Trump makes corruption great again

This is the first of a 4-year long series.

Buried in Donald Trump’s rescission of dozens of Biden administration executive orders, the president has reversed a rule that thwarted the power of lobbyists in Washington.

Biden’s Executive Order 13989, titled “Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel,” required members of the executive branch to sign an ethics pledge stating they would not receive gifts from lobbyists or lobbying organizations.

The Biden-era pledge also included several clauses related to a “revolving door ban,” which prohibited all employees entering the government from working with regulations and contracts related to their former employer or former clients for a period of two years from their appointment.
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Under Trump, it will be legal to bribe politicians again, the revolving door of Washington will continue to swing, and calls to “drain the swamp” will fade into nothing more than a dull murmur.

Then there is this one.

Last week, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 13957, creating a new class of federal employees within the civil service. This executive order could make it easier to retaliate against and eventually fire individuals who have been critical of the president.

The executive order claims the executive order is designed to help give federal agencies the flexibility they need to quickly hire necessary policy staff, as well as to fire underperforming employees without going through the normal appeals process. However, the executive order appears to be just another attack by this administration on federal employees and unions, and a means of installing loyalists within the government, undermining the merit-based civil service and whistleblower protections for many. The result may be a less effective federal government and more corruption.

In a related note, Trump is also making health care unaffordable again.

Among the dozens of Biden-era executive orders he rescinded on day one, President Trump nixed one that aimed to explore new health care payment models that would lower prescription costs for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

Trump rescinded former President Biden’s Executive Order 14087, “Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for Americans.” He included this directive among those he deemed to be “unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical practices.”

Who needs affordable health care, amirite?

Within his first 48 hours back in office, Trump has signed several executive orders that threaten the healthcare of millions of Americans.

Amid a flurry of executive orders, some of which were signed live on TV on inauguration night, the US president issued several orders that repeal Biden-era directives that had expanded healthcare access and options for lower-income and middle-class Americans.

Those orders are expected to affect the medical insurance coverage for upwards of 20 million people in the US.

Trump didn't stop with just making things worse for Americans.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization (WHO).

"Oooh, that's a big one," the newly inaugurated US president said as he approved the document after arriving back at the White House. It was one of dozens of executive actions he put his signature to on day one in office.

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QMS's picture

Shaking-up the status quo is the intent, IMO.
Shattering the bulb should not be left to EO's.
All of these issues could have been addressed by the
August bodies of the legislature. There is no effort
to change policy, left to their own cemented ways.
Continued failure is less of an option.

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question everything

Declassifying JFK, RFK and MLK assassination files:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/01/breaking-trump-signs-executive-...
So corrupt!

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@Bring Back Civics which I will believe when I see it happen. Wonder how many excisions and deletions there will be in what, if anything, does eventually get released? Did the EO specify release in their entirety, with no excisions or deletions?

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Mary Bennett

usefewersyllables's picture

@Nastarana

"full and complete" release, of course with whatever redactions the Powerful People decide are necessary to preserve national security keep blame from landing anywhere near them.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/declassification...

I too will only believe it when I see it- and probably not even then. There are a lot of oxen to be gored with these revelations, and some of 'em are certain to kick back...

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Twice bitten, permanently shy.

orlbucfan's picture

@usefewersyllables Oh, by powerful people, you mean such 'august' minds as Musk, Thiel, Bezos, the Sacklers and Mellons? Sounds more like a barf bag to me. Rec'd!!

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

@Bring Back Civics More corruption

US President Donald Trump has been criticised for launching a meme-coin while saying he "doesn't know much" about the cryptocurrency.

The digital coin called TRUMP appeared on his social media accounts ahead of his inauguration on Monday and quickly became one of the most valuable crypto coins. The value of a single coin shot up to $75 within a day, but since has fallen to $39.

But the launch of the so-called meme-coin - a cryptocurrency with no utility other than for fun or speculation - has been widely criticised by industry insiders.

"Trump's comments about not knowing much about the coin back up my opinion that he is making a mockery of the industry. It's a stunt," says Danny Scott, CEO of CoinCorner.

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@Bring Back Civics he hadn't pardoned a single family member!!!

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

@on the cusp Those were preemptive pardons. Not criminal pardons.
Except for Hunter, of course.
As opposed to Trump's 1,500 Jan 6 pardons, which included people convicted of trying to kill cops.

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snoopydawg's picture

@gjohnsit

aren’t criminal acts? Color me surprised. Lying to congress….hmmm.

Weird how you didn’t spend 4 long years covering all of Biden’s corruption. If you had you might have noticed the activities of the Biden crime family.

How do you know that they weren’t pre pardons for criminal acts?

Many of the J-6 were given long prison sentences for mischievous trespassing. And the trials were held in a huge dem center. There was a 100% conviction rate. Did you ever bother to read what people were sent to prison for? Many were threatened with long sentences because of added on charges. The Supremes took an axe to what prosecutors were doing.

