Archiv: unitary executive theory / imperial presidency / exekutive Eigenverantwortung / Staatswohl


19.08.2026 - 14:52 [ FloridaTrib.org ]

Angie Nixon, progressive Jacksonville firebrand, wins Democratic primary for U.S. Senate

Vindman ran a centrist camapaign focused on corruption and the need for congressional checks on the Trump administration. But some strategists have said his campaign was a sleepy one, centered more on the general election than on the primary, where he faced an experienced campaigner.

Vindman declined to debate Nixon during the campaign. He conceded the race Tuesday night, applauding her “hard work” and Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate. “”I will be standing by her,” he said, “and my hope is that she wins this election, because again, the stakes couldn’t be higher.”

13.08.2026 - 05:40 [ Jacobin ]

Die USA wollen Kuba aushungern

Wenn GECOMEX keine derartigen Maschinen und Ausrüstung importieren kann, sind seine Tochtergesellschaften nicht in der Lage, Agrarrohstoffe wie Weizen und Bohnen effizient zu verarbeiten. Dies führt wiederum dazu, dass weniger Grundnahrungsmittel ihren Weg in die kubanischen Haushalte finden.

Die Sanktionen gegen den Hafenbetreiber GEMAR sind noch gravierender: Sie verursachen Compliance-Risiken für jedes Schifffahrtsunternehmen, das Liegegebühren in Kuba zahlt. Mehr als 7.000 Container mit Bestimmungsort Havanna sind daher aktuell in der Karibik gestrandet, nachdem Unternehmen wie Hapag-Lloyd und CMA CGM aufgrund der rechtlichen Unsicherheit ihre Aktivitäten in Kuba vorerst eingestellt haben.

13.08.2026 - 05:36 [ Jacobin ]

After Blocking Fuel, the US Turns to Cuba’s Food Supply

In July, the US State Department announced a round of broad economic sanctions against Cuba targeting industries that have historically been spared, limiting the Cuban government’s ability to purchase agricultural commodities and food processing equipment from third countries by singling out Cuba’s state importer (GECOMEX) and port operator (GEMAR).

This is happening in the context of America’s monthslong oil blockade against Cuba, which has already immiserated the general population by impeding basic sanitation and food safety and has killed scores of patients in Cuban hospitals. A US congressional delegation that visited in early July described the situation on the ground as a “silent Gaza.”

13.08.2026 - 05:27 [ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) / Büro des Hohen Kommissars für Menschenrechte ]

U.S. sanctions against Cuba are endangering lives and must be lifted

(June 8, 2026)

The U.S. declaration of a national emergency in January disrupted fuel shipments to Cuba, severely reducing the country‘s fuel reserves by mid-May. This depletion has led to daily blackouts that now frequently exceed 20 hours. Additional sanctions were imposed in May, including some with extraterritorial effect on private entities, such as traders, insurers, tourism or shipping companies, financial institutions, and others involved in fuel supply or engaged with the country‘s energy, defence, mining, finance, and security sectors.

These measures, combined, are significantly affecting the population’s human rights, notably their access to essential supplies and services, including water, food and healthcare.

13.08.2026 - 04:47 [ Common Dreams ]

Mysterious Attacks on Ecuadorian Fishers Raise Fears of Expanded US Boat Bombings

According to the Times, it was registered to a private company whose address was a UPS store mailbox in Virginia, deepening the mystery over who was operating it—and for whom.

“It would be one thing if the US didn’t have an overt maritime strike campaign, but they do, and they’re posting snuff films of boats going up in flames regularly,” Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer who specializes in the laws of war, told the Times.

“And that’s what makes this even more squirrelly,” added Finucane, now a senior adviser in the US Program at the International Crisis Group. “Who are these people that are operating, and under what authority? And they are using a UPS store as their company address? Come on.”

13.08.2026 - 03:46 [ Time Magazine ]

How the Iran-Contra Scandal Impacts American Politics Today

(May 14, 2025)

The revelation of the intertwined scandals captivated Americans. Between the fall of 1986 and the fall of 1987, more than seven out of 10 Americans watched some of the televised congressional hearings about Iran-Contra. But once it became clear that Democrats would not impeach Reagan, public interest waned. Unlike Watergate, when a smoking gun tape implicated President Richard Nixon, to many, the 1980s scandal seemed a blur of byzantine Cold War diplomacy, opaque Swiss bank accounts, and a large cast of forgettable middlemen. The country boxed up the ugly affair and stored it in the attic of its memory.

