As an alumnus, long ago, of what eventually became the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, I’d like to state proudly that I associate myself with about Senator Ron (Shreds of Freedom) Johnson last week, particularly in light of what he said on Tuesday, when ol’ Shreds took yet another opportunity to .Johnson said at Tuesday’s hearing the violence that day was sickening and reprehensible. At the same time, he has dismissed the idea that the riot was an “armed insurrection,” because the rioters used flag poles and pipes, gas and chemicals, and hockey sticks, baseball bats and police shields instead...…As an alumnus, long ago, of what eventually became the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, I’d like to state proudly that I associate myself with about Senator Ron (Shreds of Freedom) Johnson last week, particularly in light of what he said on Tuesday, when ol’ Shreds took yet another opportunity to .Johnson said at Tuesday’s hearing the violence that day was sickening and reprehensible. At the same time, he has dismissed the idea that the riot was an “armed insurrection,” because the rioters used flag poles and pipes, gas and chemicals, and hockey sticks, baseball bats and police shields instead...WW…

Are the Democrats in danger of doing good politics? from Donald Trump, American president, in the pandemic relief bill was certifiable for a number of reasons, not least that it came on the back of and concluded with a suggestion he could stay in office next year. This raises the prospect that he has linked the boosted $2,000 stimulus checks he's demanding, at least in his own mind, to . It also opens up the possibility that, if Congress does not respond to his last-minute demands in time—and he does not back down—that , where millions of people who are out of work through no fault of their...…Are the Democrats in danger of doing good politics? from Donald Trump, American president, in the pandemic relief bill was certifiable for a number of reasons, not least that it came on the back of and concluded with a suggestion he could stay in office next year. This raises the prospect that he has linked the boosted $2,000 stimulus checks he's demanding, at least in his own mind, to . It also opens up the possibility that, if Congress does not respond to his last-minute demands in time—and he does not back down—that , where millions of people who are out of work through no fault of their...WW…

Sometimes, hate and vengeance can be living things. It is clear from his actions on Wednesday, when he vetoed the National Defense Authorization Act, the $740 billion measure that keeps the lights on at the Pentagon, that he is nothing more than a vehicle for the hate and vengeance that is the closest thing about him to human emotion. From the :In his veto message, Trump complained that the legislation includes “provisions that fail to respect our veterans’ and military’s history” — a seeming reference to instructions that the Defense Department change the names of installations...…Sometimes, hate and vengeance can be living things. It is clear from his actions on Wednesday, when he vetoed the National Defense Authorization Act, the $740 billion measure that keeps the lights on at the Pentagon, that he is nothing more than a vehicle for the hate and vengeance that is the closest thing about him to human emotion. From the :In his veto message, Trump complained that the legislation includes “provisions that fail to respect our veterans’ and military’s history” — a seeming reference to instructions that the Defense Department change the names of installations...WW…

Politico delivers . Snipe hunting season is open in Washington. Some social distancing required.His proposal would permit the South Carolina Republican to demand testimony and documents from figures involved in the intelligence associated with the launch of the Russia investigation, including Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former national intelligence director James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey...Graham intends to seek a Judiciary Committee vote on the matter on June 4. The proposal would allow Graham to obtain documents or testimony from...…Politico delivers . Snipe hunting season is open in Washington. Some social distancing required.His proposal would permit the South Carolina Republican to demand testimony and documents from figures involved in the intelligence associated with the launch of the Russia investigation, including Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former national intelligence director James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey...Graham intends to seek a Judiciary Committee vote on the matter on June 4. The proposal would allow Graham to obtain documents or testimony from...WW…

The story of the day was the president*'s becoming his own Reichstag Fire on Wednesday. He was asked (repeatedly) whether or not he would peaceably leave office if he loses. For the benefit of future fugitive underground historians, here's the money shot."Well, we're going to have to see what happens...You know that I've been complaining very strongly about the ballots and the ballots are a disaster. Get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very ... there won't be a transfer, frankly. There'll be a continuation. The ballots are out of control."But there's another bit of presidential musing*...…The story of the day was the president*'s becoming his own Reichstag Fire on Wednesday. He was asked (repeatedly) whether or not he would peaceably leave office if he loses. For the benefit of future fugitive underground historians, here's the money shot."Well, we're going to have to see what happens...You know that I've been complaining very strongly about the ballots and the ballots are a disaster. Get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very ... there won't be a transfer, frankly. There'll be a continuation. The ballots are out of control."But there's another bit of presidential musing*...WW…

