Wednesday Morning Rant

You're Fired

One constant motivation in the current Trump Administration has been pushing hard on defining - or redefining - who can be summarily fired by the executive. The Administration's stance is, essentially, "anyone, for any reason or no reason at all." This came to a head - in part - with Trump v Slaughter last month, where the Court did away with Humphrey's Executor. The win was not total, but it was a step in the right direction. Outside of court cases - though ironically not outside the courts entirely - the Administration is cracking down on external meddling in executive affairs.

This year, Trump has taken consistent and immediate action against one of the more pernicious forms of meddling, which is the appointment of US Attorneys. Federal prosecutors are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. If there is a vacant position, however, the Attorney General can appoint an interim prosecutor for a 120-day term. If that expires and there is no replacement, the district court judges for the district involved can appoint their own interim prosecutor. This looks like a cascading system to ensure continuity, but it has become a mechanism of subversion. Trump is cracking down on it.

The way this has worked in the past, what with "comity" and all that jazz, is that when there is a vacancy, the district court would consult with the Attorney General and appoint someone tolerable to the Administration to the interim job. That was tradition, not law. As with all comity-based traditions, it ceased to exist under Trump. This law became a means of subverting the appointment of US Attorneys. If the president can't get his man in place in time - and the Senate is quite good at slow-walking things when they want to, or just outright rejecting confirmations and "comity" be damned - then the district court gets to appoint their own man instead. This is a nice, neat and legal means of completely end-running the executive.

While there is nothing to stop the district court judges from putting their man into place without any oversight, Trump has made it clear that this does not mean that he is powerless to intervene in this process. The process has now changed in fact, though nothing has changed in law. It now goes like this:
1. A US Attorney vacancy opens
2. The 120-day period expires
3. The district court judges appoint their man as they see fit
4. Trump fires the newly-appointed USA before he can start work

Though Trump has been aggressive in extending the "I can fire anyone I please, anytime I please" operating environment as far as possible, the President has the authority to fire US Attorneys anyway. He is making an example of these interim US Attorneys, and is on his third firing this year. Back in February, it happened twice. On February 12, the Northern District of New York appointed their man, Donald Kinsella to a vacancy created when a federal judge ruled that Trump's choice, John Sarcone, was in the role unlawfully. Kinsella was fired by email before he could start work.

Days later, another district court tried the same play, this time in Virginia. On February 20, the Eastern District of Virginia appointed their man, James Hundley, as US Attorney. They did so without discussing anything with the Administration, taking the opportunity to slide their preferred prosecutor into the position. They appointed him and swore him in and then, hours later, he was fired. Acting Attorney General Blanche announced it on X:

Here we go again. EDVA judges do not pick our US Attorney. POTUS does. James Hundley, you’re fired!

Twice may not make a trend, but it didn't stop there. Last week, a district court tried the same play yet again, this time on the other side of the country. After the existing interim US Attorney's term expired, the Western District of Washington appointed and swore in their man, Roger Rogoff, to replace Trump's interim prosecutor Neil Floyd. Like before, the President fired the new interim US Attorney within hours of his appointment by the district judges. The Western District of Washington may have done this deliberately to make a test case after what happened in New York and Virginia. Per The Hill:

Rogoff has reportedly retained legal counsel that specializes in employment law, setting up the possibility of a formal legal challenge that could set the stage for the courts to settle the bounds of presidential power over U.S. attorneys.

Perhaps so, but it will be weak. While a weak case never stops the courts from ruling however they please, the new rules are clear for now: the President's man serves, or nobody does. District Court appointments may be allowed by law, but that is no longer an excuse for them to simply appoint their man against the President's will. When they do, Trump hasn't hesitated to dust off his catchphrase and tell the usurper, "You're Fired!"

Posted by: Joe Mannix at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Sponge!

Posted by: rickb223 at July 22, 2026 11:00 AM (1g3xS)

2 Gotta get up real early around here...

Posted by: Brother Tim sez: Fiat Justicia, Ruat Caelum at July 22, 2026 11:01 AM (OUMaO)

3 I want to go on record as really preferring not to witness the downfall of our society. We need to get it together.

Posted by: Piper at July 22, 2026 11:03 AM (Dd38x)

4 Corgis called

Posted by: rickb223 at July 22, 2026 11:04 AM (1g3xS)

5 OH MY GOD THE EXECUTOR KILLED HUMPHREY!

Posted by: THAT BASTARD!!!! at July 22, 2026 11:04 AM (TbWk/)

6 I want to go on record as really preferring not to witness the downfall of our society. We need to get it together.

Posted by: Piper at July 22, 2026 11:03 AM (Dd38x)

Evil never rests. Or showers.

