Jason
@jasonthoughts.bsky.social
Reposted by Jason
All of the money that changed hands in the Teapot Dome scandal totaled less than $10 million after adjusting for inflation, and it was considered so corrupt we still teach it in high school government classes a century later.
Corruption so pungent, it wafts right off the page:
Lobbyists who do pardon deals “say their going rate is $1 million. Pardon-seekers have offered some lobbyists close to the president success fees of as much as $6 million if they can close the deal.”
Gift link www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Lobbyists who do pardon deals “say their going rate is $1 million. Pardon-seekers have offered some lobbyists close to the president success fees of as much as $6 million if they can close the deal.”
Gift link www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Inside the New Fast Track to a Presidential Pardon
Even some of the president’s closest advisers have been surprised by a number of the recent series of pardons.
www.wsj.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:24 PM
All of the money that changed hands in the Teapot Dome scandal totaled less than $10 million after adjusting for inflation, and it was considered so corrupt we still teach it in high school government classes a century later.
Reposted by Jason
GOP operatives Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, convicted election fraudsters, were paid $960,000 in the second quarter to secure a pardon for a former nursing-home operator who defrauded the government of $38 million. Trump pardoned the man, Joseph Schwartz, last month.
Inside the New Fast Track to a Presidential Pardon
Even some of the president’s closest advisers have been surprised by a number of the recent series of pardons.
www.wsj.com
December 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
GOP operatives Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, convicted election fraudsters, were paid $960,000 in the second quarter to secure a pardon for a former nursing-home operator who defrauded the government of $38 million. Trump pardoned the man, Joseph Schwartz, last month.
Reposted by Jason
It's actually worse. The Supreme Court has held 9-0 -- Clarence Thomas and other executive power fanatics included -- that detainees rendered to another country via the Alien Enemies Act are entitled to a pre-deportation hearing. There is no legal debate whatsoever.
Belatedly, this line from Weiss' memo is...something
Let's get someone who says banishing to CECOT was legit, she says
Here's the thing: There's a consensus among legal experts that *wasn't* legit
You can find someone who says moon is made outta Fluffernutter. Doesn't mean you should quote 'em
Let's get someone who says banishing to CECOT was legit, she says
Here's the thing: There's a consensus among legal experts that *wasn't* legit
You can find someone who says moon is made outta Fluffernutter. Doesn't mean you should quote 'em
December 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
It's actually worse. The Supreme Court has held 9-0 -- Clarence Thomas and other executive power fanatics included -- that detainees rendered to another country via the Alien Enemies Act are entitled to a pre-deportation hearing. There is no legal debate whatsoever.
Reposted by Jason
The White House is now citing "national security" for everything it does. Seriously, check out these headlines. It's just the last few weeks.
If you know authoritarian history, then you know how menacing this is.
If you know authoritarian history, then you know how menacing this is.
December 23, 2025 at 5:01 AM
The White House is now citing "national security" for everything it does. Seriously, check out these headlines. It's just the last few weeks.
If you know authoritarian history, then you know how menacing this is.
If you know authoritarian history, then you know how menacing this is.
Reposted by Jason
So CBS News paid President Trump millions to settle a baseless lawsuit over 60 Minutes editing a Kamala Harris interview the way they edit every interview, then a self-styled free speech champion took over CBS News and censored a 60 Minutes report exposing Trump admin actions, do I have that right?
December 22, 2025 at 1:34 PM
So CBS News paid President Trump millions to settle a baseless lawsuit over 60 Minutes editing a Kamala Harris interview the way they edit every interview, then a self-styled free speech champion took over CBS News and censored a 60 Minutes report exposing Trump admin actions, do I have that right?
Reposted by Jason
Putin chastising people who disagree with him to “read the new US National Security Strategy” highlights how “collusion or not?” doesn’t really matter when there’s so much convergence.
The Trump regime’s goals in Europe heavily overlap with Russia’s. Anti-democracy, anti-freedom, anti-EU, anti-NATO.
The Trump regime’s goals in Europe heavily overlap with Russia’s. Anti-democracy, anti-freedom, anti-EU, anti-NATO.
Putin to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte:
What nonsense is he saying? I'd really like to ask him: Listen, what are you saying about a war with Russia?
You can read, right? Then read the new US National Security strategy. The USA is the key player in NATO, the main sponsor of NATO.
What nonsense is he saying? I'd really like to ask him: Listen, what are you saying about a war with Russia?
You can read, right? Then read the new US National Security strategy. The USA is the key player in NATO, the main sponsor of NATO.
December 19, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Putin chastising people who disagree with him to “read the new US National Security Strategy” highlights how “collusion or not?” doesn’t really matter when there’s so much convergence.
