth to private pockets wants to get rid of the people charged with keeping government agencies on the up-and-up, with curbing "waste, fraud, and abuse."
Undoubtedly this will be featured prominently on Faux Noise.
Undoubtedly this will be featured prominently on Faux Noise.
As an apostate, this POTUS seems to be heading straight towards an apotheosis of totalitarianism, conceivably. Someone ought to do something to nail this guy, and refreshingly enough, the AGs, of DC, and Maryland are trying to give it a go, by trying to sue him, lately. If Trump's misdeeds are proven to be a cast iron evidence, and if enough of his past misadventures are brought to limelight, the ''i'' word (impeachment) can be rejuvenated.
Or, if the rest of the GOP, somehow, starts to mutiny, and Trump's jousting against the truth-seeking journalists reach a zenith, certain elements of dissatisfaction form the GOP rank and file, the journalists and the public can be harnessed to impugn Trump in some way or the other. He seems to be rapidly inching towards a Rubicon of intractability.
His actions and words have been describing him as a Gordian knot. But Paul Ryan might defend Trump as a new guy to politics and will continue to play his second fiddle. Others might follow him suit. Or not. And that might be woefully pathetic. One wishes the detail gatherers all the godspeed and godsend. If we don't get him, we will be forced to let him.
Or, if the rest of the GOP, somehow, starts to mutiny, and Trump's jousting against the truth-seeking journalists reach a zenith, certain elements of dissatisfaction form the GOP rank and file, the journalists and the public can be harnessed to impugn Trump in some way or the other. He seems to be rapidly inching towards a Rubicon of intractability.
His actions and words have been describing him as a Gordian knot. But Paul Ryan might defend Trump as a new guy to politics and will continue to play his second fiddle. Others might follow him suit. Or not. And that might be woefully pathetic. One wishes the detail gatherers all the godspeed and godsend. If we don't get him, we will be forced to let him.
2
As a parent, I'd have taken away driving privileges (ok, to be honest, I'd have had him use his own money to buy a bus pass to begin with), instituted a curfew, etc for behavior like the President's. With only the gleeful teenagers of the GOP caught up in what they are getting away with for a curb, a check, on his awful behavior, it's up to those of us outside the Beltway to reign them in.
It doesn't take much to recognize that ALL the good works and corruption caught by the Inspectors General is EXACTLY what Donald Trump wants to shut down. We are talking about a President who is using his office to enrich himself and his family in clear violation of the Emoluments Clause and other Constitutional restrictions. He hammer-locked the GSA to declare his illegal ownership of of hotel in the Old Post Office "legal" and THAT is what we can expect from the CIC--Crook-in-Charge.
Today I learned that Trump is actually planning on Congress failing to pass a budget and then the Government will shut down in the fall. That's clearly the Steve Bannon plan, his "Lenist" plan, because THAT is the moment that Donald Trump can take control of the Government and act with plenipotentiary power, ie, as a dictator.
He's already got the propaganda machine running full steam, pumping out lies about Comey "exonerating" Trump, street thugs inciting violence that the prop machine blames on the other side.
And finally, there's the fact that Trump cannot act as a popular President can because his approval rating can't even reach 40%--the lowest for any President in his first year...since polls have been taken.
America is on the cusp between remaining a Constitutional democratic republic, or an empire run by a corrupt dictatorship.
Today I learned that Trump is actually planning on Congress failing to pass a budget and then the Government will shut down in the fall. That's clearly the Steve Bannon plan, his "Lenist" plan, because THAT is the moment that Donald Trump can take control of the Government and act with plenipotentiary power, ie, as a dictator.
He's already got the propaganda machine running full steam, pumping out lies about Comey "exonerating" Trump, street thugs inciting violence that the prop machine blames on the other side.
And finally, there's the fact that Trump cannot act as a popular President can because his approval rating can't even reach 40%--the lowest for any President in his first year...since polls have been taken.
America is on the cusp between remaining a Constitutional democratic republic, or an empire run by a corrupt dictatorship.
1
Now that's the way to do it. Tell people you're a great manager and want to make government run more efficiently, then propose to fire the folks who save money by making the government more efficient.
It's not just that he's a self-centered and impulsive boor, he's also really stupid.
It's not just that he's a self-centered and impulsive boor, he's also really stupid.
2
Bipartisan willingness to do something good? No way! Trump and his cronies want protection for Trump and his cronies, and if any agency or inspector is not good for them, it is to be squashed. Trump, having destroyed anything decent left in in the Republican Party, is now trying to destroy anything decent left in the USA.
Mr. Trump is all for having citizens arrested if they protest his rallies. But wants all who scrutinize him or his cronies shackled or fired - unless of course they are willing supplicants and take his orders.
Would he like to do without bodyguards?
Well, Inspectors General are the equivalent of bodyguards. For the body politic.
If he needs bodyguards, so do we! If he wants us to give ours up, so should he!
Personally, I see trump as like a terrorist in the White House. Willing to harm society, while protecting himself - every which way! (He's failing left and right, of course, but still is very, very dangerous to us all.)
We need governmental protections. To make sure government stays clean. Any honest politician should have no reason to deprive us of those who police our institutions of government. Every last institution. And every last public servant.
Let's have more Inspectors General! Not less!
Would he like to do without bodyguards?
Well, Inspectors General are the equivalent of bodyguards. For the body politic.
If he needs bodyguards, so do we! If he wants us to give ours up, so should he!
Personally, I see trump as like a terrorist in the White House. Willing to harm society, while protecting himself - every which way! (He's failing left and right, of course, but still is very, very dangerous to us all.)
We need governmental protections. To make sure government stays clean. Any honest politician should have no reason to deprive us of those who police our institutions of government. Every last institution. And every last public servant.
Let's have more Inspectors General! Not less!
1
FAilure to properly staff, manage, and administer the government, so that it functions on behalf of the citizens, seems to me to be a VERY high crime!
The evisceration of the agencies of the Federal government that work for the people of the United States under both Democratic and Republican administrations merits the front page coverage that Trump Tweets and Spicer denials do not.
Department of State, EPA, Energy, FDA, OIG, CFPB, IRS....
It is not Trump alone. All members of the Republican Congress are complicit.
Department of State, EPA, Energy, FDA, OIG, CFPB, IRS....
It is not Trump alone. All members of the Republican Congress are complicit.
2
Please let's stop sugar coating what is going on. This administration does not want watch dogs. This administration wants to run an authoritarian regime.
As I write about this and think about it, I have a disconnect. It can't be real, it makes me feel paranoid. But I do believe, that we are watching our democracy being suffocated. Those who still support Trump understand perfectly well what is going on. Those supporters are willing to give up our democracy in order to have a white, Christian rule of law. Just like many in Germany were willing to do anything to have an Aryan nation.
Anything else that we think or write about is just a distraction from the 2 main points which are 1. Russia is working to topple our democracy 2. Trump's White House is quite willing to see that happen too.
Winning is 2018 sounds like a great concept but I am not sure our democracy will last that long.
As I write about this and think about it, I have a disconnect. It can't be real, it makes me feel paranoid. But I do believe, that we are watching our democracy being suffocated. Those who still support Trump understand perfectly well what is going on. Those supporters are willing to give up our democracy in order to have a white, Christian rule of law. Just like many in Germany were willing to do anything to have an Aryan nation.
Anything else that we think or write about is just a distraction from the 2 main points which are 1. Russia is working to topple our democracy 2. Trump's White House is quite willing to see that happen too.
Winning is 2018 sounds like a great concept but I am not sure our democracy will last that long.
If fraud happens but there is nobody to inspect it, did it really happen?
1
As soon as we can take away their air traffic control altogether, these pols can take away our safety programs, inspectors general, what have you.
They like somebody looking out for them, while in the Air, we like somebody looking out for us while they're on the ground.
Equal protection!
They like somebody looking out for them, while in the Air, we like somebody looking out for us while they're on the ground.
Equal protection!
Sounds suspiciously like standard operating procedure for a Trump casino. In other words, business as usual.
1
I "hope" that you can drop this thing about inspector generals. They get in the way of the good guys. You have Trump's word for it.
All valid complaints about this Administration, but President Obama also did not fill IG positions. The failure to nominate IGs to lead independent oversight of Federal agencies is not new. Of particular note, Secretary Clinton did not have an IG for the entire time she served.
Steve Bannon has assured Trump that if he totally "deconstructs the administrative state", Trump will be able to sweep in with complete control of the country. It's a devils's bargain...I get this, you get that. As chaos begins to ensue, the "state" will need to take control. Bannon gets his dream and Trump gets his kingdom. Win-win.
2
After campaigning against waste fraud and abuse, and for draining the swamp, TWITUS makes sure there is more waste fraud and abuse in the murkiest swamp in at least a century.
I understand why TWITUS doesn't want anyone who is qualified in his cabinet or inspecting the workings of his corruption, but why are the Republicans so willing to collaborate?
I understand why TWITUS doesn't want anyone who is qualified in his cabinet or inspecting the workings of his corruption, but why are the Republicans so willing to collaborate?
Every single element of of good government is under assault while Congressional Republicans bemoan Trump's unfortunate Twitter habit and his inexperience, ignoring his malice, stupidity, incompetence, and unsuitability for any role in government whatsoever.
Another indicator of the level of corruption and lies of the Trump administration. It is not because they don't 'know' what they are doing and 'new' at the job. They are intent on taking down the Federal government at all costs because they don't want to pay any federal income taxes. 'States Rights' yahooo NOT! It's no longer 1776 people Join the 21st Century
Pretty sure rumpus trumpus has no idea what the Inspectors General do, why they are necessary and how they save the US money. Apparently, he doesn't read, has no understanding of government and no attention span to listen. This is the Bannon Agenda with full cooperation of the Republican Party. They will ram through their selfish self-serving policies and trump won't even know or care.
2
This is another area in the Trump atrocities that scares me. When he finally leaves office how many years and billions will it take to put it all back together again?
2
Keep a tally - Donald Trump is a middle class job killer.
Not filling thousands of jobs in the government and eliminating thousands of jobs of government workers is killing the middle class.
Not filling thousands of jobs in the government and eliminating thousands of jobs of government workers is killing the middle class.
Other newly elected Presidents have taken their cues from Washington, Jefferson or Lincoln. Mr. Trump takes his from Putin. It is hard to catch a thief if the door is left open and no one is looking.
Why is The Right always trying to undo regulatory and investigative agencies? They're always telling us they're the "Law and Order" party.........this is just more proof that the current republican party is a direct threat to our democracy and our country. They are dangerous, they are dishonest, and they are almost completely in power of all 3 of our branches of government. This is terrifying.
So what is this Trump/Republican gang planning that they are afraid of anyone seeing? Don't forget that currently the Inspectors General have only been looking into situations that occurred during previous administrations. Those prior administrations didn't see fit to prevent investigations and much bad information arose. How bad a future is Trump planning that makes him fear independent review? Let's hope we don't have to find out.
