The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol held its third public hearing today — focused on Trump's efforts to pressure Vice President Pence to refuse to count lawful electoral votes on January 6: the gonzo plan that lawyer John Eastman came up with.
But where did John Eastman come from? And how did he ever reach Trump in the first place? The committee didn’t touch on this today. (When Eastman appeared before the committee he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 146 times.)
Spoiler alert: The connection seems to be through Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife, Ginni Thomas.
Eastman was a law clerk for Clarence Thomas in the early 1990s. (As a former law clerk to a federal judge myself, I can attest that it’s an intimate working relationship. At the time Eastman clerked for Thomas, he was one of only four such law clerks.)
In the days and weeks after the 2020 election, Ginni Thomas actively sought to overturn the election. She pressed 29 Republican state lawmakers in Arizona to set aside Joe Biden’s popular vote victory and “choose” presidential electors (according to emails obtained by The Washington Post) — urging lawmakers to “stand strong in the face of political and media pressure.” On Dec. 13, the day before members of the electoral college were slated to cast their votes and seal Biden’s victory, she emailed 22 House members and one senator, saying “Before you choose your state’s Electors … consider what will happen to the nation we all love if you don’t stand up and lead.” She also sent messages to Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows, repeatedly pressing him to overturn the outcome of the election, according to text messages obtained by The Post and CBS News. (After Jan. 6, she told Meadows in a text that she was “disgusted” with Pence, who had refused to help block the certification of Biden’s electoral college victory.)
Ginni Thomas also corresponded by email with John Eastman (per The Post). Eastman must have presented his bonkers plan to her, which she related to Meadows (and therefore Trump).
Soon thereafter, Eastman was working closely with Trump. He met the Oval Office with Trump and Pence. In a late-night court filing on May 19, 2022, Eastman disclosed he routinely communicated with Trump directly or via "six conduits" regarding legal strategy leading up to January 6, detailing "two hand-written notes from former President Trump about information that he thought might be useful for the anticipated litigation." (Eastman made the disclosure to claim attorney-client privilege to prevent the January 6 committee from obtaining 600 of his emails. On June 7, Judge David O. Carter ruled that Eastman had to disclose 159 sensitive documents to the committee, ten of which related to December 2020 meetings by a secretive group strategizing about how to overturn the election, which included what Judge Carter characterized as a "high-profile" leader. Carter noted one email in particular contained what he found was likely evidence of a crime and ordered it disclosed under the crime-fraud exception of attorney-client privilege. The email in question contained a comment by an unidentified attorney that litigating a case regarding the January 6 session in Congress might "tank the January 6 strategy" and so the Trump legal team should avoid the courts.)
Did Eastman communicate with Justice Thomas, too? Eastman knew things about the Supreme Court at the time that no one else outside the Court knew. According to the New York Times, Eastman told an ally on Dec. 24, 2020, that there was a “heated fight” among Supreme Court justices about whether to take up election-related lawsuits. Recall that the Supreme Court rejected an 11th-hour effort by Trump allies to have it step in during the legal fight over the election results, during which dozens of lower court cases were almost all decided against Trump. Justice Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito disagreed with that decision. Then in January 2021, the Supreme Court rejected a request by Trump to block the release of his White House records to the House committee investigating Jan. 6. Clarence Thomas was the only justice to dissent, siding with Trump.
According to committee testimony from Pence’s then-chief counsel Greg Jacob, Eastman told Jacob he was confident Justice Thomas would have backed his strategy to have Pence reject some Biden electors on Jan. 6.
The leaders of the House Jan. 6 committee say they plan to invite Ginni Thomas to speak to the committee (it’s unclear if the committee will first ask for a voluntary appearance or a closed door deposition, or send a subpoena). Ginni Thomas told the right-wing news site The Daily Caller in an interview today that she would "look forward" to speaking with the committee. Thomas has worked with the Daily Caller in the past, including producing an interview with her husband.
Thanks, Robert, for this very revealing history, tracing the network of connections. Very helpful in putting the facts all together. Much regarding the conspiracy is now getting clear.
I admire how steady the Committee members are. They're doing a beautiful job. All of this leaves me feeling sickened, saddened, and very old. I hope our country can move past it, safely.
Hope is good, but I fear that hope without action is useless.
Bambi, I deeply agree. I'm sure I will be out, knocking on doors in the fall before Voting Day.
Lark Leonard ; At least it is happening and was not blocked like so many other investigations and impeachments.
Oh, absolutely, Laurie - it needs to be exposed, and now it is. What follows is anyone's guess, but I am guardedly optimistic. I do dread the ill-will and animosity, but like a cancer - it's there already.
I so appreciate these hearings and the steadiness and seriousness of the committee members as well. I was glad to hear Bill Barr tell the truth, finally. I still think he is evil, as he wrecked the Department of Justice during his tenure. They are telling the truth when facing consequences. That makes me sick and sad as well. Stepien, while being a star witness for the Hearings, is helping right wing-nut candidates in their campaigns to unseat moderate Republicans. 😕 This hypocrisy makes me sick. I wish Republicans would watch and listen to the Hearings. But they mostly won’t, I’m guessing.
I agree with you, ScannyDo, that many Americans will not listen to these hearings. But we can hope that many voters who register as Independents will listen, and the information - however imperfectly - will seep across. I am watching and listening very carefully so that I feel I can respond to any discourse with as deep an understanding as I can achieve. It's the least I can do.
I will do the same! And try to help get out the vote in November. Thanks!
You bet! We're all in this together, and there are a great many who are very alarmed by what Prof. Reich accurately calls a slow motion coup.
Thomas is corrupt and should be impeached or forced to resign. His traitor wife should be arrested and prosecuted. And ANY Congressman who aided members of the insurrection mob should be removed from office and prosecuted.
Dee Long ; The ones in league with tRump should all be found unfit for office because they violated their oaths of office by opposing the Jan 6th investigation, refusing to even have debates on voting rights and supporting an indefensible misreading of the second amendment.
Woulda, coulda, shoulda......... but I do agree w/ you. Does the law set the rules for removal and prosecution? I should know this, but it't been a long few years and all the evil just winds itself around all the good stuff and poisons every well.
I strongly suspect that even if Justice Thomas didn’t take a direct part in his wife’s efforts to overthrow Biden, including getting in contact with Eastman, he still knew what his wife was doing and possibly approved of it.
