About GOP Leaders

Trump’s cabinet picks aren’t just ‘loyalists’. They’re groveling, subservient yes-men (12/6/2024) Robert Reich

If Trump wins, he’ll be a vessel for the most regressive figures in US politics (2/27/2024)

‘Grifters and sycophants’: the radicals who would fill key posts if Trump is re-elected (12/8/2023)

Trump Allies Pre-screening Potential Appointees Axios (11/13/2023)

All the Republicans Who Won’t Support Trump (10/18/2021)

They’re trying to screen out people who have higher loyalties to the US constitution. It’s likely they’re looking for people whose higher loyalty is to Donald Trump. They’re trying to find lawyers who believe in dictatorship. You have to wonder what kind of people in good conscience could sign up for a Trump revenge tour. This appears to be a casting call for an American political horror movie. Timothy Naftali, senior research scholar at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs
"Although they are rare in the population as a whole, malevolent, sadistic, or psychopathic actors may be disproportionately likely to gain political power. Many dictators have exhibited such traits aside from Putin, Asad, Mao and Hitler, including Genghis Khan, Saddam Hussein, Stalin, Mussolini, Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, Franscois Duvalier, Nicolae Ceausescu, Idi Amin, and Pol Pot. There is therefore high risk that malevolent people could have an outsize impact on the future."
What We Owe the Future by William MacAskill
...market systems turn you into a sociopath - you're out there for yourself, and you don't give a damn about anyone else. That's a market system. That itself is destructive. Noam Chomsky
Trump’s only true skill is the con; his only fundamental belief is that the United States is the birthright of straight, white, Christian men, and his only real, authentic pleasure is in cruelty. It is that cruelty, and the delight it brings them, that binds his most ardent supporters to him, in shared scorn for those they hate and fear: immigrants, black voters, feminists, and treasonous white men who empathize with any of those who would steal their birthright. The president’s ability to execute that cruelty through word and deed makes them euphoric. It makes them feel good, it makes them feel proud, it makes them feel happy, it makes them feel united. And as long as he makes them feel that way, they will let him get away with anything, no matter what it costs them. The Cruelty is the Point, Adam Serwer
the worst kind of one-party state "invariably replaces all first-rate talent, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty." Hannah Arendt wrote in the 1940's. The American Crisis, What Went Wrong, How We Recover P150
Trump's Billionaire Cabinet
"We got elected on Drain the Swamp, Lock Her Up, Build a Wall. This was pure anger. Anger and fear is what gets people to the polls. ... The Democrats don't matter. The real opposition is the media. And the way to deal with them is to flood the zone with shit." Bannon told journalist Michael Lewis. February 2018
"The dismal theorem of political science --- that all the skills leading to the rise to power tend to unfit people to exercise it. While there are some exceptions to this principle, there are a deplorable number of good examples. A person rises to power by pushing the other contenders down, in some cases by murder, frequently by deceit, and even in democratic societies by being more persuasive that the competitors. Persuasiveness is not always related to the capacity to live up to the persuasion." Kenneth E. Boulding, The World as a Total System p116.
Trump has nominated a Star Wars cantina of fanatics, conspiracy theorists, billionaires, sexual abusers, and disreputable no-goods for key positions like Attorney General, FBI Director, and Secretary of Defense.
From Robert Reich Inequality Media Civic Action

GOP candidates are NOT our best qualified people, nor are they associated with them. A few examples are listed below. See this Congressional Report Card.

Media is a training ground for demagogues. The GOP often picks celebrities, unexperienced in government, for high office. They are probably very good at following orders. Reagan could learn his lines, and follow direction of his corporate backers.

The large corporate donors backing Republicans fund propaganda appealing to the very worst: the white supremacists, gun nuts, nativists, religious fundamentalists, conspiracy believers, uneducated, neo-nazis. Candidates that appeal to these groups are often sociopaths, with characteristics associated with the dark triad:

Trump would not acknowledge election integrity issues when Russian interference was brought up.

Dark Triad

Dark triad characteristics correlate with support for various extremist ideologies. Support for the alt-right, which is prolifically associated with online trolling and harassment, and politically correct authoritarianism both correlate with all three traits as well as measures of entitlement.

