The Donald Trump Score Card

A first-hand observation of the damage seems to have toned down the arrogance of Trump a little.


Trump surveys Pacific Palisades devastation: 'It's incredible. It's really an incineration'

excerpt:

It was Trump's first presidential visit to California since taking office and came after his threats to withhold federal aid to the state in exchange for a change in water management and implementing voter identification requirements.

But during a roundtable meeting with residents and officials on Friday evening, his tone was much more subdued. He declared a national emergency, pledged to waive or expedite any federal permits needed for rebuilding, and did not mention specific conditions for federal aid. He also said he would look into the possibility of waiving tariffs on building materials.

"I'm going to give you everything you want," he told the group. "I'm going to give you more than any president would have ever given you."

 

Remarks Trump made before he visited CA to see the damage in person.


Trump surveys Pacific Palisades devastation: 'It's incredible. It's really an incineration'

excerpt:

"If they release the water, they wouldn't have had a problem," Trump said of California. "If they released the water when I told them to — because I told them to do it seven years ago — if they would have done it, you wouldn't have had the problem that you had. You ... might not have even had a fire."

 

Indigenous Alaskans and Republicans dismayed by Trump’s Denali renaming

excerpt:

"Donald Trump’s pledge to rename the highest mountain in North America has sparked backlash among some Indigenous Alaskans and Alaskan lawmakers, including Republicans.

Trump reiterated his intentions to rename Denali back to Mount McKinley during his inaugural address. Barack Obama had dubbed the mountain Denali during his presidency, undoing the 1917 designation made in honor of the 25th president, William McKinley."

 

Why would Trump do that? He has claimed that import tariffs are money coming in to the U.S. from other countries. That would help California and its wildfires.

Now he's admitting that tariffs will add to the cost of goods that Americans buy.

 

We don't even joke about that. Our state was named after the valley that gave name to the city and country of Mexico.

Contrary to popular belief, we were not--unlike New Hampshire, New Jersey, or New York--named after an established place name.

This area was New Mexico before Mexico was ever a country. Our name is not up for debate

 

his report card is on a sliding scale and it depends on who is grading

 

It’s called delusional

 

Mental incapacity in action. Interesting to watch.

 

Why would Trump has claimed that import tariffs are money coming in to the U.S. from other countries. That would help California and its wildfires.

Now he's admitting that tariffs will add to the cost of goods that Americans buy.

..................................................................

Of course tarrifs will increase costs for middle class consumers, did we need to be told that??

Amazon warehouse full of goods from China.

It is odd that those traditionaly calling for more taxes would be opposed to tarrifs?

Tarrifs can come and go but it seems taxes stay forever.

Trumpster is playing Don Corelone now with an eye toward negotiating with overseas rivals.

So if Trumpster is nasty to that poor Anglican Bishop or to Gov. Newsome; Pls do not get too butt hurt. Trumpster wants to show his dominance Domesticaly before the Ukraine & China stand down.
Kind of like those wild animals in the forrest.

 

Followup.

Two of the protesters ended up being arrested later on federal charges for plotting to kidnap the governor of MI and bomb the state Capitol.

Trump promoted his protesters and served as a national agitator that inspired violence.

The protest in MI was also a precursor to Trump's riot at the Capitol.

Trump commuted the sentences of over 1,500 of his followers who rioted at the Capitol.


In Michigan, a Dress Rehearsal for the Chaos at the Capitol on Wednesday
In April, armed protesters crowded into the State Capitol in Michigan. Frightened lawmakers saw echoes of that day in Wednesday’s deadly riot at the Capitol in Washington.
By Kathleen Gray
Jan. 9, 2021

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/us/politics/michigan-state-capitol.html

excerpt:

"A handful of them, wearing camouflage fatigues with semiautomatic rifles slung over their shoulders, watched ominously from the gallery above the Senate chamber as the elected officials did their work. The lawmakers passed bills and resolutions and gave angry floor speeches about the extraordinary show of force looking down at them. At least two of the protesters were among 14 people later charged in a failed plot to kidnap Ms. Whitmer and bomb the state Capitol."

 

Rhodes is VIP at Trump rally.


