Archiv: Constitutions
‘Democracy at stake’: French protesters vent fury at Macron over pension push
French protesters downed their tools and marched once again in Paris and other cities on Thursday, galvanised by President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to ram his deeply unpopular pension reform through parliament without a vote, in what critics have branded a “denial of democracy”.
Emmanuel Macron: France’s Caligula?
Instead, on Macron’s orders, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne used a controversial clause in the Constitution, Article 49.3, to pass the bill.
The Republican Party are widely supportive of Macron’s reform bill, which raises the age of retirement from sixty-two to sixty-four, and issued instructions for its sixty-one Members of Parliament to vote against the motion. But nineteen of its MPs defied orders, adding to the dissent and disorder which has swept France in recent days, in parliament and on the street.
Macron holds firm on pension reform bill as protests escalate
Dismissing calls for a snap election or a referendum, he said the plan to raise France’s minimum retirement age from 62 to 64 would continue on its “democratic path” and come into force by the end of 2023.
The French president also reaffirmed his faith in Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, whose government narrowly survived a no-confidence vote triggered by Macron’s use of special executive powers to bypass parliament.
Paris erupts in violence after Macron wins no-confidence vote by just nine
(21.03.2023)
The first motion, which was the only one ever likely to succeed, failed thanks to the decision of the conservative Republican party not to support it.
Anger as French government pushes through pension change without vote
Opposition parties said they would request a vote of no confidence in the government, which will be voted on in the coming days, possibly on Monday.
The French parliament saw chaotic scenes after President Emmanuel Macron’s unpopular plan to reform the country’s costly pension system was pushed through without a vote
Protests erupt as French government forces through higher retirement age
The pension reform bill passed the French Senate earlier on Thursday, but was not expected to pass the National Assembly – the lower house of the country’s parliament – where lawmakers were due to vote this afternoon.
The session was stopped early for Borne’s announcement. Lawmakers erupted into chaotic scenes as she explained the government’s decision, fighting to be heard as lawmakers sang French national anthem “La Marseillaise” and others held signs reading “No to 64 years.”
French President Macron overrides parliament to pass retirement age bill
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday resorted to using special constitutional powers.
The pensions overhaul has been met with widespread protests and strikes across France.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced to the assembly that the government would trigger Article 49.3 of the French Constitution.
Protests in Paris as Macron forces through controversial pension reform
But the government was unsure of the vote numbers in the National Assembly, forcing French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne to announce the triggering of Article 49.3.
The decision runs the risk of further inflaming the protests and strikes that have rocked France over the last months. It also gives the opposition the right to immediately call a confidence vote in parliament.
The opposition reacted with fury to the decision to avoid a vote after weeks of debates on the legislation.
CON-STI-TU-TION!
Israel could learn a thing or two from history of US Constitution – opinion
The constitution is the guiding force behind the US. The president, federal officers and all members of the military swear to defend it.
Though written at the end of the 18th century, many of the lessons from the debate over its adoption are of interest to us in modern-day Israel: namely the maintenance of equality between the three branches of government, the preservation of checks and balances, the need to maintain a strong judiciary but also the need to retain a path to override Supreme Court decisions, the importance of harnessing the talents of high-level visionaries and the need to maintain a broad consensus before initiating reform.
Israeli NGO presents constitution as alternative to judicial reform
(March 9, 2023)
“After 75 years, it’s time for a constitution for the State of Israel,” which would fix Israel’s government system, protect human rights and enshrine the Declaration of Independence, MQG head Eliad Shraga said during a press conference at the group’s judicial reform protest tent in front of the Supreme Court in Jerusalem. The movement presented the proposal to President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday night, he said.
Lapid proposes constitution for Israel to extract itself from ‘terrible crisis’
Lapid said that while “judicial activism” should be limited, “a democratic state cannot exist without a strong and independent court.”
In addition, the Yesh Atid leader said that the judicial appointment committee would have its composition changed so that the Supreme Court is “diverse in its composition and opinions, but will ensure that politicians — from any side — will not have control over the selection of judges.”
Israel: Opposition leader calls for constitution to fix political impasse
On his Facebook page, the former prime minister argued that this constitution should begin with the first paragraph of Israel’s 1948 Declaration of Independence, which states that the land of Israel is the cradle of the Jewish people.
According to Lapid, this constitution should be composed of three fundamental laws: the first would be a declaration of the superiority of the fundamental laws of the country, and would subject all authorities to restrictions established by law.
Time to join NATO? Moldova eyes joining ‘a larger alliance’
(20.01.2023)
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is prompting soul-searching in neighboring Moldova about whether the country needs to shift away from its constitutionally-enshrined neutrality and lock itself into a “larger alliance.”
When asked about potential NATO accession, Moldova’s President Maia Sandu said in an interview with POLITICO the country was still weighing its next step, and whether it would require a constitutional change to do so.
Democratic Socialism Is About Democracy
To us, democracy is not simply a banal amalgamation of procedures, an uncontroversial set of norms and rules that everyone can get behind. It is the quite radical idea that ordinary people — not experts, not elites, not their “betters” — can rule themselves. It is the word we use to describe the flattening of steep hierarchies, the shattering of structures that confer undue wealth and power and privilege.
When democracy is on the march, it lays in its path state despots and private autocrats. It rips decision-making power away from the corporate titan, wrests the billy club out of the beat cop’s hands, divests the domineering husband of his authority. It brings the imperial power to its knees and lifts up the colonial subject, the slave, the worker.
What happens after the President resigns? BASL explains process to elect new President
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka convening a special press conference on Sunday (10) afternoon elaborated on the process that should be followed by the President, and the Prime Minister in vacating their posts.
BASL President Saliya Pieris, PC told reporters that in terms of the constitution, the President must address to speaker a letter signed by him of his decision to step down, and when the position is vacant the Prime Minister would take over as acting President.
Something Extraordinary Is Happening in France
In a country as complex, large and diverse as theirs, a political system designed to concentrate authority in the hands of a single head of state maybe isn’t the best way of reflecting popular will. And perhaps, after 64 years, it’s time to try something new.
The WHO pandemic treaty: a backdoor to global governance?
(23 February 2022)
If the pandemic treaty were to come into effect in 2024, you can guarantee even higher global health surveillance using real-time sequencing for both diagnostics and epidemiology. This would be based on ever-more portable technologies with increasingly rapid turnaround times.
But don’t just think mRNA injections or intranasals. Or gene editing technologies based on CRISPR for diagnostics. Think CRISPR to enhance the immune response will likely see an entry. This is a facet of transhumanism, as is digital surveillance.
Я готовий піти на все, якщо моя хода буде з нашим народом — інтерв’ю Зеленського
„Нас не беруть у НАТО, бо бояться Росії. Ось і все. Нам треба заспокоїтись і сказати „окей, інші гарантії безпеки“, — президент України Володимир Зеленський вважає, що у питанні членства України в Альянсі можна досягти компромісу. Які загалом можливі компроміси з Росією, як виглядає щоденне спілкування з європейськими лідерами та що надихає президента Зеленського зараз — в його ексклюзивному інтерв’ю європейським суспільним мовникам.
Ukraine’s possible compromises on security guarantees and temporarily occupied territories in the negotiations between Ukraine & Russia can be decided at all-Ukrainian referendum – Zelenskyy in Interview to Suspilne. Also hints Ukraine renouncing NATO aspirations is acceptable
A New York judge rules that the state’s mask mandate is unconstitutional and can’t be enforced.
Gov. Kathy Hochul had renewed a rule requiring masks or proof of vaccination at all indoor public places throughout the state in December, amid a winter virus surge, and said it would last a month. The state Health Department then extended the mandate an additional two weeks, to expire on Feb. 1.
In his six-page decision, State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Rademaker wrote that Ms. Hochul and state health officials lacked the authority to enact the mask mandate without the approval of state lawmakers, and that it violated the state constitution. Regardless of the “well aimed” intentions of state officials, such authority is “entrusted solely to the State Legislature,” Justice Rademaker wrote.
