Law be damned, Trump asserts unilateral control over executive branch, federal service (15 Viewers)

[superchuck500]

Following the Project 2025 playbook, in the last week, Trump and his newly installed loyalists have moved to (1) dismiss federal officials deemed unreliable to do his bidding (including 17 inspectors general) - many of which have protections from arbitrary dismissal, (2) freeze all science and public health activity until he can wrest full control, (3) freeze all federal assistance and grant activity deemed inconsistent with Trump's agenda, and (4) moved to terminate all federal employee telework and DEI programs.

The problem is much of this is controlled by federal law and not subject to sudden and complete change by the president through executive order. Most notably is the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 that simply codifies what is the constitutional allocation of resources where Congress appropriates money to the executive branch for a specific purpose, the executive branch must carry out that statutory purpose. This is indeed a constitutional crisis and even if Congress abdicates to Trump by acquiescing, the courts must still apply the law - or rule it unconstitutional.

And meanwhile the architect of much of this unlawful action is Russell Vought, Trump’s OMB nominee who the Senate appears ready to confirm.

120. The Impoundment Crisis of 2025

The Trump administration's Monday spending freeze is likely to provoke a crisis over the constitutionality of "impoundment"—one that the justices could well have to resolve *very* soon.

www.stevevladeck.com

 

[DaveXA]

I don’t know that. Has anyone tried?

Musk says he wants the process to be transparent. I assume that includes testifying in Congress.

I don’t oppose him or anyone looking or questions government spending. There is nothing wrong with that. We are 36 trillion in debt and counting.

Transparency adds credibility. He should testify.

Good grief, your naivete astounds me.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised though.

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

I don’t know that. Has anyone tried?

Musk says he wants the process to be transparent. I assume that includes testifying in Congress.

I don’t oppose him or anyone looking or questions government spending. There is nothing wrong with that. We are 36 trillion in debt and counting.

Transparency adds credibility. He should testify.

Yes.

At Hearing, Oversight Democrats Vote to Subpoena Elon Musk to Testify on Reckless Actions and Abuse of Public Trust

Washington, D.C. (February 6, 2025)—Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led Committee Democrats in calling out the Trump Administration for its unprecedented and widespread attacks on the federal workforce and the government programs and...

oversightdemocrats.house.gov

Video: House committee devolves into shouting match over Elon Musk subpoena | CNN Politics

In a heated House Oversight Committee meeting, Republicans tabled a motion brought by ranking member Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) to subpoena Elon Musk.

www.cnn.com

 

[Booker]

Some people need to look up the term "robber baron." Dude spent close to $300 million to help get Trump elected, to think he's not expecting a return on that is hideously naive.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Somebody in Congress might want to call him to testify. Might put an end to all this speculation.

that requires balls.

 

[Optimus Prime]

Some people need to look up the term "robber baron." Dude spent close to $300 million to help get Trump elected, to think he's not expecting a return on that is hideously naive.

And the thing is I believe he’s already seen a return

Pretty sure I read that from stock prices going up after the election he’s increased his wealth by 2 or 3 billion

He could/should be happy and satisfied with that return

I’m sure the actual money means less to him than remaking the government/country how he sees fit

Can’t put a price tag on that

 

[TampaJoe]

Good grief, your naivete astounds me.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised though.

So you don’t know?

What’s the solution Dave? Cause Trump isn’t firing Musk. And many voters actually like the idea of someone taking a deep dive into govt spending. So unless those folks who are whining can actually prove some illegality or a breach in ethics or process, you have nothing to do but whine.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised though.

 

[Sendai]

And the thing is I believe he’s already seen a return

Pretty sure I read that from stock prices going up after the election he’s increased his wealth by 2 or 3 billion

He could/should be happy and satisfied with that return

I’m sure the actual money means less to him than remaking the government/country how he sees fit

Can’t put a price tag on that

It’s a bit closer to $200 billion.

Elon Musk's unforgettable year in 7 charts

These charts tell the story of Elon Musk's 2024 by tracking Tesla, SpaceX, xAI, Neuralink, X, election spending, and net worth.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[TampaJoe]

Yes.

At Hearing, Oversight Democrats Vote to Subpoena Elon Musk to Testify on Reckless Actions and Abuse of Public Trust

Washington, D.C. (February 6, 2025)—Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led Committee Democrats in calling out the Trump Administration for its unprecedented and widespread attacks on the federal workforce and the government programs and...

oversightdemocrats.house.gov

Video: House committee devolves into shouting match over Elon Musk subpoena | CNN Politics

In a heated House Oversight Committee meeting, Republicans tabled a motion brought by ranking member Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) to subpoena Elon Musk.

www.cnn.com

Thanks for the answer. If I were in the minority, I would keep bringing that up in committee and on the floor and pointing out that both Musk and Trump pledged transparency.

I am fully supportive of getting his testimony. I would favor it if this were a Dem administration and I favor it in this administration.

 

[TampaJoe]

that requires balls.

Beats complaining. Congress has oversight responsibility. If I were in the minority I’d be insisting they exercise it.

 

[superchuck500]

The Story of Us

Trump discussing taking control of the National Archives. Plus: a thank you.

www.thebulwark.com

 

[J-DONK]

Some people need to look up the term "robber baron." Dude spent close to $300 million to help get Trump elected, to think he's not expecting a return on that is hideously naive.

