Trump's war on constitutional democracy

 SONIA SOTOMAYOR: Donald Trump “poses an extraordinary threat to the rule of law.”

MSNBC -  In a stunning move, Disney’s ABC announced on Wednesday night that it would be indefinitely pausing late-night host Jimmy Kimmel's program after his comments related to the Charlie Kirk shooting were criticized by the Federal Communications Commission chair. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s personal legal battle against America’s media industry is also escalating. On Monday the president filed a whopping 85-page defamation lawsuit against The New York Times seeking $15 billion, plus punitive damages, which exceeds the market cap of the entire company. 

MSNBC -   Kimmel's remarks ... drew condemnation from Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, who said it "appears to be an action by Jimmy Kimmel to play into the narrative that this was somehow a MAGA or Republican-motivated person.”

He added: “What people don’t understand is that the broadcasters … have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest."

Carr issued a stark warning to the network: "When we see stuff like this, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

The Guardian -  Politicians, media figures and free speech organisations expressed anger and alarm at the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show, warning that critics of Donald Trump were being systematically silenced... On Wednesday evening, California governor Gavin Newsom called the firing of commentators and cancelling of shows “coordinated” and “dangerous.” He went on to say that the Republican party “does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time.”...

Comedian and actor Wanda Sykes said in a video that Trump “didn’t end the Ukraine War or solve Gaza within his first week, but he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”

Hacks star Jean Smart wrote that she was “horrified” by the decision. “What Jimmy said was FREE speech, not hate speech. People seem to only want to protect free speech when it suits THEIR agenda,” she wrote on Instagram. “Though I didn’t agree at ALL with Charlie Kirk; his shooting death sickened me; and should have sickened any decent human being. What is happening to our country?”

Sharing recent footage of Fox commentator Brian Kilmeade calling for mentally ill and homeless people to be killed, comedian Paul Scheer wrote: “So let me get this straight. Kimmel is off the air for his comments about the politicization of an assassination but this is totally fine.” Kilmeade later apologised for his “extremely callous” remarks....

monologue on Monday, Kimmel said that “we hit some new lows over the weekend with the Maga gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”...

There have been reports of teachers, firefighters, journalists, nurses, politicians, a Secret Service employee, a junior strategist at Nasdaq and a worker for a prominent NFL team, being sacked or censured in some form after publishing opinions on Kirk’s politics or death...

MSNBC -   Indiana’s Republican governor said he’s concerned that his state could face political ramifications — potentially, a loss of federal benefits — unless it forces through a mid-decade redraw of its congressional districts ahead of next year’s midterms.

Gov. Mike Braun is facing backlash after he told an Indiana radio station that there could be “consequences” if state Republicans don’t quickly move on the Trump administration’s demands.

Trump has urged GOP-controlled states for help in next year’s electoral races by redrawing districts in ways that favor Republicans — in some cases, as with Texas and Missouri, by diluting the power of nonwhite voters. The administration has had Indiana in its sights, with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance reportedly pressuring Indiana lawmakers — some of whom have been skeptical — to get on with the rigging already.

Braun framed it as an offer Indiana can’t refuse.