  • Narcissism is characterized by grandiosity, pride, egotism, and a lack of empathy.
  • Machiavellianism is characterized by manipulation and exploitation of others, an absence of morality, lack of emotion, and a higher level of self-interest.
  • Psychopathy is characterized by continuous antisocial behavior, impulsivity, selfishness, callous and unemotional traits (CU), and remorselessness.

Dark triad characteristics correlate positively with out-group threat perceptions, anti-immigrant prejudice, and social dominance orientation, a psychological disposition toward group-based supremacy.[71] Costello et al (2022) found that left- and right-wing authoritarianism correlate similarly with psychopathy.[72] From Wikipedia

GOP Congressional Report Card

Presidential Indictments
“It’s not just that Trump has assembled an administration of the worst and the dimmest. The truth is that the modern GOP doesn’t want to hear from serious economists, whatever their politics. It prefers charlatans and cranks, who are its kind of people.” Paul Krugman's book Arguing with Zombies
"Worst of the worst. Donald Trump has brought forth the worst group of cabinet nominees in the modern history of our country. People who want to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and give huge tax break to billionaires. Nominees who will ignore the needs of women, children, the sick and the poor, while bending over backwards for Wall Street and corporate America. But in many ways, Scott Pruitt, the nominee for EPA administrator, is the worst of the worst. At a time when the scientific community is virtually unanimous in telling us that climate change is real, is caused by human activity and is causing devastating problems in this country and around the world, Mr. Pruitt refuses to recognize that reality. At a time when we have to transform our energy system away from fossil fuels and move to energy efficiency and sustainable energy, Mr. Pruitt wants to increase our reliance on fossil fuel. At a time when we have to strengthen environmental protection, Mr. Pruitt will be working overtime to dismember the EPA. For the sake of our children. grandchildren and the future of this planet are there not at least four Republicans who understand that Mr. Pruitt must not be confirmed as head of the EPA." Senator Bernie Sanders

Links

The GOP has a history of promoting and often electing candidates who favor an imperial Presidency, act contrary to laws Congress has passed, get rich while in public office, which is a polite way of saying they are corrupt. They are also fascists. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court, corrupted by dark money, seems to support them.

Donald Trump former wealthy New York developer, mob connected, casino owner groomed by Putin to become President, impeached twice, incited a violent insurrection, would not concede 2020 election and used multiple techniques to try to overturn it, told Georgia to 'find 11,780 votes', got false electors from Republican States, incited an insurrection on 1/6, mused he could be dictator for life, stole top secret documents, even wanted to suspend the Constitution in blatant violation of his oath of office.

T’s company guilty of multiple felony fraud charges. His long time CFO Allen Weisselberg went to Rikers (felon)

The Trump reality show featured villains from every political scandal of the past 40 years: Watergate, Iran-Contra, 9/11, Iraq War, 2008 financial collapse...From Roger Stone to Paul Manafort to William Barr, it includes federal felons, disgraced operatives, with Trump directing.

President Trump was pretty much unchecked and unaccountable, ignored Congress’ subpoenas, discharged Inspector Generals, decapitated the DOJ, and had Mitch appointing conservative judges as fast as he can, some rated by the Bar Association as unqualified. Trump claimed he knows best about everything. It is a fact that he lies a lot.

His decisions, along with his evangelical base, ignore science and experts. Trump was an anti-vaxer, suggested ingesting disinfectant, nuking a hurricane, raking the forest. Apparently heard about birtherism, and other conspiracies from Fox News. He doesn't believe the science, first hand evidence that democratic decisions are better than dictators. In the case of the pandemic or climate, he is downright dangerous.

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, in violation of nepotism norms, used the Whitehouse as $640 million bonanza. $2 billion received by Jared Kushner from the Saudis. Kashoggi may have been working on a story about them.

Mike Pence VP, a strong supporter of private schools, creationist, denies evolution, Catholic turned evangelical, broke a Senate tie vote to appoint Betsy Devos Education Secretary, On 1/6 he would not overturn the 2020 election. The mob threatened his life.

