Donald Trump believes he can declare a "national emergency" at the time of his choosing.

[kentuck]

As others have noted, either we have a national emergency or we don't. It doesn't magically appear because Donald Trump needs it for political cover.

It is a disturbing example of abuse of power.

The Democrats have a big job in front of them. They must build a case for impeachment by putting these criminals under oath and getting the answers that the Republicans have refused to investigate for the last two years. They may as well steel themselves for the job ahead.

[unblock]

1. impeachment and removal is the correct answer to this one, in all likelihood.

my guess is that the relevant laws do in fact leave it up to the president to determine whether or not an "emergency" exists.
legally, the powers are available to him if he simply says the magic words.

it's then up to congress to impeach and remove him if he abuses the privilege.

[guillaumeb]

2. So all that is needed are ethical GOP COngressmembers?

That might present a problem.

[unblock]

4. oh no, we need far more than that.

we also need a more sane republican party, a news media that doesn't lean so heavily to the right, and for foxnews to abandon its propaganda mission.

oh, and probably to get money out of politics.

and to tighten security so russians can't interfere.

and to get rid of hackable and unverifiable voting machines.

and lose various voter suppression laws.


that's all.

unless i'm forgetting a few things....

[guillaumeb]

5. That is funny, and sad, and frightening at the same time.

And we need to massively reduce the amount spent on the war machine and spend it on our social service and infrastructure budgets.

[jberryhill]

3. +1

Nail. Head. Bang.

[dalton99a]

6. He clearly views it as a loophole to seize absolute power.