Chief Justice John Roberts

Donald Trump’s Massive Destruction Of LBJ’s “Great Society”!

Ronald 48 Comments

America is witnessing under Donald Trump in his second term Presidency a goal that the extreme right wing MAGA Movement and “Project 2025” has been working toward for decades—the massive destruction of all of the good work of President Lyndon B. Johnson and his “Great Society” in the mid 1960s.

All of the major actions of the Johnson Presidency in domestic affairs, and also of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, is being reversed in a heartless, callous, cruel manner by both Donald Trump and the extreme right wing majority of the John Roberts Supreme Court.

Among these actions of massive destruction have been the following:

Civil Rights Act of 1964
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Medicare and Medicaid
Federal Aid to Education
Immigration and Nationality Act 1965
Environmental and Consumer Legislation
Housing and Labor Reforms
Eliminating Government Funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and PBS
War On Poverty Programs, including Job Corps, Project Head Start, and Food Stamps (SNAP)
National Endowment For The Arts and National Endowment For The Humanities

Trump has attacked educational programs and cultural institutions, including the Kennedy Center, the National Museum of American History, all other museums connected with the Smithsonian Institution, and News Media.

Trump has also worked to destroy domestic initiatives of presidents after LBJ, including in particular:

Richard Nixon
Jimmy Carter
Bill Clinton
Barack Obama
Joe Biden

Once Donald Trump is out of office, and assuming that Democrats can retake the White House and Capitol Hill, it will take a massive effort to reverse the horrendous damage, and it will be more than a one or two year effort to bring back progress domestically.

One Issue Dealt With Properly By Right Wing Majority Supreme Court: Protection Of Birthright Citizenship!

Ronald 13 Comments

The right wing Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts has created, overall, a disgraceful record in recent years, and has kowtowed to Donald Trump too often, and promoted the concept of a “Unitary Executive”.

But at least on one issue, Birthright Citizenship, the Court by a 6-3 vote (which should have been 9-0)—Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson)—upheld the basic right that anyone born on US soil is a citizen at birth, added to the Constitution in the 14th Amendment 160 years ago. However, Kavanaugh based his vote on the concept that Congress could modify the 14th Amendment by legislation, so not a full support of the other five Justices who backed Birthright Citizenship completely as a basic right under the 14th Amendment.

The idea that Donald Trump wants a constitutional amendment to change that basic right is a non starter, as it would require a breaking of the Senate filibuster, and would require a two thirds vote of each house of Congress, followed by three fourths (38 states) to ratify.

It is clear, however, that with the Supreme Court as now constituted, IF and when the Democrats regain Senate control, they must work toward expansion of the Court membership; set up term limits of 18 years for future members of the Court; set up that each future President has two appointments in a four year term, leading in the future over time to constant turnover and change on the Court.

Also, there is need for the promotion of an ethics code, so that we do not see the kind of corruption that has been displayed by Associate Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, which would be banned; and also reform the so called “emergency” or “shadow” docket to limit unsigned or unexplained rulings on pivotal cases, promoting transparency and accountability, sorely needed.

US Supreme Court Majority Destroys Voting Rights Act Of 1965, LBJ’s Civil Rights Accomplishment!

Ronald 16 Comments

Six decades ago, in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson courageously promoted the passage of the Voting Rights Act, to right the wrong of racial discrimination which denied African Americans, primarily in the South, the enforcement of the 15th Amendment of 1870, the right to vote, under Jim Crow racism for nearly a century.

Now, the disgraceful modern Supreme Court, with three Trump appointees, two appointees of George W. Bush, and the despicable Clarence Thomas appointed by George H W Bush, have destroyed the concept that African Americans and other racial minorities (Latinos, native Americans, Asian Americans), should have adequate representation, and instead are re-establishing white supremacy all over again.

In the Louisiana redistricting case (Louisiana V. Callais), the Louisiana legislature denied African Americans a second “black” seat out of six, despite the fact that about one third of the state has black population. The Supreme Court decided 6-3 that what Louisiana had done was not discriminatory, even though it is clear that it is, without any realistic doubt.

That, plus the outrageous reapportionment gerrymandering in Florida promoted by outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis, against the state referendum on the subject of gerrymandering passed overwhelmingly in 2010, being perpetrated on the same day as the Supreme Court decision, is disheartening.

