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SPEAKER 2
Welcome to the midweek edition of Legal AF. And I'm so pleased to be joined by our guest anchor for today, Rachel Cohen, sitting in for Karen Friedman Ignifolo, who's busy with some of her court cases today. Rachel Cohen, you may recognize from many, many places, one in particular,
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her leading the charge as a human guardrail against this administration and against big law. when they her law firm bent the knee and was one of the early settlers with Donald Trump, paying hundreds of millions of dollars of free legal services. And Rachel Cohen was a young associate and said, I've had enough.
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And not only have I had enough and but organized around it and then and then took that to political activism and is leading the charge there. And we're so pleased to have Rachel because she's on Legal AF now. with her podcast partner, Tiara Mack, who is a state senator in Rhode Island,

Legal AF on Turning the Tables on Trump in the Courts (Ad-Free)

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The latest episode of Legal AF is now available ad-free exclusively for Meidas+ Substack subscribers. To support ad-free episodes like this, please consider joining as a paid subscriber today!

Meidas+ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

On the top-ranked Legal AF podcast, Michael Popok is joined by guest anchor, attorney, and activist Rachel Cohen—sitting in for KFA—who is also joining the Legal AF YouTube Channel as a regular contributor. Popok and Rachel take on: the various forms of defiance against this administration, including the importance of taking personal responsibility to participate in our democracy; how to turn the tables on Trump’s attempt to weaponize the DOJ and whitewash January 6; a major win for women’s rights from the Wisconsin Supreme Court; how federal judges are finding ways to hold Trump accountable through new class actions and injunctions despite the Supreme Court’s recent “nationwide injunction” ruling; and so much more at the intersection of law and politics.

Remember to add the Legal AF podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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User's avatar
Linda's avatar

The History has been documented when Trump encouraging his followers to stop the vote that won Biden’s Presidency…He will be noted as the rogue President who tried to tear down our democracy….All the money in the world can’t change what 3 generations of Americans witnessed….

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Sylvia Sewell's avatar

I watched his heinous actions on tv trying to take down Biden’s win. Disgusting then and no less disgusting now.

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S. Michelle's avatar

Agreed

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Teri Gelini's avatar

So true.

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Frank Kohl's avatar

F🖕🏻CK the weaponization of the courts you Orange 🍊 Nazi Can’t Understand Normal Thinking.

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Sandi's avatar

I just see nothing to be optimistic about right now. They might want to change their name. 😕

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S. Michelle's avatar

I agree that our democratic representatives need to bright more light to this evil regime in regards to the Concentration centers!

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patty guerrero's avatar

He extorted the "pro bono" because his cryptocracy knew they would be doing stuff they would get sued for.

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Mitch Rezman's avatar

We've been turning the Tables on Trump in the courts for years and here he is, foot loose and fancy free - ZERO punishments for a 34 count felon - I'll send you a post card from Nicaragua which is where we are headed - literally.

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Toni De Leeuw's avatar

I don’t think there are going to be elections :(

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Daniel P Fellows's avatar

Already love her Popok.

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Lynda Sutton's avatar

Going to toss out something that may or may not be a viable option to fight back about all this stuff where the people elected to make the law, just won't obey the law: worrisome at the moment of course is what occurs when your legislation will be passed, (unless some folk rise up and put the foot down as they should and slam down the big uglybill): between the stats of how many people who used to rely on USAID help to just stay alive and also: hearing stats by one of your polticians who said, is it the guy in NC? 660,000 people rely on the Medicare/Medicaid so how much harm would be done?has been done to the point of people dying? People on tv and gov reps say, oh they don't know that really, the numbers of real people who really died but truly: could any argument be made at all, and I am no lawyer, but all this harm to come from the actions of these DOGE cuts and now this biguglybill: could charges of negligent homicide be made: I don't know if this will take: I have a copy/paste of this. Just tossing this out so that if anyone voted for this bill and harm and or death occurred to patients or people from it, those who voted could be charged because they know it will cause harm and potentially deaths? Also question too though of INTENT?Negligent homicide in the US is a criminal charge involving the death of a person caused by another's criminal negligence. It's essentially involuntary manslaughter based on negligence, meaning the accused failed to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk that their actions would cause death, and this failure constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care a reasonable person would exercise under the circumstances: from Google AI search I am a Canadian and wondering if charges could be brought by international courts in the case of those affected by USAID closure. ?

