Archiv: Democracy First !


26.11.2025 - 13:44 [ NPR.org ]

Sen. Mark Kelly: Trump and Hegseth don‘t ‚understand the Constitution‘

On Monday, the Pentagon announced an investigation into Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy fighter pilot, for possible violations of military law for appearing in the video. The video was published as legal questions swirl around the Trump administration‘s deployment of National Guard troops to U.S. cities.

While the White House has since walked back the president‘s remarks calling the Senators‘ video „seditious behavior, punishable by DEATH,“ Kelly told All Things Considered he thinks President Trump is „declaring that loyalty to the Constitution is punishable by death.“

26.11.2025 - 13:19 [ U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan ]

My Statement on FBI Request for Interviews

President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress.

Yesterday, the FBI contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting interviews. No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution.

We swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will never give up the ship.

26.11.2025 - 13:03 [ Congressman Chris Deluzio / X ]

President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress.

Yesterday, the FBI contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting interviews.

No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution.

We swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will never give up the ship.

19.11.2025 - 19:17 [ Consortium News ]

What Did Palestine Action Do to be Named Terrorists?

Shortly after midnight on June 20, activists from Palestine Action cut through the outer fence of Brize Norton and sped across the tarmac on electric scooters.

Undetected by guards, they proceeded to spray red paint into the turbines of two Voyager aircraft, used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) for air-to-air refueling and strategic air transport missions. Crowbars were also reportedly used.

Three days later, Britain’s home secretary Yvette Cooper told parliament that she had decided to proscribe Palestine Action under Section 3 of the Terrorism Act.

04.10.2025 - 19:30 [ Washington Post ]

Many American Jews sharply critical of Israel on Gaza, Post poll finds

Q: When the war ends, would each of the following be an acceptable or unacceptable way for Gaza to be governed?

Completely acceptable (in %):

Governed by leaders elected by Palestinians in Gaza 30

Governed by group of existing Arab nations 10

Governed by the Palestinian Authority 10

Governed by Israel 14

Governed by Hamas 9

01.10.2025 - 21:26 [ NPR.org ]

Supreme Court says Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can stay — for now

The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked President Trump‘s attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, maintaining a critical firewall for now around the central bank‘s ability to make decisions without political interference from the White House.

24.07.2025 - 19:09 [ Daniel Neun / Radio Utopie ]

Es sind natürlich die U.S.-Geheimdienste, die Trump erpressen (wollen)

(January 11, 2017)

Nach der Niederlage Clintons versuchte die C.I.A. offenkundig ihren unerklärlichen Nimbus von Macht bzw ihre „Ehre“ (oder was auch immer dieser Haufen darunter versteht) zu retten. Noch-C.I.A.-Chef Brennan brachte Geheimdienstdirektor (D.N.I.) Clapper und F.B.I.-Direktor Comey schließlich schließlich Mitte Dezember in persönlichen Treffen schließlich dazu, sich der Russen-Legende der C.I.A. anzuschließen.

Vor wenigen Tagen sprach dann Trump über seine Medienmegafone bislang Unerhörtes, ja geradezu Ketzerisches aus: die Geheimdienste seien „politisiert“. Sie müssten „verschlankt“ werden. Auch das ist in der Form in der gesamten Geschichte der Vereinigten Staaten präzedenzlos. Seit John F. Kennedy hat es kein Präsident mehr gewagt, sich explizit mit der C.I.A. anzulegen.

(…)

Aktualisierung 23.40 Uhr

So etwas ist noch nie passiert. Die gesamte Situation ist präzedenzlos.

Das angeblich belastende Material, wie beschrieben angeblich von irgendeinem britischen Agenten, etc, ist bereits gestern auf Buzzfeed veröffentlicht worden. Es ist dermaßen ekelhaft, dass es einem die Schuhe auszieht. Und es wird mir schlecht, wenn ich sehe wie die Leute auf Twitter darauf reagieren. Offensichtlich wurde diese Fälschung, die als solche u.a. von Gateway Pundit und Wikileaks identifiziert wurde, nur mit einem Ziel entworfen: Trump anzuschießen und zwar so, dass er nie wieder aufsteht.

