Donald Trump’s veto disaster
“President” Donald Trump declared a national emergency so that he could build his border wall. Trump has been pressuring the Senate Republicans not to issue him a rebuke regarding his national emergency declaration. On Wednesday night, Senators Ted Cruz, Lindsey “Kompromat” Graham, and Ben Sasse visited Trump while he was eating his dinner (no report of whether it was a Big Mac or Fish Filet) to try to get him to not veto the likely vote to end his “fake new” emergency.
Trump was not pleased, and early on Thursday morning, he tweeted: “Prominent legal scholars agree that our actions to address the National Emergency at the Southern Border and to protect the American people are both CONSTITUTIONAL and EXPRESSLY authorized by Congress. If, at a later date, Congress wants to update the law, I will support those efforts, but today’s issue is BORDER SECURITY and Crime!!! Don’t vote with Pelosi!”
First, according to GOP Senator Mike Lee and reports this week, Lee abandoned his proposal for Congress to retake some power back because Trump said he would not sign such a bill. Second, nobody has a clue who he is referring to when he mentions “prominent legal scholars.” Everyone was scratching their heads, although maybe that famous, prominent legal scholar, “I.M. Aginery,” weighed in with Trump.
Trump made it clear that despite a visit from the three senators, he was prepared to veto the bill, tweeting before dawn today: “A big National Emergency vote today by The United States Senate on Border Security & the Wall (which is already under major construction). I am prepared to veto, if necessary. The Southern Border is a National Security and Humanitarian Nightmare, but it can be easily fixed.”
Even Senator Mitt “Milquetoast” Romney will vote for the resolution, noting in a statement: “This is a vote for the Constitution and for the balance of powers that is at its core. For the Executive Branch to override a law passed by Congress would make it the ultimate power rather than a balancing power.”
In the end this veto threat and Donald Trump’s rants about his power are distractions to direct our attention away from the continued crumbling of his inner circle, as more indictments and bad news continue to emanate daily.
Daniel is a lawyer writing and teaching about SCOTUS, and is the author of the book “The Chief Justices” about the SCOTUS as seen through the center seat.