December 18, 2023

Number of Unhoused Rose 12%

December 18, 2023 Buck Banks

12%

The level of homeless people in the U.S. leapt 12% this year to the highest number ever recorded, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Trump Rails Against Immigrants

December 18, 2023 Buck Banks

“They’re poisoning the blood of the country… They poison mental institutions and prisons all over the world not just in South America … but all over the world they’re coming into our country from Africa, from Asia.”

— Donald Trump, at a campaign rally.

Sununu’s Sunny Haley Prediction

December 18, 2023 Buck Banks

“She’s gonna win in a landslide and that’s not an exaggeration.”

— New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R), quoted by the Washington Post, about Nikki Haley’s chances in the New Hampshire primary.

Do-Nothing Congress Did Almost Nothing

December 18, 2023 Buck Banks

22

“Congress is about to wrap its least productive legislative year since at least 1973,” the Washington Post reports. “Just 22 bills have been signed into law this year… It’s a stark contrast to last year, when 281 bills were signed into law.”

Special Election to Replace Santos Could Cost $20 Million

December 18, 2023 Buck Banks

$20 million

“The two month race to represent the New York House district once held by the ousted Republican Rep. George Santos is expected to cost up to $20 million,” CNBC reports.

Americans Agree: Democracy Is at Stake

December 18, 2023 Buck Banks

62%

A new AP-NORC poll finds that 62% of adults say democracy in the U.S. could be at risk depending on who wins next fall.Majorities of Democrats (72%) and Republicans (55%) feel the same way, but for different reasons.

Inevitability of Deporability

December 18, 2023 Buck Banks

Trump’s dictator dreams are no longer ignorable,
Though his fascist uniform designs are adorable.
On Day One, he’ll pounce,
And he’s already announced
His rogue’s gallery cabinet of deplorables.

Day: December 18, 2023

Number of Unhoused Rose 12%

12%

The level of homeless people in the U.S. leapt 12% this year to the highest number ever recorded, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Trump Rails Against Immigrants

“They’re poisoning the blood of the country… They poison mental institutions and prisons all over the world not just in South America … but all over the world they’re coming into our country from Africa, from Asia.”

— Donald Trump, at a campaign rally.

Sununu’s Sunny Haley Prediction

“She’s gonna win in a landslide and that’s not an exaggeration.”

— New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R), quoted by the Washington Post, about Nikki Haley’s chances in the New Hampshire primary.

Do-Nothing Congress Did Almost Nothing

22

“Congress is about to wrap its least productive legislative year since at least 1973,” the Washington Post reports. “Just 22 bills have been signed into law this year… It’s a stark contrast to last year, when 281 bills were signed into law.”

Special Election to Replace Santos Could Cost $20 Million

$20 million

“The two month race to represent the New York House district once held by the ousted Republican Rep. George Santos is expected to cost up to $20 million,” CNBC reports.

Americans Agree: Democracy Is at Stake

62%

A new AP-NORC poll finds that 62% of adults say democracy in the U.S. could be at risk depending on who wins next fall.Majorities of Democrats (72%) and Republicans (55%) feel the same way, but for different reasons.

Inevitability of Deporability

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

A new Fox News Poll finds 71% of voters think the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the Iran War, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans. Sixty percent say U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while just 37% say it was right.

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.