The Bleeding Constitution
Two plus two equals four. There are twenty-four hours in a day. And what we're witnessing in real time is not merely a procedural skirmish but the systematic dismantling of judicial independence by partisan actors in judicial robes.
Let's name what this is plainly: The two Trump-appointed judges on the D.C. Circuit who granted this administrative stay are not engaged in routine judicial deliberation. They are actively shielding the administration from the consequences of its own contempt for the rule of law. This isn't speculation—it's evident in the dissent of Judge Pillard, who explicitly states there is “no ground for an administrative stay.”
The context makes this even more alarming. The lower court found the administration in contempt after careful proceedings. The Supreme Court has already weighed in on a related interlocutory matter, affirming the judiciary's authority. For these circuit judges to nonetheless intervene with an administrative stay represents not judicial restraint but judicial complicity in executive overreach.
We must recognize this for what it is: the constitutional crisis in action. This is not about legal technicalities or reasonable disagreements about procedure. This is about whether judicial orders have any meaning when issued against an executive that refuses to recognize constraints on its power.
When Trump-appointed judges systematically shield Trump administration actions from judicial review, we are no longer in the realm of normal judicial disagreement. We are witnessing the corruption of the judicial branch itself—its transformation from an independent check on power into an instrument of that power.
The Supreme Court must indeed strike this down without delay. But the deeper question is whether even that would matter if the executive simply refuses to comply with any ruling it finds inconvenient. We've entered the territory where the administration's strategy appears to be: delay, appeal, ignore, and repeat—until the very concept of judicial review becomes meaningless in practice.
This is deadly serious.
Mike et al,
I read comments on this forum, see newspaper articles, and listen to various news broadcasts, and it is clear to me, and perhaps others, what is happening in response to Trump and his Administration's speech and acts.
In the '60s, at the U of Chicago, medical students were assigned a preceptor, a faculty member who would meet with a small group of students (usually 5 or 6), in an informal setting at regular intervals. I was assigned to Elizabeth Ross, MD, a relatively young psychiatrist who was voted best teacher of the year on numerous occasions by med students. We would meet in her office to discuss patients, principles, and personal feelings. Dr. Ross (she was not called Kübler-Ross then) would sit with us, chain-smoking, very informally hearing (really hearing) what we were experiencing in our new roles as emerging physicians. These meetings were transformative for all of us. We felt as if we were in Plato's Academy, learning about life from a great master.
But ego jousting in the upper echelons at the U of Chicago Dept. of Psychiatry; painful for idealistic students to see, led to Dr. Ross being moved by the department head, Daniel X. Freedman, three miles away from our easy reach at Billings Hospital (renamed later as Mitchell Hospital). She was assigned to La Rabida Children's Hospital, where her career blossomed further, and she published her observations on grief and the 5 stages.
Kubler-Ross Stages of Grief (emotional responses to understand human grief; not necessarily experienced in a linear order)
• denial — disbelief, shock, numbness, a feeling that this is unreal
• anger — anger at what has happened, at the situation, at the cause of one's despair
• bargaining — attempts to negotiate to undo the loss or prevent what is happening
• depression — feelings of deep sadness, loss of interest, despair over what had occurred
• acceptance — acknowledging loss and finding ways to move forward
Perhaps, the profound effect that Dr. Ross had on us has led many in our group to become better observers. This is my take on what has and continues to occur during the ascendency of Trump, the GOP Congress, and the Trump Administration.
Three Stages Related to Trump's Presidency (reactions by Public and Press to Trump, his Administration, and to the GOP in Congress): At the present, both Press and Public have yet to arrive at the Stage of Realization.
• Normalization
To make something considered unusual or unacceptable become the norm or acceptable.