Trumps Reaktion ist, nun ja, fast etwas verwirrt. Im Laufe des heutigen Tages hielt er seine Pressekonferenz als gewählter Präsident ab. Allen Anwesenden war, nach meinem Eindruck, eine Art Schock über die Situation ins Gesicht geschrieben. Selbst der bemühte, ab und an aufbrandende Beifall änderte nichts an der gespenstischen Situation.

Während der Pressekonferenz übernahm Trump einerseits zum ersten Mal die Position der C.I.A. und äußerte hastig zwischen zwei Sätzen zur Frage, wer verantwortlich sei für den angeblichen Hack gegen die Parteizentrale der „Demokraten“ („Democratic National Committee“, D.N.C.),

„Ich glaube, es war Russland“ („I believe, it was Russia“)

Gegen Mittag hatte Trump andererseits zu dem veröffentlichten „belastenden Material“ getwittert:

„(Die) Geheimdienste hätten niemals erlauben sollen, dass diese Fake News an die Öffentlichkeit ´geleaked´ werden. Ein letzter Schuss gegen mich. Leben wir in Nazi-Deutschland?“

Präzedenzlos.

24.07.2025 - 18:55 [ Office of the Director of National Intelligence ]

APPROVED FOR RELEASE BY THE DNI ON 17 JULY 2025

1
From: (…) -DNI-
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2016 7:31 AM
To: (…)
Cc: (…)-DNI-
Subject: FW: NIC product on cyber threats to U.S. electoral infrastructure

24.07.2025 - 18:43 [ Office of the Director of National Intelligence ]

New Evidence of Obama Administration Conspiracy to Subvert President Trump’s 2016 Victory and Presidency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ODNI News Release No. 15-25
July 18, 2025

New Evidence of Obama Administration Conspiracy to Subvert President Trump’s 2016 Victory and Presidency

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard revealed overwhelming evidence that demonstrates how, after President Trump won the 2016 election against Hillary Clinton, President Obama and his national security cabinet members manufactured and politicized intelligence to lay the groundwork for what was essentially a years-long coup against President Trump.

– In the months leading up to the November 2016 election, the Intelligence Community (IC) consistently assessed that Russia is “probably not trying … to influence the election by using cyber means.”

– On December 7, 2016, after the election, talking points were prepared for DNI James Clapper stating, “Foreign adversaries did not use cyberattacks on election infrastructure to alter the US Presidential election outcome.”

-On December 9, 2016, President Obama’s White House gathered top National Security Council Principals for a meeting that included James Clapper, John Brennan, Susan Rice, John Kerry, Loretta Lynch, Andrew McCabe and others, to discuss Russia.

– After the meeting, DNI Clapper’s Executive Assistant sent an email to IC leaders tasking them with creating a new IC assessment “per the President’s request” that details the “tools Moscow used and actions it took to influence the 2016 election.” It went on to say, “ODNI will lead this effort with participation from CIA, FBI, NSA, and DHS.”

– Obama officials leaked false statements to media outlets, including The Washington Post, claiming, “Russia has attempted through cyber means to interfere in, if not actively influence, the outcome of an election.”

– On January 6, 2017, a new Intelligence Community Assessment was released that directly contradicted the IC assessments that were made throughout the previous six months.

24.07.2025 - 18:29 [ DNI Tulsi Gabbard / X ]

LIE: The Obama Administration’s January ICA was an independent Intelligence Community product, produced with apolitical analysis. TRUTH: Obama ordered the Intelligence Community to create an Intelligence Community Assessment they knew was false, promoting a contrived narrative, with the intent of undermining the legitimacy and power of a duly elected President of the United States, Donald Trump.

(July 23, 2025)

24.07.2025 - 18:27 [ CBS News ]

Trump‘s intel chief Tulsi Gabbard reignites political battles with 2016 election documents on Russia

(July 22, 2025)

The release of more than 100 pages of declassified files and a memorandum by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has reignited political battles over Russia‘s actions during the 2016 presidential election, a topic that has long incensed President Trump and put the actions of the U.S. intelligence community in partisan crosshairs.

18.07.2025 - 00:46 [ George Monbiot / theGuardian.com ]

Palestine Action isn’t a danger to British democracy – but Yvette Cooper is

(July 4, 2025)

No one can be trusted with power. Any government will oppress its people if not constantly and inventively challenged. And the task becomes ever-more urgent as new technologies of surveillance and control are developed.