The Trump regime’s goals in Europe heavily overlap with Russia’s. Anti-democracy, anti-freedom, anti-EU, anti-NATO.
The Trump regime’s goals in Europe heavily overlap with Russia’s. Anti-democracy, anti-freedom, anti-EU, anti-NATO.
Reposted by Jason
Russian leaders keep saying they aim to conquer Ukraine because they want it, and hope to get concessions from the West too.
US leaders keep saying Russia wants peace and deserves accommodation.
Ukraine’s leaders try to sound reasonable in that impossible situation.
“Peace talks” farce continues.
US leaders keep saying Russia wants peace and deserves accommodation.
Ukraine’s leaders try to sound reasonable in that impossible situation.
“Peace talks” farce continues.
Putin Reaffirms Broad Military Goals for Russia in Ukraine
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Russian leaders keep saying they aim to conquer Ukraine because they want it, and hope to get concessions from the West too.
US leaders keep saying Russia wants peace and deserves accommodation.
Ukraine’s leaders try to sound reasonable in that impossible situation.
“Peace talks” farce continues.
US leaders keep saying Russia wants peace and deserves accommodation.
Ukraine’s leaders try to sound reasonable in that impossible situation.
“Peace talks” farce continues.
Reposted by Jason
Trump Relies on Distortions to Support His Pressure Campaign on Venezuela www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/u...
Trump Relies on Distortions to Support His Pressure Campaign on Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Trump Relies on Distortions to Support His Pressure Campaign on Venezuela www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/u...
Reposted by Jason
Jared Kushner’s firm means Saudi Arabia’s in too.
So America managed to transfer control of TikTok USA from foreign billionaires in east Asia to foreign billionaires in west Asia, and from Chinese ruling party-connected oligarchs to US ruling party-connected oligarchs.
Congrats?
So America managed to transfer control of TikTok USA from foreign billionaires in east Asia to foreign billionaires in west Asia, and from Chinese ruling party-connected oligarchs to US ruling party-connected oligarchs.
Congrats?
TikTok will now be owned by the Ellisons, Jared Kushner's firm, and Abu Dhabi's state investment fund.
TikTok U.S. Sale to Close Next Month: Oracle and Silver Lake Confirmed in Buyer Consortium
Abu Dhabi's state investment fund will also be a managing investor.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Jared Kushner’s firm means Saudi Arabia’s in too.
So America managed to transfer control of TikTok USA from foreign billionaires in east Asia to foreign billionaires in west Asia, and from Chinese ruling party-connected oligarchs to US ruling party-connected oligarchs.
Congrats?
So America managed to transfer control of TikTok USA from foreign billionaires in east Asia to foreign billionaires in west Asia, and from Chinese ruling party-connected oligarchs to US ruling party-connected oligarchs.
Congrats?
Reposted by Jason
“The president doesn’t know and never will,” she told me. “He doesn’t know the details of these smallish agencies.”
-Susie Wiles on the destruction of USAID, which has led to 600,000 deaths, including ~400,000 children, in the last year alone.
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
-Susie Wiles on the destruction of USAID, which has led to 600,000 deaths, including ~400,000 children, in the last year alone.
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
Susie Wiles Talks About The First Year of Trump’s Second Term (Part 1 of 2)
In the first half of ‘Vanity Fair’’s interview with Susie Wiles, the chief of staff discusses Elon Musk’s DOGE disaster, the FBI’s “incredible job” investigating January 6, and how Trump once berated ...
www.vanityfair.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:50 PM
“The president doesn’t know and never will,” she told me. “He doesn’t know the details of these smallish agencies.”
-Susie Wiles on the destruction of USAID, which has led to 600,000 deaths, including ~400,000 children, in the last year alone.
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
-Susie Wiles on the destruction of USAID, which has led to 600,000 deaths, including ~400,000 children, in the last year alone.
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
Reposted by Jason
"The S.E.C., the top federal regulator that polices wrongdoing in the financial markets, is no longer actively pursuing a single case against a firm with known Trump ties."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/u...
The S.E.C. Was Tough on Crypto. It Pulled Back After Trump Returned to Office.
www.nytimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:17 AM
"The S.E.C., the top federal regulator that polices wrongdoing in the financial markets, is no longer actively pursuing a single case against a firm with known Trump ties."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/u...
