In the midst of an administration known for self-dealing and blatant corruption, it would seem that this Thanksgiving we can be thankful for some measure of comeuppance.

Let’s start with the misuse of the Justice Department as a Department of Revenge. In case, after case, the clumsiness and baseless prosecutions have been revealed as just that. A case of perjury against James Comey and a case of mortgage fraud against Letitia James were both thrown out, after the judge found the prosecutor was illegally appointed. Aside from the dubious bases of these prosecutions, it is unclear whether the Comey prosecution could be refiled, since it is long past the statute of limitations on his supposed perjury. Other mortgage fraud cases (accused against a Fed Governor and a US Senator) may make little progress on the basis of records about three of the President’s current cabinet members – without investigating and prosecuting them, the claim of malicious prosecution will hold gallons of water at trial.

The political winds may be blowing against the Administration and the Republicans. The Administration’s favorability ratings have sunk in recent weeks, to a new low of 36%, with 60% disapproving. Notably, those calling themselves “independent” have cratered their approval, down to 25% from the high forties at the beginning of the term. The Congress, headed by the rightfully labeled do-nothing Republicans, have an approval rating of 14% (with even Republican voters coming in at a paltry 23%). Perhaps this is why the President briefly proposed a two year extension of the expanded ACA subsidies – only to be admonished by Republicans in Congress for suggesting that twenty million people shouldn’t see their healthcare premiums soar. And some Republicans on the outs with the President are jumping ship – Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) announced an early resignation to take place in January (reducing the Republican majority for at least 2 months, if not four as special elections and likely run-offs take place). Retiring congresspeople may also exhibit less fealty to the President in their final year in politics (ie. Sen. Thom Tillis, Sen. Joni Ernst, Cong. Don Bacon), not to mention the soon-to-be gerrymandered out of office congresspeople in CA (who would still have their seats for years, were it not for the power grabbing tsunami brought on by the President).

Then there are the personal aggrandizement parlays of the Trumps (and their circle). The year began with a series of gambits by the Trumps to capitalize on there position in the White House. A meme-coin for both Donald Trump and for Melania Trump – down 86% and 99% since inauguration day. World Liberty Financial, the crypto token launched by the Trumps, is down 40% since its September launch. Then there is the Trump Media Group (DJT), holder of Truth Social, whose stock price has fallen from its heady high just-after-launch of $94.20 to its current price of $11.54 per share (1240 times its annual revenues – can you say “bubble”?). Could these business go the way of Trump University, Trump Steaks, and Trump Vodka? One could only hope…

Thankful for the trends at least, while the national disgrace continues…