Donald Trump the Megathread part II - Mod Warning updated in OP 12/2/26

Has the WH published the legal basis for this execution carried out in international waters?

I don't bother checking Trump's Truth Social site to see what has caught his attention so have to ask if he's been interested in medical matters affecting the elderly in the past 48 hours after Putin, Xi Jinping & Kim's chat about transplant operations and 70 year-olds where are concerned. Imagine him watching Fox running a copy of CNN's headlines about the translation of that chat, splat… another bottle of tomato sauce bit the wall.

Chief Justice John Roberts has already done fearsome damage to America. Let’s hope he gets sense before the republic is lost.

Trump sailing very close to the wind constitutionally.

The US Constitution says (the Appropriations Clause) that Congress appropriates money (designates it for spending).

The 1974 Impoundments Control Act requires the President to spend money appropriated by Congress.

During Russell Vought's nomination earlier in the year to be head of the OMB (Office of Management and Budget), he was asked his view on the ICA. He said "we believe it is unconstitutional".

This conflicts with the 1989 Train Judgement, which reaffirmed that the executive must spend money appropriated by Congress.

There is a provision allowing the President to ask Congress to allow him not to spend appropriated funds, but the law requires he notify Congress 45 days beforehand. And its Congress's decision.

The WH has driven a coach and horses through this, with the cancellation of billions in funding USAID and the Department of Education, and universities.

Also, Trump has been criticised by several Republicans yesterday for using "pocket recissions". I was reading the GAO website (Government Accountability Office) last night. It says pocket-recissions are not allowed. GAO has just said that what the WH is doing on this is illegal.

What are pocket-recissions? They are wear the President waits until close to the end of the deadline for the money to be spent, and then suddenly announces it won't be, thereby not giving Congress enough time to stop it.

A judge has just ruled this practice is illegal.

Also in recent days, Trump has suggested shutting down the GAO, which investigates wrongdoing in federal agencies for over a century.

In May 2025 (see link below), Elon Musk reportedly attempted to assign a team to the GAO, aiming to collaborate on efficiency initiatives. However, the GAO rejected this move, emphasizing its independence as part of the legislative branch and its non-subjection to executive orders.

FedScoop

The current head of the GAO was appointed by President Obama in 2010.

Here is Vought defending the use of Pocket Recissions.

For an Irish comparison, Article 11 of the Irish Constitution requires the government of Ireland to spend all monies appropriated by the Oireachtas.

Have previous US presidents ever refused to spent appropriated sums?

Yes. Thomas Jefferson refused to buy some ships for the navy that Congress had appropriated. The context was during the Napoleonic Wars. It was Richard Nixon's failure to spend some funds that led to the Democratic Congress passing the Impoundment Control Act 1974, requiring appropriated sums to be paid.

Notable Impoundment Issues After 1974

1. 1977–1980: Carter Administration
   • President Carter occasionally delayed or rescinded certain program funds for policy reasons.
   • The GAO reviewed some of these actions, but there were no major legal conflicts because Carter generally provided notifications to Congress, complying with the ICA process.
2. 1981–1989: Reagan Administration
   • Reagan used “deferrals” to delay spending on some social programs (especially housing and health programs).
   • Some of these were challenged, and GAO rulings clarified that long-term deferrals could violate the ICA if they effectively amounted to permanent withholding.
3. 1990s–2000s: Clinton & George W. Bush Administrations
   • Most presidents followed the ICA closely, using the formal rescission and deferral processes.
   • Occasional disputes arose over whether deferrals were justified, but few were classified as outright violations.
4. 2019–2020s: Recent Controversies
   • Agencies have occasionally delayed or reallocated congressionally appropriated funds, sometimes prompting GAO opinions.
   • Examples include funding delays for health, education, or infrastructure programs, though in most cases the violations were minor or resolved administratively.

this is nuts

https://www.forbes.com/sites/omerawan/2025/09/04/florida-seeks-to-end-all-vaccine-mandates-fueling-public-health-concerns/

Let 'em die. We could do with a severe culling of the herd of stupidity, we might get the show back on the road then.

I just hope they don't take some normal people with them before they do.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Dragged for Supporting Jeffrey Epstein's Victims After Boyfriend Calls Her the 'Sweetest Woman'

"Laura Loomer, who ran for Congress twice without being elected, continued, “So now she’s trying to take him down. This is why I call her Marjorie Traitor Greene. She is truly despicable. If you work for Trump and you’re calling @RepThomasMassie and @RoKhanna out but you’re not calling @mtgreenee out, you’re disloyal to President Trump.”

Trump's present "lady of the blanket" is calling out MTG, who seems to be displaying some sense around Epstein Files, maybe Lauren Boebert will jump in the middle and Trump can cancel his Saturday UFC night out and have this trio work out in the ballroom., winner stays the night.

It's great to sit back open the popcorn and watch them eat themselves.

Release the **** files already.

People lazily use the Hitler comparison with Trump, but it seems to me that the Stalin comparison fits much better in some ways, namely the ease with which even the most fervent, obsequious followers can be turned on and condemned to the outer darkness for not following the leader's line in every single matter or for perceiving inconsistencies in the party line when only unquestioning obedience is allowed. Following the Stalin pattern of destroying the enemies within , the Old Bolsheviks (traditional Republicans) were the first to go, but then the terror reached out to fanatical Stalinist loyalists who were duly damned as traitors, enemies and spies. Trump's administration shows that there is simply no place for honest disagreement or loyal opposition on any matter. Who'd have thought it: Marjorie Taylor Green-enemy, swamp creature, traitor, 'Deep Stater', RINO.

Didn't he say he would be the President of Peace?

Just watched Bernie make a holy show of RFK in the senate. Trump must have a weird sense of humour promoting that buffoon to that Post. Trump must be splitting his sides watching RFK being humiliated during these sessions. Its Trump revenge against him for daring to run against him in the Election.

Let the Maga folk stop all vaccines, why waste time trying to force them to help themselves, it will also free up resources for the non cultists.