It did so even as the scandal persisted and investigators indicted dozens of administration officials. In 1988, Reagan’s vice president, George H.W. Bush, won the presidency, and throughout his entire administration, those responsible for Iran-Contra dodged the political and legal consequences of their actions.

03.08.2026 - 23:24 [ Singjupost.com ]

Tucker Responds to the Israel Lobby Defeating Thomas Massie (Transcript)

(May 21, 2026)

They’re mad at Massie. Why? One Republican out of 217 who hasn’t taken money from the Israeli lobby. Why are they so mad at him? Why was it so important for the Israeli lobby to spend tens of millions of dollars to crush this guy?

It wasn’t stopping really the status quo in any way. He did help get some of the Epstein files released, and God bless him for that. He tried his hardest. But one man against 216 other members of his party is not going to get very far by definition, so why don’t you just leave him alone? Why force the issue?

30.07.2026 - 15:01 [ Antiwar.com ]

Rep. Massie Joins Democrats in Attempt To Sue White House Over Iran War

(July 27, 2026)

The War Powers Resolution was passed by both the House and Senate in June, marking the first time Congress approved a concurrent resolution under the 1973 War Powers Act directing the termination of an unauthorized war.

Section 5(c) of the 1973 War Powers Act states that “at any time that United States Armed Forces are engaged in hostilities outside the territory of the United States, its possessions and territories without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization, such forces shall be removed by the President if the Congress so directs by concurrent resolution.”

30.07.2026 - 14:58 [ Fox News ]

Trump critic Massie joins Democrats in unprecedented bid to sue White House over Iran war

(July 27, 2026)

Massie accused Trump and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth of being „in blatant violation of two sections of the War Powers Resolution of 1973.“

„For the first time since the law was enacted, a concurrent resolution has passed in accordance with 5(c) of the law, but the White House has ignored it. It seems they’ve assumed the law is unconstitutional, but no court has ever found that to be the case, so the law remains on the books while the White House flouts it. In the 1983 case INS v. Chadha, the Supreme Court did not opine on the 1973 War Powers Resolution. It’s time for the courts to settle this, and that’s what our legislation directs,“ Massie said.

30.07.2026 - 14:45 [ Common Dreams ]

Congress Hasn’t Authorized Trump’s Iran War—or Ended It

Congress has not authorized Trump’s Iran war. Until lawmakers either define and limit the mission or stop paying for it, troops and civilians will remain trapped between a president claiming the power to continue and a legislature unwilling to take responsibility for ending it.

28.07.2026 - 17:07 [ Daniel Neun / Radio Utopie ]

Haben „Europäische Union“ oder N.A.T.O. die Notstandsgesetze in Deutschland aktiviert?

(December 8, 2016)

Am 30. Mai 1968 beschloss der Bundestag mit den Stimmen der damaligen „großen Koalition“ das „Siebzehnte Gesetz zur Ergänzung des Grundgesetzes“. Diese Verfassungsänderungen, die u.a. die Gewaltenteilung für das Grundrecht der Bürger auf Brief-, Post- und Fernmeldegeheimnis aufhob und damit die Grundlage für den jahrzehntelangen Totalausfall der Demokratie und Willkür im geheimdienstlichen Komplex schufen, wurden seinerzeit „Notstandsgesetze“ genannt.

Die eigentlichen Notstandsgesetze aber entstanden erst nach 1968. Über die Jahrzehnte wurden eine bis heute öffentlich nicht bekannte Zahl von ausführenden Gesetzen, Verordnungen bzw „Bestimmungen“ oder „Rechtsvorschriften“ (z.B. Dienstvorschriften in Militär und Geheimdiensten) quasi als juristische „Schläfer“ geschaffen, um „nach Maßgabe“ des neuen Verfassungsartikels 80a im Falle des Falles in Kraft zu treten.

Aber welchen Falles? Und durch wen?

