Trump's Illegitimate Secret Police Are Bringing CHAOS To American Streets
With the unlawful arrests by ICE in places like San Francisco, Trump's masked secret police force should be held accountable for their actions. Steve Schmidt looks at the ICE operations across the country and calls for a national unmasking of public servants.
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The Passage Of The Big Ugly Has Given Us A Big Opportunity. We Need To Seize It.
Good morning all, remarkably I begin the day more optimistic than I've been in some time. Last night I gathered as usual with the Hopium community and I'm sharing the recording here. Let me try to summarize where my head is at right now... I think Trump and the Republicans have gone too far, and are making consequential mistakes. They have overplayed a weak hand. The public is not buying what they are selling; their agenda is already doing real harm to the country and the American people; things will get worse; we have 16 months now to tell this story relentlessly and loudly to the American people; and we need to go offense, operate from strength, and go win the big argument with MAGA, mitigate the damage they are doing and regain as much as power as we possibly can. Trump's regime has told us who they are and what they want - they want our country to be poorer, weaker, less safe, less healthy and less free. The passage of the big ugly gives us an opportunity to go tell this bigger story about this rancid agenda of sabotage, plunder and betrayal. We are no longer limited in our comms and storytelling to the elements of the big ugly. We must now in fact integrate the elements of the big ugly into their broader agenda and attack it on all fronts, as they have betrayed us and we can and must find a better way, together.
YouTube | Video at Hopium Chronicles
For more commentary like this, like, subscribe, share this video, and to participate in these meetings live, join us on Substack at Hopium Chronicles.
Keep working hard all. — Simon
Slotkin's Intel Brief: Trump's Big Beautiful (Ugly) Bill and what it means for you
In this week’s Intel Briefing, we dig in on the specifics of President Trump's bill that just passed, and what it will practically mean for your health care, SNAP, energy and more.
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What Trump’s Threat to ‘Take Over’ Cities Says About Our Democracy; Politics Chat
Trump's Assault On Our Health Care, Explained—A Conversation With Charles Gaba
Friends, sharing a recording of the live discussion I had with health care policy expert Charles Gaba from earlier today. I asked Charles to return to our community to talk about what to expect now that the big ugly has passed. While this is a wide-ranging discussion, Charles makes an important point that needs to be heard in the family right now - that Americans will feel the cuts and the damage being done to our health care long before the midterm elections next year.
Hopium Chronicles | YouTube
Charles has just released a new analysis on the impacts of the budget bill, drawn largely from the work of the KFF, that finds “more than half of the health care related provisions will be fully or partially implemented before November 3rd, 2026.” Of greatest significance is the ending of the expanded ACA subsidies at the end of this year, something that will impact the price and access to care for tens of millions of Americans.
As we discuss it is important to recognize the totality of Trump’s assault our health care, as it goes far beyond cutting Medicaid:
- Enormous cuts to medical research, weakening of our entire bio-medical research eco-system. These cuts and disruptions are already being felt now.
- Dramatic undermining of the nation’s vaccine regime and other elements of our public health care system. Will become a far bigger issue when back to school that starts next month.
- The dramatic weakening of the ACA and the private, individual insurance market. This begins in a few months and will impact tens of millions of Americans.
- While the deep cuts into Medicaid begin mostly in 2027, all actors in our health care system will start taking the incredible loss of money from the system into account now. Layoffs, downsizing, closures have already begun.
Two final points. As we discuss the weakening of the ACA will give Americans far less leverage against their employers, and make it far harder for people to start their own businesses or become self-employed contractors. We have heard this from the Trump regime this week - best way to get health insurance is to “get a job.” It is no coincidence in my mind that the period of greatest new business formation in recent American history came at the same time we made health care more affordable. Easier to take risks, start new ventures if you know that health care will be there for you and your family no matter what. That era is ending.
A conversation with Anne Applebaum
I encourage you to tune in to hear what the brilliant Anne Applebaum has to say about the the police state that has emerged in the US, historical lessons on the rise of authoritarianism and its implications for our country, and so much more.
Substack | YouTube
Trump's Deployment of ICE is DANGEROUS to America
With ICE now being the largest law enforcement entity in the US, its aggressive tactics in major American cities are only increasing. Steve Schmidt looks at the deployment of ICE against American citizens and how it has turned our democracy into fascism.
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ICE: coming to a town square near you
Steve Schmidt and Ryan Lizza.
