Secret Garden Spots

Judge Juan Merchan has decided to sentence Donald Trump to an “unconditional discharge.” It is not the erasure of Trump’s 34 felony convictions but it is, The New York Times explains, “a rare and lenient alternative to jail or probation.” He had been facing up to four years in jail. More from The Times: An unconditional discharge would cement Mr.

MAGA Rep. Mike Johnson appeared to be struggling to hold on to the speaker's gavel, so incoming Vice President Donald unleashed a couple of posts on Truth Social to lash out at Liz Cheney, then to claim that Democrats are "giddy" that flags are set to be at half-staff in honor of the late former President Carter.

Bill Penzey, CEO of Penzey's spice company is coming into 2025 blazing and unafraid. A few days ago, he sent out an email touting that 2025 should be the "Year of the American Government Worker" since the Orange Felon and his criminal syndicate, especially the DOGGIE Boys, were coming for federal workers in order to use them as red meat for their base. He received so much positive and thankful feedback that he decided to make it "official:" On this day of January 1, 2025, Penzeys Spices does hereby officially declare the year 2025 to be: The Year of the American Government Worker.

Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) clapped back at Vice President-elect Donald after he posted a lie-filled rant on Truth Social to blast President Biden for awarding her and Rep. Bennie Thompson the Presidential Citizens Medal this week. Cheney ain't takin' Donald's shit today, thankyouverymuch. On Xitter and Bluesky, she explained to the corrupt bellend billionaire in a statement that this isn't the Soviet Union. "Donald, this is not the Soviet Union," she wrote.

Mock Paper Scissors: Our failed political press missed the obvious point, again. Emptywheel: The opportunity costs of conspiracy theories about Merrick Garland. Roosevelt Institute: Myths about shareholders. Diane Ravitch: Oklahoma state schools chief blames terrorism on . . . teachers. News From Me: Finding the magic words for phone robots. This installment by Batocchio. E-mail tips to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com. read more

Paul Krugman points out that wealth and power attract people who tell you what you want to hear. There are wealthy men with enough humility to accept constructive criticism — "I’ve met some of them. But such men don’t seem likely to play a role in the incoming administration," Krugman says: What this means in the current context is that almost all attempts to refute Trump’s claims that he can replace income taxes with tariffs aim too high.