The Trump Administration nears a constitutional crisis as it continues to attack federal judges, suggesting it may defy rulings, a terrible plane crash in Arizona has left one person dead, and more.
So what happens during a constitutional crisis? I’m just so frustrated and angry that we have allowed Elon and Trump to get this far, this should not have happened
The constitution installs a system of checks and balances so no branch of our government has sole power or too much power. During a crisis, that system crumbles. In this case, the executive branch (Trump) ignores the constitution and disregards the guardrails that the separation of power has in place. So essentially, Trump signs an executive order. Then, a judge, who represents the judicial branch of government, looks it over and determines that his order is unconstitutional and shouldn't be implemented. But, Trump decides to ignore the judge with a big middle finger and does what he wants. Meanwhile, Bondi, the attorney general who is supposed to be non-political/independent and who is supposed to have the judge's back to enforce laws and uphold the judicial branch of government, turns the other cheek. AKA, doesn't do her job. So suddenly, there's no separation of power = major constitutional crisis.
I delayed my response in hopes that someone smarter would step in to answer your question because it is THE question to be asking right now. So good on you. As the Executive Branch (Trump) pushes the boundaries of his power, it's up to the other two branches -- Congress and the Judicial Branch --to keep him in check. So far, the courts/Judges are pushing back and, so far, the Executive Branch has stayed within the system to fight against the court orders by filing appeals. If things stay within the system, executive orders will most likely go up the chain and land in front of the Supreme Court. However, if that changes - if the Executive Branch just fully ignores the courts and their rulings, then we're in big trouble. Democracy is in big trouble because the system will be broken. Some feel we've already reached this point. So, what gets us out? If Congress sits on its hands and the Judicial Branch is rendered powerless, then it's up to the people. Democracy is a system of the people, so the solution will be in our hands. That means, everything from voting for candidates who will abide by the Constitution (not just say they will and then not) to taking to the streets in protest. It could get uncomfortable. Helps to keep in mind that everyone in government is an employee of the people - from the president on down. We tell them how things will work, not the other way around. That said, there are a lot of forces at play right now to keep the electorate uneducated, confused and separated which keeps the people weak, if not completely powerless. Unity of the people is a powerful weapon - we don't have to agree on everything (and we never will), we just have to agree on one thing-- that we want a Democratic nation. Then, stand together and fight for it.
Thank you for taking the time to answer! This both worries me but also gives me hope. We just need more and more people realizing that the government works for us. And maybe in an idealistic world something gets accomplished.
Wow, stopping the production of penny’s and a Federal reserve audit, and changing names of things for no reason based on racism. Yeah all this things are really helping to bring DOWN COSTS of food and healthcare said Nobody. This administration is useless.
This is a modern day coup. Musk is going to have his 5 young hackers infiltrate all computers in government and control them to benefit the rich. We are already in a constitutional crisis.
Have faith. It will stop. We just got to keep going and make sure we continue to stand together and speak up. It may seem like it's not working but it is. Things are not overnight but we got to keep standing up.
"It will stop" They're literally choosing to break every law they can and deliberately disobey judges orders because there's no repercussions. They own the SC. All the lawsuits will end there, with "presidential immunity" since he ordered Musk to do all this, no one will face consequences and the public pays the price.
I listen follow to Ruth Ben-Giat quite a bit. History scholar expert in authoritarian regimes. Someone asked her last night for her opinion about USA and its ability to defeat authoritarianism here. She looked so serious, shook her head a bit and said “We’ll, it doesn’t look good”. We can keep standing up and will, but this is a modern day coup. No tanks just the Boys of Elon running roughshod over the government.
Rachel Maddow called it an "Autocratic Breakthrough" when the President decides not to follow the laws as dictated by the Judges and the Courts. I really enjoy your 5 minute rundowns, Aaron, but I must admit, I didn't know I could get so scared in 5 minutes.
