Rick Stengel
@rickstengel.bsky.social
Former Under Secretary of State in Obama admin & Editor of TIME. Author of “Information Wars: How We Lost the Battle Against Disinformation” & the audiobook, “Mandela: The Lost Tapes.” Analyst @MSNBC
Nothing more like a Mafia presidency than preemptively pardoning your co-conspirators in a gigantic crime.
The Mafia Presidency
Trump is saying, essentially, If you don’t want to get hurt, you’ll do what I say.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Nothing more like a Mafia presidency than preemptively pardoning your co-conspirators in a gigantic crime.
If this were a metaphor or a satire, it would be spot on. But of course, it's not. Even Caesar had his image on only one side. But his coin did have the legend, CAESAR DICT PERPETVO (“Caesar, dictator in perpetuity”)
A Two-Headed Coin That Always Comes Up ‘Trump’
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:41 PM
If this were a metaphor or a satire, it would be spot on. But of course, it's not. Even Caesar had his image on only one side. But his coin did have the legend, CAESAR DICT PERPETVO (“Caesar, dictator in perpetuity”)
As ever, it is not either/or but both/and. The Democratic party should be a big tent containing progressives and moderates—heck, that's what a party is! No internecine warfare!
Where Democrats Will Duel Next for the Party’s Future
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:33 PM
As ever, it is not either/or but both/and. The Democratic party should be a big tent containing progressives and moderates—heck, that's what a party is! No internecine warfare!
As Atul Gawande writes, "There are valid criticisms of USAID. It sometimes fostered dependency..Yet no agency of the US gov't has saved more lives per dollar." The documentary shows how many of those lives will be lost.
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:56 AM
As Atul Gawande writes, "There are valid criticisms of USAID. It sometimes fostered dependency..Yet no agency of the US gov't has saved more lives per dollar." The documentary shows how many of those lives will be lost.
Reposted by Rick Stengel
As a lawyer who advised and represented international financial institutions making loans and guarantees on major investment projects in Uzbekistan for 15 years, I can say with 100% certainty that Uzbekistan does not have $135 billion to invest in the US, or anywhere else outside of Uzbekistan.
November 8, 2025 at 2:05 AM
As a lawyer who advised and represented international financial institutions making loans and guarantees on major investment projects in Uzbekistan for 15 years, I can say with 100% certainty that Uzbekistan does not have $135 billion to invest in the US, or anywhere else outside of Uzbekistan.
Seems pretty clear that:
1. Tariffs are a tax, and only Congress can impose a tax.
2. There is no emergency to justify using emergency powers.
3. The IEEPA legislation was designed to constrain the president's powers, not increase them.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/05/p...
1. Tariffs are a tax, and only Congress can impose a tax.
2. There is no emergency to justify using emergency powers.
3. The IEEPA legislation was designed to constrain the president's powers, not increase them.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/05/p...
Takeaways from Trump’s rocky Supreme Court arguments over global tariffs | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court appeared deeply concerned Wednesday with President Donald Trump’s reliance on a vague federal law to impose global tariffs, with several members of the court’s conservative wing pick...
www.cnn.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Seems pretty clear that:
1. Tariffs are a tax, and only Congress can impose a tax.
2. There is no emergency to justify using emergency powers.
3. The IEEPA legislation was designed to constrain the president's powers, not increase them.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/05/p...
1. Tariffs are a tax, and only Congress can impose a tax.
2. There is no emergency to justify using emergency powers.
3. The IEEPA legislation was designed to constrain the president's powers, not increase them.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/05/p...
"If tonight teaches us anything, it's that convention has held us back. We have bowed at the altar of caution, and we've paid a mighty price. Too many working people cannot recognize themselves in our party, and too many among us have turned to the right for answers to why they’ve been left behind."
The Full Transcript of Zohran Mamdani’s Victory Speech
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:40 PM
"If tonight teaches us anything, it's that convention has held us back. We have bowed at the altar of caution, and we've paid a mighty price. Too many working people cannot recognize themselves in our party, and too many among us have turned to the right for answers to why they’ve been left behind."
Memories are short. (A) We forget how deeply unpopular Trump I was and (B) that every election is about the economy. Voters rejected Trump II and the bad economy and embraced sanity and competence. On to the midterms.
November 5, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Memories are short. (A) We forget how deeply unpopular Trump I was and (B) that every election is about the economy. Voters rejected Trump II and the bad economy and embraced sanity and competence. On to the midterms.
In any other administration, a president pardoning a billionaire felon who was enriching his own family would be a scandal that could topple the presidency.
Trump Pardons Founder of the Crypto Exchange Binance
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:01 AM
In any other administration, a president pardoning a billionaire felon who was enriching his own family would be a scandal that could topple the presidency.
I'll relieve you from having to watch the 60 Minutes interview. Here it is in its entirety: "DEMOCRATS: BAD! ME: GREAT! BETTER THAN ANYONE IN HISTORY!"
November 3, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I'll relieve you from having to watch the 60 Minutes interview. Here it is in its entirety: "DEMOCRATS: BAD! ME: GREAT! BETTER THAN ANYONE IN HISTORY!"
"America has lost its moral bearings; as a result, it has also lost its moral standing in the world."
Trump’s Plan Is Now Out in the Open
It’s getting ever harder to avoid connecting the authoritarian dots.
www.theatlantic.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:27 PM
"America has lost its moral bearings; as a result, it has also lost its moral standing in the world."
He said the meeting with Xi was a 12 on a 1-10 scale. Let's say at the start of his presidency, the relationship with China was a 5 on a 1-10 scale. His erratic non-strategic tariffs and behavior took it back to a 1. Now he's managed to eke out a 3. So, yes, it's a 12 on a 1-30 scale.