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FrankP's avatar

Name one thing he has done to make this country great! I’ll wait!

Trump is not a monarch. He is beholden to the Constitution, as is Congress. And as the Founders understood, if we are to preserve our democracy for the people, then Congress has a duty to investigate and, if necessary, remove a corrupt executive. Congress must fulfill its duty now.

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Dennis's avatar

I've Been trying to get in touch with some news agency to tell them I have proof of Trump's control by Putin. I'm afraid to post it on open sources and I'm not great with social media. I've gotten disturbing replies when hinting at the info.

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Brent Meeker's avatar

Give it to the New York Times, AOC, Bernie, Jefferies, and Schumer.

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Diane Ilson's avatar

Contact the MeidasTouch. They insist on proof.

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patty guerrero's avatar

I love this. I wrote to every Mclawfirm that caved. And to the ones who didn't to thank them

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BUT WHAT THE FUCK DO I KNOW's avatar

Kindly see that Rachel Cohen at least sees my Mandate; 🇺🇸THE PEOPLE DECLARE; AMERICA BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE 🇺🇸

We are the rightful owners. The government is our employee. And justice is long overdue.

We, the People of the United States of America, hereby declare that:

• IMPEACH AND CONVICT TRUMP & VANCE!

• The government is not our ruler, but our employee — hired, funded, and directed by us, the sovereign citizens of America.

• For too long, that employee has acted against our will, against our interests, and in service to corporate and financial masters who have bought the law, corrupted the courts, and captured our democracy.

• The fruits of our labor have been stolen, our families buried in debt, our bodies broken by stress, and our dreams deferred — all the while; a corrupted government, protected by corrupted attorneys, enriched its donors, protected its cronies, and silenced its critics.

• We have been denied the most basic human guarantees: Free health, Free education, housing, and dignity — not because we can’t afford them, but because greed & corruption has stood in the way.

Today, We the People Say:

✅ We are the owners of this nation — not banks, not billionaires, not politicians and not the corrupted attorneys.

✅ The American government is our employee, and our Public Servants will serve us, or be fired, or indicted, convicted and imprisoned.

✅ We grant ourselves the bonus we were always owed:

• Free health care, dental care, & prescriptions. No more Insurance companies, no more HMO’s, no more PPO’s, no more deductibles, no more co-pays. No Insurance company employee will lose their job.

• Free education, free childcare for the poorest families from birth until 18 years of age, and open 24/7. This includes universities and technical schools, but no private schools from kindergarten through 12th grade.

• No more Income Taxes if you earn less than $1,000,000.00. No I.R.S. agent will lose their job.

• Unconscionable Debt-free lives.

• A stable home and no property taxes on our personal residences.

• A living wage for a reasonable decent life.

• Time to raise and care for our children, to care for our elders, to care for the children, to care for the poor, to care for the middle class, to protect the rich as well, to care for our sick, and to care for our Great Veterans.

• Equal rights for everyone. We are a secular Nation. You have the Right to worship your religion, or not believe in a religion, this is a must for America to Prevail as a Democratic Country, with a Democratic Government .

• A Woman’s body belongs to the Woman; The Woman makes every decision about her body.

• Control of our own future & spread our happiness and prosperity to the World!

• Like China, America will print our money with no National Debt, & we will retire The Federal Reserve Banking Act. America will print all the money necessary to keep our Democracy free and prosperous and keep the U.S. dollar valuable worldwide.

• If an Immigrant is in the USA illegally, and they have no weapons or violence in their history, we must allow them to apply for asylum or citizenship. For over 70 years our Government allowed and caused the immigration issue to become uncontrollable. Humanely & practicable, this is our best solution. Get caught coming over the border illegally now, means 1 year detention, then immediate deportation and no hearing.

✅ And we say never again will we be ruled by fear, trapped by excessive debt, or sold off to the highest bidder.

This is not revolution — this is our reward for developing a great Democracy and our hard work.

This is not utopia — this is justice.

This is not theory — this is what happens when the people remember they are the sovereign power in a free nation.

We are not asking.

We are not pleading.

We are restoring what is ours.

And we will never give it back.

AMERICA; FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE…..

FOR OUR PEOPLE, BY OUR PEOPLE, OF OUR PEOPLE…..