Posted by: ... at July 22, 2026 11:05 AM (v5XIn)

7 3 I want to go on record as really preferring not to witness the downfall of our society. We need to get it together.
Posted by: Piper at July 22, 2026 11:03 AM (Dd38x)

What's the worst that could happen

Posted by: Suppiluliamas II, king of Great Hatti at July 22, 2026 11:05 AM (gKWVE)

8 There's a whole lot of attorneys and judges that need to be fired.

Into the sun.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 22, 2026 11:05 AM (jehhT)

9 MONKEY!

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at July 22, 2026 11:05 AM (N1tpc)

10 8 There's a whole lot of attorneys and judges that need to be fired.

Into the sun.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 22, 2026 11:05 AM (jehhT)

We're gonna need a bigger trebuchet...

Posted by: And lots of them at July 22, 2026 11:06 AM (TbWk/)

11 I want to go on record as really preferring not to witness the downfall of our society. We need to get it together.

Posted by: Piper

Too late. The scuttling charges went off when I was an infant, in a dozen or more theaters. All that's left is delaying the inevitable.

I keep saying the focus has to be on what gets built afterwards, because you can be certain our adversaries already have plans in that regard.

Posted by: Brother Tim sez: Fiat Justicia, Ruat Caelum at July 22, 2026 11:06 AM (OUMaO)

12 Now, if only the Senate, those shits, would be willing to try and convict impeached judges....

Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 22, 2026 11:06 AM (tAI1y)

13 I still want Vance to enter the senate in a "pro forma" session, declare it in recess, and dare Thune and those bitter old outgoing primary-losers to say different.
Then DJT can go on a hiring-spree of the most right wing 50 year olds he can dig out of northern Alabama.

Posted by: gKWVE at July 22, 2026 11:07 AM (gKWVE)

14 10 8 There's a whole lot of attorneys and judges that need to be fired.

Into the sun.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 22, 2026 11:05 AM (jehhT)

We're gonna need a bigger trebuchet...
Posted by: And lots of them at July 22, 2026 11:06 AM (TbWk/)
===================
Yet another reason to build Elon's Mass Driver on the moon.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 22, 2026 11:08 AM (tAI1y)

15 Comity is, of course, white supremacy.

So it must be done away with.

Of course, it's also how businesses/governments/cultures get things accomplished.

Which is why cultures/governments/businesses that act with aggressive malice get ONE thing accomplished and then have to fight all the time to get anything else done. And then fail.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at July 22, 2026 11:10 AM (N1tpc)

16 13 I still want Vance to enter the senate in a "pro forma" session, declare it in recess, and dare Thune and those bitter old outgoing primary-losers to say different.
Then DJT can go on a hiring-spree of the most right wing 50 year olds he can dig out of northern Alabama.
Posted by: gKWVE at July 22, 2026 11:07 AM (gKWVE)

But I am in Southern Alabama.

Posted by: Piper at July 22, 2026 11:10 AM (Dd38x)

17 Yet another reason to build Elon's Mass Driver on the moon.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at July 22, 2026 11:08 AM (tAI1y)

How about the space elevator? current material doesn't allow it to reach the Earth but you can still hang people from it

Posted by: gKWVE at July 22, 2026 11:10 AM (gKWVE)

18 Roger Rabbit > Roger Rogoff

Posted by: one hour sober at July 22, 2026 11:11 AM (J4Dwc)

19 John Cornyn does not approve.

Posted by: John Cornyn, Centrist Democrat at July 22, 2026 11:11 AM (tAI1y)

20 "And how many divisions do these judges command?"

Posted by: NR Pax at July 22, 2026 11:12 AM (lXoJ5)

21 Tragedy tomorrow, comity tonight.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at July 22, 2026 11:14 AM (amcLV)

22 We need to be careful about having the president simply appoint whomever he chooses, because the next time, it could be a Democrat who does it. You know, like Clinton and Obama did. Biden didn't, but that was only because it would have taken away from his pudding time.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 22, 2026 11:15 AM (Riz8t)

23 PDT is the defender of the rule of law. We can piss and moan about what he "should" do but he has been getting it right the right way.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 22, 2026 11:15 AM (abScH)

24 If you want to blame someone for the loss of "comity" in this, blame Bill Clinton, who fired 93 prosecutors. IOW - every last fucking one of them, the moment his ass hit the chair.

If you want to blame anyone for the supine, self-indulgent lack of reciprocity, look to the intervening GOP Presidencies.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at July 22, 2026 11:15 AM (BI5O2)

25 11 I want to go on record as really preferring not to witness the downfall of our society. We need to get it together.

