Happy Thanksgiving!

We were live on the air for the holiday today, although by “we” I mean me, and by “on the air,” I mean streaming over the Internet. Also, by “live,” I mean except for the pre-recorded segment on Christian nationalists hiding behind their long-standing school privatization scheme, submitted by Michigan correspondent Rosalyn MacGregor.

Trump’s threatened tariffs were put to their first test yesterday: the test of whether or not they’re fake, that is. Evidence strongly (very strongly strongly) suggests they are.

“We” also take the opportunity to remind you that for some strange reason, Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) is considered Congress’ “crypto queen.” More importantly, we’re meant to understand that this is the root of the next round of crypto corruption.

Speaking of the next round of corruption, you already know that Every Republican Accusation is a Confession.™ So here’s another confession: Don Jr. is now doing all the things they said Hunter Biden was doing with Burisma.

You also already know that Trump’s flouting the norms on background checks. On top of that, he’s befouling the transition process by refusing to sign the routine ethics pledge, which he actually did sign last time (though to no avail). Is there anything to do about any of it? Well, there’s one suggestion: Biden can initiate background checks for them. Sort of as a favor, you know? That way, he can focus on the mandate he doesn’t have, for the agenda he denied having.

Gaetz has been gotz. But Pete Hegseth is still skulking around. Reports are that there are Republicans who are genuinely unhappy about that, too. (And with good reason!) Still, there are some bizarre interpersonal nuances in Congress and party politics which mean the reaction to Hegseth and other abominable Cabi-nut picks could go either way.

Rudy Giuliani’s best, last hope is that he thinks things could co either way for him, too. But it’s starting to look like there’s only way way to go: down. As in… the drain. Or toilet.