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This is beyond unconstitutional. Congress can reduce spending. It cannot be stolen in broad daylight by a private citizen. This is not a time to be sanguine. Am

by tootie 2y ago

This is beyond unconstitutional. Congress can reduce spending. It cannot be stolen in broad daylight by a private citizen. This is not a time to be sanguine. American democracy is dying before our eyes.

jghn 2y ago
It only matters if the legislative and judicial branches care to push the issue. Which they don't.
- Jtsummers 2y ago
  The judicial branch has limited ability to intervene without someone else initiating it. Which would most likely be US citizens, civil service, states, or Congress in this case. Present Congressional leadership is already ignoring other violations of law like the IG dismissals so there's a good chance that this Congress will do very little.
- tootie 2y ago
  Hell no it is not. That's like saying no crime has happened until there is a conviction. Trump and Musk's actions are very explicitly against the law. They won't be stopped or punished until action is taken, but it is still illegal right now.
  - kcplate 2y ago
    > Trump and Musk's actions are very explicitly against the law. So sue them. Take action, make your case. All you have here on HN is an opinion which may or may not be accurate.
    - Freedom2 2y ago
      Agreed. One of the greatest liberties here in the US is that we are free to sue and counter-sue whomever we like - the free market of the people unfettered and unchained!
    - tootie 2y ago
      That's incredibly glib and pedantic. I do not have the resources and probably not the standing to bring a suit. And given that any punishment will be immediately pardoned makes it moot. State Attorney's General have successfully paused Trump's abuse of impoundment as well his end to birthright citizenship. Musk is likely committing some form of criminal trespass, but who can arrest him? Trump's own FBI? He's been firing agents and prosecutors left and right. Purging anyone remotely disloyal. There may not be a functioning criminal justice system at the federal level anymore. The justice system only works when it works.
      - kcplate 2y ago
        You are making accusations with certainty and this implies that you have special legal knowledge or evidence that could be used to at a bare minimum to stop the behavior. There will be no shortages of lawyers available to you willing to use your special knowledge or evidence to bring suit. So why wouldn’t you pursue it if you care about it passionately? > I do not have the resources and probably not the standing to bring a suit. Oh, ok. Well never mind then.

by tootie 2y ago

jghn 2y ago

It only matters if the legislative and judicial branches care to push the issue. Which they don't.

Jtsummers 2y ago
The judicial branch has limited ability to intervene without someone else initiating it. Which would most likely be US citizens, civil service, states, or Congress in this case. Present Congressional leadership is already ignoring other violations of law like the IG dismissals so there's a good chance that this Congress will do very little.
tootie 2y ago
Hell no it is not. That's like saying no crime has happened until there is a conviction. Trump and Musk's actions are very explicitly against the law. They won't be stopped or punished until action is taken, but it is still illegal right now.
- kcplate 2y ago
  > Trump and Musk's actions are very explicitly against the law. So sue them. Take action, make your case. All you have here on HN is an opinion which may or may not be accurate.
  - Freedom2 2y ago
    Agreed. One of the greatest liberties here in the US is that we are free to sue and counter-sue whomever we like - the free market of the people unfettered and unchained!
  - tootie 2y ago
    That's incredibly glib and pedantic. I do not have the resources and probably not the standing to bring a suit. And given that any punishment will be immediately pardoned makes it moot. State Attorney's General have successfully paused Trump's abuse of impoundment as well his end to birthright citizenship. Musk is likely committing some form of criminal trespass, but who can arrest him? Trump's own FBI? He's been firing agents and prosecutors left and right. Purging anyone remotely disloyal. There may not be a functioning criminal justice system at the federal level anymore. The justice system only works when it works.
    - kcplate 2y ago
      You are making accusations with certainty and this implies that you have special legal knowledge or evidence that could be used to at a bare minimum to stop the behavior. There will be no shortages of lawyers available to you willing to use your special knowledge or evidence to bring suit. So why wouldn’t you pursue it if you care about it passionately? > I do not have the resources and probably not the standing to bring a suit. Oh, ok. Well never mind then.