Mar 30, 2025
NATIONAL NUTCASERY
the constitution is pretty clear on this one
In a surprise to absolutely nobody, Trump has full-throatedly declared that actually, yes, he can run for a third term after all, despite that whole 22nd Amendment thing. Ratified in 1951, which is a year that living people can still remember and not some murky relic of antiquity, it clearly states: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” “I’m not joking,” Trump told NBC News’ Kristen Welker, reiterating, “It is far too early to think about it.” At the end of his second term in January 2029, Trump will be 82 years and 7 months old. Read more at CNN.
crap-chat
After almost a week of Signalgate, it doesn’t look likely that Trump intends to seriously investigate why his top security officials were discussing war plans in a group chat with a journalist. #1 clue: Trump has put Elon Musk nominally in charge of finding out what happened. But outside the White House, things look a bit different. Even Republicans have begun to break rank and criticize the incident. In the words of Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): “This is what happens when you don’t really have your act together.” And Roger Wicker (R-MI), the Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has said his committee is going to investigate. This will likely be the only official inquiry about the chat situation, if it even comes to fruition, with Attorney General Bondi rejecting the idea of a criminal investigation. Based on reporters’ conversations with GOP members of the Armed Services Committee, there isn’t much, if any, dissatisfaction with Wicker’s decision. In fact, many are happy that Wicker is willing to stick his neck out so they don’t have to.
It’s not just bad PR: there’s also a legal component. American Oversight, a watchdog group, has already brought a lawsuit against the administration (specifically, the National Archives and a number of officials in the group chat) for violating federal laws around the preservation of records, as the texts were set to disappear in a matter of days. And remember our friend, Judge James Boasberg? The Bush appointee the White House called a "radical leftist" because he tried to stop Trump from illegally sending Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador? In a karmic twist of fate, he’ll be overseeing this case, too.
Sen. Jim Banks told Punchbowl News this week that while the scandal will “live a long life on Capitol Hill,” back home in Indiana, “people aren’t focused on that.”
Let’s let Banks, Young, and Messmer know Hoosiers are focused on real accountability for security breaches that put our troops at risk, making sure they know we’re not going to let this go. We can use this script from 5Calls or this language on Resistbot. Let’s also take a moment to send a postcard thanking Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg for showing courage, integrity, and patriotism in this outrageous scenario. He can be reached at The Atlantic, 610 Water St SW, Washington DC 20024.
Then we can call Sen. Wicker and thank him for calling for an expedited Defense Department inspector general probe into the matter. (202) 224-6253 or (601) 965-4644 or (228) 871-7017:
My name is ____ and I’m calling the Senator in his capacity as chair of the Armed Services Committee. I want to thank him for calling for an expedited inspector general probe into the Signal security breach. Please ask him to keep pushing for an independent investigation. Our men and women in uniform were and still are in grave danger. Laws were broken. Incompetence costs lives. It cannot stand. Thanks.
Finally, call Senator Risch (R-ID), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, at 202-224-2752 or 208-342-7985 and Senator Cotton (R-AR) chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, at (202) 224-2353 or (501) 223-9081, and tell them we want them to call for the same:
My name is ____ and I’m calling the Senator in his capacity as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee [Risch]/Senate Intelligence Committee [Cotton]. I’m calling to ask him to follow Senator Wicker’s lead and call for an expedited inspector general probe into the Signal security breach. Gross incompetence and callous disregard for security protocols can not be ignored. Especially when these things endanger our men and women in uniform, about whom I know the Senator claims to care deeply. Please ask the Senator to call for an independent investigation now. Thanks.
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E Oh my god how does he have more of these?
Trump released another flurry (slurry?) of Executive Orders last week, from innocuous to insidious:
March 24 Imposing Tariffs on Countries Importing Venezuelan Oil (a 25% tariff on all imports from any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela as well as imposing new tariffs on the South American country itself. This is something that the US does, so is this how we will make money from tariffs? )
March 25 Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account (aims to phase out paper-based payments in favor of electronic funds transfers (EFT) for all federal disbursements and receipts, despite concerns about accessibility, privacy and security)
March 25 Immediate Declassification of Materials Related to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation (the investigation in July 2016 over whether members of Trump’s campaign were coordinating with Russian officials. This preceded the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller)
March 25 Protecting America’s Bank Account Against Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (aims to “enhance financial integrity and operational efficiency” within the Federal Government such as financial fraud, improper payments, and the need for better technology and accurate data)
March 25 Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections (an EO election law expert Rick Hasen is calling “a blatant power grab” and “dangerous”, purporting to impose a wide range of new regulations on the conduct of federal elections, including citizenship requirements, prosecuting of election fraud, and prohibiting the counting of mail-in ballots received after Election Day. Most alarmingly, it gives DOGE a role in policing voter registration rolls.
March 25 Addressing Risks from Jenner & Block (represents clients challenging some of his major policies and formerly employed Andrew Weissmann, a top federal prosecutor involved in former U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation that detailed Russian contacts with Trump's 2016 presidential campaign). This EO has been partially blocked.
