All hell is about to break loose...

[kentuck]

The Republicans in the US Senate and the Republicans in various Intelligence agencies have gone around Donald Trump. The Senate passed a bill today that requires a two/thirds vote in the Senate before we can leave NATO. It was a direct reaction to Donald Trump's recent trip to Britain and the EU. They finally see the danger that is sitting in the White House.

Also, it appears that the NSA Director, the FBI Director, the DNI, the Director of Homeland Security, the National Security Advisor, all came out for a news conference today to try and reassure the people that they are aware of the attacks that are in progress against our election system, and they did it without the approval of Donald Trump, their President.

It appears that Trump has lost all credibility with much of his own Party. Just when he is in full-out assault against his Attorney General, his Justice Department, and the Special Counsel. He has gone completely off the rails in the last few days.

What next??

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

1. We need deliverance.

Someone has to fall on their sword for 340 million people.

[NotASurfer]

14. Deliverance?

First thought was, in a canoe in the back woods trying to escape from a group of insane deplorables who might even have voted for him

Hm...memo to Hell's Department of Ironic Punishment...

[jalan48]

17. Cue the banjo music...

[JHB]

31. (Lurch voice) You Twang?

[chillfactor]

37. thank you for the memory...

loved listening to it again.....

[Johnyawl]

38. Is that the young Trey Gowdy?

[FailureToCommunicate]

44. +1

[RainCaster]

47. No, his fingers aren't in his nose

Or on 45s privates

[lastlib]

56. nah, too many teeth........... eom

[sheshe2]

85. ...

[appalachiablue]

88. On the subject,

[Glorfindel]

40. Seen on a T-shirt in Rabun County, Georgia

"Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!"

[displacedtexan]

46. I bought that tshirt for my husband.

I guess you have to be of a certain age to appreciate it, though.

[maddiemom]

64. Great analogy!

[Cryptoad]

15. The Trumpster has no face to lose

wont be him on a sword,,,,,,,

[Metro135]

49. Wouldn't you love to see Trump squeal like a pig?

[Iggo]

63. That's a rape scene.

[handmade34]

2. What next??

well, impeachment proceedings would be nice...

[Meadowoak]

3. We need another 8/8/1974!

[Kajun Gal]

7. ???

[Meadowoak]

9. Aug 8, 1974, the day Nixon resigned.

[mgardener]

18. Remember that day.

I was working in JC Penney's that evening when it was announced.
A cheer went up when the word got around.

[Different Drummer]

28. I suspect when the anniversary of that date comes along in a few days...

we will still have Trump to kick around.

[FakeNoose]

52. If the Dems win both the House and Senate in November

... I predict that Cheeto will beat a hasty retreat. He'll resign and Pence will be a lame duck for 2 years, unless he gets impeached himself. Any self-serving pardons Trump makes between now and then should be nullified. I'm not sure how that can be done, but we need to make sure there are no secret deals between Trump and Pence like Nixon made with Gerald Ford.

[JayhawkSD]

60. Will it be a legitimate election?

Why would not the Republicans start screaming that the Russians meddled with the election, and that all of the Democrats who won were tools of the Russians who got them elected?

In fact, that game is already afoot as, the "NSA Director, the FBI Director, the DNI, the Director of Homeland Security, the National Security Advisor, all came out for a news conference today to try and reassure the people that they are aware of the attacks that are in progress against our election system."

Except that I would not say that they were trying to "assure" anyone. They used very dramatic language to stress the very high level and quantity of the attacks.

I would say, actually, that if the Russian goal is to "destabilize democracy" and to "cast doubt on the validity of our elections," then our own Intelligence Community is doing a far better job of that the the Russian could ever have hoped to do.

[kentuck]

61. Interesting.

Would the Intelligence agencies be doing a better job if they were getting leadership from the top?

Do you think they are just spreading paranoia?

Or do you think it a pretty serious breach of security that they are looking at?

[CrispyQ]

72. PAPER BALLOTS COUNTED BY HUMAN BEINGS.

Why isn't this being shouted over the rooftops of all our cities & towns? It is not a fool-proof process either, but we are fools to have electronic voting screens & tabulators counting our votes, knowing how compromised 2016 was.

