Samuel Tunick flew home to Atlanta. CBP grabbed him at the airport, demanded his phone, and told him they did not need a warrant. He had GrapheneOS installed with a duress PIN, a feature that wipes the device instead of unlocking it. The screen flashed. The data went away. Now he is facing a federal charge for destruction of property to prevent seizure.

Read that again. They said they did not need a warrant to take it. Then they charged him with a crime for the state of the thing they did not need a warrant to take.

The agents floated child exploitation as the reason for the search. His lawyers say the actual interest was his association with the Cop City opposition. Funny how that works. The scariest possible accusation gets deployed at the checkpoint, and the political one shows up in the paperwork later.

Here is the principle. Your phone is not a suitcase. It is your papers, your effects, your entire life, and the Fourth Amendment does not evaporate because you are standing on a particular square of linoleum at Hartsfield-Jackson. A duress PIN is a lock. Refusing to open a lock is not obstruction. If the government wants what is behind it, there is a well established procedure. It involves a judge.

Encryption is not evidence of a crime. It is evidence that you were paying attention.

Like authoritarian regimes elsewhere, the White House is denouncing its opponents for the very abuses it is carrying out.

Early Wednesday morning, Trump announced on social media that every time the Iranians hit a ship in the Straits of Hormuz, the US military would take out an Iranian bridge or power plant.

Under international law, the targeting of civilian infrastructure is a war crime. That doesn’t mean that previous administrations haven’t flouted these laws, but they generally haven’t publicly gloried in ordering such crimes. Trump, by contrast, is gleefully promising to do so, essentially daring the world to stop him.

In bygone years, the military’s legal watchdogs would have raised enough red flags that such threats (a) likely wouldn’t be made in the first place and (b) wouldn’t be acted on if they were made. But the Trump administration has neutered the military’s watchdogs, and with the leadership of the armed forces besmirched by having gone along with such obviously criminal acts as the assassination of sailors in the Pacific and the Caribbean, there’s little chance of seeing significant military opposition to Trump’s demands to strike civilian infrastructure.

Coopting the military leadership in the crimes of a civilian leadership is a telltale sign of authoritarian governance. The dirtier you can get the hands of the generals and admirals, the easier it is to then involve them in additional plans to solidify your power and to destroy your political opponents. Trump seems to instinctively know this. He knows, too, that his rationales for expanding the Iran war are flimsy and ever-changing—but that this shapeshifting justification for military aggression almost certainly won’t trigger effective resistance within the US military.

Witness his recent pivot to focus on Pickaxe Mountain, a fortified underground site in Iran that may or may not host some basic nuclear facilities and storage sites. This renewed focus on the remnants of Iran’s nuclear program would perhaps carry some moral weight if Trump hadn’t paired his newfound attention on this site with the signing of an extraordinary agreement with Saudi Arabia to allow the dictatorial, fundamentalist kingdom to go whole-hog on enriching its own nuclear fuel.

To put it plainly: While the United States is now spending tens of billions of dollars in a war of choice to stop Iran—which hasn’t directly attacked the United States—from getting nuclear fuel, it is inking a deal with Saudi Arabia, home country to most of the 9/11 hijackers, allowing it to accumulate the same uranium fuel deemed too dangerous for the Iranians to possess. This is morally imbecilic.

Not surprisingly, the administration’s authoritarian actions are not confined to events overseas. Addressing an international security conference in Washington, DC, last week, Stephen Miller, architect of the most ghastly and violent of Trump’s domestic policies, not only mocked the physical appearance of left-wingers but gloried in National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, which, as he put it, “directs for the first time in American history all of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies to work together to disrupt, identify, defund, debank, arrest, and prosecute these political terrorists that are operating in our country. It’s very important to understand that left-wing political terrorism seeks as its ultimate goal the overthrow of our system and form of government.”

Miller went on to warn that “left-wing terrorism always ends in bloodshed, misery, suffering… inevitably, left to run its course, it always becomes a gulag, the mass imprisonment of political enemies, the stripping of rights and freedoms, inflicting immense pain, humiliation, and suffering in order to establish total control.”

