It’s possible he may even rename it. And now there are strong rumours he might even merge into it the FBI and the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms). to create and all encompassing US Federal Police more or less under his direct unchecked control. 4/4.

By this massive expansion he is creating a heavily armed and militarily equipped para-military police force. He doesn’t need the Army or National Guard, he’s creating his own security police force outside of constitutional norms. 3/4.

But. His intention now is to massively expand its budget, manpower and its role. We have already seen ICE agents in combat gear, no badges and masks over faces swarming urban areas and arresting randomly at will and without warrant. 2/4.

The main consensus was (when we stopped laughing) ‘The We Hate Absolutely Everything About This Country Party’. 2/2

2/2. Spending review in full throttle with ever decreasing resources. Watch this space.

3/3. My feeling is that the only way Euston in its entirety (HS2, NR & TfL) is going to come about is through majority private financing. And if that’s not readily forthcoming then HS2 may be OOC to Brum for many years with a wreck of Euston coping with NR & TfL.

2/3. But not enough money for them all. Insufficient income from taxes and borrowing is risky. Now the Trump factor has to be considered both direct and indirect. Like it or not.

2/2. The Spending Review will be brutal and multi-faceted. Too many urgent priorities and too little cash. Borrowing is risky and Storm Trump is making everyone nervous. It all makes 1965 look like a picnic by comparison. It’s a picnic I well remember!

2/2. No need though for anyone to jump out of the way to avoid the stampede. Lots of bits and pieces in the news but nothing definite. Let’s wait and see for the spending review. But if anything is announced the devil (and the timescales) will be in the detail.