A president weaponizing the Justice Department to overturn a landslide vote in America’s largest state proves one thing: Trump fears democracy most when the people actually use it.
As a Texas resident let me emphasize something really important. The Texas Republican maps were drawn by a Trump/RNC political hack who does not live in Texas. Trump handed those maps to Gov. Abbott. There was nothing “Texas” about those maps. This couldn’t be more different than the California maps. The public input phase in the Texas legislature involved extensive public opposition.
I really do hope there is "extensive public opposition" from Texans!!!!
CA state had to waste a lot of time, money and voter energy to create
the TEMPORARY defense mechanism (Prop 50)
to counterbalance the TX.
That was the election people waited in in line to vote for.
Without TX DRAWN BY TRUMP, CA would not have needed to go to the polls, or debate, or see $$$$ for ads explaining the rationale... which is to NOT play dead/ NOT give away democracy.
CA has lots of real needs... which (as only 24 hrs in a day) had to be pushed aside to counter balance TX.
Question remains where other states need to vote the same... just to keep elections OPEN to voters.
So sad, to think of the year 2025 wasted on DT's whims instead of government for all... to better our actual daily needs. And all the unnecessary damage to foreign relations on top of that.
Perhaps if trump's whims were not considered by the Republicans as absolute law, California and other states could focus on other needs. The problem is that Republicans see trump's wishes as so-called 'God-given commandments', and their job, as they see it, is obey or else. The GOP, and everyone else, remembers what happened when trump's merest whim is denied.
There was a lot of money donated from states outside of California to support that election. I was one who had a good size monthly donation that went to that effort. I also think it was an important effort to make clear how much was at state.
Just remember, not all Texans. There's a whole bunch of us that hate the assholes in charge. Unfortunately, the stupid MAGA's in East Texas outnumber those that have a brain!
One of my adult sons lives in the Austin area with his fiancee. Both are liberal, the area around them leans liberal, and they take voting for Democratic candidates seriously. I enjoy visiting the area. Another son and his wife lived in Fort Worth briefly about ten years ago. The vibe there was different, but overall, people seemed welcoming and friendly. Texas has had Democratic governors and Democratic members of Congress - hope the potential is still there.
Texas gave us the President who did more for civil rights and voting rights than arguably any since Lincoln. Vietnam was his undoing but Texans should rightly be pround of his domestic accomplisments. And he'll forever be remembered for the saying "Don't s[p]it in the soup -- we've all got to eat!"
Respectfully, when Texans used to vote for democrats, it was a different world. Most of those old time democrats flipped to the Republican party, many after passage of the Civil Rights Act. One of the last that I remember was Senator Phil Graham. John Cornyn was elected when Graham retired.
There still aren't enough to outnumber the red districts in our gerrymandered state. This crap has been going on since the likes of Tom Delay who spearheaded redrawing the maps back in 2002 or 2003 because he felt the Rethugs didn't get enough votes even though Bush won. It's only gotten worse. Oh, and you forgot blue El Paso that still can't counter the crimson red Panhandle and the miles and miles of rural Texas. This ain't one of those states that a few urban areas can counterman the rural areas. Respectfully, you know not from whence you speak.
Robin, I can't confirm there's been a change after trump was elected, but they went the wrong way during the election. You'd have to live in Texas as long as I have to see the dynamic shift and the idiotic nonsense coming from the rural part of Texas. We can't even get high speed rail built from Houston to SAT to Dallas that would benefit the state economically and transportation wise because it might cut through someone's ranch. Texas -- it's a whole other country.
The reason for my comment is to invoke understanding but as R Cyclone in below comment has said the key is the Hispanic vote and getting what independents are left to mobilize the vote Once in power can reverse the stranglehold Just a matter of time Reverse the gerrymandering at the Fed level
That would be awesome. I'm a 5th generation Texan and I'm so ashamed to be from this state because as with Trump at the Federal level it's just gone down the crapper for decades. Hopefully, the Rio Grande Valley population will see the error of their voting ways.
