In a constitutional republic, our elected and appointed officials must know and care about the power the Constitution confers—and the limits it imposes.
It has been suggested elsewhere by Contrarian contributors that ALL elected officials [which include the entire Congress] take the citizenship test given to individuals who apply for citizenship. It would definitely be worthwhile to also give it to American students before they exit K-12 school. I suspect that only the people applying for citizenship would ace that test. I'm not sure if that is just sad or horrifying. Also, much attention, deservedly, has been given to DHS. I would urge that the same attention be given to the current leadership and policies of FBI, CIA, NSA, Dept of Defense.
This is a decent argument for abolishing birthright citizenship, or at least a citizen's automatic right to vote. What infuriates me is that my well though-out votes (pro-democracy) are cancelled out by barely educated rubes.
Sorry. I wasn't clear. My point was that children of Americans should not be granted the right to vote unless they pass a basic test on American history and the Constitution.
I am stunned. Even if they know zilch about American history and requirements set out in the Constitution!? You and your likeminded are supporting the ignorance that has led into the autocracy/kakistocracy we are now experiencing!
I don't think anyone here is surprised at the complete and profound ignorance of constitutional law by a Trump appointee. I can't think of a single one who is not violating our laws, breaching national security, ignoring court orders and basically showing their lack of compassion, education, ethical decision making, and understanding of basic human rights. None of them have any backbone or qualifications for the positions they have been placed in. They are merely Trump sycophants who will do his bidding.
She's not ignorant. She's a liar and a fraud, collaborating with illegality, cruelty and deceit, flashing her $20k Rolex in front of shackled prisoners at CECOT.She knew exactly what she was doing -- taking one for the boss while posing for the cameras. Nothing innocent about it, not the least.
I agree that she is a liar and a fraud, but also, incredibly ignorant. To my knowledge, she has no law enforcement background, was a governor of a small state, and decided to put her lot towards Trump who could get her out of South Dakota and make her a national figure. The fact that she was so sure of her explanation of habeas corpus was startling and absolutely pointed to her terrible stupidity and ignorance. She swore to a 250 year old document when she became part of Homeland, but knows not one twit about it. Not one. She obviously cannot even figure out that "corpus" is Latin for "body", so maybe, just maybe, the phrase has something to do with someone's body. Gosh, even a 10 year old with some knowledge of Latin could figure that one out, but alas, not Noem. Every word she said to Congress was stupidity, a lie, and a shocking lack of knowledge for a Cabinet member. Did she not think that the Congress would be asking her questions about the habeas clause? So perhaps, she could have prepped for it, like a highschooler prepping for the SAT. Get it Kristi? As much as I loathe Bondi, I do think she could explain Article 1 of the Constitution, albeit in her double speak, but she would know what the hell it meant. This is what happens when the inept prez appoints people for their loyalty, their half-assed looks, and their loathsome characters vs their competencies and knowledge. You reap what you sow, and he will, in due time, as will she. She might think she's the top of the heap now, but she will fall very fast and very far, again, in due time. Can't wait.
We should never deny the possibility that massive stupidity, willful ignorance, as well as total deceit can all co-exist together in the same roiling, empty, vacuous spaces inside a MAGAT's head.
Noem thinks Habeus corpus gives her the right to kill her dog. After all, if you own the corpus, in this case her dog, you can do anything you want to it, including shooting it in the face. That’s also why she thinks that the Dear Leader, if he has the right of Habeas Corpus can do whatever he wants to anyone in this country: deport them, arrest them, or even kill them. isn’t she just adorable? I think all that Botox in her face has migrated to her brain.
All those hard core “Right Wingers” around her with their pocket Constitutions that they wave about, but, apparently never bother to read. The Constitution is not very long, it is almost all in readable English the Latin employed is to short-hand complex ideas, Noem is just not into complexity.
