Mark Meadows unwittingly outlines a coup

by | Dec 10, 2021 | Editor's Blog | 25 comments

Donald Trump’s former Chief-of-staff Mark Meadows, who was also a Congressman from North Carolina, has never been the sharpest tool in the shed. He once dumped money into an organization that believes the earth is only 6,000 years old and that humans lived side-by-side with dinosaurs. Now it appears he created a Powerpoint that outlined plans to end our democracy by staging a coup to keep Donald Trump in office. 

Meadows gave the Powerpoint, as well as other damning communications, to the House Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the Capitol. He surrendered the documents to the committee after agreeing to cooperate with the investigation. After they received them, Meadows changed his mind and is no longer cooperating. The Committee has moved to hold Meadows in contempt of Congress. 

In speculating why he would turn over such incriminating material and then abruptly stop working with the committee, Rolling Stone Magazine added, “It’s also possible that Meadows just isn’t very bright.” Bingo. 

The Powerpoint is titled, “Election fraud, Foreign Interference & Options for 6 JAN.” In it, slides outline options for undermining the certification of the election. Three options depend on then-Vice President Mike Pence somehow appointing bogus electors or delaying the counting of the electors. Another slide titled “Recommendations” calls on Trump to declare a state of emergency claiming that voting systems have been taken over by “foreign influence” despite evidence to the contrary. 

The documents Meadows disclosed paint a clear and undeniable intent to overturn the election and the will of the voters. They also indicate that Trump was, at the very least, aware of the planning. In another age, Meadows would be in chains awaiting trial and, quite possibly, execution. That the country is not shocked and outrage says a lot about the worrisome state of our nation.

Nobody seems to be taking these actions seriously except the members of the House committee. Republican member Liz Cheney says the hearings “will tell the story of the riot at the Capitol in ‘vivid color.’” I hope she’s right, but I’m skeptical that the public will give the attempted coup the attention it deserves.

The right is pushing back with a disinformation campaign to discredit the hearings to the Republican base. The GOP establishment is unwilling to stand up to the populists who are ascendant in the party and trying to downplay the actions of Meadows, Trump, and other plotters. And the Democratic Party is enmeshed in an internal squabble between the moderates and the left flank, seemingly far more concerned about social policies than protecting democracy. 

Reporter Barton Gellman wrote a piece for the Atlantic that claims, “January 6 was practice. Donald Trump’s GOP is much better positioned to subvert the next election.” The article is carefully documented and depicts a base that is easily misled by disinformation, lacking the critical thinking skills to discern what’s true and what’s distortion. Gellman describes a party that’s no longer based on ideology but driven by loyalty to Donald Trump. “The party is in his thrall. No opponent can break it and few will try.” It’s a disturbing article because so much rings true.

Gellman later said that his article is not a prediction, but a warning. Americans must protect our democracy and recognize the threat. Holding people accountable for January 6 is key to achieving that goal. Mark Meadows laid out the nefarious desires and intentions of the Trump White House. We cannot look away now or we risk an end to the American experiment as we’ve known it.  

25 Comments

  1. cocodog

    I wonder if the Feds will be forced to build another wing to their existing “CLUB FED Facility” in California designed and built during the Nixon years to house convicted ex politicians and their aids? We can’t have these gentlemen Republican convicts mixing with the ordinary prison population. They are not like the common thief and murder; they are politicians who traditionally have other folks do that work for them. Perhaps a national contest can be held where folks buy chances at suggesting a name. The money raised could be used to relieve the taxpayers of the costs. For openers I submit: “the Trump Wing” it has a classy ring to it. But I am sure there folks out there with more creative minds than mine.

  2. cocodog

    The failure to do the right thing is not based on the notion the actor (himself) should have known, but what folks generally believe what that wrongful act can produce in the way of injury. A man who builds a wheel knows dam well that wheel will be used on a vehicle carrying human lives. If he does a sloppy job, there is better than a mere possibility somebody will be injured if that wheel is constructed improperly. There is no need for that worker to know or have any dealings with the party subsequently injured. The facts sort of speak for themselves. His obligations may be worked out accordingly.