NEW: A New York state Supreme Court judge has ruled that Governor Kathy Hochul’s statewide indoor mask mandate is unconstitutional.
If you suspect being targeted with Pegasus, get in touch by January 7: Supreme Court panel
The committee constituted by the Supreme Court to look into allegations of snooping using the Pegasus spyware invited all citizens who suspected their mobile phones had been targeted to contact the panel by noon on January 7.
“The committee requests any citizen of India who has reasonable cause to suspect that his/her mobile has been compromised due to specific usage of NSO Group Israel’s Pegasus software to contact the technical committee appointed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, with reasons as to why you believe your device may have been infected with Pegasus malware, and whether you would be in a position to allow the Technical Committee to examine your device,” the three-member panel said in an advertisement in several national dailies.
Germany is trying to turn the EU into a ‚Fourth Reich‘, says head of Poland’s ruling party as Brussels SUES to stop the country over-ruling European laws
– One of Poland’s leaders said Germany is trying make EU a ‚German Fourth Reich‘
– Jaroslaw Kaczynski, 72, is the head of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party
– He added: ‚If we agreed with this modern-day submission we’d be degraded‘
Poland’s Constitution of 1997
Article 4
1.Supreme power in the Republic of Poland shall be vested in the Nation.
2.The Nation shall exercise such power directly or through their representatives.
Article 5
The Republic of Poland shall safeguard the independence and integrity of itsterritory and ensure the freedoms and rights of persons and citizens, the security ofthe citizens, safeguard the national heritage and shall ensure the protection of thenatural environment pursuant to the principles of sustainable development.
(…)
Article 7
The organs of public authority shall function on the basis of, and within the limits of,the law.
Article 81
.The Constitution shall be the supreme law of the Republic of Poland.
2.The provisions of the Constitution shall apply directly, unless the Constitutionprovides otherwise.
Why Is Poland Fighting the Supremacy of European Union Courts?
(08.10.2021)
Poland threw down the gauntlet to the European Union on Thursday when its Constitutional Tribunal issued a judgment that the Polish Constitution in some cases supersedes rulings by the bloc’s highest court.
The Polish judgment, which is a direct challenge to the primacy of European law, one of the cornerstones of the European Union, will only take effect once it is published by the government in an official journal, which could take some time.
While the Syrian constitutional talks are ongoing at @UNGeneva this week, our security colleagues and their K9 dogs are making sure everything is safe and secure. In this photo: Moscou is taking a break after inspecting the venue of the talks.
Syrian government, opposition agree to redraft constitution -envoy
The drafting committee, comprising 45 representatives of Syria’s government, opposition and civil society, has a mandate to draw up a new basic law leading to U.N.-supervised elections.
Special Envoy Geir Pedersen said its Syrian co-chairs, who he met together for the first time ahead of week-long talks, had agreed to „prepare and start drafting constitutional reform.“
Constitutional Convention in Chile Approves General Regulations
This was one of the most awaited stages of the process and also one of those that generated the greatest debate about the vote, which in the end ended up imposing the criterion of approving the criteria by a simple majority (78 members of the Convention).
How a Scholz-Led Government Could Transform Germany and Europe
Social Democrat Olaf Scholz is the favorite to become Germany’s next chancellor, but he’ll need a messy three-party coalition to form a government, according to the polls.
The path to power for the SPD and its preferred partner the Green Party is complicated. It would probably involve either a more centrist alliance with the business-friendly Free Democrats, or a shift in the opposite direction in a tie-up with the anti-capitalist Left party.
Left-Wing Candidate Leads the Presidential Race in Chile
He was the only representative of his party that signed the Peace Agreement of November 15, 2019, which led to the plebiscite to change the constitution inherited from the military dictatorship.
U.S.-Germany Dialogue on Holocaust Issues
– Our shared commitment to a regular dialogue underscores our desire to contribute to a world in which knowledge of the Holocaust is abundant, fact-based, and serves as a foundation for tackling today’s challenges, including those that lead to the normalization of hatred that can result in demonization or persecution of those perceived as “the other.”
– Jointly with Germany, we will produce strategies and tools that governments can deploy to improve education and training on the Holocaust, counter Holocaust denial and distortion, combat anti-Semitism, and ensure policymakers have a strong understanding of these issues and of their responsibility to act.
– We will support innovation in education and commemoration, joint initiatives to ensure understanding of the Holocaust remains grounded in historical fact, and training activities for stakeholders in democratic societies on Holocaust issues.
By launching this bilateral consultation, and by raising public awareness about anti-Semitism and the hatred of “the other” that paved the way for the horrific crimes of the Holocaust, we can stand together as Transatlantic partners to ensure such atrocities never again occur.
Chileans pick independents to draft new constitution
Results showed candidates backed by President Sebastian Pinera’s Chile Vamos coalition had won only a fifth of seats, while independents picked up the most votes.
Recoleta, Chile: Daniel Jadue Sweeps the Municipal Election
Likewise, he emphasized that „the right-wing has had a disastrous result and effectively is far from keeping a third of the Constituent Assembly and that is a reason for pride for all the people of Chile.“
That’s why we left! Angela Merkel admits EU must change – before demanding MORE power
„And you can also do a lot of things through coordinating policy, at intergovernmental level, but it certainly makes sense to also have European competencies for certain situations, especially pandemics.“
She continued: „Ideally, we should always have had a uniform European approach to lockdowns, shutdowns and other measures.
Merkel: EU ‘probably’ needs treaty changes, especially for health policy
„I believe that Europe needs more competencies in the area of health. This will probably also require changes to the treaties,“ Merkel said at an event organized by her center-right pan-EU political family, the European People’s Party, which discussed potential EU reforms that could also come up as part of the Conference on the Future of Europe.
German lawmakers move to strengthen the government’s powers in the pandemic.
BERLIN — Germany’s government plans to ask lawmakers to grant it stronger powers in order to introduce a nationwide lockdown as the country is gripped by a third wave of the coronavirus.
The country’s approach has so far been to have the governors of Germany’s 16 states agree to any nationwide pandemic policies. But as calls from public health officials have grown stronger for a new nationwide lockdown in recent weeks, Chancellor Angela Merkel has had trouble gaining all of the governors’ support.
How the pandemic turned German politics upside down
In Germany, politics is supposed to be dull. Everything about the system — its carefully calibrated federalism, support for the European Union and emphasis on coalitions and consensus — is calculated to keep public life as stable as possible. Under normal conditions it works well enough — even if it often puts outsiders to sleep.
But then came the pandemic.
Merkel sets out plan to take control of Germany’s Covid response
Changing the law comes with considerable risk for Merkel: enshrining specific infection rates in legislation could require her government to put the law to endless ad-hoc parliamentary votes as the pandemic situation changes. A more permanent power-grab could in turn be blocked by the Bundesrat, the constitutional body through which the states participate in the legislative process.
Merkel power-grab: German Chancellor poised to impose new restrictions as COVID cases soar
Backing the idea of the Chancellor taking control of the situation, Norbert Roettgen, who was defeated by Mr Laschet, Prime Minister of North Rhine Westphalia, in the CDU leadership contest earlier this year, said: “At the beginning of the crisis, the decision-making in the Minister-President Conference was okay.
“But it has become dysfunctional in the meantime.
Germany may close its borders on Monday
The most extreme possibility being considered is a perimeter closure of the entire country to stop tourists taking trips abroad.
Merkel overrides regional autonomy to enforce centralised lockdown
On Friday Merkel administration figures insisted her move was not about calling into question Germany’s postwar federal system, which gives state considerable political autonomy. But they said the decentralised system, which allowed quick and local responses on testing a year ago, had become an impediment now to coherent infection prevention.
