Trump Admin's Billions for Israel: The Permanent Bypass
📰 THE STORY: According to the New York Times, former Trump administration officials are once again bypassing Congress to push billions in weapons aid to Israel. This move, executed by invoking emergency authorities, fast-tracks the transfer of advanced military hardware, ostensibly to bolster 'security' in the conflict-ridden region. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: This
'emergency authority' bypass is a well-worn path. In 2011, the Obama administration used a similar tactic to push through a $53 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, the largest arms deal in US history at the time. More recently, in December 2023, the Biden administration bypassed Congress twice to send 155mm artillery shells and other crucial equipment to Israel amidst the Gaza offensive, an
offensive that has, as of January 2024, killed over 30,000 Palestinians. Double Standard: When governments like Iran or Venezuela acquire weapons, mainstream media frames it as a 'threat to regional stability' or 'arming rogue regimes,' often leading to sanctions or intervention threats. For example, US officials routinely condemn Russian arms sales to Venezuela, citing destabilization. Yet, when
the US bypasses legislative oversight to flood the West Asia with advanced weaponry, it's framed as 'expediting aid to an ally' – minimizing the destabilizing effect of endless warfare and occupation. Follow the Money: The military-industrial complex is the primary beneficiary. Companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeing consistently see their stock prices rise with increased conflict and