"Honest Rational Conservatives”.

 

I’m a sucker for seeking out the views of an ”honest rational conservative”, or “HRC”.

Yes, it’s utterly futile, but I love to tear them apart to expose their devious dishonesty and absurd sense of victimhood.

One such self-anointed “HRC” introduces himself with:

Hi, I’m Ken LaCorte. I spent 20 years behind-the-scenes at Fox News and now host “Elephants in Rooms”.

Here, we jump into topics that many people avoid and that the mainstream narrative often vilifies. Even when they’re true.

If you’re looking for true insight into issues – without straw men or sensationalism – you’ve found the right place.

"True insight"? We'll see about that.

He can certainly SEEM to be reasonable. He even declared FOX News has abandoned its “fair and balanced” motto. La Corte has since made his own pretensions to adhere to that deception.

Wiki: (In March 2019, Jane Mayer reported in The New Yorker that Fox News reporter Diana Falzone had the story of the Stormy Daniels–Donald Trump scandal before the 2016 election, but that LaCorte told her, "Good reporting, kiddo. But Rupert [Murdoch] wants Donald Trump to win. So just let it go," and the story was killed. In 2022, LaCorte defended his decision, saying that Daniels and Falzone were not interested in publishing the scandal but were using the media to extort Trump. According to him, Daniels refused to go on record and, after Trump paid her, avoided media outlets. He said the criticism directed at him and Fox was unjustified and pointed to other outlets that did not cover the story. He added that Trump was innocent and that Daniels should be in prison.)

So there’s that.

La Corte’s youtube subjects “Why Democracies Fail” and “What Happened to the News” drew my interest. He even made valid historical points, albeit lacking in serious in-depth analysis and pertinent information. I made a point of ignoring his odd clickbait subjects like “Why Do Black Men Like Big Butts” and “Why Does Kevin Spacey Keep Getting Off, Accusers: 30, Convictions: 0”. For some reason he’s not very interested in the accusations by Trump and Epstein survivors.

In “What Happened to the News” he mentioned without specifics the issue of declining trust in institutions due to “no shared reality” in the news. And that was his “fair and balanced” conclusion offered without analysis. Not a peep about baseless accusations of “fake news”, a “stolen election”, or the endless regurgitation of Trump’s lies. Yes, his point being Trump’s propaganda network and established journalism are identical in accuracy and disinformation. From bothsiderism to reductio ad absurdum in one twist of reality.

OK. Now we know where this guy is coming from, even after he left FOX(R).

I’d like to discuss his presentation most relevant and concerning to present day America, titled “Why Democracies Fail” by Ken “HRC” La Corte, Aug 13, 2025.

It comes as no surprise that “bothsiderism” raises its ugly head in his narrative.

“We have a system under stress with many people convinced the other side is corrupt beyond repair, and that they’re the ones defending democracy itself.”

That would have been a good time for me to click out of his youtube videos. Yet I persisted.

And he proceeded to go exactly where I suspected he’d go.

His “One side” v “Other side” case was unbalanced and both-sided with these examples.

“One side” asserts, “Trump’s refusal to concede in 2020 and a mob storming the Capitol”.

My stars! Those libs are so easily triggered! Trump did nothing wrong at all, but the fake news and lying libs made a mountain of a molehill. Same with his mob of “patriotic” thugs he pardoned. (Note how La Corte conveniently avoided the words “lie” and “election denial”, as well as WHO sent the angry mob to overturn a fair election. He Ignores the fact Trump whined and LIED relentlessly about a “rigged election’. And he ignores the fact it was the Criminal President who SENT his mob to overturn the election. To say nothing of ignoring the fact that many of Trump’s pardoned thugs have since been arrested for more heinous crimes.)

The “Other side” (his side) asserts, “Abuse by intelligence agencies to gin up a false Russian collusion narrative”.

Oh, no! The “Deep State ®” HORROR of it all!  (Never mind, “Russia, if you’re listening” and numerous campaign staff contacts with Russians, even in Trump Tower. Never mind how much Russian money went to the Trumps.)

