LetMyPeopleVote
LetMyPeopleVote's JournalMaddowBlog-As Cabinet secretaries prioritize distractions and trivialities, Rubio focuses on fonts
As the nation’s chief diplomat turns his attention to typefaces, it’s hard not to wonder: Doesn’t he have better things to do?
Rubio focuses on fonts, Duffy focuses on airport pull-ups, Hegseth focuses on paintings, Noem focuses on photo-ops, and Trump focuses on ballrooms and bathrooms ...
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-12-11T18:04:51.602Z
Shouldn’t they have other things to do? www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/as-cabinet-secretaries-prioritize-distractions-and-trivialities-rubio-focuses-on-fonts
This week, the department undid that move. Reuters reported:
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor Antony Blinken’s decision to adopt Calibri a ‘wasteful’ diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters.
The Times report on this added that for the nation’s chief diplomat, who issued an “Action Request” memo to U.S. posts around the world, reversing course on font selection was part of “a push to stamp out diversity efforts and … return to tradition.”.....
And this is the moment that the top diplomat for the world’s preeminent superpower decided to issue an international declaration to U.S. embassies, missions and outposts about … a typeface?
As ridiculous as this might seem, it’s part of a pattern in which White House Cabinet officials can’t seem to shake their interest in distractions and trivialities. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has devoted time to helping air travelers who want to do pull-ups at airports. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has invested a bizarre amount of interest in paintings, library books and grooming standards. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has embraced camera-ready tactics and performative politics to an almost cartoonish degree.
And then, of course, there’s Donald Trump himself, who appears far more interested in ballrooms and bathrooms than governance.
As Rubio joins the club and turns his attention to fonts, it’s hard not to wonder: Don’t these guys have more important things to do?
Maddowblog-'You can give up certain products': Trump tells Americans to settle for less
The president expects Americans to make sacrifices but doesn’t appear willing to make any sacrifices of his own.
Trump: “You can give up certain products,†such as pencils and toys for children.
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-12-10T16:37:40.508Z
Also Trump: Let’s talk about my new marble bathroom, my ever-growing White House ballroom, and the Gatsby-themed party at the glorified country club I own and profit from. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/you-can-give-up-certain-products-trump-tells-americans-to-settle-for-less
The Republican did, however, make an unexpected argument to Americans concerned about affordability and the cost of living.
Trump at his speech on the economy: "You can give up certain products. You can give up pencils…They only need one or two. They don't need that many…You don't need 37 dolls for your daughter. Two or three is nice, but you don't need 37 dolls."
— The Bulwark (@thebulwark.com) 2025-12-10T01:48:57.831Z
....Complicating matters is the fact that while the Republican expects Americans to make sacrifices in response to his failing agenda, Trump doesn’t appear personally willing to make comparable sacrifices of his own.
On the contrary, the incumbent president remains focused on his new marble bathroom, his ever-expanding plans for a wildly unnecessary White House ballroom and his frequent trips to Florida, where he hangs out at the glorified country club he owns and profits from, palling around with his extremely wealthy customers at “Great Gatsby”–themed soirees.
It’s something to keep in mind as Trump tells Americans to buy fewer toys for their kids two weeks before Christmas.
Deadline Legal Blog-Chicago grand jurors continue stunning streak of rejecting Trump DOJ indictments
Yet another grand jury declined to approve felony charges in a case alleging an assault on law enforcement.
https://x.com/cvrife1/status/1999215664297640243
https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/chicago-grand-jurors-continue-stunning-streak-of-rejecting-trump-doj-indictments
A new example comes from Chicago, where a federal magistrate judge on Wednesday granted the DOJ’s motion to dismiss charges against comedy club manager Nathan Griffin. The government had accused him of assaulting an agent in October. According to the now-dismissed complaint, Griffin had tried to close a car door on an agent and later said, “I didn’t assault anybody. … Shutting a door isn’t a f—ing crime.”
The grand jury seemed to agree. The judge’s order noted that the government’s dismissal motion was prompted by the grand jury’s refusal to indict Griffin.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that now “at least three people who have faced federal charges tied to Operation Midway Blitz have been cleared by grand jurors,” with charges dropped against 13 people overall and no cases having led to convictions.
The Chicago news follows yet another failed DOJ outing last week in Virginia, where a grand jury rejected the government’s attempt to revive fraud charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James. Her initial charges were dismissed, along with former FBI Director James Comey’s, because the Trump-installed prosecutor in that Virginia district was illegally appointed.
The DOJ has been pushing forward in the face of grand jury rejections. In the case of Sidney Reid, for example, federal prosecutors struck out in the Washington, D.C., grand jury a whopping three times before reducing the case to a misdemeanor — which doesn’t require grand jury approval — and then losing that case at trial.
