News Releases
Trump Use of Godlike Imagery Backfires
National & Minnesota Report
TDonald J Trump (R) latest attempt to cloak himself in grand, clearly divine imagery has not produced the awe he may have expected. Instead, it has exposed something far more fragile beneath the surface: a leader increasingly disconnected from the very people who once formed the bedrock of his support. Is this a reflection of his ego outpacing his reality.
For years, he has relied on exaggeration, bravado, and a cultivated persona of strength, but does this just portray the inherent weakness of his artifice? In this recent turn—leaning into imagery and rhetoric that suggests a kind of infallibility or chosen status—has struck a far different chord. Among critics, it has long been dismissed as an over inflated ego. Among former allies, however, it is now being interpreted as something more troubling: a genuine belief in his own myth.
This also could be a further reflection of his slipping into a delusional state of mind.
What makes this moment distinct is not outrage from his opponents—that has been constant—but discomfort from within his own ranks. Religious conservatives, once among his most loyal defenders, are increasingly uneasy. For many, the blending of political leadership with godlike symbolism crosses a line into blasphemy. It is one thing to support a flawed leader; it is another to watch that leader appear to elevate himself beyond accountability.
Trump’s schism with all Christians follows his reducing support among Catholics due to his attack on Pope Leo, for his opposition to the War with Iran, and the specifically the concept of this being a “Just War”. Let’s remember he already thought of himself in the Papacy.
This erosion of support comes at a time when external pressures are already mounting. Trump’s economic decisions, particularly his aggressive use of tariffs, have begun to ripple through the broader economy. What was framed as a bold strategy to protect American industry has translated, in everyday terms, into higher prices for consumers. Groceries, manufactured goods, and essential imports have all felt the squeeze. For many Americans, the promise of economic strength has given way to a reality of tightening budgets.
Layered on top of this is a foreign policy landscape that has grown increasingly volatile. Tensions with Iran escalated into open conflict following decisions widely viewed as avoidable. The consequences have been immediate and far-reaching. Oil markets reacted sharply, sending energy prices upward and placing additional strain on households already grappling with inflation.
Perhaps most consequential has been the instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow passage through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply flows. Any disruption there reverberates globally, and even the threat of restriction has been enough to drive uncertainty and price spikes. The situation underscores how quickly geopolitical decisions can translate into domestic hardship.
Taken together, these developments paint a picture not of dominance, but of overreach. The self-styled image of invincibility begins to fracture when confronted with tangible consequences—rising costs, international instability, and waning trust.
In the end, the use of godlike imagery may prove to be less a show of strength and more a revealing miscalculation. Leadership, particularly in a democracy, depends not on elevation above the masses but on connection with them. When that connection is replaced with self-mythologizing, the distance grows—and once that distance becomes too great, even the most loyal followers begin to step back and reconsider what they are witnessing.
MN House Republicans Attempt to Grandstand and Score Political Points with an Impeachment Push
Yesterday, in the Minnesota House Rules Committee, Republicans continued their now-familiar refrain, centering their arguments on what they describe as widespread FRAUD in state-administered programs. According to Minnesota House Republicans, these programs—designed to assist vulnerable populations—have instead become vehicles for abuse and mismanagement. The messaging is neither subtle nor varied. As the November election approaches, the Republican playbook appears to be unified, disciplined, and singular in focus: FRAUD.
Yet beneath the repetition lies a more calculated political maneuver. Rather than initiating a structured inquiry or engaging in a bipartisan effort to examine the scope of alleged wrongdoing, Republicans attempted to accelerate the process dramatically. What began as a call for discussion quickly evolved into a push for one of the most severe constitutional actions available: impeachment.
Specifically, Republicans sought to advance proceedings against Governor Tim Walz (DFL-MN) and Attorney General Keith Ellison (DFL-MN). The effort, while unlikely to succeed given the current balance of power, was not without purpose. It served as a highly visible platform to reinforce their central campaign narrative and to draw a stark contrast with Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party leadership.
The motion ultimately failed on a tied vote—an outcome that surprised few observers. The evenly divided committee ensured that any such effort would stall at this stage. However, the failure itself may be beside the point. In modern political strategy, the act of forcing a vote can be as valuable as winning one. Republicans now have a tangible action to present to their base, while Democrats can frame the move as political theater rather than substantive governance.
Critics of the impeachment push argue that it reflects a broader trend in which complex policy challenges are reduced to campaign slogans. Allegations of fraud in government programs are serious and warrant thorough investigation. But impeachment, they contend, is a tool of last resort—one that demands clear evidence of high crimes or misconduct, not merely political disagreement or administrative shortcomings.
