Tag

Presidential Powers

All articles tagged with #presidential powers

Draft order would grant president sweeping powers over elections amid alleged foreign interference
politics5 days ago

Draft order would grant president sweeping powers over elections amid alleged foreign interference

A circulating 17-page draft executive order would declare a national emergency over foreign interference in elections and grant the president sweeping powers to alter voting rules, including the potential ban of mail ballots and voting machines. Trump says he’s “never heard of” the draft, while supporters claim White House coordination. Legal experts say such an order would face swift court challenges and that election administration is primarily a state and congressional matter; the piece also references past Trump positions on voter ID and mail voting and outlines the vast practical upheaval a unilateral order could entail.

Trump’s Iran War: A campaign with no clear objective or exit
politics6 days ago

Trump’s Iran War: A campaign with no clear objective or exit

Vox argues that Trump’s open-ended war on Iran lacks a clear public justification, defined objectives, or exit strategy. His eight-minute speech mixes grievances about Iran with conflicting aims—initially signaling a focus on disabling military capabilities, then suggesting regime change—yet provides no coherent plan. The piece also notes that the buildup bypassed congressional or constitutional checks, highlighting a drift toward aggressive unilateral presidential power and few constraints, drawing a parallel to autocratic decisionmaking and Russia’s Ukraine invasion as a cautionary analogue.

Presidential War Powers in Action: Why Congress Is Often Bypassed
world6 days ago

Presidential War Powers in Action: Why Congress Is Often Bypassed

The article uses Trump’s Iran strikes to illustrate how presidents justify military action without new congressional authorizations, relying on broad commander-in-chief powers and existing authorizations (notably the 2001 AUMF) for time-sensitive operations. It traces historical precedents (Korea, Bay of Pigs, Cambodia, Panama, Libya) and notes that no new AUMF has been passed since 2002, while Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden have conducted actions in multiple countries. The piece also discusses the tension between swift executive action and Congress’s slower, deliberative role, highlighting ongoing debate over presidential overreach versus necessary agility in national security.

Political Tensions Rise Over Prosecutions and New Evidence in High-Profile Cases
politics7 months ago

Political Tensions Rise Over Prosecutions and New Evidence in High-Profile Cases

The article discusses the inconsistency in Trump's stance on prosecuting former presidents, highlighting that legal immunity granted to presidents by the Supreme Court could protect Obama from any charges related to his actions during his presidency, especially given the broad scope of presidential immunity and the legal standards set by recent rulings. It emphasizes the political and legal contradictions in Trump's claims about prosecuting Obama, suggesting a double standard in immunity considerations.

Trump Agrees to FBI Vetting for Nominees Amid Calls for Deeper Scrutiny
politics1 year ago

Trump Agrees to FBI Vetting for Nominees Amid Calls for Deeper Scrutiny

Donald Trump has agreed to let the FBI vet his Cabinet nominees, but as president, he can grant security clearances to anyone, regardless of FBI findings. This power is significant given that many of his picks, such as Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have backgrounds that might raise red flags in traditional vetting processes. Despite potential concerns, Trump is not obligated to deny clearances, highlighting the president's broad discretion in this area.

"Trump's Plea for Absolute Immunity: The Supreme Court's Decision"
politics1 year ago

"Trump's Plea for Absolute Immunity: The Supreme Court's Decision"

Donald Trump has filed a U.S. Supreme Court brief seeking "absolute immunity" from criminal prosecution for his actions during his presidency, arguing that a former president should be shielded from such cases. The case is set to be argued before the justices on April 25. Special Counsel Jack Smith is pursuing a criminal case against Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump's filing contends that denying criminal immunity would incapacitate future presidents and subject them to political blackmail, while Smith argues that the charges strike at the heart of democracy. If Trump regains the presidency, he could potentially use his powers to end the prosecution or pardon himself for any federal crimes.

"Abraham Lincoln Pardoned President Biden's Ancestor, New Records Reveal"
history2 years ago

"Abraham Lincoln Pardoned President Biden's Ancestor, New Records Reveal"

Joe Biden's great-great-grandfather, Moses J Robinette, was pardoned by Abraham Lincoln after being convicted of attempted murder for a brawl during the Civil War. The pardon, issued seven months before Lincoln's assassination, was in response to a petition from three army officers who argued that the punishment was too harsh. This revelation sheds light on a previously unknown piece of Biden family history and highlights the historical use of presidential pardon powers.

"Trump Pushes for Total Presidential Immunity Despite Crossing the Line"
politics2 years ago

"Trump Pushes for Total Presidential Immunity Despite Crossing the Line"

Donald Trump posted an all-caps rant on Truth Social, claiming that presidents should have total immunity from any crimes they commit while in office and that people need to accept it. He compared his situation, facing over 90 felony charges, to the debate around police misconduct and argued for immunity from criminal prosecution for his actions while in office. A DC appeals court is currently weighing whether he has immunity, with Trump's lawyers arguing that a former president should answer to the courts, not to Congress.

politics2 years ago

"Trump Asserts Immunity from Prosecution in Georgia"

Former President Donald Trump is seeking immunity from prosecution for actions taken while in office, arguing that his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia were part of his presidential duties. His attorneys filed a motion in Fulton County Superior Court to dismiss the 13 felony charges, citing historic presidential immunity and separation of powers. Legal experts believe Trump is unlikely to prevail on his immunity claims, but the motions could delay the cases against him. Trump faces both state and federal charges related to his election-related actions, with trials pending in both jurisdictions.

The Global Precedent of Prosecuting Former Leaders.
politics2 years ago

The Global Precedent of Prosecuting Former Leaders.

While former US President Donald Trump faces criminal charges, many other democracies have prosecuted their current or former leaders for corruption, including France, Italy, South Korea, Argentina, Israel, and Brazil. The US is entering unprecedented territory, as it may be the first time a president or former president is held accountable for actions before, during, or after being in office. The fact that Trump is indicted for covering up hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential election campaign may be seen as a more legitimate case because he cannot argue that he took those particular actions in the course of his presidential duties.