Could Trump and Company Destroy Us?

[henry quirk]

it's not clear that Musk and DOGE have the authority to shut down agencies and programs approved by Congress.

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https://justthenews.com/government/cour ... y-existing

A federal judge on Wednesday reaffirmed his temporary restraining order against the Trump administration's efforts to freeze billions of dollars in federal grants and loans, but clarified that President Donald Trump does have the authority to pause federal spending if it complies with existing regulations.

Judge John J. McConnell Jr. previously ruled that the White House defied his recent court order to unfreeze the billions of dollars in aid, which stems from funds that were expected to be paused by the Office of Management and Budget.

The Trump administration appealed McConnell's earlier decision on Monday, but a federal appeals court declined to hear the case and urged McConnell to clarify his order quickly to avoid any further confusion.

McConnell on Wednesday stated that the federal government, including the president, does still have the right to pause federal spending, but has to do so in accordance with preexisting laws, the Washington Examiner reported.

“The [court’s previous order] does not bar both the President and much of the Federal Government from exercising their own lawful authorities to withhold funding,” McConnell wrote.

The judge also emphasized that the federal government does not need the court's permission to halt spending if it's clearly within existing guidelines.

"The [restraining order] nor the Court’s subsequent Order require the Defendants to seek ‘preclearance’ from the Court before acting to terminate funding when that decision is based on actual authority in the applicable statutory, regulatory, or grant terms," McConnell added.

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So, shortly, Congress and/or the Supreme Court is gonna clarify things.

Five bucks sez RED MAN DEFIANT is (mostly) gonna get his way.

[promethean75]

Well i think his ex complaining about Elon having their son in public like that is nonsense. I thought his boy sitting on his shoudlers at the white house like that was adorable.

[Immanuel Can]

What do you mean by "stop the investigations"? Who is trying to stop investigations and what "investigations" are you referring to?

Wow. So you haven't been watching any news? DOGE is investigating USAID, the Department of Education, and a whole bunch of other agencies, and have already uncovered oceans of waste, graft and corruption. Just check out the list of nonsense that USAID was getting away with taking money for, for example...and remember that every penny of it was coming out of the pockets of ordinary people like you.

Unfortunately, it's not clear that Musk and DOGE have the authority to shut down agencies and programs approved by Congress.

Trump has the authority.

There are supposed to be checks and balances that prevent a single branch of the government from taking over and assuming dictatorial power.

The Dems never thought so. The whole executive level is appointed or hired, not voted in. They have no more right to their place at the public trough than anybody.

Congress approves budgets, not the Executive branch.

But they do not designate the specific uses of those funds. That's decided by the executive.

Let me ask you this: would you think tax dollars should go to things like the relief of the flood victims in the American northeast and fire victims in California, or to transition surgeries in Guatemala, DEI theatre in Ireland, and lessons in modern art appreciation for women in Afghanistan?

[Alexiev]

[

Let me ask you this: would you think tax dollars should go to things like the relief of the flood victims in the American northeast and fire victims in California, or to transition surgeries in Guatemala, DEI theatre in Ireland, and lessons in modern art appreciation for women in Afghanistan?

I think we should give at least $1 billion for DEI theatre in Ireland, or I would if I had any idea what DEI theatre is. I also think we should spell "theatre" as "theater" and send anyone who spells it "theatre" to prison in Guamtanemo. Then we should water board them until they repeat the phrase, "Elvira Perez misrepresents the trans experience" 50 times.

Any other questions?

[Immanuel Can]

Let me ask you this: would you think tax dollars should go to things like the relief of the flood victims in the American northeast and fire victims in California, or to transition surgeries in Guatemala, DEI theatre in Ireland, and lessons in modern art appreciation for women in Afghanistan?

I think we should give at least $1 billion for DEI theatre in Ireland, or I would if I had any idea what DEI theatre is.

It's theatre that promotes the ideology known as "diversity, equity and inclusion." How theatre would even do that, and why it would merit millions of tax dollars being taken from Americans is a very good question. Perhaps as good as why Americans should be paying for Woke comic books in Peru or trans surgeries in Guatemala -- all of which USAID was channelling American taxpayers' money to.

I also think we should spell "theatre" as "theater" and send anyone who spells it "theatre" to prison in Guamtanemo.

English spelling, derived from the original French. Theater is actually just a late American misspelling, like "color" for "colour," or "aluminum" for "aluminium." https://quillbot.com/blog/uk-vs-us/theatre-vs-theater/. Canadians ride the fence and accept either variant.

Maybe they should also spell "Guantanamo" correctly. Just a thought.