The UK government is run by a former human rights lawyer. Its home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has expressed her admiration for the Suffragettes in parliament. Yet such credentials do nothing to defend us from attacks on our fundamental rights. With a huge majority, no formal constitutional checks and a ruthless, scarcely accountable governing machine, this administration is abusing its power to an even greater extent than its Conservative predecessors.

13.06.2025 - 00:12 [ Forbes Breaking News / Youtube ]

‘This Is Not An Isolated Incident’: Cory Booker Condemns Padilla’s Removal From DHS Press Briefing

During remarks on the Senate floor Thursday, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) spoke about the removal of Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) from a DHS briefing.

11.06.2025 - 08:44 [ Gavin Newsom, Governor of California ]

Governor Newsom’s Address to California: Democracy at a Crossroads

Yesterday, we filed a legal challenge to President Trump’s reckless deployment of American troops to a major American city.

Today, we sought an emergency court order to stop the use of the American military to engage in law enforcement activities across Los Angeles.

If some of us can be snatched off the streets without a warrant, based only on suspicion or skin color, then none of us are safe.

Authoritarian regimes begin by targeting people who are least able to defend themselves. But they do not stop there.

12.05.2025 - 17:55 [ Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) ]

Erdoğan’s fourth term, brought to you courtesy of Turkey’s Kurds?

(February 13, 2025)

When Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ran for re-election in 2023, he told voters, it would be the last time. Under current provisions, Turkey’s President can only hold office for two five-year terms, but it now appears that Erdoğan will seek a (constitutionally prohibited) fourth term. To achieve this, he will need to find a way to change the constitution, but this can only happen if he succeeds in gaining the support of Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish party.

12.05.2025 - 17:52 [ theConversation.com ]

What’s behind Erdoğan’s calculated shift on Kurds and its potential consequences

(March 5, 2025)

Drawing Kurdish political support away from the opposition and securing Kurdish backing for constitutional reforms would allow him to seek another presidential term.

With 57 parliamentary seats, DEM holds significant sway and can make all the difference if Erdoğan initiates a constitutional amendment process.

12.05.2025 - 17:43 [ Council of Europe / Europarat ]

Congress delegation meets Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu in detention

(May 7, 2025)Congress President Marc Cools led the first international delegation to meet Mayor İmamoğlu following his arrest on 23 March 2025.

After their official visit to Türkiye on 5-6 May 2025, the delegation made the following statement:

“Following our substantial exchange of views with Mr. İmamoğlu we remain convinced that it is unacceptable, under the rule of law, to deprive Istanbul of its elected mayor by detaining him without trial or substantiated charges, and we reiterate our call for his immediate release. This situation constitutes a violation of Mr. İmamoğlu‘s fundamental human rights and seriously hampers the ability of local governance in the largest city of Türkiye to function effectively in serving the needs of its citizens.

14.02.2025 - 21:00 [ Diario AS / Youtube ]

JD VANCE‘S HISTORIC Full SPEECH at MUNICH: SLAMS European LEADERS on FREE SPEECH

JD Vance delivered a historic full speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he strongly criticized European leaders for their approach to free speech. He specifically targeted the United Kingdom, calling out its restrictive policies and emphasizing the importance of protecting freedom of expression.

14.02.2025 - 20:56 [ Fox News ]

Vance eviscerates ‚Soviet‘-style European censorship in address to Munich Security Conference

„What I worry about is the threat from within the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America.“

Vance called out former European Commissioner Thierry Breton, who said in January that if the right wing German AfD party were to win elections in Germany, the results could go the way of Romania.

„These cavalier statements are shocking to American ears,“ said Vance.

13.02.2025 - 18:44 [ USA Today ]

Senate confirms Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services

WASHINGTON – The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Health and Human Services secretary on Thursday, giving the longtime vaccine critic who has vowed to take on „big pharma“ and ultra-processed food the power to oversee the nation’s food and healthcare systems.