[flibbitygiblets]

74. Yes, Yes and FUCK YES!!!

At the very least, all-mail voting such as we have in Oregon. YES I know they are fed into machines, but we can all keep copies of our votes. It also encourages more people to vote in the first place since it's so much easier, no lines, no machines mysteriously down at he polls, no voter intimidation tactics or ID required.

[LisaM]

77. We have all mail voting in Washington and the number of spoiled ballots went up.

It also didn't increase turnout (we had some very, very low turnout primaries), BUT, this time, at least in King County, the ballots arrived with the postage prepaid, a step in the right direction.

I really, really miss voting in person.

[flibbitygiblets]

89. How interesting. I don't miss voting in person one little bit.

But then, I'm an introvert, and directionally challenged, so finding the polling place in the first place was always a challenge, back when I lived in CA where most people vote in person. And what if you don't have a car? Now you have to take a bus or fine a ride, all on a day when you're almost certainly at work. No thank you!

PLUS, when you vote by mail, you have a chance to research the initiatives and candidates, especially the down-ballot people you don't hear about in the news. When I voted in person, I never research in advance, just showed up and punched whatever sounded good. No

[LisaM]

92. LOL, well, I researched when I voted in person.

We still got the voter's guide, and I'd often take it with me into the voting booth.

When I was growing up in Michigan, I often worked at the polls. It was educational and fun, and a nice day's pay for a college student or senior.

[calimary]

90. Definitely!

[workinclasszero]

84. If that happens Shit45 better resign and quick because no power in this world

is going to stop the MASSIVE pressure to IMPEACH and CONVICT that evil traitor bastard in the White House!

[ET Awful]

55. Indeed

[RKP5637]

4. He's liable to do something really crazy, like launch an attack, wartime president and martial law.

He needs a straight jacket.

[elleng]

5. 'It appears that Trump has lost all credibility with much of his own Party.'

IF this were true, we'd be in much better shape than we are.

[erronis]

24. If this were true. I don't see any links to info that would back this up.

Maybe MSM and other DU posters just haven't caught up yet.

But, "if this were true" in all aspects then it sounds like much of the intel establishment would not be supportive of a purely executive action. My question is the military and particularly the National Guard.

[Blue_true]

30. I am really concerned whether the military that we have.

Will refuse to carryout an illegal order from Trump. I just have no certainty inside that they won't do what he tells them to do, even if that is attack fellow Americans.

[Hekate]

43. Perhaps DU has a retired military lawyer or two who could educate us on what that constitutes

All I know is that anyone refusing to carry out an order from a superior better be VERY sure the repercussions will be worth it.

[Cheviteau]

69. The Military...

...will not involve itself in unlawful orders. I would bet my bottom dollar that the military has a plan if things start rolling downhill. Generals understand that the military is sworn to uphold the Constitution. Whatever action they take (if any) will be in the best interest of the people and to preserve our Republic. I have no fear of the military going rogue.

[LuvLoogie]

6. They won't move for his removal

unless they also move to suspend the fall elections.

They though trump would solidify their power. They have been trying to kill the human spirit. It is backfiring on them

[kentuck]

41. I would tend to agree...

...Little will happen until after the election, imo. But, there must have been some collaboration between the Senate leaders and the Intelligence chiefs. If there was a real threat to our country, which they seemed to believe there is, they could not follow Trump over the cliff or wherever he was taking them.

[C_U_L8R]

8. It's all a puppet show

They are doing nothing to stop Russian election hacking. In fact, the opposite. They are the beneficiaries... the co-conspirators... the cheerleaders... and probably the funders...

[flibbitygiblets]

75. No Puppet! No Puppet! YOU'RE the Puppet!

couldn't resist, it's such a classic.

[central scrutinizer]

10. What's next?

Probably a sternly worded, non-binding letter of concern.

[Initech]

11. So republicans how's that whole Washington outsider thing workin' for ya?

[Mister Ed]

79. Or, to more closely paraphrase Sarah Palin...

"How's that drainy-swampy thing working out fer ya?"

[Leith]

12. I Would Be Happy If Congressional rethugs

treated tRump like they treat Democratic presidents. They weren't scared to voice their opposition, like trying to make an excellent president a one-termer, refusing to even interview his nominations, investigation after investigation, and general rudeness.