And if you think that’s bad, there’s the “Other Side’s” blatant projection of “weaponization of the legal system to jail the leading opposition candidate for president”. (Never mind the troves of evidence and testimony in the criminal indictments. Never mind the special services rendered by his corrupt legal defense team on the Supreme Court with their obstruction, delays, and granting the Criminal President immunity from the rule of law.)

See? “Both sides” are “defending democracy”, but the “Other side” seems to be the “real victims” of “abuse and weaponization” by “One Side”. Just ask any “HRC” how their “Other Side’s alternative facts” can be anything close to a shared reality. Yeah, there’s your problem, all right. Surely democracies never fail when a Criminal President denies elections, says they're "rigged", and sends a mob to overturn it. Both sides do that all the time, right?

Let’s look at the actual vindictive weaponization of law enforcement by Trump that Mr. La Corte needed to IGNORE at the time he produced this propaganda.

The list of the “Other Side's’” unshared realities is growing.

~~

Retaliatory Actions Tracker

APRIL 9, 2025: Trump issued an Executive Order directing agency investigations of Miles Taylor, Former Chief of Staff of DHS.

POLITICAL INTERFERENCE

Miles Taylor was the anonymous author of a statement warning the public about President Trump’s official behavior during his first term. He has since come forward as an outspoken critic of President Trump and his administration. Miles Taylor was subsequently named on Kash Patel’s “enemy list.”

SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT

There is no public evidence that Miles Taylor committed a federal crime.

~~

APRIL 9, 2025:  Trump issued an Executive Order directing agency investigations of Chris Krebs, former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at DHS.

POLITICAL INTERFERENCE

As CISA Director, Mr. Krebs played a role in correcting disinformation about 2020 election fraud alleged by President Trump. President Trump fired Mr. Krebs via twitter. Mr. Krebs has since been an outspoken critic of President Trump and his administration.

SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT

There is no public evidence that Chris Krebs committed a federal crime.

~~

MAY 9, 2025: Ras Baraka, Newark Mayor and Democratic Candidate for Governor of New Jersey was arrested and detained by federal agents for trespassing.

Body camera evidence reveals a special agent saying “We are arresting the mayor right now, per the deputy attorney general of the United States. Anyone that gets in our way, I need you guys to give me a perimeter so I can cuff him.”

MAY 19, 2025: Charges dropped.

~~

MAY 18, 2025: The FBI publicly confirmed an investigation of New York Attorney General Letitia James around alleged mortgage fraud.

AUGUST 8, 2025: The DOJ issued two subpoenas as a part of a criminal investigation into her activity as Attorney General prosecuting Trump and the NRA.

OCTOBER 24, 2025: Ms. James filed a Motion to Dismiss the Indictment Based on Unlawful Appointment and Enjoin the Prosecution.

NOVEMBER 7, 2025: Ms. James filed a Motion to Dismiss Indictment for Vindictive and Selective Prosecution.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025: Senior District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie dismissed the indictment based on the unlawful appointment of Lindsey Halligan.

~~

JULY 8, 2025 (Reported): The F.B.I. launched an investigation of Former C.I.A Director John O. Brennan apparently arising out of James Comey and Brennan’s respective roles in the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

There were already two Trump-instigated investigations of the conduct of the 2016 Russia investigation, one by the DOJ inspector general and one by Special Counsel John Durham. Neither of those investigations disclosed criminal wrongdoing by Brennan.

A bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee conducted an extensive investigation that concluded that Russia did, in fact, interfere in the 2016 election for the purpose of helping Trump’s candidacy, which was the same conclusion reached in the investigation conducted by the FBI and Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

~~

AUGUST 5, 2025: The DOJ launched an investigation of California Senator and Former Chair of the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff around alleged mortgage fraud.

AUGUST 13, 2025: Trump publicly called on the DOJ to investigate Schiff for his work investigating Trump previously.