March 26 Executive Grant of Clemency for Devon Archer (a former business partner of Hunter Biden who was convicted of participating in a conspiracy to defraud a Native American tribe. He later became a key figure in the congressional inquiry into the Biden family businesses, telling lawmakers the younger Biden sold the “illusion of access” to his father, meanwhile stating that he was “not aware of any” wrongdoing by President Biden.)
March 26 Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States (25% tariffs on cars and light-duty trucks not made in the U.S. starting April 3.)
March 27 Addressing Risks From WilmerHale (WilmerHale at one point employed former Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who led the investigation into Trump’s relationship with Russia in the 2016 campaign and its aftermath. In a statement, WilmerHale indicated it will challenge the executive order, which is similar in form and substance to the other Trump executive orders targeting the legal profession.) This EO has been partially blocked.
March 27 Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History (an attempt to rewrite history through the Smithsonian system by downplaying systemic racism and promoting a biased narrative, includes additional provisions seeking to reinstate public monuments, memorials and statues that were "removed or changed to perpetuate a false reconstruction of American history”)
March 27 Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs (ending collective bargaining rights for government employees who work in national security.)
March 28 Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful (launches a task force (with no DC officials) “to ensure effective federal participation” in the enforcement of immigration laws and redirecting resources to apprehend and deport migrants in Washington and to monitor its sanctuary-city status to comply with federal immigration laws.)
STATEWIDE SHENANIGANS
signed. sealed. disinterested.
Gov. Mike Braun signed his first batch of bills into law on Tuesday.
HEA 1149: The bill requires the Indiana Department of Agriculture to create an online portal to help Hoosier farmers access resources in state and federal government. It also provides space for public comments about federal regulations impacting rural Indiana.
HEA 1122: The bill allows law enforcement to stop a person from approaching within 25 feet of an officer if they believe that person would interfere with their job. If a person disobeys that order and intentionally approaches within 25 feet of that officer, the person commits a Class C misdemeanor.
HEA 1056: The bill puts substances 2-Methyl AP-237 and ethylphenidate on the state’s list of controlled substances.
HEA 1121:The bill establishes a process for multiple courts to hear cases about juvenile delinquency on Indiana’s military property.
HEA 1213:The bill specifies what insurance policies apply on property that is transferred in an exchange from a death deed.
HEA 1289:The bill specifies that “workforce related programs” include nonprofit or for-profit organizations that provide transitional employment and job and life skill training to people that have barriers to getting jobs.
HEA 1050:The bill fixes spelling, formatting and grammar issues in existing state law.
HEA 1248: Child Care and Development Fund ws also signed last week A bill unanimously approved at every step in the legislative process would set aside 200 of the state’s thousands of Child Care and Development Fund vouchers for foster families. The only concern with HEA 1248 is that, with no additional funding in the state budget so far, it will help increase the existing CCDF waitlist that’s already 7,600 children long.
good for her for showing up, I guess
Victoria Spartz, Indiana Representative and Ukrainian immigrant, was in Westfield Friday evening for a town hall, and it did not go well in the fifth district, which Trump won by 16 points. She came back for more booing with a Muncie town hall on Saturday that led to one attendee being subdued by several officers and escorted out of the building, and which Spartz spent blaming Democrats for political division and praising DOGE: “I love them and they’re very good, and doing a good job for you…”
here’s what i’m Tallian you
New state Party Chair Karen Tallian was interviewed by IndyStar about the future of the Democratic party in Indiana, including its response to recent sexual harassment scandals in state politics.
BILLWATCH 2025
We are in a sprint to the finish for the 2025 legislative session now. The last day for in-person testimony is April 10th, and the deadline for the third reading of bills is April 15th. Bills can still be reconciled by conference committees until April 28th, which is the final date of session. Yikes!
Bills in motion
An expansion of Indiana's lifeline law, SB74, is waiting for Braun's signature, thanks to Indiana students.
Lawmakers passed a resolution to change the state constitution but the soonest voters might see a referendum on that is in 2028.
HB1687, adding more obstacles to sex offenders who want to move into a community, passed the Senate unanimously Monday.
With language lawmakers are considering amending into SB 373 , lawmakers want traditional public schools to coordinate transportation and facilities, like bussing, with charter schools.
HB 1114, which heightens penalties for unlicensed drivers who injure someone, passed the Senate this week, in what some view as a setback to a years-long effort to grant driving privileges to undocumented residents.
Indiana House Democrats have a property tax reform proposal they say is a “happy medium” between relief for homeowners and support for local governments and schools. Rep. Greg Porter (D-Indianapolis) plans to offer a package of amendments to SB 1. That includes provisions to:
Cap, at 1 percent, the amount property tax bills can grow for people aged 65 and older
Freeze property taxes for disabled veterans
Create a homestead tax credit for homeowners
Increase the tax deduction for renters from $3,000 to $5,000
Create a first-time homebuyer down payment grant program, with awards up to $25,000
On the schedule for next week:
SB 10: Voter registration Student IDs from Indiana public colleges and universities have been used for decades as one of the few acceptable forms of voter ID at polling places. Legislation approved along party lines in a House committee would end that. There is no evidence that ID cards issued by state educational institutions are less reliable than other forms of government-issued photo ID. Supporters said SB 10 merely makes students comply with the same requirements as other voters; opponents called it voter suppression. This is up for amendments on Monday; call Rep.Pfaff and ask her to vote no.