Texas has low turnout. But it is not the urban areas. The urban areas vote blue. However it is so large and has so much of the state in rural areas, that has an impact. But Beto came within 2.5 points of beating Cruz. It will be critical for Hispanic voters to turn out and vote Democratic. A lot of the ICE effort is focused on intimidating Hispanic voters to depress turnout.
Trump is fighting a losing battle. He is only getting as far as he is because of his minions. But we the people are stronger and willing to fight for our country and democracy. We will not be silenced and Trump is worried sick about it all. He is losing and he knows it.
Once he has consolidated his position, however, a tyrant is apt to act out, with apparent impunity, the grandiose fantasies other people usually constrain. Secure in his political base and intoxicated by his early successes, the tyrant is apt to come to a point where he no longer thinks he needs to be careful and becomes convinced that he can act out his most extreme fantasies. [The] very successes of the malignant narcissist in a position of supreme power reinforce his narcissistic "sense of omnipotence and . . . invulnerability," which leads to a certainty that nothing can go wrong with his plans. Surrounded by flatterers, he is not apt to receive new information regarding realistic limits to which he should pay attention.
The consequences of acting out are apt to lead the tyrant into an increasing reliance on paranoiac defenses. For him, as for others, the ability to recognize enemies is a requisite of survival). But the tyrant is apt to create enemies where there had been none. He needs enemies upon whom he can externalize his inner conflicts. And as he attacks, often engaging in massive cruelties, he contributes to the creation of the very enemies that initially were in his imagination. In a seeming confirmation of his paranoia, those the tyrant has abused become actual enemies.
When the Trump regime is gone and Bondi is out of a job, who will hire her? Perhaps those rogue lawfirms that caved to Trump? But a lot of her time will be spent in court, as a defendant in Nuremburg-type trials, along with other members of the Trump regime.
Or, maybe her Qatari masters will welcome her to her new home there. If not, maybe Argentina, a post-WWII haven for Nazis without technical skills coveted by Russia or the US. Somehow, I picture Steven Miller sitting next to her on that Qatari "donated" jet
Hey donOLD… your corrupt regime has been notified…. We will fight you till we get our democracy back. California proceeded the correct way; texas did not.
Not much different from trump wanting to release trumpstein files as long as they show only pedo dems, and not the pedo king and his republican crony child abusers. Do as I say, not as I do.
As a Texas resident let me emphasize something really important. The Texas Republican maps were drawn by a Trump/RNC political hack who does not live in Texas. Trump handed those maps to Gov. Abbott. There was nothing “Texas” about those maps. This couldn’t be more different than the California maps. The public input phase in the Texas legislature involved extensive public opposition.
I really do hope there is "extensive public opposition" from Texans!!!!
CA state had to waste a lot of time, money and voter energy to create
the TEMPORARY defense mechanism (Prop 50)
to counterbalance the TX.
That was the election people waited in in line to vote for.
Without TX DRAWN BY TRUMP, CA would not have needed to go to the polls, or debate, or see $$$$ for ads explaining the rationale... which is to NOT play dead/ NOT give away democracy.
CA has lots of real needs... which (as only 24 hrs in a day) had to be pushed aside to counter balance TX.
Question remains where other states need to vote the same... just to keep elections OPEN to voters.
So sad, to think of the year 2025 wasted on DT's whims instead of government for all... to better our actual daily needs. And all the unnecessary damage to foreign relations on top of that.
Perhaps if trump's whims were not considered by the Republicans as absolute law, California and other states could focus on other needs. The problem is that Republicans see trump's wishes as so-called 'God-given commandments', and their job, as they see it, is obey or else. The GOP, and everyone else, remembers what happened when trump's merest whim is denied.
Surely you remember January 6...
There was a lot of money donated from states outside of California to support that election. I was one who had a good size monthly donation that went to that effort. I also think it was an important effort to make clear how much was at state.
Thank you for the help... for USA democracy.
CA is one part, but certainly not enough to cover all states who want to enable DT (aka want what DT wants)
The problem in Texas goes far beyond maps.....the problem is the electorate
Just remember, not all Texans. There's a whole bunch of us that hate the assholes in charge. Unfortunately, the stupid MAGA's in East Texas outnumber those that have a brain!