If I were incompetent, mendacious, corrupt, and of a mind to hide something, then I would try and limit the numbers of people whose jobs it is to watch and catch people such as myself from doing bad things. ANY action, however wrapped in benign or budgetary language (“OMG, who knew government protections could be so expensive?”) that limits the “watchers and catchers” weakens our government because it allows improper and illegal behavior to remain unchecked. That is what despots, tyrants, and all manner of authoritarian regimes like that of Putin do, and it is inconsistent with American fealty to the Rule of Law. Make no mistake, Trump and his stooges Bannon and Miller, wish to disassemble our government in order that they can more easily centralize control over it. Destroying the Offices of Inspector Generals is a beginning, not the end of the process of destruction but their intentions are clear.
499
Agree completely - just one little quibble, better said: Bannon and his stooges Trump and Miller.
Inspectors General
Trump wants "fealty" only to him, not to the rule of law.
Reagan and W did the same thing, making it difficult to impossible for government agencies to do their job. Why is it a surprise to people when they vote for Republicans that this happens? They both appointed people hostile to their agencies/departments' missions -- James Watt? Anne Gorsuch? Under both Reagan and W, financial regulation was cut back, federal banking regulators' examination staffs were cut, and policies and procedures were enacted making it much more difficult for examiners to have the time and resources to find banks' problems before they became disasters. Surprise, two financial crises. Sound familar? I don't really care very much any more who the parties' candidates are. There's only one party that, despite its obvious problems, wants at all to govern, and it isn't the Greedy Old Party.
3
The irony of it all...the mantra of Trump and GOP members of congress is budgets have to be cut because the wasteful spending every federal agency (except of course the Pentagon).
The promise to "drain the swamp" and protect citizens tax dollars from theft and unneeded programs (read social programs which meets the needs of tax payers)
will be hampered by cuts to the budget of the inspectors general.
This is clearly an attempt to to hide the potential misuse of funds by the Trump administration--use of the federal government for personal gain.
The promise to "drain the swamp" and protect citizens tax dollars from theft and unneeded programs (read social programs which meets the needs of tax payers)
will be hampered by cuts to the budget of the inspectors general.
This is clearly an attempt to to hide the potential misuse of funds by the Trump administration--use of the federal government for personal gain.
3
All through the Obama Administration, these Republican psychotics in Congress held hearings to intimidate federal bureaucrats who were simply acting in the the interests and purposes of their agencies. Grilling the IRS over slow-walking applications for its imprimatur for organizations seeking to undermine it powers to enforce taxation was ludicrous.
We anointed a CEO in Donald J. Trump who is totally incapable of doing an honest day's work. Where is the board of governors who need to replace this fraudulent administrator with someone with more common sense and better business acumen? One who understands what is necessary to be President and lead the country. Even if he did nothing wrong re: the Russian thing, Trump should be removed from office via the 25th Amendment because of incompetence.
4
Sacking the inspectors, so he can hide in plain spite.
9
Just another reason this administration is the real enemy of the United States. Time for you intransigent republican "representatives" to brush up on your Article 25 DUTIES, or just proceed with impeachment charges.
The daily disclosure of misanthropy by this rogue's gallery of an administration is overwhelming. Your lack of patriotism and following the rule of law is almost as big a scandal as the criminal imposter in the White House.
The daily disclosure of misanthropy by this rogue's gallery of an administration is overwhelming. Your lack of patriotism and following the rule of law is almost as big a scandal as the criminal imposter in the White House.
7
There are so many vital domestic issues in America and abroad that need addressing.Instead we are forced to concentrate on the disgusting behavior of potus and his surrogates.
1
If one actually took Trump at his word about "cleaning up the swamp". If . . .
Trump goes after inspectors general? My, what a surprise that the most corrupt, incompetent, misinformed, amateur administration in history would silence potential critics.
10
You're confusing governing w/ running Trump businesses.
5
This administration is out to destroy the government. And the GOP is smiling all the way to the bank.
7
It sounds like they are quite ineffective, they only find stuff after the fact and seem not to be able to reform the government so these things don't happen. Shrink the government and the opportunities for such go away, and you complain about how political appointees are a problem and then complain Trump is not appointing them.
they are fully effective. it is congress who are ineffective since they are the ones able to "reform" gov't. IGs root out the waste and fraud, and they do a great job of it. enabling them to also make reforms would undermine their non-partisan nature
The lack of appointees in every federal department and the slashing of budgets is part of the Bannon plan for the "deconstruction of the administrative state." Why is everyone so surprised this is happening. They have told us their plans
13
Isn't this impeachable? Evidence of violating the Presidential oath of office, taking care to "faithfully execute the Office of President...and to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend, the Constitution of the United States"? Undermining the execution of existing laws in such a grossly interfering way is an offense against those laws and the Constitution, a negligence of duty. If a President doesn't like the laws, doesn't s/he need to get them changed rather than just ignoring or preventing enforcement of them?
6
No you don't understand "high crimes and misdemeanors", not your idea of what they should do. And Obama avoided the laws all the time.
"High crimes and misdemeanors" is whatever the House and Senate decide they are—e.g., lying about one's private sex life under oath. Systematically undermining the enforcement of laws across the federal government certainly qualifies.
2
Trump is following Bannons strategy to "deconstruct" the US govt by attacking judiciary, media, dept of state, DOJ etc. Assuming purpose is to set up a dictatorship with no constraints.
7
What else do we need to know. Trump is not an American. Neither are most of the Republicans in Congress. They are the ones letting him get away with this stuff.
6
The $14 dollar return on each dollar invested goes into improving the efficiency of government while lowering the deficit, not into Trump's or the Republican Party's pocket. That's a lose-lose for Trump and the GOP. They want win$.
19
So why is the government continuing to be so corrupt and incompetent? If they were do great the need for them would go away over time.
That is counter-intuitive. If the Republicans were serious about ending the defrauding of the government, they would increase the budget and get $14 on a larger budget for that dept. They would increase the number of inspectors.
This Administration is perfecting the art of governing by Sabotage. Unfilled positions, unenforced rules, adversarial cabinet secretaries, funding cuts, neglect and ignorance. Attacking on every front possible to create chaos so the opposition doesn't know what to fight first. And with an emphasis on destroying anything Good, especially if it benefits the powerless. With a complicit Congress this is the quickest route to "smaller" government but at what cost?
525
Yes the government needs to shrink a lot. States can take up whatever slack is seen by them, like in say climate change. Many of these functions should never been federal responsibility.
Sabotage... hmmm... terrorism?
Imagine the damage if Trump and his minions were not distracted by Russiagate. Even so, consider the damage he is doing to each arm of the government. As I wrote in another comment Putin couldn't ask for more. We should be thankful Trump is distracted. Let's keep him that way.
Clearly Trump wants his corrupt swamp to be free from all constraints.
Did Trump voters really intend to vote for someone who would shake up Washington the way a burglar shakes up a house looking for valuables? Because that it what is going on.
The Republican Congress can rein Trump in. Or does it want to rob the house as well?
Did Trump voters really intend to vote for someone who would shake up Washington the way a burglar shakes up a house looking for valuables? Because that it what is going on.
The Republican Congress can rein Trump in. Or does it want to rob the house as well?
774
Actually I believe that the Republican Congress is more attuned to robbing the house than Trump is. He is just a narcissistic child looking for approval and to enrich himself. The Republican Congress is bought and paid for by the 1% and they will need to deliver or they will lose their wealthy backers.
4
If Trump is now the swamp, Congress is the gators.
I think you already know the answer to that. This is called collateral damage and is unimportant to them as long as the reins are in their hands and the horse is going hell-bent for leather through an "oversize, useless federal government. They think the states can handle it better. Sure they can. As long as you're reasonably rich, white, and christian . . . with an ability to 'see nothing, hear nothing, and say nothing.'
1
See no evil, hear no evil = there is no evil.
19
As per usual (although really everything is UNUSUAL)this administration along with the GOP majority are pennywise and pound foolish. A $14 dollar return on investment is similar to the benefit to cost ratio of the SNAP program. But in both cases these very beneficial programs run into the philosophical antipathy of the ruling party. One provides control and oversight over special interests and business and government corruption. The other helps poor people. Do we really expect that they could withstand the hurricane force winds that are the Trump administration's plans to wreck havoc on our system of checks and balances and compassion for the less fortunate.
32
Figures don't like but can be made to tell your story. So lets eliminate the department so there is no waste or corruption.
Paul Ryan tried to sanitize Trumps illogical actions by arguing that, "Trump is new to this", but there is no sanity or logical in destruction of government oversight. This is purposeful. Of course, understand that Ryan and McConnell have supported Trump, and his attack on government, wholeheartedly. So what do they have to gain, personally, and why did (does) Republican leadership support these frankly horrific ideas? We need an honest report from the media. I would rather not think of Trump as a buffoon. There are enough Republican checks and balances for them to manage his "inexperience". It makes sense, then, that Ryan, McConnell and Trump would want to destroy any form of government oversight, too, as part of this horrible Republican Party Plan. It is up to the voters to replace this government, soundly, and with purpose, as soon as possible.
51
Ryan is the worst of the enablement republicans. I only wish the people of Wisconsin would take their blinders off. Or maybe they are permanently blind to Ryan's limited range of ideas.
1
GOP: "Here, let me help you!" = the Shiny Object.
Meanwhile, watch that othe hand, that's taking your stuff away!
Meanwhile, watch that othe hand, that's taking your stuff away!
Ignorance is no defense
The logic is impeccable. If you don't fund any programs, you don't need oversight.
For all the hoopla surrounding the Center Ring, there is very little reporting on what is happening as key positions go unfilled, and as agencies have a difficult time doing the work they were set to do. What has broken in Washington?
Trump is just running on the ida of undoing whatever came before, especially if Obama did it. But on his staff at the White House, he has people who would seek to shut down the Federal Government.
We are looking at the potential for waste and fraud to go up i inspectors are not staffed.But what else is breaking under Trump's direct effort to reduce government by ignoring it?
Maybe we need to look less at the Great Distractor himself with his tweets and his Comeygate, and look at what he is actually managing to undo.
For all the hoopla surrounding the Center Ring, there is very little reporting on what is happening as key positions go unfilled, and as agencies have a difficult time doing the work they were set to do. What has broken in Washington?
Trump is just running on the ida of undoing whatever came before, especially if Obama did it. But on his staff at the White House, he has people who would seek to shut down the Federal Government.
We are looking at the potential for waste and fraud to go up i inspectors are not staffed.But what else is breaking under Trump's direct effort to reduce government by ignoring it?
Maybe we need to look less at the Great Distractor himself with his tweets and his Comeygate, and look at what he is actually managing to undo.
27
Isn't it obvious that the corrupt and incompetent Trump GOP doesn't want any scrutiny of its actions by independent government watchdogs? If these positions are eliminated or made irrelevant, the Trump GOP can argue any allegations of waste or corruption are partisan. They have no interest in efficient or honest government.