Who knew they could act like such wimpy-wimps?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

13. I see it the same way. Not necessarily "hell" but Trump has lost credibility with even his Party. nt

[Uncle Joe]

16. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread kentuck

[bucolic_frolic]

19. The dissolution of leadership legitimacy is not without precedent

Factions came and went in the year preceding the Russian Revolution. The Kerensky government, the White Russians, and eventually the Bolsheviks were not really communicating with one another. Once the situation with the war deteriorated and the workers organizations (Soviets) and the military support softened support for the moderates, the Bolsheviks seized power. I'm not suggesting or implying that could happen here, but it is an example of legitimacy melting away.

I really don't think our judicial system is in danger of siding exclusively with Trump. Donnie's out on a very long limb. If federal institutions, cabinet secretaries, Congressional committees could reassert their sense of patriotism and balance, and/or Democrats could grab the House in a solid election, Trump will be left tweeting to himself in a bird cage.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

29. Also there is the precedent of the Senators going to Nixon and convincing him to resign. . . . nt

[bucolic_frolic]

32. Very true, though the situation lacked multiple factions and the fluidity that implies

Nixon's downfall was an orderly removal. Today, some levers of federal power may work, some not, and the political spectrum in the country runs to both extremes but is poorly populated in the middle. The biggest risk - nothing might happen?

[empedocles]

33. Bucolic, thank you for the Russian Revolution historical context

makes this more interesting

[bucolic_frolic]

35. Many transitions of power in history

English Revolutions, French and Napoleon, Italy and Garibaldi ... it's been so long since I studied history I have to go YouTube to jog my memory!

[WheelWalker]

20. End game is next.

[Blue_true]

34. The question is what will that be and how will it play out. nt

[Still In Wisconsin]

21. What next? I expect more frequent #MAGA rallies to buoy his spirits in the near term...

Longer term I expect him to become increasingly unhinged in his tweets, to start firing people left and right (Rosenstein and Sessions for starters) and for a small, insular cell of loyalists to encircle him and try to protect him from the inevitable storm. A "Trump bunker" as it were. After the midterms it's anyone's guess. He could resign. He could try to void the elections. He could try to start a war. Who really knows with Donald Trump?

[bucolic_frolic]

23. void

yes, it's totally in his playbook - RIGGED!! Crooked elections!!! They were no good!! I don't see how he could refuse to seat Congress, or dissolve Congress ... but with this idiot, WHO KNOWS ANYTHING???

[BigmanPigman]

26. I'm with you...

I wish I had my own bunker from the shit that is coming down the pike. He will do anything since he is so insane and angry.

[mikeysnot]

22. All Hell

Breaks Loose..

[certainot]

25. that's why he called limbaugh yesterday - to speak directly to the base

he risked drawing attention to his most important and invisible ally but considering media didn't seem to notice......

[rurallib]

27. he wouldn't sign such a bill - senators will say they did what they could

everybody slinks back and make strongly worded statements.
Hell it would never pass the House anyway.

If it did and he vetoed could they get 2/3rds to override in both houses?

[Equinox Moon]

36. Thanks for the post. I saw just a moment of the pressor today

and I can't find a news report on it. It was extraordinary that the intelligence heads came forward to make statements.

Does anyone have a link to the press conference?

Update: I found it:

[kentuck]

39. They were discussing a similar topic on Nicolle Wallace's show (?) I believe it was?

A lady named Farkus was responding to someone who asked if the Intelligence people would do something like that without the knowledge of Donald Trump. She smiled and commented to him about how Washington works, paraphrasing.

With the Senate's action on passing a bill to protect NATO and the very unusual meeting by the Intelligence agencies, we can only assume what is going down?

But whatever it is, it doesn't look good for Donald Trump, in my opinion.

[zentrum]

42. What's next?

Pence.

And the push for a stealth Christian Theocratic state combined with an oligarchy.

Will be just as cruel, racist and toxic.

[bucolic_frolic]

45. The idea that the President cannot be indicted

has resurfaced on talk shows today, that at worst he will be an unnamed, unindicted co-conspirator. Also that Mueller does not have a particularly strong hand in interviewing Trump, that he will not indict Trump, that a report to Congress is best, that Mueller cannot subpoena Trump particularly well because unlike the case of Nixon who had his tapes targeted, Mueller does not yet have specific material to be sought from Trump.

Almost sounds like a soft landing is ahead, perhaps, that either pushes Trump out the door with sympathy, or allows elections to cleanse the wounds from this debacle. It is tempting to think something big is up, as the OP opined.The investigation cannot be curtailed, not with so many large and important lines of inquiry unelucidated.

