Today in Politics, Bulletin 91. 3/14/25 Ron Filipkowski Mar 14 ∙ … Trump was ranting and raving today in a press conference at DOJ about the media being mean to him. The presser was supposed to be about be about fentanyl. He said that it should be a crime to criticize his favorite Judge Aileen Cannon: “These horrible human beings were hitting her so hard. I don’t think it’s legal. I don’t think it’s legal. They were saying she was slow, she wasn’t smart, she was totally biased, she loved Trump.” … I’m not sure any human being on earth has been more abusive and threatening to more judges by telling more lies about them than Donald Trump. … He then whined that CNN and MSNBC are criminal organizations: “I believe that CNN and MSDNC, who literally write 97.6% bad about me, are political arms of the Democrat Party. In my opinion, they’re corrupt and they’re illegal. What they do is illegal.” … The House Continuing Resolution passed cloture after 10 Senate Democrats voted with Republicans. The bill will now be passed with a simple majority. Democrats who voted for it said they did not want the government to shut down on Saturday, but most Democrats inside and outside Congress were furious. … The Democratic Senators who voted for the CR were: Chuck Schumer, Catherine Cortez Masto, Dick Durbin, Brian Schatz, Angus King, Maggie Hassan, John Fetterman, Gary Peters, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Jeanne Shaheen. … Sen. Chuck Schumer led the Democrats who voted for the CR: "I supported what the House did to vote against this bill universally, but that didn't cause a shutdown. It's different in the Senate. I knew people were gonna disagree with me but I thought so strongly that the shutdown would be the greatest disaster we face with these arrogant autocrats that we had to avoid the shutdown and fight and many of the other things, every other issue that we have." … AOC was the most vocal and outspoken House member against Schumer’s position. On CNN: “This turns the federal govt into a slush fund for Trump and Musk, it sacrifices congressional authority, and it is deeply partisan. To me it is almost unthinkable why Senate Democrats would vote to hand the few pieces of leverage we have away for free when we’ve been sent here to protect Social Security, protect Medicaid, and protect Medicare.” … AOC later said: “I think there is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal. Just to see Senate Democrats acquiescing to Elon Musk - I think it is a huge slap in the face.” She said she was “texting, calling, sending carrier pigeons” to Senate Dems trying desperately to persuade them not to vote for it. … Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR): "I am a hell no. You don't stop a bully by handing over your lunch money, and you don't stop a tyrant by giving him more power. That is exactly what this House Republican spending bill does. Right now we have acquiescence from the House Republicans, from the Senate Republicans. The House Democrats don't have leverage. We are the ones - the Senate Democrats - who have leverage to say no." … Sen. Bernie Sanders: "If you do nothing, you sit back and say, 'it's gonna be terrible.' And that's right. A shutdown will be terrible. But our job is to put the onus on the Republican president, the Republican House, the Republican Senate, the people who control the govt." … Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA): “I am voting no. It's so important for my state to have infrastructure investment. The fact that they're cutting 40% out of the Army Corps of Engineers, which is the lifeblood of my state, helping us grow agricultural products and getting it to destinations all around the globe. So not only do we not have important infrastructure investments like these millions of dollars that would normally be in a bill, they're also cutting that.” … Rep. Nancy Pelosi: "Trump and Musk have offered the Congress a false choice between a govt shutdown or a blank check that makes a devastating assault on the well-being of working families across America. Let's be clear: neither is a good option for the American people. But this false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable. I salute Leader Hakeem Jeffries for his courageous rejection of this false choice, and I am proud of my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus for their overwhelming vote against this bill. … “Democratic senators should listen to the women. Rosa DeLauro and Patty Murray have eloquently presented the case that we must have a better choice: a 4-week funding extension to keep govt open and negotiate a bipartisan agreement. America has experienced a Trump shutdown before - but this damaging legislation only makes matters worse. Democrats must not buy into this false choice. We must fight back for a better way. Listen to the women, For The People." … Schumer made a flurry of posts on X trying to