Trump falsely claims that 'when somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is tot

[Cyber Liberty]

What say you BRiefers?

Since you asked, this is my personal opinion:  I thought it was a ridiculous thing for the President to say.  Not only is it factually wrong, it's taking ownership of something he can't legally "own."  This is a gaffe.

[EdinVA]

https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-trump-claims-president-authority-is-total-2020-4

more at link

https://twitter.com/Liz_Cheney/status/1249845408127488000

What say you BRiefers?

Trump will push the limits no matter where they be.  He pushes people to get more out of them, he pushes the bureaucracy to get more out of it, he pushes agencies to get more out of them, that is just DJT.
I suppose you would have been happier to have GWB.....

[skeeter]

Thanx for your comment @skeeter
I agree, it is important to recognize this is just talking, and the actual actions of the Federal Government, with the 15 day and 30 day guidelines are voluntary.  The shock value is in how completely alien "total authority" is to my understanding of the Constitution, and how few "conservatives" have spoken out in defense of the Constitution.  I'd comment on the spinelessness of the uniparty, but there are no shortages of rats who have recognized the Constitution's separation of powers, and 10th Amendment.

The president mentioned he has the legal basis for his comment. I suspect most in his party are waiting to hear what that basis may be and leave its interpretation to the courts. That is, unless they understand it was a bluff to get intransigent governors to open up by month's end.

It'll be interesting to see the courts deal with the question of the Constitutional authority of the executive to lift gubernatorial stay at home orders that are likely unconstitutional themselves.

[Applewood]

Well put.

Trump has missed a great opportunity to truly come across as a leader.  His pressers should be comprised of

(1) him with an opening statement of inspiration and hope
(2) turning over the entire technical aspect of the questioning  to his experts
(3) him with a closing statement of inspiration and hope.

The hallmark of an effective executive is the ability to guide the ship a 1000 miles away .....  Not navigate every white cap and eddy.


His bickering with the lame stream media is especially disconcerning.  Don't get in the mud with them.

If I had it my way, these  briefings would only be held when there was something particularly important to announce and even then, I would rather VP Pence take charge of them since Trump presumably named him to head the federal response.  But since Trump wants to be there all the time, what you suggest is reasonable.

Trump is good at delivering a prepared speech.  Talking off the cuff, however, is not good for him.  At his rallies he can say whatever he wants and his audience of supporters will applaud every word.  But these briefings are supposed to be for all of us, not just for his supporters -- to educate, inform and encourage us all in a time of crisis.  I don't think that's what's happening here.  What we are getting is Trump, the candidate for re-election and the master entertainer with his constant battles with the press.  Maybe this persona works for his supporters, but it does nothing for the rest of us. 

And when it comes time to vote in November (or whenever the general election is held), I suspect some people are going to remember these "briefings" and hold them against him.  Democrats, if they are smart, will replay Trump's words in campaign ads, reminding voters on a daily basis of these supposed "briefings" and Trump's appalling performance in them. Trump needs independents, undecideds and maybe some unhappy Democrats on his side to win re-election.  Effective campaign advertising  will put them off even if the economy improves.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

Trump will push the limits no matter where they be.  He pushes people to get more out of them, he pushes the bureaucracy to get more out of it, he pushes agencies to get more out of them, that is just DJT.

That is a great point.

I suppose you would have been happier to have GWB.....

Stay healthy @EdinVA

[DCPatriot]

Some of you guys......   

I'm supposed to believe that Governors have more say than a POTUS in a National Emergency/Security Event?

Go play in traffic why don't you?

[Formerly Once-Ler]

Some of you guys......   

I'm supposed to believe that Governors have more say than a POTUS in a National Emergency/Security Event?

Go play in traffic why don't you?

There isn't any.   

[XenaLee]

There isn't any.   

Well.... where do you live?  I'll volunteer to supply some.   

[Applewood]

...
I'm supposed to believe that Governors have more say than a POTUS in a National Emergency/Security Event?

...

Well, I don't know about that, but I do think that by taking such a hard line and not even trying to work with the governors, Trump may be setting himself up for a protracted legal battle that could frustrate any plans to reopen America. 

[Cyber Liberty]

Well, I don't know about that, but I do think that by taking such a hard line and not even trying to work with the governors, Trump may be setting himself up for a protracted legal battle that could frustrate any plans to reopen America.

I agree, in that it's become an unnecessary distraction.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

Well.... where do you live?  I'll volunteer to supply some.   

@XenaLee A southern suburb of Madison WI.  If you wanna take the long way home, it is a balmy, global warming induced, 34 degrees at high noon in mid April.  You're in TX so bring a heavy coat, gloves, hat, and scarf if they sell such things there, and just a tip...we call the white stuff floating from the sky snow. 
PM me and I'll set the coffee brewer for 18 hours. 

