Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts Extra: The Federal Funding Freeze
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Jan 28, 2025 Dahlia Lithwick chats with Stephen Vladeck, a constitutional law expert and author of "The Shadow Docket," about the recent federal funding freeze and its implications. They dissect the legal chaos resulting from the White House's memo halting federal grants, raising alarms over potential executive overreach. Vladeck highlights the constitutional crises this could trigger, drawing parallels to Nixon's tactics. The conversation underscores the fragility of checks and balances in the current political climate and the dangers of prioritizing policy over law.
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A Monarchic Move
- Trump's blocking of funds is considered his most monarchical act yet, exceeding prior actions.
- This action is deeply concerning due to its potential to disrupt the balance of power within the government.
Impact of the Memo
- The memo appears to impact hundreds of billions in federal grants, creating confusion about funding.
- The memo's lack of clarity on which aid programs are halted is causing chaos and uncertainty.
Temporary Freeze, Lasting Damage
- Trump's order presents itself as temporary but contains no guarantees of reinstating funds.
- Even a two-week freeze will cause irreversible harm and violates the Impoundment Control Act.
