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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI wrote to Flake and McCain
Here's a copy of my letter to McCain:
Dear Senator McCain,
I am happy to see that you are "worried" about the addition of Steve Bannon to the National Security Council (NSC). I am also deeply, deeply concerned about this. However, being worried is not enough. What you are going to DO about it?
After 9/11 the Executive Branch was given unprecedented power. Contrary to the protests of either Democrats or Republicans, neither Bush nor Obama ever really abused those powers. However, it has already become clear that the Trump administration does not share the same respect for the three branches of government as the previous two administrations. The actions of the Trump administration look very much like an attempt to create a shadow government (see https://medium.com/@yonatanzunger/trial-balloon-for-a-coup-e024990891d5#.xayisqur7 for an excellent analysis) and to eliminate the checks and balances of the Legislative and Judicial Branches.
So, I reiterate, what are you going to do to prevent what appears to be an extreme power grab by the Trump administration. Specifically:
1) Will you draft/sponsor legislation putting reasonable requirements on who is on the NSC?
2) Will you repeal portions of the Patriot Act to limit the power of the Executive Branch?
3) Will you draft/sponsor legislation blocking potential candidates for President from filing for candidacy a full 4 years in advance (which Trump has done, is completely unnecessary, and appears to be nothing more than a way to enable him to receive what are in essence bribes throughout his Presidency). If you limit when a candidate can declare to 1 year in advance, I think the American people will canonize you as none of us want to endure another 2 year nightmare like this last one!
The behaviors of the Trump administration are putting us in a serious constitutional crisis and I would like to know what you are doing to defend your oath to uphold and protect the constitution. I would like to know how you are putting country above party which is what the Founding Fathers expected you to do. I will be sharing your response with my fellow Arizonans on social media.
Thank you,
drmeow
PS - please add Dr. to your salutation choices for comments and expand your subject choices as "Executive overreach" and "Constitutional crisis" are not among them.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,121 posts)They better be ready and willing to sacrifice their career over this shit.
Otherwise none of us will be here to worry about careers
Ms. Toad
(34,087 posts)Membership on the National Security Council is statutory. Aside from the President and vice President, every other member must be a Secretary or Undersecretary - either named in the statute or appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate.)
Appointing Banner to the National Security Council is a violation of the law establishing its membership.
(In other words #1 has already been done. The ask should be to require that he go through the proper vetting after being appointed as a secretary or under secretary (both of which require confirmation hearings.)