Today in Politics, Bulletin 95. 3/20/25

… Trump signed a blatantly illegal executive order today dismantling the Department of Education, which was created by Congress. Even Fox reported that it must be dissolved by Congress, which would require 60 votes in the Senate, which will never happen.

… The order would slash funding for already underfunded schools, likely eliminate Individualized Education Programs (IEP's) for students with disabilities, eliminate programs for students who speak English as a second language, and destroy Pell Grants and federal financial aid for low-income students to pursue higher education. Ironically, the states hardest hit by Trump's order will be red states.

… Trump at the White House: “We’re going to eliminate the Department of Education. It sounds strange, doesn’t it?”

… NY AG Letitia James: “Trump’s attempt to shut down the U.S. Department of Education will harm tens of millions of students, including disabled and low-income students who rely on this agency to access a quality education, and it’s illegal. We will see this administration in court.”

… The always colorful Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN): “More bullshit. Trump, you can’t shut down the Dept of Ed — and you know it. Fox News even knows it. So stop it. We know you’re just trying to wear us out. But for the record, I am not overwhelmed. My zone isn’t flooded. I will fight your illegal behavior until the cows come home, and I’m pretty sure the hundreds of thousands of people who’ve contacted my office since you started this nonsense are on the same page.”

… Rep. Jasmine Crockett joined a group that is organizing a nationwide protest at 277 Tesla dealerships in the US and over 500 worldwide on March 29. She also told people to sell their Tesla cars and stock: “I am truly here for very selfish reasons, starting with on March 29 it’s my birthday and all I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down.”

… She also said: “Obviously, everything that I am promoting is non-violent.” The chyron underneath Crockett said: “Join a Non-Violent Protest”.

… Marge Greene posted that Crockett was a domestic terrorist: “A Member of Congress is organizing political violence and terrorism.”

… JD Vance on vandalism of Teslas: “My guess is that if we do get to the bottom of this, we’re going to find out that there are some very crazy, very deranged, very wealthy left-wing people who are funding this stuff - and I think that’s is the most important thing we have to focus on. It’s not the foot soldiers, it’s the guys at the top writing the checks.”

… Commerce Secretary and Chief Huckster Howard Lutnick was on Fox last night urging their audience to support Musk by buying Tesla stock immediately: “Buy Tesla. It’s unbelievable that this guy’s stock is this cheap. I mean, who wouldn’t invest in Elon Musk?”

… Lutnick also said Musk is going to sell us robots soon who will take care of all our household tasks: “We are all going to be buying robots - they are going to cost around $30,000. You’re going to be buying a Tesla robot, and anybody who does not buy a Tesla robot is going to be silly.”

… The White House has now been turned into a Tesla dealership with Fox as a full time Tesla Shopping Network.

… Carscoops reports that all 46,096 Cybertrucks are being recalled to dealerships to fix a defective stainless-steel trim panel that has come detailed in colder weather because of faulty adhesive. It is the 8th recall for the vehicle, which has only been out for 15 months. 151 owners filed claims about the defective part before the recall was finally issued.

… The House Judiciary GOP social media account, which is run by Jim Jordan, posted this about Democrats boycotting Tesla: “Democrats cheering for an American company to fail? Disgusting behavior.”

… The post was hit with a Community Note showing that the same account posted this in May 2023: “Bud Light. Disney. Target. Go WOKE. Go BROKE.”

… Vancouver Sun reported that the Vancouver International Auto Show has removed Tesla from this week’s show, citing security concerns. Executive Director Eric Nicholl: “The Vancouver Intl Auto Show has removed Tesla after the automaker was provided multiple opportunities to voluntarily withdraw. The show’s primary concern is the safety of attendees, exhibitors and staff.”

… 130,000 people typically attend the auto show each year.

… Someone created a brilliant AI video on social media putting Musk’s face on the video of Kyle Rittenhouse’s fake crying act on the witness stand during his murder trial. Elon Rittenhouse:

… While Trump, Musk, Stephen Miller and MAGA continue to complain about “one rogue judge” ruling that their actions are illegal, WaPo reports that at least 12 different federal judges have ruled that Trump Admin violated the law with executive orders and other actions, and they have lost almost every case.

… Musk announced that he made donations to each of the Republicans who co-sponsored a resolution to impeach judges who ruled against Trump. The All-Star cast of Lauren Boebert, Eli Crane, Andrew Clyde, Brandon Gill, Andy Ogles, Derrick Van Orden, Chuck Grassely.

… Jim Jordan was asked on CNN what ‘high crimes and misdemeanors’ these judges have committed that would justify impeachment: “They’re acting in a political fashion and not, you know, following the law.”

… Rep. Eric Swalwell on MeidasTouch about main impeachment bill sponsor Gill, who is Dinesh D’Souza’s son-in-law: “I will take your word that that guy is in Congress. I’ve never seen him do anything but tweet out this performative nonsense. If he wants to bring his articles of impeachment, he can call for a vote and then he can meet me, Jasmine Crockett, and Jamie Raskin and have a real debate in judiciary.”