Reposted by Jason
The US has to focus on competition with China
AND
AI is the future, so the US must devote tons of resources to it, or China might get there first
AND
The US removes export controls, allowing China to buy advanced AI chips if the US govt gets a cut of the sales
DOESN’T MAKE SENSE ALL TOGETHER
AND
AI is the future, so the US must devote tons of resources to it, or China might get there first
AND
The US removes export controls, allowing China to buy advanced AI chips if the US govt gets a cut of the sales
DOESN’T MAKE SENSE ALL TOGETHER
December 13, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The US has to focus on competition with China
AND
AI is the future, so the US must devote tons of resources to it, or China might get there first
AND
The US removes export controls, allowing China to buy advanced AI chips if the US govt gets a cut of the sales
DOESN’T MAKE SENSE ALL TOGETHER
AND
AI is the future, so the US must devote tons of resources to it, or China might get there first
AND
The US removes export controls, allowing China to buy advanced AI chips if the US govt gets a cut of the sales
DOESN’T MAKE SENSE ALL TOGETHER
Reposted by Jason
Just sent out this piece. The whole idea that Trump's sanctions on Russian oil were meant to hurt Putin is collapsing on all fronts. Indian and Chinese purchases are up and there are no secondary sanctions to be found. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
The Trump Russian Oil Sanctions Con Is Collapsing
And Why It Matters
open.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Just sent out this piece. The whole idea that Trump's sanctions on Russian oil were meant to hurt Putin is collapsing on all fronts. Indian and Chinese purchases are up and there are no secondary sanctions to be found. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Jason
2/2 "SAN’s source issued a similar prompt to the chatbot in an effort to verify the post’s claims. The source said they were given a response that likewise described the actions as illegal."
Screenshot via www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/c...
Screenshot via www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/c...
December 10, 2025 at 2:16 PM
2/2 "SAN’s source issued a similar prompt to the chatbot in an effort to verify the post’s claims. The source said they were given a response that likewise described the actions as illegal."
Screenshot via www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/c...
Screenshot via www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/c...
Reposted by Jason
This is extraordinary and extraordinarily revealing if true.
“An artificial intelligence chatbot unveiled by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday appears to have described airstrikes against suspected drug smugglers at sea as 'unambiguously illegal.'”
report by @mikaelthalen.bsky.social
1/2
“An artificial intelligence chatbot unveiled by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday appears to have described airstrikes against suspected drug smugglers at sea as 'unambiguously illegal.'”
report by @mikaelthalen.bsky.social
1/2
The military's new AI says 'hypothetical' boat strike scenario 'unambiguously illegal’
An AI chatbot unveiled by the Pentagon appears to have described airstrikes against suspected drug smugglers at sea as “illegal.”
san.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:14 PM
This is extraordinary and extraordinarily revealing if true.
“An artificial intelligence chatbot unveiled by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday appears to have described airstrikes against suspected drug smugglers at sea as 'unambiguously illegal.'”
report by @mikaelthalen.bsky.social
1/2
“An artificial intelligence chatbot unveiled by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday appears to have described airstrikes against suspected drug smugglers at sea as 'unambiguously illegal.'”
report by @mikaelthalen.bsky.social
1/2
Reposted by Jason
Stop printing lies in the newspaper. There need to be consequences for printing lies in the newspaper. He literally says and believes exactly this, several times per day and on camera.
December 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Stop printing lies in the newspaper. There need to be consequences for printing lies in the newspaper. He literally says and believes exactly this, several times per day and on camera.
Reposted by Jason
Team Oligarch Suits Up to Torpedo Netflix/WBD Merger talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/team-...
Team Oligarch Suits Up to Torpedo Netflix/WBD Merger
Simply extraordinary stuff coming out this morning about the battle over what...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Team Oligarch Suits Up to Torpedo Netflix/WBD Merger talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/team-...
Reposted by Jason
It's good—very good, and very important—that district courts keep issuing these 100-page rulings upholding the law. It must be incredibly dispiriting to see them overturned in a two-page, lawless, unsigned order, but please, keep them coming. They expose SCOTUS' corruption like nothing else.
December 5, 2025 at 12:41 AM
It's good—very good, and very important—that district courts keep issuing these 100-page rulings upholding the law. It must be incredibly dispiriting to see them overturned in a two-page, lawless, unsigned order, but please, keep them coming. They expose SCOTUS' corruption like nothing else.
Reposted by Jason
Texas clearly did a racial gerrymander, which is illegal.
A district court found that Texas did a racial gerrymander, rejecting the new map because it is illegal.
But the Supreme Court reversed it.
Because? Must assume the gerrymanderers were acting in good faith (despite the evidence otherwise).
A district court found that Texas did a racial gerrymander, rejecting the new map because it is illegal.
But the Supreme Court reversed it.
Because? Must assume the gerrymanderers were acting in good faith (despite the evidence otherwise).
December 4, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Texas clearly did a racial gerrymander, which is illegal.
A district court found that Texas did a racial gerrymander, rejecting the new map because it is illegal.
