It's the Democracy, Stupid | September 26, 2026

You guys know this.

I've spent a lot of my life working in countries with big palaces, right? Places where ordinary folks don't talk about the things that could get them into trouble.

These are monarchies.

These are autocracies.

And people, they go to work, they have fun, they have lives, but often they don't even notice they're not free.

This isn't us.

We notice.

And this week, boy, did we notice.

Look, Donald Trump evicted journalists from the White House.

A federal judge ordered them back.

Late last night, Trump kicked them out again.

Mr. Trump's clear view, and he's been absolutely clear about this, is that he, not federal judges, not even judges he appointed, only he decides what the law is.

And this week, Trump canceled $810 million in spending that Congress authorized for public health and education.

And members of both parties called this an illegal impoundment.

But Mr. Trump, again, he believes that he, only he, decides how our tax dollars should be spent.

And to make sure we understand our own helplessness when it comes to public spending, This week, he dipped into our pockets, taxpayers' pockets, to create a political ad that began airing this week.

And to make sure we understand our own helplessness, he had administration spokesmen come out and call that a public service announcement.

It's a lie.

But Trump has also made clear that only he decides what truth is.

After all, that's why he got rid of the journalists.

And a week ago at the UN, Trump said that he personally would decide whether to pursue peace or to annihilate Iran.

He thinks the destination, destination, listen to me, the destiny of nations is in his hands and his alone.

And here in Chicago, here in Chicago, the attorney who oversaw the fraudulent Broadview Six indictment went public with the receipts.

She told everyone that U.S. attorney Andrew Boutros personally demanded felony charges be pursued over her objection.

Now, the US attorney, Mr. Trump's chief law enforcement official here in this big city, not some rogue underling, weaponized law for the purpose of taking away the freedom of ordinary Americans.

You guys know this.

I've spent a lot of my life working in countries with big palaces, right? Places where ordinary folks don't talk about the things that could get them into trouble.

These are monarchies.

These are autocracies.

And people, they go to work, they have fun, they have lives, but often they don't even notice they're not free.

This isn't us.

We notice.

And this week, boy, did we notice.

Look, Donald Trump evicted journalists from the White House.

A federal judge ordered them back.

Late last night, Trump kicked them out again.

Mr. Trump's clear view, and he's been absolutely clear about this, is that he, not federal judges, not even judges he appointed, only he decides what the law is.

And this week, Trump canceled $810 million in spending that Congress authorized for public health and education.

And members of both parties called this an illegal impoundment.

But Mr. Trump, again, he believes that he, only he, decides how our tax dollars should be spent.

And to make sure we understand our own helplessness when it comes to public spending, This week, he dipped into our pockets, taxpayers' pockets, to create a political ad that began airing this week.

And to make sure we understand our own helplessness, he had administration spokesmen come out and call that a public service announcement.

It's a lie.

But Trump has also made clear that only he decides what truth is.

After all, that's why he got rid of the journalists.

And a week ago at the UN, Trump said that he personally would decide whether to pursue peace or to annihilate Iran.

He thinks the destination, destination, listen to me, the destiny of nations is in his hands and his alone.

And here in Chicago, here in Chicago, the attorney who oversaw the fraudulent Broadview Six indictment went public with the receipts.

She told everyone that U.S. attorney Andrew Boutros personally demanded felony charges be pursued over her objection.

Now, the US attorney, Mr. Trump's chief law enforcement official here in this big city, not some rogue underling, weaponized law for the purpose of taking away the freedom of ordinary Americans.