    Meadows, voluntarily wrote a book in which offers up in detail the nefarious objectives of some folks in the White House, then he voluntarily sends a blueprint of how to make it happen to the House Committee charged with the obligation of developing the facts for future legislation or in this case possible criminal investigation by DOJ. I find it difficult, if not impossible to conclude he did not know what he was doing.
    It makes little difference he “fully” understood the blueprint. A man in his position of responsibility should have known. Whether he acted out of the hope he would be mitigating his liability in some form or another , or his conscious bothered him is not important at this stage of the game. From purely a hypothetically legal standpoint, it could be labeled a wrong move for the simple reason liability is most likely to follow. In his defense, we are dealing with a guy who gave way six grand to a group that espoused the world is only 6000 years old and man lived side by side with Dinosaurs. Not a defense of diminished mental resource in a situation of this type. I would like to say old Meadows will wind up owing the taxpayers money, but generally things do not turn out that way.

    • phoenix

      Honor and integrity no longer exist in daily life much less politics. Much of that rot has been driven by left policies started long ago. (destruction of the nuclear family, etc) However it likely was never present in politics except at the very start of our government. (Washing ton Adama, Jefferson etc… back then it could cost you your life if you lied.)

      Unfortunately all of this is much to do about nothing. I contend there is a gentleman’s agreement among the parties in place since at least ABSCAM that they do not prosecute each other no matter what. That way they can keep they money rolling for them and their friends.
      How else do you become a multi-millionaire on a government salary? Do we think Congress behaved since then?

      Oh they will TALK about it, Have a few show “hearings and toss a few non-members of the club under the bus every so often. But something real? Nope.

      Not much to do about it, (unless you want to use torches that is) But hey we get to Hear Hillary make up stories about 2016 election acceptance speeches. After she should be in jail for stuff she did in Arkansas. (for instance)

  3. Jay Ligon

    The belief that Mark Meadows is not that bright is shared by many. But there is a standard in the
    law that says “he knew or should have known.” A presidential chief of staff and former
    Congressman, he may be seriously intellectually challenged, but the law doesn’t give him a pass.
    Even if he doesn’t understand the words coming out of his mouth, he is presumed to have
    understood his slide presentation. His exposure to advance inside information about the
    insurrection and his association with the Republican traitors who planned the coup is not in
    dispute. Others in his cabal aroused the rank and file to attack the nation’s Capitol as was
    planned. He shoulders a lot of responsibility even if his feeble brain is unable to comprehend
    obvious facts.

    He was always a zealot. He came to Congress as one of the Tea Party Republicans, a movement
    sponsored by the Koch brothers and their clique of billionaires. As a member of the Tea Party,
    you could assume he would believe almost anything no matter who contrary to good sense.
    But now he has become an accomplice in Republican attempts to undo our democratic republic.
    Meadows and his seditious anti-American cadre are afraid to testify under oath because they
    know that what they did and what they planned were the acts of criminals who hate our
    democracy. He and conspirators could spend years in prison even if they claim to be idiots
    without conscience. They have offended our laws. Their goal is to end the rule of, by, and for the
    people, and to replace self-government with a single leader, a demagogue, an autocrat.

    Don’t expect the ones who attempted to take the country away from the people to stand up for
    their principles. They have no integrity and they are cowards. They don’t believe in their cause
    enough to stand up for it. History will not be kind to these traitors. They hide among us and wait
    for their chance to attack our institutions, our police, and our country. Next time, we will be
    ready.

  4. cocodog

    Thumbing your nose at the Jan 6, hearing, but sending over copies of blueprints for the insurrection, that has got to be some kind of stupid!

  5. Rick Gunter

    I am aghast that Mark Meadows once represented my part of North Carolina, where I was editor of the daily for years. The crazies clearly got in charge after I moved on. I am a mountain man until I die. We honor, at lest back before Meadows and his ilk took over, independence and proportion, and, yes, decency. We tried to be the adults in the room.