explain himself to angry Dems: “For Trump, a shutdown would be a gift. It would be the best distraction he could ask for from his awful agenda. Right now, Trump owns the chaos in the govt. He owns the chaos in the stock market. In a shutdown, we would be busy fighting with Republicans over which agencies to reopen, which to keep closed, instead of debating the damage Trump’s agenda is causing the American people.” … Trump trolled Schumer on Truth Social: “Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing - Took “guts” and courage! The big Tax Cuts, L.A. fire fix, Debt Ceiling Bill, and so much more, is coming. A non pass would be a Country destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights. Again, really good and smart move by Senator Schumer. This could lead to something big for the USA, a whole new direction and beginning!” … Rep. Ayanna Pressley: "I don't think we should be moving in any way to elicit praise from Donald Trump, who has no respect for Congress and the power of the purse, who is by the hour rolling out executive actions that are lawless. This is a hostile govt takeover. He is a dictator." … I completely agree with AOC and disagree with Schumer. Surrender Schumer is a creature of the establishment with a mentality stuck in a bygone era. He is afraid of his shadow and terrified that voters are going to blame Democrats for a shutdown despite the fact that polls do not show that and people have always blamed the party in power historically. … Besides, if it did not pass cloture it would only force Republicans to negotiate. If they refused to negotiate or even speak with Democrats about this, as they have done so far, they would definitely get the blame for shutting down the government. But Schumer doesn’t want to go to war - he wants to keep things running smoothly for Trump and Mike Johnson. … Fox’s congressional correspondent says it is possible a Senator or two may now challenge Schumer for his leadership position in the wake of this, and leading possibilities are Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Chris Murphy (D-CT). My pick is Mark Kelly. … A reporter asked Rep. Hakeem Jeffries today if it was time for new Democratic leadership in the Senate. Jeffries responded: “Next question.” … When House Republican leadership suggested that members should stop holding town halls, Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) was the most vocal in saying he did not agree and was going to continue to do them. He did one yesterday in Asheville, and it didn’t go well for him. … One constituent hit Edwards with a barrage of questions: “Do you support Trump on annexing Canada or Greenland, and do you like the way he treats the premier or the president of Canada, calling him ‘governor’? Is that the way you’d do it as a diplomat? Is that the way the US should act to our closest neighbors? Do you enjoy the way he’s tried to extort minerals from the Ukraine? Do you like bullying people that need your help? Do you go for kicking the guy when he’s down? Do you support Trump in these things - Yes or no?” … When Edwards responded, “The short answer to that is no, I do not,” the crowd seemed temporarily satisfied, but as soon as he started trying to justify Trump’s treatment of Ukraine, the crowd went nuts with booing and jeering. When he later tried to defend voting for the House budget resolution, the crown erupted again, prompting Edwards to say: “And you wonder why folks don’t want to do town halls anymore?” … An older man then got up and started yelling at Edwards: “You have nothing to say but lies! You’re lying. I’m a veteran, you don’t give a fuck about me! You don’t get to take away our rights.” He continued yelling, “Fuck you!” while security guards threw him out of the meeting as the crowd cheered him. … At the end of the meeting, Edwards’ constituents took to the streets outside yelling: “Deport Musk!” … Since Republicans don’t want to hold town halls and face their constituents, the Democratic Party is going to conduct a series of “People’s Town Halls” in key battleground districts currently held by Republicans. The first round will be in 9 swing districts held by these Reps: Juan Ciscomani (AZ), Gabe Evans (CO), Anna Paulina Luna (FL), Zach Nunn (IA), John James (MI), Ann Wagner (MO), Don Bacon (NE), Ryan Mackenzie (PA), and Rob Bresnahan (PA). - DNC Chair Ken Martin said the party will end up doing these town halls in all 50 states: “If they won’t talk to their own voters, then Democrats will.” … Rep. Suzan Delbene, Chair of House Dem Campaign Committee: “These increasingly vulnerable House Republicans are failing to do the most basic aspect of their jobs: meeting with the people they represent.” Reminder that there is no Bulletin on Saturday and the next one will cover the entire Weekend in Politics out Sunday night. Thank you again to everyone who supports my work with a paid subscription, and to everyone