Only Under The Trump Administration Could a Goddamn Hurricane Become a Wedge Issue

By Dustin Rowles | Politics | September 12, 2018 |

By Dustin Rowles | Politics | September 12, 2018 |

This says it all right here, doesn’t it: The liquor board in Washington D.C. will consider today whether the Trump International Hotel will be able to continue selling alcohol or whether Trump fails the “good character” test required of anyone who sells alcohol in the city.

Well, let’s see! He stole money from hurricane victims to give it to ICE in order to harass, assault, and deport more people.

BREAKING: Document shows Trump admin took $10 million from FEMA, gave it to ICE for detentions, ahead of 2018 hurricane season. pic.twitter.com/Episis3vt4

— Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) September 12, 2018

When a hurricane hit Peurto Rico, more people died there than in the 9/11 attacks, and while the President cannot be blamed for hurricanes, he is absolutely to blame for the federal government’s lack of readiness, his antipathy toward the brown people of Peurto Rico who cannot win him elections, his hostility toward P.R.’s government officials, and his indifference toward the plight of the people there.

To wit:

This is beginning to look less like bureaucratic incompetence or political indifference, and more like a deliberate act of genocide via neglect. https://t.co/c9O0C516Sa

— TK (@TKhatesyou) September 12, 2018

And yet, this morning, Trump continues to brag about how well his Administration handled Hurricane Maria.

We got A Pluses for our recent hurricane work in Texas and Florida (and did an unappreciated great job in Puerto Rico, even though an inaccessible island with very poor electricity and a totally incompetent Mayor of San Juan). We are ready for the big one that is coming!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 12, 2018

So, I’d say no: He shouldn’t have a liquor license if that license is based on good character.

— Meanwhile, Mitch McConnell and other Republican Senators are openly grousing about the possibility of actually losing the Senate, an unthinkable prospect just two months ago.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday sounded some of the most doubtful notes of Trump’s presidency that Republicans will keep the upper chamber of Congress, telling reporters, “I hope when the smoke clears, we’ll still have a majority.”

His comments came as Republican strategists and officials fretted over a fresh round of private polling on the Senate races, while public polls registered further erosion in Americans’ approval of Trump. “Shipwreck” was how one leading strategist described the situation, adding an expletive to underscore the severity of the party’s problems.

Beto O’Rourke seems to be the flashpoint here. If he wins, as even Nate Silver notes, the Republican majority in the Senate is toast.

Also promising:

Democrats have a 14-point edge on the generic congressional ballot in a new @QuinnipiacPoll, 52-38%.

58-27% say Congress should be more of a check on Trump.

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 12, 2018