So, he should be forced to resign or otherwise be impeached. Dura lex, sed lex...
Wow, you don't say? What more proof do we need? These people need to be held accountable and put in prison.
Just remember, the Rethuglicans will take that opportunity to fund raise. I kinda think these characters need to take themselves out. That could make it a lot easier to get back our nation from the Rethugs.
Interesting, it makes sense that Thomas would be involved. More interesting if she testifies. It's looking increasingly like Trump is toast to me. The wealthiest people on earth have used their money to convince the most gullible people on earth to support the most dangerous political organization on earth, the GOP. They are planning to gain control of the most deadly military on earth with the most nuclear weapons on earth to consolidate their power. I doubt the public will allow this to happen, but it will take some heavy lifting going into November to stop them. Luttig is dead right.
'Bout hallfthe public wouldn't have a problem with that. Too bad our younger generations are pretty much oblivious to what's need to save the Republic. The other half of the public have themselves hog-tied by the Rethuglicans.
I think there are many in the younger generations that are paying attention. My hope is that they will help save our country in November.
Hope dies hard. How might we elders support the younger generations? Waiting for some group to 'save us" is mighty thin gruel. Just ask he Ukrainians.
I get that. But I think they did help us win the presidency back in 2020.
I’m planning to take voting day off to help drive people to the polls. I’m lucky enough to live in a state where we can give people water when they’re standing in line.
Well planned. Where I live, I'd be most likely taking Rethugs to the polls. Even if I understand they are brainwashed and not responsible for running themselves off the road, I just can't deliver them to vote. It would be like cutting my own wrists.
I think they will. Just the mass shootings they have grown up with are enough to get their attention!
MJHooper ; More like a third ; The outsized minority rule just makes it seem like half.
Sort of follows the style of the Ruskie attack on Ukraine. We could end up with a broken country.
Dana ; And he is conservative!
We've known for sometime his wife interfered with the election results but now the spotlight is brighter. Good time for Thomas to resign. Robert's recusing him is enabling him and weakening the court even more than it already has been.
I wonder if the plan is to destroy SCOTUS as we know it and replace it with another system...?
That notion is not as far-fetched as it first seems. Republicans have been trying to shrink, corporatize, de-democratize & undermine our government for decades now. Destroying SCOTUS as we know it & replacing it with, say, some tribunal that does whatever the autocratic head of state tells it to do -- something like they have in Iran -- could be in our future.
I have had a low opinion of Mike Pence, having lived through four years of his term as governor, but in this case, he certainly came across as the hero of the day.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse pointed out last night that Chief Justice John Roberts was so outraged over the publication of a draft opinion that had circulated, but he has said not a word about the clear evidence of corruption by Clarence Thomas. The Supreme Court, which we taxpayers fund: their salaries, perks, protection, building maintenance, etc., acts like an elitist secret Skull and Bones society. Reform is badly needed.
I think the reality on this is not that Mike Pence is a big hero...In my very humble opinion: Pence knew doing what Eastman suggested would cause a huge chaotic mess with litigation and goodness knows what all else; Pence also knows well just how "loyal" Trump is to those who are no longer of use to him. Pence probably figured he was going to be fingered as the goat n(that would be the unspoken part of the plan...). Pence definitely did not want to be left twisting in the wind while still holding the bag.
Mike still has Presidential ambitions as well...he knew pulling a dumb stunt such as Eastman proposed would be the end of his ambition if he consented to the insane plan.
You could be right. He could also end up with criminal charges against him. Moreover, I suspect that Pence was secretly glad that they lost. Spending another four years toadying as Trump's vice president, and being ridiculed for doing so, would have put a huge crimp in his own presidential ambitions.
This evening, a law professor and election expert commented on PBS Newshour that, right after the electoral votes were cast on December 14, 2020, Mike Pence should have given a concession speech. If he had done so, that might have fended off the plan to have him unilaterally declare Trump had won.
Mike Pence is no Presidential candidate ; Dan Quayle on steroids!
Of course, anyone can run for president if they want. Pence was mentioned as a possible candidate in 2016, but he ultimately decided to run for reelection as governor instead. He did so badly as governor that, even in red Indiana, his reelection was in doubt. Trump saved him by choosing him as his vice president. I am no political pundit, and any predictions I do make are often wrong, but I don't see Pence becoming president. He comes across as self-righteous and unlikeable.
Although I supported the first impeachment of Trump, I did not want him to be convicted, because I thought Pence, who would become president if Trump had been removed, would be far worse. He is a closet autocrat.
Carolyn Herz ; Pence is just plain creepy! The way he would gaze at tRump in seeming adoration ; (it WAS expected of him, but he did it), The way he seems to be unbothered with the tRump minions/traitors/sycophants ; Yuck! Who is in there really?! What is he made of? I'm glad he did not go along with the biggest loser's plot, but after he made a couple consultations he wisely avoided a train wreck of sorts that may have been hard to clean up.
Not a hero...yet.
Need to show the threats. Did Trump threaten him in those private meetings?
If so, how did Pence react?
Identify the other perpetrators. Have they been charged for threatening Pence? Who built the gallows? Was there DNA evidence? Are Pence and his family still threatened?
Everyone in the videos chanting "hang Mike Pence" are probably culpable, whether or not they breached the capitol. FBI should be able to find all of the perpetrators dumb enough to use a phone or email.
https://code.dccouncil.us/us/dc/council/code/titles/22/chapters/4
Were Jacob, other members of his staff also threatened? Details.
I agree. The Supreme Court is no longer seen as Supreme. There must be consequences for what has been done to sully it.. The court has lost it's respectability. And Mitch McConnell should be defeated for helping stack the court, among other things he has done to make his oath of office a joke. Moscow Mitch!
Thomas needs to be recalled off the court ,along with the POS wife of his! Loved Hershfeld, and "find a great defense attorney ". They should all be in jail!
Republicans must be dumber than dirt to believe that the Vice President can override the votes of the voters.
they are in a cult. Need I say more?
Sadly, the law has been used to twist justice many times. Remember Bush v Gore? Bush's interests were more important to the Court than the interests of the majority of voters! It is hideous when twisted 'justice' happens. Now we have an imbalanced, Inferior Court that could enhance this travesty. 'Justice' Thomas must face consequences, along with his wife!
