More from the article ...
... According to the plaintiffs, Musk needed Senate confirmation before directing DOGE on drastic actions like eliminating agencies, mass firings, and steep budget cuts. Allegedly going far beyond the authority granted in President Donald Trump's most expansive DOGE executive orders, Musk took every inch of power granted and then increasingly used it to overreach unlike any presidential advisor who came before, the suit says.

In her opinion partly denying a motion to dismiss, US District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan did not buy the US government's defense that Musk held no office formally established by law -- and therefore did not need Senate confirmation and cannot be alleged to have exceeded his authority under the Constitution's Appointments Clause.

"Nobody thinks, for instance, that the White House Chief of Staff or White House Counsel are officers in any fashion, despite the fact they may exercise tremendous influence across the government," the government's motion to dismiss said.

Chutkan called the defense "disquieting."

"Defendants appear to make the extraordinary argument that an individual who holds an important office and wields immense power is not subject to the Appointments Clause so long as the office was unlawfully created, and the power was unlawfully seized," Chutkan said. ...

More from the analysis ...

... What if you aren't rich?

The typical American can't afford the median-priced home. A new car is out of reach for many, with the average monthly payment exceeding $700. Food banks are seeing a growing number of people skipping meals because they can't afford groceries, and more middle-class Americans are selling their plasma to make ends meet.

The divide between rich and poor in America is the widest it's been in at least a generation -- and growing.

The amount of wealth held by the top 1% increased at more than double the rate of the bottom 90% in the first nine months of last year, according to Federal Reserve figures. ...

President Donald Trump's policies are amplifying these trends. One year into his second term, his administration has cut programs helping lower-income households while advancing policies benefiting the wealthy and corporations. He's signed legislation to cut food stamps and Medicaid benefits and put new restrictions on low-income housing assistance and student loans. To cope with higher costs from tariffs, he has suggested Americans buy fewer dolls for their children.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has given billions of dollars in tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy and loosened regulations on banks while easing rules around cryptocurrency, which he's benefited from personally. ...

@#15 ... We all know that ..

When I see a comment that seems to profess what is mentioned in the comment as what ~we all know,~ my first thought is to just dismiss the comment.

@#74 ... Yeah it's almost like when they sign a treaty with the USA, a new president comes in and just rips it up because he's jealous that the treaty signer had a bigger blacker dick than his. ...

But that agreement was not just between the US and Iran. It also incorporated many other countries.

@#87 ... Earlier, Iranian officials have been quick to deny Trump's claims of negotiations saying they have nothing to do with any proposals, direct or indirect. ...

I'll ask again...

Who might Pres Trump think he is talking to in the negotiations he claims are occurring?

"A top official?"

I thought that the US had eliminated all the Iranian Top Officials?

... Sometimes I feel I should tell a little fib ...

Why the apparent change of heart by Pres trump.

He should just tell his usual big lie.

... Trump Says Senators Should Stay in DC Over Easter for Jesus ...

While I do agree with Pres Trump that Senators should make it a priority to fund TSA, I disagree that ICE and his SAVE America Act should also be funded.

So, at this point, I agree with the Senate, and their refusal to pass Pres Trump's agenda to control elections.

@#10

Yup.

So.... summing it up...

Democrats seems to be turning to the Bible to get votes, while Republicans seem to be turning to autocracy to get votes.

Quite the curious turn of events.

OK, this may be news to many here, but I look forward to January 20, 2029 when I see a fmr Pres Trump carrying boxes of his belongings out of the White House.

But ... will I ever see that?

I'm at the 50-50 level at this point.

That aside, I do want to say that back in the summer of 2016 I posted a comment here on this most august site.

That comment warned that Mr Trump, while winning the RNC nomination, may not be good for the Country.

Why did I say that? Mostly because I knew of Mr Trump since the late-1980's, early 1990's, being a resident of the NYC area.

So....

How did my warning turn out?

@#7 ... Oh, I bet they do. And likely have. ...

This was in the local news here for me.

The voice recordings were aired on the local news.

@#2 ... "I messed up," he said in a shaken voice. ...

Shaken voice? That cannot begin to describe the feeling I heard in his voice.

More from the article...

...The rollout has raised concerns among critics and digital rights groups that Moscow will use Max to surveil its citizens and further cut digital links to the West.

"Any data that passes through this application can be considered to be in the hands of its owner, and in this case, the hands of the Russian state," said Baptiste Robert, CEO of French cybersecurity research firm Predicta Lab.

Launched in 2025 by Russian social media giant VK, Max has been compared to China's WeChat, combining social media and messaging functions with access to government services, a digital ID card system, banking and payments.

It is not officially mandatory, but the authorities are making it clear that life without Max will become increasingly hard.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has touted it as a more "secure" platform that meets the country's demand for "technological sovereignty." ...

@#10 ... the subject of healthcare and health insurance and how accessible and affordable (or lack thereof) ...

I was recently referred to a specialist by my primary care physician.

The Specialist's office called me to schedule the appointment.

I politely told the polite gentleman on the phone to not schedule the appointment. he said, "OK."

Why did I choose to cancel?

A couple of reasons...

For starters, I did not see the need for that referral.

That aside... the health-care in this area is controlled by a major private equity group. So, do PCPs refer patients to specialists to generate revenue or for the benefit of the patients? Is there a kick-back when a PCP does that referral?

Stated differently, my once high-esteem I had held for the medical care in this area has diminished greatly, as private equity moved in and took over the health-care for their own profit.

Now, when I walk into an area medical facility, I feel more like a revenue prospect, and less like a patient.

More from the article...

...But a new crop of Democratic leaders is hoping to flip the script.

Members of Congress across the United States -- from Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia to Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, along with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear -- are talking more about how their public service is rooted in their Christian faith.

State Rep. James Talarico, a Presbyterian seminary student who is the democratic nominee for U.S. Senate seat in Texas, earned national attention for his unabashed quoting of the Bible -- highlighted in a viral interview with podcaster Joe Rogan.

Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who lost to Mr. Talarico in the primary on March 3, talks about her Baptist faith.

And a cadre of faith-based political consultants stands ready to guide Democrats again this election cycle, hoping for a new boldness. ...

Was Sen Fetterman a MAGA false flag plant among Democrats?

Another view ...

Interesting ...

@#6,7 ... Meanwhile, Trump and buddies have been making billions and depositing it into Qatari bank accounts.

Anyone who thought a billionaire was going to help the middle class is an idiot. ...

It does appear that grift is the major goal of Pres Trump and those close to him.

Meanwhile, concurrently...

@#3 ... reality show "17 Dead Kids A Day" ...

Oops, I missed the change in the title of the show in your comment.

I was speaking of the reality show, "17 Kids and Counting."

@#3 ... "17 Dead Kids A Day" just got renewed through Season 15. ...

According to IMDB, season 15 occured in 2015.

Are we at a "tipping point?"

That is, where the increased temperatures cause frozen earth to thaw and release the carbon dioxide locked in their formerly frozen structures, thereby causing more warming, which releases more carbon dioxide ...

Rinse, cycle, repeat.