[XenaLee]

@XenaLee A southern suburb of Madison WI.  If you wanna take the long way home, it is a balmy, global warming induced, 34 degrees at high noon in mid April.  You're in TX so bring a heavy coat, gloves, hat, and scarf if they sell such things there, and just a tip...we call the white stuff floating from the sky snow. 
PM me and I'll set the coffee brewer for 18 hours. 

Uh... I'm gonna need something a little stonger/better than coffee.   Just sayin.....

 

[Mesaclone]

Well, I don't know about that, but I do think that by taking such a hard line and not even trying to work with the governors, Trump may be setting himself up for a protracted legal battle that could frustrate any plans to reopen America.

But he IS working with the Governors and many...from both parties...have commented on his openness, collaboration and willing to comply with all that need. Trump was simply making it clear that in this national emergency, it is the power of the Presidency that reopens the nation to go back to work. That is a rather obvious assertion in my opinion, though he stated it with a bit of unnecessary bluster...but that's always been his way. Bluster up front and in public, reasonable negotiation and collaboration in private. It has been VERY effective these past 3 years.

[LilLamb]

Some of you guys......   

I'm supposed to believe that Governors have more say than a POTUS in a National Emergency/Security Event?

Go play in traffic why don't you?

I thought it was funny in the press conference that the press has finally got on the side of federalism and states rights. Pence made it clear that this was about what a President can do in a declared national emergency. I can’t believe there is so much naysaying and outrage here. What the President said was true.

[skeeter]

I thought it was funny in the press conference that the press has finally got on the side of federalism and states rights. Pence made it clear that this was about what a President can do in a declared national emergency. I can’t believe there is so much naysaying and outrage here. What the President said was true.

I wonder what the left would say if the SCOTUS backed him up. After all, the left has forced their will on the entire country via the court for decades.

[Hoodat]

Trump said that the president has the authority to do with the president has authority to do. He also said that the leader of any state not opening up their state will pay a political cost from their voters. He did not say that he had authority over them. More fake news.

I've given you the video, I can't make you watch it, I can't understand it for you, and I can't make you argue honestly.  You should delete your post, but I can't do that for you either.

@Once-Ler

Here, I dictated the video myself and typed out a transcript for you.

President Trump:  I've been having many discussions with my team and top experts, and we're very close to completing a plan to open our country, hopefully even ahead of schedule.  And that's so important.  We will soon finalize new and very important guidelines to give governors the information they need to start safely opening their states.  My administration's plan and corresponding guidelines will give the American people the confidence they need to begin returning to normal life.  That's what we want.  We want to have our country open; we want to return to normal life.  Our country's going to be open.  And it's going to be successfully open.

~ Break in video sequence - Part edited out by Bloomberg.  Context lost. ~

Reporter 1:  When the [unintelligible] is over, what authority do you have to order the country reopened?  What authority do you have .  .  .

President Trump: Well, I have the ultimate authority.

~ Break in video sequence - Part edited out by Bloomberg.  Context lost. ~

Reporter 2:  My question to you is what provision in the Constitution gives the President the power to open or close State economies.  And then, .  .  .

President Trump:  Numerous provisions, we will give you a legal brief if you want.

Reporter 2:  We'll be looking forward to that sir.  But following up, what happens if you say for instance we want the state to reopen, but California or New York do not open.  What would you do?

President Trump:  Well I think everybody wants to open.  I mean I guess you know that could happen, but I don't think it will happen.

Reporter 3:  It is the states that have ordered schools closed, it is the states that have ordered businesses like restaurants closed .  .  .

President Trump:  Because I let that happen.  Because I would have preferred that, I let that happen.  But if I wanted to, I could have closed it up.  But I let that happen.  And I like the way they've done it.  And the seven that remain - really it's sort of a semi-lockdown.  If you look at those states, they've really done a very good job.  They're very much different from a New York or from other places where they've been hit very hard.

Reporter 4:  Yes, Mr. President, I am following up on that.  There are two consortiums of states today, California-Oregon-Washington on the west coast, northeastern states, totally representing about 100 million people, who said they're going to cooperate and decide when to reopen.

President Trump:  Well, they can decide, but . . .

Reporter 4:  You're trying to .  .  .

President Trump:  Not at all.  Let me just tell you, very simple, I am going to put it very simply.  The President has the authority to do what the President has the authority to do, which is very powerful.  The President of the United States calls the shots.  If we weren't here for the States, you would have had a problem in this country like you have never seen before.  We were here to back them up, and we have more than backed them up.  We did a job that nobody ever thought was possible.  It is a decision for the President of the United States.  Now with that being said, we're going to work with the States because it's very important.  You have local governments - they're pinpointed.  It's really - you're talking about - it's like a microchip.  They're pinpointed.  We have local government that hopefully will do a good job.  And if they don't do a good job, I'd step in so fast.  But no, they can't do anything without the approval of the President of the United States.

