Feeding frenzy of MAGA red meat: Republican attempt to assassinate Trump, Espionage Charges dropped and Project 2025
Buckle up
Good day to TAT readers,
I would say, “happy Monday” but it is not. I was planning on writing about the assassination attempt of the former POTUS, but then came the well-timed for the opening of the GOP circus/ convention, bombshell dismissal of Trump’s felony/ espionage charges by Judge Aileen Canon. This is all swirling against the backdrop of Project 2025 attention clearly indicates a full-broadside against our constitution and by extension, our constitutional republic, by the MAGA-controlled, GOP.
There will not be enough time today to fully develop deep dives into all three of these threats, and as the convention becomes more virulent in their Project 2025 devotion over the week, there will be plenty to discuss regarding thwarting the threats posed by MAGA. For the record, in this essay, when I write the acronym MAGA, it refers specifically to the GOP. They have demonstrated that there is now no difference between the two.
There is a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s get at it. I will address all three topics but wrap together occasionally, in order to lay the groundwork for the summary, that weaves all three acute threats into a more explicable understanding of the overall threat posed by MAGA.
“Attempted Assassination”
First, let’s get the “attempted assassination, out of the way first. It is by far, the easiest to explain at this point in time.
We really do not know much more than what was originally communicated by credible sources. In other words, what we think that we know for certain, is the following:
Trump was shot by a registered Republican from a community 42 miles aways from the site of the shooting.
The shooter made his way onto a roof, roughly one hundred and forty meters away from the dais.
At this moment, it appears that a round from an AR-styled weapon slightly injured Trump’s right ear. The forensics are not yet verified… at least publicly.
Secret Service statements claim that local Law Enforcement had agreed to manage this particular sector but failed in a variety of ways. They have also released a comprehensive statement regarding the situation, investigation and cooperation with oversight.
The investigation is being pursued with all due diligence and the results will be publicly available when there is something conclusive to report.
There are a few other tidbits of routine information, and you can find it here, in the embedded link from ABC News, at about 3:15 CST.
We also know that there are already countless preposterous conspiracy theories floating around media, social media and word of mouth. This is beyond dangerous but like all influence operations, our national security community responsible for protecting Americans physically and cognitively, remains impotent, in the four decades leading up to our current times and shows zero sign of improving.
More on this topic in the summary. I won’t go further here with any speculation that could develop into another common conspiracy theory. We cannot solve crimes, problems or threats unless we deal with truth or as I define truth;
Truth "All known facts presented objectively and in context. - Cobaugh - 2018
Most importantly, in a display of leadership fully divergent from the GOP, President Biden in a special address last night from the Oval Office, spoke against political violence firmly. He did not make it partisan and has underscored the urgency of such an investigation. We will learn all truth that does not compromise future security operations, throughout the election and post-election period.
When we all spot claims about Secret Service operations regarding events such as last Saturday’s, it is critical to make sure that there is a traceable source of the claimant’s expertise in such matters. Even though my expertise in CT/ Counterterrorism is extensive, it is from a very different perspective as the required tasks and associated procedures of the Secret Service teams. Both are extremely detailed and precise in all ways imaginable, but both do not have the same operational requirements. Public speculation does not come from professionals.
For ease of understanding, I’m combining Judge Canon’s dismissal of Trump’s charges and the Project 2025 discussion. They are part and parcel of the same effort. Today’s dismissal of Trump’s charges regarding classified documents, is to watch Project 2025 in real-time action
In the long run, Judge Aileen Canon’s dismissal of Trump’s classified products charges, is a flagrant power move by a dedicated MAGA supporter, not the actions of a Judge exercising due diligence. Although her decision will likely be overturned at a higher Federal Court, she has simply done what SCOTUS has done for Trump, delay conviction in order to give him a chance to become president again. Let me be clear, Trump’s willful, intended actions regarding classified intelligence is a grave national security risk to not only the US, but our allies.
Should today’s announced, Jack Smith’s appeal succeed, there is a strong likelihood of that appeal success being taken on by SCOTUS/ United States Supreme Court. after recent decisions such as the Trump immunity case, there is little hope that SCOTUS will uphold decision reinstating the case against Trump. The Chief Justice John Roberts’ court has clearly demonstrated over the past few years, that they support the far-right twin towers of agenda items, oligarchy and far-right Christian Nationalism or better yet, the Confederacy 2.0.