Historically, impeachment in Minnesota is exceedingly rare. The last instance dates back to 1895, when proceedings were brought against a sitting judge accused of being inebriated on the bench, as well as actions involving the State Treasurer. That historical context underscores just how extraordinary such a measure is—and how significant the threshold should be for invoking it.
Supporters of the Republican effort counter that extraordinary circumstances demand decisive action. They argue that failure to act decisively risks normalizing mismanagement and eroding public trust in government institutions. From this perspective, even an unsuccessful impeachment push can serve as a warning signal and a call to accountability.
What is clear is that both parties are positioning themselves for the electoral battle ahead. For Republicans, the focus on fraud provides a sharp, emotionally resonant message aimed at energizing voters concerned about government waste and oversight. For Democrats, the failed impeachment effort offers an opportunity to highlight what they view as partisan overreach and to emphasize stability and continuity in leadership.
In the end, the tied vote in committee may have resolved the immediate question, but it has amplified the broader political conflict. As November approaches, the issue of fraud—real, alleged, and politically framed—will likely remain at the center of Minnesota’s political discourse, with both sides leveraging the moment to solidify their narratives and rally their supporters.
History of MN Impeachments
State Treasurer William Seeger,1873-Impeached for “corrupt conduct” regarding the handling of state funds. He resigned before the trial concluded.
District Judge Sherman Page, 1878-Impeached for official misconduct, including an “arbitrary and violent temper” and mistreating witnesses. He was acquitted by the Senate.
District Judge E. St. Julien Cox, 1881- Impeached for public intoxication while on the bench. He was convicted on seven of twenty articles and removed from office in 1882.
Why Trump Will Likely Attack Iran in the Fashion He Says, Because He’s a Bully
International, National & Minnesota Report
Donald J Trump (R) is likely to follow through on his threats against Iran, because he doesn’t like being called a “TACO,” Trump Always Chickens Out. His continued bluster and bravado appears to be a response whereby he proves himself. This means he has to prove to others his strength because he is a pathetic little man.
He has a long-documented history of using aggressive rhetoric, intimidation, and personal insults—often described as bullying—to dominate opponents and secure loyalty, a pattern spanning from his childhood to his presidency and business career. His tactics include degrading nicknames, public humiliation, and threatening behavior, designed to knock critics off-balance.
Early Patterns: Dominance as Identity
Accounts from Trump’s youth suggest that these tendencies were not developed late in life but were ingrained early. At the New York Military Academy, where he was sent at age 13, contemporaries described him as domineering and at times physically aggressive. Reports of him enforcing discipline among peers and using intimidation to assert control paint a picture of a young person learning that power could be exercised through fear rather than cooperation.
This early environment matters. Military-style schooling emphasizes hierarchy, obedience, and strength—qualities that, when filtered through a personality already inclined toward dominance, can reinforce a worldview where relationships are transactional and hierarchical rather than mutual.
Business Career: Aggression as Strategy
In his business career, Trump refined these instincts into a deliberate strategy. He openly acknowledged using psychological disruption—keeping opponents off-balance—as a negotiation tactic. Former associates and journalists documented patterns of threats, litigation, and verbal pressure designed to overwhelm adversaries.
The so-called “Polish Brigade” case, involving undocumented workers at a construction site, highlighted how power imbalances could be leveraged through intimidation. Critics argued that such behavior was not incidental but central to his approach: create fear, control the narrative, and force concessions.
From a psychological perspective, this aligns with what researchers call instrumental aggression—hostility used not for emotional expression but as a calculated tool to achieve dominance and compliance.
Political Arena: Bullying as Performance
During the 2016–2024 campaigns and throughout his presidency, Trump translated these tactics into political communication. His use of namecalling such as “Crooked Hillary” and “Lyin’ Ted” functioned as branding devices—simple, repeatable labels that reduced complex opponents into caricatures. This is a tactic used to dehumanize an opponent.
One widely criticized moment occurred in 2015 when he appeared to mock a disabled reporter, intensifying concerns about ridicule in political discourse. On social media, particularly Twitter (now X), he used direct, often confrontational messaging to target critics, journalists, and officials.
This behavior served a dual purpose: it energized supporters who viewed it as authenticity and strength, while simultaneously intimidating detractors. The result was what some commentators describe as a “politics of humiliation,” where public shaming becomes a governing style.