One judge said it’s like raindrops. One drop adds to the whole storm. Meaning the lesser crimes made the worse crimes possible.

Some have been held in prison for 4 years without trial or being declared guilty.

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Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.

@snoopydawg I didn't spend the last 4 years raging for every right-wing konspiracy theory. I tended to focus on things that can be proven. Like the list above.

Don't worry. I won't get too excited about Trump's obvious corruption. I have little hope that his failures will get blamed on anyone other than Democrats. Even when the economy crashes somehow it will be Biden's fault. Or Pelosi. Or Obama.
I don't particularly care anymore. Any empire that values opinions over facts is doomed. It's time to leave.

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snoopydawg's picture

@gjohnsit

You ignored most of my comment and pretended that I said something I didn’t.

What I said was based on facts because I don’t believe any story without looking at the actual facts and don’t believe what the corporate media feeds me.

Is Trump corrupt? Absolutely. But so are democrats, but for some reason you give them a pass.

As for blaming who is responsible for the economy I blame mostly Clinton and Obama. Clinton set up the global economic collapse and Obama gave the banks that crashed it a pass.

Funny how every time republicans cut taxes that democrats don’t bother to raise them again don’t you think?

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Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.

@snoopydawg I am an apologist for Democratic corruption. In fact, I'm guilty of money-laundering, sex trafficking, pedophilia, cannibalism, and human organ trafficking.

I refuse to argue with you. So whatever you accuse me of, now or in the future, you're right.
However, if you want to convince me of something you may want to try a different tactic.

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snoopydawg's picture

@gjohnsit

Like facts?
I tried them.
You ignored them.
And ignored addressing what I said.

refuse to argue with you.

That’s obvious. This is what you do when you post something that I or others disagree with you on. Seems kinda chicken sh*tty to me.

Under Trump, it will be legal to bribe politicians again

lol….if you thought that stopped since it started I have a wonderful bridge to sell you. I’m sure you have heard of AIPAC, the big pharma, defense and many other lobbies?

But sure they’re only happening because of Trump. Gee…zus.

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Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.

@snoopydawg you have no ability to see differences in levels of corruption and/or policy.

This is what you do when you post something that I or others disagree with you on.

So you are complaining that I don't argue with you?

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@gjohnsit @gjohnsit you can rank the "levels" of corruption? And it is just a matter of fact that one hand of the permanent government is "more" corrupt than the other?

It must be a hoot to be able to do that by assertion. It would be a lot more impressive if you explained how you come to your irrebuttable conclusion.

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I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.

@fire with fire Either you didn't read it, or you didn't understand it.
If the latter is true, then ask someone else because I don't have the energy.

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@gjohnsit

I'm cool with not conversing with you.

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I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.

@gjohnsit for a few weeks, maybe a few months.
When I started seeing videos, learning of the fbi agent infiltrators, etc..., I changed my mind. A child hood acquaintance flew there from her home in East Texas, and she hoped to protest, get her man to stay in office. She was unarmed, was not arrested. She was lucky.
Pardons for crimes require an underlying criminal act. Nobody who doesn't need one gets one. That makes Fauci, as an example, admitting guilt.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

@on the cusp At least that was what Trump said at the time. Funny how he pardoned Antifa.

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@gjohnsit @gjohnsit are still in prison?

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

snoopydawg's picture

@on the cusp

In this reality facts don’t matter.

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Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.

orlbucfan's picture

@gjohnsit That should go over real big with the law-and-order rubes.

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

I want to suggest names for the Teddy Roosevelt-style acquisitions being discussed.

The erstwhile Gulf of Mexico will be called The Trumpian Sea.

Canada, as the 51st state will become Trumpistan.

And the ice cold and glaciated Greenland will be known as Trumpsicle.

Personally, I ain't worried about this clown, because he is a clown. He won't be doing anything but what the permanent government wants him to do.

I do think it is a good idea to make fun of this member of the World Wrestling Federation Hall of Fame. Donald J Blowhard!

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I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.

QMS's picture

.
politicians at this level are obviously corrupt,
regardless of their stripe

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question everything

orlbucfan's picture

embarrassed for being an American. Of course, that started in late 1980 with the election of Raygun, the Fascist Gun in the West(and how!).

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

@orlbucfan I identified myself as a Texan.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

QMS's picture

@on the cusp

to the ROW you are an American.
Virginian or Michigander doesn't matter.
Like in the EU. It isn't about cultural divides.
Countries or states sign up to be a part of
the 'greater' whole. Texan means nothing to
Slovakia or Romania. On the global stage,
China and Russia are nation states. Not so much
subdivisions. Once you break from the federal union
you may be different. And I wish you would.
It may give other areas an incentive to do the same.
TX, AZ and NM would be a formidable group.
I can see CA, OR and WA doing the same.
Also see LA, MS, AL and GA aligning along the same lines.

