SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
Speaking outside of the White House on Friday as the government shutdown continued with no funding agreement in sight, President Donald Trump threatened to declare a national emergency to build his "border wall" if he doesn't receive the more than $5 billion in funding he's demanding from Congress.
"I can do it if I want," Trump proclaimed in response to a question from a reporter. "We can do it. I haven't done it. I may do it. I may do it."
Watch:
\u201cTrump says he "may" grant himself emergency powers to build the wall. \n\n"It's called a national emergency," he says.\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1546630129
Trump's threat to give himself emergency powers to construct what critics have described as a "monument to racism" came shortly after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the president warned during a Situation Room meeting that he could "keep the government closed for a very long period of time, months or even years."
"Declaring a national emergency to build the wall would be an abuse of emergency powers," Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, wrote on Twitter following Trump's comments.
"If you needed more evidence that we have a pure autocrat in the White House: Trump is now considering declaring a national emergency in a disgraceful attempt to get funding for his racist border wall," Public Citizen added.
But, as Goitein wrote in The Atlantic recently, the decision to make such a declaration is "entirely within [Trump's] discretion"--and would make "more than 100 special provisions" available to him.
"For instance, the president can, with the flick of his pen, activate laws allowing him to shut down many kinds of electronic communications inside the United States or freeze Americans' bank accounts," she wrote.
"This edifice of extraordinary powers has historically rested on the assumption that the president will act in the country's best interest when using them," Goitein continued. "But what if a president, backed into a corner and facing electoral defeat or impeachment, were to declare an emergency for the sake of holding on to power? In that scenario, our laws and institutions might not save us from a presidential power grab. They might be what takes us down."
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Speaking outside of the White House on Friday as the government shutdown continued with no funding agreement in sight, President Donald Trump threatened to declare a national emergency to build his "border wall" if he doesn't receive the more than $5 billion in funding he's demanding from Congress.
"I can do it if I want," Trump proclaimed in response to a question from a reporter. "We can do it. I haven't done it. I may do it. I may do it."
Watch:
\u201cTrump says he "may" grant himself emergency powers to build the wall. \n\n"It's called a national emergency," he says.\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1546630129
Trump's threat to give himself emergency powers to construct what critics have described as a "monument to racism" came shortly after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the president warned during a Situation Room meeting that he could "keep the government closed for a very long period of time, months or even years."
"Declaring a national emergency to build the wall would be an abuse of emergency powers," Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, wrote on Twitter following Trump's comments.
"If you needed more evidence that we have a pure autocrat in the White House: Trump is now considering declaring a national emergency in a disgraceful attempt to get funding for his racist border wall," Public Citizen added.
But, as Goitein wrote in The Atlantic recently, the decision to make such a declaration is "entirely within [Trump's] discretion"--and would make "more than 100 special provisions" available to him.
"For instance, the president can, with the flick of his pen, activate laws allowing him to shut down many kinds of electronic communications inside the United States or freeze Americans' bank accounts," she wrote.
"This edifice of extraordinary powers has historically rested on the assumption that the president will act in the country's best interest when using them," Goitein continued. "But what if a president, backed into a corner and facing electoral defeat or impeachment, were to declare an emergency for the sake of holding on to power? In that scenario, our laws and institutions might not save us from a presidential power grab. They might be what takes us down."
Speaking outside of the White House on Friday as the government shutdown continued with no funding agreement in sight, President Donald Trump threatened to declare a national emergency to build his "border wall" if he doesn't receive the more than $5 billion in funding he's demanding from Congress.
"I can do it if I want," Trump proclaimed in response to a question from a reporter. "We can do it. I haven't done it. I may do it. I may do it."
Watch:
\u201cTrump says he "may" grant himself emergency powers to build the wall. \n\n"It's called a national emergency," he says.\u201d— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1546630129
Trump's threat to give himself emergency powers to construct what critics have described as a "monument to racism" came shortly after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the president warned during a Situation Room meeting that he could "keep the government closed for a very long period of time, months or even years."
"Declaring a national emergency to build the wall would be an abuse of emergency powers," Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, wrote on Twitter following Trump's comments.
"If you needed more evidence that we have a pure autocrat in the White House: Trump is now considering declaring a national emergency in a disgraceful attempt to get funding for his racist border wall," Public Citizen added.
But, as Goitein wrote in The Atlantic recently, the decision to make such a declaration is "entirely within [Trump's] discretion"--and would make "more than 100 special provisions" available to him.
"For instance, the president can, with the flick of his pen, activate laws allowing him to shut down many kinds of electronic communications inside the United States or freeze Americans' bank accounts," she wrote.
"This edifice of extraordinary powers has historically rested on the assumption that the president will act in the country's best interest when using them," Goitein continued. "But what if a president, backed into a corner and facing electoral defeat or impeachment, were to declare an emergency for the sake of holding on to power? In that scenario, our laws and institutions might not save us from a presidential power grab. They might be what takes us down."