Extreme Commanders

'Act like a collections agency': Democrat reveals blue states' secret weapon against Trump

President Donald Trump's administration withholding federal money Congress appropriated to blue states can present a unique opportunity for Democratic-controlled state governments, according to two Democratic state legislators from blue states.

In a Friday segment on MSNBC's "Deadline: White House," Maryland House of Delegates Majority Leader David Moon (D) told host Alicia Menendez that two bills he's introduced would enable his state to begin withholding state funds meant for the federal government. Moon defended the bills as necessary due to the Trump administration's recent announcement withholding $7 billion from K-12 schools across the country.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Maryland was counting on $125 million for after-school programs, teacher training programs and summer programs prior to the Department of Education suddenly announcing a day before the money was to be disbursed that it was simply "unavailable." Moon said the state was now in "unprecedented times" and had to consider strict measures.

"I introduced bills to treat the federal government as deadbeat debtors, and basically have Maryland act like a collections agency," Moon said. "So we're talking about withholding funds that's owed to the feds and putting liens on their property."

Click on the link for the full article

China wrote: Sat Jul 05, 2025 10:01 am

'Act like a collections agency': Democrat reveals blue states' secret weapon against Trump

President Donald Trump's administration withholding federal money Congress appropriated to blue states can present a unique opportunity for Democratic-controlled state governments, according to two Democratic state legislators from blue states.

In a Friday segment on MSNBC's "Deadline: White House," Maryland House of Delegates Majority Leader David Moon (D) told host Alicia Menendez that two bills he's introduced would enable his state to begin withholding state funds meant for the federal government. Moon defended the bills as necessary due to the Trump administration's recent announcement withholding $7 billion from K-12 schools across the country.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Maryland was counting on $125 million for after-school programs, teacher training programs and summer programs prior to the Department of Education suddenly announcing a day before the money was to be disbursed that it was simply "unavailable." Moon said the state was now in "unprecedented times" and had to consider strict measures.

"I introduced bills to treat the federal government as deadbeat debtors, and basically have Maryland act like a collections agency," Moon said. "So we're talking about withholding funds that's owed to the feds and putting liens on their property."

Click on the link for the full article

Yes, I love this! I wish Spanberger would do this if she wins, she didn't say she wouldn't, but she isn't that kind of Democrat (yet). People keep talking civil war and the splitting of the states, if anything is going to happen, its going to happen this way. Blue states stop paying into red states and let them pay for and live with their policies on their own. Red states don't learn because they for whatever they want and Dems ALWAYS swoop in to save, not anymore. You get the life you vote for, enjoy your Summer, Texas.

Donald Trump’s UFC stunt is more than a circus. It’s authoritarian theatre

en years ago – before I became an investigative journalist – I found myself working as a color commentator for a Russian mixed martial arts organization bankrolled by an oligarch deep in Vladimir Putin’s orbit.

The job took me around the Russian Federation and its neighboring states, allowing me to pursue unique stories that would otherwise have been out of my reach. I met a Latvian fighter who escaped a black magic cult run by his coach, attended an MMA show with the president of Ingushetia (now Russia’s deputy minister of defence), and knocked back vodka shots with ex-KGB officers and Russian oligarchs.

Then there was the time the organization attempted to host an event in Moscow’s famed Red Square, one of the most historically and politically significant landmarks in Russia. It also sits adjacent to the Kremlin, the seat of Russia’s political power. The event would have been a chance for the organization and its oligarch to ingratiate themselves to Putin, a known MMA fan who had previously attended their shows.

Logistical issues, including security concerns and layers of bureaucratic red tape, rendered the event impossible at the time. But the incident stuck with me nonetheless as an example of the political undercurrent flowing through the sport. That memory became especially relevant as US president Donald Trump announced plans to host a Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the White House to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday next year.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters during a Salute to America event in Iowa Thursday, Trump said: “Does anybody watch UFC? The great Dana White? We’re going to have a UFC fight. We’re going to have a UFC fight – think of this – on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the news during the press briefing, adding that the president was “dead serious” about hosting a UFC event at the official residence and workplace of the president.

Since taking office in January, Trump has attended two separate UFC events. He most recently attended UFC 316 in June just hours after signing a memo ordering the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles County after Ice immigration raids sparked mass protests. He nevertheless enjoyed a standing ovation from the fans in attendance, and glowing endorsements from the fighters, one of whom even kneeled before Trump. UFC champion Kayla Harrison embraced him, planted a kiss on his cheek, and wrapped her championship belt around his waist as his family and supporters looked on in delight. It was a spectacle befitting the strongman Trump imagines himself to be.

Which is why Trump’s plan to stage a UFC event at the White House makes perfect sense. It is the natural climax of a partnership in which the UFC has become the stage for Maga mythology. It carries shades of fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini, particularly its obsession with masculinity, spectacle, and nationalism – but with a modern, American twist.