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question everything

@QMS Those people loved my cowgirl boots, talked about the Alamo, rodeos, stuff about Texas they had seen in movies. My boots have been to over 50 countries, just for that purpose.
It immediately broke the ice, talk veered away from US identity, went to country music, and hell, I line danced with my Romanian tour guide! He had lived in Houston for two years.
It worked in Asia, Africa, Eastern and western Europe, all over Central and South America.
Nothing worked in Paris. They are snots to anybody not from Paris.
Texas does toy with the idea of secession. Folk lore says it is within our pact with the US to secede at will, but supporting documents do not back it up.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

@on the cusp @on the cusp Are there clear examples of Trump corruption while in office? I don't care about private corruption; that's on the public officials that are supposed to police that. It seems to me with all the bogus cases brought against Trump, there wasn't a single case of public corruption or abusing his office for his personal benefit. The TDS here is breathtaking, particularly in light of his appointment of RFK Jr, Tulsi Gabbard, declassification of JFK, RFK, and MLK assassinations, and the absence of new wars started in Trump's first administration. Give the man a chance. He's off to a running start, fulfilling as many of his campaign promises as possible, as soon as possible. How is that not a good thing?

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@Bring Back Civics TDS, the problem with so-called leftists, the ones who never vote for universal healthcare, or increases in Social Security when in office.
Perhaps in their eyes, TDS describes his mental illness. I don't talk to them, haven't gotten their opinion. (I can't talk to them. Too frustrating.)
It does say worlds about Trump committing crimes while the 5-eyes missed it for 4 years.
Trump has done some very positive things since swearing in. Stupid mistakes: yes. Crude, un-Statesman like, yes.
However, compare his crudity to Biden's, he comes out cleaner. He never sniffed babies and young girls.
He blundered on the birthright illegal thingie. Very stupid, very ill-advised.
By the same token, I applaud the effort to get rid of illegals who are not trying to escape their countries due to rebellions and dangers.
I have had personal brushes with cartels.
I, we, don't have to give Trump a chance. Let's give him time, no need to give him the benefit of the doubt, as time will tell

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

@on the cusp TDS - Trump Derangement Syndrome - means simply that the afflicted cannot bring themselves to utter a single positive thing about Trump and hate him unconditionally. It is widespread here. It is one thing to "not give him the benefit of the doubt;" it is quite another not to acknowledge a single positive act. I believe that there have already been several, which are utterly ignored on this site. I seem to recall many here supporting Tulsi and RFK, Jr. when they were Dems. Now they are a Russian asset and a kooky, antivaxxer, conspiracy theorist respectively.

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snoopydawg's picture

@Bring Back Civics

releasing the files. Maybe you missed it?

I seem to recall many here supporting Tulsi and RFK, Jr. when they were Dems. Now they are a Russian asset and a kooky, antivaxxer, conspiracy theorist respectively.

I haven’t seen one person saying that about either of them. I’m disappointed with Tulsi’s flip flop on spying, but I haven’t seen anyone denigrating Bobby.

Not sure what you’re seeing so can you provide some examples? Well maybe you just talking about gjohnsit? Smile

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Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.

@snoopydawg While some acknowledged that releasing the assassination files was O.K., NONE expressed any hopefulness or optimism, and all pretty uniformly dismissed it as symbolic and pointless.

I did not see a single commenter here in the last couple days praising the potential appointment of either Tulsi (Russian asset, placed on some sort of national security list) or RFK, Jr.(Anti-vaxxer, 17,000 doctors signed a letter opposing his appointment [that turned out to be fake, BTW]). They were both denigrated severely by the Dem establishment once they switched parties.

I have never been a Republican or voted for one in my entire life. While that may change in the future, I can say with much more confidence that I do not see myself ever voting for a Dem again, particularly in Washington State, where the party machinery screwed Bernie as hard as they could and are corrupt as the days are long in the summer (6:00 a.m to 9:30 p.m.).

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@on the cusp .Will respond.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

@on the cusp Another thing, all of this grousing about "spending our money" for things that we do not believe benefit us is pretty naive and based on a flawed understanding of our financial system. The USA is in debt in excess of $40 TRILLION. It will never be paid back. The Federal Reserve is PRIVATE and not part of the US government. It is the USA's creditor. The money spent is merely digits created on computers and our tax revenues do not even make a dent in paying for all the money we have shipped out for foreign wars and aid. The interest on that debt (more than $1T/yr.) now exceeds all line items on the budget, including defense and Social Security. This system is coming to an end and the people behind Trump (white hat military/intelligence people) are in the process of bringing this system to and end -- after hundreds of years. I support that.

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@Bring Back Civics Me, too.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Trump is suffering from some derangement syndrome. Ask a Blue No matter Who. Not lefties going nuts about him due to their DS at the mere mention of his name. Ask a moderate or rightie.
If anyone on this site goes towards unreason, it is pointed out by the members.
Be a Free Ranger, BBC.
You are a Free Ranger. You do point out the what you clearly see.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981