As the judge testified, the past threat to our democracy has now switched to the future threat to our election system.
. I still believe Anita Hill. Thomas should never have been nominated for the Supreme Court. He has and has never had a moral leg to stand on. Ditto for his beer buddy Kavanaugh.
Agreed!!
True ; the Kavanaugh hearings showed an unfit candidate,
Bullhockey! Don't need to look at the color of the skin to spot the dangerous ppl. One looks at/learns about their actions--and has enough sense to see the betrayals.
Justice Thomas is an insurrection lover and needs to retire. His two pro trump votes show this.
Certainly showed his allegiance to evil and very bad judgement!
I think what retired federal judge J. Michael Luttig said during his testimony at today’s Jan 6 committee hearing sums up a lot about the horror of what one repulsive individual is capable of when he is so enabled by plenty of other despicable people;
“Donald Trump and his allies and supporters are a clear and present danger to American democracy”.
For those of you who missed the hearing today (as I did) it will be aired again this evening on PBS. 🌻
Anne ; I watched again my recording of the third Jan 6 committee investigation where Judge Luttig testified and made myself listen. I had read a 12 page letter he sent to CNN to clarify his remarks. It is sad how we are so used to fast speakers that we can't handle someone speaking slowly and thoughtfully. His words were inspiring and the view back through history telling. I am glad I went back and watched a second time. I am glad he was there to say what he said.
I completely concur. Judge Luttig’s testimony was really compelling! Happy Independence Day, my friend! 🇺🇸🤩🇺🇸
You, too Anne!
How this Criminal In Chief can possibly be allowed to run again and how he is still allowed to be on the street is way beyond my imagination. The success of the Jan 6th Committee will be determined by whether Trump is charged, prosecuted and found guilty of his many many crimes.
I agree, on all points. He took 15 boxes of classified material from the White House! That’s one crime we all know about. Argh.
Where are those papers now? Have they been picked up by a fed gov team and delivered to the archives? If not , why not?
Does any govt agency know what was in those boxes? If not, why not?
Had to have been info that 45 thinks he can use to either get a get-out-of-jail-free card or he thinks he can use to blackmail/financially profit from or use as an ace in his trial for the many offenses he has committed against our country. At the same time he is tried and convicted, his tv/radio supporters need their time in court. And taxpayer money/benefits of any kind cut from network income.
When 45 is tried for his crimes against the nation, his co-defendants ought to be Murdoch and everybody at top levels of his traitorous tv network. Also time for some "re-education camps" for the presenters on that and any radio/tv programs/networks/websites broadcasting anti-american propaganda. If they are not stopped, the country will just go through this all over again in the not too distant future. I don;t want my great grandkids having to fight for the country on our own bloody ground. So many arms, already so many deaths. It's totally depressing.
I agree, completely, MJ. We haven’t heard anything about those boxes since the initial news came out.
My sister just told me she works with a woman who believes, to her core, that the election was stolen, and that Bill Barr’s and Ivanka’s statements were either given by look alike actors or otherwise digitally faked. She also believes JFK, Jr is alive. I want to dismiss her as a loon, but she is far from alone. “Re-education camps” scare me on one hand, as it makes me think of what China did to their educated elite (would that have been the “Left” wing of China at the time?). They sent them all to camps to be re-educated while doing hard labor. On the other hand, one half of our country seems to have collectively been brainwashed. It is, as you said, totally depressing.
ScannyDo My fear would be that the wingers would run the re-ed camps to brainwash the "leftists," while my common sense tells me this ol' gal is too old to be re-programmed. Death has never seemed such a friend as it does this year. My consolation is that all the evil the wingers do will be wasted when the seas rise and the continents burn. They can deny that til the flames meet their hair. But, in the end, with industrialists/financial plunderers doing their worst, we all are dead soon--world-wide-- from nature's revenge. It's a consoling thought.
My hope and fervent prayer (or wish?) will be that we see a Blue Sea rise in November, that we take back the Senate for real (as Manchin and Synema so often don’t help us), and that we pass the Voting Rights Act and meaningful climate legislation. And that you my friend, will feel hopeful for our future generations and the Earth again. 🌎💙🌊
I'm still betting that Ginni is the primary bridge between SCOTUS and the Right Wing clowns. Interesting that she has offered to sit with the Committee. I sure hope they take her up on it and see if she follows through. It'll also be interesting to see if she follows her stated opinion that "there are no rules in warfare" and proceeds to lie through her teeth under oath.
I found Luttig's testimony quite interesting this morning. He was obviously very uncomfortable, and I was uncertain during his testimony whether he was there under subpoena or if he was a willing participant. I also wondered at times if he was a bit senile. He left no uncertainty, however, when he seemingly happily responded to Bennie's offer to give closing remarks. WOW!
Judge Luttig is recovering from a stroke (NOT true see edit below), I applaud his courage and fortitude because he felt it was that important. My spouse is recovering from a stroke that resulted in residual apraxia and aphasia after 8 months of rehab to relearn speech and right-side mobility. My spouse would never willingly speak in a public setting.
P.S. Eastman and Cruz were once his clerks and he doesn't support their behavior.
(EDIT: Judge Luttieg is not recovering from a stroke as stated by him on June 18th. Here is a thread of the post https://twitter.com/judgeluttig/status/1538266496371245057. Here is the link to his Twitter account: https://twitter.com/judgeluttig)
Thank you for that information, Patrice! Now it makes a lot of sense! From his earlier writings I couldn't believe that he wouldn't appear happily.
I'm sorry to hear about your spouse, and hope for continued recovery and health!
I also appreciate knowing about his stroke. Thank you.
I stand corrected by Judge Luttieg himself. He says he didn't have a stroke. I don't like to be party to misinformation, so here is a thread of his verified twitter post explaining his cadence: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1538266496371245057.html
I hope she does lie through her teeth and they catch her at it. The DoJ is going to have a lot cases to follow up on and prosecute in the next two years!
I learned early on... have to be crazy to question a crazy person.
She already has been implicated...need to check Thomas' Financial Statement filings
She can't be forced to out her husband.
Thomas, your law school silent companion, was never fit for his position either intellectually or morally! I believe you have hit on something here! It would be great if we finally started to impeach Alito and Thomas!
