Great read and thank you. Incredible how Bullshit Barbie (on the Kelly issue) decides to leave out the important "un" and just goes with lawful orders.
This constant bombardment of horrific acts upon decent people (facepalm). I rooted for Mark Kelly when he was running for senator, donated to his campaign, and was so glad when he won that seat. I remember when his wife Gabby Giffords was shot and how he was by her side as she appeared while recovering. James Comey and Leticia James - also top-notch people we need to revere! Can’t help but feel like we’re living the boiling frogs analogy. I hope something happens that will stop the heat at its source. For me, this is a safe place to stay informed in a community with (mostly!) like-minded people. Olivia - thank you for all you do.
To add to your concerns, Olivia, what does this do for the future of our military? Would someone's military service hang like like a millstone around their necks for the rest of their lives to infringe on their first amendment rights to speak out in opposition to a government action lest they be hauled back into service to face a court-martial for doing so? Who will ever sign up for our now all volunteer military should this farce be upheld? How can an Article I office holder, whose job it is to engage in political speech in support of their constituents views, be prosecuted by an Article II officeholder for doing their constitutionally mandated job? NOTHING any of those congresspeople said was illegal or unconstitutional. They merely reminded everyone of the current law in the face of the current situation.
DUI-hire hegseth is a moronic meat puppet. Go back to day-drinkin' pete! You were quite accomplished at it.
Hearing you describe what makes a military operation great made me think of what I heard on another podcast yesterday, that we need to get going to actively removed DJT from office, this time with a successful vote to impeach again and remove him and his corrupt government from office.
I spent 23 years in the Army. What Kelly and the rest did was provocative but yet simply reiterated what all service members should understand. Challenging orders is a thorny issue and not for the meek or weak. I did it twice over my stay and survived to SGM. My hope is that those soldiers actually start thinking about this. What is or would be an illegal order? Once determined, illegal orders are NOT to be obeyed. This is rare (my 2x in 23 years), but our oath is to the Constitution not any person. Operate accordingly.
They have no idea what sort of grinning catastrophe they’re inviting into their own parlor.
First: If they haul Kelly up on this, they swing the gates wide for every Trump flunky who ever helped him vandalize the law to enjoy the same Article 32 hospitality. Precedent cuts both ways, and this one comes with teeth.
Second: Kelly gets rights. Real ones. He’s entitled to an Article 32 hearing before peers—flag officers and senior field grades with actual oaths welded to their spines. Trump can try to handpick the panel (what any sane officer would call pure, dripping unlawful command influence), but good luck finding three stars or birds willing to torch their own honor to spare El Cochino a tantrum.
Third: If the 32 goes sideways, then it’s on to a full-dress court-martial—evidence, witnesses, cross-examination, the whole constitutional circus. And the defense writes itself: telling troops to obey the law is not sedition; it’s the one remaining thing in this country that still makes sense. There’s no breach of oath in reminding soldiers what their oath actually says.
And here’s where it gets spicy: this circus gives Slotkin and Kelly a public stage to eviscerate the DUI Hire and his porcine overlord. Under oath. In uniform. With cameras.
It’s going to be like Oliver North on CRACK.
But that’s not even the fun part.
Because if Kelly gets shoved before the mast, then Flynn, Kellogg, and every other epauletted supplicant who bent the knee to Trump should start packing an overnight bag. Flynn especially—our nation’s first Twitter general to call for armed rebellion against the republic he once swore to defend.
If Kelly stands there alone, you can bet people like me will demand every last one of those grifters stand beside him.
Bring. It. On.
If they want this road, let them have it. They’re going to regret every step.
They are continuing to break their pick going after 'high-value' targets. That's strategic, since their plan is to 'shoot some and the rest will fall in line'. Not working out quite as well as they would like to see. So the effect is the opposite. If we're noticing this, don't you thing jurists, great and humble, do as well? The whole enterprise stinks of desperation. We saw that the minute the regime was forced to call up Halligan, after NONE of the DOJ staff would sign off on the indictment.
