Mark Trachtenberg
@marktrach
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Appellate lawyer @haynesboone. Believer in constitutional democracy & rule of law. Alum: @YaleLawSch/@Penn. Unrepentant @astros fan.
Houston, Texas
Joined September 2010
RT @steve_vladeck: The way an executive branch that respects the rule of law objects to a district court ruling it doesn’t like is to *appe…
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And who gets to decide whether the executive’s exercise of power is legitimate? The executive? You need a refresher course in constitutional law.
If a judge tried to tell a general how to conduct a military operation, that would be illegal. If a judge tried to command the attorney general in how to use her discretion as a prosecutor, that's also illegal. Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power.
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RT @NadavPollak: You can hear here Eli Sharabi forced to say he is happy to get back to his family, his wife and daughters. He didn’t know…
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RT @Nadav_Eyal: Eli Sharabi was released this morning as part of the hostage deal. This is how he looks after enduring captivity under Hama…
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RT @Timodc: Noteworthy that thousands of people who have dedicated their life to serving the global poor are getting laid off en masse and…
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RT @Max_Fisher: Wielding the power of the state to intimidate news agencies against reporting on the government's illegal abuses of power i…
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RT @lrozen: “If I were the Russians or Chinese or Iranians and I saw this DOGE operation getting formed, I would be seeding people into thi…
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RT @SawyerHackett: Trump just announced Sean Parnell as the chief Pentagon Spokesman. Parnell’s wife testified under oath that he repeated…
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I promised myself I would not get riled up by every Trump post or action, but this is freaking insanity. Sorry Canada!
We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada. Why? There is no reason. We don’t need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true! Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS! Donald Trump Truth Social Post 08:26 AM EST 02/02/25
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“Refuses to bend the knee to the oligarchy”? He seated a bunch of billionaires in front of his cabinet at his inauguration and has handed over the keys to the federal government to the richest man in the world!!!!
Memo to the press: When a president is elected by the People and then does what he promised to do, that’s democracy. When a president is thwarted by unelected bureaucrats, that’s oligarchy. President Trump refuses to bend the knee to that oligarchy. Buckle up!
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RT @davidaxelrod: Even as the hunt for bodies continues, and before an even preliminary probe could be completed, the @POTUS incredibly, d…
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RT @havivrettiggur: I'll say it again, because I'm not sure the Palestinian people and their supporters have yet understood, not even after…
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RT @marktrach: On this #HolocaustRemembranceDay, I remember my great-grandmother Mania Zagraniczna and great aunts Tamara & Sarenka who wer…
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RT @lindsaywise: A statement from Danielle Hegseth after the Senate vote to confirm Pete Hegseth: “What happened today will make women who…
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RT @anneapplebaum: Firing independent watchdogs is straight out of the authoritarian playbook. Removes another obstacle to corruption and a…
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Good on @lisamurkowski. If only @SenJoniErnst could show the same good judgment.
Since Mr. Hegseth’s nomination last November, I have met with him and carefully reviewed his writings, various reports, and other pertinent materials. I closely followed his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee and gathered substantial feedback from organizations, veterans, and Alaskans. After thorough evaluation, I must conclude that I cannot in good conscience support his nomination for Secretary of Defense. I did not make this decision lightly; I take my constitutional responsibility to provide advice and consent with the utmost seriousness. I commend Pete Hegseth’s service to our nation, including leading troops in combat and advocating for our veterans. However, these accomplishments do not alleviate my significant concerns regarding his nomination. Managing the Department of Defense requires vast experience and expertise as the department is one of the most complex and powerful organizations in the world, and Mr. Hegseth’s prior roles in his career do not demonstrate to me that he is prepared for such immense responsibility. His leadership of two veteran organizations was marked with accusations of financial mismanagement and problems with the workplace culture he fostered. Although he has recently revised his statements on women in combat since being nominated, I remain concerned about the message that confirming Mr. Hegseth sends to women currently serving and those aspiring to join. Women have served our nation with distinction, overcoming immense obstacles to excel in combat and leadership roles, and they deserve to know that their leader honors and values their commitment to our nation. While the allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking do nothing to quiet my concerns, the past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces. These behaviors starkly contrast the values and discipline expected of servicemembers. Men and women in uniform are held accountable for such actions, and they deserve leaders who uphold these same standards. Above all, I believe that character is the defining trait required of the Secretary of Defense, and must be prioritized without compromise. The leader of the Department of Defense must demonstrate and model the standards of behavior and character we expect of all servicemembers, and Mr. Hegseth’s nomination to the role poses significant concerns that I cannot overlook. Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth.
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