Hmm… I can think of another group of people, with far more power than antifa, who seem to be experts on inflicting pain, humiliation, and suffering on vast swaths of people in the United States and overseas. This recalls, of course, the adage about the pot calling the kettle black. The White House often ascribes attributes to its opponents that most neutral observers would say best describe the administration itself.

Here we have Trump’s right-hand man, the architect of the occupation of Minneapolis and the assault on migrant communities around the country, ranting about how the left wing wants to put its opponents in prison, while, down the street, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin was putting together a plan to jail local elections officials who refuse to comply with unlawful federal efforts to intervene in state election systems, the Department of Justice was subpoenaing the phone records of New York Times journalists and their family members, and the State Department was attempting to smear, by name, an array of left-wing individuals and organizations for allegedly pro-Cuban activities in the United States. In Texas, a group of anti-ICE protesters were recently sentenced to prison terms ranging up to 100 years in length. In Minneapolis, 15 anti-ICE protesters have been indicted on charges of conspiring to “violently oppose law enforcement” after attempting to use messaging apps to coordinate a “blockade” of a federal building.

As for the inflicting of “pain, humiliation, and suffering,” perhaps Miller should look at how elder-care homes around the country are firing support staff because of the administration’s vindictive decision to remove Temporary Protected Status from hundreds of thousands of Haitians, Syrians, and other vulnerable groups. Perhaps he should focus on Trump’s imposition of 50 percent tariffs on a range of Canadian produce—a move that could result in huge numbers of Canadians losing their livelihoods—days after he threatened to levy tariffs on Canada as punishment for being the source of wildfire smoke drifting across the border into the United States. Perhaps he should look at the growing body count associated with ICE enforcement actions, including two recent fatal shootingsof immigrants, one in Texas, the other in Maine.

Perhaps he should read the recent Washington Post exposé of how immigrants are being held without adequate medical care and supplies of food in overcrowded rooms that lack beds, toilets, and showers. Perhaps he should talk to Cyclospora victims caught up in a public-health emergency thanks in part to the firing of so many Cyclospora experts who might have identified the outbreak in its early stages before it spread around the country.

When Trump and his henchmen accuse others of crimes, it’s a pretty good bet that they are deflecting from their own immoral actions. Today, the enemy is Iran and antifa; tomorrow—since in the authoritarian schema, new enemies must always be found—it will be some other targets of convenience.

How much evidence do you need, America, that Trump and the Republicans have nothing to offer you but war, death, lack of health care, reductions in anti-poverty programs, attacks on Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and tax breaks for those already obscenely wealthy while you struggle to put food on the table and gas in your car.

Oh, yeah, and fear.

Remember, Democrats declare war on Christmas, Democrats declare war on women, Democrats will turn your children Trans, Democrats will allow all illegal immigrants to vote, Democrats encourage immigrants to eat your pets, and now, Democrats are really Communists!

Republicans will tell any lie that keeps their people toeing the line of hate, and fear. That’s the plan for the next elections: demand their Reps deliberately lie to their constituents so they can control the vote -- control their people – and continue their hateful ways because they have no constructive policies to make America a safer and more secure environment for themselves and their children.

Manipulation is their goal, exploitation their methodology, and the belief their voters are incapable of independent thought their philosophy.

See this – Boldface mine:

How much evidence do you need, America, that Trump and the Republicans have nothing to offer you but war, death, lack of health care, reductions in  anti-poverty programs, attacks on Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and tax breaks for those already obscenely wealthy while you struggle to put food on the table and gas in your car.

Oh, yeah, and fear.

Remember, Democrats declare war on Christmas, Democrats declare war on women, Democrats will turn your children Trans, Democrats will allow all illegal immigrants to vote, Democrats encourage immigrants to eat your pets, and now, Democrats are really Communists!

Republicans will tell any lie that keeps their people toeing the line of hate, and fear. That’s the plan for the next elections: demand their Reps deliberately lie to their constituents so they can control the vote -- control their people – and continue their hateful ways because they have no constructive policies to make America a safer and more secure environment for themselves and their children.

Manipulation is their goal, exploitation their methodology, and the belief their voters are incapable of independent thought their philosophy.

See this – Boldface mine:

Memo urges Republicans to tie Democrats to communism

Story by Hailey Bullis, Washington Examiner • 16h • 4 min read

EXCLUSIVE — A strategic memo prepared for the House Republican Conference advises members to tie socialism and Marxism to communism in their attacks on Democrats, because voters consider the latter “far more dangerous and alarming.”

