Thank you for all the positive feedback on the new ad-free episodes of Legal AF. It has been such a joy to provide these exclusively to our subscribers here on the Meidas+ Substack. If you appreciate this ad-free content, please consider joining as a paid subscriber today to help us continue to do this.
This week, Ben Meiselas and Michael Popok take a close look at how the takedown of Matt Gaetz could serve as a blueprint to block Trump's other dangerously unfit cabinet picks, like Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, and RFK Jr. They also explore the influence of Trump's hatchet man, Russ Vought, tasked with slashing social safety net programs, and discuss strategies to curb his power as head of the Office of Management and Budget. The episode unpacks Judge Merchan's decision to deny Trump's attempt to dismiss his New York convictions and postpone sentencing, as well as the Democrats' recent deal to confirm over 20 Biden-appointed judges. With these stories and more, Legal AF continues to deliver sharp analysis of the critical issues shaping law and politics today.
Thank you to this community for your incredible support. Enjoy!
Thank you to all of the.Meidas touch family for keeping us going and giving ideas how to do it!!
How to Stop Authoritarians Before They Start
🔸️FITNESS FOR DUTY EVALUATIONS that are mandatory, like the military for high responsibility positions, would have stopped Trump before he got within a mile of the White House.
Bandy X Lee, Steven Hassan, and 100 other psychiatrists agree Trump has five dangerous mental pathologies as listed in the books "The More Dangerous Case of Donald Trump" and "The Psychology Of Trump Contagion - An Existential Threat to American Democracy and All Humankind".
"Containing Trump Contagion and Healing from Mental Pathology in Politics"
https://youtu.be/HTkCqU5LM-k?si=f6g0PolglC21w1nR
🔸️Fitness for Duty Evaluations start with everyone who interacts with the individual in question, and when red flags start to appear, 'say something.'
The US Military has procedures to follow that require individuals in question to have a Fitness for Duty Evaluation. Voters must demand the House and Senate do the same.
"Stephen Xenakis- Fitness for Duty Exams: Preventing Autocratic Abuse"
https://youtu.be/vdtChF07ryU?si=VJ5dauWFoUQg10uH
🔸️Outside the military are professionals like Dr. Bandy X. Lee who has several dozen colleagues all of whom are highly qualified to do Fitness for Duty Evaluations.
The U.S. House and Senate have several mechanisms to enforce their rules, including:
* Leadership
* Committees
* Floor Procedures
* Party Discipline
It's important to note that these mechanisms are not always used consistently or effectively. The more voters demand mentally fit leaders the more the House and Senate will comply.
🔸️I like what forensic psychologist Dr. Bandy X. Lee says that fascism and authoritarianism are just dangerous mental pathologies that worm their way into politics.
Everyone on Earth deserves and demands leadership that is mentally fit.
Fitness for Duty Evaluations performed by well respected psychiatrists ensures every country has leaders who do not serve their own power, but serve their own people.
With a pool of mentally fit candidates, we then have all the elections we wish.
In this country, volunteer firefighters are held to a higher standard than the President. We would've been booted off the department for any one thing trump has done. One thing.
I am a Notary can't work without a Background check. Anyone working in with the WH should have to pass a BG check and have WH Clearance !!!
it is SO disgusting!
The US Constitution should have stopped him.
It would have if the SCOTUS wasn't corrupt.
14: 3 says 2/3 is necessary to put the Malignant Narcissistic Sociopath in office ‼️ but who is interested in following our constitution if they are 🍌 Republicans⁉️
No Republican I'm aware of and then of course there are traitor Dems who might vote with the the ReTHUGS. Normally it would be merely irritating but in this case, given Trumps past and intentions, I'd consider it downright treasonous.
There is no seat at the table for the felon Trump‼️
There shouldn't be, no.
The Republican party is little more than a crime ring at this point.
With Don Cur-leone at its head.
Can you guys discuss Robert Lighthizer, Trump's trade czar? I used to work as a senior associate under him in the International Trade Department at Skadden Arps. He isn't crazy, he is quite charismatic, but he is NOT a nice man and is a protectionist.
Not a nice man? How could the nicest, sweetest, mostest patriotic, mostest loving, mostest sincere, mostest honest person in the whole wide universe, ever and forever, consider a meanie for his staff? I am astounded!
not even funny at this trerrible time....
I just want donald trump behind bars
I want something way worse.
I want to see if you see him off the planet. That's what I want to be rude or crude. But that's the best thing we can all have hope for too bad. His mother didn't drop him on the head and his head was born. He's a stupidest man. I ever mean even read about you're an idiot.
Like all wild, uncontrollable animals.
you and more people than you can imagine.
