A former Pentagon lawyer who left the department in April called the service “incredibly problematic.” They added that the “core of the Establishment Clause is the state not endorsing a particular religion, but having a broadcast event is obviously an endorsement even if they don’t officially say, ‘this is a Pentagon event.’”
And while the event was billed as voluntary, the involvement and endorsement of the secretary of defense could put pressure on service members and civilian employees to attend. Pentagon policy says that a government act is a substantial burden to a service member’s exercise of religion if it “places substantial pressure on a service member to engage in conduct contrary to a sincerely held religious belief.”
“Of course, folks in a rigidly hierarchical organization like the military think, ‘Oh, it’s optional, but when it’s being sponsored by the [secretary of defense], yeah, I better go’… It’s deeply problematic,” VanLandingham added.
That kind of thing could be generally allowed in a workplace given that it doesn’t create a hostile/harassing workplace, which this is clearly intended to do.
But when you also own the DoJ, it’s easy to be disingenuous in order to disregard the law.
I hadn’t really thought about it this way, but it would be a quite plausible interpretation of Revelation to say that the Antichrist was “sovereignly appointed” for their role.
Paraphrasing a 1967 conversation:
Guy in Charge: “You’ll never speak at our graduation again!!”
Graduating Student: “Dude, I already spoke at your graduation.”
Next year they’ll get an international student to deliver the address with ICE officers standing prominently within view in case they don’t toe the party line.
Debated putting this here vs Doge thread. Putting it here b/c it is relevant to the war on intellectualism. Data source is the NYT. Funding is grants funded through 5/21 of this year vs. prior. To have cuts like this after decades of basic science resulting in breakthroughs that have boosted the economy is just dumb.
I’m sure that in his first term he said “I think I’ll just stay. I will refuse to leave until the ‘questions’ about the election have all been answered.”
Somebody explained to him that his Secret Service agents would literally pick him up and carry him out if he refused to leave at noon on the 20th.
This time, he is planning to have different Secret Service agents. Also, different generals.
Thats why I am concerned. He is installing extreme loyalists to key positions all over the executive.
There is a non-zero chance that if Trump tells them that he is running for another term they will go along with it. The SC can try to stop him, but he could easily ignore them as well.
If you’re just getting worried now I think you are late to the party. He’s been crystal clear about his intentions from day one. Agree he learned a lot in 2020 and he is preparing more seriously this time.
