Thanks for this analysis and history. Basic, maybe dumb question: under normal circumstances, wouldn’t the FBI be pouncing on a group of private hackers commandeering the US Treasury’s computers and network from inside the Treasury?
Except Acting US Attorney for Washington DC wants to investigate and prosecute individuals who would not let musk and his minions have access to the data. Completely wrong.
Yes. A certain person has the "Keys to the Kingdom" and whatever I have said or posted in my life can and will be used against me, when the "Leopards Eating Faces" are moving on to more "out-groups." There's no shortage of "othering" others. None of us are exempt.
Agreed, thank you, Asha. As we are finding out, the old rules seem to not apply. Granted, attorneys are doing what they can to "gum up the works" and slow things down.
I've also lurked (and shared some valuable information in the various subreddits) for the Federal Civil Servants who are reeling, but holding the line. Some encouragement, some good analysis for those who are having to cut subscriptions to things they love and keep them calm, and have very little disposable income myself after losing my weekend side gig.
I did work a M-F full time job, and the weekend side job for months until they had to cut back on hours at the side gig. Hubby is working 3 PT jobs and will be closer to 80 years old soon, but academia is a cruel world. We are frugal, but looking at ripple effects that may cause us to lose all employment.
He did all the quote/unquote right things, invested faithfully 25% of each paycheck, meager as it was, in a 403(b) since 1983, and managed to lose it all in 2008 (other than $1500 and some change), and started over. He's locked out of it for another 60-ish days due to two re-allocations, cannot move it, withdraw it, or make changes. All he can do is watch it crater.
Thank you, Asha, for your inside information. It is terrifying to learn. And that letter from “The Suspendables” chilled me to the bone. I watched the news conference outside the USAID offices yesterday and can only hope that defiance becomes our watchword. Channeling Shirley Chisholm and other activists from the 60’s. Some of us are still alive and furious!
Thank you for this. Excellent. Still amazed by the firing of Comey and the swirl of incredibly poisonous narratives that normalized it. Then, as you say, eight more years of boiling in the Trump-infested news pot." Dangerous days, here.
My uncle was in the FBI during Hoover’s tenure and was banished to Pittsburgh for being Polish. Hoover later needed his language skills so he got moved back the NYC and then Miami. I never thought I would pine for Hoover’s return.
When I was still in law enforcement I contributed regularly to the scholarship fund of the J. Edgar Hoover Foundation at John Jay College at the behest of a criminal justice prof I knew there. I had the certificate of appreciation from the foundation mounted on the wall of my office. It occasionally drew comments about the director. Older LEOs, my dad being one of them, respected, even revered him. The younger crowd, who were more focused on the controversies, and at the time exclusively on speculations about his sexuality, not so much.
I think because I grew up during the Civil Rights movement's peak years I separate my feelings about Hoover's racism and abuses from his accomplishments. Both were typical and expected in law enforcement throughout his lifetime, and still remain problematic in that slow-changing culture, including in the Bureau, where Trump in fact has supporters. Law enforcement, like the law itself, has always been tuned for the defense of the status quo and privileged elites and likely always shall be.
I think Hoover's unvarying policy of keeping the bureau out of party politics has been the key factor in the Bureau's progress over the years and is why it has endured and evolved. That progress would only have been impeded by the ebb and flow of political patronage. And personally, I liked that politicians feared Hoover and that he had the goods to keep them from pressuring him into using the Bureau for their own purposes as Trump intends to do. Well at least eggs are cheaper now, right?.
We citizens have no good clear idea how much the FBI is part of our everyday security and law enforcement. We love to watch the TV series with them and their heroics but the real life agents and employees really are protecting us against domestic and foreign threats. If the Trump MAGA are successful in demolishing the Bureau it will effect every one of us, not just the groups deemed 'undesirables' by them.
This is horrifying and dystopian. And all the new hires have to answer this question: who won the 2020 election? If they don’t answer “Trump,” they don’t get hired. I’m so sorry this is happening to your country. From, a sympathetic Canadian. (We’re no longer friends because of what Trump is trying to do to our country but we realize there are many good Americans who don’t want this dictator either.)
My father in law was a J.Edgar Hoover Special Agent.He served duriing the 1950-60's in Civil Rights, and then in high jackings in the seventies. He would be appalled by what is going on today.
Thank you Asha. You were always one of my FAVORITE guests on CNN, right up there with Norm Eisen, and Ellie Honig, who like you are still doing it, telling it like it is.
The sad Truth is the average person will not see the effects of what happens behind the scenes if Kash Patel is given the reins of the FBI.
I pray it won't take the fallout from the next Timothy McVeigh, or God forbid 9/1/1 that would occur because of the potential gutting of experienced nonpartisan FBI manpower. As I suspect from what you Ellie,et.al. have told us through the years for every instance of violence we see, untold number of are being prevented that Thank God, we will never hear about.
Again, Thank You for all you do. It is sad that the Truths you spread put you in danger from MAGA brainwashed "patriots???"
Thanks for this analysis and history. Basic, maybe dumb question: under normal circumstances, wouldn’t the FBI be pouncing on a group of private hackers commandeering the US Treasury’s computers and network from inside the Treasury?
100%
Musk & crew would be under arrest and awaiting trial. And should be.
Some Federal Marshalls with some sense of duty and determination should break the door in and cuff these people. They have an obligation to do so.
Except Acting US Attorney for Washington DC wants to investigate and prosecute individuals who would not let musk and his minions have access to the data. Completely wrong.