We've seen this before. They will now try to 'assert their authoritiiii' by picking up an indictment of a very small fish with no resources or notoriety. The person will be abused and imprisoned. They will think it makes them look tough and decisive, but they will be displaying the opposite. Because they're stupid. And weak.
From a Canadian: Although times are tough in the United States right now, please keep the faith. I have lived my whole life living next door to your country. I have seen that it is full of intelligent, honorable people. People like you, Olivia. Working together, you will gather enough momentum to make America a democracy again.
We are truly seeing how weak and incompetent our leadership is in all three branches. It is a shame how the democratic system has deteriorated under republican control. Democrats must aggressively showcase how the republican party has let down the American public. This is not about trump. The republican congress has backed his every move don't ever forget that at mid term elections.
First and foremost, Olivia thank you for keeping us informed. And we realize we aren't the only ones that see what's going on! I also feel KUDOS to those that speak the truth. I feel in the end they will win this battle and the others will not.
That would complete the hollowing out Troye describes. There are still thousands of professionals with integrity in the DOJ and U.S. Attorney offices. Those are the people who refused to indict.
You don't get that choice as a lawyer. If your client does something that is unethical, illegal, unconstitutional or a violation of statute or regulation, you have an absolute duty to resign on the spot. There's no wiggle room. I resigned as a district attorney when I was asked to get a cop to lie to a grand jury. Early in my career I blew the whistle on Congressman Duke Cunningham and others for corruption and resigned after I notified the FBI. No regrets. If I looked the other way, I would have likely lost my law license. Any questions, look at the trail of Trump lawyers that have been disbarred or almost disbarred.
Great read and thank you. Incredible how Bullshit Barbie (on the Kelly issue) decides to leave out the important "un" and just goes with lawful orders.
So helpful, Olivia. Thank you!
This constant bombardment of horrific acts upon decent people (facepalm). I rooted for Mark Kelly when he was running for senator, donated to his campaign, and was so glad when he won that seat. I remember when his wife Gabby Giffords was shot and how he was by her side as she appeared while recovering. James Comey and Leticia James - also top-notch people we need to revere! Can’t help but feel like we’re living the boiling frogs analogy. I hope something happens that will stop the heat at its source. For me, this is a safe place to stay informed in a community with (mostly!) like-minded people. Olivia - thank you for all you do.
We love you and your willingness to share your thoughts. A true insiders perspective. Happy Thanksgiving. And thank you!
This was an extremely well written, well presented article on the very serious issues which this country now faces. Thanks for your clarifications.
To add to your concerns, Olivia, what does this do for the future of our military? Would someone's military service hang like like a millstone around their necks for the rest of their lives to infringe on their first amendment rights to speak out in opposition to a government action lest they be hauled back into service to face a court-martial for doing so? Who will ever sign up for our now all volunteer military should this farce be upheld? How can an Article I office holder, whose job it is to engage in political speech in support of their constituents views, be prosecuted by an Article II officeholder for doing their constitutionally mandated job? NOTHING any of those congresspeople said was illegal or unconstitutional. They merely reminded everyone of the current law in the face of the current situation.
DUI-hire hegseth is a moronic meat puppet. Go back to day-drinkin' pete! You were quite accomplished at it.
justice! something we’re looking for a long time
Hearing you describe what makes a military operation great made me think of what I heard on another podcast yesterday, that we need to get going to actively removed DJT from office, this time with a successful vote to impeach again and remove him and his corrupt government from office.
That would be good! First, let's get control of that "zombie" congress. Win in '26 and then get to work fixing this-- including impeachment.
I spent 23 years in the Army. What Kelly and the rest did was provocative but yet simply reiterated what all service members should understand. Challenging orders is a thorny issue and not for the meek or weak. I did it twice over my stay and survived to SGM. My hope is that those soldiers actually start thinking about this. What is or would be an illegal order? Once determined, illegal orders are NOT to be obeyed. This is rare (my 2x in 23 years), but our oath is to the Constitution not any person. Operate accordingly.
