Trump's pick to run the FBI wants to target Trump's critics. Forget about whether he *can*—the fact that he publicly stated he wants to, and that this didn't immediately disqualify him from getting anywhere near the government's top law enforcement agency, is a sign of our democracy's deterioration. - ThreadSky

bernybelvedere.bsky.social • 88 days ago

Trump's pick to run the FBI wants to target Trump's critics. Forget about whether he *can*—the fact that he publicly stated he wants to, and that this didn't immediately disqualify him from getting anywhere near the government's top law enforcement agency, is a sign of our democracy's deterioration.

Comments

jolanc24.bsky.social•88 days ago

It shows that republicans are perfectly willing to gas light their constituents.

ciagw.bsky.social•88 days ago

“For my friends, everything. For my enemies, the law.”

webrant.bsky.social•88 days ago

Democracy's deterioration that comes from the power of concentrated capital defining their own rule of privilege over the rule of law. Just as the Federalist Society intended.

https://bsky.app/profile/bernybelvedere.bsky.social/post/3lc7nj5yqrk2p

sagethemoon31.bsky.social•88 days ago

Well, I think more of the disqualifier is that he was stupid enough to say it out loud. If you’re headed to the FBI, aren’t you supposed to be able to keep secrets? Trump has made his plan to avenge and revenge and punish very clear.

mitchellepner.bsky.social•88 days ago

Americans in sufficient numbers to deliver an 86 EV majority voted for Trump knowing that he would hand over the levers of power to the likes of Kash Patel (even if they could not name him). Voters were not repulsed by fascism, openly presented.

wolfpacfive.bsky.social•88 days ago

All for a chance at a lower price of eggs.

georgeabington.bsky.social•88 days ago

Very few voted for Trump because of economic reasons. Most voted for him to inflict pain and suffering on their perceived enemies, being immigrants, transgender, liberals, elites, etc...They voted for hate and bigotry and want a tyrant to do it for them.

snoozebuttonben.bsky.social•88 days ago

I'm old enough to remember when a grand jury balked at their McCabe indictment.

dsmdexter.bsky.social•88 days ago

This is the result of 4 years of refusing to do the job they had. But at least they were bipartisan...

snoopdadd.bsky.social•88 days ago

“Disqualifying” is now an obsolete term.

bswell.bsky.social•88 days ago

I’m growing very impatient with anyone who continues to offer “he can’t do it” as a remedy. The laws and norms have never been less relevant. That was the point! We face the scariest free for all in history.

georgeabington.bsky.social•88 days ago

Scotus made the most unconstitutional ruling and told him that he immune from criminality as President. He's going to break every law with impunity.

bswell.bsky.social•88 days ago

That’s reality. Letting the courts decide probably won’t be a thing when the courts themselves are lawless. I don’t think it’s possible to come back from granting blanket protection to a few.

fitz1958.bsky.social•88 days ago

This!

willieyoung.bsky.social•88 days ago

It's not only not disqualifying, it's why he was picked!

marthamicheller.bsky.social•88 days ago

What are the odds he actually gets confirmed? I remember trump tried to get him in last time but surprisingly Barr held the line

sagethemoon31.bsky.social•88 days ago

Because he is clear to remedy those situations this time with sycophant who sign an oath.

bernybelvedere.bsky.social•88 days ago

His criteria for determining who to target is conceptually elastic enough to apply to literally any Trump-critical coverage whatsoever. These people aren't merely indifferent to our democratic norms—they're contemptuous of them. Because those norms are barriers to their retaliatory statism.

david-stone.bsky.social•88 days ago

I was wondering earlier about the fear-factor among journalists:

https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ouf2p3u3xlqo6cymhtlztslp/post/3lc7l4pw7mk2b

bernybelvedere.bsky.social•88 days ago

I thought of the same quote when I heard the news. @radiofreetom.bsky.social also included it in his short write-up. At this point in Trump's political trajectory, describing his motivations *without* recourse to a strongman ethos is analytical malpractice.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/11/kash-patel-principle/680838/

ciagw.bsky.social•88 days ago

Great find didn’t even see that in The Atlantic, thanks!

abhinary.bsky.social•88 days ago

That is what traitor trump has always meant when he says he’s for “law and order.” He’s the law and will bring order however he wants. 😳

bernybelvedere.bsky.social•88 days ago

Not sure that likening Trump’s pick for FBI director to a batshit crazy psychopath who goes after innocent people is the winning comparison you think it is.