• Jhex@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Is this enough of a coup for a general strike yet? Or are you still waiting to see how it pans out?

  • flop_leash_973@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    One of these days you would think one of the other powerful people in one of the other branches of government would get upset at this stuff.

      • Psythik@lemm.ee
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        1 day ago

        Tell me about it. Every time I bring up Trump and all the damage he’s doing to the country outside of social media, people look at me like I’m a raving lunatic. Most Americans literally have no clue what’s happening.

  • dan1101@lemm.ee
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    2 days ago

    He has already shown himself completely unqualified to interpret or follow laws.

  • randon31415@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    So, my understanding was prior to 1984 if a law was unclear, the courts would get involved and clarify. However, sometimes the courts wanted something that the writers of the law didn’t want, and that thing was different from the current congress, which in of itself different from what the president wanted, which even could be different from what the independent executive branch department heads wanted.

    This all came to a head with Chevron. In Chevron, anything unclear in a congressional law that applied to a executive branch’s mission was left up to the head of that department which in a way was controlled by who the president nominated. In that way, if congress left something vague that meant the courts, congress, and the president all agreed that the head of the particular department in the executive branch got to decide it.

    This peace lasted up until Loper in the end of 2024 under Biden. In it, the Supreme court said basically “If something is unclear, it is the courts and not the executive branch” that got to interpret the law. Not wanting to overturn 40 years of regulation, the courts said “anything made under Chevron is still good, but that stops now”, most likely since they thought Biden was going to win again and they wanted to take away his power.

    Now this EO is saying “No, lol, Loper doesn’t mater. No one but the president himself (and DOGE) can interpret the law.” At least both Loper and Trump agree that THE REGULATORS can’t make new regulations. And because SCOTUS didn’t really want that job, and Trump doesn’t want to do anything, don’t expect any new regulations for the next 4 years.

    • monotremata@lemmy.ca
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      1 day ago

      My guess is that the reason they bothered with this, rather than leaving it with the courts, is that this version would allow Trump to abruptly reverse the things that were previously decided under Chevron deference.

    • Steve@communick.news
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      The headline is misleading. The order is specifically limited to executive branch employees.
      Basically saying they aren’t allowed to use their own judgement to determine legality of what they’re asked to do. They have to follow the judgement of the president and the AG, and do what’s ordered of them.

      "Sec. 7. Rules of Conduct Guiding Federal Employees’ Interpretation of the Law. The President and the Attorney General, subject to the President’s supervision and control, shall provide authoritative interpretations of law for the executive branch. The President and the Attorney General’s opinions on questions of law are controlling on all employees in the conduct of their official duties. No employee of the executive branch acting in their official capacity may advance an interpretation of the law as the position of the United States that contravenes the President or the Attorney General’s opinion on a matter of law, including but not limited to the issuance of regulations, guidance, and positions advanced in litigation, unless authorized to do so by the President or in writing by the Attorney General. "

        • jj4211@lemmy.world
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          Not sure about this. Not because this is what the folks writing the constitution would have wanted, it’s because they would have been puzzled with why the executive branch has just so much scope at all. They presumed a much more limited sort of executive branch and this sort of strategy might have mapped to that idea. They wouldn’t have imagined we’d just keep piling on more and more power in the executive branch and rely on “norms” to keep that structure from pivoting badly on a single troublesome election.

            • jj4211@lemmy.world
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              1 day ago

              Yes, and to that end, I think they would have thought the evolution of the executive branch to now would have been counter to their goals. As to how the executive branch self-organizes, I don’t think that was a huge concern since that should never have been as big a branch as it grew to be.

              Strictly speaking, the EO does not refer to Judicial or Legislative folks, only those who ultimately belong to the executive branch. They didn’t imagine that the executive branch would have de-facto unilateral control over so much scope.