42
Or they are waste!!!
I would love to see many more articles like this. While the media is fixated on Trump's stupid tweets, the Trump administration is busy gutting the American government on its clear and steady path toward dictatorship. I would like the media to pursue relentlessly the Republicans in congress who are aiding and abetting the destruction of our government. They should be questioned daily about their collusion and the public should be reminded daily of the necessary functions all these government departments serve. The Republicans have abdicated responsibility for maintaining our government and the public needs to see this very clearly. No more politeness - bring the Republicans forward and hold them accountable.
75
Unfortunately we have nothing but the wimpiest of opposition to combat this clear intrusion into our system of checks and balances. It is disgusting how gutless Pelosi and Schumer are, along with the dems from "purple" states, who only care about losing their jobs instead of upholding The Constitution. Shame! Shame! Shame! on the Democratic Party.
The inspectors tackle "wasteful spending, criminal activity, employee misconduct and plain bad management".
I wonder why Trump doesn't want them around?
I wonder why Trump doesn't want them around?
34
Because as indicated by the article they are ineffective in preventing such conduct.
"Earl Devaney, delivered three reports to Congress detailing widespread corruption and conflicts of interest in the division overseeing the oil industry, leading eventually to a thorough departmental reorganization. He later reported that President George W. Bush’s political appointees had run roughshod over agency scientists who had recommended stronger protections for endangered species."
Mystery solved. The men running these scams disguised as companies do not want the federal government interfering in their "freedom". Now, catching a minor thief or someone who got more food stamps than they should, that is serious and must be punished to the full extent of the law, but white collar crimes? Well, honey, isn't that what government contracts are for? And what good is the environment if not to exploit and lay waste?
Mystery solved. The men running these scams disguised as companies do not want the federal government interfering in their "freedom". Now, catching a minor thief or someone who got more food stamps than they should, that is serious and must be punished to the full extent of the law, but white collar crimes? Well, honey, isn't that what government contracts are for? And what good is the environment if not to exploit and lay waste?
25
Well, when you run your businesses like the Trump, I'm sure it's better to not have anyone concerned with ethics or good management watching. With the added benefit of pleasing Bannon, this is a win-win for Trump. Pretty soon, it will be open season on citizens. There will be very little to limit the unbridled greed of the folks like Trump from fleecing the middle class, and whenever possible, the poor, of what they have left.
18
It is part of the crazy in Trump's head. If there is some wrongdoing, don't fix it; get rid of the people who found out about it. It works in his world view and self view; if he could get rid of IRS auditors he would, and may yet if he can. Imagine getting rid of inspectors while submarines are being built, or aircraft carriers, or the new bridges he lately has talked about, or the highway construction, rail, etc. etc. He has never been accountable to anyone or any board of directors, and doesn't want inspections of anything he or his pals can make money on. Plain and simple, as Comey would say.
18
I thought Trump was a businessman. Shouldn't a $14 return on every dollar invested tell him these folks need to stay?
11
Trump is not a very good businessman. Why do you think he had four bankruptcies and went bust in Atlantic City?
After the firing of Preet Bahrara, after the firing of James Comey, now comes the hidden attack on the inspector generals. It's just another step down into autocracy. And just who will step up for that most essential part of protecting our democratic institutions--"checks and balances." Will it be the abetting and enabling Republican-controlled Congress? The toothless and most silently spineless Democrats? Our Constitution is bleeding before our very eyes. Let's hope the wounds are not mortal.
21
This is what we get when we elect a businessman with a record of dirty business practices tricks to be president of the US.
Character matters. Reputation matters.
We should never elect another president who believes he is above the law, if we are ever allowed to elect another president.
With Trump, all bets are off. There is nothing underhanded he will not do. That is his character.
Character matters. Reputation matters.
We should never elect another president who believes he is above the law, if we are ever allowed to elect another president.
With Trump, all bets are off. There is nothing underhanded he will not do. That is his character.
56
The alternative parties (i.e. anyone that's not a Trump surrogate, spineless GOP apologist or anti-government reactionary) should be doing everything they can to making items like this national talking points. Reducing/eliminating government waste and corruption makes sense. Period. One would think that asking an elected or appointed government official to say something - on the record - about their support for inspectors would hopefully show overwhelming bi-partisan support.
10
This is not new NYT. Reagan fired all of the Inspectors General in 1981 and Clinton savaged the Office of Inspector General budgets starting in 1993. Reagan was forced to rehire many of the IGs when Congress pushed back, but the Offices of Inspector General are still recovering from the Clinton attacks (and some of the Clinton staff are no doubt applauding Trump in private). Reagan didn't like the IGs because they had too much independence, Clinton didn't like them because they were nitpickers. Presidents just don't like second-guessing, Democrat or Republican.
6
I don't like them because they don't work. Only reducing opportunities and appointing decent managers and holding them accountable will work.
1
"Mr. Trump Goes After the Inspectors"...are we surprised? Truthfully, no. Since the Reagan Revolution of the 1980s the sole purpose of the Republicans has been to "starve the beast". That is the most effective way to dismantle the federal government. Mr. Trump is simply following the prime directive. Why do Democrats suddenly speak up in outrage and disbelief? We all knew this was coming. Mr. Trump's administration, will not investigate "corruption and conflicts, or wasteful spending, criminal activity, employee misconduct and plain bad management" because those activities support Republican financial and political party goals. Republicans thrive on mis-conduct and finding ways to further disenfranchise and diminish the poor, minorities, women, immigrants and others. They cloak their activities in righteousness and religion asserting that they are protecting the public from intrusive and expensive government. They tell us that free markets will take care of everything.
The Trump administration will tell us how much money has been saved by not hiring unnecessary inspectors and performing costly inspections and investigations. Some of us may recall how the big lie propaganda of the Nazis brought the National Socialists to power. The big lies of the Trump administration are not different than the propagandists lies of World War II. There is one difference; We have the opportunity to preserve our Republic. In 2018 we can vote these Republicans out of office.
The Trump administration will tell us how much money has been saved by not hiring unnecessary inspectors and performing costly inspections and investigations. Some of us may recall how the big lie propaganda of the Nazis brought the National Socialists to power. The big lies of the Trump administration are not different than the propagandists lies of World War II. There is one difference; We have the opportunity to preserve our Republic. In 2018 we can vote these Republicans out of office.
18
Why give trump respect, by putting Mr. in front of his name.
14
I thought it appropriate. . . None of us should address him as "president". He does not deserve the title, nor does he have the character and integrity we want in our president. I prefer Liar in Chief, so much more fitting.
We, the citizens of the United States, should establish a fund to hire all dismissed Inspectors General and staff and commission them to perform the long overdue forensic audit of Trump Inc., its partners, partnerships, business and tax practices to prove the blatant self dealing, corruption, and violation of the emoluments clause of the Constitution.
By reviewing required filings for state taxes, real estate transactions, property tax records, "charities" and other public records the evidence is likely to be overwhelming.
And about those Trump income tax returns....
By reviewing required filings for state taxes, real estate transactions, property tax records, "charities" and other public records the evidence is likely to be overwhelming.
And about those Trump income tax returns....
18
Go for it, but I doubt they would have authority to audit such things under the law.
Lawsuits! Protests!
What makes you think trump would allow us to put people into govt? Without his say So?
What makes you think trump would allow us to put people into govt? Without his say So?
We, the citizens of the United States, have essentially already done that. We pay our taxes to fund these positions on the (ostensible) theory that the job of investigating and eliminating corruption and waste is worth doing. Some Presidents (including the current administration) disagree and undermine our collective will by sabotaging the people and institutions We have established. The main difference in the present case is that the IGs are just one example amongst many of Trump's contempt for the very CONCEPT that he must submit to oversight of any kind.
It's not that he's firing people or changing personnel... it's WHY he's doing it. Yates was correct to question the legality of Trump's self-described travel ban. She would not act against her conscience, so Trump fired her. He would fire the federal judges who ask the same questions in the exact same manner if he could. He fired Comey for lack of "loyalty" (they had that "thing," remember?). He probably wishes to fire Mueller too, if he could (for engaging in a "witch hunt"). He is currently hampering the U.S. Attorneys Offices around the country by not moving as quickly to appoint them as he did to fire them (even with his own people).
For all his talk of law and order, Trump does not prioritize either. He has repeatedly hamstrung and maligned legal institutions at every level of government; far from "order," his administration is almost purposefully chaotic.
It's not that he's firing people or changing personnel... it's WHY he's doing it. Yates was correct to question the legality of Trump's self-described travel ban. She would not act against her conscience, so Trump fired her. He would fire the federal judges who ask the same questions in the exact same manner if he could. He fired Comey for lack of "loyalty" (they had that "thing," remember?). He probably wishes to fire Mueller too, if he could (for engaging in a "witch hunt"). He is currently hampering the U.S. Attorneys Offices around the country by not moving as quickly to appoint them as he did to fire them (even with his own people).
For all his talk of law and order, Trump does not prioritize either. He has repeatedly hamstrung and maligned legal institutions at every level of government; far from "order," his administration is almost purposefully chaotic.
1
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"
"But who shall guard the guards themselves?"
This question was first posed by Juvenal in his Satire X. Mr. Trump's answer: no one. Without the watchers, his minions are free to pick over the carrion he is making of the country. I guess this is is flip-side policy for immigration. If you cannot throw everyone out, you can make the country so execrable fewer wish to come here. And we poor schlubs have an increasingly limited future to look forward to, perhaps as Soylent Green?
"But who shall guard the guards themselves?"
This question was first posed by Juvenal in his Satire X. Mr. Trump's answer: no one. Without the watchers, his minions are free to pick over the carrion he is making of the country. I guess this is is flip-side policy for immigration. If you cannot throw everyone out, you can make the country so execrable fewer wish to come here. And we poor schlubs have an increasingly limited future to look forward to, perhaps as Soylent Green?
11
Why would an administration as ethically challenged as Trump's want or need independent oversight? Really, the naivete of the media might be the story here.
7
It's like a pyromaniac wanting fire depts.
1
Trump and his administration are taking apart our government piece by piece to benefit the wealthy, corporations, and financial institutions. Do not expect this GOP Congress to stand up for oversight and inspectors. They are too busy destroying health insurance for millions of Americans who need it. Returning the power of corruption to banks by repealing Dodd-Frank is just another step in the process. Privatizing everything they can think of is next from air traffic controllers to infrastructure upgrade. No, hiring inspector-generals will not be on the GOP to-do list.
27
$14 saved for every dollar spent? Who could argue with a government program that showed that kind of return? Only the "fiscally responsible" GOP.
Yea, we all wish sometimes that the Federal government were not sitting over our particular backs - mostly so we could get away with shady business or personal dealings that are profitable without fear of discovery and penalty, if we're honest -
We don't like regulations - some of which are stupid - I agree, as a commercial fisherman's wife, but some of which restrain the bandits in our vocation that destroy the very thing we make our living on, and the quality of the water that sustains them, just deregulating willy-nilly by people who know nothing about the industry - or the industries that affect our industry - does more harm then good.