The hearings today brought up many unanswered questions to me. These being a few of them. I've always felt that the rot seeped deep into every branch of our government and in every institution that Trump controlled. Although, i'm happy that Ginni Thomas has been asked to testify, I seriously doubt that she will without a subpoena. She has a Supreme Court Justice as her attorney who is likely just as culpable as the rest of them. Eastman knew what he was trying to accomplish was illegal, precisely why he asked for a "Pardon." I find it almost comical that Trump refused to give him one. Trumps sycophants never learn that they will be the ones that fall. Judge Luttig's words should haunt everyone - "If Pence had done as Trump requested on Jan. 6 it would have plunged the country into "the first constitutional crisis since the founding of the Republic." It's up to all of us to spread the truth far and wide, there are way to many people in our country who believe the lies and don't care to hear the truth.
Massive information/education campaign is needed. Thank you, Robert Reich, for making this Forum available! I went to a political fundraiser last night and was amazed when many people were familiar with Robert Reich on Face Book because of the videos made by Inequality Media.
A text I sent an old Texican friend of mine after the hearing I think worth posting concerning the "mysterious John Eastman:"
"Why is it that every time you see a cowboy hat, you must brace yourself for the absolutely arrogant, impertinent, idiotic horseshit that's about to issue forth from under it ‽
Yep! I'm thinking specifically of that lawyer clown wearing a cowboy hat with Giuliani on 1/6."
That's all I have!
On further thought, these hearings are showing that Liz Cheney isn't the only Republican with a backbone. She just seems to be the only one of 'em holding elected office. Just sayin'.
Hah...I'm from Texas, too. I like that you used "Texican". This Eastman guy is guilty, guilty, guilty.
I talk about "Michiganders," as well. Why? I just like the words better, particularly when >I'm< using them. Glad you like Texican! Perish the thought I should neglect to identify myself as an "Ohiard." It fits nicely with being a "Columbard!"
Thank you, I will watch this hearing on CSPAN at 5 tonight. But your thoughts and additional information is very useful. As for Clarence and Ginni Thomas, Clarence Thomas is not high in intellect, He is a white man in brown skin. Why he is ashamed of his heritage is beyond me, but he seems to try to out-white the white supremacists. Ginni is obviously a bimbo. And no, I'm not of African heritage but my granddaughter is and I encourage her to be proud of her heritage.
You can learn a lot about how people think, or fail to think, by watching the January 6th proceedings!
Ginni Thomas will look cute in an orange jumpsuit. Perhaps her trial will be on a barge off coast near GITMO?
More likely mental hospital.
I agree...she isn't simply brainwashed--she's flippin' nutz. She seems to fall for a lot of cultish type stuff, which leads me to think her faculties lack critical thinking skills and are not functioning at their highest level--if they ever did.
But isn't she crazy like a fox? Ignorance of the law is no excuse. And she knows better.
Oh boy, this doesn’t look good for the confederacy of dunces. Eastman sounds like a pleasant prick. Huh?
Trump is not, nor ever has been, a successful businessman. He is, and always has been, successful at gaming the system. His mentor, Roy Cohn, taught him to declare victory even he loses. There were several races on the ballets. His big lie invalidates all of the ballets; not just the presidential race. Go figure.
Loudermilk lied under oath. Is that a crime or is it justcontemptof Congress?
Maybe both.
Yes, I’d like to know, too!
Brain Trumped
How fitting! The Ellipse cowboy hat ninny
gets calls from Long Dong's Q Clued Ginny
A mediocrity passed over . .. in mangoloid clover
Alt Electors just the beginning!
Team Not Normal star . .destined to go far
Top Clown Show Infamy winning #PrezzyLieberryHeeroes
https://january6th.house.gov/
Thanks, DZK!
treason is a reason to get rid of ginnie
And her hubby
I remember new names popping up during the Watergate hearings. One such was Alexander Butterfield, who announced the President's for-posterity recording system, and whom I well regarded. Now, we say hello to John Eastman, against whom the scales weigh heavily. But, I shouldn't 'convict' hastily; let him, in another J.E.'s words--that would be John Erlichman--'twist slowly, slowly in the wind.'
What days those were. Let's hope, for a multitude of reasons, that we get to look back on these ..
JML Final - DocumentCloud
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22061497-jml-final
8 hours ago · 12 page Statement of J. Michael Luttig before The United States House Select Committee on the January 6, 2021, Attack I hope you can access the full document by Conservative retired Judge Luttig.
If this group of seditionist ever gets control of the government, we can kiss future elections goodbye.
Here's hoping Ginni Thomas (figuratively?) hangs herself when she testifies and closes the (noose—OOPS!) loophole Trump is currently floating in. Excuse the bad metaphors...
The DOJ has asked for transcripts, meaning Trump is going down.
Loudermilk committed perjury. That is a crime. Will it be charged?
It better!
Judge J. Michael Luttig is the “John Dean” of the January 6 Insurrection Hearings.
As I said when I watched the proceedings Jan. 6, GO TO JAIL!
You have to love Rep. Loudermilk's chutzpah when he tells Laura Ingraham that it is so important that the truth be told. Hah! At first he said he never lead a tour through Congress, then when the video came out he prevaricated. Now he wants us to believe that the guy in the group tour who was involved in the Jan.6th insurrection was just taking pics of children's drawings. Well, Mr. Loudermilk, maybe your gullible Georgia constituents might fall for such horse pucky, but the rest of us aren't buying what you're shoveling.
Chilling is what this is. And it just keeps getting creepier and creepier as we go along.
Basically Judge Thomas is a co-conspirator in the insurrection. He must ne removed immediately.
I’ve been saying since 1/6 that ALL republicans are complicit. And the hearings are explaining and showing proof why. They either knew about it and participated in the attempted coup, like good old rep. Loudermilk showing the insurrectionists around for a tour on 1/5. Or they knew it was crazy/BS and said NOTHING. We are hearing from ONLY people in Trump & Republicans orbit in these hearings. Most inside the White House are now totally fine sharing the truth, like Barr & aides etc, but where the hell were they when this was happening, they knew it was wrong, and did nothing to stop it? The fact that someone like Stepian is STILL working for Cheney’s opponents, who completely embrace the lies he’s now gone on record to say were LIES. I don’t know what it is that drives these people to speak the truth about how insane & deranged Trump is then in the same breath say they’d totally vote for him again. Cognitive dissonance, arrogance, lack of accountability? It’s the thing that always blows my mind. On top of the other 20,000 things they do and say that blow my mind on a daily basis! Thank you for another great piece on these traitors. Accountability accountability accountability. That’s the name of the game if we don’t want a repeat of all things crazy MAGA.
