Trump is getting more and more blatant about who he’s watching. He’s getting more and more blatant with the threats. And he thinks he can do anything he wants to because he is the president. I’m now getting beyond concerned into worrying. Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. I don’t think I’m blowing this out of proportion. Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. That’s what freedom of speech is about. From AlterNet:
President Donald Trump, in an interview on Fox News aired Sunday, warned of efforts to hold reporters and Democratic figures accountable for allegedly leaking classified intelligence. When host Maria Bartiromo pointed to Trump’s recent social media posts criticizing media outlets that reported on an intelligence assessment that Iran’s nuclear program was not “obliterated” in recent U.S. strikes, Trump said, “They should be prosecuted.”
Excuse me? He can say what he wants to, but you or I can’t? I may not *like* what someone else says, but I respect their right to say it. That includes this blog. How much will someone be able to say if Agent Orange threatens them? We all know that caving to his demands is only going to make things worse. Look at the law firms or universities that are in worse places now.
And look at the media or universities that didn’t give in. How about tRump demanding the NYT print a retraction, or he was going to take action? And the NYT politely telling him no, get stuffed? Standing up is the better choice. How about the networks that gave in and settled a lawsuit? They’re disrespected *because* they gave in.
“Who specifically?” the anchor asked. Trump outlined an assertive plan: “We can find out. You go up and tell the reporter, national security, who gave it?’ You have to do that. And I suspect we’ll be doing things like that.” The president’s remarks generated backlash on social media, with journalists and attorneys raising concerns over his apparent plan to target reporters for their stories.
My sources are pretty easy. But how about someone who has a confidential source and won’t give up who it is? That’s pretty important. You don’t want to expose someone to that kind of slapback. Confidential is exactly what it sounds like. Here’s a simplistic example. Who got the intel reports that showed that OBLITERATION wasn’t TOTAL? If you were doing that story, highly unlikely you’d want to give up who told you. That’s dangerous, to you and to that person.
Tracey Gallagher, an attorney, wrote: “The reporter is not legally obligated to turn over a leaker’s identity to the Department of Justice (DOJ), even if national security is cited, due to strong First Amendment protections for the press. The landmark 1971 Supreme Court case New York Times Co. v. United States (the Pentagon Papers case) established that the government cannot censor or compel the press to reveal sources, even in matters involving national security.” She added, referencing Trump’s social media post calling for mass evacuations in Tehran: “You were also the one who told everyone in Tehran to evacuate. You might want to look into your inner circle; they might not be as loyal as you thought they were.”
Is there a greater cause for concern? Yes. When will this happen? A little bit at a time. Let’s hope we can push back before it’s too late. Remember Trump’s aspirations for the US back at the beginning. It really *wasn’t* a dictator for a “day”. Thanks for sticking with me!
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I suspect there are more moles in trump’s administration than there are in his golf courses. It’s bad enough that his Secretary of Defense is clueless and shares top secret information with his family, his lawyer, and his drinking buds. But to add to it he’s got a Director of National Intelligence who has long been suspected to be a Kremlin operative. Not to mention trump himself, who broadcasts his every impulse on social media and has back-channel conversations with Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin must have been a shadow occupant of the Situation Room during the Iran War, and would have relayed that information to Tehran.
trump was content to watch the IDF degrade Iran’s military and nuclear facilities, and likely would not have bombed the deeply buried sites if the regime eventually capitulated. However, details of the plan to strike Fordow and the other deep enrichment facilities must have leaked out to the Ayatollah, and the Iranians scrambled to fortify their sites and move their U-235 stockpile to another location. When trucks doing the job showed up in satellite imagery, trump realized he had to act immediately, and off shot the B-2s.
That’s the story he is terrified will come out. And that’s why he wants to nuke the free press.
Liars always fear the truth.