Musk and his band of underage nazis have gone around our Maginot Line (the Constitution) and driven straight into the heart of our modern Government (the computer programs). The only way we will get them out will be to forcibly eject them.
Unfortunately, they all-but-certainly installed backdoors immediately upon gaining the keys to the kingdom. Even if the system were able to be rolled back to its configuration from 1/19, they have likely identified vulnerabilities in the proprietary software that can be exploited. Whether or not that becomes the "Dead Hand" equivalent, we should assume that the system has been irreparably compromised.
I wonder how much of the system can be restored by backups or air gapped (not connected to the internet)? As far as I know, that's the only way for the system to be truly safe.
I’m extremely pleased that Norm Eisen and his groups were successful in court, yesterday. However, who is making sure these court orders are followed? Bessent has already lied to Congress once about it. Are we just going to take his word for it? Some sort of enforcement mechanism needs to be in place. Like someone watching their every move.
Thanks for this, Kathleen Clark. At age 75, I'm feeling powerless to effect change and stewing over the enormous powers a hefty percentage of Americans gave to the deranged, corrupt and inept. Supporters have already shown, truth or reason can not persuade them. They will believe what they want to believe long after democracy's demolition. Their children and grandchildren will suffer, but then, so will mine and yours. Am I angry? Yep. Yet, the brilliance, clear thinking, and strong ethics shown by educated young people fill me with hope. I can try dropping a few Truth Bombs here and there on social media and in social settings, but mostly I'll serve as cheerleader. Maybe democracy will hold? The expectation that Musk will manipulate exhaustively with the information he's acquired tempers my hope.
I'm 66, and also multiplying my efforts. I agree with Lynn that persuading the voters/ supporters of Trump are probably what's making this fight so difficult. I think by and large we need to wait it out as far as letting the hardships fall on them, which will take time. When (not if) it does, we have to then hang it around the so-called leaders' necks like an albatross - make them own it.
*Meanwhile*, keep targeting the administration* and it's officials*, loudly, and persistently. We're in this together, including picking each other up when we're tired.
Yes, Lynn, if you're reading this, meaning you too. This will include material support. It will have to. Because if it isn't there yet, it will be - and sooner, not later.
Thank you for this excellent article. It appears that if Musk is a SGE that he is in criminal violation of the ethics laws. If he is not any kind of government official then he is surely in violation of other laws. If you or I gained access to sensitive government digital information by threatening government employees we would already be in jail without bail awaiting trial. Norm Eisen, you have another lawsuit to file.
Thank you for this column. This is so blatant and overwhelming I feel like just pulling the covers over my head and wishing I could be Rip Van Winkle. It means a lot that knowledgeable people are explaining and standing up for the truth.
The goal of the entire Trump Administration is for as many of them to make as much money as they can, either directly from the government or by changing ( or totally disregarding ) laws, rules, and regulations that apply to their businesses or investments. That is the goal of Project 2025, the billionaires who are in the cabinet, and the people who own the Supreme Court.
This time Trump et al are doing it in plain sight because there is no one who is going to stop them. In many cases, the DOJ, or the SEC, or any other agency that should be controlling this has become part of the process.
The Republicans in Congress foolishly seem to think they will somehow be included in the take --which they probably will be for a while.
Our government is now a crime syndicate, from top to bottom.
I am from Canada and follow what is happening in your country. I subscribe to the fact that we should be good neighbours. I think generally we were until Trump and his bandits entered town. I hope that your citizens rise up in great numbers to object what is going on. It has only been 3 weeks and look what has happened. I believe it is scary to think Trump has 3 years and 49 months to go.
I am a retired dual Canadian/US citizen who lives on social security in Canada. Unfortunately, I think the Trumpian coup has succeeded in establishing an autocracy that may endure well into the future thanks to the support of the Tech Bros, Project 2025 devotees and the extremist Christian right. I hope those in the US still fight.
But the best way we can help is to protect a corner of democracy. Trump's unholy alliance will turn their attentions to Canada next and the war will be one of disinformation, economic coercion and cyberoperations . To preserve Canadian democracy, we need to lock the door against the wolf at the door by building legal and economic walls to prevent the flow of disinformation into Canada, prevent the cyber capture of Canadian institutions and to prevent economic coercion.
Time is something we don't have. At least, we can't assume we do. It doesn't have to take that much time. Other countries with much less experience with democracy are also much quicker to respond to real threats, and know they don't have the luxury of waiting. We can, should, and must learn from this.
Michael Steele adamantly “encourages” Democrats to place this anger on the person who was elected, who is accountable to his voters and the rest of the American people, who is Actually Responsible for turning this man-child tech bro loose in our government agencies. I see the result of taking this advice is Donald Trump’s approval ratings falling, NOT Elon Musk’s. Who really cares if Musk’s ratings are falling? He is out there tearing things apart while Trump-the-Elected applauds and hides behind him!