So sad to see what has become of our Government. Sadder still to see how ignorant our voting populace is to have elected this Clown Show! Our only hope to turn this thing around is STILL……a YEAR and a half away(Nov 2026 elections). OMG!!! 13 MORE “100 day” periods! 😱😱😱
I cannot comprehend this constant complaining that fascists are being fascists - what does that serve? It would appear that we should ask them not to do wrong, not to violate law, not to violate constitution, not to commit crimes, not to deport and/or detain people illegally, not to arrest judges, mayors, senators, you name it. I feel that all of a sudden we are taking a 101 course on what is right or wrong, what democracy means, why the rule of law is important - as if we were ignorant high school students. This is not what a platform to save democracy should be about - we should be debating what actions to take, how to combat the criminals who have taken over the country. This is not 2016 when you could have had doubts about Trump - meanwhile he had refused to accept the election result and organised the violent insurrection. What is going on is analogue of other countries that had a tragic fate to face fascism, from Mussolini's Italy to Orban's Hungary - the scenario is basically always one and the same. It is high time to face the truth that nobody is immune to such social tragedies and to use the lessons of the past 100 years to confront these thugs who in normal times would be at the margin of society. It is now months of direct evidence that there is a widespread conspiracy to destroy democracy and the rule of law in the US - and most of the echelons of the GOP are deeply involved. These are people that deliberately violate the Constitution, some highly educated like say Rubio, and some ignorant like say Noem, but they all have in common disdain for decency, truth, logic, justice, law, you name it. This is clear by now, so let us please stop being surprised or shocked by what is going on - we are close to the point of no return.
I absolutely agree with you. Trump intentionally picked people for his Cabinet that were the antitheses of what a good bureaucrat should be. Destruction is the point. Ignorance means subservience, yet we all clutch our pearls when it is exhibited. Treat them all as co-conspirators and figure out how to defeat them. Take to the streets! Demonstrate! Don’t let up! Be brave!
And herein lies the problem across the entirety of his empire - he hires people who have no idea what they're talking about. Yet they talk with gusto, blatantly defying facts
The level of ignorance shown is beyond anything I though possible for a former Governor and head of the DHS. ... and my expectations of both are rock bottom when it comes to trump's cabinet.
"When government officials are ignorant about the Constitution"
Why stop with only the Constitution? I am becoming convinced more and more each day that Trump's "government officials" are all pretty much ignorance (and ARROGANCE) incarnate which makes this administration the greatest threat our nation has ever faced.
To be fair, I'm sure Noem meant executed as it is defined; "to carry out or put into effect," not to kill as by firing squad for example. Still, her seeming willful ignorance alone should have resulted in her not being confirmed. Nor should her seeming willful ignorance protect her from any of the legal actions against her. Perhaps she should retain a lawyer who actually read and is somewhat cognizant of the meaning of the Constitution.
It can't be a surprise that the Felon's completely incompetent (Secretary Noem, Director Gabbard, Secretary Hegseth, Secretary RFK Jr., AG Bondi) administration, would know what's in the Constitution, let alone understand the Constitution's meaning.
I know this article is about Noem's ignorance of constitutional law, and how important it is "that elected and appointed officials know and care about the power the Constitution confers--and the limits it imposes." I just spent two hours reading about what terrible shape we are in. This was the last article I read. It's 2:00 a.m., and before I go to sleep I did what I always do when I feel devastated by the stupidity, ignorance and arrogance of every single person in this administration. I found uplifting quotes, which I would like to share. There are two by Margaret Mead, because they both made me feel good.
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” ―Martin Luther
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead
“Never ever depend on governments or institutions to solve any major problems. All social change comes from the passion of individuals.” ― Margaret Mead
“Sure I am this day we are masters of our fate, that the task which has been set before us is not above our strength; that its pangs and toils are not beyond our endurance. As long as we have faith in our own cause and an unconquerable will to win, victory will not be denied us." ―Winston S. Churchill
It has been suggested elsewhere by Contrarian contributors that ALL elected officials [which include the entire Congress] take the citizenship test given to individuals who apply for citizenship. It would definitely be worthwhile to also give it to American students before they exit K-12 school. I suspect that only the people applying for citizenship would ace that test. I'm not sure if that is just sad or horrifying. Also, much attention, deservedly, has been given to DHS. I would urge that the same attention be given to the current leadership and policies of FBI, CIA, NSA, Dept of Defense.