Just as expected and defined in Project 2025, courts subservient to the dictator are the norm, not the exception. There are 158 mentions of the word, “court” in the Project 2025 document and all of the mentions, degrade our constitutionally guaranteed protections either individually or collectively. With the primary power residing in the Executive Branch, there is no evidence that courts would rule differently from the express wishes of any such dictator or more politely, authoritarian.
At this point, it will almost certainly not matter, because no matter what Trump says, Project 2025, already on display via GOP actions, will be a full-blown threat to our republic and the very constitution that defines it.
As a Texan, I daily recognize the tenets of the principles of Project 2025 which are on full display in the actions of the Texas GOP. It is little different in most so-called red states. For what you can expect from early conversion to Project 2025, the Texas GOP has put on a real, live display in the Trump era. Here’s a little background for you if you are interested:
Oh, where oh where have Texas GOP patriots gone? (truthaboutthreats.com)
Texas Travesty - by Paul Cobaugh - Truth About Threats
White Christian Nationalism is the official ideology of the Texas Republican Party. (truthaboutthreats.com)
Texas government is the antithesis of patriotic. (truthaboutthreats.com)
The truth about the Southern border the GOP won't tell you, and that the left is incapable of effectively narrating. (truthaboutthreats.com)
Separating the Wheat from the Chaff about our Southern Border. (truthaboutthreats.com)
Please, let's solve immigration and put an end to the bizarre, false narratives and cruelty of Governors, Greg Abbott, Ron DeSantis and the MAGA hordes. (truthaboutthreats.com)
RWE, Right-wing-extremists in Dallas, murdering Americans and motivated by Russian, RWE ideology. (truthaboutthreats.com)
Just last week, I wrote about Project 2025 in detail. It may be worth a reread or at least a scan in order to better understand the severity of the threat to our nation, our rights and our actual well-being.
For those short of time, the most succinct explanation of Project 2025 is that it is strategy for converting the US into an oligarchy, dictatorial in nature and underpinned by White Christian Nationalism. The consolidation of power and control into the Executive Branch, undermines the very concept of “checks and balances.” Add to this White Christian Nationalism as the state religion and the control by the dictator (Trump) along with a small circle of oligarchs in no way reflects our constitutional principles. Under MAGA, the very constitution itself, becomes just another piece of paper, with zero value.
ol·i·gar·chy ˈä-lə-ˌgär-kē ˈō- 1 : government by the few The corporation is ruled by oligarchy. 2: a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes a military oligarchy was established in the country - Merriam-Webster online dictionary
Today’s MAGA movement falsely believes such a government to be patriotic due to extensive influence operations by the operatives of GOP and foreign adversaries like Russia. This is a very long and complicated explanation, but the answers can be found in a TAT essay, from a while back.
Yes, in Milwaukee this week, the MAGA circus is in town. Its actual name is the 2024, Republican National Convention.
A close look at the 2024 GOP Platform is pretty much a combination of conspiracy theories, fake news and unfulfilled promises from the last Trump administration. In so many ways, it hauntingly echoes the fake patriotism of Project 2025. Below I will offer a small handful of quotes, directly from the platform itself. The areas highlighted in bold type, represent key concepts of Project 2025. I also will add in bold type, my comment, if required for clarity.
