Week #15:  February 26, 2017

This week had two themes: The first was Trump's lack of empathy -- the cruelty and heartlessness towards Americans not white, straight, Christian and male. Trump and his regime continued to target the defenseless, including transgender individuals, Native Americans and people of color. The second theme was Russia: ties between the Trump regime and Russia are continuing to pour out -- meanwhile, the regime is actively seeking to suppress information. ____________________________________________________________

1.

Despite Trump saying he would not enter any new overseas deals once he took office, Donald Jr. and Eric announced the opening of a Trump-branded golf course in Dubai. US taxpayers continue to pay the cost for the security detail that covers Trump's sons on such trips.   Read More About This

2.

At Trump's campaign rally in Florida, he referenced a Swedish terrorist attack that never happened as a rationale for his anti-immigrant policies.   Read More About This

3.

When questioned about his source, Trump tweeted he learned about the Sweden attack that never happened by watching Fox News.   Read More About This

4.

DHS' Kelly ordered the creation of a new office in ICE named VOICE (Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement), and ordered all resources set aside to advocate for "illegal aliens" moved over to VOICE.   Read More About This

5.

The NYT reported on a back-channel plan, originally handed in a seal envelope by Cohen to Flynn, for a Ukraine and Russia 'peace plan' (with new leadership in Ukraine), in exchange for US lifting sanctions. Other Ukraine connections mentioned Artemenko, Manafort and Sater.   Read More About This

6.

The Ukraine lawmaker, Artemenko, who allegedly worked with two Trump associates on the back-channel plan, faces a treason inquiry.   Read More About This

7.

TPM reported on the significance of Sater's involvement, and his ties to Russia and Trump, dating back to the Trump SOHO Hotel.   Read More About This

8.

Daily News reported that as Trump's Muslim Ban faced court challenges in NY after the rollout, Stephen Miller called the Brooklyn US Attorney at home and told him how to defend it.   Read More About This

9.

WSJ reported that the Trump regime is using unrealistically rosy growth forecasts to hide that his plan would lead to a soaring deficit.   Read More About This

10.

WSJ also reported that the Trump regime is considering changing the way the US trade deficit is calculated -- again to hide reality.   Read More About This

11.

NYT reported on struggles within the WSJ between journalists and owner Murdoch over the direction of the paper, and coverage of Trump.   Read More About This

12.

The Kremlin is preparing a psychological dossier on Trump for Putin. Preliminary findings are that Trump is "risk taker" who can be "naive."   Read More About This

13.

The Senate Intelligence Committee is looking at possible collusion between Russia and Trump staff, including Manafort, Trump's former campaign chair.   Read More About This

14.

The Senate Intelligence Committee sent letters to a dozen intelligence agencies, organizations and individuals demanding they preserve communications related to Trump's possible ties to Russia.   Read More About This

15.

In the past two months, there have been 69 threats at 54 JCC's in 27 states. Also, this week 170 gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in Missouri were vandalized.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

16.

Bowing to pressure, and perhaps a tweet by Hillary, Trump finally blandly responded to the alarming rise of anti-Semitism, calling it "horrible," but offering no actions or solutions.   Read More About This

17.

The Ann Frank Center issued a harsh statement, including, "The President's sudden acknowledgment is a Band-Aid on the cancer of anti-Semitism that has infected his own administration." Spicer scolded the Ann Frank Center for their statement.   Read More About This

18.

The NSC spokesperson resigned over Trump's disturbing and repeated attempts to undermine US intelligence.   Read More About This

19.

Republicans home for break and attending town halls all over the country were greeted by overflowing rooms of angry constituents, questioning them on repealing ACA and holding Trump accountable. Chants of "do your job!" were heard at many meetings.   Read More About This

20.

By the end of the week, numerous elected Republicans disappeared or refused to meet with constituents. Rep. Gohmert blamed his refusal on the Gabby Giffords shooting, to which she replied, "Have some courage. Face your constituents."   Read More About This;  Click here, also

21.

After Trump's announced Muslim Ban, interest in trips to the US has declined, likely to cost jobs in the tourism sector.   Read More About This

22.

