DHS Runs Out Of Money Tonight, Trump Keeps Retreating, Fighting Anti-Science, Dems Raise The Freedom Flag In Munich STAND UP FOR SCIENCE: NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION MARCH 7TH

DHS Runs Out Of Money Tonight, Trump Keeps Retreating, Fighting Anti-Science, Dems Raise The Freedom Flag In Munich Stand Up For Science is hosting a National Day of Action on March 7th Simon Rosenberg Feb 13 Morning all. Senators left town last night without a deal to reform DHS/ICE so tonight DHS will run out of money. While it is hard to know what will happen the Trump regime is clearly in retreat right now - ending the surge in Minnesota, breaking off the DHS appropriations from the rest of the funding package, negotiating now with Democrats on reform. As we discussed yesterday Democrats are stronger now, Trump is weaker, and it is critical that Democrats use our advantage to get the very best deal possible in the consequential days ahead. As we press forward it’s important that Democrats fight not only to end the violence and the lawlessness of ICE, but as we discussed with Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, we must also be explicit that we oppose mass deportation, will fight to block the building of additional detention centers, and want ICE to focus on criminals and leave the rest of us alone. Last night we got news of a Trumpian retreat on another front - tariffs. Here are excerpts from a new FT article: Donald Trump is planning to scale back some tariffs on steel and aluminium goods as he battles an affordability crisis that has sapped his approval ratings ahead of November’s midterm elections. The US president hit steel and aluminium imports with tariffs of up to 50 per cent last summer, and has expanded the taxes to a range of goods made from those metals including washing machines and ovens…… ……The people said trade officials in the commerce department and US trade representative’s office believed the tariffs were hurting consumers by raising prices for goods such as pie tins and food and drink cans. Trump’s tariff blitz has pushed US duties to their highest level since before the second world war. But the president has repeatedly walked back some of his stiffest levies amid voter anger at the US’s affordability crisis. More than 70 per cent of US adults rate economic conditions as fair or poor, according to a Pew Research Center poll published this month. About 52 per cent of Americans think Trump’s economic policies have made conditions worse. The move to soften the steel and aluminium tariffs, which were among the earliest introduced in Trump’s second term, comes as economists say that Americans are paying for the levies, undercutting the president’s claim that foreign companies would bear the burden. Trump’s trade war has also brought political backlash, even from some allies. On Wednesday, members of Trump’s own Republican Party joined Democrats as the US House of Representatives voted to overturn Trump’s tariffs on Canada — delivering a major rebuke of his trade war on the US’s second-biggest trading partner. Trump is expected to veto the bill, leaving the levies in place. Several Republican lawmakers face tough election battles in their home states in November’s midterm elections amid voter anxiety about the impact of tariffs on small businesses and consumers. Even the insidery pub Axios is running a story on the growing resistance to Trump (and implicitly his ebbing powers): Little by little, week after week, a subtle but significant shift is unfolding in American politics: Institutions and even a small but growing number of Republicans are standing up to President Trump. Along with this eye-popping image of a teeny, tiny Trump: What is the big lesson from the last few months? When we fight Trump we can win, and so we should be doing it far more often, and on many more fronts. Another Important Front We Must Open Up - Standing Up For Science - We’ve seen a torrent of dangerous, batshit crazy anti-science moves from the regime this week - somehow Trump just voided the clear link between greenhouse gases and a warming planet; HHS launched a “Real Food” media campaign featuring Mike Tyson, a convicted rapist; yesterday the FDA announced it was refusing to even consider Moderna’s new mRNA flu vaccine: A senior US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official says Moderna’s clinical trial on a new, potentially more effective flu vaccine was a “brazen failure” and that the FDA is now calling it into question. The FDA unexpectedly refused to consider Moderna’s application for a flu shot based on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology in a decision that experts say is already having a chilling effect on vaccine development. Officials say the issue is the design of the study, in which control group participants over the age of 65 should have received a high-dose flu shot instead of a standard flu shot. Outside experts say the reasons seem to go deeper. “It’s all pretext and obfuscation when the real agenda is rejecting conventional science and serving a predetermined anti-vaccine agenda,” said Richard Hughes IV, a partner with Epstein Becker Green and law professor at George Washington University. Dorit Reiss, professor of law at UC Law San Francisco, said “personally humiliating a company is not a legitimate reason to refuse to review