(…)

Ein „internationales Organ“ kann also „im Rahmen eines Bündnisvertrages mit Zustimmung der Bundesregierung“ „Rechtsvorschriften“ unter Bezug auf Grundgesetz Artikel 80a zur Anwendung bringen. Und das selbst unter Umgehung der Feststellung von Verteidigungsfall und Spannungsfall durch den Bundestag.

Wie Absatz 3 Satz 2 von Artikel 80a besagt, müssen diese „Maßnahmen“ von derart in Kraft getretenen Notstandsgesetzen bzw „Rechtsvorschriften“ wieder aufgehoben werden, „wenn der Bundestag es mit der Mehrheit seiner Mitglieder verlangt“.

Was aber, wenn der Bundestag gar nicht weiß, dass solche „Maßnahmen“ überhaupt existieren? Oder nichts vom entsprechenden Beschluss eines „internationalen Organs“ erfahren hat? Oder zumindest die überwältigende Mehrheit der Abgeordneten im Dunkeln gehalten wurde, z.B. von den eingeweihten Fraktionsführungen?

28.07.2026 - 16:41 [ Netzpolitik.org ]

Vorbereitung für den Ausnahmezustand

„Der Zustimmungsfall wird dann relevant, wenn der Bundestag einzelne Regelungen in Kraft setzen will, die im Spannungsfall gelten würden, aber den Spannungsfall insgesamt noch nicht ausrufen will“, sagt Hegemann. Für diese einzelnen Regeln reicht dann wie bei regulären Gesetzen grundsätzlich eine einfache Mehrheit im Parlament.

Das geplante BND-Gesetz formuliert für alle drei Fälle Regeln. Vor allem aber ändert es den Mechanismus, wie der Zustimmungsfall für das BND-Gesetz ausgelöst werden kann. Das soll sich am Zustimmungsfall aus dem Grundgesetz „orientieren“, aber umgeht dabei das Plenum des Bundestags.

An die Stelle eines regulären parlamentarischen Verfahrens soll nämlich ein Vorschlag der Bundesregierung treten, dem das Parlamentarische Kontrollgremium zustimmen müsste. Dann könnten einzelne oder alle Regelungen des Gesetzes zum Spannungs- und Verteidigungsfall „freigeschaltet“ werden. Dass der Bundestag als Ganzes dabei außen vor bliebe, hat noch einen weiteren Effekt: „Eine Veröffentlichung ist nicht vorgesehen.

24.07.2026 - 11:58 [ CBS News ]

Senate fails to advance latest attempt to limit Trump‘s Iran war powers

The Senate rejected the latest attempt to rein in President Trump‘s war powers in Iran on Thursday, soon after the House adopted a separate measure rebuking the president amid escalations in the conflict in recent days.

In a 47 to 49 vote, one Republican — Susan Collins of Maine — joined Democrats in voting to advance the measure. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the sole Democrat to oppose. Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky, who have previously supported similar war powers efforts, did not vote.

24.07.2026 - 10:37 [ CNN ]

Trump’s DOJ says it will withdraw subpoenas targeting NY Times reporters

The Justice Department opened a leak investigation and took aggressive steps to identify the officials who spoke with The Times. Some officials were asked to turn over their cell phones at the White House, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

Some of the subpoenas — which are court orders compelling a person to testify — were delivered by FBI agents at the reporters’ homes.

The Times publicized the legal threat right away and aggressively fought back, calling the subpoenas a “bad faith effort to harass and intimidate” the news media.

The Justice Department said it was not targeting the reporters; it was pursuing the leakers of classified information.

23.07.2026 - 18:58 [ Fox News ]

4 House Republicans rebel against Trump, vote with Dems to block Iran war powers

Thursday‘s vote is largely symbolic, and the resolution will not go to Trump’s desk for signature if the Senate chamber were also to pass it.

But Democrats‘ war powers effort underscores that the war in Iran is continuing to divide Republicans, several of whom have complained the White House has not given enough visibility to Congress about the military’s actions.

Just 34% of voters approve of Trump‘s handling of Iran, according to a Fox News poll released Wednesday.

23.07.2026 - 18:52 [ Associated Press ]

House again passes resolution seeking to halt military action in Iran as some Republicans defect

The 214-208 vote requiring congressional approval for the war comes as the Senate is expected to consider a similar resolution later Thursday morning. Though the votes forced by Democrats are largely symbolic, they are meant as a strong signal to the Republican president that his support on Capitol Hill is chipping away as the war drags on and lawmakers in both parties have questioned his administration’s endgame.