        • Sturgist@lemmy.ca
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          What’s wrong with that? Nothing horrific has been perpetrated in the past by people who were “just following orders”…

      • alt_xa_23@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Yeah, it seems that much of the discussion online is based on the press conference where the order was announced, not the actual text of the order.

      • danc4498@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        I think he literally wanted to throw the word “authoritative” into the universe. Just to test the waters.

        • Steve@communick.news
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          In practical terms yes.
          Technically, if someone thinks something their told to do is illegal, they can refuse to do it, and go to court over it. I don’t know the details really. I’d guess it’s something mostly along the lines of whistleblower stuff. Which almost never works out for the whistleblower. So yah. This order likely won’t have any practical effect. But it can be twisted into great headline. I’m going to stop there, before I get into a big rant about how stupid and lazy most news media is, and why.

          • nfh@lemmy.world
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            2 days ago

            n a normal administration I think you’re right, but this isn’t a normal administration. Officials who take an oath are sworn to uphold the constitution, not to follow orders from the president. Soldiers have a duty to disobey illegal orders, and DOJ attorneys have similar traditions.

            If the president and top Justice department officials are knowingly and repeatedly ordering them to take actions that are clearly illegal, and are publicly known to be doing so… they’re not whistleblowers, they’re conscientious objectors to a criminal enterprise being run openly by public officials.

            • Steve@communick.news
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              I don’t really disagree with any of that. And I don’t see how it suggests anything I wrote was wrong.
              Unless you’re suggesting conscientious objector stuff, replace my idea of whistleblower stuff. To which I can say… Sure? I guess? I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know enough about the details to know the difference.

        • Steve@communick.news
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          1 day ago

          Wait. What?
          Is that why some people downvoted?
          Would you be willing to explain how pointing out the actual order is fascist?
          To me it’s just what the news is supposed to do. But didn’t. For reasons.
          I never said anything sporting or defending it. The closest I got was saying, it probably won’t matter much to anything. Which as far as I can tell is true. If you can explain how that’s wrong I’d love to hear that also.

    • neon_nova@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      2 days ago

      It doesn’t seem that this bill does that.

      I think it’s taking power from agencies like the fda and fcc. It doesn’t say anything about the courts.

      But I might not understand everything perfectly.

      • jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de
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        2 days ago

        That still reduces the executive to “just following orders” which is a principle that’s not accepted anywhere that follows the rule of law.

          • Sturgist@lemmy.ca
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            1 day ago

            Did it ever?

            America signed the Rome Statutes, but never ratified it, and eventually withdrew entirely. They wield “international law” like a whip, but don’t subscribe to it themselves. America is the epitome of rules for thee and none for me.

      • AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world
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        Most of the judicial branch’s effective power comes from precedent: the court rules on one case, and that informs other officials’ interpretation of the law in similar circumstances going forward. This order seems to replace judicial precedent with the president’s opinion as the basis for interpreting the law outside the courts, with the court now only able to override that opinion on a case by case basis.

    • echutaaa@sh.itjust.works
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      Foolish hyperbole only feeds into their propaganda, don’t take the bait. Be measured and precise, clumsy blows will only help your enemy.

  • gazby@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    2 days ago

    Summary below taken from this r/law post by u/FormerJelloMaster

    🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨This Executive Order does the following:

    ❧ All federal agencies, including independent regulatory commissions, are now subject to direct White House control.

    ❧ Regulations cannot be issued without presidential approval.

    ❧ The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) can now withhold funding from independent agencies if they don’t align with White House priorities.

    ❧ All federal employees must follow the President’s and Attorney General’s interpretation of the law, eliminating legal independence.

    ❧ A White House Liaison is to be installed in every independent regulatory agency to enforce direct presidential control.

    ⚠️ This is the biggest executive power grab in U.S. history. ⚠️

    This formally ends the concept of an “independent” regulatory agency, dismantling one of the last barriers to absolute executive power.