A NBC News/Survey Monkey poll found that 2/3 of Americans fear the US will become involved in another war.   Read More About This

23.

The Trump regime issued new immigrations enforcement policies, which included, among other things, hiring 10,000 additional ICE officers, and expanding the definition of crimes to include charged but not convicted.   Read More About This

24.

NYT Editorial Board called Trump's 'deportation force' an assault on American values.   Read More About This

25.

Horrific and heartless stories of deportations continued, including a 26 year-old woman with a brain tumor who was taken from a hospital.   Read More About This

26.

WAPO reported Deputy NSA K.T. McFarland was once accused of violating voter registration laws by being registered to vote at two different addresses. In NY, this is a felony offense.   Read More About This

27.

More than one million people signed a White House petition -- a White House petition record -- requesting that Trump release his tax returns.   Read More About This

28.

PM Trudeau said Canada will continue to accept asylum seekers from the US.   Read More About This

29.

The Air Force said it cannot account for the $1 billion in savings alleged by Trump on two new Boeing airplanes.   Read More About This

30.

Mexico rejected Trump's immigration plan to deport migrants illegally crossing the US border, including non-Mexicans, to Mexico   Read More About This

31.

Trump touted his immigration raids, referring to them as a 'military operation.' While visiting Mexico to assure our seemingly former ally, Kelly attempted to clarify that it wasn't really a military operation.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

32.

As Kelly and Tillerson visited Mexico, relations between the US and Mexico are now at their lowest point in decades. Of note, Kelly and Tillerson's message differs from Trump's stance.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

33.

WAPO reported that Tillerson has largely been offstage, and not given power, decision-making or been included in meetings by Trump.   Read More About This

34.

The State Department continues to be dysfunctional, including no daily briefings.   Read More About This

35.

The State Department issues a warning to its employees on leaking -- which was promptly leaked.   Read More About This

36.

Trump rescinded rules that had provided protection for transgender individuals to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity.   Read More About This

37.

The US Interagency Council on Homelessness's page on LGBT youth homelessness was taken down.   Read More About This

38.

HuffPost reported additional detail on Trump's activities during the failed Yemen raid. As the raid went awry, putting Navy SEALS and civilians at risk, Trump was at dinner with Bannon and Kushner, and later tweeting and deleting and tweeting about an upcoming show on CBN.   Read More About This

39.

In another case of nepotism, Eric Trump's brother-in-law has been appointed to a key position at the Department of Energy.   Read More About This

40.

POLITICO reported that while serving as Trump's campaign manager, Manafort faced a blackmail attempt by a Ukrainian parliamentarian to expose him and the Trump as Russian-friendly .   Read More About This

41.

NYT reported McMaster may reorganize the NSC, and that Trump didn't understand the significance of the EO which elevated Bannon, and took the intelligence director and Joints Chief chairman off the council.

42.

At CPAC, Bannon was openly hostile to the media whom he referred to as "corporatist, globalist media," and "the opposition party."   Read More About This

43.

Bannon also vowed a daily fight for "deconstruction of the administrative state." This comes as only 34 out of 700 open positions in the executive branch which require Senate confirmation have nominees.   Read More About This

44.

The White House assigned DHS to work with intelligence to write a report to back his Muslim Ban, and the danger caused by the 7 countries. Sources said intelligence is concerned, including about the veracity of the claim.   Read More About This

45.

The DHS report was later leaked out -- it found there is not a threat from the 7 countries targeted by Trump's Muslim Ban.   Read More About This

46.

WAPO's The Fix calculated that Trump has lied an average of 4 times per day since taking office. He has not yet had a day in office without a lie.   Read More About This

47.

A shocking op-ed, "I Was a Muslim in the Trump White House," described a woman working for the NSC who lasted for 8 days under Trump -- and described how diversity was viewed as a weakness.   Read More About This

48.

The remnants of a Dakota Access Pipeline Protest Camp was set ablaze by opponents, as the government deadline came for getting off the land.

49.

