Defiance! February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 NOTE TO MAGA: Immigrants Pay More in Taxes Than They Receive in Benefits . . . by $15 trillion over the past 30 years! Had they not been here, working hard, our National Debt would have been $15 trillion higher. So says David J. Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the conservative Cato Institute (25 seconds). They also commit fewer crimes. Hate immigrants for other reasons, if you must, but thank them for paying their fair share of taxes — unlike the Epstein class. BOROWITZ: Trump Says Andrew’s Arrest Sets Dangerous Precedent of Pedophiles Facing Consequences. NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: The most powerful crime syndicate in history It is time to acknowledge what has become tragically obvious: the Trump administration is essentially acting as a massive criminal enterprise. It lies, steals, extorts and murders — all while cloaked in the awesome authority of the state. It is on a crime spree that puts Al Capone to shame. This is not hyperbole or hyperventilation. It is our reality, as the facts amply demonstrate. . . . It is difficult to comprehend the level of state-sponsored criminality we are witnessing because our country has never experienced anything like it. It is also difficult to absorb because it is happening so quickly, and on so many different fronts. In the words of the 2022 movie, it sometimes feels like “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” And that can be exhausting, numbing, and overwhelming. But viewing the Trump administration as a massive crime syndicate allows us to be clear-eyed about what is coming down the road, and to plan accordingly. To take the most urgent example, there ought to be no question as to whether Trump will try to steal the midterm elections. Of course he will try to steal them. Criminals gonna crime. Trump tried to steal the 2020 elections, and the lack of any consequences for that supremely traitorous act only further emboldened him. It is every patriotic American’s duty to oppose the coming effort to nullify the will of the voters. That this administration can reasonably be viewed as a criminal enterprise should not be cause for despair. The courts have rejected many of the administration’s power grabs and unconstitutional or illegal acts. The president is less popular than he has ever been. Prominent Republicans are defying him more than ever. The brave citizens of Minneapolis are showing us how effective organized resistance can be. And Bad Bunny, with his Super Bowl message that “The only thing more powerful than hate is love,” gave us reason to believe that kindness, compassion and decency will prevail. DEFIANCE! I was on a zoom this week with Miles Taylor, founder of defiance.org, one of the bravest, most brilliant patriots around. Check out his bio. Join him (and Robert DeNiro, et al) Tuesday from 7pm to 11pm for the REAL State of the Union event: STATE OF THE SWAMP It will be streaming free. INDIVISIBLE! What’s the Plan?, the weekly discussion with Indivisible founders with Leah and Ezra, is now a podcast. Check it out! NO KINGS 3! Saturday, March 28. Find the event closest to you (scroll down to see the map) . . . and if there is none, start one! Here’s the toolkit for hosts. What a privilege to have a chance to save the democracy our forefathers fought and died to create and preserve — just by making or buying a sign and get some friends to join you for a fun afternoon followed by pizzas and beer — or whatever. There will be millions upon millions of us. Make up a list of the folks you want to do this with and get them psyched to join you. HEADQUARTERS! People for the American Way has just launched Headquarters, which in its first week got something like 160 million views. Already has 5.5 million TikTok followers; more than a million each on Instagram and X. And smaller but growing numbers on Facebook, Threads, and their own home page. Take your pick — and follow them. We’re gonna win!