posted May 20, 2025 07:21 PM            

Bernie Sanders Urges Shari Redstone to Resist Trump's Lawsuit Against CBS

posted May 20, 2025 07:25 PM            

Bernie Sanders says U.S. under Trump is facing "unprecedented level of danger"
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bernie-sanders-says-u-s-under-trump-is-facing-unprecedented-level-of-danger/

Ever since President Trump took office, surrounded by some of the richest men in the world, Senator Bernie Sanders has been sounding the alarm: "This country today faces an unprecedented level of danger, something that I've never seen in my lifetime," he said. "We are a nation that is moving rapidly toward oligarchy, which means that we have a government run by the billionaire class, for the billionaire class."

"You've had this consistent message for a long time; is there more urgency now in this moment?" I asked.

"I think there is," Sanders replied. "And in many ways, I suppose, you can thank Elon Musk and Trump for that."

The 83-year-old's rallying cry is breaking through, as thousands pack his events. These gatherings, along with other protests, are the latest flashpoints for an emerging Trump opposition.

What does Sanders see from on stage at his rallies? "I think I'm seeing fear, and I'm seeing anger," he said. "Sixty percent of our people are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Media doesn't talk about it. We don't talk about it enough here in Congress."

What makes the no-nonsense lawmaker from Vermont different from Democrats is that he is not one of them. Sanders ran high-profile races for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020, but he is a registered independent.

Right now, he sees not merely a political battle, but a moral and constitutional crisis.

I asked, "Some Republicans chuckle when they see President Trump talk about pursuing a third term. Are you laughing when you hear it?"

"No, I don't," Sanders said. "The idea of a third term? Why not? They don't believe in the rule of law. They don't believe in the Constitution. So, yeah, I would take that seriously."

Something else Sanders takes seriously: the sprawling influence of Elon Musk, who has overhauled the federal workforce.

Sanders said, "One of the other concerns when I talk about oligarchy, Bob, it's not just massive income and wealth inequality. It's not just the power of the billionaire class. These guys, led by Musk – and as a result of this disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision – have now allowed billionaires essentially to own our political process. So, I think when we talk about America is a democracy, I think we should rephrase it, call it a 'pseudo-democracy.' And it's not just Musk and the Republicans; it's billionaires in the Democratic Party as well."

"That's a serious thing to say as a U.S. senator, pseudo-democracy, not a full democracy?" I asked.

"Look, you get one vote, and Elon Musk can spend $270 million to help elect Trump. Does that sound like a democracy to you?"

Sanders also objects to an executive order pressuring major law firms whose clients are seen as hostile to Mr. Trump. Some firms have reached financial agreements with the administration.

I asked, "What do you make of the law firms cutting deals?"

Sanders' reply: "Absolute cowardice."

"Some of them seem pretty eager to cut a deal?"

"They do. Because for them, you know, they're zillion-dollar law firms, and money, money, money. So, they're gonna sell out their souls to Donald Trump in order to continue to be able to make money here in Washington."

"What's the cost to the country when that sort of thing happens?"

Sanders said, "It is indescribable."