a submission”, and the refusal needs to “address substantive reasons”. Angela Rasmussen, an American virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan, says “they’re just coming up with reasons to not approve mRNA anything, and they’re going to eventually do it to all these vaccines”. As a result of this attack on their mRNA technology - the tech that saved us from COVID - Moderna announced the halting of late stage trials into three incredibly promising vaccines: And yesterday our ridiculous HHS Secretary openly questioned germ theory that is a cornerstone of modern medical science by saying that he used to snort cocaine off toilet seats and didn’t get sick (yes the man in charge of our health in America is making “snorting cocaine off toilet seats” great again): We are fighting the regime on affordability/tariffs, on health care, on ICE (and mass deportation/detention centers too), on the rancid Epstein coverup, and now we must up open a sustained front against their deepening descent into anti-science lunacy. For MAHA, climate denialism, and anti-science are dangerous for our country, for our health, for our prosperity, for our security, and for our future. Our friends at Stand Up For Science are holding a National Day of Action on Saturday, March 7th. Events are getting scheduled all across the country: Learn more, sign up, organize one of your own, here. I hope members of this community will lean into this important day, and help our movement open up and a new sustained front to fight the deepening and dangerous anti-science of the Trump regime. Like this fight to rein in ICE and end mass deportation, this fight for science is a righteous fight very much worth having. Democrats Head To The Munich Security Conference - It is great to see our leaders waving the freedom flag in Europe this week. From The Guardian: US Democrats will use a security summit this weekend to urge European leaders to stand up to Donald Trump, with the continent divided over how to keep the unpredictable US president on side. Democrats at the annual Munich Security Conference will include some of Trump’s most outspoken critics, such as the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, the New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Arizona senator Ruben Gallego and the Michigan governor, Gretchen Whitmer. Newsom has already urged Europeans to realise that “grovelling to Trump’s needs” makes them “look pathetic on the world stage”, telling reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos last month he “should have brought a bunch of knee pads”. Gallego was almost as forthright. “[Trump] is destroying our world reputation or potentially our economic might around the world because he is being petty. None of this is rational. Everyone needs to stop pretending this is rational,” he said. Here’s Politico with more: CONTINENTAL DIVIDE: The first foreign policy proving grounds of the 2028 Democratic presidential primary run through not a debate stage in Manchester, New Hampshire, but Munich, Germany. No fewer than six potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders are set to burnish their foreign policy bona fides today at the Munich Security Conference — Davos for the national defense set — offering a rejoinder and contrast to VP JD Vance’s scathing criticism of the continent in the same forum last year…… ………. Taken together, the 2028 Democrats’ presence at the event will almost certainly represent the most high-profile and substantive foreign policy rebuttal Democrats have offered during Trump 2.0 — and come at a time of fraying international alliances. “I’ve been doing this type of travel for a while,” Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) said when asked by Playbook about all the ambitious Democrats in attendance this year. “I think maybe other people are using this as an opportunity for them to flex whatever they want.” Gallego, who is meeting with Baltic foreign ministers and Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez, told us his message to foreign leaders in Munich will be that “the relationship between our allies, our friends, is still strong. Donald Trump will be gone in three years. We have senators here that are going to be here longer than him, and we need to continue growing our relationship and making sure we have a secure future.” Whether on the official stage or in sideline events, at least half a dozen possible presidential contenders will be present in Munich this year alongside Gallego: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Kelly is also taking meetings with European leaders and NATO and defense officials. On the sidelines, he’ll meet with wounded Ukrainians and Baltic leaders. Raimondo is leading a panel discussion on economic security and emerging technology. A spokesperson said she’ll argue that economic security is national security and “make the case that the U.S. must invest in its leadership in emerging tech (AI, quantum and biotech) and derisk its supply chains in order to strengthen its national security and outcompete China. And she’ll say that the best way to do that is by working with our allies and partners.” But AOC and Newsom seem to be generating the most buzz. The two are expected to lay out their own visions for America’s relationship with the world, drawing a direct contrast with Vance and Rubio. Both