But the Supreme Court reversed it.
Because? Must assume the gerrymanderers were acting in good faith (despite the evidence otherwise).
A district court found that Texas did a racial gerrymander, rejecting the new map because it is illegal.
But the Supreme Court reversed it.
Because? Must assume the gerrymanderers were acting in good faith (despite the evidence otherwise).
Reposted by Jason
Wait, does he think the fog of war is literally smoke?
December 2, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Wait, does he think the fog of war is literally smoke?
Reposted by Jason
Federal Government Announces Racial Profiling Campaign, Explains It’s Because of the President’s Personal Bigotry
Officials prepare immigration operation in Minnesota that would focus on Somali immigrants, source tells AP, as Trump says he doesn't want Somalis in U.S.
Federal authorities plan operation in Minnesota focusing on Somali immigrants, AP source says
Federal authorities are preparing an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, focusing on Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the U.S.
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Federal Government Announces Racial Profiling Campaign, Explains It’s Because of the President’s Personal Bigotry
Reposted by Jason
I know the press has lowered the bar for this one guy to such a degree that presidential is no longer visible and you need a spelunking crew to reach it, but it's nevertheless worth remembering that knowing about use of US military force abroad is a core part his job. Article II and all that.
Reporter: If there were a second strike that killed wounded people, would that be legal?
Trump: I don’t know that happened and Pete said he did not even know what people were talking about. I wouldn’t have wanted a second strike. The first strike was very lethal. It was fine.
Trump: I don’t know that happened and Pete said he did not even know what people were talking about. I wouldn’t have wanted a second strike. The first strike was very lethal. It was fine.
December 1, 2025 at 12:29 AM
I know the press has lowered the bar for this one guy to such a degree that presidential is no longer visible and you need a spelunking crew to reach it, but it's nevertheless worth remembering that knowing about use of US military force abroad is a core part his job. Article II and all that.
Reposted by Jason
The first strike was also murder. You can’t just up and kill civilians on the high seas and then claim you were at war with them.
Reporter: If there were a second strike that killed wounded people, would that be legal?
Trump: I don’t know that happened and Pete said he did not even know what people were talking about. I wouldn’t have wanted a second strike. The first strike was very lethal. It was fine.
Trump: I don’t know that happened and Pete said he did not even know what people were talking about. I wouldn’t have wanted a second strike. The first strike was very lethal. It was fine.
November 30, 2025 at 11:53 PM
The first strike was also murder. You can’t just up and kill civilians on the high seas and then claim you were at war with them.
Reposted by Jason
Do reporters ever follow up with questions like:
-Why do doctors keep telling you to get cognitive tests?
-Is identifying a picture of a giraffe challenging for you?
-Can you tell us a difficult question from one of these cognitive tests, or are you unable to remember?
-Why do doctors keep telling you to get cognitive tests?
-Is identifying a picture of a giraffe challenging for you?
-Can you tell us a difficult question from one of these cognitive tests, or are you unable to remember?
Reporter: Governor Walz called for the release of your MRI results
Trump: They were perfect like my phone call where I got impeached.
Reporter: Can you tell us what they were looking at?
Trump: I have no idea. It was just an MRI. It wasn’t the brain because I took a cognitive test and aced it.
Trump: They were perfect like my phone call where I got impeached.
Reporter: Can you tell us what they were looking at?
Trump: I have no idea. It was just an MRI. It wasn’t the brain because I took a cognitive test and aced it.
November 30, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Do reporters ever follow up with questions like:
-Why do doctors keep telling you to get cognitive tests?
-Is identifying a picture of a giraffe challenging for you?
-Can you tell us a difficult question from one of these cognitive tests, or are you unable to remember?
-Why do doctors keep telling you to get cognitive tests?
-Is identifying a picture of a giraffe challenging for you?
-Can you tell us a difficult question from one of these cognitive tests, or are you unable to remember?
Reposted by Jason
$1.6bln: The amount of his fraud scheme
7: Years of his sentence
10,000: Victims of his fraud
1,000: Letters from victims to the court
13: Days he served
1: Pardon from Trump
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...
7: Years of his sentence
10,000: Victims of his fraud
1,000: Letters from victims to the court
13: Days he served
1: Pardon from Trump
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...
Trump Frees Fraudster Just Days Into Seven-Year Prison Sentence
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
$1.6bln: The amount of his fraud scheme
7: Years of his sentence
10,000: Victims of his fraud
1,000: Letters from victims to the court
13: Days he served
1: Pardon from Trump
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...
7: Years of his sentence
10,000: Victims of his fraud
1,000: Letters from victims to the court
13: Days he served
1: Pardon from Trump
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...