Fascism Watch, February 2

Immigration ban & Constitutional crisis

Virginia has filed a contempt motion over Trump admin’s failure to comply with court order on immigration.

Google, Apple, Facebook, and Uber have drafted a joint letter opposing Trump’s travel ban.

Steve Bannon’s first major play is shaping up as a full-blown fiasco

Kellyanne Conway cites ‘Bowling Green massacre’ that never happened to defend travel ban.

At one point, Conway made a reference to two Iraqi refugees whom she described as the masterminds behind “the Bowling Green massacre.”

“Most people don’t know that because it didn’t get covered,” Conway said.

The Bowling Green massacre didn’t get covered because it didn’t happen. There has never been a terrorist attack in Bowling Green, Ky., carried out by Iraqi refugees or anyone else.

Good news: Ali Vayeghan, the Iranian man who was deported from LAX in violation of the federal court’s TRO, has returned.

Vayeghan’s successful return was the result of a federal judge’s emergency ruling overturning the government’s decision to ban him, making Vayeghan the first person denied entry to be allowed into the country after a legal challenge to the White House’s executive order.

Trump

Trump aims to “totally destroy” law prohibiting churches from engaging in political activity

There is no recording of Trump’s phone call with Putin on Saturday. “The White House could not provide additional details about the call because staff had disabled recording equipment.”

Trump loosens sanctions preventing Russia intelligence agencies from cyberspying

Congress

Congress says coal mining companies can go back to dumping waste in streams

The G.O.P. Campaign to Repeal Obamacare Hits a Wall

Chaffetz backs off on plan to sell off ‘excess’ public lands

Chaffetz says the House Oversight Committee may investigate Trump’s possible conflicts of interest. I don’t even know what to say to this except to implore you to keep calling your representatives and screaming about this.

Cabinet & Federal Appointees

Steve Bannon: ‘we’re going to war in the South China Sea … no doubt’

Senate Republicans suspend committee rules to approve Scott Pruitt, Trump’s EPA nominee

Press Secretary Sean Spicer Falsely Accuses Iran of Attacking U.S. Navy Vessel. In response, Iran president says Trump will cost the US, calls him a political novice.

The CIA’s New Deputy Director Ran a Black Site for Torture

Protests

The last three days have been the BUSIEST IN CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD HISTORY. By almost double. This is working. Keep it up and please RT.

— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) February 2, 2017

#Senate offices are being flooded with an average of 1.5 million calls/day this week. Just look at the floor and you'll see they're working

— Matt House (@mattwhouse) February 2, 2017

Yemeni bodega owners went on strike in New York. Thousands protested in front of Brooklyn’s Borough Hall.

We Are The Scientists Against A Fascist Government.  “We are writing as scientists who are concerned about the rise of an authoritarian, Trump-led, and GOP-dominated government.”