press freedom? never heard of it
Trump chats with reporters, reminding them just how much he *loves* free press.
In a shocking turn of events, the Committee to Protect Journalists has announced that press freedom is "no longer a given in the United States." Apparently, a flurry of executive actions in Donald Trump's first 100 days have set a new standard for chilling press freedom, complete with barred access for the Associated Press and FCC investigations into major networks like NBC and NPR. But sure, the White House assures us that President Trump is the "greatest defender of freedom," because nothing says 'defend' like exclusion and scrutiny. Trickle-down press suppression is the new policy, creating a permission structure for local leaders to follow suit. In other words, it's another banner day for democracy.
#killing-democracy#fascism
america’s hostage situation, now with trendlines
A tidy approval-rating chart bravely pretending this is just another normal presidency and not a longitudinal study of how fast people will normalize chaos.
NBC News has thoughtfully produced a real-time mood ring for a country being run by a man whose second term highlights include a record-breaking government shutdown, weaponized tariffs, and immigration raids that play like dystopian B-roll. Instead of asking whether any of this is catastrophic policy, the tracker dutifully plots how many Americans are currently saying, “sure, let’s keep driving toward the cliff, but faster.”
Rather than measuring success by functioning institutions or basic competence, we’re now benchmarking Trump against Biden, Obama, Bush, and Clinton like it’s a presidential Rotten Tomatoes score. The charts calmly compare approval ratings while the underlying reality is a government periodically turned off like a misbehaving router, a tax-and-spend blowout designed to supercharge inequality, and a presidency that treats protests against creeping authoritarianism as just another PR problem.
So yes, the page will be “updated as new NBC News polls are released,” which is a polite way of saying: we’ll keep graphing how many people are still on board with tariffs, shutdowns, and strongman cosplay, long after the damage is baked in. Democracy may be wobbling, but at least the data visualization is clean.
#killing-democracy#full-stupid
truth on trial: suing your way to silence
Gavel, scales, and a US flag: perfect symbols of justice—unless you're a journalist.
In the grand tradition of 'if you can't beat them, sue them,' Trump's masterclass on lawsuit diplomacy is catching on like wildfire among the rich and powerful. After all, nothing screams 'defender of the First Amendment' like threatening to obliterate it with a slew of lawsuits designed to murder the truth. Trump, embroiled in a personal vendetta against those 'crooked' media outlets, has launched legal battles against CBS and The New York Times for the unforgivable crime of reporting. In other words, the Fourth Estate is now on life-support thanks to the masterstroke of using courtrooms to dismantle newsrooms. But sure, it's all for the sake of honesty and integrity, right?
#killing-democracy#lawlessness
trump's education revolution: close it all down
Trump signing away your child's educational future, because who needs the Department of Education anyway?
Ah, Trump, the great educational visionary, has decided that the best way to improve American education is to simply erase the Department of Education. Because nothing says 'supporting students' like dismantling the very institution meant to help them. With Linda McMahon at the helm, these bold changes are practically guaranteed to bring about the same success that WWE brought to acting. In other words, chaos and nonsensical storytelling. While 63% of Americans might oppose this reckless dismantling, Trump and his new BFF, Elon Musk, seem to believe that state-level chaos and privatization are the ultimate answers. Who needs teachers and federal oversight when you can just 'let the states handle it', right? It's a common sense thing to do, if your sense of common is, well, uncommon.
#killing-democracy#anti-science#full-stupid
federal layoffs: making america unemployed again
Protesters at the Department of Education bravely hold signs as they brace for the inevitable tsunami of layoffs. You know it's bad when the megaphone becomes your best friend.
In a move that surely screams 'winning', federal agencies are sharpening their axes as Trump's quest to 'optimize' the workforce rolls on. Because nothing says 'efficiency' like mass layoffs, the Department of Education is giving pink slips like they're going out of style, the Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to boot 80,000 employees, and the Social Security Administration is practically begging folks to jump ship. With Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at the helm, we can rest assured that any semblance of rational governance is being rapidly erased. In other words, why spend money on competent staff and functioning programs when you can have a government run by tweets and tantrums? But sure, this is all in the name of better service for the American people. Next up, seances to contact the ghosts of fired workers for their opinions on 'future restructuring plans.'
#killing-democracy#forever-grifting
epa to the rescue: saving climate denial from the brink
The EPA building: where climate rules come to die for the sake of coal plant prosperity.