We spent most of our time focused on the secret police state that was funded by the “Big Beautiful Bill” that no one understands, nor voted for, but is coming to a town square near you.
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It Was Never About The "Illegals"
What happened in LA today was intolerable political theater meant to intimidate, but behind the scenes this administration is making choices that will disrupt millions of people’s lives… #msnbc #Weekendprimetime.
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Law vs. Executive Disorder
Rick Wilson, The Lincoln ProjectDemocracy Docket founder and legal legend Marc Elias joins Rick to unpack everything that’s currently going on with the law and the Trump administration. Shedding light on various cases and what’s really going on, Marc Elias shares his breadth of knowledge on the legal lay of the land when it comes to Trump, the Supreme Court, the DOJ, and States’ rights.
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940-PAGE NIGHTMARE: What Trump's Bill REALLY Does (It's Worse Than You Think)
According to a Quinnipiac University poll, "53 percent oppose the bill, while just 27 percent support it, resulting in a net approval of -26 points." Rep. Ritchie Torres joins Jim, and discusses how the cuts in Medicaid will affect his district, Glenn Kirschcner comes in to talk about the bill and recent Supreme Court rulings and the possible dangers ahead for birthright citizenship, and we have a special edition of Michael Mondays with Michael Cohen.
YouTube | Substack
Zohran Mamdani says, ’I don’t think that we should have billionaires’: Full interview
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani talks about his campaign promises, criticisms over his tax plan and charges of antisemitism, during an exclusive interview with Meet the Press.
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Slotkin delivers speech on her Economic War Plan
Slotkin outlined how these are no ordinary times for the American economy. The reconciliation bill before the Senate threatens to gut basic needs programs like Medicaid and SNAP. The Trump administration has repeatedly imposed and paused drastic tariffs on both allies and foes. And the rapid rise of artificial intelligence may displace millions of jobs.
Slotkin, who was elected in 2024 on the same ballot as Donald Trump, discusses how Democrats need a new vision to offer the country, that goes on offense.
YouTube | Bridge Michigan
Warren Slams Trump’s War in Iran, Exposes 10 Ways Big Beautiful Bill Increases Costs
Senator Warren's floor speech on June 24, 2025.
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It’s War O’Clock
This Is Not Normal
Stop saying you’re fine….none of this is fine.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on No Kings Day Protests and Military Expert Barbara Starr on the Crisis in the Middle East
LA Mayor Karen Bass says not only is she not getting numbers from the administration as to how many criminals and gang members are being arrested. She says they’re not receiving any numbers.
YouTube | Substack
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse Exposes How Trump Got PLAYED!
In this edition of Justice Matters One on One, I talk with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse about the legal issues of the day, including: how Donald Trump got manipulated and played on judicial nominations; the abuse of the rule of law going on at the Department of Justice and an ominous development regarding the ethical complaint filed with the New York State bar Attorney Grievance Committee involving DOJ official and former Trump criminal defense attorney Emil Bove; Trump's unlawful and unconstitutional seizure of control of the California National Guard; and more.
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Trump Suffers Worst Legal Loss Of His Presidency Thus Far
Glenn Kirschner, Justic MattersIn a sweeping ruling and stern condemnation of Trump's violation of both the federal law AND the Constitution, a federal judge in California ruled that Trump must immediately relinquish control of the California National Guard and return control to California Governor Gavin Newsom. However, the appeals court has issued a brief stay/pause on the ruling until Tuesday, June 17, when it will hear oral arguments.
In ruling against Trump, Judge Charles Breyer wrote: "At this early stage of the proceedings, the Court must determine whether the President followed the congressionally mandated procedure for his actions. He did not. His actions were illegal both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith." This video reviews Judge Breyer's and his clever use of the Latin Tern "ipse dixit."
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If a US Senator is not safe from being handcuffed and detained for free speech, none of us are safe. YouTube
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JOIN OUR MAILING LISTPadilla detained! Jim Acosta Show special report with Maria Cardona
Maria and I discuss the outrageous and disgusting treatment of California Democratic senator Alex Padilla. We have some choice words for this thuggish behavior.