ONLY THE WORST PEOPLE: TRUMP APPOINTEES, ADVISORS, ASSOCIATES, ACCOMPLICES, ASSHATS, AND OTHER SWAMP CREATURES

Paul Manafort (felon) prosecuted in two federal courts. In August 2018, he stood trial in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and was convicted on eight charges of tax and bank fraud. Manafort was next prosecuted on ten other charges, but this effort ended in a mistrial with Manafort later admitting his guilt.[19][20][21] In the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Manafort pled guilty to two charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and witness tampering,[22] while agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors. (continued at wikipedia.)

Steve Bannon, (felon), former White House adviser charged with money laundering, conspiracy, faces state charges in a charity fraud case after a Trump pardon let him evade federal counts. World wide advocate for right wing government. Board of Cambridge Analytica which used Facebook data to target voters for BREXIT. Arrested on a $28 million yacht owned by an exiled Chinese Billionaire, for a scam to build a border wall for which he pocketed the money.

Michael Flynn (General) (felon) suggested the President should suspend the Constitution, silence the press, and hold a new election under military authority. Pled guilty for lying to the FBI.

Tom Homan

Rick Gates (felon) sentenced to 45 days in jail, 3 years probation for conspiracy and lying to the FBI in Mueller probe.

Trump Felons

Roger Stone – (felon) jury convicted Stone on all counts – obstruction, making false statements, and witness tampering, lying to Congress– on November 15, 2019.[182][183][184] After the trial, one of the jurors emphasized that the jury did not convict Stone based on his political beliefs.[185] On November 25, a decision denying a defense motion for acquittal was released. The judge wrote that the testimony of Steven Bannon and Rick Gates was sufficient to conclude that Stone lied to Congress.[186] On February 10, 2020, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia requested that Stone be sentenced to seven to nine years in prison for his crimes after securing convictions on all seven charges.[187] So Trump Pardoned him.

Stephen Miller

Betsy DeVos

Papadapoulous: (felon)

Peter Novarro (felon) sentenced to 4 months in Prison for Stonewalling Congress

Trump's lawyers keep getting in trouble with judges. Here are the 17 sanctioned so far.

Michael Cohen, Trump’s personal lawyer, was sentenced to 3 years after implicating Trump in Hush-money scandal for which Trump has been indicted.

Rudy Giuliani lost his law license, violated attorney rules to overthrow the 2020 election. Selling pardons for $2 million, splitting with Trump ?

Giuliani’s son got $363,000 to be White House sports liaison with no experience.

John Eastman https://twitter.com/Jeanne_Mann/status/1668301341624778752?s=20

Lin Wood, in July 2023, while facing investigation and possible disciplinary action by the State Bar of Georgia for violating the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, Wood surrendered his law license and asked to retire rather than face disbarment.

Sidney Powell - pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of conspiring to intentionally interfere with the performance of election duties. She was sentenced to six years of probation and agreed to testify against the other defendants.

Kenneth Chesebro

Jeffrey Clark - disbarred.

Bill Barr

Bill Barr’s daughter worked at Treasury to protect Trump’s tax returns, and loans at Deutsche Bank.

Congressmen

the 147

Insurrectionists

2020 White House Coup Planning Meeting: Brian Babin R-TX, Andy Biggs R-AZ, Matt Gaetz R-FL, Louie Gohmert R-TX, Paul Gosar R-AZ, Andy Harris R-MD, Jody Hice R-GA, Jim Jordan R-OH, Scott Perry R-PA, Marjorie Taylor Greene R-GA, On the phone- Mo Brooks R-AL, and Debbie Lesko R-AZ.

George Santos: no verifiable past, no money (who SUDDENLY got very rich), and who is a fugitive from justice in Brazil, could suddenly just walk into a seat in the House and vote to shut down the ethics committee. https://crooksandliars.com/2022/12/george-santos-was-funded-russian-oligarch

Marjorie Taylor Greene, Qanon member who warned us about Jewish space lasers causing California forest fires and said we should fear the "gazpacho police," is now at the intellectual center of the Republican Party. threatened to gun down members of ‘the squad’, introduced Steve Bannon as someone along with herself who would have been armed to win January 6. Marjorie Taylor Greene asked for a pardon after Trump's coup....didn't get one..and now she wants to impeach anyone who could investigate her role in the insurrection.