Just wish they'd get a move on!

[benld74]

48. I still don't trust GOP

None of them

They’ve done nothing up till now

While using tRump to get what they want

Hell with them

[heaven05]

50. about goddamn time

fucking cowards getting some spine, maybe.

[DallasNE]

51. Don't Forget

The open cued with none other than the Koch brothers. Trump just won't put up with competition - much like a hippopotamus in the wild.

[Demonaut]

53. this weekend

[sobenji]

54. Liberals and progressives are smart

Why can’t someone hack the -R’s for us?
Maybe then they will care.
I’m tired of going “high” when they go low.
F*** that.

[SWBTATTReg]

78. I wouldn't be surprised if someone is already trying this (hacking the Rs)...

It is what they do w/ the information that they hacked that's important...if it's a liquor list for a bunch of fat old white guys, then we're out of luck...remember, its the R, we're not looking for intelligence here...

[regnaD kciN]

57. That NATO bill...

...doesn’t it require Trump's signature? If so, it's all just for show.

[kentuck]

59. Why?

You don't think it could get enough votes to over-ride his veto??

[louis c]

62. Unless they override.

If they're requiring two thirds, they must have two thirds.

and, because it's a treaty, they don't need the House at all.

[lagomorph777]

67. The bill is redundant; a treaty requires 2/3 vote in Senate and (I think) so would breaching it.

[sellitman]

58. Nope

If the Rethugs were coming around they would have this cretin Impeached by now.

The are 100% complicit.

[bjvom]

65. That security briefing

was a stunt. Nobody in his administration does anything against the wishes of the OMOO (Orange Menace Occupying the Oval Office. Apologies to Melville.) Now they can refer to it and say, "SEE! We're going to take this Russia thing SERIOUSLY!"

[Texin]

66. If Sister Sara hadn't been present with the rest of these folks, I might have believed them.

So, I'm skeptical that they can do anything more than just talk about the problem. Dan Coates drew Shitler's ire last week when he was visibly surprised and dismayed about not being told tRump had agreed to a summit with Putin in Washington. I read Shitler was apoplectic about that and I expected Coates to be sacked as a result. Now this. I bet not a single one of the people (except SHS) who was on that dais yesterday is left in his administration shortly.

[kentuck]

68. It was rather odd to see SHS standing uncomfortably on the sideline...

But, I don't think it was Trump's idea. I think they colluded to provide information about national security without the pre-approval of their President.

I would not have thought that if the Senate had not earlier made a strong statement with their vote to preserve NATO. That was probably much to the chagrin of Trump and Putin?

[DallasNE]

71. John Kelly?

This had the blessing from someone inside the Whitehouse.

[Ilsa]

81. You left out one O: OMOOO. I like it, though.

The security briefing is a stunt if they do nothing to fix our election vulnerabilities.

[colorado_ufo]

70. They send him out on rallies

so they can get some actual work accomplished.

[CrispyQ]

73. "It appears that Trump has lost all credibility with much of his own Party."

Um, no, not really.

[AllaN01Bear]

76. thanks for the post

i think the attacks on our election system has been going on for a very long time , before kerry/edwars and the attack on prez carters election.

[bucolic_frolic]

80. There's just a sense of dread and stagnation

nothing is happening, in my view. Stocks can't decide up or down. No upside, no downside, yet everything's too expensive. Wages stagnant. It's like everyone is waiting for something.

[PassingFair]

82. He's run afoul of the Koch brothers...

Buckle up!

[jaysunb]

87. +1 n/t

[workinclasszero]

83. What next? A Reichstag fire event or

a wag the dog war with Iran before the midterms is my guess.

[Skidmore]

86. It passed?

I can find no articles that indicate that it is more than proposed.

[Jack-o-Lantern]

91. "Deliverance". Up thread. If anyone is on face-book,

I urge you to go to Ronny Cox’s (guitar player in Deliverance) face-book page.
He is a very intelligent progressive and his posts are very good.

[apkhgp]

93. I get to sit back and watch the news now

Ever since 45 declared his candidacy this nation has been suffering setbacks. The Repukelican primaries leading up to their convention proved to be a clown act. His election to the White House was a deep blow to this nation only to be exceeded by all of the policies his administration has enacted. Thank you very much 45, for screwing this country up like you did.