Focus of this moment in time is important to unite all parties that support the Constitution. It is disturbing to have to support terrible Corrupt, Incompetent people to prevent people who are even worse from being affirmed. Hope enough people with good patriotic morals can unite in All Parties. Keep delivering the truth to everyone you know. I am a Vietnam Veteran and made my mission to spread the truth to all my Veteran brother and Sisters, there are 8 million veterans to reach. I always look forward to Legal AF. Knowledge is Truth to Power! Fight for Democracy! Never GIVE UP!
Thank you for your service. And another saying;
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. " THAT is what won the election for rump. The lies and gaslighting that Elon used million$ to blanket the country and push the nonthinkers, those who paid no attention till the day to vote, to ignorantly choose him.
A lot of professionals in the US need to have clearances done. For instance, I have to get all ton of clearances done, including an FBI clearance because I work with children. Shouldn’t the woman who’s running the department of education have an FBI clearance done on her since she’s overseeing the totality of our children in the US and their education?
how about the fact that she LIED ABOUT having a college degree in education. Why waste the FBI time vetting her, that is enough!
Rather Gaetz, a dud, than Bondi, who is more competent and much more dangerous.
I doubt that Social Security / Medicare / Medicaid / VA benefits will be gutted. In addition to the deluge of litigation being prepared in opposition to the MAGA plans, a lot of MAGA-heads are (finally) realizing that these are essential programs, & are starting to clamor at their senators & representatives. Endless litigation + legislative gridlock = resistance.
They will slash social programs and throw people out into the street and then blame the previous administration for all the homeless. Wait for it
Enough is enough, send this idiot packing , we don’t need His, BS, Lies, lies we want our country back, kick this Nazi fascist out for good, Ben this has to be done
HOw,HOW, HHOw??
he's terrorizing the country, he terrorized Ohio, he should be removed for terrorism and more things that you can come up with than I can… He CANNOT be inaugurated. Also if he refuses to have his nominees vetted by the FBI and he refuses still to sign those agreements, three weeks overdue now, he cannot be inaugurated- he MUST do what every president-elect is required to do , not be allowed to proceed while giving the finger to our constitution, our rules & our traditions. No way! he cannot be inaugurated if he doesn't do what's required. But I still think the terrorism that he is threatening our country with and that he did for the year leading up to the election- That should be enough to disqualify him, & bring in the runner-up!
Everyone that Donald Trump wants in there as far as I'm concerned.He's a sex predator including himself.I want him convicted in charge for his sex crime to Donald Trump and the rest of the cabinet.People that he wants in there and the republicans are the ones that are sex trafficking , not to democrats
Trump should just be taken out back
Tied up and left there to rot. Somebody? Anybody?
You mean with a rifle to face nine rifles pointing at him? Seems Liz Cheney and I have heard that somewhere.
Would you please talk with Kamala Harris about why she hasn’t demanded a recount of votes. My vote was tossed out. Personally I think maga got to her. I’ve called my congressman to get a recount. Unfortunately I live in a red state so I don’t think much was done.
Not much consolation, but the Dump has NEVER achieved anything by playing by the rules. He has bullied and cheated his way all the way up to the top, and a lot of people (not a majority, by any means) seem to admire him for that. He "beat the system". Now he's going to BE the system that a lot of people will be trying to beat. May they succeed.
I'm.
Just hoping a lot of these people that Donald Trump once in office do not get in office and I want Biden to get off his assand nominate our Supreme Court. The Donald Trump doesn't have any chances. Why won't Donald Trump convicted for all his crimeswhen Jack Smith is resigning? I think that's crapi. Think the other job the other lawyer. In New York, miss Willis needs to make sure Trump has held connible for all of his crimes over the years.And I wan to see Donald Trump in prison instead of being the prisoner instead of being the President.Sorry, I'm tired I'm not feeling well.I expect that my speech is really don't come out very well
Than Merrick Garland for dragging his feet. Thank The Supreme Court for shredding the US Constitution.
That's OK, we understand you. Get some sleep.
💙
💙
I find it hard to believe that Trump has enough neurons left to make these nominations with a secondary plan in mind. Someone is behind this.
of course...Steve Miller and Bannon!
You are the Carpathia, offering a rescue and warm blankets to the Titanic survivors.
Instead of talking about the past what about talking about solutions and how we're going to help the American people protest that's in a peaceful way. Instead of hearing the same old story over and over again
💙
💙💙
He will PARDON HIMSELF OF ALL , when he is 82 there WON'T BE ANY Cases.
He cannot be pardoned from state cases. And who knows how many other women he'll grope or rape while in the WH? I'm sure there'll always be something to get him on.