… WH Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to discredit Judge Boasberg, who ordered that migrants must have some due process before put on a plane to be sent to a mercenary prison in El Salvador: “This judge is a Democrat activist. He was appointed by Barack Obama.” Reporter: “He was originally appointed by George W. Bush and elevated by Obama. I feel I should clear that up.”

… And confirmed by the Senate 96-0.

… Musk: “This is a judicial coup. We need 60 Senators to impeach the judges and restore the rule of the people.”

… They need 67. They might have 25 if they are lucky.

… Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) says Musk continuing to talk about cutting Social Security isn’t helping Republicans: “It doesn’t help the president when you have somebody who clearly is not worried about whether or not Social Security benefits are going to be there for him. It worries Americans all over the country. Calling it a fraudulent ‘Ponzi scheme’ doesn’t do anything to calm the anxiety of people who are already anxious about what’s going on with some of the safety-net programs.”

… The Hill spoke to several Republican senators, who were afraid to go on the record, who agree that Musk needs to keep Social Security out of his mouth: One Senator: “He should zip it on that. It’s not helpful. It plays right into Democrats’ hands; they want to talk about Social Security cuts, Medicare cuts, Medicaid cuts. The president does not want to talk about that. When you start making it sound like you’re questioning the foundation of the Social Security system, that’s not helpful.”

… Another GOP Senator: “This Congress is not going to modify Social Security, it’s not going away. I guess Elon Musk is talking for Elon Musk because he’s not talking for people in the Congress who have something to do with the future of Social Security. It’s part of our country and society, here to stay.”

… Murkowski told Politico that her Republican colleagues are afraid to speak out against Trump or Musk: “They’re looking at how many things are being thrown at me, and it’s like, ‘Maybe I just better duck and cover’. That’s why you’ve got everybody just like, zip lip, not saying a word because they’re afraid they’re going to be taken down. They’re going to be primaried. They’re going to be given names in the media.”

… But she says she is not afraid of Musk: “They’re traumatizing people in the country. So I’m not going to compromise my own integrity by hiding from my words when I feel they need to be spoken. And it may be that Elon Musk has decided he’s going to take the next billion dollars that he makes off of Starlink and put it directly against Lisa Murkowski.”

… New Fox News poll on Musk/DOGE approval rating, all voters: Disapprove-58%. Approve-40%. Independents only: 70%-Disapprove. 28%-Approve.

… Vanity Fair published an excellent profile of MI State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who will likely be the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for the crucial open US Senate seat in 2026. McMorrow is also being talked about as a long-term presidential candidate. 38-year old McMorrow is launching her likely Senate campaign with the release of a book, titled Hate Won’t Win, a part memoir, part how-to guide for despondent Democrats.

… From the article: “McMorrow is funny, sharp, principled, tough, and relatable—exactly the kind of young voice her party needs if it’s going to bounce back. Hmmm, which other youthful Democrat from the Upper Midwest with a distinctive name and a gift for communication rose rapidly from state senator to US Senator to the WH?”

… McMorrow: “I think there’s a real vacuum and a real lack of leadership. We have to dig ourselves out of a hole because people do not trust Democrats right now. And then to see Democrats on the federal level looking for insidery, procedural moves to slow things down—it just is not enough. It’s not enough to stand behind a podium in front of the Capitol and talk about how Trump’s Cabinet picks are unqualified. What are you doing and why are you not in your community? Why are you not meeting with people? Why are you not having these local meetings where people actually are?”

… “What I’ve heard more than anything else is that people don’t just want elected Democrats to do something—people want to do it too. I had multiple people last night tell me, ‘What can I do to help?’ That is what I’m trying to do in my corner of the world, but I wish federal Democrats did a better job. It can’t just be, ‘Chip in 5 bucks.’ Treat people with respect and like they’re actually a part of this with you and give them tangible things to do that would be helpful. People want to know how they can fight back.”

We had another big audience yesterday for Uncovered - 245,000 people viewed it so far. We did a deep dive into Tesla and Musk, Schumer and Jeffries’ leadership, Trump’s negotiations with Putin and Zelensky, Karoline Leavitt’s performance as Press Secretary, Trump/Musk/Miller’s war on judges, tariffs, and of course my favorite topic - Trump’s golf game. If you missed it, you can check it out here.

Thank you also to everyone who subscribes and supports my work. If you missed the last Bulletin, you can find it here.

… The annual UN-sponsored World Happiness Report is out and the US has fallen to its lowest ranking ever at 24th. Finland ranked first and Afghanistan was last.

… Trump Senior Advisor Jason Miller was grumbling about the media publicizing the survey results: “Of course AP writes this and Playbook leads with it. And of course