    Mr. Meadows likely changed his tune on cooperation with the committee because he teed off Trump with Meadow’s new book, Meadows wanted to rwingratiate himself with the madman who served as U.S. president, Trump got to him what is yet another obstruction of justice count, or both.

    What totally blows me away is that no one in power has been held account for the Trump disasters. We have an attorney general who is a decent guy but not the bulldog needed at this time. AG Garland appears to believe he is still on the bench rather than running the DOJ. President Biden still is trying to find bipartisanship with a radicalized former GOP the truly is beyond redemption.

    The country seems to care more about the latest checking account statement than the fact they our democracy is twisting on the vine into submission.

    At this point, the Trump people are crazy. They simply are nuts. I will say to their face. I to deal with them all the time. I doubt there is one egregious act Donald J. Trump could do that would turn some of these people against him.

    The clock is running out not just on the Democrats, but also on our democracy. It is all fine and good to have ll these new bridges and highways. But they are going to be used to drive to an autocratic nation unlike any many of us has ever known.

    During the season of peace and goodwill, if I had one wish, it would be for members of both parties to get a set and send Donald Trump if not to the pen, then packing.

    • Phoenix

      “What totally blows me away is that no one in power has been held account for the Trump disasters.” 1. because there aren’t any. and two I’ve previously mentioned the deal between the parties. Its a small club. We aren’t part of it.

      “President Biden still is trying to find bipartisanship” Biden is trying to find out where he is. He not capable of much else.”

      “The country seems to care more about the latest checking account statement.” Well Yeah THEY EAT, Clothe, and house themselves and their children with it!

      “At this point, the Trump people are crazy.” I’d say no crazier than you! “They simply are nuts. I will say to their face.” I doubt it.

      “The clock is running out not just on the Democrats,” Yes 2022 is going to be an excellent year come November! ” but also on our democracy.” Good. If Biden has done one thing (inadvertently) He has awakened the States that they are much more than mere beggars of money from the fed and vessels for their policies.This makes The people safer from the federal power and stronger politically. While making the central power (the federal government) WEAKER. I for one prefer a more republican form of government with strong active states and a weak federal government, As did the founders of this country.

      ” But they are going to be used to drive to an autocratic nation unlike any many of us has ever known.” Which will drive more States to step up and take back their powers. So really it going to be fine really.

      • cocodog

        Judging from your (“phoenix”) grammatical errors and spelling issues, I would speculate that English is not your first language. Your sentence structure tends to indicate your first language may be non-European. Regardless, whoever may have hired you made a huge mistake. They need to get their money back.

        Assuming I may be mistaken, and you are doing this to satisfy some inner desire, there are folks out there that can assist you to enjoy life without making your self the butt of somebody’s humor.
        You are lousy at spinning, provoking, or providing outright lies. This current posting has at least three errors in grammar, and spelling of basic English words is wrong. The sentence structure is atrocious. At best you are a source of humor. The same type of humor one might experience observing 20 clowns pile out of a little car. (The LOL variety).

        I have heard the GOP is strapped for funds but hiring a bargain basement troll is not in their best interest. To say nothing has happened to Trump and members of his marry little band is beyond the level of misinformation it is out right ignorant of reality. The jails are full of Trump supporters, and more are making their way in that direction. Trump is currently the subject of numerous civil actions and criminal investigations by both state and Federal authorities. Give some thought to cleaning up your act, at least that may make your stuff easier to read.

        • Phoenix

          Nah. I just don’t spend and bunch of time editing. I’ve other things to do. Regardless even a democrat should be able to make sense of it. lol…

          You can think what you want, but I note you NEVER counter any of my arguments. Just hurl insults.

          I know what I make that, having seen it many many many times before.

          So what is you excuse? or insult?

          Never mind I don’t really care.