Posted by: Piper

Too late. The scuttling charges went off when I was an infant, in a dozen or more theaters. All that's left is delaying the inevitable.

I keep saying the focus has to be on what gets built afterwards, because you can be certain our adversaries already have plans in that regard.
Posted by: Brother Tim sez: Fiat Justicia, Ruat Caelum at July 22, 2026 11:06 AM (OUMaO)

Guy I listen to in the podcast world has consistently said the country was lost in January 2020, and 2024 and after is the attempt to reclaim it. There are a lot of markers and dates that can be used, but I guess that one is as good as any.

Posted by: Ex Rex Reeder at July 22, 2026 11:15 AM (QaH55)

26 Cornyn must be getting kickbacks from the African AIDS thing. It's the only thing that makes sense.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at July 22, 2026 11:16 AM (l26NL)

27 Fire the Deep State

Posted by: Skip at July 22, 2026 11:17 AM (ccLZe)

28 Where were hundreds of millions - billions - of dollars to Somalis really going? What was it funding? It wasn't just mansions.

Posted by: ... at July 22, 2026 11:17 AM (v5XIn)

29 Is a Mass Driver and a Hardon Collider the same thing?

Posted by: Harbor Freight at July 22, 2026 11:18 AM (JM9I6)

30 The way to slow HIV in Africa is to make it less fun to spread it. That means catching people who spread it and sticking them somewhere they can't do that anymore. (this is not a fedpost)
Imposing the rule of law in Congo is admittedly a hard problem. But I submit it is not Cornyn's problem, and he wouldn't know how to do it anyway.

Posted by: gKWVE at July 22, 2026 11:19 AM (gKWVE)

31 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at July 22, 2026 11:22 AM (/BPde)

32 MANNIX!

.....not a cop......

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at July 22, 2026 11:22 AM (/BPde)

33 Is a Mass Driver and a Hardon Collider the same thing?
Posted by: Harbor Freight at July 22, 2026 11:18 AM (JM9I6)

Most definitely not.

And I really don't want to see any results from that kind of Collider.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at July 22, 2026 11:23 AM (N1tpc)

34 I want to go on record as really preferring not to witness the downfall of our society. We need to get it together.
Posted by: Piper at July 22, 2026 11:03 AM (Dd38x)

1. Attend TxMoMe
2. Attend Weasel Distance Shooting Seminar
3. Shoot early, shoot often
4. Arm yourself
5. Prepare for the impending battle

Sorry, but this is what will be required......soon.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at July 22, 2026 11:24 AM (/BPde)

35 16 13 I still want Vance to enter the senate in a "pro forma" session, declare it in recess, and dare Thune and those bitter old outgoing primary-losers to say different.
Then DJT can go on a hiring-spree of the most right wing 50 year olds he can dig out of northern Alabama.
Posted by: gKWVE at July 22, 2026 11:07 AM (gKWVE)

But I am in Southern Alabama.
Posted by: Piper at July 22, 2026 11:10 AM (Dd38x)

The problem is that we don't have anywhere for 52 year old family men to go after they get fired by the D in the next admin...it's why Ds have set up their nonprofit and lobbying network to benefit themselves...and we haven't...

So, we would struggle to recruit the folks we want...

Posted by: Nova Local at July 22, 2026 11:25 AM (tOcjL)

36 The way to slow HIV in Africa is to make it less fun to spread it. That means catching people who spread it and sticking them somewhere they can't do that anymore.

I have some thoughts.

Posted by: Nayib Bukele at July 22, 2026 11:25 AM (Riz8t)

37 Is a Mass Driver and a Hardon Collider the same thing?
Posted by: Harbor Freight

I don't know but Kevin Spacey was in Baby Driver and had a hardon.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at July 22, 2026 11:26 AM (ndZc7)

38 Thx Joe
I realize the courts have upheld the district ct right pursuant to the US code to appoint a temporary replacement, but I still think that violates the separation of powers . I doubt Dread Judge Roberts would overturn the prior decisions but we may get a chance to see

Posted by: Smell the Glove at July 22, 2026 11:27 AM (sMkB+)

39 26 Cornyn must be getting kickbacks from the African AIDS thing. It's the only thing that makes sense.
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at July 22, 2026 11:16 AM (l26NL)
-----

Kickbacks from the Chinese companies mining minerals there. If AIDS and other diseases are limited, the Chinese slavemasters have a healthier workforce, increasing profits from mining, then greasing palms.

Posted by: Freddie Mercury at July 22, 2026 11:27 AM (oqH4h)

40 Imposing the rule of law in Congo is admittedly a hard problem. But I submit it is not Cornyn's problem, and he wouldn't know how to do it anyway.
Posted by: gKWVE at July 22, 2026 11:19 AM (gKWVE)

Billions and billions of US tax dollars have been spent in effort to stop the spread of Fauci in Africa. Whether the money was embezzled or not, not much change was implemented.

