A Crisis, Ya Think?
At this moment, there should be no doubt in any American’s mind no matter what your personal politics are, the United States is facing an immediate constitutional crisis.
While tRump may be signing one presidential order after another, it is clear to me that he is not the sole cause of this crisis.
Briefly, a constitutional crisis happens when people in power (the President) refuse to follow constitutional rules. This results in chaos, uncertainty and sometimes a showdown between different branches of government, legislative, executive and judicial.
When the President is the cause Congress, through their constitutional powers, should play a major role in solving the crisis. Congress can hold the President accountable through checks and balances:
Impeachment and Removal
Legislation and Oversight
Refusing Funding
Working with the Courts
If Congress is unwilling or unable to solve the crisis caused by the President these avenues exist:
Judicial System (Supreme Court and Lower Courts)
Public and Political Pressure
State Governments
The Military and Law Enforcement
If all the above fail, there could be a breakdown of government function or even a constitutional collapse-SOMETHING WE HAVE MANAGED TO AVOID, SO FAR.
Our do-nothing Republican Congress holds the power of the purse—the authority to refuse funding for unconstitutional orders. They have the power to pass laws, conduct investigations to check the President’s actions, and work with the courts to enforce judicial rulings. They also have the ability to impeach and remove the President, allowing the Vice President to take over.
We are standing by as Trump dismantles our governmental structure. Our do-nothing Republican Congress watches as their own powers are usurped—stripped away—while they bow to tRump, chanting, “Yes, sir. Anything you want, sir.”
In my opinion, our do-nothing Congress has an immediate responsibility to stop the damage being done to our Constitution and our country—or at the very least, to enforce the judicial orders Trump continues to blatantly ignore.
Our do-nothing Republican Congress. Weak. Fearful. Doing nothing to save our democracy.