CNN reported that Priebus tried to get the FBI publicly refute recent reporting on Trump's ties to Russia. The FBI refused. Such communication is problematic because of decade-old restrictions.   Read More About This

50.

The White House confirmed conversations between Priebus and the director and deputy director of the FBI, but denied there was anything wrong with these conversations occurring.   Read More About This

51.

Trump continued his gaslighting strategy of deflecting to the leaks, while not acknowledging the growing evidence of his ties to Russia.   Read More About This

52.

The Russian ambassador to the UN died suddenly in NYC. Churkin was the fifth Russian ambassador to die in the past three months.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

53.

A group of law professors filed a misconduct complaint against Conway. The letter said Conway should be "sanctioned for violating government ethics rules" and "conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation."   Read More About This

54.

Border patrol agents stopped travelers on a domestic flight from San Francisco to New York, and asked passengers deporting the plane to show identification.   Read More About This

55.

Reporters from the NYT, BuzzFeed News, CNN, LA Times and Politico were excluded by Spicer from a closed door White House briefing on Friday. BBC, theGuardian and the Daily Mail were also excluded.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

56.

In protest, ABC and TIME chose not to attend the briefing, and the WSJissued a statement objecting and saying they will not participate in closed briefings in the future.   Read More About This

57.

At CPAC, a section of the audience waved Russian flags until staff came and took the flags away.   Read More About This

58.

At CPAC, Trump delivered yet another dystopian speech, but failed to acknowledge actual hate crime happening in our country, including a Kansas bar shooting, where a white man yelled "get out of my country," at two Indian American men, before shooting into a crowd and killing one.

59.

The father of the slain man appealed to parents in India not to send their children to the US, saying, "There is a kind of hysteria spreading that is not good because so many of our beloved children live there."   Read More About This

60.

WAPO reported that in addition to the Trump regime's efforts with the FBI to discredit news on their ties to Russia, they also sought the help of senior intel officials, and GOP leaders Sen. Burr and Rep. Nunes, who head the Senate and House Intelligence Committees.   Read More About This

61.

A NBC/WSJ poll found that 53% of Americans want Congress to look into Trump's ties to Russia, only 25% do not.   Read More About This

62.

Breaking with Trump, McMaster advised his staff that use of the label "radical Islamic terrorism" is not helpful. Nonetheless, Trump continued to use the term in his CPAC speech.   Read More About This

Some Things We’ve Already Normalized:

•

Our economy and economic policy is being run predominantly by former employees of Goldman Sachs.

•

US taxpayers are footing the bill for 3 Trump residences: the WH, NYC and Mar-A-Lago.

•

Meanwhile, Melania does not appear to be conducting much if any of the typical FLOTUS duties.

Replicated from:   https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-15-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-d6adf0feade

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Week #3:  December 3, 2016

Observation: Each week the list is getting longer, and more troubling/frightening. ____________________________________________________________

11.

Senate Majority leader McConnell awoke from a seeming slumber to condemn this, while Speaker Paul Ryan assured America he was tutoring Trump on the Constitution.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

12.

Trump's campaign held a cyber Monday sale on Trump merchandise at its online store.   Read More About This

13.

Russia claimed to be in talks with several people on the Trump team regarding Syria, before Trump takes office.   Read More About This

14.

After spending the entire general election criticizing Hillary's email practices, Trump considers Gen Petraeus for Secretary of State- despite a requirement that the General notify his probation officer in order to leave North Carolina (fortunately, there's no travel entailed in the Secretary of State position).   Read More About This

15.

Trump continued to conduct his Secretary of State selection like episodes of The Bachelor. Romney was shamed into a public apology-lite remarks after feasting on frog legs, only to find days later, the current and former CEOs of Exxon had been added to the contestant list.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

16.

Under continued pressure, Trump tweeted he would leave his businesses, but offered little detail or comfort this would be anything but having his children run things. Hardly arms-length.   Read More About This

17.

Eight members of the Senate Intelligence Committee wrote a letter to President Obama, urging him to declassify information related to Russia's interference with our election. Although 17 intelligence agencies have said Russia was involved in hacking, the public is aware of no response or actions that have been taken.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

18.