Merkel Bloc Pushing for More Central Power Over Virus Strategy
(08.04.2021)
Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to push ahead with a bid to transfer powers to impose coronavirus restrictions from the regional to the federal level, as the German leader tries to reverse the latest surge in infections threatening Europe’s biggest economy.
Germany’s current “infection protection law” doesn’t allow for “common action” to tackle the pandemic because it leaves the enforcement of restrictions to the 16 states, Norbert Roettgen, a senior member of Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union, said in a position paper obtained by Bloomberg.
Chile president enacts election postponement
Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera enacted a law Tuesday to postpone by five weeks an election to choose a commission to rewrite the country’s dictatorship-era constitution, amid a surge in coronavirus infections.
Chile’s Senate agrees to postpone new constitution election due to Covid-19
If it does, the election to decide the members of a Constituent Assembly that will rewrite the constitution — which has been in effect since the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship (1973-90) — will now take place on May 15 or 16.
Chile’s Pinera proposes delaying elections due to surge in Covid-19 cases
The election — now set to be scheduled for May 15 and 16 — will choose the 155 members of the Constituent Assembly, who will rewrite the constitution, which dates from the rule of military dictator Augusto Pinochet (1973-90).
Government declares new state of emergency
The lower house on Friday rejected a proposal to extend the ongoing state of emergency due to the fact that it had been called at the request of regional governors and was thereby legally questionable.
Government declares new state of emergency
Although the lower house refused to extend the state of emergency it in a vote on Thursday, the government acted in response to a request from the governors of the country’s 14 regions who argued that a state of danger would not give them adequate powers to enforce the necessary restrictions needed to keep the coronavirus epidemic in check.
Guatemala’s government slashed $25 million from healthcare and education — just days after Hurricane Eta battered its poorest communities. The people are rising up. PI member @MSICG : “We demand a Constituent Assembly. This dictatorship has failed us.”
Opinion: Gov. Whitmer’s emergency powers ended immediately with ruling
(today)
In response to the Court’s ruling, the governor incorrectly stated that the decision is not effective for another 21 days: Under Michigan Court Rule 7.315(C)(4), “unless otherwise ordered by the Court, an order or judgment is effective when it is issued…” Not 21 days later. Immediately. Her emergency powers are over, and either the Court or the attorney general should publicly clarify that Whitmer’s executive orders no longer have any force of law.
Whitmer slams Supreme Court ruling, warns orders could continue
(02.10.2020)
She warned the court order doesn’t take effect for another 21 days and some of the measures put in place to control the virus can continue under „alternative sources of authority not at issue in today’s ruling.“
Michigan Supreme Court Rules Whitmer’s Shutdown Order ‘In Violation’ Of State Constitution
(03.10.2020)
The court ruled that Whitmer lacked authority under each of the two laws that govern states of emergency in Michigan to extend the state of emergency passed April 30, when her first state of emergency declaration expired, according to Mlive.com. Those two laws are the 1976 Emergency Management Act (EMA) and the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act (EPGA).
Michigan Supreme Court rules against Gov. Whitmer’s COVID-19 orders
(02.10.2020)
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled on Friday that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lacked the authority after April 30 to declare a state of emergency under the 1976 Emergency Management Act.
The court also ruled that the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act (EPGA) was unconstitutional, and that it did not provide a basis for Gov. Whitmer to exercise emergency powers.
Ginsburg, trailblazing leader on Supreme Court, dies at 87
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the liberal leader of the Supreme Court and a trailblazing champion of women’s rights, died Friday. She was 87 years old.
The Supreme Court said in a statement that Ginsburg died „surrounded by her family at her home in Washington, D.C., due to complications of metastatic pancreas cancer.“
Japan PM Wants First-Strike Capabilities
Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has taken the Japanese defenses policy away from its post-war pacifism to a growing military with an increasingly loose sense of self-defense. A week before stepping down, he’s talking taking it a step farther.
Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany
Article 28
[Land constitutions – Autonomy of municipalities]
(1) The constitutional order in the Länder must conform to the principles of a republican, democratic and social state governed by the rule of law within the meaning of this Basic Law. In each Land, county and municipality the people shall be represented by a body chosen in general, direct, free, equal and secret elections.
(…)
Article 38
[Elections]
(1) Members of the German Bundestag shall be elected in general, direct, free, equal and secret elections.
Chile: Workers Call for a Pot-Banging Protest Against Piñera
Among the new ministers are figures who openly declared themselves against the upcoming plebiscite to reform the Constitution.
Police fires tear-gas at protesters against bill to curtail public gatherings rights
With 187 votes, Greek MPs put the nails on the coffin of Democracy in the country.
PS How many protesters were injured by police and suffered from tear-gas, we will probably never learn.
Victory for free speech as France’s supreme court crushes authoritarian “hate speech” laws
France’s Supreme Court equivalent rejected most parts of a bill that would obligate social media companies to remove so-called hate speech within 24 hours.
The ruling by the Constitutional Council on Thursday, June 18, 2020, is a win for free speech and even for big social media companies such as Twitter and Facebook.
Workers can’t be fired for being gay or transgender, Supreme Court rules
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled 6-3 in a landmark decision that gay and transgender employees are protected by civil rights laws against employer discrimination.
A set of cases that came before the court had asked the justices to decide whether Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which forbids discrimination on the basis of „sex,“ applies to gay and transgender people.
Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany
Article 3 [Equality before the law]
(1) All persons shall be equal before the law.
(2) Men and women shall have equal rights. The state shall promote the actual implementation of equal rights for women and men and take steps to eliminate disadvantages that now exist.
(3) No person shall be favoured or disfavoured because of sex, parentage, race, language, homeland and origin, faith or religious or political opinions. No person shall be disfavoured because of disability.
germany wanna take race out of the constitution as if that‘s gonna stop racist people from being racists performative activism is what it is
Japan lifts state of emergency for Tokyo, 4 other prefectures
The state of emergency was lifted over the five prefectures that had still been under restrictions — Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama and Hokkaido.
Compared with hard-hit areas in Europe, the United States, Russia and Brazil, Japan has been spared the worst of the pandemic, with 16,581 infections and 830 deaths.
Police intervention at #Alexanderplatz #Berlin trying to disperse a crowd of thousands of people, some of whom chanting “we are the people” #COVID19 #Berlin
Building sealed off for #COVID-19 tests after residents violate restrictions #Germany #Grevenbroich
The legal reason why Sweden did not impose lockdown
Even if the country wants to do so, it has legal limitations that need to be overcome.
In other words, the legal framework within which the government of Sweden operates does not directly allow it to impose draconian measures, such as a widespread or nationwide shutdown.
This is because there is no provision in the Swedish constitution that allows the imposition of a state of emergency during peacetime crisis.
Berlin: German police arrest dozens protesting against lockdown restrictions
Approximately 1,000 demonstrators showed up to Saturday’s rally near Berlin’s Rosa Luxemburg square
The United States Constitution
Article II – The Executive Branch:
(…)
Section 3 – State of the Union, Convening Congress:
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper;
Trump threatens to adjourn both chambers of Congress
Lawmakers in both chambers are not expected to return to the Capitol until May 4 but both the House and Senate have been conducting pro forma sessions in the meantime. Those sessions prevent Trump from making recess appointments.
„The current practice of leaving town while conducting phony pro forma sessions is a dereliction of duty that the American people can not afford during this crisis,“ he said. „It is a scam, what they do. It’s a scam. And everybody knows it and it’s been that way for a long time.“
Lawmakers push back against Trump by introducing resolution saying president’s authority ‘is not total’
A group of House members authored a new one-sentence resolution to remind President Trump of the limits on his power and challenged anyone in the House to vote against it.
On The Trail: Governors rebuke Trump for claiming ‚total‘ authority
A looming showdown between President Trump’s eagerness to revive a cratering economy and governors facing a deadly pandemic is leading to what could become the most contentious standoff between state and federal governments since the civil rights era.
For almost 250 years, the competing interests of states and the U.S. government have undergirded the most divisive debates in American history.
