# NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 4) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 22, 2025, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678 "2025-02-22T21:08:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 250
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4981 "2026-07-06T13:01:53Z")
I can’t say how unsurprised I am that a Republican would make a public claim like 40% of ACA clients are phantoms due to massive fraud by insurers and brokers, and not just investigate and prosecute the fraud. This isn’t a stolen bicycle, there’s a paper trail a mile long, every single bad actor is named on every document signing up these phantoms. Well… if any of the claims are true, that is. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4982 "2026-07-06T14:04:54Z")
Remember that from the POV of their Grand Poobah, taking advantage of an exploit vulnerability for profit is “being smart”… _ **…IF you’re the “right” kind of people.** _ Rick Scott grafts Medicare? Business as usual. A daycare in a Somali-American neighborhood has more/fewer customers than some podcaster thinks it should? The program is a scam and must be ended, all aid to the state must be suspended and all Somalis are criminals and must be expelled. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4983 "2026-07-06T19:59:27Z")
Because the FBI has absolutely nothing better to do… > The FBI has asked its field offices across the country to dedicate more than 200 staffers to its investigation of the 2020 election in Georgia’s Fulton county. > **[FBI orders 260 staffers to Georgia to assist with 2020 election investigation](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/02/fbi-georgia-fulton-county-election-investigation)** > > Memo calls for ‘surge’ of analysts after agents in January seized hundreds of boxes containing Fulton county ballots ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4984 "2026-07-06T21:06:44Z")
OFFS!! This horse is dead! Why doesn’t the FBI just say they’re too busy? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4985 "2026-07-06T21:09:32Z")
Who does the FBI obey, and who appointed that person? That should answer your question. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4986 "2026-07-06T21:16:01Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Who does the FBI obey, and who appointed that person? Yes, Trump complained about the FBI being weaponized in pursuing legitimate criminal accusations against him, and in response has actually weaponized it in his favor. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4987 "2026-07-06T21:20:30Z")
Then just change the subject. FBI says investigating killing of white woman. Possibly connected to Somalis. Or rabid Dumbocrats. He’ll forget about Georgia for a few days. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4988 "2026-07-06T23:19:24Z")
Its a by now tired cliche, but every accusation is a confession. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2026, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4989 "2026-07-08T17:32:27Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Republicans are considering removing the Milwaukee Judge that was arrested this morning: > > [https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/25/judge-hannah-dugan-update-how-removal-works-wisconsin/83279239007/](https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/25/judge-hannah-dugan-update-how-removal-works-wisconsin/83279239007/) > > > “These charges are serious, deeply troubling, and strike at the core of public trust,” Rep. Tyler August, R-Walworth, said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor the legal process, but Assembly Republicans stand prepared to act decisively if these serious allegations are confirmed.”“Accountability is not optional — it is essential to the integrity of public service,” he said. > > Accountability is not optional? Since when? > > Also, FWIW, there are protests today and tomorrow. > > [Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan arrest; protest at federal courthouse | FOX6 Milwaukee](https://www.fox6now.com/news/milwaukee-county-judge-hannah-dugan-arrest-protest-federal-courthouse) This case finally came to an end today when she was fined $5000. In December 2025, she was found guilty of obstructing federal officers but not guilty of concealing someone with the intent of preventing their arrest. This morning, before the hearing, her team said that they’d appeal the sentencing no matter what. I don’t know if that’s still the plan considering it’s probably easier and certainly cheaper to just pay the $5k. OTOH, given that she’s a judge, she’s probably taking more into consideration than how this will impact her wallet. Also, at some point during all this she resigned. IIRC, her reasoning was that the ongoing case would’ve been too much of a distraction. I’d guess, and it’s jut a guess, that the right stating their intentions to impeach her played into her decision as well. > **[Former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan avoids prison time, gets $5,000 fine](https://www.fox6now.com/news/milwaukee-judge-dugan-obstruction-sentence)** > > Former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan will not serve any prison time – but will be fined $5,000 – for obstructing federal agents from carrying out an immigration enforcement operation, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4990 "2026-07-08T17:49:14Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > OFFS!! This horse is dead! Why doesn’t the FBI just say they’re too busy? Because the current leadership has already abused and fired agents that they deemed insufficiently loyal, just because they did their jobs when Biden was President. Given the choice of “Get fired” or “Follow orders in a half-assed way”, which do you think most of them will choose? The agents all know this is BS, which means they know nothing they “review” will produce any evidence. But the boss wants it done, and at the end of the week, their paycheck is the same as if they were out there catching real criminals. Do a half-assed job for a few years until a real President is elected again. It’s all pensionable time, as they say. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2026, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4991 "2026-07-08T19:08:14Z")