13.02.2025 - 18:36 [ CBS News ]

Senate confirms RFK Jr. as HHS secretary in 52-48 vote

Kennedy, 71, is a longtime environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist whose family has mythic status in Democratic politics. The nephew of President John F. Kennedy and the son of Robert F. Kennedy launched his own White House bid in 2023. And although he initially sought the Democratic nomination, Kennedy changed his bid to independent, before dropping out to endorse President Trump in Augus

15.01.2025 - 00:06 [ RAIR Foundation USA ]

The EU’s Coup Against Democracy: Thierry Breton Threatens to Invalidate German Elections (Video)

(January 12, 2025)

The backlash was swift and vocal. Critics across Europe condemned Breton’s remarks, seeing them as a dangerous precedent in the EU’s approach to member states’ sovereignty. Observers noted that Breton’s comments revealed an alarming willingness to override the will of voters if outcomes do not align with EU preferences.

Many linked these actions to the EU’s broader push to control narratives, highlighting efforts to censor platforms like X in Europe to prevent dissent and scrutiny. The underlying motive, critics argue, is to silence opposition and maintain control, but such efforts may ultimately backfire as the truth surfaces despite their attempts to suppress it.

14.01.2025 - 20:03 [ RomaniaJournal.ro ]

Ex-Commissioner Breton: ‘What Was Done in Romania May Be Needed in Germany’

(January 10, 2025)

“Let’s stay calm and enforce the laws in Europe, when they risk being circumvented and if not enforced, could lead to interference. They did it in Romania and, obviously, it will have to be done, if necessary, in Germany as well,” he concluded, referring to the cancellation of the first round of the presidential elections in December.

14.01.2025 - 19:58 [ European Conservative ]

Former Censorship Tsar Admits EU Role in Annulling Romanian Election

We’ll also have to do it in Germany, if necessary,‘ Thierry Breton confessed—as up to 100,000 people took to the streets of Romania.

12.01.2025 - 17:09 [ Bundestagswahl-bw.de ]

PROGRAMM DER ALTERNATIVE FÜR DEUTSCHLAND FÜR DIE WAHL ZUM 21. DEUTSCHEN BUNDESTAG zum 16. Bundesparteitag der AfD in Riesa 11. bis 12. Januar 2025

Die Grundlage der Euro-Währung war: Vermeidung überbordender Schulden in allen EU-Staaten und keine Haftung der Staaten untereinander. Beide Regeln werden permanent gebrochen. Der Euro wird heute jeden Tag mit Milliardenbeträgen „gerettet“. Dies geschieht über Garantien und „Fazilitäten“, also direkte Geldgeschenke an „notleidende“ Staaten, über EU-Gemeinschaftsfonds, missbräuchliche Kreditmechanismen und Aufkäufe von Staatsanleihen durch das EZB-System. Jede weitere Teilnahme an der Dauerrettungspolitik kommt einer Insolvenzverschleppung auf Kosten deutscher Steuerzahler gleich. Der AfD ist bewusst, dass die Wiedereinführung einer stabilen nationalen Währung nicht ohne Umstellungsbelastungen erfolgen kann. Diese werden jedoch niedriger sein als die dauerhaften Kosten des weiteren Verbleibs im Euro-System. Deshalb muss Deutschland diese „Transferunion“ aufkündigen und den Irrweg der Dauerrettung durch Wiedereinführung einer nationalen Währung beenden, ggf. unter paralleler Beibehaltung des Euro oder einer flexiblen ECU-ähnlichen Verrechnungseinheit.

Die Vehemenz, mit welcher die Europäische Union die Transformation zum planwirtschaftlichen Superstaat in den letzten Jahren vorangetrieben hat, hat uns zu der Erkenntnis gebracht, dass sich unsere grundlegenden Reformansätze in dieser EU nicht verwirklichen lassen. Wir halten einen Austritt Deutschlands aus der Europäischen Union und die Gründung einer neuen europäischen Gemeinschaft für notwendig. Wir wollen die Europäische Union samt ihren Bürokratien und Institutionen durch eine Wirtschafts- und Interessengemeinschaft (WIG) ersetzen, durch einen Staatenbund, dessen Mitglieder konstruktiv und friedlich miteinander kooperieren und auf all jenen Gebieten eng zusammenarbeiten, die besser gemeinsam gestaltet werden können und für alle Beteiligten von Vorteil sind. Aus unserer Sicht sind dies der gemeinsame Markt, der wirksame Schutz der Außengrenzen gegen illegale Zuwanderung, die Erlangung strategischer Autonomie im sicherheitspolitischen Handeln und die Bewahrung der europäischen Kultur und ihrer verschiedenen Identitäten. Voraussetzung dafür wäre eine Anpassung der Europaartikel des Grundgesetzes auf Basis einer Volksabstimmung. Uns ist klar, dass ein harter Bruch kontraproduktiv wäre. Der Übergang in die neue WIG wäre darum sowohl mit den alten EU-Partnerstaaten als auch neuen Interessenten im Konsens zu verhandeln. Deshalb wollen wir wieder selbstverantwortliche und souveräne Nationalstaaten haben, die in Freiheit und Selbstbestimmung zusammenleben.

