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Trump is using the power of government to punish opponents. They’re struggling to respond
CNN ^ | March 30, 2025 | By Jeremy Herb, Fredreka Schouten, Annie Grayer and Steve Contorno

Posted on 03/30/2025 6:17:39 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer

President Donald Trump is using the power of the federal government to intimidate or neuter potential sources of opposition to him: The legal establishment, academia and prominent cultural institutions, the media, the judiciary, the Democratic Party, Congress and independent government oversight.

The unprecedented breadth of the actions Trump and his allies inside the government have taken against his perceived political and ideological opponents in his first two months back in office is stunning – both in the president’s willingness to test the limits of his powers and the extent to which his foes have struggled to respond or even bent to his will.

Through executive orders, his bully pulpit and lieutenants in charge of the Justice Department and other Cabinet agencies, Trump’s actions are paralyzing institutions that stand as pillars of America’s independent civic society.

Within the legal establishment, at least two law firms Trump has a political vendetta against have chosen to cut a deal with him to avert his threats. In academia, universities like Columbia have agreed to sweeping demands that encroach on principles of academic freedom that date back centuries.

“This White House’s public, multi-pronged frontal assault on national institutions is unprecedented,” said Timothy Naftali, the CNN presidential historian.

The sources of typical opposition for a president have been quieted – if not quashed altogether. Independent media organizations like the Associated Press are being shut out of access to the president in favor of pro-Trump outlets, while state-supported media is gutted and threatened with defunding.

The one source of sustained pushback to Trump’s actions is the federal judiciary, where judges have repeatedly halted or reversed Trump’s actions that they have ruled go beyond the legal limit.

Trump has boasted about his effectiveness so far….

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: anniegrayer; certainlynotnews; cnnfakenews; cnnliars; fakenews; fredrekaschouten; jeremyherb; journalism; lielikecnn; media; mostrustednameinnews; needed4jernalists; needed4journalists; press; socialism; stevecontorno
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1 posted on 03/30/2025 6:17:39 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

That’s better than spying, arresting, and jailing your opponents on invented charges. That’s what Biden and Obama did.


2 posted on 03/30/2025 6:19:41 AM PDT by Telepathic Intruder
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

FIXED IT!!!

FORMER President Joe Biden USED the power of the federal government to intimidate or neuter potential sources of opposition to him.

FU CNN!!


3 posted on 03/30/2025 6:21:12 AM PDT by OHPatriot (Si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
“This White House’s public, multi-pronged frontal assault on restoration of national institutions is unprecedented,”

Fixed it.

4 posted on 03/30/2025 6:22:26 AM PDT by marktwain
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

OMG! This has never happened before in the history of government!


5 posted on 03/30/2025 6:22:29 AM PDT by Repealthe17thAmendment
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

CNN = Crap Not News


6 posted on 03/30/2025 6:23:56 AM PDT by butlerweave
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Trump is using the power of government to punish opponents.

_______________________________________________________

He’s doing what the Democrats and GOPe did, but just in reverse? Good!


7 posted on 03/30/2025 6:24:34 AM PDT by Bishop_Malachi (Liberal Socialism - A philosophy which advocates spreading a low standard of living equally.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Jeremy, Fredreka, Annie and Steve all took turns weeping over this one.


8 posted on 03/30/2025 6:24:38 AM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

And O’Bammie and Joe Pedo never did that. LOL. It sure was nice to see all the retarded losers out and about yesterday getting some fresh air. Funny stuff though. I drove to Austin yesterday to catch the fascist goons anti-environmental freak show. It was just another day. Couldn’t find anybody. All the Teslas were cruising up and down I-35 and 183 and were looking like they were having a blast. March 29th should be designated National Losers Day every year. LOL.


9 posted on 03/30/2025 6:25:25 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Weaponized, bureaucratic "judges" like Boasberg have got to go. They aren't elected to anything.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I dont recall a single person being punished... what th are they talking about?


10 posted on 03/30/2025 6:25:45 AM PDT by sit-rep
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

The right for the wrong this time around thou is the difference you see.
Accusations of that which you are doing or have done, how transparent, how transparent.


11 posted on 03/30/2025 6:26:31 AM PDT by Recompennation
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To: Oldeconomybuyer; Ezekiel; Allegra; bray; knarf; nickcarraway; Liz; metmom

“They’re struggling to respond”


They wrestle not against flesh and blood but against truth, decency and their oath — and God Himself. Trump is the tool du jour in God’s ultimate plan. Evil loses in the end.


12 posted on 03/30/2025 6:26:51 AM PDT by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Oh please!

We have no need for a lecture from some LibNut from Columbia to lecture us on why Columbia shouldn’t be cut off from US gov’t welfare.


13 posted on 03/30/2025 6:27:10 AM PDT by Paladin2
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Written by an old friend: SORE LOSERMAN


14 posted on 03/30/2025 6:27:45 AM PDT by LeonardFMason
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Today’s narrative for the echo chamber.


15 posted on 03/30/2025 6:29:32 AM PDT by isthisnickcool (UD" )
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To: Libloather

I noticed that.

It took four putzer prize gerbalists to contrive this kr@p.


16 posted on 03/30/2025 6:29:43 AM PDT by Paladin2
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

when you weaponize all sorts of institutions and communities as the left has done, it is reasonable to set limits on them to de-weaponize them. Those institutions and communities that stop being weaponized for left wing causes will do just fine in the future.


17 posted on 03/30/2025 6:30:01 AM PDT by ChronicMA
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
The new media talking point is trump is using the power of government to punish his enemies
18 posted on 03/30/2025 6:30:36 AM PDT by rdcbn1 (TV )
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

So much nonsense in this article written by so many, Jeremy Herb, Fredreka Schouten, Annie Grayer and Steve Contorno, propagandists.


19 posted on 03/30/2025 6:30:43 AM PDT by FreeReign
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Demidiots should be able to get hundreds of US District Judges to stop Trump for Patent Infringement.
20 posted on 03/30/2025 6:30:54 AM PDT by hflynn
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