It is highly likely that many African American members and other minority districts, primarily, but not only in the South, will have no or greatly reduced representation in the halls of the House of Representatives in the upcoming 120th Congress (2027-2029) and beyond.

Chief Justice John Roberts has revealed his true nature on this subject, having initiated it in 2013 in Shelby County Alabama V. Holder, the first cutting back on the Voting Rights Act, and now with three Trump appointees on the Court, that law is being, effectively, eviscerated.

The historical legacy of John Roberts is damaged for the long run of history, as he will go down as a destroyer of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Proposed maps show “blue” areas in the South, where black representation was present in the House of Representatives, would be mostly decimated–completely in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina, and be dramatically cut back in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

This is an outrage against the concept of democracy and the rule of law, a tragedy of massive proportions.

It is also a slight against the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr, John Lewis, and other civil rights heroes, who spent their lives promoting fair treatment, and suffered much brutality in the process!

The Massive Defiance By Federal Judges Of Donald Trump, Including His Own Judicial Appointments!

Ronald 42 Comments

When the Supreme Court by a vote of 6-3 rejected Donald Trump’s tariffs as outside his rights, as it is up to Congress to decide on tariff policy, the President lashed out at those members of the Court who were part of the majority, including two of his appointments, Associate Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, along with Chief Justice John Roberts.

But the record shows that federal judges, including appointments by all Presidents since Ronald Reagan, and even Trump appointments, have been active in rejecting another policy that is crucial to Trump’s agenda, mass detention and deportations of illegal immigrants, but also legal immigrants and even citizens by the abuses of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

More than 100 legal challenges to this abusive policy have been filed daily in recent weeks, and as of mid February 2026, at least 373 federal judges have ruled against the administration’s mass detention policies, ordering release or bond hearings in more than 1,600 cases. At the same time, ONLY 28 judges, including 20 appointed by Trump, have sided with the administration’s position. And 44 Trump “judges” have been included in those who have ruled against its positions on mass detention. And a total of 3500 cases have been rejected overall, and only 150 cases supportive of the Trump policy.

The record shows that 122 Joe Biden appointments have ruled against the Trump Administration, and 112 Barack Obama appointments have also done so. The remaining rejections have seen 38 Bill Clinton judges, and a total of 43 George W. Bush judges, and 7 judges each appointed by Presidents George H W Bush, and Ronald Reagan.

But sadly, if a Circuit Court rules against what District Court judges have done, it can reverse the actions of those lower courts, so the battle for constitutional rights is a major crisis long term at this point!

Most Divisive, Lie Filled, Polarizing State Of The Union Speech In American Presidential History!

Ronald 37 Comments

Donald Trump has created the most divisive, lie filled, polarizing State of the Union speech in the entire history of the Presidency last evening!

It was a torture watching it, and seeing how Trump set out to create an ever bigger chasm than he has himself created in the first year of his second term in the White House.

Lies, deception, distortion, hate, manipulation of facts and truth were rampant from the beginning through to the long bitter end, of what became the longest ranting speech ever delivered by an American President, at one hour 48 minutes.

Trump has created an alternate reality, and his party is in lockstep with his deception and lies, demonstrating that they have no ethics, morals, or scruples, as all they desire is to keep power, promote autocracy and oligarchy, and clearly have no conscience.

Instead of trying to appeal for bipartisan support, instead, Trump went out of his way to attack the Democratic opposition, and act in a totally unPresidential manner. This included attacks on immigrants and on the Gay community, totally outrageous and divisive. His attacks on Somalians in Minnesota, and his claim that “illegal aliens” are the major crime threat, rather than people born in America, were total falsehoods, but plays to his MAGA supporters.

It was telling that only four Supreme Court Justices, including three who voted against his tariff policy—Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan—along with Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh—showed up for the address, and all four sat stone faced, in what had to be a difficult moment for them.

It was shocking how Trump has no concept of math when he made statements on economic matters that indicate total ignorance of percentages, and his economic statistics were totally delusional, not the real world reality.

Trump lives in an alternate reality, and the thought that, in theory, the nation has to deal with this dangerous delusionist for three more years, is terrifying.

His statement about fighting fraud, and that such work done by Vice President JD Vance, would lead to balancing the budget, is totally off the wall, and ignores his own personal fraudulent activities, including enriching himself by at least a billion dollars in this past year, against the emoluments clause of the Constitution.

