Comment on Ability to count votes has gotten better — the political rhetoric, much worse

“Pentagon officials are planning options for using federal troops to secure the U. S.-Mexico border against drug traffickers, human smugglers and migrants, a potentially major shift in military priorities ordered by President Trump,“ the Wall Street Journal reports. “Use of the armed forces in a domestic role is restricted by laws prohibiting troops from engaging in law enforcement functions except in narrow circumstances.

“Dear President Trump, listen very carefully. Greenland have been part of the Danish kingdom for 800 years. It’s an integrated part of our country. It is not for sale. Let me put it in words you might understand. Mr. Trump, fuck off.” — Danish MP Anders Vistisen, addressing the European Parliament.

“The Trump administration is ordering all federal employees in diversity, equity and inclusion roles placed on paid leave by Wednesday evening,” NBC News reports. “The memo, issued Tuesday to heads of departments and agencies, sets a deadline of no later than 5 p.m. ET Wednesday to inform the employees that they will be put on paid administrative leave as the agencies prepare to close all DEI-related offices and programs and to remove all websites and social media accounts for such offices.” Politico: Trump administration sidelines staffers from disbanded DEIA offices.

“President Trump fulfilled a campaign promise to Libertarian supporters on his second day back in office by pardoning the former creator and owner of an underground e-commerce website known for drug trafficking,” NPR reports. “Ross Ulbricht, also known as ‘Dread Pirate Roberts,’ operated the anonymous digital marketplace known as Silk Road between 2011 and 2013, when law enforcement shut the site down and arrested him at a California public library.” Wired: Trump frees Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht after 11 years in prison.

Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde bravely called out a stone-faced Trump and Vance to their face during the national prayer service this Tuesday: “Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you, and as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God.

Donald ended his first day back in the White House by posting a message on Truth Social to boast of how his team was identifying hundreds of Biden appointees to throw out of office. Lumpy called it an "Official Notice of Dismissal" for four individuals "who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again." The Lump identified four people in the post. "Jose Andres from the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, Brian Hook from the Wilson Center for Scholars, and [former Atlanta Mayor] Keisha Lance Bottoms from the President's Export Council — YOU'RE FIRED!" Donald wrote. Handsome Old Joe Biden had already issued a preemptive pardon for Milley, who served as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019 to 2023. As for Chef José Andrés, he had already resigned since his two-year term was up.