THE SECOND WEEK HAS BEEN TRULY CRAZED

There are 289 days to the mid-terms.

I’m sorry for the timing of posts the past few days and my absence in the comments sections. I have an “issue” going on where Substack doesn’t seem to like working for me. It’s one of those @#$%!! “intermittent problems,” so just know I am doing my best. I’m totally locked out of the posts from three days ago and earlier. Your patience is requested.

On to the day...

Trump knows he’s losing, so this morning he huffed and puffed on Lies Anti-Social: “In Minnesota, the Troublemakers, Agitators, and Insurrectionists are, in many cases, highly paid professionals. The Governor and Mayor don’t know what to do, they have totally lost control, and our currently being rendered, USELESS! If, and when, I am forced to act, it will be solved, QUICKLY and EFFECTIVELY!” Number one - no, he won’t; doing this would destroy him with Voters. Number two: where in hell does he think we get all this money to pay these people? His MAGAts may believe his BS, but no one else should. He is increasingly losing every day. A recent YouGov poll found 44% of Americans strongly oppose Trump invoking the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, compared with just 22% who strongly approve.

In 1992, Gallup found only 17% of American voters described themselves as liberal. By 1996, that figure had dipped a little lower, sinking to 16%. But as 2025 came to an end and the number of people describing themselves as moderates and conservatives sank, the number of Americans embracing the “liberal” label climbed to 28% — the highest total since Gallup started asking the question in the early 1990s. Trump is shifting the culture in unexpected and unintended ways.

It is now 24 days (only?) since Data Set 8 of the Trump-Epsteing Files was released by the DOJ - heavily redacted and as useless to the cause of transparency as Date Sets 1-7. There has been no further announcements from DOJ past the announcement made December 23 that they had “found” several million “new” files - the number is now 5.2 million files - and were “hiring attorneys” to go through the files and work “around the clock.” This is all in violation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act - passed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities in Congress (only one House GOP voted against) and signed by Trump - requiring FULL DISCLOSURE by December 19, 2025. In the face of Trump’s continuing assaults - the kidnaping of Maduro, the ICE assault on Minneapolis and the murder of Renee Good, the international threat against Denmark and NATO over Greenland, the possible attack against Iran; the press has moved on to the next “shiny object.” Trump’s standard strategy of delay delay delay, never give an inch, keep coming up with one distraction after another, is working. DOJ faces no visible deadline, no judicial enforcement, no sustained pressure. A law was passed precisely because delay had become the default. If the executive branch can simply invoke scale and complexity to suspend compliance indefinitely - without challenge - then the “win” of November 19 was illusory. Silence is not neutral; it is the mechanism by which accountability quietly evaporates.

The Trump-Epstein Files and the threat they pose to Trump politically, are why everything else is happening as it is - ICE invading Minnesota, Trump threatening to invade Greenland and attack Iran, everything else - because Trump is desperate to distract attention from the political Kryptonite in those files.

Trump criticized a group of U.S. attorneys at a White House event last week, calling them weak and complaining they weren’t moving fast enough to prosecute his enemies. U.S. attorneys went to the White House last Thursday for what was supposed to be a ceremonial photo shoot. After Pam Bondi introduced the group, Trump criticized them as ineffective, saying the group was making it difficult for Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to do their jobs. Translation: “You’re not givng me my revenge!”

Following MAGA Mike Johnson’s refusal to install the official plaque to honor officers who defended the Capitol on Jan 6, more than 100 lawmakers have hung replicas outside their own offices. Dem Rep. Terri Sewell said: “Congress voted to honor the brave officers who defended our democracy … We won’t let their heroism be erased.” Recently, the Senate unanimously agreed to display the plaque—MAGA Mike is still fighting its permanent installation.