Trump has no concern about the harm done by his Presidency to civil liberties, racial equality, economic opportunity, and environmental protection, and he demonstrated how immature he really is, as he aligns himself with authoritarian regimes around the world, instead of promoting democracy at home and abroad!

What was more inspirational was the official Democratic response to the State of the Union, by newly inaugurated Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, truly outstanding in her presentation, and giving her more national exposure.

The American people are likely to be outraged at large about Trump’s speech, and it helps promote the likelihood of a Democratic victory in November, hopefully in both houses of Congress!

As State Of The Union Address Occurs, Donald Trump’s Ratings Are Rapidly In Decline!

Ronald 65 Comments

President Donald Trump is about to give his State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress this Tuesday, February 24, just as public opinion ratings demonstrate that he is rapidly declining in support among many voter groups.

As it is, his ratings have been, depending on the poll, as low as 36 percent positive, and at best 40 percent.

The issues of the economy (Affordability), the Epstein Files Scandal, the horrors of ICE, the Health Care cuts, and now, the Supreme Court rejection of his tariffs, are all weighing on him, as he lashes out at his critics, and has personally attacked the Justices who rejected his tariffs, particularly two of his own appointments—Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett—along with Chief Justice John Roberts.

Also, Trump’s aggressive foreign policy is also alienating many voters, and his unstable rants and attacks on his critics alarm many Americans.

Various groups that made the mistake to support him in the Presidential Election of 2024 are turning strongly against him.

This includes:

White Women
Latinos
Working Class Non White Voters
Young Men
College Educated Suburban Voters

The strong Democratic gains in the off year elections in November 2025, and the gaining of seats in state legislatures and other offices in areas traditionally Republican in special elections, is also an alarm bell in the night for the upcoming Midterm Elections of 2026.

Even with mid decade redistricting occurring in Texas and elsewhere at Donald Trump’s insistence, the likelihood of Democrats taking back the House of Representatives majority, and even having a growing possibility of regaining the Senate majority, is seen as strong.

We are seeing Americans alarmed at the threat of interference by the Trump Administration on the issue of the right to vote, and attempts to restrict those who can vote.

This includes the fear that ICE might have agents at voting locations, which would be a massive threat designed to intimidate voters.

Supreme Court Finally Upholds The Constitution, And Rebukes Donald Trump On Tariffs!

Ronald 22 Comments

After acting totally submissive toward Donald Trump in his first year of his second term, finally the Supreme Court majority, including two Trump appointees—Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, along with Chief Justice John Roberts and the three Democratic women justices–have delivered a solid rebuke to Trump on the subject of protective tariffs.

This is long overdue, as the Court has developed a reputation as the most extreme right wing Court in a century, and Chief Justice Roberts presides over a majority which usually has no desire to challenge executive power of the President.

This dangerous trend, hopefully, will continue to be challenged in future cases, particularly on birthright citizenship rights, which are contained in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified after the Civil War.

Donald Trump does not care about the reality that protective tariffs are a disaster, as they were in causing the Panic of 1893 and the Great Depression of the 1930s, because Republican Presidents Benjamin Harrison (prodded on by future President William McKinley’s promotion of high tariffs) and Herbert Hoover stubbornly imposed them on the American people, destroying the economy.

With the economy not doing well, despite Trump’s delusional statements, this repudation of Trump’s tariffs should be seen as a blessing by him, as well as the American people.

But instead, Trump is railing against his own Republican Justices who have “defied” him, and one wonders how it will show up in his State of the Union Address next Tuesday.

Will he openly condemn Roberts, Gorsuch, and Barrett in his speech, or will he be diplomatic and maybe just lightly tease them?

This should be a very interesting moment of confrontation between the Supreme Court members who show up and the President of the United States!

It reminds one of past clashes of Presidents and Supreme Courts, including under Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson with Chief Justice John Marshall; Abraham Lincoln with Chief Justice Roger Taney; Franklin D. Roosevelt with the majority conservative Court and Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes during the New Deal; and other controversies involving Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Richard Nixon and Barack Obama and Supreme Court decisions!