SB 287 was scheduled for a final vote three times last week but wasn’t called. It seems like support for the bill is wavering, but it’s listed on the schedule for Monday. The bill would give school board candidates the option to declare a party affiliation, run as an independent, or remain nonpartisan. School boards should focus on students, not party politics. If you haven’t already, call Rep. Pfaff at 317-232-9600 and ask her to oppose SB 287.
HB 1679 and 1680 will both be voted on by the Senate Elections Committee on Monday. These bills disenfranchise voters by tightening redistricting timelines and adding more hurdles to the voter registration process. Ask Senate Elections Committee to vote No to HB 1679 and 1680: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
on Thursday, SB 2 is before the House Ways & Means Committee to threaten healthcare coverage for more than 750,000 low-income Hoosiers by making extreme changes to Indiana's Medicaid programs, including massive cuts to the Healthy Indiana Plan and adding burdensome new paperwork requirements to the program. Plus, it limits advertising the program, keeping eligible Hoosiers in the dark about their healthcare options. Ask them to vote NO to SB 2: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
From Women4Change Indiana:
We need to send a message to Republican House Speaker Todd Huston. Use this link to sign the petition.
Join students from across the state as they raise their voices against SB 10, which will stop students at public universities from being able to use their college ID to vote. This advocacy day will take place at the Statehouse on the 3rd floor between 1-3PM on Tuesday, April 1st. Women4Change is a co-sponsor of this event alongside Common Cause, Hoosier Asian American Power, StandUp Indiana, ACLU of Indiana, League of Women Voters, Count Us IN, and Indiana Conservation Voters. Register for this event here.
LOCAL FOCUS
State Rep Tonya Pfaff and Terre Haute Mayor addressed a standing-room-only crowd last week at the Laborers’ Union, promising another Town Hall in a larger location in a few weeks. Read about the highlights in the TribStar. Unlike the recent Republican town halls you may have seen on the news, this event was very calm and respectful. It’s almost like if you listen to people and actually answer their questions, they don’t get mad!
GOOD TROUBLE
Unelected co-president Elon Musk has poured more than $20 million into buying the swing seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, his latest stunt being a million dollar “lottery prize” to a WI voter who signs his anti ‘activist-judge’ petition. As Musk has openly admitted, it may decide who wins the House in 2026: “if the other candidate wins… then the Democrats will attempt to redraw the districts. It could cause the House to switch to Democrat if that redrawing takes place.” Wisconsin has one of the worst partisan gerrymanders in the country, and this is our chance to fix it. Let’s not waste it! Sign up directly to phonebank with the Wisconsin Democrats here.
RESOURCE CENTER
keeping up to date
I feel like Terre Haute is uniquely frustrating when trying to learn about upcoming community events. Is it just me? Here are some calendars to help:
Nasty Women calendar - events of interest to the Nasty Women of Vigo County
Indiana Events Calendar - currently only one event for Vigo County! Use the link at the top of the page to add new events
mobilize.us - nationwide activism calendar
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nasty Women’s Show Up focus is Vigo County School Board meetings next month:
In April, let's target the Vigo County school board. Here are four meetings to attend. (Bonus points if you make it to all of them.) All meetings are at 6 p.m. at the administration building at 501 W. Olive St. in West Terre Haute. @mrs.frazzled posted a guide for showing up to school board meetings and how to prepare.
School Board Meeting is Monday, April 14.
Policy Committee Meeting is Wednesday, April 23. (The date for this meeting may change; check before you go.)
Finance Committee Meeting is Thursday, April 24.
School Board Meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, April 28
Other upcoming events:
Apr 12th citywide cleanup
April 17th - Nasty Women of Vigo County meeting @ VCPL 5pm.
END ON A HIGH NOTE
Elise Stefanik (R-NY) was once a critic of President Trump, but became one of his staunchest supporters during his (first) impeachment hearings, for which she was rewarded in this administration by being nominated as UN ambassador. Well, until last week, when Democrats won their fifth special election in a row and Republicans decided her House seat wasn’t worth the risk to the razor-thin GOP majority. Stefanik was elected to her fifth term in November with a +24 vote margin in rural New York.
Betty White is now honored on a Forever Stamp. Pick some up while we still have a postal service.
In a rare win for gun control, SCOTUS upheld a Biden-era rule regulating “ghost gun” kits, which allow people to build guns themselves. The rule requires ghost guns to be regulated in the same way as other firearms, meaning the manufacturers and sellers must have licenses, mark the guns with serial numbers, keep records, and require background checks. Notably, the most famous ghost gun user of the last few months is none other than Luigi Mangione.
The Social Security Administration abruptly backed off planned cuts to phone services for disabled and some elderly Americans applying for benefits amid an uproar from advocates.
Trump's time in the White House runs out in:
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