Judy, agree wholeheartedly! This is tRump's MO, have someone else do your dirty work which then takes the focus off your own illegal deeds, reminiscent of the other "dons" of history, allowing their "capos" (translated, cabinet picks) to do the actual task and keeping the dirt off them. We should be screaming loudly to the American people, the fault is solely with the head of the tRump mafia, masquerading as the president.
The CEOs of the companies now competing with Musk's unfair advantage (understatement of the century) need to do more than seethe. They need to step up publicly and protest to Trump just as they have done and would have done in any other circumstance where they had identified an unfair advantage in seeking government contracts. C'mon people! There is money at stake, doesn't that get your attention??? We know, you know how to protect your business interests. Do it!
This will go on only as long as they don't hurt big businesses bottom lines. I'm sure many CEOs and such are furious at having all their finances compromised. Let's see what they do about it.
Vought just got confirmation --our country will now see what post-constitution will look like. Amazing how many cowards we have in Congress. Hitler & Goebbels would be proud.
The president and vice president are not required to file reports. Traditionally, however, they have divested themselves of business interests or put them in blind trusts.
Not only is he the worst immigrant, he is the most dangerous. He poses more peril to our existence than all the undocumented people who have ever come to the US across our southern border. This unhinged, Nazi-saluting grifter from South Africa has the same ethic as his co-POTUS: self enrichment. Had 3 more GOP senators voted to convict Drumph (his last name before his grandfather changed it since it was too German) in the second impeachment trial because of the vicious 01/02/2021 attack on the Capitol building, we would not be experiencing the long dark journey into night again. In the case of the GOP, it's not party over country. It's Drumpf over country.
Had *any elected official on January 6 refused to certify this presidency on basis of Amendment 14.3 perhaps we would be in a better position to fight right now.
My blood is boiling every time I read about Musk
Musk and his band of underage nazis have gone around our Maginot Line (the Constitution) and driven straight into the heart of our modern Government (the computer programs). The only way we will get them out will be to forcibly eject them.
Unfortunately, they all-but-certainly installed backdoors immediately upon gaining the keys to the kingdom. Even if the system were able to be rolled back to its configuration from 1/19, they have likely identified vulnerabilities in the proprietary software that can be exploited. Whether or not that becomes the "Dead Hand" equivalent, we should assume that the system has been irreparably compromised.
We'll kick them out first, deal with the software mess after that. First things first, and right now it's turning the tide back and damage control.
I wonder how much of the system can be restored by backups or air gapped (not connected to the internet)? As far as I know, that's the only way for the system to be truly safe.
All the public files can be found on internetarchive.org. Use the 'wayback machine' function to January 22 2025.
Who can do that??
Us
I’m extremely pleased that Norm Eisen and his groups were successful in court, yesterday. However, who is making sure these court orders are followed? Bessent has already lied to Congress once about it. Are we just going to take his word for it? Some sort of enforcement mechanism needs to be in place. Like someone watching their every move.
Thanks for this, Kathleen Clark. At age 75, I'm feeling powerless to effect change and stewing over the enormous powers a hefty percentage of Americans gave to the deranged, corrupt and inept. Supporters have already shown, truth or reason can not persuade them. They will believe what they want to believe long after democracy's demolition. Their children and grandchildren will suffer, but then, so will mine and yours. Am I angry? Yep. Yet, the brilliance, clear thinking, and strong ethics shown by educated young people fill me with hope. I can try dropping a few Truth Bombs here and there on social media and in social settings, but mostly I'll serve as cheerleader. Maybe democracy will hold? The expectation that Musk will manipulate exhaustively with the information he's acquired tempers my hope.
Spreading information widely is important, too. I'm in my late 60s and I'm doing that. I'm also donating.
I'm 66, and also multiplying my efforts. I agree with Lynn that persuading the voters/ supporters of Trump are probably what's making this fight so difficult. I think by and large we need to wait it out as far as letting the hardships fall on them, which will take time. When (not if) it does, we have to then hang it around the so-called leaders' necks like an albatross - make them own it.
*Meanwhile*, keep targeting the administration* and it's officials*, loudly, and persistently. We're in this together, including picking each other up when we're tired.
Yes, Lynn, if you're reading this, meaning you too. This will include material support. It will have to. Because if it isn't there yet, it will be - and sooner, not later.
Thank you for this excellent article. It appears that if Musk is a SGE that he is in criminal violation of the ethics laws. If he is not any kind of government official then he is surely in violation of other laws. If you or I gained access to sensitive government digital information by threatening government employees we would already be in jail without bail awaiting trial. Norm Eisen, you have another lawsuit to file.
