How Trump Plans to Seize the Power of the Purse From Congress
How Trump Plans to Seize the Power of the Purse From Congress
The second-term president likely will seek to cut off spending that lawmakers have already appropriated, setting off a constitutional struggle within the branches. If successful, he could wield the power to punish perceived foes.
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His plan, known as “impoundment,” threatens to provoke a major clash over the limits of the president’s control over the budget. The Constitution gives Congress the sole authority to appropriate the federal budget, while the role of the executive branch is to dole out the money effectively. But Trump and his advisers are asserting that a president can unilaterally ignore Congress’ spending decisions and “impound” funds if he opposes them or deems them wasteful.
And what a surprise, his plan is blatantly unconstitutional.
And this is where Unitary Executive Theory gets you. Trump has been sold on the idea of being a complete autocrat for years now, and we shouldn't be surprised when he acts as an autocrat would.
We can only hope that his diet kills him sooner than later.
I dunno about blantantly. Not spending could be considered efficient. And one could argue that it is part of the checks and balances... it is certainly not the spirit of the constitution, but we know it isn't about the spirit. And really, the constitution just isn't the end all be all. The guys who wrote it were just making it up as they went along. That said, republican congress will fight it tooth and nail. They can always just impeach him.
They can always just impeach him.
I'm wondering if you are young enough that you do not remember Trump's first presidency. Impeachment in itself does nothing.
In the past it was just the democrates. But if he trys to take power from all of congress, the both sides of the isle will line up to be rid of him. He is mostly useless to them now anyway.
It must be nice to feel so optimistic.
Gotta try right? But seriously, they have already started pushing back on some of his cabinet picks. And when there was talk of recess appointments, they pushed back as well. So they are already showing that they don't intend to be steamrolled.