Tell the Democrat Governors that “Mutiny On The Bounty” was one of my all time favorite movies.
A good old fashioned mutiny every now and then is an exciting and invigorating thing to watch, especially when the mutineers need so much from the Captain. Too easy!
Gov. Cuomo: Trump Does Not Have Total Authority; „We Have A Constitution, We Don’t Have A King“
“ The president doesn’t have total authority. We have a constitution. We don’t have a king. We have an elected president. That’s what our founding fathers did when they wrote the constitution. And the constitution clearly says the powers that are not specifically listed for the federal government are reserved to the states. And the balance between federal and state authority was central to the constitution, it’s one of the great balances of power. „
‘The authority is total’: President Trump says he will decide when the economy reopens, not governors
Trump would not offer specifics about the source of his asserted power, which he claimed, despite constitutional limitations, was absolute.
“When somebody is president of the United States, the authority is total,” Trump said Monday at the White House. “The governors know that.”
Glenn Greenwald warns government is expanding power amid coronavirus
Greenwald also noted that proponents of the Patriot Act in the wake of 9/11 had assured civil libertarians the law had a sunset provision. Yet, the law remains in effect nearly two decades later as a “permanent part of our political framework.”
“That is the great concern, how do you temporarily vest power in the hands of the state that might be necessary to preserve these liberties in the long term without simultaneously giving them those powers realistically even if you intend for it to be temporary in a way that becomes permanent?” he added.
System Update With Glenn Greenwald – Liz Franczak and Kyle Kulinski
In the debut episode of The Intercept’s new weekly show, host Glenn Greenwald does an in-depth examination of the Bernie Sanders 2020 primary campaign and the reasons why Sanders is, once again, unlikely to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. Glenn interviews journalist and podcaster Liz Franczac, and Kyle Kulinski, host of the Kyle Kulinski show, about mistakes made by the Sanders 2020 campaign and larger structural issues in the Democratic Party that make it virtually impossible for insurgent campaigns to succeed.
Glenn Greenwald announces show ft Kyle Kulinski, how to balance authoritarian instinct in crisis
Co-founding editor of The Intercept Glenn Greenwald, shares why he and other staunch advocates for civil liberties are more open to government surveillance during the coronavirus pandemic.
Could Trump delay the November election? Not without risking forfeit to a Democrat
(17.03.2020)
The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service reached the same conclusion when it investigated the question in the aftermath of 9/11.
Under the U.S. Constitution, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence cannot stay in office past their four-year terms without being reelected. If the election does not happen for any reason, constitutional rules of succession kick in.
That could mean a lawmaker down the line of succession who is not up for reelection could be the new president.
Bill Gates calls for nationwide shutdown: ‚Shutdown anywhere means shutdown everywhere‘
“This is a recipe for disaster. Because people can travel freely across state lines, so can the virus. The country’s leaders need to be clear: Shutdown anywhere means shutdown everywhere,” he added. “Until the case numbers start to go down across America — which could take 10 weeks or more — no one can continue business as usual or relax the shutdown.
COVID-19 and Economic Duress: A Pretext to Enhance Police State Powers? Suspension of Constitutional Rights During COVID-19?
Crises are times when ruling authorities convince people to sacrifice personal freedoms for greater security — not realizing that both will be lost.
Ruling authorities take advantage of times like now by instituting draconian policies they’re unable to introduce during normal times without risking mass rebellion.
Donald Trump decides against quarantine for New York region
Donald Trump decided late on Saturday against imposing a broad lockdown on New York and its neighbours after a strong pushback from local political leaders and warnings of the panic it could spark.
Military Force Against Americans
(9. September 2019)
After the Sept. 11 attacks, an American citizen who had been arrested in Chicago and accused of terrorism links was deemed to be an “enemy combatant” and transferred to military custody. He was held in wartime detention without trial for years, then transferred back to the civilian justice system before the Supreme Court could resolve his case. In 2011, an American drone strike targeted and killed an American citizen who had been deemed to be an operational terrorist leader whose capture was infeasible, but who had not been charged or convicted in a trial. In 2019, the executive branch was reported to be considering invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy military forces on domestic soil to enforce immigration laws.
Are any of these examples unlawful? Under what circumstances, if any, may a president use military force within the United States or against Americans?
Trump says coronavirus quarantine on New York, New Jersey, Connecticut not necessary, CDC issues 14-day ‚travel advisory‘
„A quarantine will not be necessary,“ he tweeted, noting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would issue a „travel advisory“ later in the evening.
The CDC shortly after issued a Domestic Travel Advisory urging against „non-essential domestic travel“ in the tri-state area for 14 days.
Martial Law Would Sweep the Country Into a Great Legal Unknown
n 1946, after the war ended, the Supreme Court ruled in Duncan v. Kahanamoku that the statute authorizing martial law in Hawaii did not enable military trials of civilians, and it warned against the “subordination of executive, legislative and judicial authorities to complete military rule”—but it offered no further guidance about the circumstances that would justify a declaration of martial law, or about the consequences of such a declaration. Nor has Congress ever tried to clarify the criteria for or limits of martial law.
Cuomo says possible NY quarantine ‚would be chaos and mayhem‘
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo responds to President Donald Trump considering a short-term quarantine of coronavirus „hot spots,“ including New York.
Cuomo: Quarantine would be federal declaration of war on states
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reacts to President Donald Trump floating the idea of a temporary quarantine for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Trump considering quarantine for New York and parts of New Jersey, Connecticut
Trump suggested the quarantine would be travel based, meaning people inside the quarantine area couldn’t travel to other places in the country. He also said he would talk to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) about the possible quarantine.
Cuomo said he had talked to the president Saturday morning but that they hadn’t discussed a quarantine.
@JoeBiden agrees with @BillGates on need for nationwide shutdown
Trump Axed Congressionally-Mandated Pandemic Recovery Oversight with Stimulus Bill Signing Statement
Trump, by way of a signing statement, noted that his administration would quite simply override a provision in the nearly 900-page stimulus bill that would require the country’s newest inspector general–just created and tasked with overseeing the disbursement of the stimulus funds–to report to Congress any time the administration stonewalled about where or how those funds were being spent.
Signing statement
The Supreme Court has not squarely addressed the limits of signing statements.
Trump Claims Power To Gag Watchdog Overseeing New $500 Billion Bailout
President Donald Trump has issued a signing statement declaring that he can block a watchdog from telling Congress when information is withheld about payouts to businesses in the massive new $2 trillion economic relief law.
Democrats fought hard for provisions in the measure to ensure …
In times of panic, it is good to have someone with a cool, level MIT head asking the tough questions. Thank you @RepThomasMassie
Today I joined the Rush Limbaugh show with guest host @kenmatthews to talk about the unconstitutional attempt by leadership on both sides of the aisle to pass the LARGEST SPENDING BILL EVER without actually voting. Miss the interview? You can listen here:
I don’t know a member of Congress more principled or dedicated to the Constitution than @RepThomasMassie . @SpeakerPelosi delayed this process repeatedly and sent the House into recess before its job was complete. Big mistake!
Massie defiant, criticizes leaders for preventing him from speaking on floor
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) blasted Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Friday for not allowing him to speak on the floor before the House approved a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package.
Massie had sought to force a roll-call vote on the measure, earning a condemnation from President Trump in the process and criticism from a number of members of Congress.
House passes $2 trillion coronavirus package — but not without last-minute drama
“This is a 9/11 moment,” Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) said on the floor. “A time to put partisan differences aside, policy differences aside, and work together as Americans.”
Trump doubles down on Easter timeline to re-open US
CNN’s Kaitlin Collins pressed President Donald Trump on his comments about hoping to re-open the US by Easter, a date that few health experts believe will be sufficient in containing the spread of coronavirus.