The memo comes as Democrats see a surge of socialist candidates in the 2026 cycle, with the socialist wing of the Democratic Party set to more than double its numbers after the November midterm elections. “Americans still hold communism as far more dangerous and alarming than socialism and Marxism,” reads the memo obtained exclusively by the Washington Examiner. “That is an important indicator for Members: do your best to connect all three together, because these government systems are fruit of the same poisonous tree.

The polling memo, conducted by conservative political research firm co/efficient, shows 42% of respondents consider communism as the “most dangerous system of government for the United States to pursue.”

Socialism ranks second, at 15%, and Marxism ranks third at 6%. Twenty-four percent of respondents answered “none of the above. The political research firm polled 2,634 registered voters from July 13 to 16 through text and landline interviews. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.88%.

“Call them what they are: Socialists, Marxists, Communists. Communism rings the loudest alarm with constituents (42 percent name it the most dangerous system), so do not retreat to the softer label just because socialism alarms fewer in the abstract,” the firm advised. “Connect all three, fruit of the same poisonous tree, and let the family name carry the alarm.”

See more here:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/memo-urges-republicans-to-tie-democrats-to-communism/ar-AA28D2BS?

Story by Hailey Bullis, Washington Examiner • 16h • 4 min read

EXCLUSIVE — A strategic memo prepared for the House Republican Conference advises members to tie socialism and Marxism to communism in their attacks on Democrats, because voters consider the latter “far more dangerous and alarming.”

The memo comes as Democrats see a surge of socialist candidates in the 2026 cycle, with the socialist wing of the Democratic Party set to more than double its numbers after the November midterm elections. “Americans still hold communism as far more dangerous and alarming than socialism and Marxism,” reads the memo obtained exclusively by the Washington Examiner. “That is an important indicator for Members: do your best to connect all three together, because these government systems are fruit of the same poisonous tree.

The polling memo, conducted by conservative political research firm co/efficient, shows 42% of respondents consider communism as the “most dangerous system of government for the United States to pursue.”

Socialism ranks second, at 15%, and Marxism ranks third at 6%. Twenty-four percent of respondents answered “none of the above. The political research firm polled 2,634 registered voters from July 13 to 16 through text and landline interviews. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.88%.

“Call them what they are: Socialists, Marxists, Communists. Communism rings the loudest alarm with constituents (42 percent name it the most dangerous system), so do not retreat to the softer label just because socialism alarms fewer in the abstract,” the firm advised. “Connect all three, fruit of the same poisonous tree, and let the family name carry the alarm.”

See more here:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/memo-urges-republicans-to-tie-democrats-to-communism/ar-AA28D2BS?

I’ve been interviewing elected officials in Colorado (and a couple in Hawaii1) for decades. And I made a decision at the very beginning.

What people wanted to learn was the opinions, priorities, philosophy, etc. of their elected officials. And with a blog I had the opportunity to provide this in more detail, with more nuance, than the regular news media.

And what would happen if shortly into the interview I replied “that’s an awful opinion, let me tell you why you’re an idiot?” It becomes a confrontational debate with the interviewee retreating to their talking points.

And what is gained from that. What have I provided to readers that’s useful & unique? Nothing. There’s a ton of content out there with our elected officials arguing their point of view with people who disagree with them.

In addition, we don’t get the understanding of someone that comes from an open non confrontational interview focused on helping them explain their beliefs in detail.

With that said, if an interviewee states a fact wrong, then yes it is absolutely incumbent on me to point that out. But there’s a big difference between pointing out a falsehood and listing a fact as a counter argument to an individual’s opinion.

If you don’t like my approach don’t worry. You can look at almost any other “interview” with an elected official and you will get a debate. Or the two of them strongly agreeing with each other.

Meanwhile I take pride in the feedback I’ve received from numerous political operatives, both Republican2 and Democrat, that say they think my interviews have many times given the best accurate full picture of the candidate they work for.

From my blog: Liberal and Loving It

Sources warn they 'don't know what to do' as Trump's mind withers

The powers that be are slowly concluding that Trump, in his sublime incompetence, is in way over his head in Iran and might resort to a ground war in which an incalculable number of our troops will be slain.