One of the curious benefits of self-quarantine is the fact that we get to hear and see parts of our government operating that, ordinarily, would require citizens to haul their lazy hindquarters up to various capitols and courthouses. This is in addition to CSPAN’s usual coverage of what’s goin’ down in Congress. (Hi, John Ratcliffe. , but you are qualified now? What happened? Did you un-fabricate your resume? America is keen to know.) The Supreme Court is allowing oral arguments to be broadcast. (This already has allowed interested citizens to hear Justice Clarence Thomas actually ask a...…One of the curious benefits of self-quarantine is the fact that we get to hear and see parts of our government operating that, ordinarily, would require citizens to haul their lazy hindquarters up to various capitols and courthouses. This is in addition to CSPAN’s usual coverage of what’s goin’ down in Congress. (Hi, John Ratcliffe. , but you are qualified now? What happened? Did you un-fabricate your resume? America is keen to know.) The Supreme Court is allowing oral arguments to be broadcast. (This already has allowed interested citizens to hear Justice Clarence Thomas actually ask a...WW…

One of the more compelling sideshows currently running on our national midway is the failed attempt by a claque of American freebooters to facilitate regime change in Venezuela. Their effort to oust President Nicolas Maduro failed utterly. The U.S. government, such as it is these days, has denied any involvement in the scheme. The brings us the essential tick-tock on these events, and the people involved in them, who never will be confused with Simon Bolivar, but who did bring us back briefly to the days when piratical American adventurers played mumbledy-peg with emerging Central and South...…One of the more compelling sideshows currently running on our national midway is the failed attempt by a claque of American freebooters to facilitate regime change in Venezuela. Their effort to oust President Nicolas Maduro failed utterly. The U.S. government, such as it is these days, has denied any involvement in the scheme. The brings us the essential tick-tock on these events, and the people involved in them, who never will be confused with Simon Bolivar, but who did bring us back briefly to the days when piratical American adventurers played mumbledy-peg with emerging Central and South...WW…

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.It’s easy to lose your bearings in the time warp that now constitutes our unfortunate reality, but it was less than two weeks ago that 13 men were arrested for their. A 14th man has now joined them in custody. That same week, just two days before we learned this group considered holding a “trial” for Governor Gretchen Whitmer on charges of “treason,” the Department of Homeland Security issued a report detailing its findings that far-right groups, in particular white-supremacist outfits, are...…Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.It’s easy to lose your bearings in the time warp that now constitutes our unfortunate reality, but it was less than two weeks ago that 13 men were arrested for their. A 14th man has now joined them in custody. That same week, just two days before we learned this group considered holding a “trial” for Governor Gretchen Whitmer on charges of “treason,” the Department of Homeland Security issued a report detailing its findings that far-right groups, in particular white-supremacist outfits, are...WW…

In recent weeks, President Trump has made a habit of quietly government watchdogs charged with monitoring federal agencies for misconduct. And this Friday, State Department inspector general Steve Linick was the latest official to fall in a late-night purge. House Foreign Affairs Committee chair Eliot Engel made a statement announcing that he had learned that Linick was in the midst of of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. ABC News reported that, according to a , "Pompeo recommended to Trump that inspector general Linick be fired and supported the president’s decision."In a , Trump wrote that...…In recent weeks, President Trump has made a habit of quietly government watchdogs charged with monitoring federal agencies for misconduct. And this Friday, State Department inspector general Steve Linick was the latest official to fall in a late-night purge. House Foreign Affairs Committee chair Eliot Engel made a statement announcing that he had learned that Linick was in the midst of of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. ABC News reported that, according to a , "Pompeo recommended to Trump that inspector general Linick be fired and supported the president’s decision."In a , Trump wrote that...WW…

Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a little square of cardboard hammered onto the middle of the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." He held up a piece of white cardboard, about the size of a sheet of note paper. It read in this fashion: "THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE IS DISSOLVED. Oct. 9, 1890.—"The Red-Headed League," Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.Not to pile on Wisconsin, which is being battered by the pandemic and continually harassed by President* Superspreader, but has produced what may...…Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a little square of cardboard hammered onto the middle of the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." He held up a piece of white cardboard, about the size of a sheet of note paper. It read in this fashion: "THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE IS DISSOLVED. Oct. 9, 1890.—"The Red-Headed League," Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.Not to pile on Wisconsin, which is being battered by the pandemic and continually harassed by President* Superspreader, but has produced what may...WW…