What is the public hearing about Trump’s order to send more troops to Los Angeles? A lot of folks don’t even know who to blame. Plus, Rachel compares the fiery I.C.E. protests with how the Nazis rose to power in 1930s Germany. How Elon’s and Don’s Big Beautiful Breakup threatens the President’s tax cuts for billionaires. We unpack the DOJ’s fishy case against Kilmar Abrego Garcea and the headlines Americans are reading. And what, exactly, does tear gas taste like?

LINKS:

• Newsom to Defense Secretary Hegseth: Rescind National Guard Order
• LA Protesters Angry w/ Mayor Karen Bass & Governor Gavin Newsom
• Justice Department documents re: Kilmar Abrego Garcia
• The Cycle Monday Memo: Something Wicked This Way Comes (Substack)
• POLITICO: ‘You essentially destroyed any chance I have,’ DNC chair told David Hogg in private meeting
• Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

This week Rachel and Aaron follow Elon “Black Eye” Musk out the door as he whines about the American political system he destroyed. Plus: cracks in the ice when it comes to criticizing Donald Trump and the Big Ugly Bill, a weird reminder of death from a U.S. Senator (and a weirder “apology”). What happens when you call a fascist… a fascist? And we take a hard look at the Great Replacement Theory through the lens of Tucker Carlson.

LINKS:

• New York Times: On the Campaign Trail, Elon Musk Juggled Drugs and Family Drama
• Associated Press: Musk put a spotlight on federal spending, but cut less than he wanted
• Elon Musk interview on CBS This Morning
• Sen. Rand Paul on Face the Nation
• Sen. Joni Ernst: “We’re all going to die”
• Ernst makes sarcastic “apology” in graveyard
• Woman calls out Rep. Mike Flood as a fascist
• Trump confronted by TACO Theory
• Tucker Carlson interview with Canadian MP Maxime Bernier
• Trump throws 500-word hissyfit about Leornard Leo and the Federalist Society
• The Cycle on Subtack
• Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

This week Rachel and Aaron translate whatever Donald “Marie Antoinette” Trump is trying to say about groceries, tariffs and Wal-Mart. Plus, an alarming shakeup in the national intelligence community. How does it compare to Adolph Hitler? And criticism of Trump from his former VP. For Mike Pence, it’s as salty as it gets. And the latest threat from Trump’s DOJ: If you can’t charge ‘em, shame ‘em.

LINKS:

• Trump post: Wal-Mart should ‘EAT THE TARIFFS’
• Associated Press: Gabbard fires 2 top intelligence officials and will shift office that preps Trump’s daily brief
• NBC’s Meet the Press: Interview with Mike Pence (May 18, 2025)
• Fox: Sunday Morning Futures: Interview with Kash Patel & Dan Bongino (May 18, 2025)
• USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on Trump banner
• NBC News: DOJ 'weaponization' group will shame individuals it can't charge with crimes
• CNN: James Comey’s ‘weird’ social media approach lands him in hot water
• VIDEO: Rep. Swalwell presses HS Secretary Noem on doctored photo
• The Cycle on Subtack: Trump's Executive Orders Serve One Sinister Purpose
• Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game