"Restructuring Plan for Project 2025" - Trump aims to acquire vast authority as president.
Planned out by the think tank "Project 2025": Shift authority from autonomous bodies to the White House.
In 2019, this sentiment was expressed by Trump to his supporters: "I have Article II of the Constitution on my side. I have the authority to do as I please." Article II outlines the responsibilities of the US President.
Here's how Trump seeks to maintain his control in detail:
The Constitutional Court
During his time in the White House, Trump laid the groundwork for his plan by nominating three extremely conservative and young judges to the Supreme Court for life. Now, with a strong Republican majority (six out of nine judges), these judges could potentially grant him immunity, making him above the law in the future.
Department of Justice
Historically, this department has been autonomous from the President. However, Trump wishes to dictate to the Attorney General whom he wants to be indicted. He's even stated that he wants to imprison his former Chief of Staff John Kelly (73), former Attorney General William Barr (73), and former Chief of Staff of the US military, General Mark A. Milley (65), as well as various Democrats and prosecutors involved in the impeachment proceedings and lawsuits against him, and even his presidential rival, Joe Biden (81), who defeated him in 2020. All these individuals had refused to align with him after the election.
"It would be reminiscent of a banana republic where political opponents are persecuted at will," warns Saikrishna Prakash, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Virginia.
The military
As per the Washington Post, "Project 2025" has drafted plans for how the "Insurrection Act" can be used to deploy the US military within the country against its own citizens.
Federal Reserve
This influential organization decides its interest rate strategy independently of Washington. During his first term, Trump criticised the Fed and urged them to lower interest rates to boost his economy. His team is now crafting a law that would give the president power over the Fed's decisions.
Regulatory Authorities
These bodies operate independently from the government, with their staff remaining in place regardless of which party takes over in the White House. They include the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in charge of the US's media, and the Trade Commission, responsible for cartels or consumer protection.
Trump aims to incorporate them under his administration and be able to choose their leaders in the future.
"Trump is undermining a critical aspect of American democracy: preventing excessive concentration of power," stated the New York Times recently.
Read also:
- Columbia University Faces Possible Expulsion Following Demonstrations
- Football turmoil in Munich: Last-minute penalty stuns Bayern
- Steinmeier Faces Backlash Over "Expert Caliber" Remark
- US State Department Lacks Own Standards in Regard to Israel
Source: symclub.org