Kaleidoscope
By Perry Diaz
By Perry Diaz
When the 116th Congress of the United States was convened on January 3, 2019, little did I the people know how the new majority – the Democrats – would deal with President Donald Trump?
Being the opposition party, the Democrats have to tread carefully in a swamp filled with crocodiles bred in the two years the Republicans were of power. Yes, the Republicans had full control of the executive and legislative branches of government, and influence over the five Republican-appointed justices of the Supreme Court including the Chief Justice, who had in a few instances voted with the minority liberal bloc to the consternation of the conservative bloc. Now, President Trump can no longer be sure which way the Chief Justice would swing the pendulum of justice -- right or left?
Trump, who had been used to dictating what he wanted to get out of the Republican Congress, tries in a futile attempt to get the $5.7 billion funding for his border wall. The rubber stamp House of Representatives gave him what he wished as a demonstration of blind loyalty never seen before in recent history. Yes, it was a “sayonara” vote to the tweet-happy Orangeman gurgling under an ocean of criticism. And with a shortness of breath, Trump relayed the House vote to his favorite lapdog, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and told him, “Okay my boy, give me victory. And don’t screw it this time or I’ll send you down Mexico Lane.”
“But we don’t have the vote, Mr. President,” Mitch said. “What are you talking about? You have more than the 51 majority vote!” Trump yelled. “Well, we need 60 votes to end the filibuster the Dems will surely do,” Mitch said. “Fili… blister? What the heck is that?” Trump wondered. “Never mind. I’ll shut down the government.” And so he did.
Negotiated compromise
After 35 days of government shutdown, Trump agreed to reopen the government for 21 days without the wall funding. But he expected the $5.7-billion wall funding or he’d declare national emergency.
The Dems and Reps negotiated a compromise bill to provide funding to avert a government shutdown that includes $1.375 billion to build a 55-mile “barrier.” It’s interesting to note that the word “wall” was never mentioned. They either called it a “fence” or a “barrier.”
The votes from both chambers were veto-proof -- the Senate by an 83-16 vote and the House by a 300-128 vote. Both chambers have more than the 2/3 votes needed to override a presidential veto.
The $1.375-billion funding for a barrier was a far cry from the $5.7 billion that Trump demanded. But he vowed to declare a national emergency so he could pirate funds from other budget items to finish his wall. But Trump – as always -- claimed victory, saying, “The $1.375 billion was a heck of a lot better than the one dollar Nancy offered me.” It’s funny that Trump didn’t get Nancy’s one-dollar joke.
Well, it looks like the Fox is up to something that could put him in an embarrassing situation again. Should Trump proceed with his “national emergency” gimmickry, he should have enough cushions – perhaps a tarpaulin -- to fall into if the Supreme Court justices turn their backs on him.
“The ball is round”
With two battles on government shutdown and border-wall funding lost, the Fox is ready for another fight – national emergency. But what is “national emergency” exactly? “The National Emergencies Act of 1976 authorizes the President to declare emergencies, thus unlocking certain provisions, when the country is ‘threatened by crisis, exigency or emergency circumstances’ other than wars or natural disasters,” the Congressional Research Services (CRS) explained. And where does the money come from? “Congressional aides say there is $21 billion in military construction money that could potentially be used by Trump if he declares a national emergency. But according to the law the money has to be used in support of U.S. armed forces,” the sources said.
Meanwhile, the Defense Department declined to provide details on available money. Well, it looks like Trump may have to get the support of his two Supreme Court appointees and the other three conservatives. That’s five -– a majority vote. But what if Chief Justice Roberts swings to the left again as he had done in a most unexpected time? Like they say in basketball, “The ball is round.” But can the Fox afford to lose another battle?
In the last few weeks, the Fox had a rude awakening and finally realized that the Democrats’ reemergence as the new power bloc in the House and has the ability to block legislation in the Senate with Democratic senators’ filibustering power. And with the highly experienced Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the helm in the House, the Republicans have a hard time figuring what the den mother’s next move would be.
Trump’s Waterloo
Trump’s obsession with a border wall could precipitate his downfall. He’s heading to his Waterloo in 2020 by battling with the establishment on the legality of his declaration of national emergency and other misadventures that he’d get himself into. The American people are beginning to see the nincompoopery in the Fox whose thousands of lies would eventually come down on him like a wrecking ball. And before he’d know it, his political life is blown to smithereens and cast into the gray mist forming over the Potomac by the White House.
And such would be the fate of the wily Fox, who, by the sleight of hand, had reached the apex of power on his first try in politics. Some say he was lucky. Some say he cheated. Some say he was a slick politician. Some say the Russians helped him win the election. And now a special prosecutor is turning every stone in his past, which could reveal the mystery behind the Fox.
The Fox
Last February 15, 2019, the Fox announced his declaration of national emergency to build a border wall to fulfill his pledge to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. By doing so, he bypassed Congress, which approved only $1.375 billion to build a 55-mile fence along the border. He said it would cost about $8 billion, so he’d combine the $1.375 billion Congress approved and $6.625 billion he’d take from the military construction fund.
Anticipating that he’d be sued for raiding the military construction fund, he said that he’d lose in the lower and appellate courts. But once it reaches the Supreme Court, he expects to win the case. He seems to believe that the five-member conservative bloc in the High Court would support him without batting an eye. Four might momentarily ignore their sacred duty to protect the constitution and uphold the rule of law, but he can’t rely on Chief Justice Roberts who many believe has filled the vacuum left by retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, the court’s swing voter for many years.
Indeed, Trump is putting all his political chips on his “national emergency” gamble, which he believes is the key to winning his re-election bid in 2020. If he fails to get the Supreme Court nod, he just might as well kiss the presidency good-bye. If he prevails in his Supreme Court gambit, he still has to face Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller who has been building several cases against Trump and his family members.
At this point nobody knows how strong the cases are. They could be used to impeach Trump or wait until he has steps down and then slap him with criminal charges. But there have been rumors floating around that he’d resign provided that all charges against him and his family members are dropped. That would be the easy way out. But Trump has been known for making crazy and bold decisions. He just might try to do – for the last time – one of his political triple somersaults to entertain his base for the last time.
Finally, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the indomitable Den Mother of the House Democrats has outfoxed the Fox. Has she?
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