If the people there don't care, why should I? Ban travel from those areas. They'll either figure it out or they won't. Who's at fault? I mean besides Fauci, Bill Gates and the filthy billionaires doing biological experiments on the blacks because they hate them and want them irradicated.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at July 22, 2026 11:28 AM (/BPde)

41 Well I didn't mean to use a Freddie Mercury sock on an AIDS post but here we are

Posted by: ballistic at July 22, 2026 11:28 AM (oqH4h)

42 The problem is that we don't have anywhere for 52 year old family men to go after they get fired by the D in the next admin...it's why Ds have set up their nonprofit and lobbying network to benefit themselves...and we haven't...

So, we would struggle to recruit the folks we want...
Posted by: Nova Local

Hire me. I'm ghosting in November of 29 anyway.

Posted by: rickb223 at July 22, 2026 11:28 AM (1g3xS)

43 “ the district court would consult with the Attorney General and appoint someone”

Judges appoint prosecutors? Talk about the biggest conflict of interest in the history of conflicts of interest.

Posted by: Da Fuq at July 22, 2026 11:29 AM (GEtfQ)

44 > Where were hundreds of millions - billions - of dollars to Somalis really going? What was it funding? It wasn't just mansions.
----------
Some of the millions most likely went to Somalian warlords to buy arms. Or whomever. A fair amount went into politician's pockets to spend on whatever perversions they're into. Or fund Socialist/Communist/Muslim terror groups here in the states.

Basically, all the monies were used to enrich those people and fund the continued destruction of the US.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 22, 2026 11:29 AM (jehhT)

45 Well I didn't mean to use a Freddie Mercury sock on an AIDS post but here we are
Posted by: ballistic at July 22, 2026 11:28 AM (oqH4h)

Sometimes the socks just know.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at July 22, 2026 11:31 AM (N1tpc)

46 The way this has worked in the past, what with "comity" and all that jazz, is that when there is a vacancy, the district court would consult with the Attorney General and appoint someone tolerable to the Administration to the interim job. That was tradition, not law. As with all comity-based traditions, it ceased to exist under Trump.

Whenever someone starts babbling about "comity", I know they are placing their own needs and desires above those of the people who elected them. It should result in immediate expulsion, preferably followed by a brief helicopter ride.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 22, 2026 11:31 AM (Riz8t)

47 Imposing the rule of law in Congo is admittedly a hard problem. But I submit it is not Cornyn's problem, and he wouldn't know how to do it anyway.
Posted by: gKWVE
_________

Send a modern day Kurtz upriver. Couldn't end up any worse.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at July 22, 2026 11:33 AM (XvL8K)

48 Uh oh. Mamdani is getting serious now.

https://tinyurl.com/3ympm94a

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at July 22, 2026 11:35 AM (ndZc7)

49 Basically, all the monies were used to enrich those people and fund the continued destruction of the US.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 22, 2026 11:29 AM (jehhT)

There is a shit ton more houses in Mogdishu than when I was there in 93. The city is at least twice as large. I was at Victory Base which was way out in the sticks and now has a subdivision sitting on it.

Posted by: Reforger at July 22, 2026 11:36 AM (PjoLk)

50 >>>Trump hasn't hesitated to dust off his catchphrase and tell the usurper, "You're Fired!"

I voted for this.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at July 22, 2026 11:36 AM (dK+Kv)

51 Whenever someone starts babbling about "comity", I know they are placing their own needs and desires above those of the people who elected them. It should result in immediate expulsion, preferably followed by a brief helicopter ride.

Posted by: Archimedes
---

Like "for the greater good" usually means for My Good and to your detriment.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at July 22, 2026 11:37 AM (xvV+O)

52 Evil never rests. Or showers.
Posted by: ... at July 22, 2026 11:05 AM (v5XIn)

Rust never sleeps ...

Posted by: Neil Young at July 22, 2026 11:37 AM (3sXRv)

53 The fuq? Again?
I quit.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at July 22, 2026 11:38 AM (diia5)

54 OT: House already passed a stop gap funding bill through Dec 4 (this would be Oct 1 to Dec 4) - got a few Dems to vote for it (220-205)...

Posted by: Nova Local at July 22, 2026 11:39 AM (tOcjL)

55 12 Now, if only the Senate, those shits, would be willing to try and convict impeached judges....
Posted by: Huck Follywood

They are in on the plot. Blue slip policy is what is keeping any Trump District appointee from being seated because Grassley refuses to schedule Judiciary Committee votes without the Democrats senators giving their okay on Trump nominees. Goes the same for district court nominations.