Bahrain -- the same Bahrain that Trump falsely chastised Hillary for allegedly accepting donations to the Clinton Foundation -- booked space at the Trump International Hotel in DC for a reception.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

19.

Even Trump loyalists (see image below) rebelled at Trump's appointment of Goldman Sachs execs to his cabinet and inner circle. Since election day, GS stock has rallied by 23%, or a 347% annualized return.   Read More About This

20.

Seemingly unaware or disinterested in the fact the campaign is over, Trump embarked on a "Victory Tour" -- later, rebranded as a "Thank You Tour"- visting only the states he won. His first rally in Cinncinatti was half empty.   Read More About This

21.

At the Cincinnati rally, after being egged on by Trump, supporters chanted, "Lock her up! Lock her up!" and Trump did nothing to stop them. Same night, Trump loyalist Cory Lewandowski told a panel that NYT editor Dean Baquet should be imprisoned.   Read More About This

22.

In kicking off the tour, Trump and Pence engineered a populist saving of 1,000 American jobs, at a cost of $7mm to Indiana taxpayers. A WSJ editorial referred to the ploy as "Trump's Carrier Shakedown."   Read More About This

23.

In a 48 hour period, Trump did incredible damage to our country's global standing, conducting conversations with foreign leaders without being briefed by or consulting with the State Department.   Read More About This

24.

Pakistan government readout of Trump's phone conversation with Pakistan PM Sharif: described the PM as "a terrific guy" who made him feel as though "I'm talking to a person I have known for long."   Read More About This

25.

Trump invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the WH, and congratulated him on handling the drug war, the "right way."   Read More About This

26.

Trump became the first US leader to have a phone conversation with Taiwan, since diplomatic ties were cut in 1979. Trump explained it away in 2 tweets. China promptly responded in protest.   Read More About This

Replicated from:   https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-3-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-ea468ab3eaa7



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Week #13:  February 12, 2017

Given that we're 13 weeks into this tracking exercise, starting this week I'll be adding a section at the bottom of the list, "Some Things We've Already Normalized." The goal is to remind us of items in the early lists, that at the time were unprecedented and shocking; but have long since been accepted and forgotten. We must remember what normal used to be to resist, and find our way back -- and so we begin! ____________________________________________________________

1.

Fox News interview, when O'Reilly referred to Putin as a "killer," Trump responded, "Well, you think our country is so innocent?"   Read More About This

2.

Trump's comments were condemned by leaders and voices on both sides. Putin demanded an apology from Fox News.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

3.

The NYT ran a disturbing story describing Trump first two weeks. Like the WAPO story cited in Week 10, Trump is reportedly still isolated -- going upstairs alone at 6:30 pm, and maintaining a small inner-circle.   Read More About This

4.

The NYT also reported that Trump wasn't fully briefed on the EO he signed giving Bannon a National Security Council seat. Trump tweeted that he calls his own shots, and referred to the story as fake news.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

5.

The WSJ reported that arrests of Russian intelligence officers are likely linked to Russia's US hacking.   Read More About This

6.

Pelosi called on the FBI to probe Trump's personal and financial ties to Russia, to explore whether Russia may be blackmailing him.   Read More About This

7.

By the end of the week, 6 NE Patriots said they would not attend the Super Bowl celebration ceremony at the White House.   Read More About This

8.

McClatchy reported on efforts to silence public opinion: the White House comment line is shut down, signatures aren't being counted on petitions, and Federal agencies are no longer allowed to respond to requests.   Read More About This

9.

On SNL, Melissa McCarthy delivered a devasting portrayal of Spicer. Days later, Trump is reportedly rattled, and rumored to be seeking a replacement.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

10.

Spurred into a consideration by a petition signed by 1.5 million citizens, UK officials announced that Trump would not be allowed to address the UK Parliament during his upcoming visit.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

11.

As of this week, key roles in the Executive Branch are empty. Of the 658 positions that are open and require Senate confirmation, Trump has appointed only 35 (8 are confirmed, and 27 await confirmation).   Read More About This

12.