who shares this with others who may not be subscribers yet. Meidas+ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. … White House Faith Office Director Paula White told Matt Gaetz on OAN that God saved Trump from assassination so he could put Bibles and prayer back in public schools. She said she expects his Admin to challenge existing case law on separation of church and state and take it the Supreme Court: “Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs. I know that God saved Trump’s life from an attempted assassination, and that purpose is to restore faith in America.” … AG Pam Bondi announced on Fox that the FBI was going to essentially serve as private security for Tesla dealerships: "If you're gonna touch a Tesla, go to a dealership, do anything, you better watch out, because we're coming after you." … Bondi on DOJ’s string of losses trying to defend lawsuits against DOGE: "Of course we're gonna lose in these liberal district courts, but we will win in the Supreme Court. Donald Trump will control the budget." … The Department of Education has opened investigations into 45 universities based on their belief that they are discriminating against White and Asian student applicants. … Trump posted propaganda that word for word tracks what Putin falsely claimed yesterday: “We had very good and productive discussions with President Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end — BUT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT, THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION. I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!!!” … Julian Röpcke, Editor of BILD: “You must be kidding me. THIS IS 100% RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA. No Ukrainian troops are surrounded. No lives must be spared. Putin is in no position to do any good. No more comment.” … Ukraine's General Staff issued a statement responding to Trump’s post: "Reports of the alleged 'encirclement' of Ukrainian units by the enemy in the Kursk region are false and fabricated by the Russians for political manipulation and to exert pressure on Ukraine and its partners." … Former Republican Rep. and Trump ally-turned-critic Mo Brooks: “It’s a good thing we didn't have this kind leadership back in The Revolutionary War. If we had, we might still be a British colony.” … New CNN Poll on How Trump is Handling US-Russia Relationship: Approve 41%. Disapprove 59%. How Trump is Handling Situation in Ukraine Approve: 44%. Disapprove: 55%. How Will Trump's Cuts To Federal Programs Affect US World Standing? Hurt: 56%. Help: 28%. No effect: 15%. … EU President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the bloc has voted to extend full sanctions on Russia: “The EU increases pressure on Russia. We extend our sanctions on nearly 2,400 individuals and entities over Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, including: Travel bans, asset freezes, and a ban on funding/resources. Our determination to support Ukraine is decisive.” … Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on EU tariffs: “Donald Trump is reminding the EU who’s in charge. They need to respect Donald Trump. And he's gonna teach them how to do that." … Consumer confidence sunk lower again in the latest report released by the University of Michigan. The mid-March numbers show a 10.5% decline from February and was the lowest since November 2022. … Lutnick had to deal with a nervous Fox host Maria Bartiromo, who was wondering when the economic numbers are going to turn around: “We own the economy in the 4th quarter.” He said they were initially overly optimistic with their predictions about the 1st and 2nd Q, but claims things are only going poorly right now because of “the mess that we were left with. But in the 4th quarter of 2025, this economy is gonna be humming." … Bartiromo: “Investors are on edge over the possibility of a recession after the Atlanta Fed predicted a 2.4% contraction this quarter. LUTNICK: What? Say that again? 2.4% contraction?! That is ridiculous. BARTIROMO: Have you spoken to the Atlanta Fed president? LUTNICK: No.” … Lutnick was asked to explain his statement on CBS that Trump will propose everyone making less than $150,000 a year will pay no income taxes. Lutnick said what he meant was that Trump will make this proposal “when we balance the budget.” … In other words, never. … When JD Vance and his wife Usha entered their box at the Kennedy Center last night, he was greeted by a chorus of boos and jeers by the people in attendance. Usha Vance was just appointed by Trump to replace one of the fired Board members. … New Director Ric Grenell was crying as usual: “This should challenge us all to commit to making the Kennedy Center a place where everyone is welcomed. It troubles me to see that so many in the audience appear to be white and intolerant of diverse political views. Diversity is our strength. We must do better. We must