3 ms·

https://ronpaulinstitute.org/audit-usaidthen-shut-it-down/ https://ronpaulinstitute.org/audit-usaidthen-shut-it-down/ http://unrollnow.com/ http://unrollnow.co

https://ronpaulinstitute.org/audit-usaidthen-shut-it-down/ https://ronpaulinstitute.org/audit-usaidthen-shut-it-down/ http://unrollnow.com/ http://unrollnow.com/

delichon 2y ago
USAID was created by an executive order, but then established by Congress in the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998. Simple impoundment of funds violates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. So Trump does not have the authority to just shut down USAID. But here's the thing. He doesn't care. He has complete immunity for it. He isn't running for re-election. He believes that it is a political advantage for his legacy. He is effectively immune from impeachment until the midterm elections. If the court orders it re-funded, he re-hydrates it under his control, and is still politically ahead. And this informs most of his executive actions.
- apetrov 2y ago
  This is what chatgpt suggested to make it minimal viable agency (align with aforementioned acts): Staff: 10-50 employees, mostly in HQ Budget: ~$1-2M for core staff & admin, rest funneled through grants Field Presence: 1-3 priority countries, skeleton operations Mission Execution: Reduced to policy advising, reports, & strategic partnerships This would keep USAID legally operational while effectively neutering it.
  - GenerocUsername 2y ago
    "Minimum Legal operation" should probably be the target for many government programs.
    - apetrov 2y ago
      could not disagree with that
    - _DeadFred_ 2y ago
      Yes, I too go to the DMV and think 'why doesn't every government agency only have two people working with a line of 200 waiting'.
  - stonogo 2y ago
    Fifty employees is about eight million dollars per year, fully loaded costing. ChatGPT does not know how to budget for labor.
- lesuorac 2y ago
  > Simple impoundment of funds violates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. So Trump does not have the authority to just shut down USAID. IIUC, the current administration is running with that the Impoundment Control Act itself is unconstitutional [1] so they do have authority to shut down USAID or any other congress appropriations. [1]: https://www.npr.org/2025/02/02/nx-s1-5281438/understanding-the-law-at-the-heart-of-confusion-over-trumps-federal-funding-freeze https://www.npr.org/2025/02/02/nx-s1-5281438/understanding-t...
- rhinoceraptor 2y ago
  > He isn't running for re-election I see you're an optimist!
  - goosedragons 2y ago
    Or an extreme pessimist...
- ddawson 2y ago
  He's eager to get before the Supreme Court and has people whispering in his ear that the Impoundment Control Act is unconstituional. I think the shock and awe campaign has politician gains at deployment and any fights can be turned to his favor in public, too. He's very good at getting people to play on his terms.

https://ronpaulinstitute.org/audit-usaidthen-shut-it-down/ https://ronpaulinstitute.org/audit-usaidthen-shut-it-down/ http://unrollnow.com/ http://unrollnow.com/

delichon 2y ago

USAID was created by an executive order, but then established by Congress in the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998. Simple impoundment of funds violates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. So Trump does not have the authority to just shut down USAID. But here's the thing. He doesn't care. He has complete immunity for it. He isn't running for re-election. He believes that it is a political advantage for his legacy. He is effectively immune from impeachment until the midterm elections. If the court orders it re-funded, he re-hydrates it under his control, and is still politically ahead. And this informs most of his executive actions.

apetrov 2y ago
This is what chatgpt suggested to make it minimal viable agency (align with aforementioned acts): Staff: 10-50 employees, mostly in HQ Budget: ~$1-2M for core staff & admin, rest funneled through grants Field Presence: 1-3 priority countries, skeleton operations Mission Execution: Reduced to policy advising, reports, & strategic partnerships This would keep USAID legally operational while effectively neutering it.
- GenerocUsername 2y ago
  "Minimum Legal operation" should probably be the target for many government programs.
  - apetrov 2y ago
    could not disagree with that
  - _DeadFred_ 2y ago
    Yes, I too go to the DMV and think 'why doesn't every government agency only have two people working with a line of 200 waiting'.
- stonogo 2y ago
  Fifty employees is about eight million dollars per year, fully loaded costing. ChatGPT does not know how to budget for labor.
lesuorac 2y ago
> Simple impoundment of funds violates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. So Trump does not have the authority to just shut down USAID. IIUC, the current administration is running with that the Impoundment Control Act itself is unconstitutional [1] so they do have authority to shut down USAID or any other congress appropriations. [1]: https://www.npr.org/2025/02/02/nx-s1-5281438/understanding-the-law-at-the-heart-of-confusion-over-trumps-federal-funding-freeze https://www.npr.org/2025/02/02/nx-s1-5281438/understanding-t...
rhinoceraptor 2y ago
> He isn't running for re-election I see you're an optimist!
- goosedragons 2y ago
  Or an extreme pessimist...
ddawson 2y ago
He's eager to get before the Supreme Court and has people whispering in his ear that the Impoundment Control Act is unconstituional. I think the shock and awe campaign has politician gains at deployment and any fights can be turned to his favor in public, too. He's very good at getting people to play on his terms.