Shit’s gettin’ real: Troops from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden arrived in Greenland yesterday amid President Trump’s escalating interest in acquiring the Arctic island. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote Wednesday on social platform X that France will participate in the joint exercises organized by Denmark in the semi-sovereign territory, dubbed “Operation Arctic Endurance.” Macron noted that the first French military elements are “on their way,” while others “will follow.” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also wrote on X that “several officers” from his country’s armed forces would arrive on the island later Wednesday. “They are part of a group from several allied countries,” Kristersson said. “Together, they will prepare for upcoming elements within the framework of the Danish exercise Operation Arctic Endurance. It is at Denmark’s request that Sweden is sending personnel from the Armed Forces.” They’re trying hard to say this isn’t to defend Greenland against the U.S., but that’s what’s going on. The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, reportedly said that this might be a “good moment” for the world to start drinking. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday found that only 17% of Americans would support a U.S. takeover of Greenland. Only 4% said taking Greenland by force would be a good idea.

It’s not just D.C. or Minnesota: Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill obtained an indictment for a California doctor she alleges sent abortion pills to Louisiana in violation of state law. Murrill said in a news release that Dr. Rémy Coeytaux has been charged in St. Tammany Parish with criminal abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs. Murrill has asked Gov. Jeff Landry to approve an extradition warrant to bring Coeytaux to Louisiana to face the charge, though California authorities are unlikely to cooperate. In 2024, Louisiana classified the reproductive health drugs mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV controlled dangerous substances, the same designation given to drugs with the potential for addiction and abuse such as Valium and Xanax. The medications are the most commonly prescribed for abortion, but they also have other life-saving medical uses. Louisiana became the first state to set criminal penalties for anyone who handles mifepristone and misoprostol without proper clearance. Offenses can be punished by one to 50 years in prison, depending on the circumstances. The indictment follows an arrest warrant for Coeytaux issued in May 2024 for allegedly mailing abortion pills to a patient in Louisiana. Murrill said in the announcement, “This is not healthcare; it’s drug dealing. Individuals who flagrantly and intentionally violate our laws by sending illegal abortion pills into our state placing women in danger. We’ve seen the proof of that, with women showing up in emergency rooms after taking these pills and being coerced into abortions.” This is the second instance of Murrill bringing charges against an out-of-state physician for prescribing abortion medication to a Louisiana resident. A year ago, a West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury indicted Dr. Margaret Carpenter of New York for providing pills to a Port Allen woman for her pregnant daughter, who was a minor at the time. Attempts to extradite Carpenter to face prosecution in Louisiana have run into a New York “shield law” that protects telehealth providers from criminal consequences in states that have outlawed abortion. California has similar protections for its health care provides against investigations and prosecutions from other states. Gov. Jeff Landry proclaimed the defendant must be rendered to their state. “I am signing the extradition paperwork to bring this California doctor to justice.Louisiana has a zero tolerance policy for those who subvert our laws, seek to hurt women, and promote abortion. I know Gavin Newsom supports abortion in all its forms, but that doesn’t work in Louisiana. We are unapologetically pro-life.” In response, Newsom posted a statement Wednesday: “Louisiana’s request is denied.”

This is very bad news: Wednesday, the UnSupreme Court revived a lawsuit by Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) over a state mail-in ballot law, paving the way for political candidates nationwide to challenge election laws more easily in their states. The court ruled 7-2 that he has the legal right to sue Illinois over its ability to count mail-in ballots received after Election Day, a practice targeted by Trump and his allies. John Roberts wrote the majority opinion over the dissents of two of the court’s liberals: Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson. “Candidates, in short, are not ‘mere bystanders’ in their own elections. They have an obvious personal stake in how the result is determined and regarded.” Lower courts ruled Bost did not have standing to bring the case after finding the votes likely would not impact his own race. Roberts said unlawful election rules can injure candidates in several ways, from lost elections and spent resources to decreased vote shares and damaged reputations. But candidates also have an interest in fair processes, he said. “Win or lose, candidates suffer when the process departs from the law. “Thus, the long-shot and shoo-in alike would suffer harm if a State chose to conduct its election by, say, flipping a coin. When unlawful votes are counted or lawful ones are discarded, public confidence in elections erodes. From there, diminished confidence in the elected representative follows, which amounts to a concrete harm.” Watch for this to be used by Republicans next fall to try and monkeywrench the mid-terms.

