The pillars of a free democracy crumbling in front of us as in 1930s Germany

New York Times reporter Peter Baker says Trump handling press like Soviet Kremlin

• Editor’s note: White House Press Pool now under Trump’s control
• “[Peter] Baker and his wife, Susan Glasser, were bureau chiefs in Moscow for four years chronicling the rise of Vladimir Putin, the rollback of Russian democracy, the Second Chechen War, and the Beslan school hostage crisis, quoting Wikipedia.

+ The News York Times reporter Peter Baker: In Trump’s Alternate Reality, Lies and Distortions Drive Change – Condoms for Gaza? Ukraine started the war with Russia? The president’s manipulations of the truth lay the groundwork for radical change.

+ Truthout: Trump Administration Seizes Control Over White House Press Pool in Chilling Move – “In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps,” the White House press group said.

+ Rear Clear Politics: NYT’s Peter Baker: “We Don’t Really Have A Very Convincing Answer” As To Why Trump Is Attracted To Putin, He Loves Strongmen

+ MSNBC: Trump’s ‘lies and distortions’ meant to drive policy changes: NYT reporter

+ The Hill: NYT reporter says Trump handling press like Soviet Kremlin

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Trump goes after law firm representing former Special Counsel Jack Smith

+ Huff Post: Trump Takes Action Against Law Firm Representing Jack Smith [Ed. note: Trump weaponizes the U. S. Attorney General and other agencies to

+ UPI: Trump targets law firm connected to ex-special counsel Jack Smith with executive order

+ Fox News: Trump strips security clearances from law firm tied to Jack Smith cases – The memo orders the government to review and terminate the engagement of the firm to the ‘maximum extent permitted by law,’ following news of its ties to Smith

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Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos pivots opinion section away from traditional broad focus

+ The Washington Post: Post owner Bezos announces shift in opinions section; Shipley to leave – In an email and social media post, Jeff Bezos outlined dramatic changes to The Washington Post’s opinions section and announced that opinions editor David Shipley has resigned.

+ Huff Post via yahoo!: Jeff Bezos Overhauls Washington Post Editorial Pages, Opinion Editor Exits

+ PBS: Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos says opinion pages will defend free market and personal liberties

+ Huff Post: ‘Fearful Of Trump’: Marty Baron Blasts ‘Craven’ Jeff Bezos After Washington Post Shift

+ CNBC: Musk praises Bezos’ new rules for Washington Post opinion pages as top editor resigns

+ Raw Story: Washington Post opinion chief quits as Bezos makes new editorial demands

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Are judges next?

+ Fox News: ‘Punishment to the nation’: Georgia GOP Rep. Andrew Clyde on drafting articles of impeachment against federal judges blocking Trump agenda. Rep. Andrew Clyde spoke about working on articles of impeachment against judge John McConnell, who is overseeing one of Trump’s federal suits & how he hopes Congress will join his efforts in honing in on judges blocking Trump’s agenda in the courts

+ Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern Alabama district: When They Come for the Judges – Calling for judges to be impeached just because you don’t like their decisions is nothing short of anti-constitutional.