Yes. A certain person has the "Keys to the Kingdom" and whatever I have said or posted in my life can and will be used against me, when the "Leopards Eating Faces" are moving on to more "out-groups." There's no shortage of "othering" others. None of us are exempt.
Agreed, thank you, Asha. As we are finding out, the old rules seem to not apply. Granted, attorneys are doing what they can to "gum up the works" and slow things down.
I've also lurked (and shared some valuable information in the various subreddits) for the Federal Civil Servants who are reeling, but holding the line. Some encouragement, some good analysis for those who are having to cut subscriptions to things they love and keep them calm, and have very little disposable income myself after losing my weekend side gig.
I did work a M-F full time job, and the weekend side job for months until they had to cut back on hours at the side gig. Hubby is working 3 PT jobs and will be closer to 80 years old soon, but academia is a cruel world. We are frugal, but looking at ripple effects that may cause us to lose all employment.
He did all the quote/unquote right things, invested faithfully 25% of each paycheck, meager as it was, in a 403(b) since 1983, and managed to lose it all in 2008 (other than $1500 and some change), and started over. He's locked out of it for another 60-ish days due to two re-allocations, cannot move it, withdraw it, or make changes. All he can do is watch it crater.
😈😈😈😈💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
Thank you, Asha, for your inside information. It is terrifying to learn. And that letter from “The Suspendables” chilled me to the bone. I watched the news conference outside the USAID offices yesterday and can only hope that defiance becomes our watchword. Channeling Shirley Chisholm and other activists from the 60’s. Some of us are still alive and furious!
I remember, and love, Shirley Chisholm!
Thank you for covering this. I was completely unaware and surprised of Hoover’s stance on the Japanese camps, McCarthy and KKK.
Yes, principles first ALWAYS. ✌🏻
It's a good distinction between following orders and following rules.
It's also good to know when to ignore or break rules.
If following a rule leads to injustice or puts health and safety at risk then don't follow the rule.
Follow the rules as far as they hold to values
Succinctly good
Thank you for this. Excellent. Still amazed by the firing of Comey and the swirl of incredibly poisonous narratives that normalized it. Then, as you say, eight more years of boiling in the Trump-infested news pot." Dangerous days, here.
My uncle was in the FBI during Hoover’s tenure and was banished to Pittsburgh for being Polish. Hoover later needed his language skills so he got moved back the NYC and then Miami. I never thought I would pine for Hoover’s return.
It is imperative that people stand up to this orange monster!!!
We will begin to see the light if people and politicians stand up to him !!
When I was still in law enforcement I contributed regularly to the scholarship fund of the J. Edgar Hoover Foundation at John Jay College at the behest of a criminal justice prof I knew there. I had the certificate of appreciation from the foundation mounted on the wall of my office. It occasionally drew comments about the director. Older LEOs, my dad being one of them, respected, even revered him. The younger crowd, who were more focused on the controversies, and at the time exclusively on speculations about his sexuality, not so much.
I think because I grew up during the Civil Rights movement's peak years I separate my feelings about Hoover's racism and abuses from his accomplishments. Both were typical and expected in law enforcement throughout his lifetime, and still remain problematic in that slow-changing culture, including in the Bureau, where Trump in fact has supporters. Law enforcement, like the law itself, has always been tuned for the defense of the status quo and privileged elites and likely always shall be.
I think Hoover's unvarying policy of keeping the bureau out of party politics has been the key factor in the Bureau's progress over the years and is why it has endured and evolved. That progress would only have been impeded by the ebb and flow of political patronage. And personally, I liked that politicians feared Hoover and that he had the goods to keep them from pressuring him into using the Bureau for their own purposes as Trump intends to do. Well at least eggs are cheaper now, right?.
Thank you for your courage Asha. You must know that this will land you squarely in the sights of the lawless ones.
This is such an important post. Thank you.
Thank you for standing up for the rule of law even as we watch the coup unfold.
That photo of the worker painting over the inclusionary language on the wall at the FBI got me right in the solar plexus.
We citizens have no good clear idea how much the FBI is part of our everyday security and law enforcement. We love to watch the TV series with them and their heroics but the real life agents and employees really are protecting us against domestic and foreign threats. If the Trump MAGA are successful in demolishing the Bureau it will effect every one of us, not just the groups deemed 'undesirables' by them.
This is horrifying and dystopian. And all the new hires have to answer this question: who won the 2020 election? If they don’t answer “Trump,” they don’t get hired. I’m so sorry this is happening to your country. From, a sympathetic Canadian. (We’re no longer friends because of what Trump is trying to do to our country but we realize there are many good Americans who don’t want this dictator either.)
TY
My father in law was a J.Edgar Hoover Special Agent.He served duriing the 1950-60's in Civil Rights, and then in high jackings in the seventies. He would be appalled by what is going on today.
Thank you Asha. You were always one of my FAVORITE guests on CNN, right up there with Norm Eisen, and Ellie Honig, who like you are still doing it, telling it like it is.
The sad Truth is the average person will not see the effects of what happens behind the scenes if Kash Patel is given the reins of the FBI.
I pray it won't take the fallout from the next Timothy McVeigh, or God forbid 9/1/1 that would occur because of the potential gutting of experienced nonpartisan FBI manpower. As I suspect from what you Ellie,et.al. have told us through the years for every instance of violence we see, untold number of are being prevented that Thank God, we will never hear about.
Again, Thank You for all you do. It is sad that the Truths you spread put you in danger from MAGA brainwashed "patriots???"