All Supreme Court Justices presented by TRump need to be removed from the SCOTUS and Thomas impeached. Ginni needs to be investigated and questioned about her activities as do any congressional meembers who provided tours before the Jan 6th date when Congressional buildings were closed
I look forward to the day when all those people, regardless of their position, that attempted to overthrow the US government and our democracy are convicted and imprisoned for a long, long time.
We must root this massive corruption out of our government!
Is there no end to the gop individual treason and overall corruption!!
And right back to the absurdity of politically appointed Justices . They need to be duely elected by the people . Likewise, links between they and like-minded elected officials of different branches of the government need monitored by a 'proper protocol' non-partisan body . "BAYLIFF ! WAKE HIS PEE PEE ! !"
Oh, I hope not. Too many voters are infected by the winger propaganda. We need to get rid of Faux tv first. I just found out that the network can be removed from our Spectrum lineup. If it's not removed from the schedule, Faux gets a chunk of our cash just for being listed on the schedule.They could do no programming and would still collect cash from what we pay to Spectrum for their lineup--whether we watch it or not. Im having it pulled from my schedule first thing tomorrow.
And it's better for the likes of trump or corporately owned senators and congressmen to appoint them ? All they do is make sure that the highest court in the land is right in their hip pocket ! ! I think it best to leave it up to the people. And as far as the fourth estate is concerned ? That's a whole nother subject as far as one more aspect of our corporately ruined, raped and increasingly dysfunctional system !
Aye Right ! ! But they'll scream just the same ! And I'm all about x'n em off my tube ! I'm getting rid of cable anyway . Growing up in the shadow of Lady Liberty we'd have old time network t.v. Every station, 13 vhf/35 uhf. FREE ! ! The corps would pay them(networks) to advertise to us . In my life time, now we pay them to advertise to us ! ABSUDIUM EXTRAORDINAIR ! ! Democracy cannot survive without a free, honest, politically free, unencumbered fourth estate. Adhering to that notion ? Ours is ANYTHING but ! !
Mark Murphy ; Well said!
Mark Murphy Gotta start somewhere! I love the idea of getting Fox off my cable! It would be better if it cost them though. Public pressure can work wonders. Boycotts etc.
I hear that we can call our cable service and have Faux tv channels removed from our lists. Good to do, b/c Faux gets paid daily by our server company whether we watch or not . Which is why they don't sweat it when advertisers quit advertising. THEY GET PAID WHETHER WE WATCH OR NOT. Get faux off you subscription and make a difference.
MJ Hooper ; Thanks for the heads up!
Great idea! Let's make T.V. Great again!
This Ginni Thomas connection to Eastman is interesting! The plot thickens.
Watching the hearings I was hopeful that thoughtful Republican's could take back their party, for the first time, in a long time.
Trump is not about the country - or about you. He is about power... and being protected from the several thousand lawsuits against him. Here is guy with thousands of lawsuits against him, has filed bankruptcies for several of his business while he flies away with a golden parachute, ignores the emollients clause, been impeached twice, cozies up with dictators (he is a dictator wannabe), alienates our allies, doesn't understand tariffs are paid by us and not China, doesn't understand there are 3 distinct branches of government and two don't work for him. Does this not scare anyone? A second term gives him power in that he doesn't have to do the first term dance. Not once, has he articulated ideas and plans backed up by real data... He just keeps crying about the election. That does nothing to help the country. Trump p is not about "serving" the country. He is about serving himself.
Rapidly approaching impeachment time for thomas…
go straight to jail Genni
Entitled to due process presumption.
Makes perfect sense. Has anyone seen the Eastman memo to compare the righting style to Thomas's? That would be the smoking gun.
Writing?
Not really. Need other evidence about personal contact.
Well, Thomas did say one truthful thing: “We are living through what feels like the end of America.” As a Christian pastor and antiracist educator and activist, I believe in the process of death and resurrection. And by all indications, we are dying as a nation. But perhaps that is necessary for a new generation to find new life in either a better nation that is truly united, or as a landmass divided into two nations based on morality and ideology. I for one could live with the New England and California coast being the Blue Nation with the South and mid-West being reserved for those who prefer Whiteness and racism. We could maintain common currency and perhaps defense but live according to separate laws that reflect the values of the citizens of each nation.
Once again, today's hearing was a fascinating glimpse as to what was happening at the highest levels of our government. In a small measure, I sensed some of the surrealness that I felt watching what was happening on Jan 6. During the hearing I kept having this feeling of watching what traditionally has been a "Christian" white privileged elite try to fend off a treacherous, vicious, hatemongering sociopath that they had gotten in bed with to get back in power and whom they could no longer control. Mr. Greg Jacob's comments to Dr. Eastman that we're conservatives, we're small government people, that we believe in originalism was shown as the mantra by which they intend to stay in power. Along with Judge Luttig's almost reverential statements about the foundational truth being the rule of law along with this originalistic lens, where is there any hope for a living, breathing Constitution that actually informs our laws, allowing for a more just and equitable society? I was also particularly bothered by the various references to their faith and how they relied on it to get through these difficult days, particularly Jan 6. True caring and compassion for the ordinary citizen seems to have totally disappeared from the conservatives in our government, replaced by a zealot devotion to the rule of law and order, not matter what the cost to our citizens. No matter how carefully the committee is treating those testifying, I am having a very difficult time as seeing them as heroes.
The only thing that I agree with Mr. Jacobs on is that there should be a smaller government, but it needs to be an effective progressive government, not mired in the thinking of the 1700s, and it should be responsible to the needs of its citizens, not the already privileged elite.
The SCOTUS is the most undemocratic entity possible. It consists of nine political appointees with absolute lifelong power over us. They answer to no one - they are monarchs! Nothing can or will be done about the power couple, Ginni and Clarence, even though Ginni (and Clarence behind the scenes I'm sure) has been working hard to overthrow our government.
