"A coup occurs when some person or group of persons seize extra-legal control over the state."
I would instead phrase that as "A successful coup is when actual control of the state has successfully been rendered an extra-legal question"
In the sense of, We need a state, we need someone in control of the state, and we need laws saying how we determine who gets to be in control of the state....
And a Coup is when it is rather forcibly and successfully pointed out that we don't actually NEED the 'law' part of that, because in certain circumstances, the laws just don't matter anymore. Like when the new person in control of the state says they don't matter, and can prove that he has the ability to make that stick.
In that sense, Elon Musk isn't actually a 'real' coup 'yet'. Nor is Trump. It's not a real coup unless nobody is even pretending that courts have any role to play in all this anymore. Publicly gambling that it will take the courts six months to catch up isn't really the same thing.
I have this morning been told by friends and family who work for the Peace Corps that it has to close its missions at this time and all should go home because the PC was not paid by the US government nor have they received food and supplies. It’s happening. Elon is closing us down. Also two friends who retired to Ireland did not receive their SSI benefit overseas. Not sure about domestic.
It's been two weeks. What power were you hoping to get back in two weeks? He's just started identifying and dismanteling the systems. But I like how you're eager to dismantle it and get the power back!
All here is true! So where is our so-called responsible and truthful media!! Has Musk put them in his pocket,too?
And where are the legislators who we just voted for! I have expressed my concern to them. Why not all of us who want to protect our freedom! We elected them to protect our rights under our Constitution !
And to President Trump, I hope your MAGA supporters hold you responsible for spitting on our Costitution that you swore to uphold!!
Thanks, Andy, for bringing attention and clarity to something that is being ignored.
This is by far the greatest violation of laws, norms and guardrails ever perpetrated by an individual at the behest of a President. This actually makes all of Trump's other crimes look like child's play.
I can't believe that Democrats are not saying/doing anything to stop this. I know they have limited options but at least they could use the platform of their office to point out the wreckage being done.
Kash Patel needs to be asked if he is Director of the FBI and the DOJ orders an investigation into Musk's activities that he will follow the evidence and the law.
This could have been a good article with less hyperbole. Anyone can appoint oneself dictator (think of the Emperor Norton); normally only those concerned with mental health need to pay attention. It's a Trump dictatorship, not a Musk one, we need to worry about. Trump has created an extra-governmental organization which, with the help of him and his appointees, exercises powers that only government agencies should have. That's a classic path to dictatorship, but Musk is entirely dependent on Trump, and he won't get off the leash to become top dog.
What difference does it make if Musk is Trump's tool or Trump is Musk's puppet?
Or Trump is the CEO and Musk is the de facto CFO? (As opposed to the actual chair of OMB and the Chief Financial Officers Council as per laws passed in 1990 and 2019.)
The damage done is all the same and by the time any intervention has been done through Congress (never going to happen) or the slow motion of the Courts it will be too late and the damage irreparable.
The Supreme Court has immunized Trump in advance and Musk is protected by the pardon power of the President so they can give any objectors the middle finger.
In fact (thanks to Biden's preemptive pardons) in theory Trump could pardon Musk, or anyone in his administration for that matter with any crimes committed between January 20, 2025 and January 20, 2029.
It is not hyperbole to say that we are a full blown Banana Republic right now.
"A coup occurs when some person or group of persons seize extra-legal control over the state."
I would instead phrase that as "A successful coup is when actual control of the state has successfully been rendered an extra-legal question"
In the sense of, We need a state, we need someone in control of the state, and we need laws saying how we determine who gets to be in control of the state....
And a Coup is when it is rather forcibly and successfully pointed out that we don't actually NEED the 'law' part of that, because in certain circumstances, the laws just don't matter anymore. Like when the new person in control of the state says they don't matter, and can prove that he has the ability to make that stick.
In that sense, Elon Musk isn't actually a 'real' coup 'yet'. Nor is Trump. It's not a real coup unless nobody is even pretending that courts have any role to play in all this anymore. Publicly gambling that it will take the courts six months to catch up isn't really the same thing.
I have this morning been told by friends and family who work for the Peace Corps that it has to close its missions at this time and all should go home because the PC was not paid by the US government nor have they received food and supplies. It’s happening. Elon is closing us down. Also two friends who retired to Ireland did not receive their SSI benefit overseas. Not sure about domestic.
Imprison Musk!
A dictator that is dramatically shredding the power of government and giving it back to the people isn't much of a dictator as you may think.
Haven’t seen the “giving it back to the people” part yet.
It's been two weeks. What power were you hoping to get back in two weeks? He's just started identifying and dismanteling the systems. But I like how you're eager to dismantle it and get the power back!
All here is true! So where is our so-called responsible and truthful media!! Has Musk put them in his pocket,too?
And where are the legislators who we just voted for! I have expressed my concern to them. Why not all of us who want to protect our freedom! We elected them to protect our rights under our Constitution !
And to President Trump, I hope your MAGA supporters hold you responsible for spitting on our Costitution that you swore to uphold!!
These two are ranking Republicans on the Finance Committees:
Rep. French Hill, Chairman - (202) 225-2506
Sen. Mike Crapo, Chairman - (202) 224-6142
Call late. Call often. Remind them THEY are accountable.
Even Republican senators are admitting that what is happening is unconstitutional but it's ok because Trump is just "flexing a little"
Calm down. Change your Depends, and everything will be OK. Why not talk about tariffs, or something worthwhile.
If he’s actually committing crimes (which it seems he is) is there an agency that’s not yet cowed/corrupted that could bring charges?
Who knew it would be so easy to non-violently overthrow our government with zero push back from Congress.
Can someone maybe tell Chuck Schumer about this Musk problem? Schumer’s lifeless response to this crisis is the last thing we need right now.
Thanks, Andy, for bringing attention and clarity to something that is being ignored.
This is by far the greatest violation of laws, norms and guardrails ever perpetrated by an individual at the behest of a President. This actually makes all of Trump's other crimes look like child's play.
I can't believe that Democrats are not saying/doing anything to stop this. I know they have limited options but at least they could use the platform of their office to point out the wreckage being done.
Kash Patel needs to be asked if he is Director of the FBI and the DOJ orders an investigation into Musk's activities that he will follow the evidence and the law.
This could have been a good article with less hyperbole. Anyone can appoint oneself dictator (think of the Emperor Norton); normally only those concerned with mental health need to pay attention. It's a Trump dictatorship, not a Musk one, we need to worry about. Trump has created an extra-governmental organization which, with the help of him and his appointees, exercises powers that only government agencies should have. That's a classic path to dictatorship, but Musk is entirely dependent on Trump, and he won't get off the leash to become top dog.
What difference does it make if Musk is Trump's tool or Trump is Musk's puppet?
Or Trump is the CEO and Musk is the de facto CFO? (As opposed to the actual chair of OMB and the Chief Financial Officers Council as per laws passed in 1990 and 2019.)
The damage done is all the same and by the time any intervention has been done through Congress (never going to happen) or the slow motion of the Courts it will be too late and the damage irreparable.
The Supreme Court has immunized Trump in advance and Musk is protected by the pardon power of the President so they can give any objectors the middle finger.
In fact (thanks to Biden's preemptive pardons) in theory Trump could pardon Musk, or anyone in his administration for that matter with any crimes committed between January 20, 2025 and January 20, 2029.
It is not hyperbole to say that we are a full blown Banana Republic right now.
It is pronounced dodgy.
Is the acronym, DOGE, accidental - or does it represent an insidious revelation of dictatorial intent?
In good 21st century style, I suggest Googling "Doge."
Charlie Chaplin played the part much better.