Reporter 5:  What if some States refuse to reopen, and you order them to?  The Tenth Amendment of the Constitution says all powers that don't reside with the President or Congress reside in the States.  How do you .  .  .

President Trump:  Well, if some States refuse to open, I would like to see that person run for election.  They're going to open.  They're going to all open.  I think that's something that's not going to happen.  They want to open.  They have to open.  They have to get open.  In every one of those States, people want to go, and the want to . . .  Now, some will be/are in a different situation.  You have - I won't name States now, but I will over the next two or three days; I'm gonna be very specific - but you have some States where this is not the kind of a problem that it is in New York or Louisiana or Michigan or other places that got hit very hard - Illinois - got hit very hard.  But all States want to open, and they want to open as soon as possible.  But they want to open safely, and so do I.

Reporter 6:  Just to clarify your understanding of your authority vis-a-vis governors, to be very specific.  For instance, if a governor issues a stay-at-home order .  .  .

President Trump:  You say 'my authority'.  The President's authority - not mine.  Because when somebody is the President of the United States, the authority is total.  And that's the way it's got to be.  It's total.  It's total.  And the governors know that.  The governors know that.  You have a couple of bands of Democrat governors, but they will agree to it.  They will agree to it.  But the authority of the President, the authority of the President of the United States having to do with the subject we are talking about is total.

~ Break in video sequence - Further context lost. ~

As I have stated repeatedly, context is important.  The sentence in question was a direct response to a reporter's comment about authority in the second person, not the third. 

Reporter 6:  Just to clarify your understanding of your authority vis-a-vis governors

The President took it a bit personal and pointed out that the authority belongs totally to the President and not any to him as an individual. 

This President's position on the President's authority is further clarified earlier on when he acknowledges that States do have the right to refuse to reopen, citing only a political consequence and not a legal one.

President Trump:  Well, if some States refuse to open, I would like to see that person run for election.

  But this whole scenario is complete bullshit anyway since States are discussing plans to reopen (which Trump obviously supports) - not states discussing plans to stand up to a President by remaining closed.  It is a scenario invented on the fly just to come up with a 'gotcha' soundbite against Trump.

Again, fake news.

[Hoodat]

I thought it was funny in the press conference that the press has finally got on the side of federalism and states rights.

You got that right.  Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I would hear a leftist cite Amendment X.

[mountaineer]

You got that right.  Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I would hear a leftist cite Amendment X.

That's the truth.

[Night Hides Not]

Oh I've heard and read people trying to explain and gloss over the president's remarks and maybe he was only referring to his emergency powers.  But that's another example of the problem I've always had with Trump -- much of the time I don't know what he's saying or trying to say. 

Whatever the explanation -- I can see his words not only causing problems now in getting the country back on its feet.  I can see the Democrats using his words against him once the presidential campaign resumes.  I don't think the independents and undecideds are too happy.  Surely, any true conservative would be nervous.

Much of the time Trump doesn't know what the hell he's saying, much to the delight of his adoring faithful who deliver the most sympathetic interpretations to the latest utterances.

One would think the Chief Executive of this country would have a better grasp of the Constitution.

[Cyber Liberty]

I'm reminded of something Alexander Haig said in the press conference right after Ronald Reagan was shot.

"Right now, in this room, I'm in charge!"

[DCPatriot]

There isn't any.   

   Good one! 

[skeeter]

   Good one!

I chuckled.

[Night Hides Not]

I'm reminded of something Alexander Haig said in the press conference right after Ronald Reagan was shot.

"Right now, in this room, I'm in charge!"

I remember that...he caught a lot of grief over that. By "right now", I'm sure he meant that he was waiting for the arrival of the VP...he wanted to send the message to the bad guys not to try something funny.

Tell you what, though, it was good to have a man with extensive leadership experience at that moment in time.

He was fantastic as NATO Commander.

[Cyber Liberty]

I remember that...he caught a lot of grief over that. By "right now", I'm sure he meant that he was waiting for the arrival of the VP...he wanted to send the message to the bad guys not to try something funny.

Tell you what, though, it was good to have a man with extensive leadership experience at that moment in time.

He was fantastic as NATO Commander.

I liked him too, but I never wanted him to run for the Big Chair.  It would appear the vast majority of the voters agreed with me when he actually tried a run.

ETA:  That was the morning Larry Speaks was thrust into Brady's job, and he looked pretty terrified.  He was losing control of the room and Haig stepped up to settle it.

[DCPatriot]

I remember that...he caught a lot of grief over that. By "right now", I'm sure he meant that he was waiting for the arrival of the VP...he wanted to send the message to the bad guys not to try something funny.

Tell you what, though, it was good to have a man with extensive leadership experience at that moment in time.

He was fantastic as NATO Commander.

A little trivia:

Shortly after the time General Haig made that remark, He purchased one of my listings on...IIRC, Cape Cod Ct., Bethesda, MD.