Cops keeping an eye out doesn't hurt the honest businessman - it hurts the people who sell protection, or who don't observe food safety regulations, or employ undocumented immigrants at slavery wages and conditions. I, personally, would rather pay a little more for the safest food in the world for me and my family, than to "get government off the backs of private industry" and that puts food in the public marketplace - knowingly uninspected and dependent only on the word of private and wealthy food producers that their produce, beef, pork and chicken are "safe" - when my child is dead and they have disappeared with their billions when the disease breaks out.
Yea, we all wish sometimes that the Federal government were not sitting over our particular backs - mostly so we could get away with shady business or personal dealings that are profitable without fear of discovery and penalty, if we're honest -
We don't like regulations - some of which are stupid - I agree, as a commercial fisherman's wife, but some of which restrain the bandits in our vocation that destroy the very thing we make our living on, and the quality of the water that sustains them, just deregulating willy-nilly by people who know nothing about the industry - or the industries that affect our industry - does more harm then good.
Cops keeping an eye out doesn't hurt the honest businessman - it hurts the people who sell protection, or who don't observe food safety regulations, or employ undocumented immigrants at slavery wages and conditions. I, personally, would rather pay a little more for the safest food in the world for me and my family, than to "get government off the backs of private industry" and that puts food in the public marketplace - knowingly uninspected and dependent only on the word of private and wealthy food producers that their produce, beef, pork and chicken are "safe" - when my child is dead and they have disappeared with their billions when the disease breaks out.
26
Thank you for your interesting paean to regulations. Nobody likes them, until they benefit from them. Even the annoying regulations that may be "stupid" or are a pain in your backside, were likely put in place to prevent something bad from happening. At least you acknowledge that. I wish Americans generally understood this.
Inspector Generals are a pillar of good governance. They are critical to assure implementation of laws and the judicious use of resources. No one who understands how government works would curtail such an essential and profitable office unless understanding government they consciously want to promote lax management and unethical behavior.
14
Firemen mostly sit around, cooking great meals, shopping for food, spotting the breeze.
But we would never say, let's save money and close fire depts.
We need more inspectors general, not less. No matter how many honest public servants we may have.
But we would never say, let's save money and close fire depts.
We need more inspectors general, not less. No matter how many honest public servants we may have.
5
Is anyone surprised that President Trump would eliminate governmental oversight?
The man who is never held accountable in his business seems to think government employees have the same option.
The man who is never held accountable in his business seems to think government employees have the same option.
25
The land of opportunity - for grifters.
The chance to make your mark.
Where the Pros are also the Cons.
The chance to make your mark.
Where the Pros are also the Cons.
22
Occupational health and safety is also being curtailed. I spoke last week with a company owner that provides worker safety training to employers. He said told me that some employers are now holding off on employee safety training because government requirements and enforcement is relaxing.
12
Those who leave workers and the public less safe should be liable when damages occur.
This is significant. IGs not only pursue matters they surface but also respond to internal and, importantly, external (i.e. citizens') complaints and queries. IGs are intrinsic to the fabric of oversight and good government, a real purpose that should be commonly shared and appreciated. The notion of a unitary executive is being aggressively advanced by the Trump administration. That IGs are viewed as undesirable suggests this administration is unconcerned with good government as most of us likely understand it and more concerned with establishing an autocratic executive devoid of internal checks and balances; one that will become opaque to our citizens and, with the administration's apparent direction, to Congress. Trump hates to be examined or judged and he's shaping the executive branch accordingly. I'll be writing to my congressmen and senators to ask that they aggressively pursue this issue. Please write to yours.
26
Trump's inexperience shows in his top accountant looking at the books to cut the budget without knowing what he is cutting. Just one shortcoming in a long list of shortcomings we have seen in the president. This may be one of the main reasons that Russia is so content with a Trump presidency, unable to defeat a more powerful United States, they can now sit back and see America weaken from within, or better yet from the upper echelons of government. The inspector generals are just more mortar between the bricks that should be repointed, but are instead being eroded.
10
If the federal oversight agencies remain underfunded and under staffed the only explanation could be to keep attention away from the many questionable activities and transgressions of law being committed by the Trump officials, not unexpected when the whole Trump administration is burdened with the conflict of interests.
33
Not just the administration, their enablers in Congress and their sources of campaign contributions. It is much bigger that just the Administration. Fraud is the business model for America. Corruption of officials is just the means to the end.
1
Who inspects HUD? I keep hearing amazing stories about 'missing buildings' in certain cities. Fine job.
2
We need to find a way to rescind Murdoch's broadcast license.
1
You keep hearing "amazing stories": perhaps you should select a different provider.
it's really not that hard to find: https://www.hudoig.gov/reports-publications
The regulars here have covered the topic. I just want to priase the illustration 1) it's clever and instantly informs; 2) it doesn't make me look at one more picture of the angry idiot with the comb-over, and growing jowls enveloping those ill-proportioned pursed lips.
15
This is in line with the GOP core beliefs that government is the problem, not the solution. They feel that the world is black or white with no gray. In their view, government is black and needs to be shrunk to the point of oblivion. That is what they are doing now that the GOP holds the power.
Are the American people going to wake up and see the utter destruction that is associated with this philosophy? It is not Trump, it is the Republican Party that is out to destroy the American dream. The 2018 elections will be pivotal.
Are the American people going to wake up and see the utter destruction that is associated with this philosophy? It is not Trump, it is the Republican Party that is out to destroy the American dream. The 2018 elections will be pivotal.
30
I had thought that Trump was just an un-gifted amateur trying to do his job but failing but I see that I was wrong. He has been setting us up for a coup. He has systematically destroyed all the organs of oversight and protection in the government: the IG offices, the EPA, the Consumer Protection Agency, the unfilled US Attorney positions and many more. His recent attempt to tame the FBI has failed for the moment but he will be back. Soon it will be safe for him and his cronies to take whatever they want with impunity. He even has established a large measure of control over the largest armed force in America, the heavily armed extreme right.
87
Not just the heavily armed extreme right, the militarized police as well. They weren't given army surplus items designed for urban warfare for nothing.
2
I think you are giving our ignorant leader too much credit for this deregulation and enfeebling of government oversight. I don't think he is capable of seeing that far down the road. Now, his appointees and advisors are a whole other ball game. I can easily see Bannon plotting this weakening and straining of governmental agencies and oversight. He believes in the "deep state" and that all government employees are tools of those, he wrongly believes, are "out to get" the current administration. Notice my use of belief, versus facts here.
" Soon it will be safe for him and his cronies to take whatever they want with impunity." One should always keep in mind that "Trump's cronies" are the entire GOP who have been the problem for decades.
http://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/03/us/ouster-of-all-inspectors-general-by... Reagan did it first, but that's not to say that starving the beast is not the goal (also a Reagan era tactic). I understand this is an opinion piece, and as a member of the IG community I appreciate the attention, but 45 is not first to be accused of politicizing these positions.
10
45 may not be the first, but he and his corrupt cronies are experts at distracting our attention with other scandals as he strips the safety fiber of our country.
He is an extremely dangerous operator of what I am suspecting is a foreign power.
Meanwhile, the republican party is giving that destruction of our country its tacit approval and encouragement.
It's beginning to look like treason.
He is an extremely dangerous operator of what I am suspecting is a foreign power.
Meanwhile, the republican party is giving that destruction of our country its tacit approval and encouragement.
It's beginning to look like treason.
3
Just another way for Republicans to reduce and try to eliminate oversight. Usually it is with tax cuts. Once the tax cuts take affect and the deficit begins to rise, Republicans slash budgets for all government departments. The results are less funding for oversight.
Then private industry runs-a-muck and our country experiences another crash in or economy.
Have we not been through this before?
Then private industry runs-a-muck and our country experiences another crash in or economy.
Have we not been through this before?
36
A highly professional and non-partisan Office of Inspector General in every Federal agency is among the best investments the public can make in ensuring good stewardship of the taxpayers' dollars, as well as honest administration of the law. The IG works for us--for all of us.
43
What's wrong with this picture? Cloaked within dense smoke, the Trump administration maneuvers, giving off a foul odor with every step; the stench makes Americans gag. But the Republicans breathe deep and rollover like cats on catnip.
Republicans herald their lack of integrity. They make excuses for a foul- mouthed, low-minded, liar who occupies the White House. They have no shame.
Republicans give lip service to love of country. They have no interest in ACTIVELY pursuing an investigation of Russian connections with Donald Trump. If they actually cared what Trump's ties are with Russian mafia and Vladimir Putin they would have already subpoenaed Trump's tax returns for the past 20 years. But they prefer to use their power, holding it over Trump's head, to do their bidding and reward their big donors.
Our country has been attacked by a foreign hostile adversary and the most Republicans can do is march in lock step with Donald Trump, spreading the stick, sickening America, weakening democracy, undermining the US Constitution, making true patriots gag.
Republicans herald their lack of integrity. They make excuses for a foul- mouthed, low-minded, liar who occupies the White House. They have no shame.
Republicans give lip service to love of country. They have no interest in ACTIVELY pursuing an investigation of Russian connections with Donald Trump. If they actually cared what Trump's ties are with Russian mafia and Vladimir Putin they would have already subpoenaed Trump's tax returns for the past 20 years. But they prefer to use their power, holding it over Trump's head, to do their bidding and reward their big donors.
Our country has been attacked by a foreign hostile adversary and the most Republicans can do is march in lock step with Donald Trump, spreading the stick, sickening America, weakening democracy, undermining the US Constitution, making true patriots gag.
80
This is a Bannon thing, the deconstruction of the administrative state. Trump is way too stupid to know what an IG is and wouldn't be interested in finding out.
116
I completely agree, and commented so before I saw your comment.
Can someone please explain why "nearly one-quarter of inspector general offices have either an acting director or no director at all," when Trump has been in office less than six months. Without numerous firings, is this a trend that began before Trump?
6
Have his firings surpassed his hirings? If not they soon will. You're Fired is his mantra.
So long as the Democrat party remains torn in half, with the Bernie Sanders wing and the Hillary wing as far from an alliance as ever, and so long as the Democrat party continues to proliferate the idea that geriatrics bear the standards of their positions, we will have these regulation-smashing Buccaneers running roughshod over control of waste and mismanagement.
"Deconstruct the administrative state" = deconstruct the government of the people. Our only hope is that with an infusion of youthful talent, the Party unites in purpose and strategy to deliver super-majorities in both Houses of Congress in 2018. Or else.
"Deconstruct the administrative state" = deconstruct the government of the people. Our only hope is that with an infusion of youthful talent, the Party unites in purpose and strategy to deliver super-majorities in both Houses of Congress in 2018. Or else.
17
The correct adjective is "Democratic".
“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes” - who will watch the watchers? If your goal is to “deconstruct the administrative state”, as stated by Steve Bannon, undercutting the Inspectors General makes perfect sense.