Thank you for this column. This is so blatant and overwhelming I feel like just pulling the covers over my head and wishing I could be Rip Van Winkle. It means a lot that knowledgeable people are explaining and standing up for the truth.
The goal of the entire Trump Administration is for as many of them to make as much money as they can, either directly from the government or by changing ( or totally disregarding ) laws, rules, and regulations that apply to their businesses or investments. That is the goal of Project 2025, the billionaires who are in the cabinet, and the people who own the Supreme Court.
This time Trump et al are doing it in plain sight because there is no one who is going to stop them. In many cases, the DOJ, or the SEC, or any other agency that should be controlling this has become part of the process.
The Republicans in Congress foolishly seem to think they will somehow be included in the take --which they probably will be for a while.
Our government is now a crime syndicate, from top to bottom.
I agree with the message on some signs I saw at protests this past week: deport Musk.
Steven, I vote for that. I worst immigrant in the USA now
I am from Canada and follow what is happening in your country. I subscribe to the fact that we should be good neighbours. I think generally we were until Trump and his bandits entered town. I hope that your citizens rise up in great numbers to object what is going on. It has only been 3 weeks and look what has happened. I believe it is scary to think Trump has 3 years and 49 months to go.
I am a retired dual Canadian/US citizen who lives on social security in Canada. Unfortunately, I think the Trumpian coup has succeeded in establishing an autocracy that may endure well into the future thanks to the support of the Tech Bros, Project 2025 devotees and the extremist Christian right. I hope those in the US still fight.
But the best way we can help is to protect a corner of democracy. Trump's unholy alliance will turn their attentions to Canada next and the war will be one of disinformation, economic coercion and cyberoperations . To preserve Canadian democracy, we need to lock the door against the wolf at the door by building legal and economic walls to prevent the flow of disinformation into Canada, prevent the cyber capture of Canadian institutions and to prevent economic coercion.
Effective protest and resistance takes a little time to get going.
Time is something we don't have. At least, we can't assume we do. It doesn't have to take that much time. Other countries with much less experience with democracy are also much quicker to respond to real threats, and know they don't have the luxury of waiting. We can, should, and must learn from this.
You bet they are seething 😡
How do we react to Musk and the inexcusable conflicts? Should we write, call, protest? What is the most effective way for citizens to respond?
Michael Steele adamantly “encourages” Democrats to place this anger on the person who was elected, who is accountable to his voters and the rest of the American people, who is Actually Responsible for turning this man-child tech bro loose in our government agencies. I see the result of taking this advice is Donald Trump’s approval ratings falling, NOT Elon Musk’s. Who really cares if Musk’s ratings are falling? He is out there tearing things apart while Trump-the-Elected applauds and hides behind him!
Judy, agree wholeheartedly! This is tRump's MO, have someone else do your dirty work which then takes the focus off your own illegal deeds, reminiscent of the other "dons" of history, allowing their "capos" (translated, cabinet picks) to do the actual task and keeping the dirt off them. We should be screaming loudly to the American people, the fault is solely with the head of the tRump mafia, masquerading as the president.
The CEOs of the companies now competing with Musk's unfair advantage (understatement of the century) need to do more than seethe. They need to step up publicly and protest to Trump just as they have done and would have done in any other circumstance where they had identified an unfair advantage in seeking government contracts. C'mon people! There is money at stake, doesn't that get your attention??? We know, you know how to protect your business interests. Do it!
This will go on only as long as they don't hurt big businesses bottom lines. I'm sure many CEOs and such are furious at having all their finances compromised. Let's see what they do about it.
Vought just got confirmation --our country will now see what post-constitution will look like. Amazing how many cowards we have in Congress. Hitler & Goebbels would be proud.
We are indeed a sick society. At least now I know what my senators stand for.
Infuriating, and beyond absurd.
Awesome account of Musk’s inappropriate participation in the government. Quick question:
Did T—-p ever file a report? Or did he get a wink from the Congress?
The president and vice president are not required to file reports. Traditionally, however, they have divested themselves of business interests or put them in blind trusts.
Not only is he the worst immigrant, he is the most dangerous. He poses more peril to our existence than all the undocumented people who have ever come to the US across our southern border. This unhinged, Nazi-saluting grifter from South Africa has the same ethic as his co-POTUS: self enrichment. Had 3 more GOP senators voted to convict Drumph (his last name before his grandfather changed it since it was too German) in the second impeachment trial because of the vicious 01/02/2021 attack on the Capitol building, we would not be experiencing the long dark journey into night again. In the case of the GOP, it's not party over country. It's Drumpf over country.
Had *any elected official on January 6 refused to certify this presidency on basis of Amendment 14.3 perhaps we would be in a better position to fight right now.