The Bulwark Podcast Ben Wittes: Who the F*** Are You?
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Feb 25, 2025 Ben Wittes, Editor-in-chief of Lawfare and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, delves into the chaos of current legal politics. He discusses the Trump administration's questionable actions, including who’s really running the show behind DOGE. Wittes highlights the troubling changes within the FBI, pointing out how political appointments could affect agency morale and public safety. They also touch on the complexities of U.S.-Ukrainian relations, introducing a new podcast that explores these vital foreign policy dynamics.
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Who Runs DOGE?
- Ben Wittes's colleague, Anna Bauer, is investigating the Doge's administrator.
- The Justice Department hasn't identified who is leading the Department of Government Efficiency.
Doge, Executive Power, and Legality
- Elon Musk's involvement with DOGE raises legal questions about executive power.
- Musk's actions might violate the Appointments Clause if he's wielding power without proper nomination.
DOGE Vetoes Aid Payments
- USAID managers sought approvals for critical programs like Ukraine aid and HIV combatting in Africa.
- Doge employees vetoed the payments, leading to clinic closures and stranded staff.