The legislative branch, and especially the members of the president’s party, have a special and increasing responsibility to save their country from the destructive machinations of its leader.
The legislative branch, and especially the members of the president’s party, have a special and increasing responsibility to save their country from the destructive machinations of its leader.
87
The GOP wants this as much as Trump does.
Now, here’s an opportunity for Democrats to engage productively, and perhaps eventually earn their way out of the political wilderness by demonstrating relevance.
Trump and congressional Republicans will need to dicker with Democrats to pass a budget, unless Mitch McConnell finds the will to eliminate the Senate filibuster in its entirety, which is unlikely. Given that, the opportunity exists to bend the arc of Republican budget-cutting priorities to better satisfy Democratic concerns. If inspectors become a Democratic priority, then they have the leverage to affect numbers.
Republicans wish to cut the budget, and that means less government. Democrats aren’t going to avoid that. But they can argue for spreading the cuts across priorities that are important to BOTH the left AND the right, and they can not only dicker with Trump on this but take the argument to the public, as they did with an unwise AHCA.
But editorial opinion that’s seeks to piecemeal such efforts probably isn’t the way to go. Arguing for each individual Democratic priority rather than hashing out a plan whereby multiple priorities are balanced probably will result in the left getting nothing at all – for every argument on the left that an issue is priority one and must be decided as they consider appropriate, there exists a counter-argument on the right. And the left didn’t win the last election, at ANY level.
If you must cut, then that requires targets. But argue that impacts should be balanced.
Trump and congressional Republicans will need to dicker with Democrats to pass a budget, unless Mitch McConnell finds the will to eliminate the Senate filibuster in its entirety, which is unlikely. Given that, the opportunity exists to bend the arc of Republican budget-cutting priorities to better satisfy Democratic concerns. If inspectors become a Democratic priority, then they have the leverage to affect numbers.
Republicans wish to cut the budget, and that means less government. Democrats aren’t going to avoid that. But they can argue for spreading the cuts across priorities that are important to BOTH the left AND the right, and they can not only dicker with Trump on this but take the argument to the public, as they did with an unwise AHCA.
But editorial opinion that’s seeks to piecemeal such efforts probably isn’t the way to go. Arguing for each individual Democratic priority rather than hashing out a plan whereby multiple priorities are balanced probably will result in the left getting nothing at all – for every argument on the left that an issue is priority one and must be decided as they consider appropriate, there exists a counter-argument on the right. And the left didn’t win the last election, at ANY level.
If you must cut, then that requires targets. But argue that impacts should be balanced.
8
"... perhaps eventually earn their way out of the political wilderness by demonstrating relevance."
No need for Democrats to do anything for that to happen; the Republicans are doing it nicely for them. Wait for it.
No need for Democrats to do anything for that to happen; the Republicans are doing it nicely for them. Wait for it.
6
As usual, a sound appraisal of the situation at hand. There is nothing wrong with your logic, and you are entitled to a bit of gloating over the results of the last election cycle.
I do believe that conservatives are bending the truth a bit in that their campaign rhetoric is often a smokescreen for their true intent, in short, they lie their way into office and declare their legislative agenda has a clear public mandate. Between voter suppression efforts nation-wide, xenophobic scapegoating, and relentless defamation of political opponents, coupled with dominant media mouthpieces in cable news, talk radio, and internet extremism, conservatives are at the top of the heap. I think the heap is on it's way to becoming wreckage with Republicans in charge, but I know we differ in that opinion.
As with the Bush administration, we find ourselves with cabinet level industry insiders, like Pruitt, who are suppose to regulate their business associates and benefactors. I'm not sure if you said to a Republican voter " we need to gut the EPA and let industry create more pollution so they can make more money, and, really, you'll be okay" that the party would garner the same votes. Trump's campaign messaging: "drain the swamp" was laughably misleading, as he hired every available Goldman Sachs employee and industry insider he could find that would accept a job. Republican primacy is the result of messaging and manipulation, not ideas. Democrats need to wake up and catch up.
I do believe that conservatives are bending the truth a bit in that their campaign rhetoric is often a smokescreen for their true intent, in short, they lie their way into office and declare their legislative agenda has a clear public mandate. Between voter suppression efforts nation-wide, xenophobic scapegoating, and relentless defamation of political opponents, coupled with dominant media mouthpieces in cable news, talk radio, and internet extremism, conservatives are at the top of the heap. I think the heap is on it's way to becoming wreckage with Republicans in charge, but I know we differ in that opinion.
As with the Bush administration, we find ourselves with cabinet level industry insiders, like Pruitt, who are suppose to regulate their business associates and benefactors. I'm not sure if you said to a Republican voter " we need to gut the EPA and let industry create more pollution so they can make more money, and, really, you'll be okay" that the party would garner the same votes. Trump's campaign messaging: "drain the swamp" was laughably misleading, as he hired every available Goldman Sachs employee and industry insider he could find that would accept a job. Republican primacy is the result of messaging and manipulation, not ideas. Democrats need to wake up and catch up.
2
Boiled to it's essence your argument would mean that both Republicans and Democrats engaged to actually govern...what a novel concept. After your swipe at the Democrats own up to the malfeasance of the Republicans for many, many years and advocate for the country and not destructive party politics. It's time to work together and right the ship.
1
Just another example of the lack of knowledge (and, might I add, lack of interest in acquiring same) of the process of governing. Trump's experience and world has been very narrow, focusing only on the "art of the deal", the end goal is to get what you want and gain financially. Since the monies in question here are not relative to personal gain, Trump seems not at all interested in the process required to keep the machine of the Republic well-staffed or well-equipped to be running productively. Similar to a luxury car owner who knows he can always buy a new car when his breaks down so has little interest in the maintenance thereof. This is the hazard of having a "businessman" running the country, especially one who is so self focused that whether he wrecks the machinery is of little consequence to him. And we, the taxpayers, are funding the demise of our democracy and its effectiveness in serving the American citizenry.
35
This is the action of the Grover Norquists in the GOP.
1
Scary and sad, this action to "legally" sabotage Inspector Generals fits a pattern of success equals "getting away with it". Consider 45's campaign boasts. "I can shoot someone on 5th Avenue in broad daylight and not lose my support." Paraphrasing, I can sexually molest women of my choice and they don't care because I am a celebrity. "It's smart to not pay any taxes." 45 celebrated Cinco de Mayo by eating alone on a patio for one in a Manhattan High Rise. These are examples of the misuse of satisfying the pleasure principle. 45 in seeking pleasure (a common human drive) makes no attempt to satisfy other's pleasure, it is not mutual. This "King of the Hill" ethic finds the winner on top, alone, and for complete satisfaction, depends upon everyone else down below looking up with admiration and desire to be the next "King". (But what if the people deem this game as inappropriate?) The Inspectors General , while they seem focused on a numbers game, actually connect with people promoting efficiency, economy, and effective service to whom the various governmental departments touch. 45 pulls away from people and responsibility and responsible Inspector Generals come closer to the people. President Lincoln said, "The fiery trail through which we pass will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation. We-even we here- hold the power and bear the responsibility." I hope Congress bears the responsibility by not cutting the budget of the Office of Inspectors General.
25
"Today nearly one-quarter of inspector general offices have either an acting director or no director at all, including the offices at the C.I.A., the National Security Agency, the Department of Defense and the Social Security Administration. Acting directors can be reluctant to make extensive changes or take bold action, particularly if they hope to be nominated for a permanent appointment."
Wasn't it Donald Trump who screamed during rallies how he would eliminate "fraud and abuse"? Wasn't it Donald Trump who said so many things would pay for themselves once waste and corruption were eliminated?
It's hard to see how. And it certainly gives lie to the president's budget, as well as Congressional appropriations that usually have specific line items predicting government savings from streamlining redundancies and ineffective programs.
I guess Mr. Trump feels the people will forget that promise, as he has so many others. Or maybe he has "pals" in key departments, especially defense, who want to continue operating in the shadows.
That sound you hear isn't a tree falling, it's the thud of yet another campaign promise hitting the ground.
Wasn't it Donald Trump who screamed during rallies how he would eliminate "fraud and abuse"? Wasn't it Donald Trump who said so many things would pay for themselves once waste and corruption were eliminated?
It's hard to see how. And it certainly gives lie to the president's budget, as well as Congressional appropriations that usually have specific line items predicting government savings from streamlining redundancies and ineffective programs.
I guess Mr. Trump feels the people will forget that promise, as he has so many others. Or maybe he has "pals" in key departments, especially defense, who want to continue operating in the shadows.
That sound you hear isn't a tree falling, it's the thud of yet another campaign promise hitting the ground.
122
It's more likely that Donald Trump doesn't remember what he said about fighting waste and corruption. Add in the likelihood that he doesn't understand what Inspectors General do, he may have heard about that IRS report Republicans cite to "prove" that the Obama administration "targeted" conservative organizations, and you get a recipe for another failure of good government.
Political appointees steer the ship of state in the directions endorsed by winners of election, but people like the IGs provide practical oversight. It's part of the balances of power.
Political appointees steer the ship of state in the directions endorsed by winners of election, but people like the IGs provide practical oversight. It's part of the balances of power.
9
Trump is giving us the opportunity to eliminate fraud and waste by voting the whole GOP out of office as quickly and methodically as possible.
1
Probably, in Trump's teeny-weinie little mind, firing people and not hiring people to replace them means that you don't have to pay them. "A penny saved is a penny earned." So for every department head, secretary of something, or inspector general that he can fire and not replace, that's that position's salary saved and put back into the public till. Like as not, he can't tell an Inspector General from General Electric, but he does know what $145,000/year (or whatever they make) looks like. And if he gloms enough of the savings from these unfilled $145,000/year positions together, he just might make enough to recover some of the extra money he's costing us in other ways, like for vacation days, golf trips and such.
He has never wanted any oversight in any prior business arrangements or any possibility that someone might point out that anything he ever imagines or does might be flawed in any way. Makes perfect sense to 45.
His world is one without checks and balances.
His world is one without checks and balances.
28
These days there are no more checks and balance, just checks.
7
... and if possible made out to: Trump Organization LLC. the international wire routing number is as follows....
...what have we done, to this country???
...what have we done, to this country???
1
Make Waste, Misconduct, Mismanagement and Criminal Activity Great Again ?
That's exactly what Putin's Russia does.
You really have to enjoy self-mutilation and nationally-assisted-suicide to support these Russian Republican nation destroyers and their White House Mob Boss Donald Trump.
Criminals hate the law - hate good government - and hate regulation.
Make America Criminal Again: Trump 2017
That's exactly what Putin's Russia does.
You really have to enjoy self-mutilation and nationally-assisted-suicide to support these Russian Republican nation destroyers and their White House Mob Boss Donald Trump.
Criminals hate the law - hate good government - and hate regulation.
Make America Criminal Again: Trump 2017
293
What can you expect from despots? How can they be scrutinized? This people are the State, in an Orwellian sense, but they do not believe in Government. Who would challenge Nero while he sang to the ruins of empire?