Trump continued to assert that the "very dishonest press" doesn't report terrorist attacks. At first, the source of his claim appeared to be InfoWars. The White House later released a list of attacks, with several misspellings (all attacks on the list had in fact been covered).   Read More About This

13.

The White House is still not open to the public. Tours typically resume shortly after the new president takes office.   Read More About This

14.

As part of her lawsuit against Mail Online, Melania mentioned the "once-in-a-lifetime" merchandising possibilities she envisioned as FLOTUS.   Read More About This

15.

Republicans in a House committee voted to eliminate the agency charged with protecting voting machines from being hacked.   Read More About This

16.

Without explanation or warning, the USDA purged a page on animal welfare from it's website.   Read More About This

17.

Trump attacked the federal judges ruling on his Muslim Ban, and questioned the indepence of the judicial branch, saying, "The courts seem to be so political," and threatening that any terrorist attacks would be the fault of these judges if they don't rule his way.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

18.

Trump also referred to federal justice Robart, a W. Bush appointee who ruled against Trump's Muslim Ban, as a "so-called judge."   Read More About This

19.

Trump nominee for the SCOTUS called Trump's remarks, "demoralizing" and "disheartening." Trump refuted, saying Gorsuch's comments were misrepresented. In response, a spokesperson for Gorsuch said it was true.   Read More About This;  Click here, also; and Here

20.

During a debate on the confirmation of Sessions, Warren was formerly silenced by McConnell and Republicans for reading a letter by Coretta Scott King, in a refrain that will go into the history books: "She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted." The rule cited by McConnell, Rule XIX, was not used on GOP men like Cruz.   Read More About This

21.

A HuffPost story seemed to call Trump's mental health into question, citing via leaks that Trump called Flynn at 3 a.m. to ask him about a weak dollar and the economy. A member of W Bush NSC added, "I genuinely do not think this is a mentally healthy president."   Read More About This

22.

In response to Trump's failed raid in Yemen, according to the NYT, Yemenis withdrew permission for US antiterror ground mission. More stories came out questioning Trump's decision-making process and truthfulness on the Yemen raid.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

23.

WSJ reported that Trump's appointee to acting SEC Chair is seeking to get rid of the requirement under Dodd Frank that companies disclose the pay gap between CEO's and their employees.   Read More About This

24.

Trump tweeted, from both his personal account and the POTUS account, that Nordstrom has treated his daughter unfairly. He included a veiled threat, "She's a great person -- always pushing me to do the right thing." Nordstrom cited lagging sales, and their stock rose 4.1% that day.   Read More About This

25.

Trump's attack against Nordstrom was widely condemned by ethics experts as a clear violation of federal ethics rules.   Read More About This

26.

Next day, Conway said on Fox News, "Go buy Ivanka's stuff is what I would say." Spicer later that day said Conway was "counseled." Trump sided with Conway.   Read More About This

27.

Chaffetz, head of the House Oversight Committee, called Conway's statement, "wrong, wrong, wrong." Next day, Conway made a snide remark about Chaffetz's stormy townhall.   Read More About This

28.

France's spy agency, the DGSE, said Russia is actively working to get Le Pen elected. Le Pen announced that if she wins, Jews would have to leave France if they did not give up their Israeli citizenship.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

29.

A bipartisan group of Senators introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for Trump to lift sanctions on Russia.   Read More About This

30.

A Hitler's Valentine's Day card was handed out by a the College Republicans at Central Michigan University. Nationwide, anti-semitism incidents continue to escalate since Election Day.   Read More About This

31.

Reuters reported that Trump did not get briefed prior to his phone call with Putin, and had to ask aides about the New START treaty.   Read More About This

32.

Breaking 7 decades of presidential precedents, Trump said he will not rely on White House Council of Economic Advisers.   Read More About This

33.

Democrats in the House moved to force a debate on Trump's Russia business conflicts and ties.   Read More About This

34.

Rachel Maddow reported in order to shield himself from having to pay for the clean-up of a failed SC business formerly owned by his son, Trump claimed to have no relationship to former owner.   Read More About This

35.