YouTube |Substack
BREAKING NEWS: Warren Does Not Let Up Grilling Bessent Over Medicaid Cuts In Big Beautiful Bill
At today's Senate Finance Committee hearing, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) questioned Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent. YouTube
Fighting Trump's War On Science With Colette Delawalla
Friends, pleased to share a second episode today as yesterday afternoon I sat down with the inspiring Colette Delawalla, founder of Stand Up For Science, a new organization that has taken the lead in fighting the Trump-Musk-Kennedy attack on science, research, academia and our public health. On Monday Stand Up For Science launched a national campaign to support the Bethesda Declaration, an unprecedented dissent from current leading scientists in the government challenging the anti-science direction of the Trump regime. Watch our discussion when you have the time and join Colette in fighting the wildly destructive attack on our public health today: https://www.standupforscience.net/. For more commentary like this, like, subscribe, share and join us on Substack at https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/. Thank you all. — Simon
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Stand Up for Science:
https://www.standupforscience.net/
Mikie Sherrill on presidential abuse of the military
The new Democratic candidate for New Jersey governor on her campaign, Trump ordering troops to L.A., and more.
YouTube | Substack
Fmr. Sen. Jon Tester and Maritsa Georgiou of "Grounded Podcast," Steve Schmidt, and Journalist Nick Valencia live from protest site in LA
A recording from Grounded Podcast and Jim Acosta's live video.
YouTube | Substack
LA Horror show - Pregnant American woman caught up in ICE actions
Independent TV Journalist Jorge Ramos joins Jim Acosta from Los Angeles to discuss Trump's ongoing ICE and CBP roundups. Stick with it, because you won't believe the story at the end when Jorge interviews an American citizen who is nine months pregnant and started having contractions when federal agents knocked her to the ground and detained her for telling them they could not enter private property.
This is not the way America should be behaving on the world stage. This interview is a must watch, so you can see what is really happening with Donald Trump's ridiculous deployment of federal troops to California.
YouTube | Substack
I Just Got Back From Los Angeles
Here's what's happening, how Trump is fanning the flames, and where we go from here.
YouTube | Substack
Governor Newsom Delivers Major Address to Californians
Governor Gavin Newsom addresses Californians in response to President Trump’s assault on democracy and the President’s illegal militarization of Los Angeles.
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Trump's L.A. Crackdown is The First Battle in Stephen Miller's White Nationalist War on America
The architect behind Trump's cruel, illegal, and hateful abuse of immigrants is Stephen Miller, an avowed racist who now has the reins of power to fulfill his white nationalist vision for America.
This is why author and strategist Rick Wilson refers to Miller as Trump’s Heydrich, the Nazi SS officer who was the principal architect of the Holocaust, and believes he is “truly one of the most evil people in the country.” I invited Rick to discuss the depth of Miller’s hate and map out his end game.
YouTube | Substack
NO KINGS: A Conversation with Indivisible’s Ezra Levin
Those who seek to destroy democracy want us to feel overwhelmed, burnt out, hopeless and alone. Which is why we need each other for strength, camaraderie, and courage. As the Resistance on Andor say, “I have friends everywhere.” As we do too. Friends, fellow countrymen, and brave patriots who want what we do. A country that’s free, fair, just and stable, and leaders who will represent us and fight back. If we can’t find those leaders then we might, however reluctantly, have to become those leaders. Join me and Ezra Levin, as we discuss being part of the active resistance and building an army of pro-democracy warriors starting with No Kings Day on June 14th.
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Nine Years of Warning America: A Conversation with Rick Wilson
A special recording from our Talking San Diego event with Rick Wilson. A longtime Republican strategist turned fierce Trump critic, Rick was among the first to sound the alarm on the threat Trump posed to American democracy. For nearly a decade, he’s been relentless in his efforts to expose that threat—most memorably through a sharp, unflinching, and often darkly funny series of political ads that take aim at Trump and his enablers.
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This Feud Could Reshape Conservative Politics Forever
As the feud over the "Big Beautiful Bill" erupts, the conservative alliance cracks. Steve Schmidt breaks down the fallout and what it means for the future of the movement — and the country.
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Trump Turning U.S. Law Enforcement Into Personal Thugs
Trump talks a lot about taking down the so-called "Deep State" when, in reality, he is the one abusing power and ignoring personal liberties. Today, I examine the abuse in Homeland Security and the Trump administration's new partnership with Palantir.
YouTube | Substack
Live! Jamie Raskin in the House
A recording from Rick Wilson's live video
YouTube | Substack
Joni Ernst's Journey From Promising Senator to Corrupt Appeaser
Senator Joni Ernst began her career as a budget cutter but has transformed into one of the most corrupt government officials in Washington. Steve Schmidt looks at the shift in Ernst's ideals and urges Iowans to replace her.
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