Lever Time American Chaos Is Trump’s Plan
19 snips
Jan 31, 2025 
David Dayen, the Executive Editor of The American Prospect, dives deep into the chaos surrounding early Trump administration actions. He examines the immediate impact of halted federal spending on vital services like Medicare and education. Dayen discusses Trump's strategic manipulation of federal funding laws, and contrasts his approach with tech leadership styles. He critically analyzes the misconception that cutting federal jobs will save money, and uncovers the ideological motives behind the push to dismantle government structures.
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Trump’s Ukraine Aid Impoundment
- Trump withheld aid to Ukraine despite it being legally mandated.
- He pressured Zelenskyy to investigate the Bidens.
Power of the Purse
- The legislative branch holds the power of the purse, deciding where funds are allocated.
- The president cannot refuse to spend allocated funds for policy reasons.
Strategy Behind the Chaos
- Vought and Paletta, the legal minds behind the push, aim to bring the impoundment issue before the Supreme Court.
- Their strategy involves leveraging a court stacked with Trump's justices and Paletta’s connection to Justice Thomas.