are expected to reassert that America has a role to play in Europe, people familiar with their planning and messaging for the event tell Playbook, though the flavor of their remarks is expected to diverge. Newsom, who will participate in the conference’s main program today, will deliver remarks on the economic need for climate action. He’ll also have two bilateral meetings today, Playbook has learned: one with German Federal Minister for the Environment Carsten Schneider, and one with EU Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra. Tomorrow, he’s expected to formalize a new partnership with Ukraine through the signing of a memorandum of understanding with regional leaders, per his office. He’ll meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and deliver remarks on strengthening transatlantic cooperation. “While Trump divides and destabilizes, California is focused on stability, cooperation, and expanding economic opportunity for all,” his office said. Overall, Newsom will deliver a message that “President Trump is temporary. California is not,” according to a background briefing on his remarks from the governor’s office. I will be reporting on this important gathering in the days ahead, and now…… Let’s Get To Work People!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep contacting your Congressional Reps and demand they rein in ICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DHS funding runs out tonight and we need to keep fighting! Winning The Midterms - Support Our Candidates Hopium’s Winning The House Campaign (2026) - $162,000 raised, $250,000 goal (new stretch goal) - Donate to all four endorsed House challengers with one click | Learn More | Enjoy our new conversations with Christina Bohannan (IA-01), Mayor Paige Cognetti (PA-08), Jo Mendoza (AZ-06), and Janelle Stelson (PA-10). Now including funds already raised with our friends at FridayAction for a joint event we are doing in May. Mary Peltola For Alaska Senate - $32,900 raised, $250,000 goal - Donate | Volunteer and learn more. Amazing start everyone! 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Many thanks to two generous Hopium community members who have audaciously donated $10,000 to each of our five state parties Winning The Big Arguments With Trump, Defend Our Democracy 1 - Call Your Senators and Member Of The House And Demand They Act Upon Our Five-Part Agenda - We need to be loud people, very, very loud and make the case for our now five part agenda: Stand with Ukraine and our European allies, and far more forcefully challenge Trump’s traitorous efforts to sell out the US and the West to Russia; demand Congress rebuke/issue a no confidence vote on his new threats to seize Greenland and his new, dangerous European tariffs; Congress must stand forcefully for rule of law in the Caribbean and the Pacific - these illegal strikes must end; no war can be waged without Congressional approval; there must accountability for those who have broken the law, and the US must withdraw from Venezuela and cease other threats to violate the UN Charter and the sovereignty of other nations Roll back Trump’s terrible, illegal tariffs that are re-igniting inflation, driving up prices, shifting the tax burden from the wealthy to working people, hurting small businesses and farmers, reviving tyrannical “taxation without representation,” and alienating governments and people throughout the world. To put America on a sounder fiscal course due to the enormous deficits brought by Trump’s 2025 tax cuts we should reverse the cuts to the wealthy and corporations Defend our democracy, rule of law, and our liberties by blocking the expansion of ICE; restoring due process for immigrants across the country; vigorously defending the 1st Amendment; warring against his outrageous targeting of his domestic political opponents; ending the use of the military on our streets and the dangerous occupation of our cities; stopping the unprecedented regime corruption; and by forcing the Administration to finally comply with Congress end the rancid cover up of the Epstein crimes. Fight Trump’s war on science, higher education and our public health; reverse - not delay - the cuts to the ACA, Medicaid and our clean energy investments; support and co-sponsor the Stand Up For Science/Rep. Haley Stevens effort to remove Robert Kennedy from HHS. Keep working hard all. The momentum is with us, and we need to keep fighting as hard as we can - Simon Thank you for your financial support of our wonderful Hopium community. This support allows us to do our work, and keep most of our content free for others to learn from and enjoy. A FEW COMMENTS AMONG MANY:  Was RFK claiming that germ theory isn't a thing because he's snorted cocaine off toilet seats and he's still alive? That guy must've been broken for decades. We know there's at least one dead parasite in his brain, but we have no idea how many other living parasites might be there affecting his behavior and ability to reason. I wouldn't want to occupy the same space he's in unless I had a hazmat suit on. I mailed 10 postcards to a school board race in AR. I have 25 more I just started to GA. I just filled in all the addresses. Those are for voter registration and I think (haven't started the script yet) they highlight Ossoff's race. Once again I think I got the correct number of "s" and "f" in his name. I'll have 25 repetitions to burn it in there for good. RFK JR took grandkids swimming in a 'POND' posted to contain SEWAGE: FECES then argued his IRRATIONAL GERM THEORY. Anyone who has paid attention to RFK JR's brain dead lunacy knows it's gotta be the DEAD BRAIN WORM!  