💙💙💙💙
💙💙💙
The Justice system needs to grow some balls to take this man down, which is in criminal, but Illinois is a criminal.Well, no, and what is done?Why haven't you convicted him?And why haven't you charged him on these crimes?Are you too chicken s*** to do it?Grow some balls prosecuting attorneys and judgesCNN
One thing I'll be bringing up that Trump should be tried for the January 6th riot.He's the 12 convulge all with it and look at how many people got hurt and look at the opposite that got killed and very seriously woundedI
YeS! Hundreds of people are in jail for that and he's the one who Incited it!! Why isn't he in jail for it? The Justice Department has to grow a pair! AND he should pay the $30 million for the repairs of the Capitol.
It occurs to me that the Republican Senate should not be able to decide to recess to give Trump free rein on his appointments. The poor misguided souls who voted for Trump knew he was lawless and a felon, but they voted for. him so immigrants wouldn’t eat their pets. They did so with the expecttion that the checks and balances of the Constitution would constrain his worst impulses. They knew he cozied up to Putin, but they believed that his cabinet picks would have background checks to weed out any Russian assets. If the recess appointment gambit is attempted, a lawsuit should be brought to madate that the branches of government effectuate their constitutional duty or resign so that loyal Americanws can protect the nation.
I am really looking forward to the Senate confirmation hearings. 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿
💙
💙💙
Thank you.
My dad just touch and the rest of you all bri
💙💙💙
Heart.. lol
<3 <3
The man in the White House has 34 felonious convictions and a judgement of sexual predation for which he owes E.Jean Carroll 91 million dollars. He owes goodness knows millions to all the contractors and vendors he stiffed in his shady real estate shell game he played all his business life. Not to say bankrupting casinos as a serial bankrupt. He is not a businessman, he is the slot machine that never pays out, but gladly takes the money suckers feed him. He is a criminal.
💙💙💙 Thank you all for what you are doing to save our country and democracy!!
https://open.substack.com/pub/grassrootsofdemocracy/p/the-russian-federation-of-america?r=bcplj&utm_medium=ios
What I cannot understand is these people obviously see how crooked 45 is and yet he somehow ends up recruiting them to his side what the hell is wrong with people why is this happening
Someone always knows where the bodies are buried… MTG?
As log as they/ we, keep up the pressure!
💙
Please talk about Steven Spoonamore .
💙💙
It was one thing when the right wingers were talking about the church taking the place of the government taking care of the disabled and the poor. Then we knew the motivation was to influence them to look kindly on religion and the religious. But this latest version is cutthroat and will create more deaths and homeless people than all of the world wars combined. These are sociopathic people that belong in the pshych ward to protect society from their ignorance and inability to mature.
Are you telling me that this D list Fox "news" host former platoon leader has civil war fantasies against the political opposition to his trogledyte type of right wing thinking? How does it not surprise me that a sexual predator has violent fantasies against his fellow citizens? He is less than qualified to lead the defense department and barely qualifies to manage a Mac Donald's. In fact he'd never pass the background check to work the register. I knew guys who thought like him in the military and most of them were under observation by CID making sure that they didn't sneak out any live ammunition from the range and they were NEVER allowed to volunteer for range duties since that requires a position of trust.
I'm finding difficulties making comments. Hopefully this one goes through.
By hope those people that butter for Donald Trump realize how bad of that boat was that boat was known, must rot to the core and so, all of his papers, went in the White House or all rich people and all ridden to do this tax tax tax support. So they get money, money money. Money money get richer and Richard. We just stop them from getting any more money from us. Poor people rotten b******* Aren't they right now soon? And I believe Donald Trump is an Antichrist down and keep in my heart.My soul look at those brown evil eyes.I'm not everyone.Withdrawn is evil , but he definitely eatable>
Thank you for waking my comment about donald trump is an idiot
Our voices are extremely important yet camouflaged in the cacophony of extreme injustice and subsequent duress. But this dilemma cannot camouflage our physical being. We still have mass, we take up physical, visible space. We have not been cloaked out of our physical existence. It will be our physical fight that gains the attention over being the 224th comment on a post such as this. Don't forget your physical presence on the fight for justice.
The United States need people to teach the general population these things so we are never in this position again. Those of us that have knowledge no longer have power because the ignorants (people that ignore this information) have taken over. Unless we start an information campaign and educate the poorly educated we will never get out of this situation. SAD and DEPRESSING
I wonder why there is so many judge position open at this late stage. Why weren't they appointing these judges all along? Why are they having to rush so many appointments?
💙
Bondi will upend the written/established law like Cannon does. Bondi will be so ignorant in the AG position that she will have to be replaced.
💙
Great, important info. Thanks. You are doing invaluable work and NEVER so badly needed. Am telling many friends about you and encouraging their subscriptions.
shde is lying.
this kind of threat is illegal! it is EXTORTION! CAN THEY BE CHARGED?
💙
You get brain worms (trichinosis) from eating raw pork. How healthy is that!
Thank you.
For liking my comment
💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
💙🩵💙🩵💙
💙
After Stinky tRumpf kicks off and we're stuck with Vance is he better or worse?