Trump itching to scale back social distancing after 15 day-period, aides say
„The President is right, the cure can’t be worse than the disease, and we’re going to have to make some difficult tradeoffs,“ Trump’s top economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Monday on Fox News. „I spoke with the President about this very subject late last evening, so we’ll be looking at a number of different things. Let’s give it another week.“
WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF. AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO!
Trump hints possibility of less-restrictive approach in coronavirus fight
President Trump tweeted Sunday that his administration will reassess its response to the coronavirus outbreak at the end of the 15-day period that calls on Americans to limit their normal behaviors in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
De Blasio asks Trump to send military to New York
“The military is the best logistical organization in the nation. If there are ventilators being produced anywhere in the country, we need to get them to New York. Not weeks from now or months from now, in the next 10 days.“
“Why are they at their bases? Why are they not being allowed to serve?“ de Blasio said. “I guarantee you, they’re ready to serve. But the president has to give the order.“
Don’t let constitutional rights be a victim of this virus
But the Justice Department’s request doesn’t stop there. Instead, the department has also included an idea that should be immediately rejected: letting federal court chief judges halt all court proceedings during an emergency. This provision would apply to “any statutes or rules of procedure otherwise affecting pre-arrest, post-arrest, pre-trial, trial, and post-trial procedures in criminal and juvenile proceedings and all civil process and proceedings.”
DOJ seeks new emergency powers amid coronavirus pandemic
“Not only would it be a violation of that, but it says ‘affecting pre-arrest,’” said Norman L. Reimer, the executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. “So that means you could be arrested and never brought before a judge until they decide that the emergency or the civil disobedience is over. I find it absolutely terrifying. Especially in a time of emergency, we should be very careful about granting new powers to the government.”
House Sends Trump Bill to Restrict War Powers on Iran, Setting Up Veto
(11.03.2020)
The bipartisan measure amounts to an unusual rebuke of the president’s expansive war powers. President Trump has promised to veto it.
Congress Approves War Powers Resolution
(13.03.2020)
Sen. Tim Kaine introduced the resolution after President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike that killed a top Iranian general.
Bernie Sanders Is the Only Leading Presidential Candidate Publicly Opposing the Patriot Act
“I voted against the Patriot Act in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2015. I strongly oppose its reauthorization next month,” he tweeted on February 11. “I believe that in a democratic and constitutional form of government, we cannot sacrifice the civil liberties that make us a free country.”
Germany overturns ban on professionally assisted suicide
(today)
The court backed complaints by a group of terminally ill patients and doctors who challenged the law that made „commercial promotion of assisted suicide“ a criminal offence.
Assisted dying had been legal.
White House memo on Soleimani strike makes no mention of imminent threat
“This official report directly contradicts the president’s false assertion that he attacked Iran to prevent an imminent attack against United States personnel and embassies,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.). “The administration’s explanation in this report makes no mention of any imminent threat and shows that the justification the president offered to the American people was false, plain and simple.”
A spokesman for the National Security Council said the White House had no further comment beyond the memo.
Senate passes Iran War Powers resolution despite Trump’s opposition
The vote was 55-45. Eight Republicans voted in favor of it: Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Todd Young of Indiana, Mike Lee of Utah, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Jerry Moran of Kansas.
U.S. Senate expected to vote on Iran War Powers resolution | LIVE
The U.S. Senate are expected to hold a final vote on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020 on a War Powers resolution that is aimed at restricting President Donald Trump’s authority to launch military operations against Iran.
Senate poised to pass resolution to curb Trump’s war authority on Iran
The resolution underscores that Congress has the sole power to declare war, as laid out in the Constitution. The resolution also requires that any hostilities with Iran must be explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force. It does not prevent the U.S. from defending itself from an imminent attack.
U.S. Senate begins debating war powers resolution
The U.S. Senate has begun debating a war powers resolution, which was introduced by Senator Tim Kaine.
On Wednesday, Kaine spoke on the Senate floor, urging other members of the congressional chamber to pass the resolution to „prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran without congressional authorization.“
U.S. Senate advances resolution limiting Trump’s ability to wage war
The U.S. Senate advanced legislation on Wednesday intended to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to wage war against Iran, paving the way for a final vote as eight Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the war powers resolution.
House Votes ‚No War Against Iran,‘ In Rebuke To Trump
But the votes might be largely symbolic. The Republican-led Senate isn’t expected to take up the measures, and the White House has signaled that President Trump would veto them.
19 years ago, I cast the lone vote against the 2001 AUMF. The next year, more people joined me to vote against the 2002 Iraq AUMF. Now in 2020, even more have joined the bipartisan fight to repeal the AUMFs and #StopEndlessWar for good.
Today the House voted to repeal the 2002 #AUMF & reclaim Congress’s constitutional authority regarding war & peace. If @POTUS wants to use military force against Iran (or any nation) he must first come to Congress & seek authorization. #StopEndlessWar
BREAKING: The House JUST PASSED my amendment to finally repeal the 2002 AUMF. It’s more urgent than ever for Congress to do its job and prevent the President from using military force without Congressional authorization. #StopEndlessWar
House approves measure blocking funding for war with Iran
The House has approved a bill to block funding for military action against Iran.
In a largely party-line vote of 228-175, the House on Thursday passed the No War Against Iran Act offered by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
“The reality is that Congress needs to exercise the power of the purse,” Khanna told reporters ahead of the vote. “We need to make it very clear that Congress is not going to authorize a dime for an offensive war in Iran.”
House votes to rein in Trump’s military authority
The vote on the measure sponsored by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) came shortly after the House approved a bill from Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) that would block funding for military action against Iran.
HAPPENING TODAY: The House of Representatives will vote on @RepBarbaraLee ’s bill to repeal the outdated 2002 #AUMF. Repeal is a necessary first step in restoring some measure of balance on war powers. #CongressMustVote
“The President Has the Power to Basically Destroy the World”
Seventy-five years into the nuclear era, we still haven’t come to grips with the destructive force we’ve put in the hands of Donald Trump.
Demagogues like Trump try to divide us up. Our movement is about coming together to create a nation where every person is able to live with dignity. Live rally in Sioux City with @AOC, @MMFlint and @portugaltheman:
We are slipping into the very thing the revolution was fought on. We are moving to a monarchy. Americans really want a king – as long as it’s their king. Who’s left to stand for truth, justice or in many cases our republican system of government? They stand up for their party.
How is the Senate getting away with not voting on a privileged Iran war powers resolution introduced on January 3rd by @TimKaine and is @TimKaine planning to say anything about it?
Stop Trump from going to war with Iran
On January 9, 2020, the House passed their war powers resolution and this week it is the Senate’s turn. The vote will happen soon. Contact your Senators now and tell them to vote for Sen. Kaine’s war powers resolution! Ensure that trump can not take any further military actions against Iran without congressional approval.
Fill out the form below to send an email to your senators — overseas supporters can scroll down to sign the petition below.
Public pays steep price for Congress’s failure to reclaim war powers
The airstrike that killed Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani and the subsequent tensions between the United States and Iran have sparked a new debate in Congress over the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force, or AUMFs, against al Qaeda and Iraq. These nearly 20-year-old authorizations for war have been interpreted far too broadly by Republican and Democratic presidents alike. The AUMFs have been used as the justification for conducting military actions in several countries beyond what was originally intended, and it’s time for Congress to repeal them.
America Is Safer When Trump Alone Can’t Start a War
No matter who is president, Congress needs to re-establish its role in the use of force.
The Senate should act on legislation to limit Trump’s war-making powers
(17.01.2019)
Kudos to Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Todd C. Young (R-Ind.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) for their integrity in standing up for the resolution put forward by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) that joins the House to remind the administration that the Constitution gave Congress the right to declare war.
This campaign is not just about me. It is about building a movement of human solidarity and saying that when one of us hurts, all of us hurt.