Townhalls hosted by Republicans in Utah, Tennessee and others states had huge crowds show up and vociferously show their displeasure.   Read More About This

36.

A national poll conducted by PPP found that 51% of Trump supporters think the "Bowling Green massacre"  -- a lie put forward by Conway in Week 12 -- is justification for Trump's Muslim Ban.   Read More About This

37.

Courts again turned back Trump, this time in his efforts to scale back an Obama-era consumer protection designed to avoid conflicts of interests when brokers give retirement advice.   Read More About This

38.

FLOTUS Trump again broke with tradition, not hosting the FL of Japanduring her tour of Washington DC.   Read More About This

39.

WAPO broke that despite his earlier denials, Flynn did indeed have conversations with Russia's ambassador about sanctions while Obama was still in office. Flynn changed his version to having "no recollection."   Read More About This

40.

Aids for Pence, who had vouched for Flynn on Sunday tv, said Flynn had lied to Pence, and Flynn was his only source. When asked about this story, Trump feigned ignorance, despite WAPO having it on page 1.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

41.

In a meeeting with Senators, Trump again asserted voter fraud, citing alleged buses of Massachusetts people who voted in New Hampshire.   Read More About This

42.

Trump has still not come to an agreement with Federal officials over his Trump DC hotel's violation of lease.   Read More About This

43.

After a conversation with the leader of Taiwan in Week 3, an action not taken by an American president in decades, Trump asserted his bumble was to show strength to China. Unceremoniously this week, Trump changed course, and said he would honor the 'One China' policy.   Read More About This

44.

Without notice, days after Sessions is confirmed, federal agents started conducting mass immigration raids in at least six states. Citizens reported seeing check-points in several major cities.   Read More About This

45.

CNN broke that US intelligence has corroborated some parts of the infamous Russian dossier. Spicer responded by attacking CNN for fake news reporting.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

46.

Gallup found that only 29% of Americans think Trump is respected in the world. 67% believe he is not.   Read More About This

47.

Trump continued to actively lie this week. Protests and marches continued nationwide.   Read More About This

Some Things We’ve Already Normalized:

•

The first family is not living in the White House.

•

Trump is not receiving daily intelligence briefings.

•

Trump remains an Executive Producer of "The Celebrity Apprentice."

•

Media coverage of Trump includes images of his tweets.

•

Our Secretary of State is a former CEO of Exxon, who has close ties to Putin, and no government or diplomatic experience.

Replicated from:   https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-13-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-26b5f975afeb

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Week #12:  February 5, 2017

An observation on Week 12:   Several of the most important items in this very long list are the ones not getting coverage: including Ukraine, and the many abuses of power to silence dissent and stomp on ethics. Conflicts of interest abound, unfettered. ____________________________________________________________

1.

Protests over Trump's Muslim Ban took place all over the country and around the world. Thousands protested in major airports and cities, including many red states.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

2.

Trump's EO was criticized by many, and supported by few. Christian leaders spoke our voraciously against prioritizing Christian refugees.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

3.

Innumerable horrid stories about the impact of the Muslim ban surfaced during the week. Spicer minimized its impact. Presidents of 598 colleges and universities wrote a letter of concern about the Ban.   Read More About This

4.

Trump promoted Bannon, under a reorganization of the National Security Council, to a regular seat on the principals committee. Criticism and outrage of this move was widespread. Democrats proposed a bill to remove Bannon from the NSC.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

5.

A Federal Judge in NY issued a temporary order, blocking Trump's EO from deportation of arrivals. Next morning, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement that they would not abide by the court order, and would continue to enforce Trump's EO. Four other Federal Judges issued similar temporary orders.   Read More About This

6.

The Judicial Branch was removed from the White House website. It was later restored.   Read More About This

7.

An op-ed, "Trial Ballon for a Coup?", which included a diagram showing an almost completely gutted State Department, trended for an entire day.   Read More About This

8.

In just 12 hours, more than 875k people in the UK signed a petition, demanding Trump's state visit to Britain be canceled.   Read More About This

9.