welcome EVERYONE. We will not allow the Kennedy Center to be an intolerant place.” … White nationalist education propagandist Chris Rufo, who created the CRT hoax in 2021, didn’t appreciate Grenell having an issue with the audience being almost all white: “This is not the right rhetorical approach. We should not be troubled that so many in the audience appear to be white. There is nothing wrong with disparate interests, aptitudes, and participation between racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. As long as there is no legal discrimination, it is perfectly reasonable for events to be attended by any group that has the interest—white, black, Asian, Latino. There is no correct’ distribution of races at the symphony.” … Tesla paid zero income tax for 2024, despite taking in $2.3 billion in profits, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Over the past 3 years, Tesla reported $10.8 billion of US income and paid only a total of $48 million in taxes. That means over the last 3 years Tesla has paid 0.4% of their income in taxes. … CNBC: “Tesla saved half a billion in taxes last year using accelerated depreciation. Tax breaks for executive stock options shaved a quarter billion off the company’s tax bill. Unspecified ‘US tax credits’ were good for $300 million of tax savings. Musk’s company also used net operating losses to offset current year income, although it’s hard to know how much of that affects US income rather than the company’s far-larger foreign income.” … “Congress might give Tesla even more tax breaks. A bill passed by the House of Representatives in the previous Congress would have retroactively reinstated a provision allowing full expensing of research and development expenses which could save the company up to $2.4 billion in taxes.” … Barron’s reports that 4 Tesla cars were set on fire in different German cities today, which continues a string a vandalism against Teslas across Europe after Musk campaigned for the far-right AfD in the German election. Tesla sales are down 76% in that country so far this year. … “And Tesla isn’t the only Musk venture that’s struggling. SpaceX’s massive new Starship rocket has exploded twice this year during test flights. And Ontario, Canada, has canceled its contract with his Starlink internet company to provide service to remote communities, citing Trump’s tariffs. According to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, Musk is $148 billion poorer than he was on Inauguration Day (he is currently worth $333.1 billion).” … Sen. Mark Kelly posted a video of his Tesla being hauled off to be sold: “I bought a Tesla because it was fast like a rocket ship. But now every time I drive it, I feel like a rolling billboard for a man dismantling our government and hurting people. So Tesla, you’re fired! New ride coming soon.” … NBC reported that Trump ordered the US Southern Command to come up with plans to increase the number of troops in Panama in case he decides to use military force to “reclaim" the canal. Last week Trump said, “To further enhance our national security, my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal, and we've already started doing it.” … Rep. Marge Greene: “I fully support this. We built the canal. Thousands of Americans died building it. It should have never been sold and the terms have been violated.” … Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) responded on Meidas Touch to Trump’s claims that he prevented wildfires by releasing water in CA: “I had a hearing with the head of the Army Corps of Engineers. They were the ones who ultimately let 2 billion gallons of water flow from those dams down to a dry lake bed, where much of it simply evaporated. It never made its way to LA—and we now know that the Army Corps knew it was never going to.” … “That water is desperately needed for our farmers and agriculture, especially if the next few months are dry. The other thing you should know is that the LA wildfires were 100% contained when Trump made that reckless and irresponsible decision. My concern is that while the Army Corps of Engineers are skilled professionals, they must follow the science, the engineering, and common sense—and actually listen to the community.” … Corey Lewandowski, who serves as an aide to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem despite very credible rumors that they have carried on an affair for years, said he is thinking about running for Senate in NH in 2026: “If we’re gonna get a bunch of RINOs running, I’ll be happy to get in the race. I’ll raise a whole bunch of money. I’ll win that thing.” … Lewandowski getting the nomination would gift that open seat to a Democrat. Run Corey Run. … Brian Musgrave, who is one of the four men publicly accused of being a sexual predator by Rep. Nancy Mace, has filed a lawsuit against her for defamation and libel alleging that he can prove she is knowingly making a false claim.