And this rule has little or nothing to do anymore, if it ever did, with advise and consent that the Senate has a role. Same with their single person 'holds' on nominees like dead duck Cornyn just pulled.

Posted by: Bearded Spock at July 22, 2026 11:39 AM (E4rtv)

56 Can we fire some federal judges?
Who has the authority to do that?

Posted by: Lizzy at July 22, 2026 11:40 AM (X8xt3)

57 I want to go on record as really preferring not to witness the downfall of our society. We need to get it together.

Posted by: Piper at July 22, 2026 11:03 AM (Dd38x)
==
When the other side decides they no longer want to be at war, that would be great. But they haven't. The only option is to hurt them on every move. Every single one.

Posted by: Black JEM at July 22, 2026 11:40 AM (7/DDO)

58 Same with their single person 'holds' on nominees like dead duck Cornyn just pulled.

No matter what else is going on, hearing that Cornyn is a DMW puts a smile on my face.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 22, 2026 11:40 AM (Riz8t)

59
No matter what else is going on, hearing that Cornyn is a DMW puts a smile on my face.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 22, 2026 11:40 AM (Riz8t)

This. Bigly.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at July 22, 2026 11:42 AM (/BPde)

60 56 Can we fire some federal judges?
Who has the authority to do that?
Posted by: Lizzy at July 22, 2026 11:40 AM (X8xt3)

It's a lifetime appointment.
Read that however you like.

Posted by: Reforger at July 22, 2026 11:42 AM (PjoLk)

61 Judges appoint prosecutors? Talk about the biggest conflict of interest in the history of conflicts of interest.
Posted by: Da Fuq

Judges used to not be so blatant about being partisan but like the DSA and elected Dems, the recent DEI judges have went YOLO and their older Clinton and Obama judges have joined in.

But the statute is old, it is unlikely that the judges constitutionally should have this power because district attorneys are major officers of the US, not minor (so Congress cannot vest by law appointment to these offices in anyone other than the President), and so on. Last time such a law was upheld by Scotus was the independent counsel law which is now defunct.

Posted by: Bearded Spock at July 22, 2026 11:42 AM (E4rtv)

62
1. A US Attorney vacancy opens
2. The 120-day period expires
3. The district court judges appoint their man as they see fit
4. Trump fires the newly-appointed USA before he can start work

==============

#4 is the sort of thing I'm always asking "Why can't he do X?" It seems so obvious and effective but no one does it!

And Trump does it. I hope President Rubio works the same way.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at July 22, 2026 11:43 AM (mmrXZ)

63 The problem is that we don't have anywhere for 52 year old family men to go after they get fired by the D in the next admin...it's why Ds have set up their nonprofit and lobbying network to benefit themselves...and we haven't...

So, we would struggle to recruit the folks we want...

Posted by: Nova Local at July 22, 2026 11:25 AM (tOcjL)
==
Those NGO jobs are disappearing pretty quick. Once killed it takes alot of work to set them back up. We are closer to parity than we have been in awhile.

Posted by: Black JEM at July 22, 2026 11:44 AM (7/DDO)

64 Hate crime in Baltimore.

https://tinyurl.com/4559t6yu

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at July 22, 2026 11:44 AM (ndZc7)

65 Whenever someone starts babbling about "comity", I know they are placing their own needs and desires above those of the people who elected them. It should result in immediate expulsion, preferably followed by a brief helicopter ride.
-------

I always use the word 'rapprochement'. Because I'm smart and sophisticated.

Posted by: ValJar at July 22, 2026 11:44 AM (XeU6L)

66 As mentioned here before, Trump has been very busy firing immigration court judges, which is great. considering a lot of them are former immigration attorneys who are pro-immigrant.

It's a win-win, since it removes the rubber stamp allowing immigrants to stay, and it makes the wait longer, wearing down people who want to fast-track their naturalization process.

Posted by: Lizzy at July 22, 2026 11:44 AM (X8xt3)

67 OT: House already passed a stop gap funding bill through Dec 4 (this would be Oct 1 to Dec 4) - got a few Dems to vote for it (220-205)...
-----

SAVE Act still not passed. Why are they bothering with anything else?

Posted by: Mick J at July 22, 2026 11:45 AM (TN0g+)

68 60 56 Can we fire some federal judges?
Who has the authority to do that?
Posted by: Lizzy at July 22, 2026 11:40 AM (X8xt3)

It's a lifetime appointment.
Read that however you like.
Posted by: Reforger

Stuart v Laird, 1802. The easiest way to get rid of lower court judges is to reorganize the federal courts or to drown them in new appointees. The more subtle way is to deny them resources like law clerks, marshals, etc. Another is to return to three judge panels for any important decision--that tends to stomp on extreme opinions.