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uRNangel423's avatar

I do know that America needs an overhaul in Congress & our representatives, they are not working for all of their constituents, but a select few. Party affiliation is the reason America is so divided at present as each representative is there for their own interests and not for what’s best for everyone in their district/state. And each are being swayed by lobbyists and major donors! Not to mention at present this administration! Thank you for your well thought out statement and I hope that America will come together to take back what is ours and was always intended to be!🇺🇸

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BUT WHAT THE FUCK DO I KNOW's avatar

Thank you for your sincere reply. I'm recovering from my 4th sinus surgery in 2 1/2 months, and trying to learn the dashboard of my substack. Shortly I will be going live and recording all of my podcasts. We need only one thing to have the best government for the people, all the people equally. We do this by electing honest people that will not accept corporate money, special interest groups money, or other PAC money, but they will get more than enough money and votes to win form us. We will do this by having the most thorough door to door election effort ever, we will put a copy of my Mandate in everyone's hand to read and understand. . We will utilize the Influencers that recognize that their support will give us all of the benefits we deserve and need as a nation, to be healthy, happier and prosperous, and generous to all the world's peoples. The money we raise will pay the Influencer's for their assistance, because this is how they support themselves, and everyone needs to put food on their tables. And then their's everyone else's social media connections that will spread the word to everyone that feels the same way as we do, and to others that need to hear our message for their and their family and friends as well. United we stand, divided we fail.....My Mandate will be expanded to include every benefit that we need to prevail, not just survive. We need to put My Mandate into everyones hand......thank you so much......Lucky

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Frank Kohl's avatar

Alina Habbah is a immoral S’Trumpette who lifted her legs up in the air far too many times,

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Joe Casey's avatar

Great !!? Stuff !!? As Always Mike And Rachel !! And Great! 😃 To Hear Your Input !! Rachel !! 😁

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Nina Olff's avatar

Need someone to review the ways in which trumps playbook follows Hitlers.

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Jl's avatar

I heard E Jean Carrol said one of those law firms were representing Trump in the recent appeal in her case.

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Jeff's avatar

Love the energy 💜strong work friends ✌🏻

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Sylvia Sewell's avatar

And for the record, I think Jamie Raskin is very good looking . trump needs to. Look in the mirror (as he’s slathering on that orange goop all over his hog’s ass face) to see what ugly looks like. Love Jamie Raskin.

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Lynn veighti's avatar

Bit don't think that's going to happen with her because already in her temporary position they saying she over stepped her bound so she night be disbarred

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Nina's avatar

I enjoyed Rachels contribution very much! Please have her back regularly!

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CollectiveWave's avatar

We keep hearing that everything Trump is doing is illegal but it appears that nothing is going to be done especially because SCOTUS is corrupt. So is there a mechanisms other than elections, for the people to directly impeach the government when congress and the president doesn't do there job and uphold the constitution?

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Everybody's Mamá's avatar

Please investigate this horrendous ICE incident! Please let this hellish story be the one that brings down the tRump and his administration from hell! Let something good rise from the loss of these poor souls.

Did the Demonic tRump Administration Dump Dozens of Shackled Immigrants in the middle of the ocean?

https://onemommy.substack.com/p/proof-the-trump-is-a-murderer?r=113nff

___________________

PLEASE NOTE:

It's been called to my attention that the links in this story are not working. Sorry I couldn't fix them.

Read the article then watch Mr. Time's Facebook Link - The Evidence here:

fb.watch/AA9b34uvix/?

Spread the Word!

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F Randolph's avatar

You're on Bluesky, too

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Gina Goulart's avatar

I hope we can take back America before we get buried even further in deep, dark hole.

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RandomHuman's avatar

why is she naked?

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Beethoven's Baton's avatar

Is that all you got from this conversation?

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E.C.'s avatar

She is wearing a gray top with straps. Her hair is covering most of the straps, so you missed that, I think.

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Jean Conley's avatar

Disgusting. Seems more like an MCP comment.

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Barbara Christine Potts's avatar

Indeed, distracting and I'm a hetero female. Inappropriate

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Jean Conley's avatar

Don't watch--just listen. Totally unrelated to the subject.

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Barbara Christine Potts's avatar

There's still appropriate dress. I am totally liberal. I turned off the visual bc she turned me off. Would do same for a man.

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Toni Sammons's avatar

It's a sun dress. Probably horribly hot where she is. Get a grip.

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Frank mcclung's avatar

With you ALL THE W. A. Y !!!!!!!!

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Ginger Blossom's avatar

Rachel Cohen is a fabulous addition to Legal AF!❤️

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menehune's avatar

ALOHA...