The $175 Billion raised in tariffs this past year were a financial burden on the American consumers, and should be returned to the American people with a refund per taxpayer of $1700, as suggested by Illinois Governor JD Pritzker. However, it seems that Trump has no concern of the damage done to the average American, while constantly engaged in grift for personal gain, having enriched himself in the past year, a crime against the Constitution!

On Tragic Anniversary Of Second Trump Inauguration, Three Republicans Share The Greatest Blame And Responsibility For Unhinged Donald Trump!

Ronald 4 Comments

On the tragic Anniversary of the Second Trump Inauguration, three Republicans share the greatest blame and responsibility for the unhinged Donald Trump and his authoritarian bent.

As leaders of the legislative and judicial branches, they had the responsibility to protect American democracy, the US Constitution, and the rule of law, which they have totally failed at doing.

This is referring to

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson
Senate Majority Leader John Thune
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts

One might claim that no one could expect them to control their party members in both chambers, and the other Supreme Court Justices.

But this author and blogger vehemently disagrees.

The two legislators were more interested in protecting their own positions than doing what was right, refuse to support and endorse the horrors perpetrated by Donald Trump and his Cabinet in the past year.

And Chief Justice Roberts could have worked with the three Democratic members of the Supreme Court, and with Trump appointees Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh to insure judicial intervention to curb Trump’s authoritarian bent.

So Johnson, Thune, and Roberts are NOT Profiles in Courage, but rather Betrayers of their oaths of office, and their names and reputations in history long term will be that they were villains, enemies of American democracy!

They have solidified their negative stain on history, which will never be overcome, as they should be perceived as Traitors!

For 15 Years, No Republican Plan For Health Insurance, And Still None!

Ronald 3 Comments

With five weeks to go until 2026 arrives, the Republican Party, once again, has no plan or ideas about health insurance for millions of Americans, who have relied on the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) since its passage in 2010, to provide health care coverage.

The truth is that Republicans have been, as a party, vehemently opposed to Obama Care, to a great extent, because it is the accomplishment of former President Barack Obama, so the reality is that Racism is a major factor in their rejection.

For 15 years, Republicans have shown a lack of concern about this premier issue, and if it was not for Chief Justice John Roberts in 2013, and Arizona Senator John McCain in 2017, the Affordable Care Act would have been obliterated years ago.

This is nothing new for the Republican Party, which has been opposed to Medicare and Medicaid, enacted into law under President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 and 1966 respectively.

It is also the reality that the Republican Party has been opposed to Social Security since it became law under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935.

Had the Democratic Party not controlled the House of Representatives for 58 of 62 years from 1932-1994, and controlled the US Senate for 52 of 62 years from 1932-1994, America would not have had these premier examples of social justice.

The fact that Congress has been so evenly divided since 1994 has complicated the ability of the federal government to deal with health care and so much else in a statesmanlike manner, and endangers the lives and health of millions of Americans, moving forward!

The Horrors And Fears Latinos Now Face Due To ICE Raids!

Ronald 9 Comments

Tragically, Latinos in America, whether born in America, or naturalized citizens, or those with a “green card”, or those who are undocumented, face the horrors and fear of ICE raids!

This is true in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, and elsewhere, as thousands upon thousands of immigrants who washed cars, shopped for groceries, delivered food, walked dogs, drove their cars and attended schools and jobs, are being summarily arrested and facing deportation!

Mothers and fathers and even teenagers have been separated from their families without notice or knowledge of where such victims are being sent on the way to deportation.

This is a civil liberties crisis unmatched in American history, with an out of control Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency waging massive raids, with a hardline attitude by Kristi Noem, Tom Homan, Stephen Miller, and others, who are acting as authoritarians under their sycophantic loyalty to Donald Trump.

The Supreme Court has bent to the will of the Trump Administration, with six of the nine members of the high Court giving leeway to whatever is occurring, which is violating the Bill Of Rights, and the future will be determined in future cases being argued on the Court.

At the same time, lower courts have often blocked Trump actions, so we have a split judicial system, but with the Supreme Court soon to decide just how far these violations of basic human rights will be implemented long term.

The lives of these unfortunate victims are being upended, as people stay home from work and school, and are unable to pay their bills, and have to depend on others for grocery shopping.

“The American Dream” is being upended, and is, sadly, likely to get worse, under a Supreme Court more extreme than any in a century since the 1920s, as the advancements of the previous Warren and Burger Courts are being upended by the Roberts Court!