3. Republicans Will Defend Religious Liberty We are the defenders of the First Amendment Right to Religious Liberty. It protects the Right not only to Worship according to the dictates of Conscience, but also to act in accordance with those Beliefs, not just in places of Worship, but in everyday life. Our ranks include men and women from every Faith and Tradition, and we respect the Right of every American to follow his or her deeply held Beliefs. To protect Religious Liberty, Republicans support a new Federal Task Force on Fighting Anti-Christian Bias that will investigate all forms of illegal discrimination, harassment, and persecution against Christians in America. Comment: Another codification of White Christian Nationalism - 2024 RNC Platform - The American Presidency Project - UC Santa Barbara
4. Strict Vetting Republicans will use existing Federal Law to keep foreign Christian-hating Communists, Marxists, and Socialists out of America. Those who join our Country must love our Country. We will use extreme vetting to ensure that jihadists and jihadist sympathizers are not admitted. Comment: an overt commitment to White Christian Nationalism - 2024 RNC Platform - The American Presidency Project - UC Santa Barbara
2. Universal School Choice Republicans believe families should be empowered to choose the best Education for their children. We support Universal School Choice in every State in America. We will expand 529 Education Savings Accounts and support Homeschooling Families equally. Comment: this is code for funding Christian schools and curriculum - 2024 RNC Platform - The American Presidency Project - UC Santa Barbara
6. Knowledge and Skills, Not CRT and Gender Indoctrination Republicans will ensure children are taught fundamentals like Reading, History, Science, and Math, not Leftwing propaganda. We will defund schools that engage in inappropriate political indoctrination of our children using Federal Taxpayer Dollars. Comment: Punitive measures for schools that attempt to follow our constitution and codification of state sponsored ideology - 2024 RNC Platform - The American Presidency Project - UC Santa Barbara
7. Promote Love of Country with Authentic Civics Education Republicans will reinstate the 1776 Commission, promote Fair and Patriotic Civics Education, and veto efforts to nationalize Civics Education. We will support schools that teach America's Founding Principles and Western Civilization. Comment: The 1776 Commission, a Trump administration far-right project that like earlier "fusionist" efforts, is a predecessor to Project 2025. - 2024 RNC Platform - The American Presidency Project - UC Santa Barbara
With the new RNC platform, the first since 2016 looking like a near twin to Project 2025 in concept and based on earlier similar efforts like the 1776 Commission Report and Reagan era “fusionist alliances” the MAGA/ GOP is continuing to mold their adherents, no longer principled conservatives, into pliable lemmings who will vote against their own best interests. Tragically, this means that they will take the rest of us down with them. Buoyed with Maga’s fake patriotism, God, Guns and Trump as their ideology of choice, the MAGA/ GOP has shown a remarkable willingness to become act the part of the villain in Trump’s policies and ambitions. January 6th was a near perfect blend of this ideology.
Summary: “Don’t cross the Streams, it would be bad”
Readers, today’s TAT essay is a sobering affair. Like in the original Ghostbusters movie, the phrase, “Don’t cross the streams, it would be bad” is a depiction of a potentially catastrophic event. This week’s events and its underpinning ideology is exactly the same.
Weaving together what we know today as an attempted assassination attempt, Project 2025, the dismissal of Trump’s espionage charges and the RNC MAGA convention, is quite literally crossing four dangerous streams. Money, power and three events occurring ironically, simultaneously while supported by a game plan for converting our constitutional republic into an authoritarian paradise, threatens everything our founders bequeathed a nascent and hopeful nation, unlike any that had come before.
The ideology of MAGA regardless of the name, is also largely what the Soviets and later Russian intelligence/ influence operations against the US and West, have long tried to achieve, via the Cold War-titled strategy called Active Measures and later, the Gerasimov Doctrine. Both are influence operations strategies that diminish global/ Western liberal democracy in order give Russia and her allies strategic advantage over the West and NATO. A key element of Active Measures is Reflexive Control, or in lay terms, “brainwashing that allows them to trigger a predictable response in those brainwashed.
To make matters worse, our US and NATO national security communities have utterly failed to keep up in proficiencies regarding influence operations, domestically or outside of our borders. To be blunt, Russia, China, Iran and extremists of every type from the most serious threat, right-wing extremism to Islamic Extremism along with a hundred or more well-defined extremist movements run roughshod over our influence community and at will.
As I have felt the need to say often at the close of my threat essays, “there is no cavalry coming from the US national security community of failed experts and nepotistic, fake expertise defense contractors. If we are to save our constitutional republic, it is up to us. Like the title of my recent book, Modern Minutemen and Women, The Art of Influence: Narrative Strategy, A Voter Education Guide, we citizens that value our constitution and its guarantees, we must band together and do it ourselves. Yes, just like those courageous Minutemen on Lexington Commons and the bridge at Concord, it is the average citizen, not brainwashed by extremist fake patriotism that holds our future in their hands.
I look forward to joining you on the commons that matter most, ballot boxes. I am not an alarmist nor given to hyperbole. I am merely a national security professional that clearly understands the threat from the Trump-led, MAGA GOP. I also believe in honest Americans, regardless of their political beliefs, so long as they are principled. After all, this is the bedrock of democracy and constitutional republics. We are not up against a political party in November. We are in a Civil War, 2.0 that neither the US, nor the world can afford to lose.
Let’s all hope and work towards a better end to this horrible week, that has just started. I have learned in my long lifetime, never… “say that it can’t get worse.”
My kindest regards,
Paul