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Judi Laing's avatar

Do you honestly think he'll respect ANY court decisions? I don't understand how any lawsuits will turn the tables on trump...short of citizen rebellions...and a citizens' arrest...

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Kathy H's avatar

I really want to see more trustworthy information on down ballot voting. It doesn't do any good to try & research when the only information available is what Republicans put out there. I hate looking at a ballot & not knowing who people are, & how can you if you aren't in the fields or politics?This is journalism we need, good information so we can make better decisions for a strong democracy.

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Clarity…. LWest's avatar

That is a good message to pass on.. sometimes we do get tunnel vision…🤩 States can make a difference 😎

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patty guerrero's avatar

Now that the Big Batshit Bill has passed the house, expect Trump and his cryptocracy to come calling on the Mclawyers to do his bidding. I hope every lawyer with any integrity leaves the firm so that the Trump enablers have to do their dirty work themselves.

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Romell Reed's avatar

Rachel Cohen YEAH!!!!!

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Granny mimi's avatar

Mimi

Great program

Inspired me to listen everyday!

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drbilldean@gmail.com's avatar

MAGA Arrogance And 2026 Election Subversion

Knowing that the budget bill is highly unpopular with the American electorate(only 17% felt the bill was acceptable), one can only surmise one of two things

1 The MAGA/Christian Nationalist movement is willing to take the risk that they will lose the midterm elections and that in a short period of time they will gain the electorate's confidence back again

2 With the successful 2024 election subversion behind them the Nazis are now emboldened that they can subvert the 2026 midterms since they have the program to make them unafraid of manipulating another election Remember the Orange Cheeto saying that if he's elected in 2024 "my beautiful Christians won't have to vote again" Armed with his Palantir software Peter Thiel along with Musk have the AI generative ability to cull out registered voters and Musk has the capability to alter voting machines with his Starlink network The already vigilante challenges that eliminated 3.5m registered voters from the rolls promoted by 40,000 volunteers will also be on the table

The arrogance that the Nazi party has is supported by their above corrupt voter suppression and voter elimination tactics Make it harder to vote and we'll win

So America are we going to let them get away with this?? If there was ever a time for WE the People to stand up for the government we want to see it is NOW

Meanwhile PROTEST PROTEST PROTEST to keep the pressure on this Nazi regime and show other more timid Americans that it's time to VOTE November 2026 Also contact Secty of States in your states and let them know our concerns

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Nancy Adams's avatar

22!! Congrats! Love your podcast!!

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uRNangel423's avatar

Thanks Popok & Rachel for your podcast today! What a great addition to Legal AF!

First—the pro bono hours that DT absconded from the several law firms—I think he’s waiting to use them either for himself or his minions once he is out of office for the MANY lawsuits that will be filed against him!

Second—I enjoyed reading the statement from BUT WHAT THE FUCK DO I KNOW

Well said and totally agree with you-however WE THE PEOPLE need to unite as one entity to accomplish this! We should also include Johnson along with Trump & Vance! As he would be next in line.

Third—Bove & Habba should be disbarred nationally!

Fourth—Hoping the federal judges will be able to continue holding the line against these executive orders, as they are the only guardrails at the present time holding DT from wrecking more of the law.

The Supreme Court 6 has all but allowed DT free rein with his “wrecking ball” at our democracy!

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Margaret Redus's avatar

💙💙💙

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BUT WHAT THE FUCK DO I KNOW's avatar

HOW DO WE TAKE BACK AMERICA FOR THE PEOPLE

With a measure of responsibility unmatched by generations before ours, we have entrusted our lives and futures to professionals and experts who convince us that we have to little knowledge or wit to make decisions of importance about the management of society. This is the consequences of our gullibility and laziness.”

DEAN KOONTZ

We know it’s all about the money!

We know what we want and need in America for all our people, but we need to vote for people that will do our bidding as elected officials. These hand-picked elected officials must agree to follow the written mandate with us, if they want our financial backing, I.É. donations. These candidates, that we will raise money for, must enter into an agreement that they agree to follow our mandate 100%, and if not, they must personally agree that to give us back all our donations, and even filing bankruptcy will not absolve them of this obligation to us. They also cannot switch parties.

My fellow Americans, do you want to keep all the money you earn and pay no personal income taxes if you earn less than $1,000,000 annually?

My fellow Americans, do you want and deserve free National Health care, Dental care and Free Prescriptions, no deductibles, no co pays.