October 30, 2025 at 4:38 PM
He said the meeting with Xi was a 12 on a 1-10 scale. Let's say at the start of his presidency, the relationship with China was a 5 on a 1-10 scale. His erratic non-strategic tariffs and behavior took it back to a 1. Now he's managed to eke out a 3. So, yes, it's a 12 on a 1-30 scale.
He only has a few moves. One of which, per Roy Cohn, is when someone punches you, punch back harder. That's why he is threatening to resume nuclear testing in response to Putin's previous announcement. Scholars called this escalation dominance. But it ain't diplomacy. It's just dangerous.
Trump’s Test Threat Could Fuel Nuclear Tensions With China
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:32 PM
He only has a few moves. One of which, per Roy Cohn, is when someone punches you, punch back harder. That's why he is threatening to resume nuclear testing in response to Putin's previous announcement. Scholars called this escalation dominance. But it ain't diplomacy. It's just dangerous.
"At long last, we have peace in the Middle East." —President Trump, October 13, 2025, in Egypt.
Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill at Least 100, Local Health Officials Say
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"At long last, we have peace in the Middle East." —President Trump, October 13, 2025, in Egypt.
1. There is no evidence that Venezuela produces fentanyl.
2. The UN drug office says it is not a cocaine-producing country.
3. Most illegal drugs come here in container ships, not small boats with outboard motors.
4. The admin has produced no evidence to justify these extra-judicial killings.
2. The UN drug office says it is not a cocaine-producing country.
3. Most illegal drugs come here in container ships, not small boats with outboard motors.
4. The admin has produced no evidence to justify these extra-judicial killings.
The meaning of America’s vast military build-up off Venezuela
The world’s largest aircraft-carrier is making for the Venezuelan coast. Its military aims are unclear
www.economist.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:49 PM
1. There is no evidence that Venezuela produces fentanyl.
2. The UN drug office says it is not a cocaine-producing country.
3. Most illegal drugs come here in container ships, not small boats with outboard motors.
4. The admin has produced no evidence to justify these extra-judicial killings.
2. The UN drug office says it is not a cocaine-producing country.
3. Most illegal drugs come here in container ships, not small boats with outboard motors.
4. The admin has produced no evidence to justify these extra-judicial killings.
Media note. If you thoroughly screw up trade negotiations with another country, say China:) please don’t call it a “win” when you manage to get it roughly back to where it was before you started.
October 27, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Media note. If you thoroughly screw up trade negotiations with another country, say China:) please don’t call it a “win” when you manage to get it roughly back to where it was before you started.
Reposted by Rick Stengel
I'm all for the troops getting paid, but this is a dangerous step on the road to autocratic rule. Autocrats always seek to turn national militaries into private militias. Our troops take an oath to defend the Constitution not one man.
Pentagon Accepts $130 Million Donation to Help Pay Troops During Shutdown
www.nytimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I'm all for the troops getting paid, but this is a dangerous step on the road to autocratic rule. Autocrats always seek to turn national militaries into private militias. Our troops take an oath to defend the Constitution not one man.
The destruction of the East Wing is more than a metaphor—it's a living example of disdain and ignorance for history, order, legacy, transparency, humility, and even constitutional checks and balances. Shameful.
October 24, 2025 at 2:16 PM
The destruction of the East Wing is more than a metaphor—it's a living example of disdain and ignorance for history, order, legacy, transparency, humility, and even constitutional checks and balances. Shameful.
The admin's possible $40 billion rescue of Argentina is more than what they cut in USAID funding. Which would you rather do, spend billions to prop-up an economy that has needed rescuing time and again or save 1000s of lives with AIDS medicine & prevent diseases like Ebola from coming to America?
Opinion | Trump Revives Foreign Aid, Helping Needy Billionaires
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:23 PM
The admin's possible $40 billion rescue of Argentina is more than what they cut in USAID funding. Which would you rather do, spend billions to prop-up an economy that has needed rescuing time and again or save 1000s of lives with AIDS medicine & prevent diseases like Ebola from coming to America?
Trump demanding $230 million from his own Justice Dept shows that he sees himself more as an outlaw than head of state, that he doesn't represent the American people but himself, and that he will never ever turn down an opportunity to make money.
October 22, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Trump demanding $230 million from his own Justice Dept shows that he sees himself more as an outlaw than head of state, that he doesn't represent the American people but himself, and that he will never ever turn down an opportunity to make money.
For decades, courts gave the gov't a "presumption of regularity," which is the idea that federal officials were doing their duty, following the rules, and being honest. But in 9 months, this admin has forfeited this presumption for many judges because of failing to follow the rules and be truthful.
The “Presumption of Regularity” in Trump Administration Litigation
Comprehensive study of court cases involving Trump administration and the basis for courts no longer giving a "presumption of regularity."
www.justsecurity.org
October 22, 2025 at 11:30 AM
For decades, courts gave the gov't a "presumption of regularity," which is the idea that federal officials were doing their duty, following the rules, and being honest. But in 9 months, this admin has forfeited this presumption for many judges because of failing to follow the rules and be truthful.
Just when you might have cause to wonder if it’s all about the money, you find out that, yes, it’s all about the money.
Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Cases
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Just when you might have cause to wonder if it’s all about the money, you find out that, yes, it’s all about the money.
His disdain for the People’s House is only matched by his contempt for We the People.
October 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
His disdain for the People’s House is only matched by his contempt for We the People.
What I saw at my No Kings rally and in all the images from around the nation was love—love of country, love of the Constitution, love of freedom and equality, and love of the principle that in a free country that you have the right to protest.
October 20, 2025 at 9:11 PM
What I saw at my No Kings rally and in all the images from around the nation was love—love of country, love of the Constitution, love of freedom and equality, and love of the principle that in a free country that you have the right to protest.