One of my adult sons lives in the Austin area with his fiancee. Both are liberal, the area around them leans liberal, and they take voting for Democratic candidates seriously. I enjoy visiting the area. Another son and his wife lived in Fort Worth briefly about ten years ago. The vibe there was different, but overall, people seemed welcoming and friendly. Texas has had Democratic governors and Democratic members of Congress - hope the potential is still there.
Texas gave us the President who did more for civil rights and voting rights than arguably any since Lincoln. Vietnam was his undoing but Texans should rightly be pround of his domestic accomplisments. And he'll forever be remembered for the saying "Don't s[p]it in the soup -- we've all got to eat!"
Respectfully, when Texans used to vote for democrats, it was a different world. Most of those old time democrats flipped to the Republican party, many after passage of the Civil Rights Act. One of the last that I remember was Senator Phil Graham. John Cornyn was elected when Graham retired.
Let's see east Texas has 3 huge D strongholds Houston Austin and Dallas If that's the case then why aren't the D east Texans do something about it
There still aren't enough to outnumber the red districts in our gerrymandered state. This crap has been going on since the likes of Tom Delay who spearheaded redrawing the maps back in 2002 or 2003 because he felt the Rethugs didn't get enough votes even though Bush won. It's only gotten worse. Oh, and you forgot blue El Paso that still can't counter the crimson red Panhandle and the miles and miles of rural Texas. This ain't one of those states that a few urban areas can counterman the rural areas. Respectfully, you know not from whence you speak.
Is there any change happening with Latinos in TX? Paying attention but stifled/scared to make noise?
There must be someway to branch outwards from the Dem cities... to grow the Dem/Indi viewpoint, as strength lies on common sense of a mass population.
Robin, I can't confirm there's been a change after trump was elected, but they went the wrong way during the election. You'd have to live in Texas as long as I have to see the dynamic shift and the idiotic nonsense coming from the rural part of Texas. We can't even get high speed rail built from Houston to SAT to Dallas that would benefit the state economically and transportation wise because it might cut through someone's ranch. Texas -- it's a whole other country.
The reason for my comment is to invoke understanding but as R Cyclone in below comment has said the key is the Hispanic vote and getting what independents are left to mobilize the vote Once in power can reverse the stranglehold Just a matter of time Reverse the gerrymandering at the Fed level
That would be awesome. I'm a 5th generation Texan and I'm so ashamed to be from this state because as with Trump at the Federal level it's just gone down the crapper for decades. Hopefully, the Rio Grande Valley population will see the error of their voting ways.
Texas has low turnout. But it is not the urban areas. The urban areas vote blue. However it is so large and has so much of the state in rural areas, that has an impact. But Beto came within 2.5 points of beating Cruz. It will be critical for Hispanic voters to turn out and vote Democratic. A lot of the ICE effort is focused on intimidating Hispanic voters to depress turnout.
The ICE That Froze Our Freedom
In a town by the tracks, on a warm Monday night,
Came the rumble of boots that delivered a fright.
Not boots full of courage, nor service, nor grace—
But ICE in the shadows, invading each place.
They stormed into kitchens, they stormed into pews,
They frightened the children, they threatened the crews.
They bothered the clergy, the helpers, the kind—
With cold, bitter tactics that twisted the mind.
They banged on the doors with a knock and a sneer,
They targeted neighbors who’ve lived many years.
They questioned the citizens born on this land,
As if freedom itself was too foreign to stand.
With papers or not, it was all just the same—
A cruel little circus with Trump’s name on the frame.
He cheered from the tower—“Go harder! Go fast!”
“Make examples of people! Make fear ever last!”
But communities rose in a powerful wave,
From teachers and nurses to the ones who were brave.
They linked up their arms, they refused to step back,
They defended their neighbors from ICE’s attack.
They shouted the truth through the chaos and din:
“America’s promise is for ALL to begin!”
Not for cages or cruelty, not for hatred’s design—
But for families, love, and the dignity divine.
And clergy stood tall with a lantern of light,
Declaring with courage: “This isn’t God’s fight.”
They sheltered the weary, they shielded the scared,
They showed what a nation of good hearts declared.