Germany's Merkel, per her spokesperson, had to explain the Geneva Convention, and the requirement for the international community to take in war refugees on humanitarian grounds, to Trump.   Read More About This

10.

Books topping the Amazon list included, "1984," "It Can't Happen Here," and "Brave New World."

11.

Trump continued to say his Executive Order should not be termed a "Muslim Ban." Trump insider Rudy Giuliana told Fox News, Trump had called him seeking advice for a 'Muslim Ban' and how to do it legally.   Read More About This

12.

According the Sen. Rubio, the State Department was instructed not to speak to Congress about Trump's Muslim Ban.   Read More About This

13.

On a day when the NYT described Bannon's elevation and Michael Flynn stumbling, Flynn's Twitter account was taken down.   Read More About This

14.

AP reported the voter fraud expert chosen by Trump to conduct his voter fraud investigation, is registered to vote in three states.   Read More About This

15.

POLITICO reported that several House Judiciary Committee aides secretly worked on Trump's Muslim Ban. Their bosses were not aware of the EO or their staffs' involvement.   Read More About This

16.

Acting Attorney General Sally Yates directed the Justice Department not to defend Trump's Muslim Ban, citing the ban not being legal.   Read More About This

17.

Hours later, Trump fired her, saying she "betrayed" the DOJ. Her memo was rescinded that same night. Trump's action, named for a similar firing by Nixon, became known as the "Monday Night Massacre."   Read More About This;  Click here, also

18.

WSJ reported that Trump's tax plan, counter to changes proposed by Congressional Republicans, would preserve millions in tax benefits for Trump companies.   Read More About This

19.

Days after Trump's phone conversation with Putin, Russia escalated hostilities in the Ukraine. Among the chaos of the Muslim Ban, etc., few in the US noticed.   Read More About This

20.

Six were killed in a mosque shooting in Quebec. The perpetrator was a white man, who "liked" Trump's Facebook page. The next day, the Eiffel Tower went dark overnight in support. Trump, however, said nothing publicly about the attack.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

21.

The White House publicly stated that any State Department employees who disagree with Trump's Muslim Ban should resign.   Read More About This

22.

As Trump prepares to name his Supreme Court pick, for the first time in decades, no one is bothering to advocate for diversity anymore.

23.

In relatiation for their coverage, Trump said he would no longer send his spokespeople to appear on CNN. On reporter noted, "They're trying to cull CNN from the herd."   Read More About This

24.

Trump announced his Supreme Court nominee in reality-tv show type format, claiming he had invited both finalist to the prime-time announcement.   Read More About This

25.

Trump's sons, who are running his business supposedly walled-off, sat in the front row for the Supreme Court announcement, and mingled with politicians, including the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

26.

WAPO reported that Eric Trump's business trip to Uruguay in January for the Trump Organization, cost tax-payers nearly $100,000 in hotel rooms for Secret Service and embassy staff.   Read More About This

27.

For a second day in a row, Trump personally attacked Schumer on Twitter: "Fake Tears Chuck Schumer."   Read More About This

28.

Trump canceled a trip to Milwaukee, where he was scheduled to deliver an economic address, due to the threat of protests.   Read More About This

29.

The House Oversight Committee stopped accepting calls relating to investigating Trump.   Read More About This

30.

As part of Black History Month, Trump cited Frederick Douglass, who he described as still alive, and Pence tweeted about a white man.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

31.

Trump's first overseas raid ended in failure. Among the dead were a Navy SEAL and 15 women women and children, including an 8 year-old American. Trump has relaxed Obama's stance on protecting civilians.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

32.

The Yemen raid garnered little media attention for days, until Reuters reported via US military officials that Trump "approved his first covert counterterrorism operation without sufficient intelligence, ground support or adequate backup preparations."   Read More About This

33.

Spicer admitted that Trump was not in the Situation Room during the Yemen raid. He issued the green light while at dinner, and during the raid itself, Trump was busy sending unrelated, incendiary tweets.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

34.

