Somebody's Gotta Win with Tara Palmeri That Day When Trump Shut Down the Government, With Shanti Stanton
Jan 30, 2025
Shanti Stanton, a seasoned lobbyist and consultant with Oxford Strategies, draws from her decade of experience on Capitol Hill to dissect the chaos following Trump's federal funding freeze. She delves into the legal implications of Trump's executive orders and examines Elon Musk's unexpected role in the turmoil. Stanton sheds light on the complexities of government funding, the impacts on vital social programs like Medicaid, and the relentless efforts of lobbyists navigating a tumultuous political landscape. Expect insights that reveal the internal struggles and strategies in Washington.
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Executive Order Legality
- Trump's executive order to freeze federal funding was deemed illegal by Shanti Stanton due to the established 200-year-old process.
- Stanton emphasized that the president cannot unilaterally rewrite the Constitution and disregard Congress's power of the purse.
Appropriators and Gun Violence Research
- Shanti Stanton shared an anecdote about working on gun violence research funding, highlighting the appropriators' strong adherence to established procedures.
- Even for a priority issue, the appropriator refused to reallocate funds outside the designated line item, demonstrating their commitment to the process.
Power Struggle: White House vs. Congress
- Tara Palmeri questions whether Trump aimed to disrupt the balance of power between the White House and Congress with his executive order.
- The discussion explores if Trump intended to assert the OMB's authority over Congress's traditional control of spending.