Letters from an American August 7, 2025
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Aug 8, 2025 Dive into the controversy surrounding President Trump's proposal to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census. Explore the constitutional implications and how this move could affect representation and federal funding. The discussion also highlights political strategies at play and the public's reaction amid ongoing human rights and economic challenges. It’s a riveting look at the intersection of policy and politics!
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Trump Claims Power Over The Census
- Donald J. Trump tweeted he instructed Commerce to start a new census.
- Richardson says he has no constitutional power to change the census or exclude undocumented people.
14th Amendment Shows Intent To Include
- Richardson explains 'Indians not taxed' referred to groups outside U.S. governance, not a model for excluding others.
- Lawmakers intended to count all other persons when apportioning representation.
A New Census Isn't Quick Or Cheap
- A proper census requires nearly a decade and about fifteen billion dollars.
- Officials are already preparing the 2030 census, so an immediate redo is impossible.