Week 19
By 
But first a word from our sponsor –
If you want this series to go to Week 52, and eventually to Week 208, you’d better contribute now! As Paul said, we are not making our goals, and something (or someone!) will have to give!
I might miss a few weeks anyway, as the pressures associated with my move are becoming more onerous.
But, for now! Here are all the ways you can contribute. This is a checkpoint before you are allowed to read further!
Yes, the cat IS getting closer!
This week seemed even more chaotic than ususal, with too much Musk. Who looked pretty chaotic in his Oval Office appearance with Trump. ICE seems to be ramping up its performances, with heavily armed men taking restaurant dishwashers into custody without warrants.
Musk claims to be leaving, but his operatives remain in the agencies, where they continue to do damage and steal data. During that appearance, Trump reiterated that Musk is in charge of the operation, which his administration has been denying in court. More court action against Musk’s rampage to come.
ICE is ramping up its theater because it isn’t making its numbers, which some of us pointed out before the elections were not possible. JD Vance’s campaign plane is now carrying people being renditioned out of the country.
Part of the chaos is that members of the administration are beginning to turn on each other. What has been reported so far is what I would consider normal conflict. Every administration has some level of backbiting, and we can expect more from this unprincipled group, who vary widely in their ideologies. The fact that it is getting into the news suggests further conflict. We’re not near a breaking point yet.
Follow the court-watchers for the details of the lawsuits, now up to 251, including 10 closed. Chris Geidner (LawDork, Bluesky), Roger Parloff (Lawfare, Bluesky), and the Just Security tracker.
As usual, keep it to things that have actually happened, not hypotheticals. What is actually happening is bad enough.
My move is demanding more attention, and this morning brought two entirely gratuitous problems that will have to be attended to in addition. OTOH, the cats are becoming accustomed to the kennel they will have to spend time in when we move.
Caring for yourself and loved ones is resistance too. I took yesterday off as a mental health day. Post your pets.
Here’s what the Trump administration did this week, in no particular order
- Paused approval of student visas until they could be vetted for untoward speech on social media.
- Pardoned felons who contributed enough money to him. In some quarters, this is called a bribe.
Continuing
- Trump’s losses in the courts.
Pushback
- NM vs. DOGE was allowed to proceed. This case is brought by 14 states against the damage DOGE is doing.
- EO against Wilmer Hale was struck down.
- Ksenia Petrovna, the scientist taken into custod when returning from Europe, was ordered released.
- Trump exceeded his authority to issue tariffs. This was a big decision, but it’s stayed until June 9.
- A reporter asked Trump a nasty question about his TACO tariffs. TACO stands for Trump Always Chickens Out, a description of his behavior in declaring tariffs and then backing off. You can see the whole thing here.
Splits in the Coalition
- 25% of Trump voters regret their vote, according to one poll.
- Musk leaves and takes Katy Miller with him to Texas. In his Oval Office appearance, he sported a black eye.
- Trump is very angry at Leonard Leo.
- Ed Walker at Emptywheel is reading Curtis Yarvin so we don’t have to, and Yarvin is not happy with how things are going in the Trump administration.
Not offficially part of the administration, but Jake Tapper sold only 53,000 of his books and still hasn’t taken up the mental incapacity of the current president as a cause.
189 more weeks to go. What are you doing?
Previous weeks: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8. Week 9, Week 10
Week 11, Week 12, Week 13, Week 14, Week 15, Week 16, Week 17, Week 18