MSNBC legal analyst Joyce Vance distilled President Donald Trump's marathon address to Congress down to two moments she felt were "worth noting, as markers of where we are" as a country.
In a Substack article, Vance dubbed the first moment to remember as "The Stupid," while recounting Trump's words: "I have created the brand new Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE. Perhaps you’ve heard of it. Perhaps. Which is headed by Elon Musk, who is in the gallery tonight."
So, why "Stupid"? Because "That’s not what the Justice Department has been telling judges in litigation involving the Musk-led effort to privatize government," Vance wrote.
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"They’ve been doing everything they can to claim Musk is not in charge of DOGE, including telling the judge that a woman named Amy Gleason, who was on vacation in Mexico when they made the representation to the court, is the Acting Administrator."
Opposing counsel immediately filed a "Notice of New Evidence" in "Lentini v. DOGE, one of three cases that have been consolidated to hear claims about DOGE’s legality in the District of Maryland," Vance wrote. Worse case scenarios that "someone gets held in contempt, either civil or criminal."
The second moment "worth noting" is "The Corrupt." Vance said this corruption became blatantly evident when Trump broke an unspoken rule and greeted the U.S. Supreme Court Judges present as his good buddies. Trump warmly shook hands with the justices present, telling Elena Kagan, "Thank you very much, appreciate it.” Trump then addresses Chief Justice John Roberts, saying, “Thank you again. Thank you again,” before slapping him on the shoulder and adding, “Won’t forget it.”
"The moment has an almost classic mob boss feel to it in context," Vance wrote.
She continued, "The Justices are supposed to protect the integrity and impartiality of the court from even the appearance of impropriety. Last night, and regardless of the truth of the matter, they permitted Donald Trump to insinuate that they are on his side, his captives."
Read the Substack article here.