Once again, I have written more than anticipated and I hope you read it all.
I received and appreciated quite a bit of positive feedback from my prior post regarding the presidency not existing in a vacuum. I have almost always been on the mailing list for all Congress members who represent me regardless of whether I supported their candidacy or not and I have been curious how those for whom I am a constituent would react to the current White House.
Donald Trump has signed an executive order demanding Guantanamo Bay be ready to hold 30,000 immigrants while some in Texas have called to build another detention facility there. This is not normal.
Elon Musk has been given significant discretion to seemingly do whatever he wants and has taken over the payment systems for the federal government. The position he took over (DOGE was renamed from the U.S. Digital Service) is supposed to give advice to federal agencies on digital security, not take over such systems. ππ‘π’π¬ π’π¬ π§π¨π π§π¨π«π¦ππ₯.
The President has signed numerous executive orders significantly impacting foreign partnerships via tariffs, including effectively ripping up the trade pact he himself negotiated with Mexico and Canada (USMCA) by placing tariffs on some of our biggest trade partners. ππ‘π’π¬ π’π¬ π§π¨π π§π¨π«π¦ππ₯.
The President has attempted to overturn the birthright citizenship section of the 14th amendment, which is clearly a part of the U.S. Constitution and has been approved and ratified by the states. ππ‘π’π¬ π’π¬ π§π¨π π§π¨π«π¦ππ₯.
The President has fired many federal workers across numerous agencies, including related to aviation security, and after casting blame for a tragic crash he proceeded to request further resignations from Air Traffic Controllers less than 24 hours later. ππ‘π’π¬ π’π¬ π§π¨π π§π¨π«π¦ππ₯.
The President has pardoned thousands who were convicted for breaching the capitol on January 6th, 2020, including many who had also previously been convicted for other violent crimes. This is not normal.
The new administration has announced investigations of NPR and PBS, two news stations that have been critical of Donald Trump, which is well within their first amendment right and a signal to other news outlets to stay away from criticizing him. ππ‘π’π¬ π’π¬ π§π¨π π§π¨π«π¦ππ₯.
So what are my congressional representatives doing? Zach Nunn has sent standard emails about legislation he is trying to pass. Joni Ernst is celebrating her initiative in passing Sarahβs Law. Chuck Grassley is praising the Laken Riley Act. They are simply acting like everything is business as usual.
π π«ππ’πππ«πππ: ππ‘π’π¬ π’π¬ π§π¨π π§π¨π«π¦ππ₯.
I understand the counterpoint that there were issues with the federal government and significant changes were necessary. I donβt understand pushing such drastic measures from the executive and I cannot fathom why Congress is willingly ceding their constitutional authority.
Why arenβt those who represent me standing up to this administration? I have heard all three of these members of Congress stand up and argue against almost literally every action of the prior administration and yet, they are too scared to speak up against Donald Trump. I know not everyone reading is represented by the same politicians I am, but I encourage you all to research what your representation is saying and doing and please share your thoughts with them. While the courts are a check on the presidency, it is ultimately Congress that has the power to legislate and truly curb the power of the presidency.
Once again, I welcome civil responses to my post and would like to promote a return to calm, bipartisan discussion.
Note: This was originally posted to Facebook on Feburary 2nd, 2025.