Tag: Trump doesn’t understand the Constitution

A constitutional scholar explains why Trump’s understanding of the US system is haphazard at best

AlterNet logoPresident Donald Trump recently attempted to explain the complex relationship between the federal government and the states, as outlined by the framers in 1787.

“[Y]ou can call it ‘federalist,’ you can call it ‘the Constitution,’ but I call it ‘the Constitution,’” he said at a briefing by the Coronavirus Task Force.

Trump’s statement, along with several others he has made recently, highlights one of the key issues that has affected America’s response to the coronavirus pandemic: federalism. Continue reading.

Trump says his ‘authority is total.’ Constitutional experts have ‘no idea’ where he got that.

Washington Post logoWhen President Trump was asked during Monday’s news briefing what authority he has to reopen the country, he didn’t hesitate to answer. “I have the ultimate authority,” the president responded, cutting off the reporter who was speaking.

Trump later clarified his position further, telling reporters, “When somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is total and that’s the way it’s got to be. … It’s total. The governors know that.”

The local leaders, Trump said, “can’t do anything without the approval of the president of the United States.” Continue reading.