But district court judges nor even Court of Appeals judges are NOT guaranteed a life term by the Constitution, Scotus is but they are not. They get the life term via statutes, not the Constitution. That means Congress could change the terms for new appointees.

Posted by: Bearded Spock at July 22, 2026 11:46 AM (E4rtv)

69 Yet another reason to build Elon's Mass Driver on the moon.
Posted by: Huck Follywood

Careful what you wish for, R. A. Heinlein wrote about it.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at July 22, 2026 11:46 AM (NnhvP)

70 "The Administration's stance is, essentially, "anyone, for any reason or no reason at all." "

Which is completely in line with federal labor laws. Political appointees are at will employees and they can be fired for any reason or no reason and they lack any job protection laws like civil service employees have.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 22, 2026 11:47 AM (0N4FZ)

71 Can we fire some federal judges?
Who has the authority to do that?
Posted by: Lizzy at July 22, 2026 11:40 AM (X8xt3)

It's a lifetime appointment.

-
So trebuchets?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at July 22, 2026 11:47 AM (ndZc7)

72 Guy I listen to in the podcast world has consistently said the country was lost in January 2020, and 2024 and after is the attempt to reclaim it. There are a lot of markers and dates that can be used, but I guess that one is as good as any.
Posted by: Ex Rex Reeder at July 22, 2026 11:15 AM (QaH55)

I'd say the date Barky the Dogeater got re-elected. But I know it goes back farther than that. Perhaps when Woodrow Wilson was elected.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at July 22, 2026 11:49 AM (g8Ew8)

73 Careful what you wish for, R. A. Heinlein wrote about it.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at July 22, 2026 11:46 AM (NnhvP)
---------
We can throw rocks at them.

Posted by: Mycroft at July 22, 2026 11:50 AM (amcLV)

74 67 OT: House already passed a stop gap funding bill through Dec 4 (this would be Oct 1 to Dec 4) - got a few Dems to vote for it (220-205)...
-----

SAVE Act still not passed. Why are they bothering with anything else?
Posted by: Mick J at July 22, 2026 11:45 AM (TN0g+)

House has passed the SAVE Act months ago...

Posted by: Nova Local at July 22, 2026 11:50 AM (tOcjL)

75 Hate crime in Baltimore.

https://tinyurl.com/4559t6yu
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at July 22, 2026 11:44 AM

AYFKM?

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 22, 2026 11:50 AM (ZANHd)

76 I always thought the country was lost the night McCain got the nomination, because at the time it meant we would have The Hag, Osama, or McCain, all Soros puppet creatures.

The fact is it was of course lost before that, because Romney was the choice against McCain, and I think enough said on that front.

Bottom line is the country has been gone a loooong time.

Posted by: ... at July 22, 2026 11:52 AM (v5XIn)

77 More cultural enlightenment.

Migrant charged with raping, suffocating, slicing, torturing, and running over Dutch woman he held hostage for a week

https://tinyurl.com/3hpuzane

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at July 22, 2026 11:53 AM (ndZc7)

78 Just ponder the choice after Bush was purportedly:

Hillary
McCain
Obama
Romney

And just before the election, they pulled the rug on the financial system. Dear Lord.

Posted by: ... at July 22, 2026 11:54 AM (v5XIn)

79 I've noticed the "No Kings" people really, really like unelected, unaccountable people making fundamental decisions for the nation over elected officials that face the electorate on a regular basis.

Posted by: 18-1 at July 22, 2026 11:56 AM (sKqQm)

80 I want to go on record as really preferring not to witness the downfall of our society. We need to get it together.
Posted by: Piper at July 22, 2026 11:03 AM (Dd38x)
___

Please put out fire on head. We are fine. We survived far worse situations in our history. We survived Carter, Obama, and Biden, and a host of Democrap shitlords before them. There will always be evil and rot as long as humans exist. It's a perpetual battle. One that we are winning.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at July 22, 2026 11:57 AM (iFTx/)

81 Hate crime in Baltimore.

https://tinyurl.com/4559t6yu
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at July 22, 2026 11:44 AM

AYFKM?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState

Hate is in the eye of the beholder.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at July 22, 2026 11:57 AM (ndZc7)

82 I've noticed the "No Kings" people really, really like unelected, unaccountable people making fundamental decisions for the nation over elected officials that face the electorate on a regular basis.
Posted by: 18-1 at July 22, 2026 11:56 AM (sKqQm)
---
They are anti-king, but very pro-God Emperor of Mankind.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 22, 2026 11:58 AM (FZ29D)