Psychological Dimensions: Narcissism and Emotional Development
At the psychological level, Trump’s behavior has often been analyzed through the lens of narcissistic traits. While formal diagnosis is inappropriate without clinical evaluation, many experts point to characteristics such as:
- A strong need for admiration
- Sensitivity to criticism
- A tendency to externalize blame
- A drive to dominate interpersonal interactions
Mary Trump, his niece and a clinical psychologist, has argued that these traits stem from a childhood shaped by Fred Trump, whom she describes as emotionally harsh and intolerant of weakness. In such an environment, vulnerability may be suppressed and replaced with aggression as a defense mechanism.
From a developmental psychology standpoint, behavior that appears infantile or immature—such as name-calling, impulsive retaliation, and difficulty tolerating criticism—can reflect arrested emotional development. These patterns resemble early-stage coping mechanisms, where complex emotional processing is replaced by simple binaries: win/lose, strong/weak, loyal/enemy.
Bullying and Power: Why It Works
Bullying often succeeds because it exploits basic human psychology:
- Fear response: People avoid confrontation when faced with aggression
- Social contagion: Public ridicule can influence group perception
- Cognitive simplification: Labels reduce complexity and shape narratives
Trump’s approach leverages all three. By dominating attention and framing opponents in simplistic, often derogatory terms, he controls the emotional tone of discourse. Supporters may interpret this as decisiveness; critics see it as corrosive.
Sources
The following reputable sources provide deeper analysis and documentation of these patterns:
- PBS Frontline – “President Trump”
- The New Yorker – “Donald Trump’s Politics of Fear
- National Review – Donald Trump’s Business Career Has Been One of Bullying Ordinary Citizens
- The Atlantic – “The Mind of Donald Trump” by Dan P. McAdams
- American Psychological Association (APA) – Research on narcissism and leadership
- Mary L. Trump – Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man
- Gwenda Blair – The Trumps: Three Generations of Builders and a Presidential Candidate
Conclusion
Trump’s use of bullying tactics is not incidental—it is foundational to his personal and professional identity. From early life experiences to high-stakes political arenas, he has consistently relied on aggression, ridicule, and intimidation as tools of control. Psychologically, these behaviors suggest a pattern rooted in dominance-seeking and emotional defensiveness, often manifesting in ways critics describe as immature.
Whether interpreted as strategic or corrosive, the broader implication is significant: when bullying becomes normalized in leadership, it reshapes not only political discourse but societal expectations of power itself.
Expectations Are Low for the End of the 2026 Legislative Session
Minnesota Report
Ultimately, our dead-on analysis of the start of the 2025-26 Legislative Session remains to be what we believe the final outcome will be for the end will be. Not Much.
Why, it’s an election year and each side would rather have the issues for the November Election rather than solve the problem. Republicans will run on Fraud and the DFL will run away from it and run against Donald J Trump (R), Tariffs, Inflation, Gas prices, ICE and every other grievance the they have against the Administration.
This means nothing of substance will pass. The Budget is set and unless they pass Federal Conformity, they will have their current budget sans Trump’s tax removal on overtime and tips.
We expect a Bonding Bill will pass largely due to the current announced retirements and the surprise ones at the end of the session. Especially, those seeking reelection and retiring legislators always want to bring something they can claim credit for back to their district. Mainly this means Republicans.
We never have ever seen a legislator lose an election over a vote for the Bond Bill that support a waste water treatment facility, a school, a college, or any other infrastructure project.
Current List of Announced Legislative Retirees
Minnesota Report
We were surprised to see the current list of legislative retirees all are going away and so far not one House Member is running for an open Senate seat.
In the House, there are seven Republicans and three DFlers who have announce their retirements. In the Senate its is an even split of seven and seven.
We are still awaiting the results of the various political conventions to see if anything else transpires, specifically in Gubernatorial endorsement on the Republican side with House Speaker Lisa DeMuth (R-13A, Cold Spring and the 2nd Congressional endorsement on the DFL side to see what occurs regarding Senator Matt Klein (DFL 53, South St Paul) and Rep Kayla Berg (DFL-55B, Burnsville). The endorsement contest for the Ramsey County Board could see Rep Maria Isa Perez Vega (DFL-65B, St Paul) make her own announcement.
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Party |
Body |
Member |
District |
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R |
House |
10A |
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R |
House |
13B |
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R |
House |
15A |
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R |
House |
15B |
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R |
House |
21A |
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R |
House |
30B |
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R |
House |
33A |
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DFL |
House |
39A |
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DFL |
House |
39B |
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DFL |
House |
40A |
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R |
Senate |
13 |
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R |
Senate |
15 |
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R |
Senate |
20 |
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R |
Senate |
21 |
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R |
Senate |
22 |
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R |
Senate |
26 |
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R |
Senate |
37 |
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DFL |
Senate |
43 |
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DFL |
Senate |
44 |
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DFL |
Senate |
49 |
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DFL |
Senate |
50 |
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DFL |
Senate |
51 |
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DFL |
Senate |
52 |
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DFL |
Senate |
65 |
First Lunar Space Launch in Over 50 Years Set to Commence
International, National & Minnesota
If you are a child of the 60’s or 70’s you followed the Apollo Program. Issues of magazines, like Time, Life and National Geographic contained articles about the Astronauts, the equipment and the missions. In fact, National Geographic produced a vinyl tear-out of the audio of the Sounds of Space narrated by Apollo 8 Mission Commander Frank Borman.
