Mitch “The Snapping Turtle” McConnell just bit off Trump’s National Emergency Plan intended to fund the Border Wall. In a morning press conference, Mitch caved as he admitted that the Senate will vote against Trump’s National “Non” Emergency Declaration:
I was one of those hoping the president would not take the national emergency route…Once you decide to do that, I said I would support it, but I was hoping he wouldn’t take that particular path.”
Of course, McConnell flip-flopped as he initially supported the Emergency Declaration — but one can presume that part of his motivation is preventing future Democratic Presidents invoking National Emergency Declarations for pressing agenda items, like Gun Control and Climate Change. Mitch continued:
That’s one reason I argued — obviously without success — to the president that he not take this route.”
Trump’s failure to push through Wall Funding Legislation before the Democrats took control of the House sealed his fate as the Wall funding would never get through divided government. And Mitch wasn’t the only one expressing outright opposition to Trump’s Executive Action — Rand Paul divulged the following:
I can’t vote to give the president the power to spend money that hasn’t been appropriated by Congress…We may want more money for border security, but Congress didn’t authorize it. If we take away those checks and balances, it’s a dangerous thing.”
Rand Paul, a small government proponent, views Congressional power —and an accurate view as the “Purse” lies with Congress based on a brief overview of Article 1— as a way to check the Executive Branch, especially in relation to budgetary matters. It’s clear that Trump hasn’t ever even perused Constitutional texts or excerpts, or, he has, but prefers to rule in a monarchical fashion.
I hate to say it but McConnell and Rand are doing the right thing as they understand that adult temper tantrums shouldn’t be supported. Maybe advise Trump to eat some Sweet Potato Gerber instead?
Featured image via DC Tribune Gallery