An Alaska Survey Research poll conducted Jan. 8-11 found former Rep. Mary Peltola leading Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan 48 percent to 46.4 percent, with roughly 5.6 percent undecided. Peltola boasts a significantly more favorable rating than Sullivan: 46 percent positive versus his 39 percent. Sullivan’s job approval took a hit, with just 36 percent approving while 44.5 percent disapprove. The numbers suggest Alaska could be in play and may decide Senate control in November. Peltola, the only Democrat to win statewide in recent years, has already hauled in $1.5 million in her campaign’s first 24 hours. Peltola vowed to tackle “fish, family, and freedom,” while targeting what she calls the “rigged system in DC that’s shutting down Alaska.”

The corruption is overwhelming: Maladministration II is reportedly holding part of the proceeds from a deal made for seized Venezuelan oil in offshore accounts in Qatar. The total value of the deal was $500 million. A Maladministration II official described Qatar as a neutral location where money can flow freely with US approval and without risk of seizure. That the government is concerned this money could be seized is proof if the illegality of everything associated with the Venezuela takeover. Senator Elizabeth Warren said, “There is no basis in law for a president to set up an offshore account that he controls so that he can sell assets seized by the American military.”

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she “presented” Trump the Nobel Peace Prize she won - and which he has coveted. “I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize,” Machado told reporters in Washington. Only Dilbert would be dumb enough and needy enough to think this has any significance whatsoever. The Nobel Prize cannot be given to a third party, now matter what is done with the bauble. Only a piece of shit who has been rejected at every turn as unworthy of being allowed into civilized society would have an ego so broken inside he would do something this terminally stupid. And Machado proves she doesn’t have what it takes to run a country, that she could be so desperate for power that she did this. No wonder she is the most distrusted by the opposition of any of the opposition leaders. She will never live down this act of abject surrender.

Trump admitted on Thursday that he intends to keep the Nobel Peace Prize presented to him, even though it doesn’t bear his name. “It was my Great Honor to meet María Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today,” Trump wrote onLies Anti-Social Thursday night. “She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!” The Nobel Foundation has said that it will not recognize Trump as the 2025 winner even if he keeps Machado’s trophy. Trump’s comments sparked outrage online. Aaron Fritschner, deputy chief of staff to Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), posted on X: “If your name is read out at the Academy Awards for having the best performance or whatnot in a film, you are an Oscar winner. If you buy an Oscar statue on eBay, you have an expensive paperweight, it’s actually less meaningful than a participation trophy. Pretty pathetic!” Sarah Longwell, The Bulwark’s publisher, posted on X: “Imagine being so pathetic and needy you take someone else’s Nobel Prize,”

A federal judge handed Maladministration II another stinging defeat in its bid to rig the 2026 midterm elections. The Department of InJustice has been trying to access state voter rolls under the guise of inspecting them for fraud. Some Democratic-controlled states have pushed back and sued Maladministration II, while the dumbfucks in charge of Republican-led states appeared quick to comply with the spurious demand. On Thursday in California, U.S. Judge David O. Carter ruled that the administration was prohibited from accessing the state’s voter rolls. He also called into question the motives behind the administration’s attempt. He wrote: “The centralization of this information by the federal government would have a chilling effect on voter registration, which would inevitably lead to decreasing voter turnout as voters fear that their information is being used for some inappropriate or unlawful purpose. This risk threatens the right to vote, which is the cornerstone of American democracy,”

A major offshore wind farm is allowed to resume construction, federal Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee ruled Thursday, the second such ruling in the wake of the Trump administration’s latest attempt to block these projects. He granted a preliminary injunction allowing Empire Wind to keep building. The project, which would supply power to New York, was one of five that were halted by the Trump administration in December. Another, Revolution Wind, was also allowed to move forward in court earlierthis week. Empire Wind said in a written statement that it would “now focus on safely restarting construction activities that were halted.”