Exactly the issue! They (whoever they are… the Cabal of Project 2025) have managed to get Trump/GOP to insert anti rule of law people into the top of every department, and have the Boys of Elon marauding all over Capitol Hill. The courts take time, and we may be almost out of it.
Trump should’ve been locked up in the very first administration so maybe this is our destiny. I don’t really know what else to say other than we are duly fucked.
Trump and Musk have made it clear that rules and the law are not going to be followed, and yet people are normalising the election like the Republicans legitimately won. They cheated, they lied. It's their modus operandi.
What a joke about these DOGE audits. When is going there going to be an audit of the SpaceX company, X and others ...that comingle and intermingle government funds and interests between those? Someone needs to stop this insanity.
Good morning Aaron, I'm glad you're back to being healthy again. You really threw me for a loop this morning when you suggested I say a prayer. This was the first time I heard you say anything remotely religious. I believe that any type of religion has no place in a newscast unless it is the subject of the news. There must be another way to convey concern for those who are suffering. Thank you!
Expressing empathy, which you clearly feel, can be done without referring to praying. Empathy is unifying; references to praying have the opposite effect in our society today.
I, hopefully, can continue to follow you on a free basis. I feel I'm getting truth from you at all times. However, my fixed income won't cover paid subscriptions. I'm truly sorry it doesn't 😞
Magna Carta, circa 1215, the rule of law is established. Our constitution is modeled after this; “no one, not even a king is above the law.” Democrats are “fighting back” how? Start at the bottom and arrest the smaller tier loyalists, the make our way up. And muskrat had more power now than any president before? Come on, this is an easy one.
I believe we are already in a constitutional crisis.
me, too.
So what happens during a constitutional crisis? I’m just so frustrated and angry that we have allowed Elon and Trump to get this far, this should not have happened
The constitution installs a system of checks and balances so no branch of our government has sole power or too much power. During a crisis, that system crumbles. In this case, the executive branch (Trump) ignores the constitution and disregards the guardrails that the separation of power has in place. So essentially, Trump signs an executive order. Then, a judge, who represents the judicial branch of government, looks it over and determines that his order is unconstitutional and shouldn't be implemented. But, Trump decides to ignore the judge with a big middle finger and does what he wants. Meanwhile, Bondi, the attorney general who is supposed to be non-political/independent and who is supposed to have the judge's back to enforce laws and uphold the judicial branch of government, turns the other cheek. AKA, doesn't do her job. So suddenly, there's no separation of power = major constitutional crisis.
What happens then? Is there something that takes us out of the crisis?
I delayed my response in hopes that someone smarter would step in to answer your question because it is THE question to be asking right now. So good on you. As the Executive Branch (Trump) pushes the boundaries of his power, it's up to the other two branches -- Congress and the Judicial Branch --to keep him in check. So far, the courts/Judges are pushing back and, so far, the Executive Branch has stayed within the system to fight against the court orders by filing appeals. If things stay within the system, executive orders will most likely go up the chain and land in front of the Supreme Court. However, if that changes - if the Executive Branch just fully ignores the courts and their rulings, then we're in big trouble. Democracy is in big trouble because the system will be broken. Some feel we've already reached this point. So, what gets us out? If Congress sits on its hands and the Judicial Branch is rendered powerless, then it's up to the people. Democracy is a system of the people, so the solution will be in our hands. That means, everything from voting for candidates who will abide by the Constitution (not just say they will and then not) to taking to the streets in protest. It could get uncomfortable. Helps to keep in mind that everyone in government is an employee of the people - from the president on down. We tell them how things will work, not the other way around. That said, there are a lot of forces at play right now to keep the electorate uneducated, confused and separated which keeps the people weak, if not completely powerless. Unity of the people is a powerful weapon - we don't have to agree on everything (and we never will), we just have to agree on one thing-- that we want a Democratic nation. Then, stand together and fight for it.
Thank you for taking the time to answer! This both worries me but also gives me hope. We just need more and more people realizing that the government works for us. And maybe in an idealistic world something gets accomplished.