Quic story. I taught at Chapman. It is a chain out of Hollywood. They added law in the mids 90s' Well it is generally considered a "diploma mill". I know. I taught at one in Monterey CA in 2006 for a session. I was forced to change many grades even for students who did NO work.
A lawyer friend believes and my friend is conservative, DOJ COULD indict Ginni, Eastman and Thomas on CONSPIRACY.
Check out wikipedia. Though not a great resource someone has been updating it diligently. Eastman a bit like trump has been trying to get into power and has failed and he has written several incendiary articles. Seems he found a real mentor in Thomas and he played a role that I hope gets revealed more.
wow! Eastman was a clerk for Thomas??! Curiouser and Curiouser! It would be interesting to see Ginni testify.
Do we have the death penalty in D.C. ? Are there enough working gallows in the nation's capital to handle this bevy of whores ? Let's get dem bone spurs danglin ! !⚰️⚰️⚰️
Oh Ginni. Lot of bad acting "nice white ladies" involved in the insurrection, like antivax Dr. Simone Gold.
Sad and sickening? Yes, but not surprising in the least - there are traitors in the Trump-packed Big House! In a recent comment petitioning Thomas (I only show deference where due) to recuse in cases re Jan. 6 insurrection, 2020's election subversion conspiracy, & ongoing Drumpf-cult coup attempts, I straight-up told him what I'm sure he already knows but will never publicly admit: that his wife is a traitor & he should be disbarred or resign in disgrace, & that minimum action demanded by America's majority is his recusal if/when presented with aforementioned Supreme Court cases. I entertain no fantasies of him ever reading said commentary; then again, perhaps my plebian opinion shall earworm its way up his lofty ladder of privilege via pages, consultants, assistants, law clerks, and/or familial co-conspirators.
Thank you for cutting thru the crap of all of this! I find it so helpful since watching any of the hearings is so disturbing to me. To have to relive that horrible day is not for the faint of heart - of which I most likely am. Your emails have been so enlightening. Great work!
It was a coo. Treat it as such or pay the consequences that come from this point further. Our very way of life as a free people is in grave danger of being toppled
Robert in your opinion where is DOJ Garland? Why no arrests of Trump or close associates?
It was reported on MSNBC during the break this morning that the DOJ had made a stronger request this morning for complete transcripts of all testimony, due to its importance in ongoing and future investigations and relevance to other material they had gathered. I sure hope the Committee follows through!
I feel 18 months is a long time….
What do we now have a Corrupt Supreme Court ??? What does that say about Justice in America ???
WOW - the conspiracy runs even deeper. Follow the money!
While I'd be tempted to disagree (with the percentage), deep inside I know that : "nothing will fundamentaly change" :-)))
I've been contemplating the SCOTUS and I think it's about as undemocratic an entity as you can get. In fact I'm surprised the kind of corruption that Ginni and Clarence practice hasn't been discovered among them before this. The SCOTUS is a group of political appointees with lifelong absolute power over us. Ginni and Clarence will NEVER be brought to trial or anything else because there is nothing and nobody governing the veritable monarchs that constitute the Supreme Court.
That is scary, especially since they wouldn't even grant Merrick Garland a hearing. What was very scary was during the primaries, all other Republican candidates were warning us not to vote for Trump. Trump won on a populist platform and manipulation of the media. They gave him tons of free coverage. It is so refreshing to wake up to news other than what he tweeted in the middle of the night. What is scary now is his dedication to endorse Republican candidates even in local races.
As for his Big Lie, he wasn't the only on ballots but is only challenging (still) that race. Does that mean the other races are invalid too? Even people who were elected on that same ballot are backing the Big Lie.
Thomas should be impeached or resign- all decisions written with him post Jan 6 should be vacated and set for rehearing. SCOTUS appointees by trump should be retired and replaced. The integrity of SCOTUS must be restored. Collusion to Sedition disqualifies Thomas.
Trump belongs in prison or in front of a firing squad for teason.
Sadly, if you look up the definition for a cult leader it describes Trump. Here is a description from Psychology Today.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/spycatcher/201208/dangerous-cult-leaders
Justice Roberts should have a talk with him about the integrity of SCOUTS.
I know Ginni Thomas has said she wants to tell her side to the committee, I submit she already has expressed her point of view in her texts. An invitation is too polite for this woman she needs to be subpoenaed and compelled to produce documentation relevant to her potential testimony.
I've heard that there may have been at least 4 other congressmen & women besides Loudermilk who gave "tours" in violation of Capitol regulations in the days leading to the January 6th insurrection, autogolpe attempt & assassination attempts.
There should be an easier way to expel Supreme Court justices that violate their oath. Thomas never recuses himself when he has a conflict of interest, and I doubt he'll ever resign. He is the worst but not the only violator. Kavanaugh is pretty bad, too, & makes a great case for closer scrutiny, including more thorough background checks, in confirming judicial nominations, instead of "ramming" them through as McConnell did for both Boofer Kavanaugh & ACB.
While I agree that Thomas is a problem I do not believe he is the only problem and I just do not know how to rectify these problems.
It smells like dirty socks to me. I am looking forward to learning more about it.
One of Mickey Henriquez’s finest. John Jay High School. -Reg Rinder
When Ginni Thomas and occasionally other GOP members say the following, what do they mean, “like the end of America” “what will happen to the nation” etc. I hope she will be asked this question at a hearing.
GT “Before you choose your state’s Electors … consider what will happen to the nation we all love if you don’t stand up and lead.”
GT “We are living through what feels like the end of America.”
In the hearings Pence was lauded for not doing what Trump requested of him after determining it was not legal. So legality was the determining factor regarding his behavior not what an action such as that meant to “we the people”.
I think the video Loudermilk lead was used in Thursday's hearing.
Thank you so very much Robert Reich.
My head is spinning with all the awful pollutants being dug up by the Committee. I have a small flame of hope there will be justice. Meanwhile, I pray. God help us all.
From Ginni to SCOTUS to Eastman
"What a tangled web we weave"......
If you take a peak around the corner you’ll find Gymn Jordan of Ohio doing the same thing😡
This whole bunch are like barnacles on the a-- of time,they can be scraped off!
I guess Bob sends us pictures! Lol
I can't wait to hear who besides Eastman was on tRump's preemptive pardon list.