We all watched the landing of Apollo 11 and listened to the conversation between Mission Control with the crew and heard the immortal words of Neil Armstrong as he made the first exit from the lunar lander, “One step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
This effort was foretold by President John F Kennedy (D) in his address at Rice University in 1962, when he said, “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard”. It was accomplished before the end of the decade with the Apollo 11 flight.
Now, with the Artemis Program we start again, and under the name of Apollo’s sister the outcome is to have a Space Station located on the moon. Maybe they will need to have the Space Force based there to protect our planet from aliens.
Trump’s Address to the Nation on the Iraq War
International, National & Minnesota
Tonight, Donald J Trump (R) will address the nation to hopefully, provide some rationale for why America launched its attacks in coordination with Israel on Iran on February 28. To date now concurrent explanation has been provided and even members of the Administration have conflicting reasons. The main reason we believe he is doing this now is because of the lagging poll numbers, where he is not just underwater, but drowning.
We still question why a five-time draft dodger in the case of Trump is now exercising the power of the United States to impose it will on another nation, which is directly contrary to how he campaigned against forever wars in foreign lands. He is nothing more than a Chicken Hawk, who is willing to avoid the draft in his youth and puff up his feathers when he has no skin in the game.
Sure Iran, is a bad actor, and has been since 1979. Since 1984, Iran was designated as a state sponsor of terrorism They have backed numerous militant groups across the Middle East primarily through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF). Specifically, through their support of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Houthis in Yemen, and various Iraqi militias like Kata’ib Hezbollah, aiming to project power primarily to counter US and Israeli influence.
Now, there is vast speculation about what he will say. Will he propose a cease fire, announce an agreement, or just withdraw and leave the situation worst than it was before US involvement. As many will watch the launch of the Artemis II, it will be soon followed by the pedantic ramblings of an utter buffoon.
Trump’s Intended Attempt to Intimidate the Supreme Court
National & Minnesota Report
As Donald J Trump (R) heads to watch the oral arguments at the US Supreme Court on the Birthright Citizenship case, which is an unprecedented move. He is pressing the court to adopt a different interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which was ratified after the Civil War and states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside”.
We believe this time, Trump will find he lacks the levers of power to force his flawed judgment on a document he never read, doesn’t understand and tries to undermine at every turn.
This is another boorish manner, in which the ham-handed Orange-faced Imbecile shows his true colors.
No Kings Rally Number III
No Kings Rally
St Paul, Minnesota was center stage as the flagship location for the No Kings Rally on Saturday March 28th. Over 8 million people nationwide came out of the comfort of their homes, to stage a protest of the Orange-faced Imbecile and his divisive Anti-American policies.
We expect Donald J Trump (R) is tone deaf to the voices of approximately 2.34% of the American population, but think this is a dynamic group of pissed off citizens. The agenda of the first two rally’s was the anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) after the murders of Renee Nicolle Good and Alex Pretti. Now, they have added the Iran War and the decling economy as the grievances.
This peaceful force was the largest protest ever seen in US History. The gathering of celebrities, politicians and average everyday people is a testament to what is wrong with American under the regime of Donald J Trump (R).
We all are suffering from the oppression of a Wanna-be Dictator. As we voiced before, “How do you recognize a Traitor? They wear a MAGA Hat.
While Trump and Netanyahu Wag the Dog, Christian Nationals Revere the Unholy War
International, National & Minnesota Report
When Barry Levinson directed the movie Wag the Dog and Dustin Hoffman won the Oscar for Best Actor it was deemed as a comedy. The problem is in real life the Iran War is actually a tragedy.
But it’s implementation is transparent. For Donald J Trump (R) it is obfuscation away from the Epstein Files, and for Israeli Prime Minnister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu (Likud) it extends his time in office and holds off Israeli elections, maintains his power and allows him to protect himself for any corruption trial.
We will see how long the war plays out, but the advancement of the Christian Nationals agenda is front and center with the best mouthpiece being Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
This resurgence of the Crusades, the military campaigns launched by the papacy between 1095 and 1291, is emblematic of the revisionist history of the Arch-conservative Religious Right. Those who hold the belief of the resurrection of the third Temple of Israel and the second coming of Jesus Christ to hold dominion over the world.