There is ABSOLUTELY NO ONE AS WARPED, INCOMPETENT & UNQUALIFIED as RFK JR!  RFK JR has made + $10 MILLION from his ANTI-VAX ORGANIZATION!  RFK JR & SNAKE OIL SALESMAN DR. OZ were approved by MAGA DIMWITS!  WHEN YOU VOTE REMEMBER THAT! “…without a deal to reform DHS/ICE, tonight DHS will run out of money.” Simon, am I correct in assuming that ICE just continues its outrageous operations full-throttle, given the tens of billions of extra dollars they were allocated in Trump’s Big Ugly Bill? Some thoughts while waiting to hear from Simon: PBS reported that "The funding lapse affects the Department of Homeland Security and its constellation of agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency." However, "Most of the more than 270,000 people employed by Homeland Security are deemed essential, meaning that they stay on the job even during a shutdown." https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-services-are-affected-by-the-homeland-security-shutdown-what-you-need-to-know and this from The Hill https://thehill.com/newsletters/morning-report/5736902-funding-lapse-dhs-shutdown/ I heard they have operating money to continue for some time. I think I heard an estimate, but I don't remember specifically. It was months. Not weeks. So I think they run full throttle for awhile. “Years” is what I think I recall hearing. The BIG BEAUTIFUL DISASTER included TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY, MASSIVE CUTS TO HEALTHCARE and OUTRAGEOUS FUNDING FOR ICE GESTAPO!  THAT NEEDS TO BE SLASHED!  ICE GESTAPO recuits - NO BACKGROUND CHECKS OF THUGS, outrageous hiring bonuses, outrageous pay for LOSERS who can't work elsewhere.  GIVE 'EM MASKS, GUNS, PEPPER SPRAY, BEAR SPRAY, FLASH BANGS, TEAR GAS, RUBBER BULLETS & other undisclosed weapons....you got yourself TRUMP'S LAWLESS INVASION!  ICE GESTAPO have injured, assaulted, attacked, detained US CITIZENS, DETAINED CHILDREN, INJURED A PREGNANT WOMAN, CRASHED INTO VEHICLES, DETAINED & INJURED INNOCENT PROTESTERS, USED SNIPERS ON ROOFS TO TARGET PROTESTERS...LOOK UP THE RACETRACK TERRORISM.  if you're unfamiliar, look up STATUS COUP videos on YOU TUBE that documents ICE GESTAPO TERRORISM.  PLEASE NOTE THAT ICE GESTAPO IS SIGNING LONG TERM LEASES FOR WAREHOUSE FACILITIES TO DETAIN MORE PEOPLE UNDER INHUMANE CONDITIONS REFUSING OVERSIGHT.    ICE GESTAPO DEATHS IN THEIR 'FACILITIES' ARE ESCALATING - NO INDEPENTENT FOREENSIC REPORTS!  ICE GESTAPO EMPLOY BANNED CHOKEHOLDS.  They deny access to attorneys & families.  TRUMP fired IMMIGRATION JUDGES to deny fair hearings.  THIS IS AN OUT OF CONTROL bunch of THUGS targeting EVERYONE!  ALL FUNDING NEEDS TO BE RESCINDED!  I’m getting into the habit of calling my representatives whenever I arrive somewhere a little bit early. It takes so little time and always makes me feel better. Here is a bit of history to nourish us on our journey. https://open.substack.com/pub/ladylibertie/p/how-ordinary-people-have-broken-corrupt?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email IN ORDER TO FUND THIS ICE GESTAPO LUNACY, MAGA MAGGOTS destroyed HEALTH CARE!  Look at the numbers yoursself & research it!  ICE GESTAPO BOOBS are NOT DEPORTING or DETAINING CRIMINALS!  That's  HORSE MANURE!  They are arresting people with DARK COMPLEXIONS who have commited NO CRIMES, are community members, many with legal asylum cases pending or TPS that BRAIN DEAD TRUMP has rescinded. ICE GESTAPO is DETAINING CHILDREN!  MAGA MAGGOTS need to be defeated to restore SANITY & COMMON SENSE!  MAGA MAGGOTS destroyed MEDICAID, but CUT MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENTS TO DOCTORS!  The ORANGE TURD has slashed RESEARCH FUNDING causing other nations to solicit THE BEST & THE BRIGHTEST RESEARCHERS without restrictions - THIS MASSIVE BRAIN DRAIN will destroy AMERICAN RESEARCH - people from around the WORLD come to study in BOSTON...until the ORANGE TURD banned people from other nations!  As an aside, PAY ATTENTION to the TAXPAYER $$$ that TRUMP is just PISSING AWAY!  Now funding DIRTY COAL!  MASSACHUSETTS fought to end the last 2 DIRTY COAL PLANTS - I attended public hearing with local residents who spoke about the DIRTY COAL that SPEWED COAL ASH in their neighborhoods, caused ASTHMA & RESPIRATORY ISSUES - they couldn't open their windows, hang laundry of go outside. DIRTY COAL ASH contaminated DRINKING WATER.  The ORANGE TURD genuflects to $$$$, but people don't!  BERNIE SANDERS GOT IT RIGHT!  PEOPLE FIRST! RESTORE MEDICAID CUTS!  VOW TO OPPOSE ANY MAGA MAGGOT WHO FAILS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE - REMEMBER THEIR NAMES! All Democrats Backed Sanders Push to Repeal $75B for ICE to Undo Medicaid Cuts  The extra $75 billion granted to ICE could instead prevent 700,000 people from losing health care, Sanders said. By Sharon Zhang , Truthout PublishedFebruary 2, 2026 https://truthout.org/articles/all-democrats-backed-sanders-push-to-repeal-75b-for-ice-to-undo-medicaid-cuts/ Please note that TRUMP claimed that he was a VIETNAM VETERAN unrelated to any other comment.  TRUMP has lost it! COMMANDER BONE SPURS!    IT'S CALLED DEMENTIA!