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1233 points mriguy | 4 comments | | HN request time: 0s | source
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bamboozled ◴[] No.45307007[source]
Why is it “Trump” specifically ? Is there no government anymore ?
replies(2): >>45308048 #>>45308455 #
1. anigbrowl ◴[] No.45308048[source]
Because he's exerting autocratic control over the entire executive branch. How many times does he have to tell you he's doing so before you can recognize it? He talks about it in interviews and on his social media, and not in vague or nuanced terms, but with clear declarative statements like "I have the right to do anything I want to do. I'm the President." (this example from about 3 weeks ago - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOxw6Pc_KXw)
replies(1): >>45308215 #
2. SV_BubbleTime ◴[] No.45308215[source]
>Because he's exerting autocratic control over the entire executive branch.

.... As the... head of the executive branch?

replies(2): >>45308563 #>>45309726 #
3. acdha ◴[] No.45308563[source]
Yes. He’s embraced a radical expansion of the “unitary executive” theory which focuses all of the power in the president, even in positions which by law or custom were independent. Think about last year: Biden didn’t call Garland into his office and demand that he lock Trump up or drop charges against his son immediately because the DOJ was never intended to be the President’s personnel fiefdom nor the AG his attorney. The federal reserve was structured to be independent as a deliberate statement by Congress that it was run for the nation, not one man’s political expedience. Past administrations used to honor the wall keeping political appointees out of tax or loan data, now Trump has Pulte rummaging through everything looking for mistakes he can use to prosecute people on his enemies list. Over and over we see the pattern of pretending that executive orders can overrule the law, to the point that SCOTUS is making unprecedented moves to temporarily allow things because even the Roberts Court is hesitant to rule in his favor.

It’s bad enough that he’s doing it, we should at least be honest about what’s going on.

4. anigbrowl ◴[] No.45309726[source]
Please don't be obtuse. I'm sure an intelligent person such as yourself is aware of things like the normal federal rulemaking process, the requirements to conform with employment law, and that the job of the executive branch is to faithfully execute the laws passed by Congress even when the President finds some of them disagreeable, not to rule by fiat.