In a bold move to protect the environment from... well, protection, the EPA, under Trump 2.0, has announced a rollback of 31 climate rules. Administrator Lee Zeldin hailed it as 'the greatest day of deregulation,' because nothing screams environmental stewardship like unleashing unregulated fossil fuel pollution. In other words, it's a great day if you're a coal plant, and a terrible one if you enjoy breathing.
But fear not, the meticulously planned chaos will take time because, pesky federal laws require, you know, a process and public comments. So, while the EPA is busy reducing its own staff to ensure inefficiency, environmental advocates are already sharpening their legal knives to take down this Titanic of deregulation in court. But sure, let's pretend this is all about efficiency and not just another chapter in America's killing-democracy saga.
#killing-democracy#anti-science
learning loss: trump-style efficiency in education
Nothing captures the spirit of educational reform better than a man walking past the soon-to-be ghost town of the U.S. Department of Education.
In an audacious move towards 'efficiency', the Trump administration has decided to take a chainsaw to the U.S. Department of Education, slashing nearly 50% of its workforce. That's right, because nothing spells commitment to education like firing the very people who ensure students aren't discriminated against, especially those with disabilities. In other words, goodbye civil rights enforcement, hello 'self-directed learning'.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon assures us that resources will now be directed where they 'matter most': students, parents, and teachers. Of course, it's hard to provide resources when over a thousand positions are cut and another 600 employees were nudged towards retirement. But sure, let's pretend the remaining few can handle it all. As union leaders find themselves out of jobs, one can only wonder how effectively these 'political games' are preparing America's future generations: for chaos and understaffing, it appears.
#killing-democracy#lawlessness
When Fraud Detection Turns into a Witch Hunt
fucking ketamined out moron piece of shit
Welcome to the circus, folks! In the latest episode of "Making America Great Again", Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE has managed to unearth exactly zero instances of fraud while vigorously dismantling any semblance of efficient government, firing inspectors general left and right like it’s a game of musical chairs. Instead of tackling waste, DOGE has morphed into a glorified chop shop for programs that don't sit well with the Republican agenda — all while boasting about imaginary savings that even a toddler could call out as nonsense. If you thought incompetence had limits, think again; this administration is breaking records with its audacity!
#killing-democracy#lawlessness
the only person that nededs to justify his fucking job is making civil servants do it instead
ketamine kangaroo
Musk’s federal workforce purge just got even more absurd. Federal employees received an email Saturday demanding they justify their jobs in five bullet points—or else. Musk, taking cues from Trump’s call to “get more aggressive,” warned that failure to respond would be considered a resignation. The demand, blasted as illegal and “arson on a public asset,” has thrown agencies into chaos, with FBI Director Kash Patel instructing employees not to reply while unions vow to fight unlawful firings. Meanwhile, some federal workers are comparing the move to “burning down a house and then asking what chores you did this week.” Government by vibes and threats continues.
Source: washingtonpost.com
#killing-democracy#lawlessness
freedom of speech takes a deep dive in 'gulf of america'
Behold: the alternative map where the Gulf of Mexico magically becomes the 'Gulf of America' in Trump's Oval Office.
In a move that would make Orwell blush, the Trump administration has decided that geographic reality is a matter of executive order. The Associated Press is suing the White House for barring them from major presidential events after they refused to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the ‘Gulf of America’. Because nothing screams ‘democracy’ like renaming international waters and punishing anyone who dares to stick with the facts.
In a dazzling display of the administration’s commitment to free speech, White House spokesperson Steven Cheung labeled the AP's reporters as having 'Trump Derangement Syndrome.' In other words, Trump can't handle anyone who doesn't subscribe to his alternative geographical truths. The AP, with its quaint adherence to facts, is insisting on its First Amendment rights. But sure, let's call this a minor 'disagreement.'
#killing-democracy#unconstitutional
tweenage kid that goes by big balls and white nationalist pieces of shit are getting to decide who gets fired from their highly specialized government roles
protestors making good points
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is accelerating Trump’s DEI purge, going beyond gutting diversity offices to targeting civil rights workers and federal employees tied to equity programs—even if their roles have nothing to do with DEI. Internal DOGE documents reveal a three-phase plan: Phase 1 shut down DEI offices and placed employees on leave, Phase 2 expanded layoffs to staff in legally protected roles, and Phase 3, set for July, will push for mass firings under the guise of “reorganization.” Among those in the crosshairs? A Veterans Affairs office that ensures equal access to care, a Health and Human Services division monitoring minority health, and employees who simply attended diversity training in the past. Legal experts warn the strategy is on shaky ground, but the White House has made its stance clear: “If DEI is waste, fraud, and abuse, it’s gone.”