[Gary Childress]

Wow. So you haven't been watching any news? DOGE is investigating USAID, the Department of Education, and a whole bunch of other agencies, and have already uncovered oceans of waste, graft and corruption. Just check out the list of nonsense that USAID was getting away with taking money for, for example...and remember that every penny of it was coming out of the pockets of ordinary people like you.

Unfortunately, it's not clear that Musk and DOGE have the authority to shut down agencies and programs approved by Congress.

Trump has the authority.

There are supposed to be checks and balances that prevent a single branch of the government from taking over and assuming dictatorial power.

The Dems never thought so. The whole executive level is appointed or hired, not voted in. They have no more right to their place at the public trough than anybody.

Trump appears to be making the Democrats look pretty tame by comparison.

Congress approves budgets, not the Executive branch.

But they do not designate the specific uses of those funds. That's decided by the executive.

I'm not sure that is correct.

You said:
Does DOGE have the authority to shut down government agencies and cancel specific programs that are being funded by congress?

ChatGPT said:
No, the Department of the Office of Government Ethics (DOGE) does not have the authority to shut down government agencies or cancel programs funded by Congress. DOGE is primarily responsible for overseeing ethical standards and preventing conflicts of interest in the executive branch.

Shutting down agencies or canceling programs requires congressional action, typically through legislation or budget decisions, and in some cases, executive action by the President. Congress controls funding, and agencies operate based on laws passed by Congress.

You said:
Does the executive branch choose what funding goes to specific programs?

ChatGPT said:
Not entirely. The power of the purse belongs to Congress, meaning it decides how much funding government programs receive through appropriations bills. However, the executive branch has some discretion in how funds are allocated and spent within the limits set by Congress.

Here’s how it works:

Congress Passes Appropriations Bills – These bills specify how much money goes to different agencies and programs.
The President Signs or Vetoes the Bills – If signed, the funding becomes law. If vetoed, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority.
Agencies Implement the Budget – Executive agencies (e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Education) decide how to use the funds within the guidelines set by Congress.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Plays a Role – The OMB, part of the Executive Office of the President, helps coordinate how funds are distributed and ensures spending aligns with the administration’s priorities.
Limited Executive Discretion – The executive branch can sometimes delay or reallocate funds (e.g., impoundment, where a president refuses to spend appropriated funds, though Congress has restricted this power).
In short, while the executive branch manages spending, it does not unilaterally decide which programs get funding—Congress controls that through legislation.

Let me ask you this: would you think tax dollars should go to things like the relief of the flood victims in the American northeast and fire victims in California, or to transition surgeries in Guatemala, DEI theatre in Ireland, and lessons in modern art appreciation for women in Afghanistan?

Of course, helping flood victims and victims of the fires in California takes priority. How much of the budget is going to these other odd programs. I heard that it's not even 1%. Congress approved the funding. I don't know what the purpose of the DEI programs are. Maybe there's good reason for them. Diversity, equity and inclusion don't sound like bad things.

[Alexiev]

Let me ask you this: would you think tax dollars should go to things like the relief of the flood victims in the American northeast and fire victims in California, or to transition surgeries in Guatemala, DEI theatre in Ireland, and lessons in modern art appreciation for women in Afghanistan?

I think we should give at least $1 billion for DEI theatre in Ireland, or I would if I had any idea what DEI theatre is.

It's theatre that promotes the ideology known as "diversity, equity and inclusion." How theatre would even do that, and why it would merit millions of tax dollars being taken from Americans is a very good question. Perhaps as good as why Americans should be paying for Woke comic books in Peru or trans surgeries in Guatemala -- all of which USAID was channelling American taxpayers' money to.

I also think we should spell "theatre" as "theater" and send anyone who spells it "theatre" to prison in Guamtanemo.

English spelling, derived from the original French. Theater is actually just a late American misspelling, like "color" for "colour," or "aluminum" for "aluminium." https://quillbot.com/blog/uk-vs-us/theatre-vs-theater/. Canadians ride the fence and accept either variant.

Maybe they should also spell "Guantanamo" correctly. Just a thought.

America rules! We can spell words however we want, and if the rest of the world doesn't like it we can pay for their trans surgery. If the star of Emelia Perez was aided in transitioning by our tax dollars, it was money well spent. Why shouldn't she get it, instead of those woke Hollywood losers whose houses burnt down? She may be transexual, but at least she disparaged George Floyd, Muslims, and China. That should meet with your approval.

[Gary Childress]

If Trump wants to make cuts to the budget, that's probably a good thing. However, from the sounds of it, he and Musk are going about it the wrong way. Creating a potential constitutional crisis doesn't seem like a good idea.