Democrats Let Trump Off the Hook on Iran
Democrats scold and scorn Trump for his recklessness and ignorance. But as the Iranian crisis shows once again, the party’s leaders are not willing to challenge his claim that military might authorizes the United States (i.e., Trump, as president) to dictate and enforce the rules of behavior for the rest of the world. In effect, they are letting him slip off his own hook, and may well be helping him get re-elected.
Killing Soleimani Was a ‚Violation of National and International Law,‘ Former Nuremberg War Crimes Prosecutor Says
The U.S. strike that killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani flouted both national and international law, according to a former lawyer who helped prosecute Nazi leaders at the post-World War II Nuremberg trials.
Benjamin B. Ferencz, 99, wrote to The New York Times this week expressing his opposition to the drone strike that killed Soleimani and several others outside Baghdad International Airport earlier this month.
Trump’s War Against Iran Is an Impeachable Offense
What the president has already done justifies a third article of impeachment.
We differ in our politics. We agree on Congress’s power to declare war.
We have been at war in the Middle East for nearly two decades, under authorizations for use of military force (AUMFs) that our predecessors in Congress passed almost a generation ago. Men and women of our armed forces continue to risk their lives as presidents of both parties stretch these authorizations to justify often tenuously related military engagements. Rather than debating and voting on present conflicts, Congress habitually acquiesces to the executive branch’s actions. This must change; the Constitution demands it, and the people we represent deserve it.
Why we’re introducing a resolution on war with Iran
James Madison, the principal drafter of the Constitution, wrote that the history of mankind showed that the executive branch is “most interested in war, & most prone to it.”
For this reason, he noted that the Constitution, “with studied care, vested the question of war” in the legislature. Once initiated, the power to carry out military action does flow to the president as commander in chief. And the president always has the power to defend the nation from imminent attack. But even when the president acts unilaterally in response to an attack, that action must be brief and limited to addressing a specific threat. Any action beyond that scope requires an authorization by Congress.
Why Congress is not serious about the war powers in the Constitution
We are living in serious times, but these are not serious people. The House could have reasserted itself by repealing or rewriting the 2001 and 2002 authorizations for use of military force. This would have signaled that lawmakers take their responsibility in the Constitution seriously, but still they have done nothing, and they will continue to do nothing on this.
US Presidents and Congress Have Long Clashed Over War Powers
When the Constitution was being written and debated, the framers clearly wanted to break from the British political tradition of investing all war powers in the executive (the king), but they also knew that legislatures could be dangerously slow to respond to immediate military threats. So instead of granting Congress the power to “make” war, as was first proposed, founders like James Madison changed the language to “declare” war.
Madison was no fan of executive overreach—“the Executive is the branch of power most interested in war and most prone to it,” he wrote to Thomas Jefferson—but that change of wording in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution implied that the president, as commander in chief (Article II, Section 2), retained certain powers to “make” war, if not declare it himself.
S.J.Res.63 – A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
(1) Congress has the sole power to declare war under article I, section 8, clause 11 of the United States Constitution.
(2) Congress has not yet declared war upon, nor enacted a specific statutory authorization for use of military force against, the Islamic Republic of Iran. The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) against the perpetrators of the 9/11 attack and the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107–243; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) do not serve as a specific statutory authorization for war against Iran, and neither authorize any such action.
Democrats scramble to rein in Trump’s Iran war powers
Lawmakers looking to limit Trump’s ability to take military action against Iran face a tight time frame with little room for error after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced she will send the articles of impeachment to the Senate this week. Once the trial begins, all legislation is expected to be delayed for weeks.
But a resolution from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) can come to the Senate floor as soon as Tuesday morning, and he has been trying to win over the four GOP votes needed, in addition to every Democratic senator, to get to 51 votes.
S.J.Res.63 – A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
(1) Congress has the sole power to declare war under article I, section 8, clause 11 of the United States Constitution.
(2) Congress has not yet declared war upon, nor enacted a specific statutory authorization for use of military force against, the Islamic Republic of Iran. The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) against the perpetrators of the 9/11 attack and the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107–243; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) do not serve as a specific statutory authorization for war against Iran, and neither authorize any such action.
(…)
SEC. 2. Removal of United States Forces from Hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
(a) Removal of forces.—Pursuant to section 1013 of the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 (50 U.S.C. 1546a), and in accordance with the provisions of section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976, Congress hereby directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, by not later than the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force.
With Iran war powers resolution, Kaine finds new way to push his signature issue
He got a major break Wednesday when Republican Sens. Mike Lee (Utah) and Rand Paul (Ky.) told reporters they’d back his effort. Since then, Kaine said, he has spoken with eight or nine more senators from the 53-member GOP caucus, with more meetings planned.
He needs 51 votes for the resolution to pass. A vote could come as soon as Tuesday. Kaine said he has agreed to remove references to President Trump from the resolution — it would, of course, apply to all presidents — and to make other technical changes.
Democrats conflicted over how to limit Trump’s war powers
Senate Democrats are debating among themselves whether to take up a concurrent resolution passed by the House on Thursday limiting Trump’s war powers, or to stick with a proposal sponsored by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).
I’m glad to see my colleagues in the House are committed to our Constitutional duty of debating and voting on matters of war. We will vote on my bipartisan resolution in the Senate as early as next week.
Covering this resolution as „nonbinding“ is nonsensical. US code says this concurrent resolution is binding under the War Powers Resolution if passed by the Senate. Yes there are people who think that law is unconstitutional but it’s the law unless a federal court says otherwise.
House votes to curb Trump’s powers to take military action against Iran
The Democratic-controlled House passed the measure on Thursday by a vote of 224-194 with just three Republicans voting in support. Eight Democrats opposed the measure.
WATCH LIVE: House votes on restricting Trump’s ability to strike Iran
House Passes War Powers Resolution In Effort To Restrict Trump’s Actions Against Iran
The nonbinding war powers resolution was approved in a mostly party-line vote of 224-194. Only three Republicans and one independent joined Democrats to pass the measure. Eight Democrats opposed it.
The Senate could consider a similar measure — but one that has the force of law — as early as next week, but it is unclear if it has enough votes to clear the chamber.
After 19 years of endless war, the American people do not want another unnecessary war in the Middle East. Congress needs to exercise our constitutional responsibility to #StopEndlessWar. We must come together and stop the march to war. #NoWarWithIran
Watch live: House to vote on war powers resolution limiting Trump on Iran
Washington — The House is set to vote Thursday afternoon on a resolution limiting President Trump’s ability to engage in hostilities against Iran under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, as Democrats attempt to reassert Congress‘ constitutional authority to declare war amid a tense standoff with the Islamic Republic.
Nicolle Wallace astonished after GOP Senator breaks from Trump ‚zombies,‘ criticizes Iran briefing
GOP Senator Mike Lee expresses his displeasure with the briefing about the Iran missile attack, calling it the „worst briefing I’ve seen, at least on a military issue, in the nine years I’ve served in the United States Senate.“ Nicolle Wallace, responding to his comments, calls the moment a „huge deal,“ as „Republicans in the Senate are. by and large, zombies, walking along as Donald Trump obliterates things like truth, the rule of law, and respect for our institutions.“
Paul fires back at Graham over Iran criticism: ‚He insults the Constitution‘
Graham told reporters on Wednesday that he thought Paul and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) were „overreacting“ by criticizing comments made during a closed-door Iran briefing.
„They’re libertarians,“ Graham said. „I think they’re overreacting, quite frankly. Go debate all you want to. I’m going to debate you. Trust me, I’m going to let people know that at this moment in time to play this game with the war powers act … whether you mean to or not, you’re empowering the enemy.“
How many Republicans will vote to limit Trump’s war-making powers against Iran?
Trump faces an effort on Capitol Hill to limit his ability to strike out at Iran. We discuss with our panel.
With Iran, Congress will again be asked to exercise its war powers authority. Will it fail again?