Wow, stopping the production of penny’s and a Federal reserve audit, and changing names of things for no reason based on racism. Yeah all this things are really helping to bring DOWN COSTS of food and healthcare said Nobody. This administration is useless.
This is a modern day coup. Musk is going to have his 5 young hackers infiltrate all computers in government and control them to benefit the rich. We are already in a constitutional crisis.
Aaron make sure you are doing self care and getting sleep these next four years do not feel like any of the craziness will stop 🛑 :(
Have faith. It will stop. We just got to keep going and make sure we continue to stand together and speak up. It may seem like it's not working but it is. Things are not overnight but we got to keep standing up.
"It will stop" They're literally choosing to break every law they can and deliberately disobey judges orders because there's no repercussions. They own the SC. All the lawsuits will end there, with "presidential immunity" since he ordered Musk to do all this, no one will face consequences and the public pays the price.
I’m sure they said it would stop the last time this happened.
Shock & Awe is a real thing. It’s considered psychological warfare.
(I thought it was just what GW Bush called it as a euphemism!)
I listen follow to Ruth Ben-Giat quite a bit. History scholar expert in authoritarian regimes. Someone asked her last night for her opinion about USA and its ability to defeat authoritarianism here. She looked so serious, shook her head a bit and said “We’ll, it doesn’t look good”. We can keep standing up and will, but this is a modern day coup. No tanks just the Boys of Elon running roughshod over the government.
Rachel Maddow called it an "Autocratic Breakthrough" when the President decides not to follow the laws as dictated by the Judges and the Courts. I really enjoy your 5 minute rundowns, Aaron, but I must admit, I didn't know I could get so scared in 5 minutes.
Send in the troops, arrest them and put them alllll in jail!
Hegseth runs the troops so good luck with that, they would shoot protestors before protecting our country!
Exactly the issue! They (whoever they are… the Cabal of Project 2025) have managed to get Trump/GOP to insert anti rule of law people into the top of every department, and have the Boys of Elon marauding all over Capitol Hill. The courts take time, and we may be almost out of it.
Trump should’ve been locked up in the very first administration so maybe this is our destiny. I don’t really know what else to say other than we are duly fucked.
Right! I don’t see it going well for Anyone! Even if the courts tell him to “Go on get!)” will they even abide by that, OR here we come WW3!
I’m sickened that he was voted back in, but then again, was he??? 👺🤡
Trump and Musk have made it clear that rules and the law are not going to be followed, and yet people are normalising the election like the Republicans legitimately won. They cheated, they lied. It's their modus operandi.
Steps still need to be taken to control the craziness.
Please God let the Federal Reserve block Musk. Bar the freaking doors.
What a joke about these DOGE audits. When is going there going to be an audit of the SpaceX company, X and others ...that comingle and intermingle government funds and interests between those? Someone needs to stop this insanity.
Exactly.
Good morning Aaron, I'm glad you're back to being healthy again. You really threw me for a loop this morning when you suggested I say a prayer. This was the first time I heard you say anything remotely religious. I believe that any type of religion has no place in a newscast unless it is the subject of the news. There must be another way to convey concern for those who are suffering. Thank you!
agreed!
Expressing empathy, which you clearly feel, can be done without referring to praying. Empathy is unifying; references to praying have the opposite effect in our society today.
I, hopefully, can continue to follow you on a free basis. I feel I'm getting truth from you at all times. However, my fixed income won't cover paid subscriptions. I'm truly sorry it doesn't 😞
In any case, keep up the great work you do.
Glad you look and feel better
Thank you!
Magna Carta, circa 1215, the rule of law is established. Our constitution is modeled after this; “no one, not even a king is above the law.” Democrats are “fighting back” how? Start at the bottom and arrest the smaller tier loyalists, the make our way up. And muskrat had more power now than any president before? Come on, this is an easy one.