25
If you are building a bridge to the future, you don't want inspectors to get in the way.
But when the bridge collapses, who is the first to get blamed ?
The Inspectors!
But when the bridge collapses, who is the first to get blamed ?
The Inspectors!
21
Exactly, that's what George W. Bush did with the CIA.
Coaxed them into a slam dunk in Iraq, and when the finally and reluctantly acceded he blamed them for the failure to find WMD.
Republicans, there should be none of them. It is a criminal class.
Coaxed them into a slam dunk in Iraq, and when the finally and reluctantly acceded he blamed them for the failure to find WMD.
Republicans, there should be none of them. It is a criminal class.
And Obama!
Thank you for this. While our eyes are glued to the spectacle in the circus ring, the back room dirty work goes on unnoticed. Please continue to report on what the Trump administration is doing to dismantle our protections.
259
I don't know why anyone should be surprised. This is what happens under a tinpot dictatorship. In Russia, a librarian was just given a four-year suspended sentence for carrying books that don't jibe with the official version of events in the Ukraine, and the Nazis banned art they considered decadent. Next thing you know, corporations will be pulling their sponsorships from Shakespeare productions that offend the White House. Oh, I forgot, Bank of America and Delta just did that. Et tu Brute? The fault lies not in our star inspectors general or dramatic stars, but in ourselves.
This is all part of a pattern of artificially engineering one, unified view of America that, far from people driven, is of Trump, by Trump, and for Trump. God help us all!
This is all part of a pattern of artificially engineering one, unified view of America that, far from people driven, is of Trump, by Trump, and for Trump. God help us all!
160
Trump also wants to eliminate the Chemical Safety Board (CSB). This is an independent organization that investigates accidents and incidents in the chemical industry, and makes recommendations - to industry, academia, and regulatory agencies - to keep similar accidents from happening again.
The need for an independent investigative agency staffed with experts in chemical process safety to investigate accidents and incidents in the chemical industry, and identify the root causes - which can range from deliberate sabotage to previously unknown chemistry - should be obvious. Why this proposed cut has received so little attention is beyond me.
The need for an independent investigative agency staffed with experts in chemical process safety to investigate accidents and incidents in the chemical industry, and identify the root causes - which can range from deliberate sabotage to previously unknown chemistry - should be obvious. Why this proposed cut has received so little attention is beyond me.
113
Thanks for this HT. Eliminating the Chemical Safety Board would exemplify the triumph of right wing ideology over protection of workers. Is this what the Republican Party stands for? Is this what American workers voted for? Yup.
1
That is terrible. I live in an area that has a concentration of manufacturing plants and their discharges and accidents are tantamount to our safety. The CSB, OSHA, and other safety units of the government are our only protection.
The rich and powerful don't want rules, they want opportunities. Less oversight greatly increases their options.
41
Something I've been asking since the campaign: Mr. Trump, what are you hiding?
49
Trump is an unaware figurehead who loves power. Steve Bannon is the evil genius who wants to destroy our democracy as we know it. Why do we hear so little about him? When he has accomplished his goal, his name will begin daily headlines. Not sad, but disgusting. Bye-bye democracy as we have known it. There is little hope if the people remain dormant. We are being put gently to sleep without realizing it.
Hiding?
I’ve never seen a more transparent person! Each time he “tweets” we see more and more what an incredible idiot he is. See today’s editorial the definition of idiot
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/12/opinion/trump-and-the-true-meaning-of...®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region
“the idiot can be defined as such: a prepubescent, parasitic solipsist who talks only to himself....a rudderless ship, The idiot speaks only in idioms, though these function for him not as colorful additions to a language or culture, but are understood by him alone. To members of the community, his utterances are the babblings of a baby or a madman.”
In another word-covfefe.
Preet Bharara former US Attorney in Manhattan says that Trump tried to form a “relationship” with him much in the same matter as James Comey spoke about in last Thursday’s hearings. Bharara was more upfront--refusing to return his calls to “shoot the breeze” with Trump. Trump responded by asking every US Attorney in the USA to resign. Bharara refused and was fired.
Trump wants his own fiefdom. NOTHING he does is for the good of America. It’s all a grand show of a preening idiot family of little princes and a princess who seems to be entirely comfortable with a leering, incestuous father.
Trump whose only goal is to be flattered. A rudderless ship destroying our world standing.
I feel gutshot.
I’ve never seen a more transparent person! Each time he “tweets” we see more and more what an incredible idiot he is. See today’s editorial the definition of idiot
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/12/opinion/trump-and-the-true-meaning-of...®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region
“the idiot can be defined as such: a prepubescent, parasitic solipsist who talks only to himself....a rudderless ship, The idiot speaks only in idioms, though these function for him not as colorful additions to a language or culture, but are understood by him alone. To members of the community, his utterances are the babblings of a baby or a madman.”
In another word-covfefe.
Preet Bharara former US Attorney in Manhattan says that Trump tried to form a “relationship” with him much in the same matter as James Comey spoke about in last Thursday’s hearings. Bharara was more upfront--refusing to return his calls to “shoot the breeze” with Trump. Trump responded by asking every US Attorney in the USA to resign. Bharara refused and was fired.
Trump wants his own fiefdom. NOTHING he does is for the good of America. It’s all a grand show of a preening idiot family of little princes and a princess who seems to be entirely comfortable with a leering, incestuous father.
Trump whose only goal is to be flattered. A rudderless ship destroying our world standing.
I feel gutshot.
More Steve Bannon. 100 years from now this will be known as the Era of Deconstruction, the Fourth Reich. We know what history will say about Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan...collaborators.
356
The term 'collaborators' for McConnell, Ryan and the vast majority of the GOP is too neutral. A better, more pejorative word is 'quisling'.
I see Bannon and the oligarchs all over this purge.
Trump* is not even a 'broken clock'; he cannot get a constructive decision even by accident.
Trump* is not even a 'broken clock'; he cannot get a constructive decision even by accident.
33
These decisions are gradual move towards autocracy which Trump is learning from Putin.
40
May I correct: "which Bannon has learned from Putin". Trump isn't capable of learning much.......nor does he want to.
Before we go overboard with all-things Russia, this paper needs to keep a running tally of every program and department being decimated (quietly) by Steve Bannon and crew. This list should also include how many people the changes,reductions, eliminations will impact; what the impact means to individuals systems and States--- and the far reaching implications. The almost-maniacal manner in which this is occurring, is terrifying: No longer can the Administration's slash & burn behavior be attributed as trying to erase Obama's *legacy: Programs in place for decades are being waved away with an evil wand As much as I loathe a graphics filled article, this is one time where it is vital for people to actually see what all of this means to their lives.
413
Donna's point above is extremely important ! The NY Times would do the country a great service if its newsroom maintained a prominent published historical log of the cuts and changes that are taking place as a result of Steve Bannon's promoted "deconstruction of the administrative state". Fact checking is essential and references and links would allow those who can and want to read to, to learn more. NY Times, keep up the good work!
1
Donna, you make wonderful suggestion. It seems that every time I turn around I find out about another program that Trump is dismantling or sabotaging. It would be good to see the whole list at once so I can mourn for the whole instead of bit by bit....
1
The racism against Obama gains strength every day. Trump has condoned the hatred, violence and financial greed always latent in America and the human spirit, all endorsed by the "good Christian evangelicals".
1
we certainly know that big banks will commit crimes or steal the public's money or cheat their own depositors. some big main street companies are corrupt also. do we want a corrupt system of businesses that run all over the public? do we want our office holders to be able to tell falsehoods to the public and not be held responsible? does winning at election time mean that the winner can lie and cheat afterwards? is this what we want?
30
Apparently that's what we voted for (according to out constitution).
2
Trump is the worst manager ever. And it is on purpose, planned and destructive. No regulation, no inspection, no diplomacy. What made America great was pride, accountability and ...regulation.
Now we will get new bridges that collapse, melamine in our milk and Sheetrock that makes us sick...it will be huge..believe me.
Now we will get new bridges that collapse, melamine in our milk and Sheetrock that makes us sick...it will be huge..believe me.
117
Agreed. Trump is going to regenerate industrial hazards that had been controlled.
20
In order for Steve Bannon to destroy his favorite target, the "deep state," - a bugaboo and a weird far right obsession - getting rid of the IGs is the perfect start. Get rid of IG oversight and let corruption run amok in government, the Bannonites say, and the entire edifice will collapse.
Of course, if Steve Bannon's house in the forest is on fire and the fire hoses don't work and the firefighting planes can't fly because of corrupt purchasing practices with no IG oversight, who cares? As Bannon's house burns so does the forest and all the other houses, and the forest animals, and the vegetation, and the trees. Who needed all of that anyway?
Of course, if Steve Bannon's house in the forest is on fire and the fire hoses don't work and the firefighting planes can't fly because of corrupt purchasing practices with no IG oversight, who cares? As Bannon's house burns so does the forest and all the other houses, and the forest animals, and the vegetation, and the trees. Who needed all of that anyway?
24
The buck stops, as it must, at Trump's desk. Let's not help him by blaming others. He usually does a fairly good job of it himself. And, by the way, didn't our Commander in Chief nominate Bannon in the first place?
1
Our Great Ill Commander in Chief.
If corruption runs rampant he seems OK.
Sick weak old man.
If corruption runs rampant he seems OK.
Sick weak old man.
24
Trump's IG policy is outrageous. But this editorial exaggerates when it suggests that IG's are the greatest thing since sliced cheese. Recent IG vacancies have remained open an average of almost two years for want of a replacement nominee, so that a high percentage of these positions have always gone unfilled. As important as they are, most presidents seem to have more pressing matters to deal with. There is a general problem here. that is relevant to the discussion.
8
Ah, yes, but (aka, nothing to see here!).
Trump wants to limit government to that which he is capable of comprehending. I think you know where I am going with this.
19
Well, this is just another piece of evidence that Mr. Trump is determined to turn the federal government into his own personal fiefdom.
He clearly doesn't want any government offficial to maintain his or her status as an independent and nonpartisan watchdog over the activities of his administration. Anyone who thought that Mr. Comey was going to be his only target on those grounds can now disabuse themselves of that notion.
Once again we see that Mr. Trump has no intention of draining the swamp; he's just remaking it into his own image.
He clearly doesn't want any government offficial to maintain his or her status as an independent and nonpartisan watchdog over the activities of his administration. Anyone who thought that Mr. Comey was going to be his only target on those grounds can now disabuse themselves of that notion.
Once again we see that Mr. Trump has no intention of draining the swamp; he's just remaking it into his own image.
47
This article dovetails nicely with the one on Kansas finally overriding Brownback's veto and raise some taxes.
Wake up America! Time to smell the covfefe and deploy some common sense in our policies and politics.
Wake up America! Time to smell the covfefe and deploy some common sense in our policies and politics.
157
As every bad real estate developer knows. It's the building inspectors that are the enemy.