Chicago grand jurors continue stunning streak of rejecting Trump DOJ indictments
Source: Deadline Legal Blog
One of the most remarkable stories of President Donald Trump’s second term is the series of cases in which grand juries have declined to approve felony indictments presented by the Justice Department. Even one such rejection is rare, but they’ve been piling up this year in cases alleging assaults on federal officers in connection with the administration’s immigration enforcement.
A new example comes from Chicago, where a federal magistrate judge on Wednesday granted the DOJ’s motion to dismiss charges against comedy club manager Nathan Griffin. The government had accused him of assaulting an agent in October. According to the now-dismissed complaint, Griffin had tried to close a car door on an agent and later said, “I didn’t assault anybody. … Shutting a door isn’t a f—ing crime.”
The grand jury seemed to agree. The judge’s order noted that the government’s dismissal motion was prompted by the grand jury’s refusal to indict Griffin.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that now “at least three people who have faced federal charges tied to Operation Midway Blitz have been cleared by grand jurors,” with charges dropped against 13 people overall and no cases having led to convictions.
The Chicago news follows yet another failed DOJ outing last week in Virginia, where a grand jury rejected the government’s attempt to revive fraud charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James. Her initial charges were dismissed, along with former FBI Director James Comey’s, because the Trump-installed prosecutor in that Virginia district was illegally appointed.
The DOJ has been pushing forward in the face of grand jury rejections. In the case of Sidney Reid, for example, federal prosecutors struck out in the Washington, D.C., grand jury a whopping three times before reducing the case to a misdemeanor — which doesn’t require grand jury approval — and then losing that case at trial.
Read more: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/chicago-grand-jurors-continue-stunning-streak-of-rejecting-trump-doj-indictments
https://x.com/cvrife1/status/1999215664297640243?s=20
Justice Department fails to reindict Letitia James for a second time
This makes me smile.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/11/p...
— LunaLuvgood2020 (@lunaluvgood2020.bsky.social) 2025-12-11T20:14:26.042Z
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
Justice Department fails to reindict Letitia James for a second time
https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/11/politics/justice-department-fails-reindict-letitia-james-second-time
The Justice Department presented its case against James to grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, Thursday — a week after a different grand jury in Norfolk declined to bring charges.
A spokesperson for James’ legal team declined to comment Thursday.
The quick move by the Justice Department to present a case against James again to a grand jury again shows the intensity of its efforts to prosecute the New York attorney general, a frequent Trump political target who was one of several enemies he has said on social media should face legal jeopardy.
Late last month, a federal judge said that Lindsey Halligan, Trump’s handpicked prosecutor, was unlawfully appointed as an interim US attorney and therefore the criminal cases against James and another Trump political opponent — former FBI Director James Comey — must be dismissed. Halligan, a former White House adviser, was given the job after the Justice Department pushed out the previous interim US attorney amid increasing pressure to bring cases against Comey and James.
Noem accused of misleading Congress about early hearing departure to canceled meeting
Noem ran away from the hearing and is lying about the reason why she ran away
https://x.com/thehill/status/1999201798452551782
https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/5644770-noem-dhs-thompson-fema
It’s an assertion denied by Noem’s office, which said she only found out her meeting was canceled after she left the witness table.
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) moved to subpoena Noem to reappear before the panel, saying she shirked her duties and may have even lied about needing to attend a meeting of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Council convened to determine the future of the disaster agency.
Beyond putting Noem in hot water with the committee’s Democrats, the cancellation raises questions about the Trump administration’s plans to diminish FEMA and give more power to states to respond to disasters.
“I understand on good information that the FEMA Council meeting was canceled so there was no need for her to go,” Thompson said, referencing a meeting to determine the future of the agency.
“She was a liar with no respect for congressional oversight.”
Noem left the witness table a few minutes after noon for the FEMA Council meeting that was slated to begin at 1 p.m., which The Hill independently verified has been canceled.
Kristi Noem Caught Lying About Why She Left Committee Hearing Early
Congressman Moskowitz has confirmed that the FEMA meeting Noem left today's hearing for was cancelled.
She was getting grilled & couldn’t take it! She’s a coward just like her Orange Daddy!
— Middlerage (@middlerage.bsky.social) 2025-12-11T18:13:47.810Z
https://meidasnews.com/news/kristi-noem-caught-lying-about-why-she-left-committee-hearing-early
Secretary Noem informed those present that she needed to depart in order to chair a meeting of the FEMA review council. However, Moskowitz later stated that he was told the meeting in question had been canceled.