It's amazing how few people understand this is America's second gilded age. If this is all script, it was made really obvious when the billionaire grifter president, had 5-10 billionaire backers at his inaugration. He now has the world's richest man trying to exert total control over the government of the most powerful country in the world.

It's so on the nose, and obvious. If all this "hardship" comes to pass, I pray people finally realize what there forefathers knew. You are in a fight to the death with the rich.

I can't imagine the coal miners who died fighting the barons of old would think of their grandchildren voting for conseratives their entire lives. What a disgusting bunch of traitors.

 

[DaveXA]

So you don’t know?

What’s the solution Dave? Cause Trump isn’t firing Musk. And many voters actually like the idea of someone taking a deep dive into govt spending. So unless those folks who are whining can actually prove some illegality or a breach in ethics or process, you have nothing to do but whine.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised though.

No, I know because the Democrats have tried as shown by other posters. It's clear the Republicans won't hold them accountable, so since there's zero oversight and accountability, not to mention questionable at best transparency, how in the world do you think anyone can prove illegality?

The solution is to remove Musk and DOGE from the equation and allow the government officials who have uncovered waste and fraud in the past to continue to do the work they've done for years.

And I don't buy for a second that Musk and DOGE are actually serious. Their only goal is to wrest power from the agencies and give it to themselves and Trump. It's clear to any objective person that Elon has massive conflicts of interest in his position.

But wake me up when a Republican, or preferably a significant group of actually stands up to Trump and Elon.

 

[J-DONK]

No, I know because the Democrats have tried as shown by other posters. It's clear the Republicans won't hold them accountable, so since there's zero oversight and accountability, not to mention questionable at best transparency, how in the world do you think anyone can prove illegality?

The solution is to remove Musk and DOGE from the equation and allow the government officials who have uncovered waste and fraud in the past to continue to do the work they've done for years.

And I don't buy for a second that Musk and DOGE are actually serious. Their only goal is to wrest power from the agencies and give it to themselves and Trump. It's clear to any objective person that Elon has massive conflicts of interest in his position.

But wake me up when a Republican, or preferably a significant group of actually stands up to Trump and Elon.

Why do you reply to the guy? We live in a world were USAID was already cut. He is either uninformed, making arguments in bad faith, or actually to slow to understand the world he lives in.

It's very clear Musk wants to a massive power grab for the executive and himself. They are trying to make the president a king.

 

[TampaJoe]

No, I know because the Democrats have tried as shown by other posters. It's clear the Republicans won't hold them accountable, so since there's zero oversight and accountability, not to mention questionable at best transparency, how in the world do you think anyone can prove illegality?

The solution is to remove Musk and DOGE from the equation and allow the government officials who have uncovered waste and fraud in the past to continue to do the work they've done for years.

And I don't buy for a second that Musk and DOGE are actually serious. Their only goal is to wrest power from the agencies and give it to themselves and Trump. It's clear to any objective person that Elon has massive conflicts of interest in his position.

But wake me up when a Republican, or preferably a significant group of actually stands up to Trump and Elon.

So how do you think you are going to remove Musk? I interested to hear how you think that can be done when you can’t even get his testimony. Wake me up when you figure that out.

As far as govt officials removing waste fraud and abuse, I question the efficacy of that arrangement. It takes years and basically just plays around the edges. I like someone outside government asking questions. I like having a business person questioning these arrangements. Does it need to be Musk? No. I don’t care who does it as long as it gets done properly.

 

[RobF]

Does it need to be Musk? No. I don’t care who does it as long as it gets done properly.

NARRATOR: It was not being done properly.

 

[DaveXA]

So how do you think you are going to remove Musk? I interested to hear how you think that can be done when you can’t even get his testimony. Wake me up when you figure that out.

Yes, that's entirely up to your party, and you know that.

As far as govt officials removing waste fraud and abuse, I question the efficacy of that arrangement. It takes years and basically just plays around the edges.

You have no idea what you're talking about. I work in the federal government and I've actually met people in positions of oversight. They take their work seriously.

I like someone outside government asking questions. I like having a business person questioning these arrangements. Does it need to be Musk? No. I don’t care who does it as long as it gets done properly.

It's already being done properly. You just refuse to acknowledge it.

 

[J-DONK]

NARRATOR: It was not being done properly.

Yeah, are conseratives being willfully obtuse? They control the entire government. You want to cut entire agencies? If that is truly your will, no one can stop you. You have to vote on it though.

 

[UncleTrvlingJim]

So how do you think you are going to remove Musk? I interested to hear how you think that can be done when you can’t even get his testimony. Wake me up when you figure that out.

Public pressure. We get people like you, who claim to be on the fence with it all to start questioning the process of all this. To make you think, "hmmm.. this is a terrible way to do business". You then convince more people in your circle of the need to do things properly, and all of you start contacting your Republican Congressional representatives. Right now, they think they have a mandate to do whatever they want, but if they start losing support, they start reigning him in.

Ie, we pressure you (obviously not effectively), so that you pressure your friends who live in republican congressional districts, to start pressuring their representatives to start adhering to better process and transparency. If they think people actually care about stuff like that and they might lose votes over it, they will react.