    📍 This order effectively erases the last major restraints on executive power. 📍 The federal government no longer operates with checks and balances. 📍 Regulations and laws are now dictated solely by the President. 📍 If left unchecked, this is the moment the U.S. ceases to function as a democratic republic.

    1️⃣ The President Now Controls All Regulatory Agencies

    ✅ The SEC, FTC, FCC, and FEC are no longer independent.

    The Stock Market is now subject to White House control, enabling insider trading, favoritism, and targeting of political opponents. Antitrust laws can be selectively enforced, allowing administration-friendly monopolies to expand unchecked. Political opponents in the tech sector, media, or finance can be targeted with regulatory action while allies are protected. Elections are now influenced by direct White House oversight of the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

    ✅ The FDA, EPA, and consumer protection agencies are fully politicized.

    Drug approvals, food safety regulations, and environmental policies can be rewritten for political or corporate interests. Climate change regulations can be erased overnight. Scientific research is now subject to White House approval before public release.

    🚨 Implication: There is no longer any neutral enforcement of economic, environmental, or election laws. Everything is now dictated by political loyalty.

    2️⃣ The White House Can Block Agency Budgets or Direct Funds Elsewhere

    ✅ The OMB can now adjust funding allocations for independent agencies.

    This gives the President the power to defund agencies without needing Congress. Regulatory agencies that challenge presidential policies will be quietly strangled of resources. Agencies loyal to the President will receive full funding—even illegally. 🚨 Implication: Congress no longer controls federal spending on regulatory enforcement. The executive branch can choke out opposition agencies and reward allies.

    3️⃣ The President & Attorney General Have Final Say on All Legal Interpretations ✅ All federal employees must follow White House interpretations of the law.

    The Attorney General’s opinions override agency lawyers, inspectors general, and independent counsel. Agencies cannot adopt their own interpretations of legal statutes—everything must align with the President’s views. The President can rewrite federal legal interpretations overnight. 🚨 Implication: Legal consistency is gone. Agencies cannot push back against corrupt, illegal, or unconstitutional directives because the President’s interpretation is the only interpretation allowed.

    4️⃣ Installing White House Liaisons in All Regulatory Agencies ✅ A “White House Liaison” will be placed in every independent agency.

    This ensures constant presidential oversight of daily operations. These liaisons will report agency actions back to the White House and enforce political compliance. Agency directors will no longer have the ability to act without White House approval.

    🚨 Implication: There is now a direct enforcement arm inside every regulatory body. Even agencies that resist presidential control will be internally monitored and controlled.

    📍 Every regulatory body—from financial markets to environmental protections—is now politicized. 📍 Congress no longer controls federal funding—agencies must obey the White House or risk defunding. 📍 The President’s legal interpretations override all agency autonomy, eliminating independent enforcement of federal laws. 📍 The federal bureaucracy, once designed to be resistant to corruption, is now completely subject to presidential loyalty.

    • blackn1ght@feddit.uk
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      4️⃣ Installing White House Liaisons in All Regulatory Agencies ✅ A “White House Liaison” will be placed in every independent agency.

      Just like how the soviets would have a “political” officer that would report everything back to the KGB to keep everyone in line.

    • Brumefey@sh.itjust.works
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      No matter how right you are, all those emotes are top tier LinkedIn bullshit and discredit your content.

      • Batman@sopuli.xyz
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        As someone with adhd, I do like the way it breaks up the text for readability. Just bullet points would work well too though.

        • Brumefey@sh.itjust.works
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          20 hours ago

          Seeing how I got downvoted I get that many people may actually like reading those text full of those emoticons. I guess I’m becoming too old.

          • Batman@sopuli.xyz
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            13 hours ago

            Oh wow! Well, that was uncalled for! I wasn’t one, your opinion is valid for you, not everyone likes the same formats for walls of text.

        • flicker@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          A someone else with ADHD, it absolutely wrecks the flow I get into trying to read it.

