The trouble with writing about the Trump administration is that so much bad is happening in the flooded zone that it’s hard to limit reportage . . .

Quotes/Observations

• Ironically, ICE were the first people to start, under instructions, publishing videos of their activities.
• If he could, Trump would surely sue himself. As it is, he’s going for the 2nd best option – suing his own government – specifically the Inland Revenue – for $10 billion.

News

• Yet another report here of corruption on a breath-taking level.
• Despite legendarily low ticket sales in some regions, the Melania ‘documentary’ managed to beat forecasts, earning $7m on its opening weekend, not that it’s anywhere close to being profitable for Amazon. And then there are the – unsurprising – reports of, for example, religious groups bulk-buying tickets that aren’t used. And who’d put it past the White House to spend taxpayers’ dollars on this? The New Yorker reviews it here: Aforty-million-dollar journey into the void. The First Lady portrays world events as B-roll between wardrobe changes.

Non-comedic Commentaries

• We can only hope . . . The NYT: History shows that Trump’s worst authoritarian impulses might eventually backfire on him. But, meanwhile: Strongmen are at their most dangerous when they feel threatened. So, Americans should brace for heightened militarized domestic repression and more imperialist aggression abroad.
• The Daily Beast: The estimable Jennifer Welch of the IHI podcast tells us here why thin-skinned Trump is just like a teenage girl.
• The Economist asks here: Is Trump building his own militia?
• Rachel Maddow: Trump wobbles as his agenda falls apart.

Comedic Commentaries

Take your pick . . .

• Jimmy Kimmel
• Seth Myers
• Stephen Colbert

Finally . . .

A good question set to music – How do you fire a man like Miller?