83 The same people that tell me that the world is overpopulated and Americans use too many resources also tell me we NEED to let millions of third worlders come here and get handouts so they too can use as many resources as Americans do

Posted by: 18-1 at July 22, 2026 11:58 AM (sKqQm)

84 OT: House already passed a stop gap funding bill through Dec 4 (this would be Oct 1 to Dec 4) - got a few Dems to vote for it (220-205)...
-----

Posted by: Mick J at July 22, 2026 11:45 AM (TN0g+)

Thune has already said the GOP bill is dead on arrival and that he's working with Democrats to get something else passed.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider: Gotterdammerung at July 22, 2026 11:58 AM (AdHga)

85 I don't believe the Country is lost. Are there some serious problems, yes, but they aren't insurmountable.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 22, 2026 11:58 AM (abScH)

86 Trump Hate, and Graft, are reasons for no SAVE Act, yes? Which one more is a coin toss?

Posted by: tubal at July 22, 2026 11:59 AM (Gqar8)

87 They are anti-king, but very pro-God Emperor of Mankind.

Funny thing about that if you actually read the Warhammer lore, the Emperor is a lying asshole that told everyone that there was no religion/nothing outside of the physical world while he knew that wasn't true.

He even has a debate with a monk before killing him where the monk tells him if the Emperor destroys religion it will come back but in a bad way...

Posted by: 18-1 at July 22, 2026 12:00 PM (sKqQm)

88 don't believe the Country is lost. Are there some serious problems, yes, but they aren't insurmountable.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 22, 2026 11:58 AM (abScH)

With God all things are possible. We are indeed the last great hope on earth. Just gotta go generation to generation.

Posted by: ... at July 22, 2026 12:00 PM (v5XIn)

89 I saw Trump, Hate and Graft open for Crosby, Stills and Nash back in the day...

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at July 22, 2026 12:01 PM (amcLV)

90 Hate crime in Baltimore.

https://tinyurl.com/4559t6yu
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at July 22, 2026 11:44 AM

AYFKM?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState

Hate is in the eye of the beholder.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at July 22, 2026 11:57 AM (ndZc7)
______

In a way, that's a positive development because it shows that everyone knows "teen takeover" means "feral black thugs destroying things." That euphemism ain't fooling anyone.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at July 22, 2026 12:01 PM (iFTx/)

91 Funny thing about that if you actually read the Warhammer lore, the Emperor is a lying asshole that told everyone that there was no religion/nothing outside of the physical world while he knew that wasn't true.

He even has a debate with a monk before killing him where the monk tells him if the Emperor destroys religion it will come back but in a bad way...
Posted by: 18-1 at July 22, 2026 12:00 PM (sKqQm)
----
I bet the masses of peons in Warhammer 40K are unaware of that little factoid. Probably only a handful of people in the entire Imperium are aware.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 22, 2026 12:01 PM (FZ29D)

92 85 I don't believe the Country is lost. Are there some serious problems, yes, but they aren't insurmountable.
Posted by: Ben Had
------
I would agree. The US is not the original republic as it was in 1787, but also not the republic it was in 1820, 1866, 1900, 1930, and even 2016. The forms of a republic remain but how current Americans interpret them and what they do changes.

Posted by: whig at July 22, 2026 12:02 PM (E4rtv)

93 Can't we all just get along?

Posted by: Rodney Queen at July 22, 2026 12:03 PM (Cqx++)

94 92 85 I don't believe the Country is lost. Are there some serious problems, yes, but they aren't insurmountable.
Posted by: Ben Had
------
I would agree. The US is not the original republic as it was in 1787, but also not the republic it was in 1820, 1866, 1900, 1930, and even 2016. The forms of a republic remain but how current Americans interpret them and what they do changes.
Posted by: whig at July 22, 2026 12:02 PM (E4rtv)

These are fine thoughts. I would say a Republic is always in perennial crisis mode, due to the nature of people. Republics are unnatural.

Posted by: tubal at July 22, 2026 12:04 PM (Gqar8)

95 Republics are unnatural.
Posted by: tubal at July 22, 2026 12:04 PM (Gqar

-------
Heh.

Posted by: Gaius Julius Caesar at July 22, 2026 12:05 PM (amcLV)

96 Fuck comity.

DC has already declared war on Trump.