          E: It’s really important though so I’m going to reply to myself in a bit after making an edit that would make it easier for me, myself, to read, in the hopes it’ll help someone else like me. (The process of editing it will make it something I can read, lol.)

          • flicker@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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            Disclaimer: I did this because it’s what’s easiest for me to read, and hopefully it’ll help someone else.

            This Executive Order does the following:

            • All federal agencies, including independent regulatory commissions, are now subject to direct White House control.
            • Regulations cannot be issued without presidential approval.
            • The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) can now withhold funding from independent agencies if they don’t align with White House priorities.
            • All federal employees must follow the President’s and Attorney General’s interpretation of the law, eliminating legal independence.
            • A White House Liaison is to be installed in every independent regulatory agency to enforce direct presidential control.

            This is the biggest executive power grab in U.S. history.

            • This formally ends the concept of an “independent” regulatory agency, dismantling one of the last barriers to absolute executive power.
            • This order effectively erases the last major restraints on executive power.
            • The federal government no longer operates with checks and balances.
            • Regulations and laws are now dictated solely by the President.

            If left unchecked, this is the moment the U.S. ceases to function as a democratic republic.

            #The President Now Controls All Regulatory Agencies

            The SEC, FTC, FCC, and FEC are no longer independent.

            • The Stock Market is now subject to White House control, enabling insider trading, favoritism, and targeting of political opponents.
            • Antitrust laws can be selectively enforced, allowing administration-friendly monopolies to expand unchecked.
            • Political opponents in the tech sector, media, or finance can be targeted with regulatory action while allies are protected.

            Elections are now influenced by direct White House oversight of the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

            The FDA, EPA, and consumer protection agencies are fully politicized.

            • Drug approvals, food safety regulations, and environmental policies can be rewritten for political or corporate interests.
            • Climate change regulations can be erased overnight.
            • Scientific research is now subject to White House approval before public release.

            Implication: There is no longer any neutral enforcement of economic, environmental, or election laws. Everything is now dictated by political loyalty.

            The White House Can Block Agency Budgets or Direct Funds Elsewhere

            • The OMB can now adjust funding allocations for independent agencies.
            • This gives the President the power to defund agencies without needing Congress.
            • Regulatory agencies that challenge presidential policies will be quietly strangled of resources.
            • Agencies loyal to the President will receive full funding—even illegally.

            Implication: Congress no longer controls federal spending on regulatory enforcement. The executive branch can choke out opposition agencies and reward allies.

            The President & Attorney General Have Final Say on All Legal Interpretations All federal employees must follow White House interpretations of the law.

            • The Attorney General’s opinions override agency lawyers, inspectors general, and independent counsel.
            • Agencies cannot adopt their own interpretations of legal statutes—everything must align with the President’s views.
            • The President can rewrite federal legal interpretations overnight.

            Implication: Legal consistency is gone. Agencies cannot push back against corrupt, illegal, or unconstitutional directives because the President’s interpretation is the only interpretation allowed.

            Installing White House Liaisons in All Regulatory Agencies

            A “White House Liaison” will be placed in every independent agency.

            • This ensures constant presidential oversight of daily operations.
            • These liaisons will report agency actions back to the White House and enforce political compliance.
            • Agency directors will no longer have the ability to act without White House approval.

            Implication: There is now a direct enforcement arm inside every regulatory body. Even agencies that resist presidential control will be internally monitored and controlled.

            • Every regulatory body—from financial markets to environmental protections—is now politicized. Congress no longer controls federal funding—agencies must obey the White House or risk defunding.
            • The President’s legal interpretations override all agency autonomy, eliminating independent enforcement of federal laws.
            • The federal bureaucracy, once designed to be resistant to corruption, is now completely subject to presidential loyalty.
    • Camzing@lemmy.world
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      In 2018, the U.S. Code was about 60,000 pages long and contained 54 volumes. How is he going to run a country when he has to interpret all of that.