Today in Politics, Bulletin 257. 11/24/25

… Judge Cameron McGowan Currie dismissed the indictments against James Comey and Letitia James today on the grounds that Lindsay Halligan was illegally appointed: “The 120-day clock began running with Siebert’s appointment on Jan 21, 2025. When that clock expired on May 21, 2025, so too did the AG’s appointment authority. Consequently, I conclude that the AG’s attempt to install Halligan as Interim US Attorney for the E. District of VA was invalid and that Halligan has been unlawfully serving in that role since Sept 22, 2025.”

… The court made the ruling “without prejudice,” meaning that a lawfully appointed US Attorney could in theory attempt to re-indict them: “The ‘appropriate’ remedy for an adjudication tainted with an appointments violation is a new ‘hearing before a properly appointed’ official.’ I will invalidate the ultra vires acts performed by Halligan and dismiss the indictment without prejudice, returning Comey to the status he occupied before being indicted.”

… The problem with that for DOJ is that the statute of limitations has now expired in the Comey case. So I don’t see any possible way he could be indicted again given that fact. James, however, could be if they want to continue embarrassing themselves.

… Pete Hegseth announced today that Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) may be recalled to active duty and court martialled for the video he made with 5 other Democratic lawmakers informing service members that it is their duty not to follow unlawful orders under the Constitution and UCMJ. First, DOD issued a statement:

“The Department of War has received serious allegations of misconduct against Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.). In accordance with the UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 688, and other applicable regulations, a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or admin measures.

The Department of War reminds all individuals that military retirees remain subject to the UCMJ for applicable offenses, and federal laws such as 18 U.S.C. § 2387 prohibit actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces. Any violations will be addressed through appropriate legal channels.

All servicemembers are reminded that they have a legal obligation under the UCMJ to obey lawful orders and that orders are presumed to be lawful. A servicemember’s personal philosophy does not justify or excuse the disobedience of an otherwise lawful order.”

… Hegseth then posted this from his personal account:

“The video made by the ‘Seditious Six’ was despicable, reckless, and false. Encouraging our warriors to ignore the orders of their Commanders undermines every aspect of ‘good order and discipline.’ Their foolish screed sows doubt and confusion — which only puts our warriors in danger.

Five of the six individuals in that video do not fall under Dept of War jurisdiction (one is CIA and four are former military but not ‘retired’, so they are no longer subject to UCMJ). However, Mark Kelly (retired Navy Commander) is still subject to UCMJ—and he knows that.

As was announced, the Dept is reviewing his statements and actions, which were addressed directly to all troops while explicitly using his rank and service affiliation—lending the appearance of authority to his words. Kelly’s conduct brings discredit upon the armed forces and will be addressed appropriately.”

… Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) posted a response: “Fuck you and your investigation.”

… Gallego then went on CNN: “You will never ever be half the man that Sen. Kelly is. You, sir, are a coward. And the fact that you are following this order from the president shows how big of a coward you are. I can’t wait until you are no longer the Secretary of Defense.”

“Trump is gonna be gone in a couple years. And if you’re part of the military that is going after sitting members of Congress and part of the weaponization of govt, there will be consequences. Without a doubt.”

… NJ Gov-elect Mikie Sherill: This is another abuse of power by the most incompetent and unfit Sec of Defense in our nation’s history. Mark Kelly a NJ native and fellow US Navy veteran – has served our country with distinction, both in combat and space missions. Now, Hegseth wants to prosecute him for stating unequivocally that service members must follow the law and the Constitution – a reminder that Hegseth himself should heed.”

… Setting aside for a second the lunacy and authoritarianism surrounding the Trump/Hegseth threat to court martial Kelly, it is also politically moronic. No military court or jury would uphold this, and you only do Kelly a tremendous favor by making him more popular than ever with this nonsense. Each of the 6 members who Trump has threatened with execution are already using it in hugely successful fundraising efforts. Jason Crow is likely to be appointed to Michael Bennet’s senate seat if he wins the CO governor’s race.

… Kelly posted this response on X: “When I was 22 years old, I commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy and swore an oath to the Constitution. I upheld that oath through flight school, multiple deployments on the USS Midway, 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm, test pilot school, four space shuttle flights at NASA, and every day since I retired – which I did after my wife Gabby was shot in the head while serving her constituents.”