With the expected House vote Thursday to limit President Trump’s military actions against Iran, Congress takes its latest stab at reaffirming its constitutional authority to declare war, part of a long-standing power struggle between the executive and legislative branches that has only grown murkier as the nature of global conflicts has changed.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced that the House would take up a War Powers Resolution that would limit the President’s military actions with Iran. The Senate has a companion bill that was introduced by Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine.
Senators introduce resolution warning that Congress has not authorized Iran war
Senators on Wednesday introduced a resolution stressing that neither the 2001 nor 2002 authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) covers a potential war with Iran.
The resolution, spearheaded by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), comes after days of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran in the wake of a U.S. airstrike that killed Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s top military general.
Pelosi’s move to boost moderate Elissa Slotkin, who will „lead“ the House resolution to restrict Trump’s war powers, is a dismissal of progressives @RoKhanna, @BernieSanders & others who have already passed legislation to restrict Trump’s ability to go to war with Iran.
Pelosi to Introduce War Powers Resolution to “Limit the President’s Military Actions Regarding Iran”
„This week, the House will introduce and vote on a War Powers Resolution to limit the President’s military actions regarding Iran. This resolution is similar to the resolution introduced by Senator Tim Kaine in the Senate. It reasserts Congress’s long-established oversight responsibilities by mandating that if no further Congressional action is taken, the Administration’s military hostilities with regard to Iran cease within 30 days.
The House Resolution will be led by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. Congresswoman Slotkin is a former CIA and Department of Defense analyst specializing in Shia militias. She served multiple tours in the region under both Democratic and Republican Administrations.“
Pompeo again declines to present evidence of ‚imminent‘ threat that led to strike against Iranian general
Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, along with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, is pushing for the declassification of Trump’s formal notification to Congress over Soleimani’s killing, which has sparked a dangerous escalation between the two longtime foes.
Several sources have told CNN that the notification was brief, contained few operational details and essentially laid out the President’s authorities to carry out the strike.
This Media Post will serve as a reminder that war powers reside in the Congress under the United States Constitution. And that you should read the War Powers Act. And that you’re not a dictator.
Majority of Senate Democrats enabled Trump’s unconstitutional airstrike
“Any member who voted for the NDAA — a blank check — can’t now express dismay that Trump may have launched another war in the Middle East,” thundered Khanna. “Our Congress let our nation down again by failing to stand up against a war in Iran.”
Khanna originally included legislation in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act that specifically would have prevented the president from carrying out Thursday’s airstrike (co-sponsored with Rep. Matt Gaetz, Republican from Florida), as did Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee.
INBOX: Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna are reintroducing their former amendment prohibiting funding for unauthorized, offensive force against Iran as standalone legislation. Earlier today Sen. Kaine also filed a war powers resolution to stop an unauthorized use of force.
STATEMENT: Sanders, Khanna Announce New Legislation to Block Funding for War with Iran
“Today, we are seeing a dangerous escalation that brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East. A war with Iran could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars and lead to even more deaths, more conflict, more displacement in that already highly volatile region of the world.
“War must be the last recourse in our international relations. That is why our Founding Fathers gave the responsibility over war to Congress. Congressional inaction in the face of the threat of a catastrophic and unconstitutional Middle East conflict is not acceptable.
“After authorizing a disastrous, $738 billion military budget that placed no restrictions on this president from starting an unauthorized war with Iran, Congress now has an opportunity to change course. Our legislation blocks Pentagon funding for any unilateral actions this president takes to wage war against Iran without Congressional authorization.“
Sen. Tim Kaine Will Force A Vote On War With Iran
Kaine and other Democrats have long pushed to allow the previous AUMFs to expire and require presidents to get new authorizations from Congress for new and ongoing conflicts. His resolution states that neither of these previous authorizations allows for war with Iran. “[The previous resolutions] do not serve as a specific statutory authorization for war against Iran, and neither authorize any such action,” the resolution states.
The Occupant was JUST impeached for abuse of power for political gain & now he is leading us to the brink of war because he believes it will help his re-election. We are sick of endless wars. Congress has the sole authority to declare war and we must deescalate. #NoWarWithIran
We cannot stay silent as this lawless President recklessly moves us closer to yet another unnecessary war that puts innocent lives at risk at home & across the globe. Congress alone has the authority to declare war, & we must reclaim our responsibility & say no to war with Iran.
They’re going to accuse anyone who cautions against war of “siding with our enemies” or “supporting terrorists.” This is the exact rhetoric that got us into the War in Iraq. Don’t fall for it.
Right now is the moment to decide if you are pro-peace or not. The cheerleaders of war, removed from its true cost, will gladly convince you that up is down – just as they did in Iraq in ‘03.
Bernie Addresses Trump’s Escalation in the Middle East at Anamosa Town Hall
Started streaming 47 minutes ago
Bernie Sanders will address Trump’s dangerous escalation in the Middle East at 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT.
Killing of Qassem Soleimani “an act of war…
The latest escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran following the targeted killing of Qassem Soleimani comes after a series of skirmishes between the two countries in recent months. “Face The Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss the ramifications of Soleimani’s assassination.
Authorizations for Madness; The Effects and Consequences of Congress’ Endless Permissions for War
(06.12.2019)
In both 2001 and 2002, via large majorities, the Congress passed authorizations for war. While not declarations of war, these mandates, each titled an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) provided the legal framework in 2001 for attacks against al-Qaeda and in 2002 for the invasion of Iraq. Since 2001, the first AUMF has far exceeded its original purpose and has been used to justify military strikes and operations in close to twenty countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, often against nations, organizations, and individuals who had nothing to do with 9/11. It was even cited by President Obama, and then President Trump, as the authority to extra-constitutionally execute an American citizen and his teenage children, without trial, by drones and commandos.
What Is the AUMF? The Repeal of This Policy Could Prevent War with Iran
(21.06.2019)
The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the sole power to declare war, but under the AUMF the president can essentially bypass any required congressional approval. This matter has become of particular concern lately as the Trump administration appears to be gearing up for conflict with Iran.
The US conducted airstrikes in Iraq over the objections of the Iraqi government. Now Iraqi protesters broke into the US Embassy. Trump’s malpractice in the region is making us less safe. Time for Congress to stop this foolish rush to war.
Iraq president Barham Salih offers to step down amid protests
He said that he would rather step down than pick a new prime minister rejected by demonstrators but as the constitution does not allow him to reject a nomination he would resign.
Parliament will now have to meet to discuss and vote on the resignation. If they endorse the move, Mr Salih will step down.
Iraq at the Crossroads: either Prime Minister al-Suheil or President Salih have to resign
(21.12.2019)
“President Barham Salih has his own candidate, the current head of intelligence Mustafa al-Kadhemi. There is no veto on the personality of Kadhemi; however, the serious problem is the attempt of the President to dismiss the power of the Parliament and his rejection of the will of the largest parliamentary coalition”, said the source.
Sources in Najaf stated “the Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Sistani has repeatedly stated that power emanates from the people and not from the President. It is the people and their representatives who make the decisions and if a new Prime Minister is rejected by the people he will not last long in office”.
It Seemed Like a Popular Chat App. It’s Secretly a Spy Tool.
A technical analysis and interviews with computer security experts showed that the firm behind ToTok, Breej Holding, is most likely a front company affiliated with DarkMatter, an Abu Dhabi-based cyberintelligence and hacking firm where Emirati intelligence officials, former National Security Agency employees and former Israeli military intelligence operatives work. DarkMatter is under F.B.I. investigation, according to former employees and law enforcement officials, for possible cybercrimes. The American intelligence assessment and the technical analysis also linked ToTok to Pax AI, an Abu Dhabi-based data mining firm that appears to be tied to DarkMatter.
Where Even the Children Are Being Tracked
As they go about their daily lives, many Pasadena residents we spoke with, like the rest of us, frequent locations whose populations for one reason or another could be vulnerable — because they attend mosques or synagogues or work at secure facilities, like NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We plucked one scientist at the lab out of the data, and when we tracked him down in real life and explained how we did it, he was alarmed. “Somebody who might want to get some information from [the lab] for instance, they might target me,” the scientist told us. “This will be a treasure trove for any spying agency, I would presume.” He asked that we preserve his anonymity in this story.