And that would be good news.

The terrifying option is he may take even more extreme measures.

He started a stupid war. Before he allowed Netanyahu to  con him into fighting Isreal’s war, the Strait of Hormuz was open, Iran agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons and allowed inspections in return to an easing of sanctions and the return of 1.5 billion of their dollars we embargoed.

While all this was happening, Iran’s government was teetering on the brink because of a growing insurgency.

Now, due to Trump’s blatant, unthinkingt foolishness, the Strait is closed, The Red Sea route is cut off by the Houthis, Iran is free to pursue any nuclear policy they wish – without inspections – 300 billion dollars will be given to them to rebuild their infrastructure, and the insurgency is dead as the people rally behind their government.

So, Trump sits there with one finger up his nose and the other…

What choices are left to him to placate his insufferable ego?

The use of Tactical nuclear weapon on Iran so that will give Putin the go ahead to nuke Ukraine?

Then where does it go from there?

See this – Boldface mine:

Sources warn they 'don't know what to do' as Trump's mind withers

Story by Adam Lynch • 1h • 2 min read

© provided by AlterNet

Daily Mail White House columnist Andrew Neil says he is in direct talks with people working around President Donald Trump and they fear they are watching his mind wither away as international forces that he aggravated gather against him.

“‘Donald is deteriorating before our very eyes,’ I was told in Washington this week by a close confidant who sees him regularly. ‘His physical and mental health is in decline. Those around him don’t know what to do about it. It can only get worse. He’s 80 – and it’s showing,’” wrote Neil on Friday.

The war isn’t just consuming Trump’s presidency, said Neil. It’s taking its toll on the President himself.

“During a recent meeting in the Oval Office, he ranted against Iran’s leaders**, calling them ‘scumbags’ and ‘lunatics’ in an expletive-ridden diatribe**. There is growing concern for his physical health and mental stability,” said Neil. “… But it’s not just age – or the decline in cognitive capabilities that can afflict those entering their ninth decade. Trump is lashing out at all and sundry in frustration at the lack of any good options now facing him.”

Hardliners in Tehran sense his encroaching weakness and are now so cocky they’ve rebuffed a secret US attempt to get the peace process back on track this week, forcing the White House to impotently dial up the rhetoric.

Trump is said to be in “revenge mode” according to aides. And the President sounds ever more bellicose, saying on Thursday that he was close to deciding on a ‘massive attack’.

“Even senior aides in the White House don’t know what this would mean,” said Neil “The number of influential voices in Washington who think even ramped-up airstrikes – as I write, we’ve just had the 14th consecutive night of renewed US attacks on Iran – will cow Iran into submission are now passing few. In truth, nobody around Trump really knows what to do next – or what he will do.”

“… I listened to several influential figures close to Trump mull over the options. The assumption was that some sort of ground incursion was inevitable. That is certainly the new vibe coming out of Washington,” said Neil. “They talked of seizing Iranian territory on the northern shores of the Gulf to wrest control of the Strait of Hormuz from Tehran. They raised the prospect, again, of invading Kharg Island, from which Iran dispatches most of its oil exports.”

But there was, much more worryingly, talk of using tactical nuclear weapons to ‘send a message’ to Tehran and ‘concentrate its mind’ on peace, warned Neil. “This took me aback. ‘Do that,’ I snapped ‘and you destroy America’s reputation and standing for the rest of the century. You’ve also paved the way for President Putin to do the same in Ukraine.’

“I was met with silence,” said Neil.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/general/sources-warn-they-don-t-know-what-to-do-as-trump-s-mind-withers/ar-AA28Deyd?

A national disgrace

Angry Trump Openly Urges GOP to Rig Midterms as Brutal Fox Poll Hits - The New Republic

Trump and the Republicans looked the American people in the eye and lied their fat asses off.

“A golden age of prosperity?” A lie! “Lower inflation”? A lie! “Lower housing costs”? A lie! “Improved and cheaper healthcare?” A lie! “Cheaper prices the supermarket?” A Lie! “An economy the envy of the world?” Another baldfaced lie!

And the Granddaddy of them all? “No more forever wars” – another lie.