… “In combat, I had a missile blow up next to my jet and flew through anti-aircraft fire to drop bombs on enemy targets. At NASA, I launched on a rocket, commanded the space shuttle, and was part of the recovery mission that brought home the bodies of my astronaut classmates who died on Columbia. I did all of this in service to this country that I love and has given me so much.”

… “Secretary Hegseth’s tweet is the first I heard of this. I also saw the President’s posts saying I should be arrested, hanged, and put to death. If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution.”

… Trump’s Crypto Czar David Sacks posted this about this morning’s WSJ story: “According to today’s WSJ, AI-related investment accounts for half of GDP growth. A reversal would risk recession. We can’t afford to go backwards.”

… The Trump admin then announced this in the afternoon: “US 3Q GDP ADVANCED ESTIMATE REPORT CANCELED.”

… Probably just a coincidence.

… Bucco Capital: “David Sacks is saying the quiet part out loud. This admin has made some catastrophically bad economic decisions. He is right. They are backed into a corner and cannot afford to go backwards on AI, which is the only thing propping up our economy right now.”

… The Trump economy is being propped up by a giant speculative bubble of AI and crypto, with a small group of people getting insanely wealthy and everyone else getting screwed while the Mad King tells us everything is great and everyone is thriving.

… Politico Europe: “A senior adviser to Vladimir Putin scoffed at Europe’s plan to end the war in Ukraine and said the Kremlin preferred Trump’s original proposal. Yuri Ushakov told reporters in Moscow that the EU’s peace plan, launched in response to the 28-point plan presented by Washington, ‘constructively doesn’t fit us at all.’ Ushakov added that Trump’s plan, which included several major concessions to Russia, including ceding vast swathes of Ukrainian territory and capping the size of Kyiv’s military, was more ‘acceptable’ to the Kremlin.”

… (Of course it is, they wrote it for him).

… “The US admin’s framework - which came with an aggressive Thanksgiving deadline and threats to cut off aid and intelligence to Ukraine unless it accepted - caught Ukraine and its European allies off guard, setting off a weekend of urgent negotiations in Geneva among Washington, Kyiv and European partners. Putin spoke by phone with Turkish President Erdoğan about the plan, and, according to the Kremlin, said that Trump’s first proposal was a ‘good base for the future deal.’”

… Trump showed little interest in the details of the US peace plan for Ukraine, an American official told WaPo: “You tell him, ‘I’m going to try to get a deal.’ He will say, ‘Great, go see what you can do. And that’s the level of detail he has. It’s been absolute chaos all day because even different parts of the WH don’t know what’s going on. It’s embarrassing.”

… Trump posted this: “The Republican Party has never been so UNITED AS IT iS RIGHT NOW! Other than Rand Paul, Rand Paul Jr.(Massie!), Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Brown, and a couple of other “lowlifes,” and other than the fact that many want the Election threatening Filibuster TERMINATED (the Dems will do it in the first minute of their first chance!), and some don’t, there is great spirit and cohesion.”

… I can tell you as a long-time close observer of Trump and his social media posts that when he posts something like this it means the exact opposite is true, and he’s trying to put out a forest fire. He has been told that his movement is coming apart at the seams with everyone fighting each other, with is completely accurate, so naturally what he does is post that it has never been more unified.

… Punchbowl on the Greene retirement fallout: “A few other GOP members messaged us over the weekend saying that they, too, are considering retiring in the middle of the term. A senior House Republican: “This entire WH team has treated ALL members like garbage. ALL. And Mike Johnson has let it happen because he wanted it to happen. That is the sentiment of nearly all — appropriators, authorizers, hawks, doves, rank and file.

… The Republican rep continued: “The arrogance of this WH team is off putting to members who are run roughshod and threatened. They don’t even allow little wins like announcing small grants or even responding from agencies. Not even the high profile, the regular rank and file random members are more upset than ever. Members know they are going into the minority after the midterms. More explosive early resignations are coming. It’s a tinder box. Morale has never been lower. Johnson will be stripped of his gavel and they will lose the majority before this term is out.”