The war has had “no clear mission, no strategy, no end goal,” said Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat who led the resolution on the House floor.

22.07.2026 - 15:08 [ Thomas Massie, U.S. Representative / X ]

Unfortunately the Rule passed just now and no debate or vote was allowed on section 219, integration of US military technology and supply chains with Israel’s. The NDAA will receive a recorded vote tomorrow with section 219 in it. I’ll vote no.

7:11 PM · Jul 21, 2026

22.07.2026 - 14:50 [ Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez / X ]

Tomorrow, the House will vote on the NDAA, which includes a provision to merge parts of our military with the IDF. This amendment is an existential threat to American sovereignty and democracy. Every member of Congress must vote NO.

12:49 AM · Jul 22, 2026

22.07.2026 - 14:38 [ Antiwar.com ]

House Rule Advances 2027 NDAA With Section to Integrate US and Israeli Militaries

The House on Tuesday approved a procedural vote to advance the $1.15 trillion 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a section to further integrate the US and Israeli militaries, a plan that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said was his idea.

The rule to allow floor debate and a vote on the NDAA and several pieces of legislation passed in a 214-211 vote, and a final vote on the House’s version of the NDAA is expected to take place on Wednesday. The procedural step came after the House Rules Committee denied a vote on an amendment introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to strip Section 219, the Israeli integration plan, from the bill.

22.07.2026 - 12:40 [ Middle East Eye ]

‚America killed my son‘: The Ethiopians bombed by US in Yemen prison strike

Born into poverty and with little opportunity at home, Hiwot Mehari took the dangerous smuggling route out of Ethiopia and across the Red Sea to Yemen, from where he hoped to reach Saudi Arabia.

After two years in the deadly border region between Yemen and Saudi Arabia known as Rago, Mehari was caught by border security men and thrown into prison.

On 28 April 2025, he became one of dozens of Ethiopians killed in a US air strike on a migrant detention in Saada, northwest Yemen.

The next day, at noon, Mehari’s parents received the news at home from a neighbour in the Tsirae district of war-ravaged Tigray.

22.07.2026 - 12:15 [ Antwar.com ]

Trump Suggests He Could Restart Yemen Bombing Campaign in Response to Red Sea Blockade

President Trump on Tuesday suggested he could restart a bombing campaign in Yemen in response to the Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, enforcing a blockade on the Red Sea.

Trump’s comments came after Ansar Allah announced a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, which came a week after the Saudis bombed Yemen’s Sanaa airport to prevent the landing of a plane carrying a Yemeni delegation from Iran to enforce its long-standing blockade on the country that was eased under a 2022 ceasefire deal but never fully lifted.

22.07.2026 - 12:08 [ CNN ]

On Iran, a $37 billion price tag and no answers on how it ends

Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, came armed with an $87.6 billion Trump administration supplemental request that includes more than $67 billion for the war and other Pentagon spending.

And as Hegseth announced that the conflict had racked up $37.5 billion in costs, it is expanding. More US troops died over the weekend, bringing the death toll to 18; CNN reported that 100 American personnel had been injured since early July;

22.07.2026 - 12:04 [ Common Dreams ]

‚Imagine All the Better Things That Could Have Been Done‘: Trump Has Blown $37.5 Billion on Iran War

That figure came from a line of questioning by US Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), as Hegseth appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee to support Trump‘s June supplemental funding request, which includes tens of billions for the Pentagon.

Hegseth told Durbin that the $37.5 billion estimate includes what‘s been spent so far, plus some projected spending through the end of the fiscal year in September—an exchange quickly met with fury by various critics, many of whom pointed out the range of ways that money could have been better spent by an administration allegedly dedicated to combating „waste, fraud, and abuse.“

20.07.2026 - 19:53 [ Common Dreams ]

Trump ‚Planning for Wider War‘ in Iran—With Possible Ground Invasion—as US Bombing Escalates

An unnamed US official told The Washington Post on Sunday that the Trump administration is „planning for a wider war“ in Iran, though the official warned that US forces likely lack the weapons capacity to „safely sustain operations.“ The official said they don‘t believe that „the White House is aware of that.“

The anonymous official‘s comments corroborated reporting last week indicating that Trump, who has not sought or received congressional authorization for the Iran war, is leaning toward expanding the assault, possibly with ground forces.