Schindler would be proud of her. I am. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2026, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4992 "2026-07-08T19:19:08Z")
Remind us, please, what was it that she did? ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2026, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4993 "2026-07-08T20:02:49Z")
[Wiki:](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannah_Dugan) > On April 25, 2025, Dugan was arrested by the [Federal Bureau of Investigation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation "Federal Bureau of Investigation") and [indicted](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indicted "Indicted") on federal charges after she informed a defendant who was an [illegal immigrant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration "Illegal immigration") to the presence of federal immigration agents, directed him to leave through a nonpublic exit of the courthouse, and thereby [impeded federal agents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obstruction_of_justice_in_the_United_States "Obstruction of justice in the United States") who were attempting to take him into custody following a court appearance. The case drew national attention, with differing views expressed regarding the scope of federal enforcement authority and judicial conduct. Critics described the arrest as politically motivated and indicative of authoritarian enforcement under the [second Trump administration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_presidency_of_Donald_Trump "Second presidency of Donald Trump"), while supporters characterized it as a legitimate application of federal law.[[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannah_Dugan#cite_note-BiceDiedrich2-3)[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannah_Dugan#cite_note-NYT-4)[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannah_Dugan#cite_note-:2-5) ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4994 "2026-07-09T12:26:29Z")
This is an early candidate for dumb GOP idea of the month. Which, granted, is a high bar. Mike Lee, Senator from Utah, thinks that the Patriot Front is a lefty organization comprised of fake white supremacists. > “Patriot Front: Brought to you by leftists who don’t know that patriots don’t wear masks,” Lee said in one post. > “Are these really the most believable fake white supremacists SPLC money can buy?” Lee asked in another. > **[Mike Lee blames 'leftists,' 'Democrats' for white nationalist march on Fourth...](https://www.ksl.com/article/51594499/mike-lee-blames-leftists-democrats-for-white-nationalist-march-on-fourth-of-july)** > > Sen. Mike Lee blamed ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4995 "2026-07-09T12:37:34Z")
So let’s push him to A)Reiterate his stance that ‘patriots don’t wear masks’, denounce Patriot Front and white supremacists and call for the arrest of those marching (not the SPLC, the people in the streets) I assume, the actual marchers weren’t doing anything illegal (First amendment and all that), but it’s not like that’s ever stopped the right. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4996 "2026-07-09T12:53:25Z")
I suppose the no masks for patriots policy doesn’t extend to ICE, does it? I thought not. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4997 "2026-07-09T16:45:33Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Mike Lee, Senator from Utah, thinks that the Patriot Front is a lefty organization comprised of fake white supremacists. Not super shocked. I know this is old, but back in 2017, the NYT had a chart showing each Republican Senator with an “ideology score” (based on their voting record) and he was the most conservative. Almost a decade later, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was no longer the furthest right, but that’s still pretty telling. > **[How Each Senator Voted on Obamacare Repeal Proposals (Published 2017)](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/07/25/us/politics/senate-votes-repeal-obamacare.html)** > > The Senate failed to pass three amendments to repeal the health care law. He’s an extremist both for being a conservative and being an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4998 "2026-07-09T17:22:02Z")
But this also means that he’s on record as not liking Patriot Front. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/4999 "2026-07-09T18:02:21Z")
Nah, they recognize the dog whistle. It’s hardly the first time white supremacists have been ‘denounced’ by legislators who actually support them. He really thinks everybody else is dumber than him. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678/5000 "2026-07-09T18:04:49Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > He really thinks everybody else is dumber than him. To be fair, it’s likely he _is_ smarter than most of people who voted for him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=249) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-4/1014678.md?page=251)