Today in Politics, Bulletin 65. 2/6/25

… Zelensky said Tucker Carlson is “working for Putin” and “licking his ass.” On Piers Morgan’s podcast: “This journalist, I do not remember his surname - Tucker. He needs to more deeply understand what’s happening in Ukraine. Just stop working for Putin. Just stop licking his ass. It seems to me that the person, no matter where he lives, must understand things. Has he for one time in his lifetime lost his close ones? I wish to his family peace and no losses, but one must have his own opinion and understand that he probably influences many people. He’s simply disinforming them, misinforming the people.”

… I think Tucker knows that very well.

… Probably the most pro-Ukraine Republican in the House, Rep. Joe Wilson used a little psychology on Trump by denouncing Russia State TV for displaying old nude photos of Melania while mocking her: “War criminal Putin has ignored peace initiatives with record rocket attacks on civilians in Ukraine, with Putin's state television shamefully broadcasting nude pictures of America’s First Lady, who is so beloved, Melania Trump.”

… A federal judge in Seattle appointed by Reagan issued a scathing order granting an injunction against the enforcement of Trump’s executive order denying birthright citizenship. Judge Coughenour: "It has become ever more apparent that, to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain. Nevertheless, in this courtroom and under my watch, the rule of law is a bright beacon which I intend to follow."

… Trump claimed that Tommy Tuberville coached Super Bowl QB Patrick Mahomes during his college career. With Tuberville in attendance at his press conference, Trump claimed that he had this conversation with him: “Tommy Tuberville, a great coach. You know, his quarterback was named Mahomes. He was a great college coach. And I said, how good was he? He said, ‘you don't want to know how good.’”

… Except the entire thing was made up. Tuberville never coached Mahomes.

… So Tommy had a bit of a dilemma today when he appeared on Megyn Kelly’s show - Does he say that Trump lied, or does he lie to try and cover for the Cult Leader. Of course, Tommy chose Option 2 but tried to hedge it by saying that he “recruited” him but didn’t coach him: “Patrick Mahomes was one of the best players I ever had the opportunity to recruit and get to know.”

… Except that was also a lie. Mahomes: “He did not recruit me. I don't remember if I ever even met him.”

… After a lawsuit was filed by multiple government employee unions and set for an emergency hearing today on Musk’s DOGE being given access to sensitive Treasury payment systems that control $6 trillion dollars of annual disbursements, the Trump Admin filed a proposed order where they agreed to temporarily restrict access for DOGE officials.

… The Admin likely made this move because they knew the judge was about to issue a restraining order blocking Musk’s people from access. However, the proposed order does give just two DOGE employees the ability to read the data without being allowed to do anything with it, neither of whom will be Musk. It is unclear whether the judge or plaintiffs will accept their proposed temporary resolution.

… WaPo reports that Musk has also gained access to highly restricted government records on millions of federal employees as part of his attempt to take control of every aspect of the federal government through the Office of Personnel Management. The data includes addresses, demographic profiles, salary details and disciplinary histories of federal employees.

… ABC reports that a federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump Admin and DOGE/Musk from implementing their federal employee buyout plan. U.S. District Judge George O'Toole Jr. set a Monday afternoon hearing to consider blocking the buyout offer further: "I enjoined the defendants from taking any action to implement the so-called directive pending the completion of briefing and oral argument on the issues. “

… Three federal unions asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order so OPM can provide a legal basis for the offer. The unions represent a combined 800,000 federal civil servants, and argued that the "deferred resignation" offer is unlawful, arbitrary, and would result in a "dangerous one-two punch" to the federal government.

… Sen. Mark Warner on Musk’s scheme to bribe federal employees to resign: “I've been saying to all the fed employees, beware of this offer. I don't believe its been funded. Trump has no history of ever paying his bills. I'm also incredibly discouraged by the fact that you've got these buyout offers at the CIA at the NSA. What happens if we lose some of our top cyber talent? You're going to replace that with a DOGE Bro that's a coder? I think these folks are messing with national security in a way that is unprecedented.”

… Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that he is going to allow Musk to make immediate changes to the country’s air traffic control systems: “Big News - Talked to the DOGE team. They are going to plug in to help upgrade our aviation system. We’re gonna remake our airspace.”

… Musk responded to the announcement: “My team will aim to make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system."

… Trump was asked about Musk’s latest project: "We're all gonna sit down and do a great computerized system for our control towers. Brand new. Not pieced together, obsolete, like it is, land-based. You can't hook up land to satellites and you can't hook up satellites to land, it doesn't work. Let's spend less money and build a great system. When I land in my plane, privately, my Captain tells me he uses a system from another country."

… Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY) told Politico: “I think it’s petrifying to the American people, especially after we just suffered another horrific tragedy here in Washington, D.C. Now is not the time to put someone with zero experience in dealing with our national air traffic controllers into any position of authority.”

… I will be driving everywhere for a while.

… Hillary Clinton denounced the move: “They have no relevant experience. Most of them aren't old enough to rent a car, and you're going to let them mess with airline safety that's already deteriorated on your watch?"

… Duffy then responded to Hillary: "‘Experienced' Washington bureaucrats are the reason our nation’s infrastructure is crumbling. You need to sit this one out." Trump promised an Infrastructure Bill throughout his entire first term and never delivered a single proposal.

… Fox Host Laura Ingraham: “If these Democrats ever win back the House, they will start subpoenaing everyone.”

… Sen. Chris Murphy: "We need to act like a real opposition party in the middle of a constitutional and democracy crisis. That means we should not be moving forward nominees or legislation in the Senate. Democrats should not be giving votes to nominees or legislation in the Senate until Republicans get serious about this crisis."

