Politics/Religion Consolidated Megathread Extravaganza

[DKG]

Mitch McConnell isn't finished with Trump. He failed to block the president's nominees, but as America's least popular senator, he still wields significant influence. As head of the subcommittee on defense appropriations, he controls how funds are allocated — and for what. Expect him to use that power.

The Senate has surrendered many of its duties but still jealously guards appropriations. The chairwoman of the full appropriations committee is Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a friend of McConnell from a state Kamala Harris won by more than seven points. You can expect both to work to tie the president's hands on funding the Ukraine war, regardless of White House foreign policy or personnel.

He may have been forced by colleagues to step down from leadership and forced by failing health to announce his coming retirement, but Mitch McConnell is still a powerful and dangerous player. Remember: Trump's first impeachment was over Ukraine funding. The Grim Reaper's time in the Senate may be coming to a close, but his battle is far from over.

[Garraty_47]

as America's least popular senator

Only because Nancy is in the House, not the Senate.

Seriously... how the fuck does she keep getting elected?

[DKG]

Only because Nancy is in the House, not the Senate.

Seriously... how the fuck does she keep getting elected?

That is a mystery.

[DKG]

It's about time the DOJ did something about Democrats using threats of violence against their political opponents.

Democrats have a habit of threatening or excusing violence to achieve their political aims. The Trump Department of Justice made clear Wednesday that inciting rhetoric, particularly threats against public officials, will no longer be tolerated.

The prospect of accountability for violent political rhetoric has Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) crying foul.

"I think [Musk is] also harming the American public in an enormous way," said Garcia. "And what I think is really important and what the American public want is for us to bring actual weapons to this bar fight. This is an actual fight for democracy, for the future of this country."

Garcia's suggestion that Americans should take up arms against the Trump administration prompted outrage and calls for accountability.

On Wednesday, interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin announced in a staff email to prosecutors that the Department of Justice would prosecute threats against public officials under an initiative called "Operation Whirlwind," reported the Washington Post.

Martin reportedly sent a letter asking Garcia to "clarify" his statements, noting that his talk of using "actual weapons" in "an actual fight for democracy" sounded "like a threat to Mr. Musk ... and government staff who work for him."

"We take threats against public officials very seriously," added Martin.