[Immanuel Can]

Unfortunately, it's not clear that Musk and DOGE have the authority to shut down agencies and programs approved by Congress.

Trump has the authority.

There are supposed to be checks and balances that prevent a single branch of the government from taking over and assuming dictatorial power.

The Dems never thought so. The whole executive level is appointed or hired, not voted in. They have no more right to their place at the public trough than anybody.

Trump appears to be making the Democrats look pretty tame by comparison.

On the contrary: he's chopping down the forest of grift, corruption and theft that has existed while the Dems were in power. He's making government less, not more, and more efficient, not more expensive. As an American taxpayer, you should be cheering wildly. Why would you want to have to fund insane projects abroad when so much need exists in America?

You said:
Does DOGE have the authority to shut down government agencies and cancel specific programs that are being funded by congress?

This is exactly what I said. Trump has the authority. Did you miss the part about "executive action by the President"?

Of course, helping flood victims and victims of the fires in California takes priority. How much of the budget is going to these other odd programs.

In total? Billions. And it's not all uncovered yet.


$15 million for condoms to the Taliban through USAID.

$446,700 to promote the expansion of atheism in Nepal through the State Department.

$1 million to boost French-speaking LGBTQ groups in West and Central Africa through the State Department.

$14 million in cash vouchers for migrants at the southern border through the State Department.

$20,600 for a drag show in Ecuador through the State Department.

$47,020 for a transgender opera in Colombia through the State Department.

$32,000 for an LGBTQ-centered comic book in Peru through the State Department.

$55,750 for a climate change presentation warning about the impact of climate change in Argentina to be led by female and LGBT journalists through the StateDepartment.

$3,315,446 for “being LGBTQ in the Caribbean” through USAID.

$7,071.58 for a BIPOC speaker series in Canada through the State Department.

$80,000 for an LGBTQ community center in Bratislava, Slovakia through the State Department.

$3.2 million to help Tunisian migrants readjust to life in Tunisia after deportation through the State Department.

$16,500 to foster a “united and equal queer-feminist discourse in Albanian society” through the State Department.

$10,000 to pressure Lithuanian corporations to promote “DEI values” through the State Department.

$8,000 to promote DEI among LGBTQ groups in Cyprus through the State Department.

$1.5 million to promote job opportunities for LGBTQ individuals in Serbia through USAID.

$70,884 to create a U.S.-Irish musical to promote DEI in Ireland through the State Department.

$39,652 to host seminars at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on gender identity and racial equality through the State Department.

$425,622 to help Indonesian coffee companies become more climate and gender friendly through USAID.

How much are you personally willing to donate to Guatemalan trans surgeries? I'm sure they'll take your donation, if you send one. But if you wouldn't, then why would you subject your fellow American tax payer to having his/her money stolen to do it?

[Immanuel Can]

America rules! We can spell words however we want...

Yes, you can. And so can anybody. So long as the writer doesn't get so wild with it that he/she isn't able to communicate, and so long as one doesn't mind appearing to be a bumpkin.

[accelafine]

I know. Even my MOTHER refused to BREASTFEED me. She fed me mashed up worms INSTEAD.

That's sad.

I ACKNOWLEDGE that you have REPEATEDLY asked ME to stop commenting to YOU, that YOU NEVER INITIATE discourse with ME, and that I have disrespectfully ignored YOUR requests because annoying you is a big turn-on for ME, but I'm a 65 year old virgin and we have to get our jollies where we can. I'm afraid I've fallen desperately in LOVE with you.

Leave me alone you stalking freak.

[Alexiev]

America rules! We can spell words however we want...

Yes, you can. And so can anybody. So long as the writer doesn't get so wild with it that he/she isn't able to communicate, and so long as one doesn't mind appearing to be a bumpkin.

True. And you can spell "color" "colour" and theater "theatre" if you don't mind appearing like you love the French.

[Immanuel Can]

America rules! We can spell words however we want...

Yes, you can. And so can anybody. So long as the writer doesn't get so wild with it that he/she isn't able to communicate, and so long as one doesn't mind appearing to be a bumpkin.

True. And you can spell "color" "colour" and theater "theatre" if you don't mind appearing like you love the French.

De temps en temps, s'elle est belle.

[accelafine]

The IMMATURITY, here, makes one WONDER if 'this one' even KNOWS 'THE CONSEQUENCES' FOR LYING, PRODUCING FRAUDULENT WRITINGS, and FOR 'TRY TO' DECEIVE readers.

...claims the most IMMATURE and DECEIVING one of all.

He's just trying to get me banned, otherwise he would simply stop 'quoting' practically every comment I make. I wonder how many times he's gone whining to Rick.

[seeds]

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Notes: KIV
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