“Noem said she had to go chair the FEMA review council meeting. BUT I’m told that meeting was canceled,” Moskowitz said.
The conflicting accounts immediately drew attention, particularly given the importance of the DHS committee hearing and the sensitive nature of FEMA oversight. The abrupt departure, combined with the report that the meeting was not happening, left some lawmakers and observers seeking clarification about why the Secretary left and whether another obligation prompted her exit.
As of now, no further details have been provided about the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the FEMA meeting or the reason for Noem’s unexpected departure. The lack of clarity has fueled ongoing discussion on Capitol Hill, and additional information may emerge as officials respond to inquiries.
Trump makes wild claim about 6G networks: 'Gives you a deeper view into somebody's skin'
My kids tease me about my knowledge of technology but I knew what 5G and 6G stand for. trump is really clueless
Trump makes wild claim about 6G networks: 'Gives you a deeper view into somebody’s skin' www.rawstory.com/trump-6g-net...
— Sal Vadacchino 🇨🇦 (@sal-vadacchino.bsky.social) 2025-12-11T07:46:23.682Z
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-6g-networks-skin/
During a Wednesday meeting with business leaders, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon told Trump that 6G networks were on the horizon.
"I was a leader on 5G, getting that down," Trump volunteered. "And now they're up to six. Let's do it again. What does that do? Give you a little bit deeper view into somebody's skin? See how perfect it is. I like the cameras from the old days. So they just had a nice feature.
Defiant Hollywood star delivers profane clapback amid MAGA outrage to Charlie Kirk remark
Kirk was an asshole and there is no need to apologize for telling the truth about this asshole
A Hollywood star refused Wednesday to apologize for calling the late Charlie Kirk "hateful" in a defiant and profane new interview.
— Raw Story (@rawstory.com) 2025-12-11T11:20:18Z
https://www.rawstory.com/amanda-seyfried
Following the Sept. 10 shooting at a Utah university campus, the star of "The Housemaid" drew criticism after characterizing the slain conservative activist as "hateful" in an Instagram comment, according to Variety. A week later, the actress posted on Instagram to distance herself from the backlash, expressing her opposition to violence in a statement that simultaneously took issue with the Turning Point USA founder's political positions.....
She flatly refused to apologize for the characterization.
"I'm not f---ing apologizing for that. I mean, for f---'s sake, I commented on one thing. I said something that was based on actual reality and actual footage and actual quotes. What I said was pretty damn factual, and I'm free to have an opinion, of course," she said. "Thank God for Instagram. I was able to give some clarity, and it was about getting my voice back because I felt like it had been stolen and recontextualized—which is what people do, of course."
Seyfried, the report noted, has politics at the top of her mind. She took a shot at President Donald Trump, too.
"It's always hard to see people who are tricky and harmful have success—like our gorgeous president, the best possible example of that," she said, sarcastically. "It's so weird to sit in a civilized restaurant. People are serving us food. You can't unpack it too much, or else you'll go f---ing insane. Like, how is the world still spinning?"
MaddowBlog-Democrats score big wins in Florida and Georgia, as the GOP's election woes continue
The more Donald Trump and his party pretend they don’t have an electoral problem, the more Republicans lose winnable elections.
Republicans keep saying they don’t have a political problem. They also keep losing elections.
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-12-10T13:59:55.954Z
Miami’s mayoral race was big, but Dems flipping a state House seat in Georgia was just as notable. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/democrats-score-big-wins-in-florida-and-georgia-as-the-gops-election-woes-continue
It didn’t work. The Miami Herald reported:
Democrat Eileen Higgins has defeated Trump-backed opponent Emilio González in Tuesday night’s runoff for Miami mayor, with the former Miami-Dade commissioner edging out the former city manager with nearly 60% of the vote, according to preliminary election night results.
A raucous crowd danced to Stevie Wonder’s ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ as Higgins stood alongside family and supporters onstage at the Miami Woman’s Club, a symbolic location as Higgins becomes Miami’s first female mayor.
The race wasn’t especially close: Despite Trump’s intervention on González’s behalf, Higgins appears to have won by roughly 18 points.....
And in case that weren’t quite enough to get GOP officials’ attention, on the same day, Democrat Eric Gisler flipped a state House seat in Georgia, scoring an unexpected upset in a district Trump won last year by 12 points.
The results come on the heels of last week’s congressional special election in Tennessee, where Democrats overperformed in a district Trump won by 22 points.
They also come a month after Democrats dominated in the 2025 elections, following a year in which Democrats have consistently overperformed in ways that should make Republicans quite nervous ahead of the 2026 midterm election cycle.
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