… Jake Sherman: “Since this ran this morning - 4 hours ago? - I’ve gotten countless text messages from House Republicans agreeing with this sentiment. And saying why the hell should we stay in Congress if all we’re going to do is vote on censures and be a potted plant.”

… Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI): “This is what I said last week. Johnson is ruining a co-equal branch of govt so he can be Trump’s lap dog. We do NOTHING of consequence, devolving to censure and other meaningless resolutions. I think 47 people didn’t even bother to stay Friday for a meaningless vote. This is particularly hard if you’re the GOP Majority. You work hard to get elected and get into the Majority so you can govern. Yet Trump calls all the shots. Self-respect has to kick in at a point for these Republican members of Congress. I’ve never seen it this bad in 13 years.”

… Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins was on CNBC: Q - “My understanding is the WH said that China was gonna buy 12 million tons of soybeans from the US by Jan. That’s approaching and they’ve only purchased 332,000. China has not confirmed that pledge. Rollins: Your point is salient. We’ve got a significant way to go.”

… Rollins then said the Trump admin solution after driving farmers out of business is to put them on welfare: “The president always said he would take care of the farmers. They have been with him since he came down the escalator. So yes, we are looking at the aid right now. We have always said it is to solve, to mitigate anything under these new trade negotiations. Every day that changes.”

… Q - “Do you see the admin getting down to 2% with inflation? Rollins: The structure of what’s happening is incredibly positive. We’re already down to 2.9%. Host: That was about where it was when Biden left though. Rollins: That’s right. It’s continuing to come down though. Host: It just ticked up a little.”

… Commerce Sec Howard Lutnick was asked on Fox about Trump’s proposal to give everyone $2,000 “tariff dividend” checks right before the midterms: “The president wants the American people to understand how great tariffs are for them. One of the ways to prove to Americans how great tariffs are is to have them share in a part of one year’s income from these tariffs. That’s exciting.”

… House Republican Whip Tom Emmer on tariff checks: “You gotta love this president. He looks at this like a business, and when the business is doing well, the shareholders, which are the American people, should be rewarded.”

… The national debt is exploding after Trump’s massive tax cuts for the rich and now the “fiscal conservatives” want to borrow more money (much more than tariff revenue) to give every person a big check to buy their votes.

… AP: “Trump says he’s enlisting the help of legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus to spruce up the courses at Joint Base Andrews - adding a site long known as the ‘president’s golf course’ to his long list of construction projects. The president took an aerial tour of the Courses at Andrews aboard Marine One on Sat, and promised, ‘We’re going to do some work’ there, as well as to other parts of the base.”

… Trump: “We’re doing some fix-up of the base, which it needs. We’re gonna try and reinstitute the golf courses. I’m meeting with the greatest Jack Nicklaus. He’s involved in trying to bring their recreational facility back. So we’ll fix that up, and Jack will be the architect and he’ll design it.”

… “The facilities include three 18-hole golf courses, 3 practice putting greens, 2 private practice areas and a driving range. Trump’s comments immediately raised questions about who is paying Nicklaus, and how much such design services might cost. Also, given that Andrews is military property, who pays for improvements to its golf courses or other parts of its grounds was also unclear.”

Today was the first slow(ish) news day in quite a while with Congress not in session and no major events or press gaggles from Trump heading into Thanksgiving. There were still quite a few interesting and important items that I found, but it wasn’t a day of nonstop chaos and insanity like most in the Trump years so this is a bit shorter than most Bulletins.

If you missed yesterday’s Bulletin, you can find it here.

… NYT: “When Alexis Wilkins, an aspiring country singer dating FBI director, Kash Patel, sang ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at the NRA’s annual convention in Atlanta in the spring, she arrived with a formidable protective posse — a SWAT team from the bureau’s local field office. The two agents, members of a specialized unit trained to storm barricaded buildings and rescue hostages, had been sent there on Patel’s orders.”

… “But seeing that the event had been secured, and that Wilkins was in no apparent danger, they left before the event was over. She noticed. So did her boyfriend. Soon after, Patel ripped into the team’s commander, saying that his girlfriend had been left