Abusin Mike
He didn't say "wimp"
nor weak ass. Think in terms of
They Let Me Grab Em
# Hearings HiKoos
Judge Luttig, witness from today’s J6 hearing also has a long time connection to Clarence Thomas dating from Thomas’ confirmation hearings.
Why did the Committee choose NOT to show surveillance video during the hearing?
In The Bigs
Forty feet! Closer
than pitcher and catcher. Shake
me off and You'll Hang #Hearings HiKoos
if Ginni Thomas involvement is established shouldn't Clarence Thomas be removed from office of the supreme court
Supreme Court Judges need to be impeached, so it would probably not be successful in this political climate. However, I hope he can probably be convinced to step down in the best interest of everyone involved.
Oh, please, Frank , can it. Go eat your red cap and let the grownups handle this mess.
Isn't that the same propaganda arm used to lead the country to war under false pretenses that much earlier? (What else would the consequence be of having set such a precedent?)
I was thinking just the same thing. They have become a sham and a partisan body. When Donald Trump was first running for POTUS, one of my main objection to this- I had many-was his SCOTUS picks. I asked over and over again-Would you want Trump to pick RBGs successor? Trump installed 3 right wing whackos and we no longer have a functioning judicial branch in our government.
so sad. #Thomas should resign
Kathryn Guillaum ; They are definitely one more part of the problem.
Considering Trump, with McConnell's help, packed the court with judges of the Republican Party, I would agree. I also have faith the Court as their party affiliations are left at the door - ideally. That being said, the three judges all said that Roe v. Wade should be left alone. That isn't happening... The Court has not been loyal to Trump as he expected.
Not to mention God's Will Bill . . .who knew when to jump ship . .. along with the Jeff E self snuff tape . .See, the Fed Prison was understaffed overworked . .ask anybody . .
5 of them anyway, but since it’s the majority, those who object can’t really do anything other than write a dissenting opinion.
We're talking just about the one who, is becoming clear, was involved (along with his Q-anon wife) in the Coup attempt, hence impeachable. The others, are not impeachable, as of yet:-)
I disagree that the others are not impeachable. Three of them lied to congress in their recent Senate hearings.
I mentioned "as of yet", but what I didn't mention is "one at a time" :-) Let's see this one resigning or getting impeached and then we go after the "three supreme liars", but I'm afraid that they'll find some "prominent" lawyers Eastman /Giuliani type, who'd convince everyone that lying is actually a virtue, which during 'trumpism' it actually was :-(
I'm 99% sure that NOTHING will be done about Ginni and/or Clarence. There will be a lot of talk, perhaps some sort of investigation, and it will fizzle out.
Demystifying "The Mysterious John Eastman" : https://youtu.be/D4pj8FLx18E Be careful to avoid completely blowing him off, particularly the part about ol' Tweety "getting in front of it." He's suggesting that his supporters didn't show up from nowhere because ol' Tweety appealed to them. He's suggesting ol' Tweety's supporters were pre-cultivated, and ol' Tweety simply took charge and owned it. Whatever lies ol' Tweety told were the lies his followers already embrace(d). >That's< the real problem that needs a solution.
Posted 6/19: Regarding the "pre-cultivated" supporters, pay special attention to what is being said in this clip at about 1' 43" in Laura Ingraham's statement: https://youtu.be/RJ1-cL8hEHA
I agree with you about the six right wing nuts on the court.
UPDATE: https://youtu.be/58hVi8ZeKs0
Wut?! The Long Dong Suds Our Lady Touchy Sam Feddy Kneel Suck Big Chief Dignity high robed ones ?. .Q Clued Ginny a no charge extra
Democrat is a noun, not an adjective or adverb. For example, the "Democrat Party" isn't correct on a grammatical level and certainly not correct on the level of reality although Republicans use is as a pejorative to get under the skin of Democrats. If you want to compare GQP and Democratic corruption honestly, there's really no contest, as the Republican Party is awash with corruption, dirty-dealing and even an attempt to take over the government and install a dangerous unelected loon as President for another four-year term.
Porter, Well said. Anyone stating that is supporting the people who love dictators and protect deadly seditionists. They’ve blocked fair voting, equal rights, prefer children get murdered over being able to hug their guns. Don’t support health care for all, the list is endless, Fascist or Democratic Party. Those are the choices before us today. Money always leads to some level of corruption but anyone stating “Democrat Party” or that “it’s both sides” haven’t been watching jan 6 committee. I no longer acknowledge right wing trolls.
Thank you, Porter.
Thank you!
Wrong. The party was originally called the Democratic-Republican Party. Get your facts straight.
Your orange bozo is going to jail. While you’re looking up history, look up Fascism..the thing you ignorantly support.
Huh...well I guess we can call the Republic Party just that and not hear any whining from the wingers, like Frank Lee. Though i tend to use the term Rethuglicans. It fits better every day the inquiries go on.
Steady on MJH. You know what he is. He's fishin' for ideas.
Nothin' cute about it. Frank. It's appropriate for a thug party that has used Faux and other anti-american purveyors of lies and fake news to get a stranglehold on the nation. Sort o the way the Nazis worked in their day. Not one damn thing cute about it all. Not one.
If you can listen to Trump’s inane blather and call that leadership, the Republican Party really is awash with fools and incompetence.
Not sure I agree about incompetence. Rethugs seem very competent in destructive use of language and taking advantage of a whole network --or more --devoted to pushing their anti-american hate propaganda. We let them keep broadcasting and we could end up with a total wipeout of all dems --except the ones that toe the Rethug propaganda line. For the first time, Im glad about the tides and temperatures rising. Might be the only way we stop the total takeover of the nation by the Rethugs. Wont be much of a country they get to control--until the lights go out all over the globe. I'll be dead and gone by then, but am sad for my grand- and great grands.
I don’t think this new MAGA/GOP has the mentality or the competence to take over this country. They’re better at dissembling, in fact that’s the only thing they’re good at right now and many people have fallen for it, but when it hits their pocketbooks watch how fast they change. I believe this is just a pothole in the road to human progress.
That sounds like someone who has been indoctrinated into a cult, the only thing Trump accomplished in four years. He demonized half the country and brainwashed the other half into his cult of hatred and misinformation. I didn’t know people could be so easily duped by a colossal fool.