353
Being the watchdogs who protect the public is a role of great consequence. Trump systematically has gone after those who enforce laws, investigate and prosecute. He fired all federal prosecutors, has gone after the intelligence agencies and has criticized the FBI among others. He criticizes the judiciary and has made clear that he would fire judges if possible. He proposed major budget slashes for these groups.
This is the classic role of a dictator- attack and corrode law enforcement and replace it with pet soldiers and a military loyal to the fascist ruler. Mercenaries would be fine. Thugs are welcome.
No one who can investigate and punish Trump wrongdoing or that of his cronies or family should be left.
The Comey situation is a case in point. Try to corrupt the top law enforcement official, try to compromise him and make him compliant to Trump's wishes to let his friends and abetters go and to instead investigate enemies in witch hunts and make Trump happy. Otherwise be fired, be humiliated publicly, be debased and defamed through insults to the Russians and the public, and have your entire career of dedicated and experienced public service utterly destroyed. Sally Yates, Preet Bharara, and no doubt many others have similarly been ripped away from jobs they did well and from major investigations of Trump and his circle. Their careers are destroyed.
Thank you for your service. Real Americans appreciate these heroes and Trump victims.
This is the classic role of a dictator- attack and corrode law enforcement and replace it with pet soldiers and a military loyal to the fascist ruler. Mercenaries would be fine. Thugs are welcome.
No one who can investigate and punish Trump wrongdoing or that of his cronies or family should be left.
The Comey situation is a case in point. Try to corrupt the top law enforcement official, try to compromise him and make him compliant to Trump's wishes to let his friends and abetters go and to instead investigate enemies in witch hunts and make Trump happy. Otherwise be fired, be humiliated publicly, be debased and defamed through insults to the Russians and the public, and have your entire career of dedicated and experienced public service utterly destroyed. Sally Yates, Preet Bharara, and no doubt many others have similarly been ripped away from jobs they did well and from major investigations of Trump and his circle. Their careers are destroyed.
Thank you for your service. Real Americans appreciate these heroes and Trump victims.
70
We are witnessing what happens when you put someone in charge who never developed beyond the 12 year old bully stage. Even his wife has described his behaviour as a kin to her 11 year old son. What could possibly go wrong is all I ask.
30
So goes the last tattered shred of the GOP's insistence on calling itself the party of fiscal responsibility. Now that the depleted ranks of Inspectors General won't be turning over as many rocks to stop agencies and those who work inside them from financial shenanigans, the lowest of the low still willing to work for this Administration will suddenly slither up to fill all those vacant federal jobs.
With Trump in the White House and the GOP in charge of Congress, they can rob what's left of the Treasury with abandon. Watch how fast those vacant jobs get filled this month, and who fills them, and how fast the GOP raises the debt ceiling to accommodate the new thieves in town.
With Trump in the White House and the GOP in charge of Congress, they can rob what's left of the Treasury with abandon. Watch how fast those vacant jobs get filled this month, and who fills them, and how fast the GOP raises the debt ceiling to accommodate the new thieves in town.
22
Does this action by our corrupt con man of a president surprise anyone?
39
This is another of those revelations about how the #45 cabal is corrupting government, but it is not actually a surprise on two counts. First, it's very likely that #45 knows nothing about inspectors general or what they do, or that he even cares if he does know. Add it to the gigantic list of things he doesn't know about the government he's supposed to lead.
Second, as another commenter suggested, this is certainly also about payback by lobbyists for any number of actions that inspectors general took in the past against corrupt corporate and government actors. They pounced when people took over the government who would be compliant to their wishes, either from ignorance or in a desire to pander to the wealthy and corrupt. Wouldn't it be revealing to know who lobbied whom to kill inspectors general in this or that department? My guess is you could follow the money. If every department has an inspector general and you multiply that times all the waste and corruption uncovered, you'd have a ready list of bad actors out for revenge. And in the #45 cabal, it's pretty easy to create a ready list of bad actors willing to play ball with them— probably for a price, but you'd need an inspector general for the White House to catch up with that. My suggestion: don't hold your breath on that deal. Maybe congress will save the day when or if they do a budget? I ain't holding my breath on that either.
Second, as another commenter suggested, this is certainly also about payback by lobbyists for any number of actions that inspectors general took in the past against corrupt corporate and government actors. They pounced when people took over the government who would be compliant to their wishes, either from ignorance or in a desire to pander to the wealthy and corrupt. Wouldn't it be revealing to know who lobbied whom to kill inspectors general in this or that department? My guess is you could follow the money. If every department has an inspector general and you multiply that times all the waste and corruption uncovered, you'd have a ready list of bad actors out for revenge. And in the #45 cabal, it's pretty easy to create a ready list of bad actors willing to play ball with them— probably for a price, but you'd need an inspector general for the White House to catch up with that. My suggestion: don't hold your breath on that deal. Maybe congress will save the day when or if they do a budget? I ain't holding my breath on that either.
39
You underestimate Mr. Trump. He knows exactly how corrupt he is, and he boasts of it in private to high flying financiers. Here's a quote from what he said to one small group of them: "I cheat on my wife, I cheat on my taxes, and I cheat in my business." When Trump shuts down the Inspectors General he is shutting down a direct threat to himself. He knows it as well as he knows his own name.
2
"... it's very likely that #45 knows nothing about inspectors general or what they do, or that he even cares if he does know."
It is a big mistake to think this way. Trump DOES know what IG's are for: they are people who could be used to catch him and his buddies in their shady dealings and ever-widening spread of abuse and corruption. Any mobster knows this, too. Get rid of IG's, deplete the pool of prosecuting attorneys and auditors... Hog Heaven for these guys.
It is a big mistake to think this way. Trump DOES know what IG's are for: they are people who could be used to catch him and his buddies in their shady dealings and ever-widening spread of abuse and corruption. Any mobster knows this, too. Get rid of IG's, deplete the pool of prosecuting attorneys and auditors... Hog Heaven for these guys.
Expect nothing from the GOP, since the inspector generals didn't contribute cash to it reelection campaigns.
43
Of course Donald Trump has no understanding of the vital functions of government in a capitalistic system. The delicate choreography between the individual quest for profits and the efficiency of the system as a whole is far beyond his infantile comprehension.
Without a sophisticated regulatory system in play, our entire economic system becomes a chaos of special interests gaming for their own advantage at the expense of the efficiency of the whole. It's called corruption and was a growing cancer in DC well before the swearing in of Trump.
If we had a true, fiscally conservative Republican party controlling congress, our country could easily withstand Trump's idiocy. But the poorly educated and simplistic ideologues that are the heart and soul of the current GOP are almost as clueless as Trump himself.
This is the really scary part- they are a cancerous tumor that will be harder to remove than Trump, because their constituents are just as simplistic as they are. Trump arrived by way of a political accident and against the actual will of the people.
Without a sophisticated regulatory system in play, our entire economic system becomes a chaos of special interests gaming for their own advantage at the expense of the efficiency of the whole. It's called corruption and was a growing cancer in DC well before the swearing in of Trump.
If we had a true, fiscally conservative Republican party controlling congress, our country could easily withstand Trump's idiocy. But the poorly educated and simplistic ideologues that are the heart and soul of the current GOP are almost as clueless as Trump himself.
This is the really scary part- they are a cancerous tumor that will be harder to remove than Trump, because their constituents are just as simplistic as they are. Trump arrived by way of a political accident and against the actual will of the people.
46
Before Trump became President I was afraid he'd become this country's Stalin. He has a dictator personality - ruthless, narcissistic, paranoid. And actually achieving unchecked power intensifies those personality traits.
After he became President, he no longer seemed as frightening. He's old and maybe sick - maybe he won't last much longer. And he's been remarkably ineffective at achieving his goals.
But Trump firing Comey, and now, hampering the activities of inspectors general, makes me afraid all over again. He sure seems like a wannabe dictator - how much will he succeed?
After he became President, he no longer seemed as frightening. He's old and maybe sick - maybe he won't last much longer. And he's been remarkably ineffective at achieving his goals.
But Trump firing Comey, and now, hampering the activities of inspectors general, makes me afraid all over again. He sure seems like a wannabe dictator - how much will he succeed?
31
Not surprising news at all. It has to do with Republican abhorrence of all supervision, transparency an oversight. After all, it has openly become a cartel for the Don and his family. It also speaks more broadly about Bannon's nefarious takeover of the White House through the Pinnochio-in-Chief. Private "security forces" only!
31
This gets to why Trump has been so slow to fill so many government positions --
it's not that he could not have done it, it's that he doesn't plan to.
The most effective way to get rid of government -- and government regulation --
is to get rid of the regulators.
We are deeper and deeper into the Big Muddy and the big fool keeps marching.
it's not that he could not have done it, it's that he doesn't plan to.
The most effective way to get rid of government -- and government regulation --
is to get rid of the regulators.
We are deeper and deeper into the Big Muddy and the big fool keeps marching.
255
Thank you for providing an informed opinion. More importantly, thank you for providing an opinion based upon sound information.
My father learned during WWII, while supervising prisoners of war, that people just like us can become involved, willingly or not, in the disintegration of a once civil society.
We are a generation who have benefited greatly from lessons learned and efforts made by many who sought to build a strong, safe, stable place in which to grow and to learn. Perhaps it's time to honor their efforts with some of our own. What we do not value, we stand to lose.
My father learned during WWII, while supervising prisoners of war, that people just like us can become involved, willingly or not, in the disintegration of a once civil society.
We are a generation who have benefited greatly from lessons learned and efforts made by many who sought to build a strong, safe, stable place in which to grow and to learn. Perhaps it's time to honor their efforts with some of our own. What we do not value, we stand to lose.
20
This blatant, continued destruction of our federal government, superficially brought to us by the Trump administration, is another wealthy, libertarian wrecking ball, probably induced by Bannon's political philosophy to destroy our government, which was reported recently on Frontline.
As this editorial states, the Inspectors General have made a profit for the government, which is rare for the federal government. So logically, why wouldn't the President and Congress, as any private board of directors would, compliment them with continued oversight and financial support?
To hobble them, just as they have done with the State Department and other entities necessary to handle the federal government's business, will also stop oversight of alleged improprieties and/or illegal actions, some of which may be related to Trump's administration. Unfortunately, that now makes sense.
Trump's "Manchurian Candidate" tongue tied inability to utter a single, negative word about Putin and the Russians for their interference with our elections, speaks volumes about him and his administration.
No other President in the last 100 years, has ever had a problem articulating the improprieties of our most difficult long term nemesis, the Soviet Union, nka Russia. Roy Cohn, Trump's and Joe McCarthy's former lawyer, must be turning over in his grave.
As this editorial states, the Inspectors General have made a profit for the government, which is rare for the federal government. So logically, why wouldn't the President and Congress, as any private board of directors would, compliment them with continued oversight and financial support?
To hobble them, just as they have done with the State Department and other entities necessary to handle the federal government's business, will also stop oversight of alleged improprieties and/or illegal actions, some of which may be related to Trump's administration. Unfortunately, that now makes sense.
