Law be damned, Trump asserts unilateral control over executive branch, federal service (2 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

 

[Optimus Prime]

Anti-protest bills that seek to expand criminal punishments for constitutionally protected peaceful protests – especially targeting those speaking out on the US-backed war in Gaza and the climate crisis – have spiked since Trump’s inauguration.

Forty-one new anti-protest bills across 22 states have been introduced since the start of the year – compared with a full-year total of 52 in 2024 and 26 in 2023, according to the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) tracker.

This year’s tally includes 32 bills across 16 states since Trump returned to the White House, with five federal bills targeting college students, anti-war protesters and climate activists with harsh prison sentences and hefty fines – a crackdown that experts warn threaten to erode first amendment rights to freedom of speech, assembly and petition.

In one example, the Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy act would create a new federal felony offense that could apply to protests that “disrupt” planned or operational gas pipelines – which would be punishable by up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for individuals or $500,000 for organizations.

The language in the bill is vague, which could, critics warn, lead to a rally blocking a road used for moving equipment or a lawsuit challenging a pipeline’s permit being classified as disruptive and prosecuted.

It is sponsored by seven Republicans including the senator Ted Cruz of Texas, the country’s largest oil and gas producing state, who chairs the committee considering whether the bill should progress.………

US intensifies crackdown on peaceful protest under Trump

Forty-one anti-protest bills in 22 states have been introduced since start of 2025, according to law tracker

www.theguardian.com

 

[Optimus Prime]

guess this can go here

 

[MT15]

Didn’t he totally contradict himself? He first said he didn’t cancel any shows, zero! Then later he said he “got rid of the DEI bullshirt”. So which is it?

I’m going to say he’s a liar just like all the other MAGAs.

 

[bird]

Didn’t he totally contradict himself? He first said he didn’t cancel any shows, zero! Then later he said he “got rid of the DEI bullshirt”. So which is it?

I’m going to say he’s a liar just like all the other MAGAs.

And I am going to agree that Grenell is a MAGAt liar.