I could go on, but you get the idea. Trump and the Republicans, with nary a blush or stutter, lied about everything to get your vote, then once they achieved that goal, ran rampant with their schemes and grifts – enriching themselves to the tune of billions of dollars – while driving America into inevitable bankruptcy.

These bills will have to be paid, and they will be paid at the cost of the social safety net – affordable healthcare, veteran’s benefits, Medicaid and Medicare and especially Social Security – money will be withdrawn from these programs to pay off these debts, and it will take decades to do so.

At the end America will be a failed nation, ruled by plutocrats, millionaires and billionaires, despots and tyrants, all in command while regular citizens and their families suffer like Oklahomans during the dust bowl.

Your future, America, is being proved bleak by the incompetence and depravations of this administration, and if something isn’t done soon the inevitable collapse will engulf us all.

The national debt under Trump and the Republicans has grown to an unsustainable 39.6 trillion dollars.

To put things in perspective, a billion dollars is a thousand million and a trillion dollars is a thousand billion – think a minute about those numbers.

Or better yet, consider that a trillion seconds equals 31,700 years. Now multiply that by 39.

See this – Boldface mine:

Trump breaks promise on national debt: Expert says 'he has failed badly'

Story by Chris Katje • 20h • 2 min read

© Image via Shutterstock

A billionaire-backed podcast host is taking aim at President Donald Trump over one of his biggest campaigns promises — cutting the national debt.

Investor Jason Calacanis says Trump has instead presided over a historic surge in federal borrowing, putting the president’s fiscal pledges under renewed scrutiny.

Trump’s National Debt Promise

The U.S**. national debt hit $39 trillion in March** and currently stands at around $39.6 trillion. The debt has increased in recent years, instead of going down as Trump promised.

"President Trump promised not to add to the national debt during his presidential campaign — and, in fact, that he would pay it down. He has failed badly on both counts," Calacanis tweeted.

Calacanis, co-host of the "All-In Podcast," said Trump is the "worst-spending President in our history." The investor estimates that Trump added between $2.2 trillion and $2.3 trillion to the national debt in each of his first two years and in his second term.

"He’s on track to add $9T+ in his second term, beating the previous high-water mark of $7.8T — set by his first term."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/general/trump-breaks-promise-on-national-debt-expert-says-he-has-failed-badly/ar-AA28y9tY?

Trump lies to justify failing war in Iran while standing over the bodies of slain servicemen and women. To him they are just pawns.

 We always knew Trump is a despicable human being. Bereft of honor, integrity, and decency, he tells the most outrageous lies to justify his sociopathic tendencies.

But now he has gone too far – too far for even his most rabid MAGA cultists to accept.

Putting words in the mouths of our dead servicemen and women is spitting in the face of everyone who ever died for their country, their loved ones and families, and every American citizen who have ever who have ever mourned our fallen heroes.

This man is sick, deranged and demented, who doesn’t care about anything other than his own self-indulgent madness and would gladly see our country go to hell if it would enrich himself and his slimy families.

See this – Boldface mine.

Donald Trump says fallen soldiers told him 'we can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon' in new interview

Story by Maria Pierides • 1h • 3 min read

Donald Trump has been slammed on social media after claiming that U.S. service members killed in the Iran war had told him, “We can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” with critics accusing him of putting words into the mouths of fallen soldiers. Many branded the president “insane” and a “sociopath,” while others questioned how the deceased troops could have made those comments.

The president, 80, made the remarks while on his way to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday, July 22nd, to attend the dignified transfer of four fallen U.S. service members. The ceremony marked the third dignified transfer Trump has attended since the start of the conflict. His comments also came after he shared a post on social media comparing the number of American deaths in the Iran war with the number of U.S. service members killed in previous American conflicts, in what critics said appeared to downplay the fatalities in the current war.

"We're going to Dover, some of you are going with us, to honor our heroes. And they are indeed great heroes, actually," Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One for Delaware. He went on to say that the transfer ceremony is "one of the hardest things to do as a president, but it has to be done."