Posted by: Axeman at July 22, 2026 12:06 PM (Fi81e)

97 Jim Comity?

Posted by: ... at July 22, 2026 12:07 PM (v5XIn)

98 Sounds to me like the whole system is corrupt. And this is the law of land. It's no wonder we're fucked.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at July 22, 2026 12:07 PM (sYM3s)

99 Jim Comity?
Posted by: ... at July 22, 2026 12:07 PM (v5XIn)
---------
Hate that guy.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at July 22, 2026 12:07 PM (amcLV)

100 He even has a debate with a monk before killing him where the monk tells him if the Emperor destroys religion it will come back but in a bad way...

Posted by: 18-1 at July 22, 2026 12:00 PM (sKqQm)
---
* Shows 18-1 the Nerd card *

Posted by: Soccer Ref at July 22, 2026 12:08 PM (Fi81e)

101 These are fine thoughts. I would say a Republic is always in perennial crisis mode, due to the nature of people. Republics are unnatural.
Posted by: tubal at July 22, 2026 12:04 PM (Gqar

Better than war.

Posted by: Reforger at July 22, 2026 12:08 PM (PjoLk)

102 Funny thing about that if you actually read the Warhammer lore, the Emperor is a lying asshole that told everyone that there was no religion/nothing outside of the physical world while he knew that wasn't true.

He even has a debate with a monk before killing him where the monk tells him if the Emperor destroys religion it will come back but in a bad way...

Posted by: 18-1

...and ironically, despite going to great pains to disavow the idea that he was any sort of a god, he's venerated as such by the official Imperial cult regardless.

The depths of his failure on so many fronts by his own hubris and failure to anticipate how his actions would reverberate are the cornerstone of that setting's tragedy.

Posted by: Brother Tim sez: Fiat Justicia, Ruat Caelum at July 22, 2026 12:09 PM (OUMaO)

103 Look busy. I think the boss is near.

Posted by: Reforger at July 22, 2026 12:10 PM (PjoLk)

104 These are fine thoughts. I would say a Republic is always in perennial crisis mode, due to the nature of people. Republics are unnatural.
Posted by: tubal at July 22, 2026 12:04 PM (Gqar

Better than war.

Posted by: Reforger

Which, human nature being what it is, turns up on occasion regardless.

Posted by: Brother Tim sez: Fiat Justicia, Ruat Caelum at July 22, 2026 12:10 PM (OUMaO)

105 President was intended to control the executive. Just as I don't want Trump to call Congress into recess to make "recess appointments", I don't want asshole slow-walks by the Republican enemy to control allowed political appointments by the enemy Senate.

Posted by: Axeman at July 22, 2026 12:10 PM (Fi81e)

106 Thune has already said the GOP bill is dead on arrival and that he's working with Democrats to get something else passed.
Posted by: Washington Nearsider

He might find that the Senate bill is dead in the House. Thune is a pretty stupid majority leader so far and I don't think he will last in the job even if he keeps his Senate seat in 2028. The last Senate party leader to lose reelection was, ta da, Tom Daschle who was defeated by John Thune in 2004.

Posted by: whig at July 22, 2026 12:11 PM (E4rtv)

107 He even has a debate with a monk before killing him where the monk tells him if the Emperor destroys religion it will come back but in a bad way...

Posted by: 18-1 at July 22, 2026 12:00 PM (sKqQm)
---
* Shows 18-1 the Nerd card *

Posted by: Soccer Ref

Don't lie. You painted a Magic: the Gathering card for that.

Posted by: Brother Tim sez: Fiat Justicia, Ruat Caelum at July 22, 2026 12:11 PM (OUMaO)

108 (found on GP)
Four orders of Catholic nuns and several Catholic healthcare ministries filed a federal lawsuit against New York on July 17, arguing the state’s new assisted-suicide law forces them to participate in ending patients’ lives in violation of their faith. The case, Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm v. James, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York against Attorney General Letitia James. The plaintiffs are represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

Posted by: Crusader at July 22, 2026 12:11 PM (TN0g+)

109 So easy a caveman could do it!

Interesting 20 minute video about extraordinary tools and such demonstrating the intelligence of primitive people.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0DXBT-hlIZQ&t=638s

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Fat, Dumb, and Happy at July 22, 2026 12:11 PM (ndZc7)

110 Sometimes we have to "do the hard things that need doing ourselves." Hope, as someone once said to me, is a near constant state of denial.

Whether that's remotely true is debatable.

YMMV

Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 22, 2026 12:12 PM (jehhT)

111 105 President was intended to control the executive. Just as I don't want Trump to call Congress into recess to make "recess appointments", I don't want asshole slow-walks by the Republican enemy to control allowed political appointments by the enemy Senate.
Posted by: Axeman

One way is to have the House disagree about adjournment in December with the Senate and then as per the Constitution, the President can force the senate to adjourn--thus a recess for recess appointments exists.

Posted by: whig at July 22, 2026 12:12 PM (E4rtv)

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