Not my writing but good , and I agree.
,--------
Oh please—PLEASE do this.
They have no idea what sort of grinning catastrophe they’re inviting into their own parlor.
First: If they haul Kelly up on this, they swing the gates wide for every Trump flunky who ever helped him vandalize the law to enjoy the same Article 32 hospitality. Precedent cuts both ways, and this one comes with teeth.
Second: Kelly gets rights. Real ones. He’s entitled to an Article 32 hearing before peers—flag officers and senior field grades with actual oaths welded to their spines. Trump can try to handpick the panel (what any sane officer would call pure, dripping unlawful command influence), but good luck finding three stars or birds willing to torch their own honor to spare El Cochino a tantrum.
Third: If the 32 goes sideways, then it’s on to a full-dress court-martial—evidence, witnesses, cross-examination, the whole constitutional circus. And the defense writes itself: telling troops to obey the law is not sedition; it’s the one remaining thing in this country that still makes sense. There’s no breach of oath in reminding soldiers what their oath actually says.
And here’s where it gets spicy: this circus gives Slotkin and Kelly a public stage to eviscerate the DUI Hire and his porcine overlord. Under oath. In uniform. With cameras.
It’s going to be like Oliver North on CRACK.
But that’s not even the fun part.
Because if Kelly gets shoved before the mast, then Flynn, Kellogg, and every other epauletted supplicant who bent the knee to Trump should start packing an overnight bag. Flynn especially—our nation’s first Twitter general to call for armed rebellion against the republic he once swore to defend.
If Kelly stands there alone, you can bet people like me will demand every last one of those grifters stand beside him.
Bring. It. On.
If they want this road, let them have it. They’re going to regret every step.
They are continuing to break their pick going after 'high-value' targets. That's strategic, since their plan is to 'shoot some and the rest will fall in line'. Not working out quite as well as they would like to see. So the effect is the opposite. If we're noticing this, don't you thing jurists, great and humble, do as well? The whole enterprise stinks of desperation. We saw that the minute the regime was forced to call up Halligan, after NONE of the DOJ staff would sign off on the indictment.
We've seen this before. They will now try to 'assert their authoritiiii' by picking up an indictment of a very small fish with no resources or notoriety. The person will be abused and imprisoned. They will think it makes them look tough and decisive, but they will be displaying the opposite. Because they're stupid. And weak.
Whiskey Pete isn't worthy to shine Mark Kelly's boots.
From a Canadian: Although times are tough in the United States right now, please keep the faith. I have lived my whole life living next door to your country. I have seen that it is full of intelligent, honorable people. People like you, Olivia. Working together, you will gather enough momentum to make America a democracy again.
We are truly seeing how weak and incompetent our leadership is in all three branches. It is a shame how the democratic system has deteriorated under republican control. Democrats must aggressively showcase how the republican party has let down the American public. This is not about trump. The republican congress has backed his every move don't ever forget that at mid term elections.
First and foremost, Olivia thank you for keeping us informed. And we realize we aren't the only ones that see what's going on! I also feel KUDOS to those that speak the truth. I feel in the end they will win this battle and the others will not.
At this point, ANY lawyer that still works for DOJ or DoD should be disbarred if they are in any way involved in this garbage. All of them.
That would complete the hollowing out Troye describes. There are still thousands of professionals with integrity in the DOJ and U.S. Attorney offices. Those are the people who refused to indict.
You don't get that choice as a lawyer. If your client does something that is unethical, illegal, unconstitutional or a violation of statute or regulation, you have an absolute duty to resign on the spot. There's no wiggle room. I resigned as a district attorney when I was asked to get a cop to lie to a grand jury. Early in my career I blew the whistle on Congressman Duke Cunningham and others for corruption and resigned after I notified the FBI. No regrets. If I looked the other way, I would have likely lost my law license. Any questions, look at the trail of Trump lawyers that have been disbarred or almost disbarred.
There are surely dozens of lawyers in DoD and DoJ that should be disbarred for their participation in all this crap.