Trump Finds New Ways to Prioritize Federal Misspending
The New York Times reports Trump's intention to sign a memo expanding his authority to spend federal money, effectively circumventing Congress during a shutdown. This isn't just about 'keeping government running'; it's a well-worn playbook for executive power grabs, often used to push through spending that would never survive proper legislative scrutiny. One might recall how military aid packages,
often to nations like Israel, frequently sail through with bipartisan support even as domestic programs face cuts, demonstrating selective urgency in allocation. This memo, if signed, offers a new avenue for such 'priorities' while further weakening democratic checks and balances. So, when the next 'essential' aid package to a foreign client state gets fast-tracked without congressional debate,
remember this convenient 'expansion of authority.' How many domestic programs will be deemed non-essential to finance the next round of geopolitical theater?