Rep. James Clyburn Says Wake Up
Rep. Clyburn warns of Trump's serious bid for a third term, urging vigilance against threats to democracy.
Rep. James Clyburn had some strong words during a Monday morning interview on CNN. His comments come by way of WCIV:
"That is exactly what he is planning to do," Clyburn said. "I think people better get serious about this. When he says he's not joking about throwing away the Constitution, which is what he'll have to do in order to have a third term, and we are not going to rise up in opposition to that? I think it's time for us all to wake up."
The South Carolina congressman is taking the convicted felon at his word. That’s more than what others are doing. The felon isn’t joking and he’s said as much himself, even in comments following Sunday’s NBC News interview. The man is doing everything he can to break American democracy. He’s going after diversity, equity, and inclusion. He’s going after science. He’s going after our libraries and museums. There is nothing that he will not attempt to break.
There are other Democratic congressman speaking out, including New York’s Dan Goldman.
“As I said in November, Donald Trump was never joking about trying to serve an unconstitutional third term, which he confirmed today.
“This is yet another escalation in his clear effort to take over the government and dismantle our democracy.
“If Congressional Republicans believe in the Constitution, they will go on the record opposing Trump’s ambitions for a third term.”
NBC News has a number of Senate and House Republicans on the record. A number were clear regarding the 22nd amendment of the Constitution, including Senators John Thune (R-SD), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Ted Cruz (R-TX).
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) said the comments were “tongue in cheek.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) claims to not know about the comments as he didn’t see them.
“But, you know, you see it like with Greenland, like with Panama Canal. There’s a lot of things the president talks about. Ultimately, it gets people talking and addresses some other issues, too.”
But for what it’s worth, he dismissed the idea of amending the Constitution…something that Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) has proposed.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said to ask him in 2027 before walking away from reporters.
As for the White House, they can’t even get their own message straight. The White House Press Secretary accused the media of overreacting. I’m sorry but when the man occupying the Oval Office publicly talks of running for a third time and finding ways to circumvent the U.S. Constitution, it’s something that we have to take seriously and not dismiss as just another distraction.
You know it’s bad when Stephen A. Smith is going after Republicans about their preaching the Constitution.
Transgender Day of Visibility
Monday was TDOV. Unfortunately, I feel more visible in Jewish spaces than I do in transgender spaces. I’ve lost about 90% of my non-Jewish transgender friends after October 7. You could probably say the same thing about non-Jewish LGBTQ friends in general. It says less about me in as much as it does about them.
TDOV always comes the day before I mark X years, 11 months of HRT. This year, it’s eight years, 11 months.
I am very consistent in speaking out against antisemitism and calling for Hamas to lay down their weapons, surrender, and release the hostages. I’m going to keep doing so, no matter the cost. It’s already cost me both friends, readership, and revenue but if that’s the price to pay for being a proud Jew, so be it.
Reading
I recently completed reading Ben Hecht’s Theatre of Jewish Protest by Garrett Eisler. The book focuses on four of the Oscar-winning screenwriter/playwright’s plays written during the Holocaust and in the years before Israel was founded. That being said, I still need to write my review of Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the Revolution by H.W. Brands. Expect it to arrive this week.
I’m taking a brief break from non-fiction to read Star Wars: Reign of the Empire - The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed. It takes place shortly after the fall of the Old Republic. I read where it’s recommended for fans of Andor so I’m hoping it’ll be a quick read.
TV Catchup
I’m mixing in episodes of 1923 with physical media and baseball as I await the supersized finale set to stream on Paramount+ this Sunday. Paramount+ only made the first three episodes available for review but I’d rather write about the season as a whole.