Andy Ogles (R-TN) Tennessee's new Republican Congressman faked his entire resume, including being an economist and national expert on tax policy and health care. Are all GOP candidates liars or delusional?

Jim Jordan: complicit in the rapes of 43 boys; complicit in the Jan 6 insurrection; failed Bar exam multiple times; Zero successful pieces of legislation now Chairman of the HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

https://twitter.com/OccupyDemocrats/status/1664704184787128345?s=20

House repub, Anna Paulina Luna, George Santos 'twin sister' looks just like him & was elected based on many lies about her upbringing & religion in an effort to gain empathy and support. How many more are there? https://wapo.st/3YIA8KI

Josh Hawley

Kevin McCarthy,

Matt Gaetz

Marsha Blackburn

Lauren Boebert, suddenly very rich, has a net worth of over $12 million. Her previous work experience was as an Assistant Manager at a McDonald's. Where did she get all this money? https://twitter.com/HanoverSinch/status/1661888264293486593?s=20

Mitch McConnell aka Moscow Mitch

Rick Scott, the richest man in Congress, wants to raise taxes on the poor and middle class. He is worth $224 million dollars. He is doing interviews and attempting to do damage control over his plan to dismantle Social Security and Medicare. He is a liar who plead the Fifth Amendment 75 times after committing the largest case of Medicare fraud in U.S. history. His company was fined $1.7 billion

Ron Johnson wants to end Social Security and Medicare

Ron Johnson

Marco Rubio

Ted Cruz

Graham

McCarthy

Perry

Tim Scott

Tommy Tuberville or .

Bill Hagerty

Representative Louis Gohmert

Paul Gosar

Andy Biggs

Governors

Presidents

“Richard Nixon turned out to be not just a very uncommon criminal himself, but he also surrounded himself with others. His senior White House staff, attorney general, and campaign staff all went to prison in connection with Watergate. His vice president, Spiro Agnew forced to step down for a bribery and extortion. Tip of a very large iceberg of spying scandals involving the intelligence community, scandals that unfolded throughout the ‘70s. Unmaking the presidency by Susan Hennessey and Benjamin Wittes pg 210

Reagan "By the end of his term, 138 Reagan administration officials had been convicted, had been indicted, or had been the subject of official investigations for official misconduct and/or criminal violations. In terms of number of officials involved, the record of his administration was the worst ever." Sleep-Walking Through History: America in the Reagan Years, by Haynes Johnson, p. 184, (1991, Doubleday),

George W. Bush during his six years as governor of Texas presided over 152 executions, more than any other governor in the recent history of the United States. Still Republicans nominated him and we are all paying the price. Republicans at the very top spawned Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, waterboarding, secret prisons, and other lawless 'justice'. The US now has the highest rate of incarcerations in the world.

Trump (felon)

Others

Leonard Leo or Greg Olear on Leonard Leo.

Ginny Thomas

Ken Paxton

Matt Schlapp

Kelly Ann Conway

Felix Sater Russian-American mobster, convicted felon,[6] real estate developer and former managing director of Bayrock Group LLC,[7] a real estate conglomerate based out of New York City. He has been an advisor to corporations such as The Trump Organization,[8] and the Mirax Group. (felon)

Hershell Walker

Lindell

David Duke

Roy Cohn an American lawyer and prosecutor who came to prominence for his role as Senator Joseph McCarthy's chief counsel during the Army–McCarthy hearings in 1954, when he assisted McCarthy's investigations of suspected communists. In the late 1970s and during the 1980s, he became a prominent political fixer in New York City.[3][4] He also represented and mentored New York City real estate developer and former U.S. President Donald Trump during his early business career.[5]

Frank Pavone, who was once a Catholic advisor to former president Donald Trump and is currently the head of Priests for Life. He now faces several accusations of sexual misconduct. https://twitter.com/AzPetrich/status/1638548464983482369?s=20

Rand Paul's niece's husband who worked for Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul was just found guilty of helping to funnel illegal foreign campaign contributions from a Russian national into former President Trump's 2016 campaign and he is facing 20 years in prison.

Republicans prefer to have celebrities in office, not career politicians (9/7/2015)

Bibliography

A Generation of Sociopaths: How the Baby Boomers Betrayed America by Bruce Cannon Gibney (Author)