Karoline Leavitt’s propaganda hour disguised as a press briefing took a hypocritical turn on Thursday when Leavitt nearly broke into hysterics as she tried to frame peaceful protesters as agitators because they flipped off ICE. While displaying photos of a federal vehicle with “FUCK ICE!” spraypainted on it, she said: “If you look at some of the images out of Minneapolis last night, look at this vehicle. Look at what it says. It says F ICE You have these individuals who are putting their middle finger proudly. So at the camera, another ICE individual a vehicle that was vandalized last night by these left wing agitators. People don’t do this without encouragement from people in power who make them feel like it’s okay.” Leavitt’s theatrics come shortly after Trump flipped off and mouthed the words F-you to an autoworker in a Ford plant who shouted at him that he was a “pedo protector.”

Maladministration II is justifying the violent crackdown on undocumented immigrants throughout the country by claiming the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang has sent a branch of the group to invade the United States. However, WIRED reporters Dell Cameron and Ryan Shapiro reported Thursday that they had obtained records through FOIA requests that show U.S. intelligence agencies have described Tren de Aragua as a source of fragmented, low-level crime, not as a terrorist threat. In 2025, U.S. intelligence officials reported they doubted that the gang was even present in the country. However, alleged Attorney General Pam Bondi continues to insist that Tren de Aragua “is a highly structured terrorist organization that put down roots in our country during the prior administration.” This and the lie that they must blanket Minneapolis with untrained, inexperienced agents - who have all demonstrated proclivities for exacerbating situations with violent responses - who are in the city to “investigate widespread fraud” in the Somali community, which Trump has attacked repeatedly during both times in office. These federal officers seem to be there more to create an incident that will allow Trump his dream of turning the U.S. Military loose on the people who live in a part of the country he views as “enemy territory” - along with every other city and state controlled by Democrats. Yesterday, Governor Tim Walz asked Minnesotans to bear witness: “You have an absolute right to peacefully film ICE agents as they conduct these activities…. Help us create a database of the atrocities against Minnesotans, not just to establish a record for posterity, but to bank evidence for future prosecution.” This evidence can also be used in the lawsuit state Attorney General Keith Ellison is preparing to challenge Trump’s authority to use the Insurrection Act, in which Ellison will demonstrate that local and state government are not in such a state of collapse to justify such an action.

Maladministration II is using ICE not to round up undocumented immigrants but to attack and suppress political opponents. Karoline Leavitt told reporters at her propaganda hour Thursday that Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act “spoke very loud and clear to Democrats across this country, elected officials who are using their platforms to encourage violence against federal law enforcement officers who are encouraging left-wing agitators to unlawfully obstruct legitimate law enforcement operations.”

Yes, everything coming from Maladministration II - every single word including “and” and “the” - is a lie. The “domestic insurgency,” the “Greenland crisis,” the threat to “attack Iran,” everything, is the product of the twisted mind of a broken man desperate to find a way to reimpose his power to bend reality to his purposes and once again escape respoonsibility for his many crimes. He’s been legally adjudged a rapist; he’s desperate to avoid being found out as the child raping pedophile he is and always has been. It is difficult to remember in these times, but the louder they yell, the more they threaten to huff and puff and blow everything down, that is the proof of their weakness and his desperation.

Rusty

You are not the crazy ones. These are truly the times that try men’s (and women’s) souls. This is the fight of our lifetimes, and the challenge of our generation. I realize times are getting harder, which is why some readers understandably didn’t renew their subscriptions. There are quite a few free subscribers who read TAFM regularly. I hope that means you find value here. If you happen to be in a position to help make up the gap, please consider joining the other paid subscribers here at That’s Another Fine Mess to keep things going. It’s only 21 cents a day. I am deeply thankful to those who have done so.

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