In the third wave of mass disruption in January, 17 Jewish Community Centers (JCC's) received bomb threats.   Read More About This

35.

FLOTUS Melania Trump said she and Barron may never move to the WH.   Read More About This

36.

Reuters' Editor-in-Chief announced that their reporters would cover the Trump adminisration as an authoritarian regime.   Read More About This

37.

On the day Tillerson was confirmed, the House killed a transparency rules which required oil companies to report payments to foreign governments. As Exxon CEO, Tillerson had lobbied against this provision.   Read More About This

38.

The House's move on transparency also impacts the ability to trace the owner of a 19% stake of Roseneft, mentioned in Week 11's list.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

39.

In a phone call, Trump threatened his Mexican counterpart with sending US military to stop "bad hombres down there." Next day, Trump said this was just meant to be "lighthearted."   Read More About This;  Click here, also

40.

Trump's first call with Australia, one of our closest allies, went terribly, and ended prematurely after, according to Australian media, Trump berated PM Turnbull.   Read More About This

41.

Later that night at 10:55 pm, Trump tweeted Obama had agreed "to take thousands of illegal immigrants from Australia." This is a lie: Obama accepted 1,250 refugees. Next day, McCain called Turnbull to express US support. Hoyer also issued a statement of support.   Read More About This;  Click here, also; and Here

42.

Trump opened his remarks at the National Prayer Service by attacking Arnold Schwarzenegger for "The Apprentice" getting low ratings. Trump continues to hold the role of Executive Producer of the show.   Read More About This

43.

Later at the National Prayer Service, Trump promised to "totally destroy" the Johnson Amendment, which forbids churches from political activity in order to maintain their tax-exempt status.   Read More About This

44.

Trump lifted sanctions, introduced by Obama in December, on Russia's FSB. A former head of Russia's FSB claimed this to be the start of a formal "anti-terror alliance" in the DUMA.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

45.

Virginia filed a contempt motion against Trump over his Muslim Ban, asking the US District Court to make sure that the federal government complied with the temporary restraining order.   Read More About This

46.

At the hearing, the Justice Department said over 100,000 visas have been revoked as part of Trump's Muslim Ban. The State Department later said the number was closer to 60,000.   Read More About This

47.

NBC reported, via a FOIA request, that emails reveal Ethics officials warned Trump against an 'unprecendented' efforts to staff his cabinet without ethics vetting. Trump aides rebuffed OCE efforts.   Read More About This

48.

As per the Week 11 List, Trump issued a Holocaust statement without mentioning Jews. This week, POLITICO reported the State Department's draft statement did reference Jewish victims, but Trump team took it out.   Read More About This

49.

Due to lower sales caused by boycotts, both Nordstroms and Neiman Marcus announced, they will no longer carry Ivanka Trump's brand.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

50.

A poll by Public Policy Polling (PPP) revealed that 40% of registered voters support impeaching Trump. Polls asking during Nixon years, didn't reach this level until 16 weeks into the Watergate scandal.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

51.

A former PM of Norway was detained for hours at Dulles Airport because his passport showed a visit to Iran in 2014.   Read More About This

52.

Trump ordered female staffers to "dress like women." Twitter mocked his words, with a campaign using the hashtag #DressLikeAWoman.   Read More About This;  Click here, also

53.

Conway continued telling outright lies, citing a fabricated Bowling Green Massacre as a rational for Trump's Muslim Ban.   Read More About This

54.

Trump said he would be "cutting a lot out of Dodd Frank" since his friends with "nice businesses" are having a hard time borrowing money, because of rules and regulations.   Read More About This

55.

NPR reported that Trump faces 55 lawsuits in his first two weeks -- as compared to 5 for Obama, 4 for W. Bush and 5 for Clinton.   Read More About This

56.

The New Yorker and Vanity Fair canceled their involvement with White House Correspondents' Dinner parties.   Read More About This

57.

As the week came to a close, a federal judge appointed by President Bush ruled that Trump's Muslim Ban EO be halted, nationwide, immediately.   Read More About This

Replicated from:   "https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-12-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-1dd061886793

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