          • cocodog

            Phoenix, perhaps you should read what you write as what you just wrote is a perfect definition of an internet troll. According to several psychiatric publications and Wikipedia an internet troll “is a person who posts inflammatory, insincere, digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses or manipulating others’ perception.” This current posting is right on mark. Make a logical argument, support it with fact, (not something you made up) and I am sure folks around here would be happy to address it.
            Currently, there is no logical reason to argue with an internet troll. They don’t have any notion what they are saying and care less. Very much like yourself! A logical debate is like a good game of chess, you are playing checkers on a website where folks play chess. So, take the gum out of your mouth and if possible, start thinking about what the author posted.

      • cocodog

        “. So really it going to be fine really.” how in the blazes can anyone offer a logical argument against that?
        It is simple a chain of rambling nonsense that end with “. So really it going to be fine really.” and phoenix the internet troll said so..

  6. phoenix

    You guys have way too much hope about this. Nothing will come from it. Observing both parties over the years its more than clear that there is a deal between the parties that the leave each other alone and don’t pursue each other legally. Because If we do it to them, they will do it to us.

    This is a show, it’s Kubuki theater. Democrats don’t WANT anything to happen because what will happen to them when they are out of power in 2022.

    Enjoy. Dream But ex[ect anything except lightweight nobody people getting a slap on the wrist if even that. Nothing will come from Jan 6 hearings of anyone important

    To think otherwise is foolish given history.

    • tony

      Nice try at deflection Russian Troll

      • phoenix

        Lol, You;ll see. Its a small club. We are not part of it. Anyway back in what was it August I think The DOJ said Trump had not part in the “insurrection”

        It was not i the news (No surprise there) and the DOJ is trying to suppress it. (Also no surprise there)

        Look it up for yourself.

        Personally I couldn’t care less. There are far bigger fish to fry.

        • cocodog

          We, “the people”, are not part of your inner circle as Republicans only allow folks who have the bucks to contribute to their reelection campaigns knowing that to do so will further their economic interests and reduce the taxes they pay. Republicans have been elitist for years. They were elitists while Lee Atwater was creating and peddling that nonsense that Democrats are not white, not from around here, do not attend a Christian church and want to take your second amendment rights away. You folks need to develop a new message, not just change the words.

  7. Laura Reich

    Just wait till the public hearings.

    • Phoenix

      Highly doubtful there will ever be any. If there going to be any They would have them now when the democrats are in control. It will never happen when the Republicans are in control.

      • cocodog

        You forgot to mention the infamous Benghazi hearing . That seemed to float a lot of Republican boats in the sea of misinformation and deception and appealed to folks who gave up thought a long time ago as it gave them a headache. That hearing proved nothing, did not find Hillary responsible and cost the taxpayers a ton of money to further GOP political goals. I read somewhere, the Republican Congressmen who ran it, did not run for reelection, and went back to prosecuting traffic violations somewhere in the south.

  8. Joe Beamish

    Sure, the Democrats may be concerned about social policies, but they are also the ones heading the committees. Republicans will lie to their gullible voters every chance and it’s clear they think democracy is for suckers and losers. I blame the mainstream media. These types of stories should be headline news everyday. We know what FOX, OAN, Tucker Carlson et al. will say but the New York Times and major TV newscasts (however diminished their viewership is) need to be shouting this from the rooftops. Our democracy is collapsing and what, they don’t want to upset a few suburban soccer moms?!

    • phoenix

      Its just not that important. I know the libs have their hair on fire about an “insurrection” but its just not so. Therefore this is a non issue.

      • Charles

        And we are not that stupid. It is a real threat to this nations democracy and you know it!

        • phoenix

          Ah no. it wasn’t. lol We are still here the protestors that day left an hour or so later of their own accord. Yeah that was a real insurrection.. lol…. If that was an insurrection then the American people are TERRIBLE at it.

          I wonder how you get through the day

      • Rick Gunter

        I really hate to see you write such rubbish, Phoenix.

        • phoenix

          Why. Does the truth hurt you?
          Acceptance is the first step in healing your mind from the weird spell you guys are in.

      • cocodog

        Since when is an armed, violent attack on Congressional proceedings not an insurrection?

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