Trump's "Manchurian Candidate" tongue tied inability to utter a single, negative word about Putin and the Russians for their interference with our elections, speaks volumes about him and his administration.
No other President in the last 100 years, has ever had a problem articulating the improprieties of our most difficult long term nemesis, the Soviet Union, nka Russia. Roy Cohn, Trump's and Joe McCarthy's former lawyer, must be turning over in his grave.
17
The Troubled Asset Relief Program is over. It does not need the Inspector General on the same scale it did.
"On December 19, 2014, the U.S. Treasury sold its remaining holdings of Ally Financial, essentially ending the program. TARP recovered funds totalling $441.7 billion from $426.4 billion invested."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troubled_Asset_Relief_Program
I do favor inspectors general, but the specific critique of reducing the TARP inspection misses the point that TARP itself is over two years done. Sure there may be follow up investigations while winding it up, but that started over two years ago.
"On December 19, 2014, the U.S. Treasury sold its remaining holdings of Ally Financial, essentially ending the program. TARP recovered funds totalling $441.7 billion from $426.4 billion invested."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troubled_Asset_Relief_Program
I do favor inspectors general, but the specific critique of reducing the TARP inspection misses the point that TARP itself is over two years done. Sure there may be follow up investigations while winding it up, but that started over two years ago.
2
A deflection from the main point of the editorial, which apparently you didn't bother reading.
25
Before Trump became President I was afraid he'd become this country's Stalin. He has the personality characteristics of a future dictator. Actually achieving unchecked power exaggerates those personality traits. Stalin became so paranoid and ruthless that he had practically off all of his Party associates murdered.
I calmed dow
But I This, and firing Comey, makes me afraid Trump seem like a dictator wannabe.
I calmed dow
But I This, and firing Comey, makes me afraid Trump seem like a dictator wannabe.
23
The area that requires the most oversight is the IRS.
Aye, the tax returns of the evader in chief are an easy target, but I am talking specifically about tax exemption status for all those new non-profits that have suddenly found religion and are spreading the gospel via 30 second commercial.
You know the ones, that want you to prey with them at the almighty dollar.
Aye, the tax returns of the evader in chief are an easy target, but I am talking specifically about tax exemption status for all those new non-profits that have suddenly found religion and are spreading the gospel via 30 second commercial.
You know the ones, that want you to prey with them at the almighty dollar.
129
Treasury reported tax revenues well below expectations. The official excuse is that people are anticipating a massive tax cut. However, this would not explain current reductions unless they are expected to be retroactive for 2017, and also 2016.
Another possible/likely explanation is that Trump's largest contributors are already avoiding paying taxes by offshoring and otherwise hiding income knowing enforcement is unlikely. Weakening the IRS has been a long-term Republican objective. Trump has already demanded that the penalty for not having medical insurance not be enforced. The IRS is already significantly underfunded, undermanned and underappreciated. Each new IRS employee returns many times their full benefits package in collections from tax cheats--but their numbers are being cut aggressively instead.
Of all the government functions to attack, the IRS would be near the top for financial lawbreakers--and those who want to starve the government generally.
Watch our tax revenues continue to under-perform to an increasingly large extent. The Republicans have already "passed" a huge tax reduction for tax cheats. It's called the "Trump tax avoidance fraud" act.
Another possible/likely explanation is that Trump's largest contributors are already avoiding paying taxes by offshoring and otherwise hiding income knowing enforcement is unlikely. Weakening the IRS has been a long-term Republican objective. Trump has already demanded that the penalty for not having medical insurance not be enforced. The IRS is already significantly underfunded, undermanned and underappreciated. Each new IRS employee returns many times their full benefits package in collections from tax cheats--but their numbers are being cut aggressively instead.
Of all the government functions to attack, the IRS would be near the top for financial lawbreakers--and those who want to starve the government generally.
Watch our tax revenues continue to under-perform to an increasingly large extent. The Republicans have already "passed" a huge tax reduction for tax cheats. It's called the "Trump tax avoidance fraud" act.
2
Exemptions are not invented by the IRS. They are created by your legislators.
If you don't like it, please vote in the 2018 legislative elections.
If you don't like it, please vote in the 2018 legislative elections.
No one should be surprised by this little noticed behavior by the Trumpolini crime family. They want all the over site, inspectors, and watchdogs off the job so they can take further advantage of the taxpayers while the coast is clear. This not only helps fill their own coffers but allows them to make friends with all the other porcine creatures that feed at the Federal trough. All in a combined effort to make it easier to lie, cheat, and steal for the Grand Old Pirates and their fellow travelers.
Now please report more fully on those that are profiting from this action.
Now please report more fully on those that are profiting from this action.
428
Please tell us how to stop this madness!
@Paul Leighty... I get your Italian mob reference in Trump's name but I think in this case it should be the "Trumpikov"crime family.
2
Trump and his goons will try again, and will probably succeed. There is nothing to be done except wait until the next election, or hope that our so-called Congress wakes up and begins doing something. Anything........
81
Trump is no different now then when he was in business. A bad administrator-pure and simple. Totally unfit to be President.
393
He is also the perfect Republican.
Yikes! Why wouldn't a Republican be against waste, fraud and abuse? That's where the Republican pot of gold is that's going to pay for every single government function. Do you think there might be some score settling going on here? Perhaps the President or a friend of the President got stung one time? Malfeasance or just incompetence?
157
Why wouldn't he? All evidence so far shows that if a business leader complains that oversight or regulations are hindering profits, then this Administration takes aim at the source of the complaint.
Why else would the rules that used to force financial advisers to act in the best interest of their clients be wiped out? This is but one of many examples.
Why else would the rules that used to force financial advisers to act in the best interest of their clients be wiped out? This is but one of many examples.
25
I am sorry to say, but the republican party is a party of freeloaders.
They are the 47% of freeloaders that Romney spoke about.
They want free healthcare for their children, but not yours. And yes free health care, cause they do not want to pay their share of taxes or health insurance or what ever else that hard working people pay for.
They expect the government to give them jobs, while they claim to be self made.
And when they do not get what they want, they vote for and then make excuses for a weak old perverse men.
Who will the candidate for the Republican Freeloaders of America for 2018?
They are the 47% of freeloaders that Romney spoke about.
They want free healthcare for their children, but not yours. And yes free health care, cause they do not want to pay their share of taxes or health insurance or what ever else that hard working people pay for.
They expect the government to give them jobs, while they claim to be self made.
And when they do not get what they want, they vote for and then make excuses for a weak old perverse men.
Who will the candidate for the Republican Freeloaders of America for 2018?
17
The Republican party IS the party of waste, fraud and abuse. Why would they object to their own plundering?
Trump may actually be the best thing that has ever happened to us. After decades of Reagan's "the government is the problem" mentality the press is finally telling us what the government actually does for us. Turns out that there are a lot of very important government agencies that more than pay for themselves and actually do important work that benefits our country.
754
There were easier ways to find that out than electing Trump.
39
A fine theory, except that it requires Trump's supporters - voters and Congress people - to believe the press that is exposing the truth. They don't. It's all fake news, liberal lies and conspiracies. These people are so disconnected from truth and reality that it will take cancelled health insurance, crumbling bridges, and catastrophic floods to wake them up. Like drug addicts, they have to hit bottom in a personally painful way before they agree to be treated.
3
In the same way that, in the indelible words of Stephen Miller, "the President will not be questioned, Trump would like to ensure that the "independent" officials from past administrations become highly politicized appointees no longer laboring for the common good, but for the special interests favored by their master. If Trump manages to carry out his budget cuts and firings he will be undermining our society in catastrophic ways - we must resist en masse.
190
Mr. Trump will go after anything from which the nation's wealth and treasure can be extracted and sent up to the .001%. Shrinking government so it can be suffocated in a bathtub, as Grover Norquist used to delight in telling us, is exactly what Trump is doing, with the added perversion of making it impossible for robber barons like himself to be caught in flagrante.
This is what got him in hot water with the Russia investigation. When he could neither entice nor intimidate the FBI director into submission, in a gross miscalculation of the consequences, he eliminated him and set a sequence of events he will not be able to control. Yesterday's veiled threat by his attorney, Jay Sekulow, that Trump could potentially fire Robert H. Mueller, is in line with going after the inspectors. Make them go away and the problem goes away with them - not!
We are no longer a democracy. We became an oligarchy on January 20, 2017. We have less than a two-year window to figure out how to reverse this state of affairs. By the time Trump is done, we'll have 100 years of progress to reinstate, in addition to the progress we should have been making. Will we have new Democratic leadership voters can trust will align themselves with them or will we have a repeat of 2012, 2014, and 2016?
All we can expect from Trump and his enablers in the congressional GOP is more corruption. Are we ready to fight back?
---
James Comey: Savior of Our Democracy, Exonerating Leaker, and...
http://wp.me/p2KJ3H-2CE
This is what got him in hot water with the Russia investigation. When he could neither entice nor intimidate the FBI director into submission, in a gross miscalculation of the consequences, he eliminated him and set a sequence of events he will not be able to control. Yesterday's veiled threat by his attorney, Jay Sekulow, that Trump could potentially fire Robert H. Mueller, is in line with going after the inspectors. Make them go away and the problem goes away with them - not!
We are no longer a democracy. We became an oligarchy on January 20, 2017. We have less than a two-year window to figure out how to reverse this state of affairs. By the time Trump is done, we'll have 100 years of progress to reinstate, in addition to the progress we should have been making. Will we have new Democratic leadership voters can trust will align themselves with them or will we have a repeat of 2012, 2014, and 2016?
All we can expect from Trump and his enablers in the congressional GOP is more corruption. Are we ready to fight back?
---
James Comey: Savior of Our Democracy, Exonerating Leaker, and...
http://wp.me/p2KJ3H-2CE
416
This is the real work of destroying government.
Similarly, the appointment as FBI director of a stonewaller loyal to his superiors is real work. It took effort to find the best candidate to protect the President against his justly anguished and indignant critics. The real purpose of the appointment may be to prevent the FBI from producing a coherent report on what the Russians did and are doing to interfere with our elections.
It's important to report on this real work. The controversies mainly serve to make the public aware of the administration's goals. The real work behind the controversies leads to real consequences.
Similarly, the appointment as FBI director of a stonewaller loyal to his superiors is real work. It took effort to find the best candidate to protect the President against his justly anguished and indignant critics. The real purpose of the appointment may be to prevent the FBI from producing a coherent report on what the Russians did and are doing to interfere with our elections.
It's important to report on this real work. The controversies mainly serve to make the public aware of the administration's goals. The real work behind the controversies leads to real consequences.
447
This is why one of the critical questions asked of all nominees for any political appointment must be, have you been asked to pledge loyalty to the President? I expect that anyone forthright enough to answer that question honestly would never be offered the job.
3
The Democrats need to make real noise about wray and make sure it does not get confirmed for FBI director.
1