… Fox reported Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Gwen Moore (D-WI) forced themselves into a meeting House Speaker Mike Johnson was having with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. A source who witnessed the interaction said they were “rude” and “extremely aggressive.” The same source told Fox that Johnson was “gracious” and let them come in so he could hear their concerns.

… Chu’s office disputed the details of the Fox report: “Given the gravity of the situation and Secretary Bessent's presence in the Speaker's Office today, the Congresswoman took the opportunity to get answers for Americans across the country concerned with the safety of their personal information, tax dollars, and Social Security checks. She never barged into anything. She politely joined the meeting already occurring and the Speaker invited her in for a brief, civil discussion. The Secretary was not present, and she left immediately afterwards."

… Sen. Lisa Murkowski and many others say they have been beseiged by angry constituents: “ I want to thank Alaskans who have been reaching out to my offices in D.C. and across AK. The Senate phone system has been receiving around 1,600 calls each minute, compared to the 40 calls per minute we usually receive, which has disrupted our call systems. Thank you for your patience as my staff works to review your messages and share them with me.”

… Sen. Susan Collins told HuffPost she is concerned: “There's no doubt that the president appears to have empowered Elon Musk to go far beyond what I think is appropriate.”

… Press Secretary Leavitt was asked what measures are being put in place to ensure that no conflicts of interest arise between the work Musk is doing and his various businesses: “The president said if Elon Musk comes across a conflict of interest, then Elon will excuse himself.”

… So the person who decides whether Elon Musk has a conflict is Elon Musk.

… Rep. Dan Goldman: “So Elon Musk has the same ethics rules as the Supreme Court - none.”

… Musk’s approval with the American people continues to sink. In the latest poll by The Economist/YouGov, only 13% said they wanted Musk to have “a lot” of influence in the Trump administration. 25% said they were ok with “a little” influence. In their poll right before the election in November, those numbers were 34% and 22%.

… The same poll shows that even Republicans aren’t thrilled with Musk. Only 26% of Republicans said they wanted Musk to have “a lot” of influence in the Admin.

… ARS Technica reports that sales of Tesla in Europe have taken a nose-dive because of Musk’s politics: “So far this year, Tesla sales are down 59% in Germany, 12% in UK, 44% in Sweden, 38% in Norway, 42% in the Netherlands."

… Sen. Adam Schiff: “Why is the firing of FBI agents such an important piece of this whole effort by Trump, Musk, and their enablers? Because if they're going to raid the treasury, if they're going to take people's private data, if they're going to try to illegally shut down agencies, they don't want an FBI that's going to examine anything they're doing.”

… Sec of State Marco Rubio: “I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Using G20 to promote ‘solidarity, equality, & sustainability’. In other words: DEI and climate change. My job is to advance America’s national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism.”

… We used to boycott South Africa for apartheid. Now we are doing it because they are concerned about equity and climate change.

… The State Department issued the following statement after Rubio’s visit to Panama: “U.S. government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees, saving the U.S. government millions of dollars a year.”

… But Panama says Rubio is lying: “In response to a publication released by the US Dept of State, the Panama Canal Authority, which is authorized to set tolls and other fees for transiting the canal, reports that it has not made any adjustments to them.”

… HuffPost reports that a seasoned State Dept employee was asked how it’s going with Marco Rubio so far. "He has a minder, like a Trump campaign minder. Someone in his office, not of his choosing. They sent somebody over because he wasn't totally within the fold."

… Trump gave more details today on his plan to take over Gaza: “The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the US by Israel at the conclusion of fighting. The Palestinians, people like Schumer, would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes, in the region. They would actually have a chance to be happy, safe, and free. The US, working with great development teams from all over the World, would slowly and carefully begin the construction of what would become one of the greatest and most spectacular developments of its kind on Earth. No soldiers by the U.S. would be needed! Stability for the region would reign!!!”

… Netanyahu thinks it all sounds great: “This is the first good idea that I have heard. It's a remarkable idea and I think it should be really pursued, examined, and done.”

… SecDef Pete Hegseth says he is ready to send US troops into Gaza if needed: “The President is willing to think outside the box, look for new and unique, dynamic ways to solve problems that have felt like they're intractable. So we look forward to more conversation about that, creative solutions to that. And as the man tasked with leading the Defense Department here, we're prepared to look at all options."

… Lindsey Graham doesn’t like it. To Fox: “I've been on the phone with Arabs all day. That approach, I think, will be very problematic. The idea of Americans going in on the ground in Gaza is a non-starter for every senator .. No Arab leader can embrace the idea that the Palestinians will be dislodged.”

… Sen. Rand Paul: “The pursuit for peace should be that of the Israelis and the Palestinians. I thought we voted for America First. We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldiers blood.”

… Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) to CNN: “We've got all the land we can handle right now. I get that the US has a leadership role in the Middle East, but Gaza’s not ours, Israel seems to have a pretty good handle on things."

… Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK): “What is the plan? It’s quite vague. Is that aid? Is that troops? I mean, it’s a big issue.”

… Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV): “It surprised us all, I’ll say that."

… John Fetterman: “I didn't take it is like a serious situation and it's just about shaking things up. But I'm not going to freak out on it, any more than when he announced that Gaetz was going to be the next AG. And that didn't work out that way. There's going to be a lot of balls coming down to the plate. And I'm only waiting for a strike when I'm going to start to swing.”

… ‘Arab Americans for Trump’ has decided to change the name of their group after Trump’s recent announcements that the US will clear out Gaza and take it over. Chair Bishara Bahbahab told AP his group will now be called ‘Arab Americans for Peace’: “The talk about what the president wants to do with Gaza, obviously we’re completely opposed to the idea of the transfer of Palestinians from anywhere in Historic