12.01.2025 - 16:51 [ ZDF ]

AfD-Wahlprogramm verabschiedet: Vater, Mutter, Kind – und der Ausstieg aus der EU

Die AfD fordert zudem den Ausstieg Deutschlands aus dem Euro und der Europäischen Union. Eine nationale Währung müsse wiedereingeführt werden – „gegebenenfalls unter paralleler Beibehaltung des Euro“.

11.01.2025 - 16:21 [ Wahlrecht.de ]

INSA: Wenn am nächsten Sonntag Bundestagswahl wäre …

(January 11, 2025)

CDU/CSU 30 %
SPD 16 %
GRÜNE 13 %
FDP 4 %
LINKE 3 %
FW –
AfD 22 %
BSW 6 %
Sonstige 6 %

14.12.2024 - 17:35 [ KBS.co.kr ]

Speaker: Public’s Passion, Courage, Devotion to Democracy Brought about Impeachment

The speaker thanked the public, emphasizing that the future of the country and hope lie within the people.

01.12.2024 - 23:32 [ TRTdeutsch.com ]

AfD-Programm für Bundestagswahl: EU-Austritt und Euro im Fokus

Zum Euro heißt es im Programmentwurf, Deutschland müsse „den Irrweg der Dauerrettung durch Wiedereinführung einer nationalen Währung beenden“. Zudem heißt es in dem Papier: „Wir halten einen Austritt Deutschlands aus der Europäischen Union und die Gründung einer neuen europäischen Gemeinschaft für notwendig.“

15.11.2024 - 16:23 [ ABC News ]

Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is Trump‘s pick for director of national intelligence

(November 13, 2024)

„Trump ended up with some neocons around him who were trying to undermine his objectives so they could feed their goals of continuing to keep us in a perpetual state of war,“ Gabbard said, discussing his first administration. „This administration has us facing multiple wars on multiple fronts and regions around the world and closer to the brink of nuclear war than we ever have been before,“ Gabbard said when she endorsed Trump during a campaign event in Michigan.

„This is one of the main reasons why I‘m committed to doing all that I can to send President Trump back to the White House, where he can, once again, serve us as our commander in chief.“

15.11.2024 - 16:10 [ CNN ]

Trump picks Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his Department of Health and Human Services secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, a choice that would add to Trump’s list of provocative picks whose confirmation processes will test the loyalty of Senate Republicans.

Trump on Thursday announced the selection, confirming CNN’s earlier reporting, saying he was thrilled to share the pick.

08.11.2024 - 18:35 [ Tagesschau.de ]

Vorgezogene Bundestagswahl: Ist eine schnellere Neuwahl überhaupt machbar?

Sowohl Wahlkreiskandidaten als auch Landeslisten müssen von Parteiversammlungen demokratisch bestimmt werden. Und das braucht gewisse Zeit für die Vorbereitung.

Im Bundeswahlgesetz steht: Wahlvorschläge für die Wahlkreise und Landeslisten der Parteien sind spätestens am 69. Tag vor der Wahl schriftlich einzureichen. Im Anschluss muss der Bundeswahlausschuss über die Zulassung der Wahlvorschläge entscheiden.

30.08.2024 - 13:40 [ Politico / Fabio De Masi ]

THE WIRECARD HUNTER RETURNS:

Erschienen im Politico Newsletter:

THE WIRECARD HUNTER RETURNS: Fabio De Masi made his name as one of the key players in Germany’s Bundestag that helped hold Wirecard to account after the high-flying fintech company was revealed to be engaging in fraud on a massive scale. Now De Masi, who already served once as MEP in 2014, is back in Brussels. He’s sitting in the ECON committee and he thinks that there’s plenty more financial malfeasance to dig up.