See....Frank just can't bring himself to call it the Democratic Party. Just cannot.......Rethug to the core.
Hope floats though (are those loose lips sinking your ship Frank Lee?)...
I guess you listen carefully...? No, didn't think you could be bothered to do that.
I suggest all Trump supporters listen to the January 6 hearings and watch Bill Barr tell Trump that it was bullshit that he won the election. And then google trumps legal history. Trump is a con and always has been.
Frank, you're actually correct, the "Elvis Impersonator Party" could be construed as the party of Elvis impersonators.
But I think you're missing the big point here, and I suggest you relax and consider actually watching the hearings. They are shocking.
Repugnicans are the party of democracy impersonators or bozo the clown imitators!
Hahaha!
Try reality.
There’s an idea. But delusions run deep for the troll.
Mr Lee, you should watch the hearings, truly. None of us should speak in generalities, like all Democrats are haters or canceling culture, nor are all Republicans corrupt. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger are two Conservatives who don’t just follow Mr Trump’s Big Lie. I’m glad you’re reading Robert Reich’s Letters.
Frank ; it seems you are not very busy with your newsletter. Do you have any followers at all?
Left/right/center; the "reality" is that those things (like Frank Lee himself) are all on a spectrum, you see...
= P
Wrong again, moose breath.
Ok what democrat corruption? No doubt there is some but nowhere near at GOP level
He’s a troll. Don’t feed him.
Too late though...
He can’t answer that. Collects paycheck from ultra right.
Citations please, on all instances of supposed Democratic corruption of the Supreme Court.
Typical Republican response - Deflect to Democrats. Please provide some instances with creditable data. Since 2015 I have been asking this question - What about Trump that makes he a good president. Caveat - Your answer must only about Trump. Defection not allowed. Answer - Silence
Frank Lee ; What 'accomplishments'? Stuffing his pockets? getting people killed with his big fat lying mouth? Praising Putin's invasion of a sovereign country with no legitimate reason? (he called the slaughter of civilians 'genius'). Telling Californians they should 'sweep' the forest floors to prevent forest fires?
Thanks, Frank. But you still didn't answer the question. You did list everything that makes him a poor president. Let's unpack it.
"Hostile political establishment" - this country has never been more divided than it is right now which is just the way he wants it because to him, everything is a zero-sum game; win-lose. A win-win is to complex for him because it involves thinking about the issues. As for the media, hostility would be Fox News, which isn't news. Neither Tucker Carlson or Laura Ingram or the rest are journalists - they never have been. There is your dishonest non-news. They are entertainment personalities that tell what to think, not how to think. It is about ratings. I suspect your opinion of Democrats is from consuming Fox and the rest. I tried watching Fox. I wanted to vomit. Again, Fox is not news - it is entertainment to spin you up and they are successful.
Trump is committed to himself and himself only - not the country. He craves power. Does it not bother you he held a multi-hour discussion with Putin in Helsinki with no advisors and then destroyed the notes of interpreters? Does it not bother you he nearly committed treason? His first foreign trip was to Saudi - not our troops. There is a snub. They are not his personal military.
.
Does it not bother you that he wanted to spend millions of dollars on a military parade just like dictators do? Tanks would destroy the streets. They are not built to sustain them. Does it not bother you that he promotes violence? Even at his rallies.
His stance on issues are personal - not for the good of the country. Have you noticed that everything is about him and the good of the country? That is called Nationalism - which he declared he is. Yet, he won't help the less fortunate of whom work to make the wealthy wealthier. The idea of tax cuts for the wealthy is so they can donate to his campaign coffers. He gets media attention for free.
By the way, have you noticed that Trump never analyzed or made a decision on the apprentice? It was always Ivanka, Don Jr, and his guests. Trump would just parrot what they said.
While thousands of Americans are dying, Trump goes golfing. He didn't realize the presidency is a 24/7 job. Plus, he serves us - we don't serve him. Biden takes a couple of hours to get ice cream and be with the people and Fox declares him unfit. Oxymoron.
Transparent and Authentic? It is customary to release tax returns as part of one's candidacy. If he were transparent, he would have. He is fighting to keep all information from everyone - if he were transparent he wouldn't block everything.
The teleprompter is there for the president to discuss certain points during his speech. Trump goes off the rails, rambles, complains, and berates people - just like the entertainer he is. He flip-flops his stance several times in the same speech to please everyone in his audience. Plus, what he believes is good for him and him only - not for the country. He is out to destroy the country so he can be a dictator. He knows nothing about the Constitution or Constitutional law.
As for Biden being consistent on taking a stand (Trump was never consistent) he is solid. Biden is principled and has a lot of experience with foreign policy. Give me an example of what you claim. Biden inherited a disaster from Trump.
Trump's achievements? North Korea is re-arming and testing nuclear missiles again. He is cozy with dictators and alienated our allies. He doesn't like NATO because he doesn't understand it. He doesn't like the WHO because he doesn't understand it. He doesn't understand much - if anything.
Notice the mob was carrying flags that said Trump on them? They kept saying take the country back. What does that mean?
Well said, Hinterleitner. Glad you are on top of all this. (i'm so horified all the issues just run together and overwhelm). Let's see how Frank answers your questions. Any normal person would be disgusted at the shenanigans of our most incapable (and fake)president in history. But Thumpers just can't see daylight for the dark.
Can we count your participation on this Substack as one of his successes?
Listen, it is not quid pro quo, we're discussing serious things in here...somebody asked you, yesterday, if you got lost in here...have you answered that question?
Well stated.
Thanks :-)
Wrong forum.
Frank ; your misfits are missing you.
How would a misfit recognize when other misfits are missing? Lol! Good one Laurie!
Stephen W Blackburn ; Well he does a misfits newsletter!
That’s nice. I wonder how the reality and intellectually challenged get his meaning! Cave men spoke in hieroglyphs is guess. Maybe he sends them pictures.
Stephen W. Blackburn ; He has no followers it seems!
What corruption? Don’t try to play the tit-for-tat game, it’s not relevant in this instance.
In the meantime, the trumpsters are turning our electoral system into garbage. For instance, the New Mexico GOP refused to certify yesterday's primary election.
Just electors in one county and the New Mexico Supreme Court overruled them.
yes
So glad to hear this. At least one "supreme court" has a good sense of Americanism