Before the investigation even began, Trump posted on Truth Social alleging fraud. He later posted on Truth Social an apparent demand that Pam Bondi prosecute Sen. Schiff, saying he was “guilty as hell.” It has been reported that prosecutors “have been hesitant to proceed with charges against” Sen. Schiff because the investigation has “not produced enough evidence to bring charges.”

~~~~~~~~

Wow. That’s a LOT of the “Other Side’s” unshared reality, aka Trumped up bullshit charges, demonization, persecution, retribution, and projection.

While we’re at it, let’s note more cases of Trump’s vindictive and authoritarian abuses by his PERSONAL law enforcement agencies:

~~~~~~~

NOVEMBER 24, 2025: Pentagon announced a review of “serious allegations of misconduct” against Democratic Arizona Senator, former U.S. Navy Captain and NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, pursuant to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The announcement stated that further actions could include “recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures” and referenced 18 U.S.C. 2387, which it described as prohibiting “actions intended to interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces.”

JANUARY 5, 2026: Pete Hegseth announced that the military has begun taking administrative action against Mr. Kelly, including a censure letter and a retirement grade determination proceeding.

POLITICAL INTERFERENCE

Kelly, a Democratic Senator from Arizona, appeared in a video with other Democratic members of Congress who had either served in the military or worked in the intelligence community. The video advises military members that they are not required to follow unlawful orders. Kelly had previously expressed concern about legal exposure for troops involved in strikes on boats in the Caribbean. President Trump responded to the video by suggesting that the people in it had engaged in “sedition” and that they should be jailed or possibly executed. “Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand,” Trump wrote. He also re-posted a call to “Hang them.” Defense Secretary Hegseth called the video “despicable, reckless, and false,” and referred to the lawmakers as “the Seditious Six.”

SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT

Military Justice experts have advised that retired servicemembers are not typically recalled to face punishment for actions committed after their retirement. Furthermore, Kelly’s comments mirror information active duty soldiers are given in training.

~~

NOVEMBER 2025: Jeanine Pirro approved a criminal investigation into Chair of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell and his involvement with and official statements about the central bank’s renovation of its headquarters. 

JANUARY 11, 2026: The U.S. attorney’s office in DC publicly opened a criminal investigation into Mr. Powell.

MARCH 13, 2026: Judge Boasberg quashed the subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve, which were related to the investigation into Mr. Powell.

APRIL 3, 2026: Judge Boasberg denied the government’s motion for reconsideration and reaffirmed his decision to quash the subpoenas.

APRIL 24, 2026: U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro dropped the investigation into Mr. Powell.

POLITICAL INTERFERENCE

President Trump has made many public statements about Jerome Powell, saying that he has “mental problems” and that he would love to “fire his ass” for refusing to heed the president’s demand to lower interest rates. However, the president does not have the power to fire a member of the board of an independent federal agency except “for cause.”

SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT

Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly attempted to target leaders of independent agencies who he disagrees with, including leaders at the Federal Trade Commission, National Labor Relations Board, and Lisa Cook of the Federal Reserve Board.

VALIDATION

Top bipartisan leaders are speaking out against the investigation into Mr. Powell, with one saying that it “could undermine this and future administrations’ ability to make sound monetary policy decisions.” Republican Senator Dave McCormick stated that “the Federal Reserve renovation may well have wasted taxpayer dollars, but the proper place to fix this is through Congressional oversight.” Thom Tillis, Republican member of the Senate Banking Committee even went as far to say “if there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none. It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question.”

~~

Former Military and Intelligence Community Lawmakers

Rep. Jason Crow

Rep. Maggie Goodlander

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

Sen. Elissa Slotkin

Rep. Chris Deluzio

JANUARY 13, 2026: Sen. Elissa Slotkin announced she was being investigated by federal prosecutors for her participation in a video urging members of the military to disobey illegal orders.

JANUARY 14, 2026: Rep.Jason Crow, Rep. Maggie Goodlander and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan announced they were also under investigation for their participation in the same video.

FEBRUARY 10, 2026: A grand jury refused to indict the lawmakers.

FEBRUARY 24, 2026: U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro dropped the investigation into the former military lawmakers.

