WHAT’S THE POINT? HALF THE CONGRESS SHOULD JUST STAY HOME

The GOP dereliction is complete. The Trump administration is openly defying Congress. Taking $52M in congressionally-appropriated military assistance for European and Middle Eastern countries hurt by Russia’s war on Ukraine. Taking that mandated money and instead diverting it to right-wing governments in Panama, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. When the State Department notified Congress last month that it intended to make the switch, a Dem Rep and Senator put a hold on the funds. But yesterday the administration told Congress it is defying the hold and moving ahead. The State Department said that Trump is prioritizing the Western Hemisphere. And that the money would be better spent in Latin America than where Congress wanted it. The Red Queen is finally in charge. Our Constitution is clear that only Congress can appropriate money. Our Constitution is clear that the president must execute the laws as Congress passes them. But the Trump administration has been aggressive in its intent to take control of the power of the purse from Congress. And give it to the king of bankruptcy. The WSJ reported that the administration appears to have taken $20M appropriated for the DHS to pay for the ads boosting Trump before the midterms. The response from the GOP Congress? Senators left for a recess until after the midterms. The House is already in recess. So while Trump is abandoning our allies once again, earlier this week Putin warned NATO that he might use nuclear weapons against NATO countries. The German chancellor believes him. They expect Russia to launch “severe” hybrid attacks: sabotage, cyberattacks, and destabilizing disinformation. Should that occur he said, “We would respond quickly and very clearly.” And where would America stand if a major attack occurred? Based on what we’ve all watched so far from the Trump administration, we would ignore our NATO obligations and stand on the sidelines waiting for a winner to emerge…with the presidential bet no doubt being on the Russians. And more complete and utter nonsense… Trump announced that the South Korean government had agreed to invest $50B in a liquefied natural gas pipeline in Alaska. He celebrated the news with one incumbent Senator running for reelection who said, “This one is huge for Alaska.” His office celebrated the “historic $54 billion Korean investment.” But the reality…the Commerce Department and South Korea’s Industry Ministry had simply agreed to “commence working” on such a project. The South Korean government disagreed with Trump’s statement. “Putting out figures, or using definitive language, goes far beyond what was agreed,” South Korea’s industry minister said. South Korea’s president took to social media to emphasize that the plan will proceed only if it turns out to be financially viable. And meets legal requirements in South Korea. Trump on Monday announced a deal to build a $15B steel plant in Lee County, Iowa. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Trump the plant came from “your 232 tariffs, the steel tariffs at work.” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the plant is the “Trump reindustrialization of America hitting the ground at a series scale.” Lutnick said: “I think this deal is done. This deal is done. They’ve already worked it out. That’s why we’re all together with the president. The president doesn’t bring people together unless it’s a done deal. You guys know that already.” To that, Trump added: “They’ve already started building.” But reporters found no major property purchases tied to such a project. Company officials have no details about plans. No permits have been filed. No financial arrangements or commitments have been settled. And no one has even been told where in Lee County this plant would be built. More…before heading to the great state of Texas to try and drag our crooked AG over the finish line…Trump told reporters about Iran: “Now I have to make a decision. They’ll either sign a very fair deal, or they won’t exist any longer.” Just a US president threatening another nation with annihilation. Again. Lastly, we the people (and the GOP Congress) should all read the ‘lightly edited’ transcript of an interview Trump did with Time magazine a couple of days ago. Then we should all be very afraid. And the GOP Congress should come out of hiding and do their jobs. While they still have them.