Source: washingtonpost.com
#killing-democracy#corruption
criminals fire cops that watch over them
cfpb logo
In a stunning display of bureaucratic efficiency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has axed its entire team of technologists—those pesky experts who dared to scrutinize Big Tech's foray into financial services. This mass termination, executed under the watchful eye of President Donald Trump and his ever-zealous Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk, leaves the agency brilliantly unprepared to oversee the very industry it's meant to regulate. Employees were graciously informed of their immediate dismissal via a hastily crafted email, some addressed as "[EmployeeFirstName][EmployeeLastName]," because personalization is paramount. As the CFPB's mission to protect consumers from financial malfeasance crumbles, one can't help but marvel at the administration's commitment to efficiency over efficacy.
#killing-democracy#lawlessness#money
frump admin directs agencies to fire all probationary employees, making america less safe
vice president neck flaps
The Trump administration just fired thousands of federal workers in the most dystopian way possible—prerecorded videos, group calls, and emails that never even arrived. In a sweeping two-day purge, agency heads were ordered to dump most trial-period and probationary employees, a move that could wipe out over 200,000 federal jobs without cause. Some workers were given 30 minutes to leave their offices, while others were told their termination via an automated apartment complex hotline. (Because nothing says “streamlining government” like getting fired by a real estate voicemail.) The goal? Shrink the federal workforce under Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a plan Trump has openly celebrated as a way to gut the so-called bureaucratic “deep state.” Meanwhile, entire departments—including those working on special education and small business support—are now missing critical staff, not because of poor performance, but because they were the easiest to fire. So if government services suddenly start failing? Well, that’s just efficiency at work.
Source: washingtonpost.com
#killing-democracy
trump's diplomacy: because europe who?
U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth discussing peace talks with NATO allies, who are all wondering if their invite got lost in the mail.
In the latest whimsical episode of Trump's political theater, he's preparing to play peace broker between Russia and a notably absent Ukraine. NATO allies are scratching their heads and probably Googling 'how to shake your head in all languages' as the administration hints at face-to-face talks with Putin, minus those pesky European stakeholders. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, channeling his inner 'we're definitely not betraying Ukraine' vibes, assures us that this is all part of a 'negotiated peace.' Yes, because nothing screams 'peace' like starting negotiations by offering concessions to Russia and forgetting to invite Ukraine. Meanwhile, European diplomats are wondering how many synonyms for 'appeasement' they can diplomatically use in one speech. Bravo, Trump administration, for redefining 'talks' by excluding everyone they affect.
#killing-democracy#imperialism
trump's one-man mission to kill consumer protection
Elizabeth Warren rallies outside the CFPB. Because nothing says 'protect consumers' like firing the people meant to do just that.
In a display of peak efficiency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has decided the best way to 'protect' consumers is by firing dozens of employees. Who needs consumer watchdogs when you can just let Wall Street run wild? The agency, which remains conveniently shuttered, sent out termination emails that seem to have been written by a bot having a bad day. Just ask Taylor Sonne, who was apparently so incompetent that he earned a promotion and a stellar performance review right before being booted out. Jonathan McKernan is ready to step into the director's chair, ensuring the continued tradition of leaving consumers to fend for themselves in a marketplace that’s fair only to corporate giants. But sure, this is just what the agency needs: a complete lack of accountability and a mail merge blunder masquerading as a HR strategy.
#killing-democracy#corruption
doges cuts are not about saving money, surprise surprise
elmos bratty little shit telling cheetolini hes not president get out of here lmfao
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is on a mission to trim the federal fat, but instead of tackling the real budget busters, they're going after agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and USAID—because who needs consumer protection or international aid, right? Critics are pointing out that these moves seem less about actual cost savings and more about scoring political points with Trump's base. So, while Musk boasts about his massive $37.69 billion in savings—a mere drop in the $2 trillion bucket he's aiming for—the real impact on government waste is, unsurprisingly, negligible.
#killing-democracy
spineless bitch and drunkard wants to cave to russia
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, far left, attends Wednesday's gathering of the Ukraine Contact Group in Brussels. British Defense Secretary John Healey, center, led the meeting. Beside Healey is Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. (Johanna Geron/Reuters)
Trump’s Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth just told Ukraine to give up on reclaiming its lost land, calling it an “unrealistic objective” while pushing for peace talks that just so happen to align with Russia’s interests. Speaking at NATO headquarters, Hegseth made it clear the U.S. won’t send troops, won’t support Ukraine joining NATO, and thinks European allies should take the lead—because apparently, America First now means Ukraine Last. Meanwhile, Trump was cozying up to Putin on a “long and highly productive” phone call, setting off alarm bells across Europe as the administration openly leans toward a land-for-peace approach that could leave Ukraine out in the cold. But don’t worry—Trump’s Treasury Secretary was in Kyiv, negotiating a mineral deal that just might keep U.S. aid flowing. So the message is clear: if Ukraine wants support, it better start paying up.