Total Surveillance Is Not What America Signed Up For
The largest such file known to have been examined by journalists, it reveals more than 50 billion location pings from the phones of more than 12 million Americans across several major cities.
By analyzing these pings, our journalists were able to track the movements of President Trump’s Secret Service guards and of senior Pentagon officials. They could follow protesters to their homes and stalk high-school students across Los Angeles. In most cases, it was child’s play for them to connect a supposedly anonymous data trail to a name and an address — to a real live human being.
New ruling means Supreme Court dodges Obamacare showdown, but legal fight rolls on
The New Orleans-based court ruled unconstitutional the individual insurance mandate — which the federal government was no longer enforcing — yet refused to resolve the most pressing issue: does that mean the rest of the law is also unconstitutional?
By a 2-1 vote, the appeals panel returned the case to a US district court judge for the start of another round of rulings.
It will now likely be months, perhaps even years, …
Nunes: Democrats have put people in ‚tremendous danger‘
(15.12.2019)
California Congressman Devin Nunes, Republican ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee demands Schiff to call on IG Horowitz to testify before House Intelligence Committee.
FISA court slams FBI over surveillance applications, in rare public order
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has dealt with some of the most sensitive matters of national security: terror threats and espionage. Its work, for the most part, cannot be examined by the American public, by order of Congress and the president. Its work has been mostly secret, its structure largely one-sided.
„The most unusual thing is that there is a body of law that the court has created, but as a practitioner that is part of that law, we have between zero and some very limited knowledge of what that law is,“ Michael Sussmann, a former Justice Department prosecutor and current private attorney in the consumer and computer-privacy field, told Fox News. „But, it’s the fact that there is a secret law and a secret body of law that makes it the most vexing.“
Letter from President Trump to Speaker Pelosi on Impeachment [Full Text]
The Articles of Impeachment introduced by the House Judiciary Committee are not recognizable under any standard of Constitutional theory, interpretation, or jurisprudence. They include no crimes, no misdemeanors, and no offenses whatsoever. You have cheapened the importance of the very ugly word, impeachment!
By proceeding with your invalid impeachment, you are violating your oaths of office, you are breaking your allegiance to the Constitution, and you are declaring open war on American Democracy.
Pelosi calls Trump impeachment letter ‚ridiculous‘ and ‚really sick‘
Pelosi told reporters on Capitol Hill that she had not gotten the opportunity to read the full letter, which accused Democrats of waging an “unconstitutional abuse of power” by moving forward with an impeachment vote over Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.
“I’ve seen the essence of it, though, and it’s really sick,” Pelosi said as she walked through the halls of Congress.
Pelosi on eve of impeachment vote: ‚In America, no one is above the law‘
„No Member came to Congress to impeach a President. But every one of us, as our first act as a Member of Congress, stood on the House Floor, raised our hand and took a sacred oath: ‚I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.‘ That oath makes us Custodians of the Constitution. If we do not act, we will be derelict in our duty,“ she wrote.
I Headed the F.B.I. and C.I.A. There’s a Dire Threat to the Country I Love.
(today)
The privilege of being the only American in our history to serve as the director of both the F.B.I. and the C.I.A. gives me a unique perspective and a responsibility to speak out about a dire threat to the rule of law in the country I love. Order protects liberty, and liberty protects order. Today, the integrity of the institutions that protect our civil order is, tragically, under assault from too many people whose job it should be to protect them.
The rule of law is the bedrock of American democracy, the principle that protects every American from the abuse of monarchs, despots and tyrants. Every American should demand that our leaders put the rule of law above politics.
‚Fast and Furious‘ impeachment looks like a rush to a failed case
Indeed, another Jackson ruling went a step even further in denouncing “the proposition that the executive may assert an unreviewable right to withhold materials from the legislature” as an offense to the very foundations of our constitutional system. However, those were the words of a different Jackson, Judge Amy Berman Jackson, about a different president, Barack Obama. He withheld evidence in the “Fast and Furious” investigation of the murder of an agent with a gun supplied to criminal gangs by the federal government. Obama not only withheld witness testimony and evidence but also claimed that a court could not even review his order.
Pelosi: ‘This is about the Constitution’ | Impeachment This Week
When lawmakers returned from Thanksgiving, the House Judiciary Committee took over the impeachment inquiry into President Trump as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Democrats will move forward. Come inside the impeachment inquiry with The Washington Post.
My personal commitment is to always treat you and all Americans with respect. Working side-by-side, we can defeat the divisiveness of Donald Trump, and usher in a 21st century of peace, human dignity, & true equality. Working side by side, we can make Dr. King’s dream our reality
If John Bolton Keeps Refusing to Testify, Congress Should Arrest Him
The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that each chamber of Congress can hold a person in contempt for flouting a legislative subpoena, and – as Justice Brandeis explained in Jurney v. MacCracken – each chamber may also coerce obedience “by means of arrest.” In other words, the House Sergeant at Arms may take people into physical custody until they provide information withheld from Congress.
.@SpeakerPelosi: “A system of checks and balances—that’s a republic, if we can keep it. And we have the responsibility to keep it as custodians of the Constitution. We are defenders of our democracy.“
(13.11.2019)
Chilean Elites Cannot Be Trusted to Write New Constitution, Activists Say
But protesters say the people should be involved with the rewriting of the constitution from the beginning and that this is an attempt by Sebastián Piñera’s government to delay political and social reforms in Chile.
.@RepJayapal: „At the end of the day, we are going to need Republicans to decide if they’re going to stand up for their constituents and our democracy and the Constitution or if they’re going to stick with the President.“
#NEW: .@RepMarkWalker speaks out against the impeachment inquiry into Pres. Trump: „The American people are being shut out. House Democrats are bypassing Constitutional norms and basic standards of due process with their impeachment obsession.“
Rand Paul: Kurds are better off aligned with Assad
“There is a chance that Assad and Erdoğan — if Assad will guarantee his side of the border — that there could be a retreat of Turkey back within its borders and you actually could maybe set up something where the Kurds actually get some provincial or semi-autonomous control,” he told Hill.TV.
Kurds in Syria Ready to Negotiate With Damascus as Turkish Operation Looming – Official
„In order for the AANES to continue to safeguard the people’s rights and play a role in all Syria, an agreement with Damascus is necessary. This is why we have repeatedly tried, either directly or through Russia, to hold dialogue with Damascus and reach a political agreement to end the Syrian crisis and confront the agendas seeking the division of the Syrian territory“, Badran Jiakurd, an adviser to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, said.
Will the Supreme Court Hand Trump Even More Power?
The version of the “unitary executive” put forth by Mr. Trump, the Justice Department and the shareholders would open the door for a president to fire for any reason — even personal reasons unrelated to the public interest or even for no reason at all — any head of an administrative agency, including the heads of “independent agencies” like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as well as the Federal Reserve, the Federal Trade Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. (These agency heads are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.)
White House Subpoenaed in House Impeachment Inquiry
Washington, D.C. (Oct. 4, 2019)—Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, Rep. Adam Schiff, the Chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Rep. Eliot L. Engel, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, sent a letter conveying a subpoena to White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney for key documents as part of the House of Representatives’ impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.
Japan’s Abe prioritizes economy, urges debate on Constitution in policy speech
„Let us fulfill our responsibility as Diet members to the people,“ Abe told the session, with reference to the politically and socially divisive issue of changing Japan’s pacifist charter for the first time since World War II.
Pelosi tells Democrats to focus on Constitution, not Trump
The aide said the Speaker told members the inquiry “isn’t about politics” or partisanship — “It’s about patriotism,” she said.
“The idea that this has anything to do with whether you like him or not — forget that. That’s about the election. This is about the Constitution,” Pelosi said, according to an aide.