So gather, dear friends, let the message ring through:
When freedom is frozen, we warm it anew.
With truth as our banner and justice our drum,
The people will rise—
and the tyrants will succumb.
🦅 #WeProtectEachOther | #GrandmasForDemocracy | #StopTheCruelty | #TruthTellers 💙❤️
This is beautiful and STRONG! Love it!
Very well said. 👏👏
Inspiring - Thank you!
WE THE PEOPLE have had enough and WE THE PEOPLE will get rid of this evil regime! It’s just a matter of time.
Michael, thank you. Job well done!
Let the people speak for democracy.
Yyyyyyeeeesssssss
The last time Trump looked at maps this closely he was on Epstein’s plane looking for an island of his own to buy
Wouldn’t be surprised 🤣
Pedo 47 daughter and SIL bought a private island this year. Maybe that’s where they plan to send trafficked children they kidnapped off our streets.
Trump is fighting a losing battle. He is only getting as far as he is because of his minions. But we the people are stronger and willing to fight for our country and democracy. We will not be silenced and Trump is worried sick about it all. He is losing and he knows it.
Once he has consolidated his position, however, a tyrant is apt to act out, with apparent impunity, the grandiose fantasies other people usually constrain. Secure in his political base and intoxicated by his early successes, the tyrant is apt to come to a point where he no longer thinks he needs to be careful and becomes convinced that he can act out his most extreme fantasies. [The] very successes of the malignant narcissist in a position of supreme power reinforce his narcissistic "sense of omnipotence and . . . invulnerability," which leads to a certainty that nothing can go wrong with his plans. Surrounded by flatterers, he is not apt to receive new information regarding realistic limits to which he should pay attention.
The consequences of acting out are apt to lead the tyrant into an increasing reliance on paranoiac defenses. For him, as for others, the ability to recognize enemies is a requisite of survival). But the tyrant is apt to create enemies where there had been none. He needs enemies upon whom he can externalize his inner conflicts. And as he attacks, often engaging in massive cruelties, he contributes to the creation of the very enemies that initially were in his imagination. In a seeming confirmation of his paranoia, those the tyrant has abused become actual enemies.
Source: Why Tyrants Go Too Far: Malignant Narcissism and Absolute Power (2002) https://tinyurl.com/323p7ekf
Pam Bondi's Trump-powered bully pulpit is so hypocritical as to be amusing, if the stakes were not so dangerously high.
When the Trump regime is gone and Bondi is out of a job, who will hire her? Perhaps those rogue lawfirms that caved to Trump? But a lot of her time will be spent in court, as a defendant in Nuremburg-type trials, along with other members of the Trump regime.
Or, maybe her Qatari masters will welcome her to her new home there. If not, maybe Argentina, a post-WWII haven for Nazis without technical skills coveted by Russia or the US. Somehow, I picture Steven Miller sitting next to her on that Qatari "donated" jet
I hope you are right!
Hey donOLD… your corrupt regime has been notified…. We will fight you till we get our democracy back. California proceeded the correct way; texas did not.
Thanks Michael! 👏🏼👏🏼
A question that has been on my mind, Michael Cohen what do you know about Epstein, Ghislaine and Trump? Have you written anything about them?
I have appreciated all the articles I have read by you, thanks for educating us on Trump.
So, Epstein, Ghislaine & Trump?
Just fear he will do anything and if gerrymandering doesn’t work, rigging ballot boxes and declaring it rigged
with his private militia. We can’t underestimate anything, especially ignoring the law in plain sight.
Love how the Reich Wing whiners cry when liberals use their own dirty tricks against them.
Thank you Michael. Very well written and on point. We live in a democracy not a kingdom.
💯🎯 You nailed it, Michael. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Every lawsuit from DT is also a DELAY tactic... he delayed himself all the way into the WH
" Donald’s Justice Department—decided to sue California for its newly approved congressional maps,"
The stoppage of anything, because "it's in the courts"
Not much different from trump wanting to release trumpstein files as long as they show only pedo dems, and not the pedo king and his republican crony child abusers. Do as I say, not as I do.
another stellar Michael Cohen article.