Source: washingtonpost.com
#killing-democracy
trump 2.0: project 2025 or how to dismantle a country
President Trump at a podium, probably disavowing something, while the ghost of Project 2025 looms ominously in the background.
Apparently, nothing says 'second term charm' like the resurrection of the infamous Project 2025, that trusty 900-page conservative wish list which Trump disavowed last campaign because it was just too severe—in other words, it was a little too honest about the plans to dismantle the U.S. government. Now in office, Trump's executive orders look suspiciously like they've been plucked right out of this blueprint of chaos, but sure, it's all just a coincidence.
Russell Vought, the mastermind behind the plan, is leading the charge as the new director of the Office of Management and Budget. His grand vision includes defunding the Department of Education and banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, because who needs education or equality when you have a conservative agenda to push forward? Vought's approach to government is akin to a child with a sledgehammer in a glass house, but with a deep-seated belief in impoundment—where the president just decides not to spend Congress-approved money because, why not?
Democrats, of course, are floundering on how to respond, because it turns out their dire warnings about Project 2025 didn’t exactly resonate—especially considering they lost the election. But they've still got Kenan Thompson’s SNL sketch reminding America that this was the plan that could kill a small animal and democracy all at the same time. Because nothing screams 'functioning democracy' like a second Trump administration implementing a plan they pretended to not know about.
#killing-democracy#lawlessness#corruption
space karen is getting on everyones nerves
fuckin a arrest him
Looks like even Republicans are starting to realize that letting Elon Musk run the federal government like his own personal startup might not have been the best idea. Democrats are demanding an investigation into whether Musk and his Doge cultists have illegally accessed classified information at agencies like the U.S. Treasury, OPM, and USAID, because, shocker, no one can actually prove they were ever properly vetted before waltzing into federal systems.
The House Oversight Committee put it bluntly: “There is no evidence that [Musk] or any of his operatives are entitled to access our government systems.” Which, if you’re keeping track, means we’ve handed national security over to an unelected billionaire with zero oversight, and we’re only now asking questions.
Meanwhile, a judge just slapped Doge’s hand away from Treasury’s payment system, temporarily limiting its access after reports that Musk’s people literally tried to block USAID payments—because nothing says "government efficiency" like shutting down humanitarian aid.
And for the first time, even some Republicans are starting to squirm. A new poll shows support for Musk’s takeover cratering among GOP voters, dropping from 47% after the election to just 26% now. Turns out, even some conservatives draw the line at handing the country over to a Twitter-addicted tech bro who fires people for fun.
Schumer summed it up best: “This is not what democracy looks like.” No kidding. It looks like a billionaire-backed coup, and it’s happening in broad daylight.
#killing-democracy#corruption
these morons are trying to rid the federal government of people that keep americans safe
cia logo
The Trump administration’s demolition of the federal government continues, and now it’s the CIA’s turn to get the axe. In the latest round of ideological purging disguised as “efficiency,” the entire CIA workforce has been offered buyouts, because nothing says national security like gutting the country’s intelligence apparatus and replacing career professionals with Trump loyalists. According to reports, Trump’s handpicked CIA director John Ratcliffe—fresh off his stint as director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term—has put the agency on a hiring freeze and is rescinding offers for anyone who doesn’t align with the administration’s new priorities. And what are those priorities? Not traditional intelligence work, of course. Instead, Trump’s CIA will be laser-focused on “targeting drug cartels,” fueling the trade war, and “undermining China.” So, basically, intelligence operations are now just an extension of Trump’s personal vendettas. The buyout scheme is part of Trump’s broader effort to slash the size of government while installing as many loyalists as possible. This week, millions of federal workers were offered a golden parachute to quit and keep their pay until September, all while Trump’s conservative manifesto Project 2025 outlines mass firings and replacing career professionals with political hacks. The CIA’s inclusion in this program appears to have been a last-minute decision—because who needs experienced intelligence officers when you can just wing it? At this point, the administration isn’t even pretending this isn’t a power grab. They’re gutting the very agencies responsible for keeping the country safe, and if a few classified operations get derailed in the process? Oh well. Nothing matters but loyalty.
#killing-democracy#retribution