POLITICAL INTERFERENCE

In addition to Mark Kelly, these four other Democratic members of Congress who had either served in the military or worked in the intelligence community appeared in a video. The video advises military members that they are not required to follow unlawful orders. President Trump responded to the video by suggesting that the people in it had engaged in “sedition” and that they should be jailed or possibly executed. “Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand,” Trump wrote. He also re-posted a call to “Hang them.” Defense Secretary Hegseth called the video “despicable, reckless, and false,” and referred to the lawmakers as “the Seditious Six.”

SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT

Military Justice experts have advised that retired servicemembers are not typically recalled to face punishment for actions committed after their retirement. Furthermore, their comments mirror information active duty soldiers are given in training.

~~

Minnesota Democrats

Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota

Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis

Kaohly Her, Mayor of St. Paul

Keith Ellison, State Attorney General

Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney

JANUARY 16, 2026: The DOJ reportedly launched a criminal investigation into these Democratic elected officials for allegedly conspiring to impede federal agents.

JANUARY 20, 2026: DOJ reportedly served subpoenas on the five officials.

POLITICAL INTERFERENCE

Before the investigation even began, President Trump threatened Minnesota Democrats with a “DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION” and Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, publicly accused Mr. Frey and Mr. Walz of “encouraging violence against law enforcement” and referred to their actions as “terrorism.”

SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT

After the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, Minneapolis became a symbol pushing back on the administration’s immigration enforcement. Each of the subpoenaed individuals have been outspoken against the administration’s tactics. The Minnesota officials sued the administration to block the Department of Homeland Security from executing a planned surge of federal immigration officers to the Twin Cities. Federal investigators did not cooperate with local officials when investigating the shooting, prejudged Ms. Good’s actions, and ultimately decided to not investigate the shooter, Jonathan Ross, despite a longstanding practice of comprehensive DOJ reviews of death-resulting uses of force by law enforcement officers.

VALIDATION

Rather than announcing charges against Jonathan Ross, the DOJ reportedly pushed internally for an investigation into Renee Good’s wife. Once this was announced internally, six Minnesota prosecutors resigned from their position.

~~

APRIL 21, 2026:  Southern Poverty Law Center indicted and charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering based on payments to informants who infiltrated white supremacist groups.

POLITICAL INTERFERENCE

The Southern Poverty Law Center (“SPLC”) partnered with federal law enforcement agencies for decades on efforts to monitor and mitigate hate crimes and domestic terrorism. But in October 2025, FBI Director Kash Patel criticized SPLC as a “partisan smear machine” and announced that the FBI was severing ties with the organization and would no longer accept or use intelligence and data from SPLC. Director Patel further claimed that SPLC had a “disgraceful record” and that its research identifying hate groups “has been used to defame mainstream Americans.” This announcement was made two days after SPLC criticized the Trump Administration for ending federal funding for hate crime prevention and amidst the Administration’s broader effort to roll back civil rights enforcement and increase focus on “reverse discrimination.”

In December 2025, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) convened a House Judiciary hearing focused exclusively on SPLC, titled “Partisan and Profitable: The SPLC’s Influence on Federal Civil Rights Policy.” The hearing featured extensive criticisms by Rep. Roy, other Republican members of the committee, and their witnesses that SPLC’s advocacy unfairly targeted conservative groups and that its collaboration with federal law enforcement harmed those groups as well.

In an unaired video clip from the April 26 filming of a 60 Minutes interview, President Trump stated that the SPLC was “financing the KKK and lots of other radical, terrible groups” and that the alleged funding of far right groups “was done to make [him] look bad.”

SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT

The tactics forming the basis of the indictment – financial payments to informants to procure sensitive intelligence about the inner workings of groups engaged in suspected criminal activity – appear to be similar to tactics long-employed by the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies.

VALIDATION

SPLC had been providing federal law enforcement with information on hate groups for decades, including intelligence gathered from SPLC’s informants, according to public reporting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There you have it. The unshared reality of a Criminal President and his corrupt regime bent on revenge and punishment for people he hates or who tried to hold him accountable to the rule of law.

I can't wait for La Corte to post a promised "whole piece on the 2020 election because a lot of people need to hear that".