Examples: crude language, prevarication (most lies ever spoken by anyone in pubic office, using the big lie tactic of Nazis like Hitler), racist (see my African-American), and misogynistic remarks (utterings about Megan Kelly, Rosie O'Donnell, many other women), epithets belittling others (little Marco, crooked Hilary, sleepy Joe), denials (I don't know him or her, I never heard of that, I am not familiar with that), diversion (change the topic when asked a question), vengeful (retribution), chaotic (never let the Public cool off), projection (accuse others of what you are doing or end up doing), procrastination (manipulate the legal system with repetitive appeals), Authoritarianism (idolization of Putin, Kim, Erdogan, other dictators), Psychopathy (anti-social behavior, lack of empahty, inability to admit a mistake or failure, maignant narcissism, messianic, paranoid.
• Rationalization
To provide seemingly logical reasons or explanations for behaviors, decisions, or actions based on unacceptable motives or impulses.
• Realization
To fully grasp the meaning or implications of something, which can result from a significant shift in insight and perspective.
IF, you listen to the mainstream media, or read the various published political media, you seldom hear or see what, in reality, has occurred.
▶︎ We are living under a Fascist administration a la Trump. His presidency is more Authoritarian then that ever seen in the 236-year history of American Republic (1789-2025).
▶︎ Trump's latest term in office, from inauguration to today, 4/19/25, has been 85 days. In this time we have seen violation of First Amendment RIGHTS: freedom of speech, freedom of the press. I am sure we will see other of the 5 rights Trumped: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition the government.
▶︎ The loss of DUE PROCES is a hallmark of Fascism. This is blatant in the recent grabbing off the streets of America of Kilmar Garcia who was granted temporary legal status (protected status) in 2019 due to fear of persecution if returned to his native El Salvador. It does not matter if Garcia is determined to be a member of MS-13, or not. He is entitled to DUE PROCESS.
Most Americans have yet to know the meaning of DUE PROCESS, and only a few mainstream commentators are emphasizing this.
Due process ensures fairness and protects individuals from government overreach by guaranteeing that certain procedures are followed before the government can deprive someone of their life, liberty, or property. It essentially means that individuals have the right to a fair hearing and a chance to defend themselves against government actions.
How does the EROSION OR LOSS of DUE PROCESS involve Fascism? For God's sake, media and public, read this:
➽ Fascism's Disregard for Individual Rights: Fascist ideologies typically prioritize the state and the collective over individual rights and liberties.
➽ Suppression of Opposition: Due process is a cornerstone of a fair legal system that protects individuals from arbitrary actions, including those of the government. Fascist regimes, however, often seek to suppress dissent and opposition, leading them to undermine or bypass legal protections and procedures.
➽ Concentration of Power: Fascism tends towards centralized, authoritarian rule where the leader and the state hold unchecked power. This often manifests in disregard for legal restraints and procedures that would otherwise limit the government's ability to act.
➽ Examples in History: Fascist regimes in the past, such as those led by Mussolini in Italy and Hitler in Germany, notoriously curtailed due process, often using emergency powers and special tribunals to bypass the regular justice system.
Suggest you obtain Madelyn Albright's (the first woman secretary of state) important work:
FASCISM, A WARNING. Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/Fascism-Warning-Madeleine-Albright-ebook/dp/B07HWSZQBV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NE4K28WU0Y3L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XAZ4CEMvj8NKbQWnUJgfEXbILz7JjP-BOxIbxIqprKq81-r_OiptpXbDEaLKHC14pNdkqBp3WyGOTDG71F5AX-tAzFztVk0tqGumrCm8fA1RN9c8BNsv7o3S2nsrnXQaCyNQpKFagEr4war2D0fImo6XQzuXAuhPlj2ZECSR2D21PeGlpNPqxqtokU6BXBSPqdNvoiBd9xq0ztGLcOvnXu7IXea_FuV-5K4HYVna0k0.cqgN6hl0x0-5rgat81fYINZIgVTOTUUNq_mKeCW8CbQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Fascism%2C+A+Warning&qid=1745071508&s=books&sprefix=fascism%2C+a+warning%2Cstripbooks%2C171&sr=1-1
What will it take for enough people to see where we are.