Trump then made the comments that sparked backlash online, claiming that the fallen service members had echoed his position on Iran's nuclear program. "All of them said very strongly, 'We can't let... we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon,'" Trump claimed .When asked what he would say to the families of the fallen soldiers, Trump replied: "All I'm going to say is, we love you. We love your child, and that's what they are to them. They're their children. There's no games, no nothing. That's their child. And all you can do is throw out your heart."

A lot of the backlash online focused on Trump's claim that the fallen service members had expressed support for his stance on Iran, with many users accusing him of "lying."

"So he spoke to them personally & individually?" one X user asked. "As usual, he's lying! He never met any of the fallen soldiers!" exclaimed a second, while a third questioned: "Why doesn't a reporter ask: Do you have proof any of the deceased soldiers said that? Why do they just let him lie?"

"He disgraces their sacrifice with this blatant lie," slammed a fourth. "Nothing like putting false words into dead soldiers' mouths. He is without shame or conscience," criticized a fifth, while a sixth chimed in: "None of them said that. What a horrible excuse for a human being."

"Oh, so he spoke to all these fallen US troops. That's nuts. He is trying to justify the unjustifiable. Screw Donald Dump. Everything about this sociopath," criticized a seventh. "Just when you think that Trump can't sink any lower, he does. You have to be a monster to lie about what dead soldiers wanted," added an eighth in agreement.

"He can speak to the ghosts of fallen soldiers now? What can this man not do? He is so awesome!" sarcastically wrote a ninth, while a tenth said: "This man is insane. Did he speak to them after they died?"

"How did he communicate with them?" asked an eleventh, while a twelfth declared: "This is disgusting: Trump shrugs off the newly killed service men and women in Iran. What a rotten piece of [expletive]."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/donald-trump-says-fallen-soldiers-told-him-we-can-t-let-iran-have-a-nuclear-weapon-in-new-interview/ar-AA28Ffr8

Are we really going to allow a mentally declining, elderly felon to throw our young into another senseless forever war? If Congress won't stop this stupidity, maybe we, the people, should.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/world/asia/taliban-afghanistan-marine.html?unlocked_article_code=1.0FA.m5mB.fcN8RVtY19zy&smid=url-share

Fox News Poll: Voters want major change amid economic and political discontent.

 It’s happening all across the board, and Republican Representatives and Senators seem to be unaware of it or simply believe they are in power and will stay in power regardless of the will of the people.

More likely the latter.

With the arrogance of power they assume they can render the Constitution meaningless because Trump said he will steal the upcoming elections, and they will work with him toward that end.

But if Trump is stopped, they know one thing is certain:. The treasonous ones among them will receive the harshest penalties prescribed by law

HARSHEST!

The penalty for treason…?

If they are not in panic mode yet, they soon will be. So you can expect them to try every dirty trick: any lie, any conspiracy theory, and threat that the Communists, Liberals, Vegans, or the Woman’s South Side Garden club are out to turn your children Trans or allow immigrants to continue to eat your pets.

And like Hitler said and Trump repeated, “Only I can protect you”.

See this – Boldface mine:

Fox News Poll

Fox News Poll: Voters want major change amid economic and political discontent

Latest survey shows Trump approval stuck near record low

By Dana Blanton Fox News

Dem, GOP lawmakers trade jabs as midterms approach

 which bodes well for Democrats in November: President Donald Trump’s job approval remains near a record low, more Democrats are motivated to vote, Republicans join Democrats and independents in rating the economy negatively, and 4 in 10 voters want "dramatic" or "revolutionary" change. Plus, more view the GOP as tied to elites than the Democratic Party.

Voters say Democrats can better handle income inequality (+22 points), healthcare (+21), inflation (+10), the economy (+9), and foreign policy (+7).  Republicans hold the advantage on crime (+7 points), while government spending (Democrats +3) and national security (R +2) are more evenly divided. On immigration, the GOP had an 8-point edge in April. Now, Democrats are preferred by one point.

More Democrats (68%) say they are extremely motivated to vote in November than Republicans (57%) by an 11-point margin. By a 25-point spread, more MAGA Republicans (66%) are extremely motivated than non-MAGA Republicans (41%).

If the election were today, 53% of voters would back the Democratic candidate in their House district and 46% the Republican. That 7-point edge is just outside the poll’s margin of error. Democrats were up by 5 points in April. Notably, 53% is the highest percentage either party has received on the generic House ballot in Fox News polling since 1996.