„Trump hosted a Situation Room meeting Tuesday evening to discuss the potential seizure of Kharg Island and other territory along the Strait of Hormuz using US troops, as well as the potential bombing of a tunnel complex at Pickaxe Mountain, a nuclear-linked site the US has yet to target,“ The Wall Street Journal reported. „Expanding airstrikes against more targets in Iran, including energy sites, also remains a possibility.“

20.07.2026 - 19:42 [ Hamidreza Azizi, Visiting Fellow @SWPBerlin / X ]

Is the United States Preparing for a Ground Invasion of #Iran?

(July 16, 2026)

The escalating pattern of U.S. strikes against southern Iran in recent days – particularly over the past several hours – may point to a gradual strategy aimed at preparing the ground for a potential deployment of ground forces. Such an operation, if it were to materialize, could be intended to seize control of Iran’s southern coastal belt in order to remove Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz.

16.07.2026 - 14:46 [ Time Magazine ]

Trump Administration Vows to Dismantle the International Criminal Court

(July 14, 2026)

The ICC was established by a 2002 treaty to investigate and prosecute war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity when a member of the treaty is unable or unwilling to prosecute the crimes on its own. The U.S. signed but never ratified the Rome Statute, and the ICC has never opened an investigation into alleged crimes committed on U.S. territory.

The court has, however, taken actions against President Donald Trump’s ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It has also opened investigations into American actions overseas, including alleged war crimes committed by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. Some human rights organizations and legal experts have also argued that U.S. strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific and the U.S. abduction of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro could fall within the ICC’s jurisdiction, as Venezuela is a party to the Rome Statute. The ICC has not opened a formal investigation into the U.S. conduct.

16.07.2026 - 14:27 [ U.S. Department of State ]

State Department Launches Campaign to Dismantle International Criminal Court’s Threat to American Sovereignty

(July 13, 2026)

Actions under consideration include:

– Diplomatic calls from the Secretary of State, Deputy Secretary, ambassadors, and other members of senior leadership to foreign nations highlighting the abuses of the ICC and the risks posed to Americans and other nations urging them to withdraw from the ICC

– Nations that partner with American law enforcement and the U.S. military or that enjoy the benefits of the U.S. security umbrella are called upon to reject the ICC’s purported authority to prosecute American officials and servicemen

– Increased scrutiny of nations that refuse to reject the ICC’s false authority while relying on U.S. assistance

– Diplomatic calls urging other nations that, like America, that are not party to the Rome Statute to leverage their diplomatic networks to take similar actions alongside us

– Visa revocations and travel bans for ICC personnel

– Increased sanctions against the ICC and affiliated organizations

15.07.2026 - 12:41 [ Antiwar.com ]

Senate Democrats Block Advancement of $1.1 Trillion NDAA Over Iran War

Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked the advancement of the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, citing President Trump’s war with Iran, which continues to rage following the collapse of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding.

The NDAA would provide the Pentagon with over $1.1 trillion in funding as part of the White House’s plan for a $1.5 trillion military budget for 2027, a nearly 50% increase from this year. The bill also includes an amendment, Section 1217, to further merge the US and Israeli militaries under a plan being pushed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A procedural vote of 50-46 fell well short of the 60 votes that it needed to advance the NDAA. Every Democrat, except two who weren’t present for the vote — Senators Jon Fetterman (PA) and Alex Padilla (CA) — voted against advancing the sprawling military spending bill.

15.07.2026 - 12:29 [ Common Dreams ]

How Section 219, the US-Israel Military Merger, Would Thwart American Democracy

(July 13, 2026)

The House provision, which has a Senate version known as Section 1217, would also forbid the president of the United States from limiting intelligence collaboration with Israel over its human rights abuses. If the President ever wants to limit such collaboration, he or she must tell Congress and can only cite American national security as a basis.

In other words, these bills would connect the US and Israeli militaries in unprecedented ways and make it exceedingly difficult for any future president to unwind this partnership with a foreign government.