Now, to be clear, Iran is a significant threat to peace and democracy in the region and throughout the world, but because there are many more interests beyond just those of America—and its various internal factions—starting a regional war, which may expand, is not a well thought-out enterprise.
In spite of Trump receiving the hokey inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize” and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presenting to him, her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal, the Nobel Committee does not provide medal for people who start wars and then settle them.
Trump Polling Numbers in Key States Falter
National and Minnesota Report Yesterday, articles in the New York Times and the Washington Post spelled good news for the former Vice-President Joe Biden’s campaign (D). https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/upshot/poll-2020-biden-battlegrounds.html...
Senate Bonding Then and Now (2018 v 2020)
Minnesota Report Two years ago, the Republican controlled State Senate brought forward it’s Capitol Investment Bill, which failed to pass on a party line vote of 34-33, seven votes short of the 2/3rds majority of 41 votes. What is interesting I what the Republicans...
Mayo Clinic Challenging Trump’s Push of Malaria Drugs
Minnesota Report The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN has released a medical advisory in direct response to Donald J Trump's (R) call of the use of hydroxychloroquine and erythromycin.Guidance on patients at risk of drug-induced sudden cardiac death from off-label...
Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Page
Minnesota Report On Friday, Governor Tim Walz (DFL-MN) along with Commissioner Jan Malcolm released the State of Minnesota’s comprehensive COVID-19 page on the Department of Health’s Website. Additionally, the MN House also has a page which provides more and...
Trump’s Continued Call for Hydroxychloroquine
National Report In spite of not having scientific support for his position Donald J Trump (R) continues to put forward his contention that the use of Hydroxychloroquine a drug for Malaria and Lupus and Erythromycin a drug for bacterial infections as a panacea to the...
Walz Executive Orders During Pandemic
Minnesota Report As we are in the midst of the second week of the Stay at Home Executive Order 20-20 more orders are coming from Governor Tim Walz (DFL-MN) to stipulate what options are available to our state’s citizens. Today, Executive Order 20-25 Authorizing Peace...
The Coming of the Four Horsemen
If you want to be memorable in Minnesota State Capitol politics it is good if you are referred to as something other than your name. It is often helpful when a term or a phrase can be applied to your, group, issue or initiative. If you want to be known as something...
First Paid Political Advertisement Ran Here 21 Years Ago
There were a number of firsts that occurred in the 1998 Governor's race besides the My Three Sons Primary and the election of third-party candidate Jesse Ventura, In 1997, the Ted Mondale for Governor campaign took out, what is known as the First Paid Political...
2018 House State Fair Poll
Minnesota Report We at Checks & Balances are continuing our tradition of publishing the State Fair Polls found at the State Fair booths in the Education Building. Again, as we have said before, these provide an insight into the mindset and the issues of interest...
2018 Senate State Fair Poll
Minnesota Report State Senate 2016 State Fair Poll Questions (Choose one answer per question) Demographics Residence Minneapolis/St. Paul Rural Suburban Regional hub of at least 40,000 people (Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud, Mankato, Moorhead) Another state No...
Candidates Wolgamott and Ek are Each, Seeking a Shot at Redemption
Minnesota Report In December of 2005, the MN Supreme Court Ruled House Candidate Sue Ek (R-MN) ineligible as a candidate for the House seat 15B, do to her failure to reside in the district 60-days prior to the filing period. This means the highest court in our state,...
Speaking of Urdahl, One of His Books is Being Turned into a Movie
Minnesota Report Capitol observers might be familiar with the fact, Dean Urdahl (R-16A, Grove City) is a writer of historical fiction based on the Civil War era. The first book in his Uprising Saga series, Uprising is set to be on the small screen offered by one of...
Leadership Shuffles
Minnesota Report First, it was the rapid one-week ouster of Republican Party Chair Jennifer Carnahan, then the announcement by Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-09, Nisswa) leaving the leadership post and not seeking reelection, followed by the more surprising...
The Best Example of the Legislative Chasm: Bonding Bill
Minnesota Report DFLers and Republicans are at odds over whether or not a Bonding Bill is a Jobs Bill. The two sides are also at loggerheads over whether or not long-term spending through bonds is a prudent fiscal decision. The cost of spending for a government backed...
Legislative Session Ends with a Flatulence in a Wind Funnel or FWF
Minnesota Report When competing political ideologies are at play, the ability to achieve consensus is a far way island, and reaching it, is a distant, remote and implausible likelihood. The reason being political people are hard-pressed to see beyond their own vested...
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