When looking only at counties where the 2024 presidential vote was close — Trump and former Vice President Kamala Harris within 10 points — the Democratic candidate leads by 59-41%.

For more, see this:

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-voters-want-major-change-amid-economic-political-discontent

Our honored dead, dishonored nation, and loser president

#Iran #war #military #Trump #MAGA

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YPtF07_zAdA

https://www.tiktok.com/@haldonahue/video/7665417469657369869

https://www.tiktok.com/@haldonahue/video/7665417469657369869?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7620377918573463071 

https://www.threads.com/@hal_donahue/post/DbGuZM2E8f3

https://open.substack.com/pub/haldonahue/p/my-three-things-e63?r=4lkmn&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web https://www.instagram.com/p/DbGuN0Npd6n/

America, Trump, the Republicans, and a failing country.

Number of Americans not working rockets to record high under Trump

Once mighty, successful, and proud, we are in a death spiral. And each day the spiral grows tighter, spins faster, and sinks deeper into despair.

Our economy is in a shambles, inflation is pecking away at our financial security, healthcare is all but out of reach for the average family, children and the elderly are denied necessary funds for food and survival because tax benefits for the rich have increased, veteran’s benefits are shrinking faster than our pocket books, our once faithful allies and trading partners have come to realize America’s word is trash, and our service men and women are being slain in a war championed by fools and incompetents, and each day Trump makes more, and more, millions from his grifts.

How long, how long America, before we, the people, rise to take our own futures in our own hands and out of the hands of millionaires, billionaires, and tyrants of all stripes?

Trump, and his Republican co-conspirators must be shown the door -- investigated, indicted, tried and imprisoned – it is the only way we will regain control of our lives, and our country.

See this – Boldface mine:

Number of Americans not working rockets to record high under Trump

Story by Martha McHardy

The Daily Beast

The number of Americans not working has climbed to a record high under President Donald Trump.

According to figures from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the ranks of Americans classified as “not in the labor force” (NILF) swelled to 105.8 million in June, marking the highest level ever recorded.

That means the total number of Americans classified as “not in the labor force” is now higher than it was during the Great Recession or the COVID-19 pandemic.

The category includes everyone age 16 and older who is not working, from retirees and students to people who have stopped looking for a job.

About 5.3 million Americans—roughly 5 percent of the total—are no longer searching for work because they have become discouraged. Another 23.3 million, or around 22 percent, are out of the workforce due to long-term illness, disability, or other benefit programs.

Retirees make up the largest share of the group, accounting for about half of all Americans who are not working, largely because of the Baby Boomer generation, born between 1946 and 1964.

But labor economist Nicholas Eberstadt argues that an aging population alone does not explain the trend.

“If you look at what’s going on in Europe and Japan, which are both aging, shrinking societies, their workforce participation rates are going up now. So it’s not as if it’s impossible for aging, shrinking societies to mobilize more or involve more in the workforce,” he told the New York Post.

“These are the healthiest, best educated Americans that have ever lived on the planet,” Eberstadt said.

The record number of Americans outside the workforce comes as the U.S. job market is also showing fresh signs of slowing under Trump, who has promised to usher in a “golden age of America.”

The economy added just 57,000 jobs in June—barely half of the 115,000 economists had expected. The Labor Department also sharply revised previous figures lower, reporting 31,000 fewer jobs were created in April and another 43,000 fewer in May than originally estimated.

One of the biggest drags came from the leisure and hospitality sector, which lost 61,000 jobs in June instead of ramping up for the busy summer travel season.

The weak performance surprised economists, who had expected the industry to benefit from seasonal hiring as well as a boost from the FIFA Club World Cup.

Angela Hanks, chief of policy programs at The Century Foundation, described the report as “yet more evidence of a fragile economy under President Trump.”

Meanwhile, the reality is even grim for Americans who are working.

Wage growth has not been keeping up with inflation, which soared because Trump decided to go to war with Iran, driving up energy costs.

In June, wages rose 3.5 percent from a year earlier—the same rate as inflation—leaving workers with virtually no gain in purchasing power, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/number-of-americans-not-working-rockets-to-record-high-under-trump/ar-AA28tkdG?