This is a decent argument for abolishing birthright citizenship, or at least a citizen's automatic right to vote. What infuriates me is that my well though-out votes (pro-democracy) are cancelled out by barely educated rubes.
I do not think it affects birthright citizenship, nor voting rights. It is a reflection of education, or lack thereof.
Sorry. I wasn't clear. My point was that children of Americans should not be granted the right to vote unless they pass a basic test on American history and the Constitution.
I don't agree with this requirement for voting. A person who is motivated to vote, as so many don't even bother, should be able to vote.
I am stunned. Even if they know zilch about American history and requirements set out in the Constitution!? You and your likeminded are supporting the ignorance that has led into the autocracy/kakistocracy we are now experiencing!
I don't think anyone here is surprised at the complete and profound ignorance of constitutional law by a Trump appointee. I can't think of a single one who is not violating our laws, breaching national security, ignoring court orders and basically showing their lack of compassion, education, ethical decision making, and understanding of basic human rights. None of them have any backbone or qualifications for the positions they have been placed in. They are merely Trump sycophants who will do his bidding.
She's not ignorant. She's a liar and a fraud, collaborating with illegality, cruelty and deceit, flashing her $20k Rolex in front of shackled prisoners at CECOT.She knew exactly what she was doing -- taking one for the boss while posing for the cameras. Nothing innocent about it, not the least.
I agree that she is a liar and a fraud, but also, incredibly ignorant. To my knowledge, she has no law enforcement background, was a governor of a small state, and decided to put her lot towards Trump who could get her out of South Dakota and make her a national figure. The fact that she was so sure of her explanation of habeas corpus was startling and absolutely pointed to her terrible stupidity and ignorance. She swore to a 250 year old document when she became part of Homeland, but knows not one twit about it. Not one. She obviously cannot even figure out that "corpus" is Latin for "body", so maybe, just maybe, the phrase has something to do with someone's body. Gosh, even a 10 year old with some knowledge of Latin could figure that one out, but alas, not Noem. Every word she said to Congress was stupidity, a lie, and a shocking lack of knowledge for a Cabinet member. Did she not think that the Congress would be asking her questions about the habeas clause? So perhaps, she could have prepped for it, like a highschooler prepping for the SAT. Get it Kristi? As much as I loathe Bondi, I do think she could explain Article 1 of the Constitution, albeit in her double speak, but she would know what the hell it meant. This is what happens when the inept prez appoints people for their loyalty, their half-assed looks, and their loathsome characters vs their competencies and knowledge. You reap what you sow, and he will, in due time, as will she. She might think she's the top of the heap now, but she will fall very fast and very far, again, in due time. Can't wait.
We should never deny the possibility that massive stupidity, willful ignorance, as well as total deceit can all co-exist together in the same roiling, empty, vacuous spaces inside a MAGAT's head.
I stand corrected.
Noem thinks Habeus corpus gives her the right to kill her dog. After all, if you own the corpus, in this case her dog, you can do anything you want to it, including shooting it in the face. That’s also why she thinks that the Dear Leader, if he has the right of Habeas Corpus can do whatever he wants to anyone in this country: deport them, arrest them, or even kill them. isn’t she just adorable? I think all that Botox in her face has migrated to her brain.
Only the best people ...
All those hard core “Right Wingers” around her with their pocket Constitutions that they wave about, but, apparently never bother to read. The Constitution is not very long, it is almost all in readable English the Latin employed is to short-hand complex ideas, Noem is just not into complexity.
There is a simple explanation to that, and that is: she's stupid.
