As today appears to be unofficial Gee, I Had No Idea That The Federalist Society Exists Solely To Undermine The Will Of The Manjority Of Americans Day, let’s take a look at our Secretary of Transportation’s direct involvement in this fuckery. (1) 
fedsoc.org/commentary/pub…
On November 14, 2003, Secretary Chao gave a keynote speech at FedSoc’s National Lawyers Convention.
This wasn’t her first or last speech at a National Lawyers Convention, which seems a little noteworthy as she isn’t a lawyer. (2)
On November 14, 2003, Secretary Chao gave a keynote speech at FedSoc’s National Lawyers Convention.
This wasn’t her first or last speech at a National Lawyers Convention, which seems a little noteworthy as she isn’t a lawyer. (2)
In her 2003 speech, Chao took aim at non-govermental organizations (NGOs) which were attempting, in her words, to “determine the outcome of public policy.” Where have I heard of such an NGO? I’m sure I’ll think of one. (3)
Chao mentioned that FedSoc had formed an “NGO Watch Project.” This is especially hypocritical, as FedSoc had tasked Brett Kavanaugh earlier in 2003 to help rally right wing NGO’s behind a George W. Bush judicial nominee. (4)
The email from FedSoc’s Joel Pardue was sent to Brett Kavanaugh’s Executive Office of the President account on June 17, 2003. (5)
Kavanaugh’s task was to “designate 24 people from media outreach list who would attend confirmation hearings.” As a follow-on task, Leonard Leo was to “communicate interest and need in having them there,” and to secure their attendance. (6)
Note the mentions of several NGOs: Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, and Americans for Tax Reform. In case it isn’t clear, The Federalist Society was engaging these organizations as allies in the fight to confirm George W. Bush judicial nominees. (7)
One might consider an organization’s partnering with many right wing NGOs as constituting “a platform.” Brett Kavanaugh didn’t, and he swore as much to Senator Durbin one year later. (8)
(Insert Bill Barr’s self-righteous whining about Democrats’ demands for honesty and transparency in the confirmation process for presidential appointees here.) (9)
Anyhoo, let’s get back to Secretary Chao.
In her 2003 FedSoc speech, she gave her soon-to-be Deputy Secretary of Labor, Stephen (sic) Law a shout-out. (10)
In her 2003 FedSoc speech, she gave her soon-to-be Deputy Secretary of Labor, Stephen (sic) Law a shout-out. (10)
ICYMI, Law’s now the head of American Crossroads, Crossroads GPS, One Nation (a dark money 501(c)(4)), and Senate Leadership Fund—a Super PAC aligned (their words) with Chao’s husband, Mitch McConnell. Chao’s been in frequent communication with him. (11)
On March 15, 2016–exactly one day before McConnell killed the Constitutional recommendation of “advise and consent”—the one Bill Barr holds so close to his black heart—Senate Leadership Fund received $500,000 from Neil Gorsuch’s longtime pal, Philip Anschutz. (12)
In 2006, Anschutz—via his attorney—begged George W. Bush for a Tenth Circuit appointment for Gorsuch. Gorsuch was appointed and confirmed, even though he was otherwise not under consideration. (13)
Did Brett Kavanaugh, as Staff Secretary, have anything to do with Gorsuch’s placement atop the Tenth Circuit list? We’ll probably never know, as both Bush and Trump claimed executive privilege over the majority of Kavanaugh’s documents from his tenure under Bush. (14)
Fast forward to December 15, 2017: Neil Gorsuch is sitting in his purchased SCOTUS seat, Justice Kennedy’s impending retirement is rumored to be known to a select few, and Philip Anschutz makes a $250,000 Senate Leadership Fund deposit. (15)
The holidays come and go, and a few weeks later Elaine Chao is having dinner with Neil Gorsuch and member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, John Cornyn. Which is weird, because even if the DOT had business before SCOTUS, this meeting would seem improper. (16)
On the other hand, it seems possible—given Chao’s coordination with her husband’s office on DOT grants for his constituents—that former Federalist Society advisor Chao has been coordinating with Senate Leadership Fund. Coordination on her husband’s behalf would be criminal. (End)
One of the NGOs Secretary Chao called out for influencing “the politics and laws of democratic societies”? The United Nations.
This sounds like every dark money 501(c)(4).
*majority*. How embarrassing for me.