My fellow Americans, do you want to pay no property taxes on your primary residence, ever?

My fellow Americans, do you want your education to be free, paid for by our Federal Government?

Our Federal Government (Our Employees) presently prints the money and allows the Federal Reserve Bankers to get filthy rich by using this the money to loan it to consumers, and these illegal and superfluous actions by the Bankers have created a National Debt of about $40 Trillion Dollars, and out tax dollars pay almost one trillion dollars of interest on America’s own money.

Under our new system Our Federal Government (The U.S. Treasury) will print the money and pay all the above costs outlined above, for all the expenses that have financially burdened us as Americans for a long, long period of time.

Our new financial system necessitates this approach to ease the unconscionable burden that our corrupted Elected officials have ladened us with. Our new system will create jobs, distributes America’s wealth much more evenly, helps everyone equally, even the rich!

We need to fund putting the best Elected Officials into running our Federal Government, for all the people, not just the greedy rich, the Corrupted Elected officials and their corrupt attorneys. Through the ballot box, we will vote in elected officials that we passed the laws to assure that America stays a democracy and has a sound, stable economic system so we all prosper, to where everyone enjoys the fruits of America’s labor.

We must build an organization that has leaders on every street in America, talking to their neighbors how this new concept of how our American government will benefit each one of us, equally. In addition, we will spread the outline of our new dynamic principles called; through Social Media, and by retaining the Influencers that support the views of our mandate called; 🇺🇸 THE PEOPLE DECLARE; AMERICA BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE, and that almost every one of you are in total agreement with this, and should be.

This is a learning experience not only for me, but for each, and every one of you as well.

Independents, Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters can now afford to donate to those candidates that will make this happen in Our America.

LUCKYS – HOW DO WE RESTORE AMERICA TO THE PEOPLE?

Fellow Americans,

We all share a vision for a stronger, fairer America—one where every citizen can thrive. To bring that vision to life, we must support leaders who will genuinely represent us. That means electing candidates who are fully committed to the will of the people—not special interests.

We propose a new standard: candidates we support must agree, in writing, to uphold a clear, people-first mandate. In return for our financial backing, they must commit to following this mandate in full. Should they break this trust, they must return all donations. Even bankruptcy will not release them from this responsibility. Additionally, they must remain true to the party and principles under which they were elected.

How do we elect these honest Americans to become our elected officials? We start by putting My Mandate into everyone’s hand. We do this by having Block Party Committees on every Block in America. They will give everyone a copy of the Mandate, and the public will respond by voting for our choices for the City, County, State and Federal governments. They will do this because America will be there to serve them, and we will serve America.

Now, see yourself:

• No personal income tax—on incomes up to $1,000,000 annually? You will keep all the money you earn—

• Every American will have free, comprehensive healthcare, including dental care and free prescriptions—with no deductibles or co-pays? No more insurance companies in our Health care, as well no more HMO’s or PPO’s. We will have a National Health Care System, funded by the Federal Government, and we just print the money debt free and pay for it.

• No more property taxes on your primary residence. You will never pay property taxes on your primary home again?

• Every citizen will get a free higher education, funded by our Federal Government?

Right now, our government enables private banks, like the Federal Reserve, to profit from the money they create—while our national debt has soared to nearly $40 trillion. This system benefits the wealthy elite, not every day Americans.

Under a new model, our U.S. Treasury—not private banks—would issue the currency to directly fund programs that support all Americans. These reforms would relieve the financial burdens so many Americans face, and these reforms will create jobs, and ensure a more equitable distribution of our nation's wealth.

This isn’t just policy—it’s a movement to reshape the future. Together, we can elect leaders who will serve all the people—not just the powerful few.

Whether you're Independent, Republican, Democrat, or unaffiliated, you have a role in this. With unity, we can fund and elect true, honest public servants—leaders who believe in this vision for Our America.

Let’s do this. Together.

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MATTHEW KANNON's avatar

Is the free legal counsel offered by Trump the same free legal counsel that advised universities to capitulate? Will they be paid by Trump's Bitcoin those who are representing the universities that know their attorneys are paid by Bitcoin out of Trump's pocket.

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And not only have I had enough and but organized around it and then and then took that to political activism and is leading the charge there. And we're so pleased to have Rachel because she's on Legal AF now. with her podcast partner, Tiara Mack, who is a state senator in Rhode Island,