So sad to see what has become of our Government. Sadder still to see how ignorant our voting populace is to have elected this Clown Show! Our only hope to turn this thing around is STILL……a YEAR and a half away(Nov 2026 elections). OMG!!! 13 MORE “100 day” periods! 😱😱😱
I cannot comprehend this constant complaining that fascists are being fascists - what does that serve? It would appear that we should ask them not to do wrong, not to violate law, not to violate constitution, not to commit crimes, not to deport and/or detain people illegally, not to arrest judges, mayors, senators, you name it. I feel that all of a sudden we are taking a 101 course on what is right or wrong, what democracy means, why the rule of law is important - as if we were ignorant high school students. This is not what a platform to save democracy should be about - we should be debating what actions to take, how to combat the criminals who have taken over the country. This is not 2016 when you could have had doubts about Trump - meanwhile he had refused to accept the election result and organised the violent insurrection. What is going on is analogue of other countries that had a tragic fate to face fascism, from Mussolini's Italy to Orban's Hungary - the scenario is basically always one and the same. It is high time to face the truth that nobody is immune to such social tragedies and to use the lessons of the past 100 years to confront these thugs who in normal times would be at the margin of society. It is now months of direct evidence that there is a widespread conspiracy to destroy democracy and the rule of law in the US - and most of the echelons of the GOP are deeply involved. These are people that deliberately violate the Constitution, some highly educated like say Rubio, and some ignorant like say Noem, but they all have in common disdain for decency, truth, logic, justice, law, you name it. This is clear by now, so let us please stop being surprised or shocked by what is going on - we are close to the point of no return.
I absolutely agree with you. Trump intentionally picked people for his Cabinet that were the antitheses of what a good bureaucrat should be. Destruction is the point. Ignorance means subservience, yet we all clutch our pearls when it is exhibited. Treat them all as co-conspirators and figure out how to defeat them. Take to the streets! Demonstrate! Don’t let up! Be brave!
Plastic surgery noemoron
And herein lies the problem across the entirety of his empire - he hires people who have no idea what they're talking about. Yet they talk with gusto, blatantly defying facts
WOW! ... just ... WOW!
The level of ignorance shown is beyond anything I though possible for a former Governor and head of the DHS. ... and my expectations of both are rock bottom when it comes to trump's cabinet.
"When government officials are ignorant about the Constitution"
Why stop with only the Constitution? I am becoming convinced more and more each day that Trump's "government officials" are all pretty much ignorance (and ARROGANCE) incarnate which makes this administration the greatest threat our nation has ever faced.
To be fair, I'm sure Noem meant executed as it is defined; "to carry out or put into effect," not to kill as by firing squad for example. Still, her seeming willful ignorance alone should have resulted in her not being confirmed. Nor should her seeming willful ignorance protect her from any of the legal actions against her. Perhaps she should retain a lawyer who actually read and is somewhat cognizant of the meaning of the Constitution.
It can't be a surprise that the Felon's completely incompetent (Secretary Noem, Director Gabbard, Secretary Hegseth, Secretary RFK Jr., AG Bondi) administration, would know what's in the Constitution, let alone understand the Constitution's meaning.
Trump and his lackies are creating an alternative constitution to go along with their alternative facts.
I know this article is about Noem's ignorance of constitutional law, and how important it is "that elected and appointed officials know and care about the power the Constitution confers--and the limits it imposes." I just spent two hours reading about what terrible shape we are in. This was the last article I read. It's 2:00 a.m., and before I go to sleep I did what I always do when I feel devastated by the stupidity, ignorance and arrogance of every single person in this administration. I found uplifting quotes, which I would like to share. There are two by Margaret Mead, because they both made me feel good.
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” ―Martin Luther
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead
“Never ever depend on governments or institutions to solve any major problems. All social change comes from the passion of individuals.” ― Margaret Mead
“Sure I am this day we are masters of our fate, that the task which has been set before us is not above our strength; that its pangs and toils are not beyond our endurance. As long as we have faith in our own cause and an unconquerable will to win, victory will not be denied us." ―Winston S. Churchill