Trump 2nd term live updates: President takes pride in getting rid of 'woke crap'

excerpt:

"Just days after Trump commuted his 18-year sentence for his role in the Jan. 6 riot, Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was on stage for Trump’s Saturday speech at a Las Vegas casino.

Rhodes, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy for helping to organize the riot, has VIP seating on the stage where Trump is about to take the stage to promote his “no tax on tips” proposal."

 

It was a rally for Trumps 'no tax on tips'.

It was also a rally for 'no punishment for crimes' if the crimes are done to promote Trump.

 

Trump gives ultra-billionaires the front row seats, literally.


Thrilled, scared and unsurprised: Americans react to Trump's first week

excerpt:

Carlyn Jorgensen, 40, an independent who voted for Harris: "I haven't liked the fact that the front row was essentially CEOs - that you had Elon Musk and [Jeff] Bezos in the front row. That, to me, just felt like - are we heading towards an oligarchy at this point?"

 

Thrilled, scared and unsurprised: Americans react to Trump's first week

excerpt:

"Kyle Plessa, 39, an independent who voted for Trump: "I felt like I was watching like WWE, professional wrestling. Just the boisterousness, the showmanship, the playing for the cameras. You can tell that the entertainment is a big part of Donald Trump's credo as opposed to whether you had Barack Obama or Joe Biden inaugurated."

Greg Bruno, 67, a Republican who voted for Trump: "I think Trump proved he's a man of the people when he threw those pens into the audience after signing the executive orders in front of 20,000 people. It just showed you who he really is working for.""

 

Senate confirms Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security.

She's another Trump nominee who lacks the experience for the position.


https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/25/kristi-noem-confirmed-homeland-security-00002088

excerpt:

"The South Dakota governor’s ascension to DHS came as a surprise in some quarters. She doesn’t have a law enforcement background, and during her four terms as a House member she never served on the committee overseeing the department. But she had key support from Trump’s 2016 campaign chief, Corey Lewandowski, and border czar Tom Homan, who advocated for her nomination."

 

Trump uses mass firing to remove independent inspectors general at a series of agencies

excerpt:

“Yesterday, in the dark of night, President Trump fired at least 12 independent inspector generals at important federal agencies across the administration,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Saturday on the chamber’s floor. “This is a chilling purge and it’s a preview of the lawless approach Donald Trump and his administration are taking far too often as he’s becoming president.”

Schumer said the dismissals are “possibly in violation of federal law” and help demonstrate that the move “is a glaring sign that it’s a golden age for abuse in government and even corruption.”

 

The GOP confimed Hegseth Friday night to try to minimize embarrassment.

Also Friday night, in a Nixon-like Saturday Night Massacre move, Trump fired independent inspectors general at 17 federal agencies.

Trump didn't give Congress the 30-day notice that is required by law.


Trump uses mass firing to remove independent inspectors general at a series of agencies

excerpt:

"Congress was not given 30-day notices about the removals –- something that even a top Republican is decrying.

“There may be good reason the IGs were fired. We need to know that if so,” Sen. Chuck Grassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. “I’d like further explanation from President Trump. Regardless, the 30 day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress,” said Grassley, R-Iowa.

The role of the modern-day inspector general dates to post-Watergate Washington, when Congress installed offices inside agencies as an independent check against mismanagement and abuse of power. Though inspectors general are presidential appointees, some serve presidents of both parties. All are expected to be nonpartisan."

 

Yes, a good reason (in Trump's mind).

Trump wants to consolidate power to become a dictator and will violate laws to do it.

Even if there had been a good reason, Trump violated the law by not notifying Congress 30 days in advance and not giving reasons for the firings.

 

The Inspecter General program was implemented as a response to Nixon and his Watergate scandal so that oversight would occur for various government agencies.

Trump, similar to Nixon, just did a Friday Night Massacre of firing 17 inspectors general he didn't like and without notifying Congress 30 days in advance and without giving a reason.

 

Trump fires 17 government watchdogs at various federal agencies

excerpt:

"During his first term, Trump fired five inspectors general in less than two months in 2020. This included the State Department, whose inspector general had played a role in the president's impeachment proceedings."