The Donald Trump Score Card

Trump's TV events have become longer and the airtime is drifting into the primetime evening slot.

 

You're right that traditional Republicans have been big on states' rights, which they claim are lodged in the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution. Actually, their existence is nebulous and difficult to define. The Tenth Amendment simply says that the federal government's powers are limited to those delegated to it, while all other powers which aren't specifically denied to the states are reserved to the states and the people. But early on, in the case of McCulloch v. Md., the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the delegated federal powers included not only those enumerated powers, but also implied powers that were "necessary and proper" to carry out those enumerated powers. And the enumerated powers are broadly interpreted, so that the right to borrow and coin money conveyed the implied right to operate banks. And the Court also held that under the "supremacy clause" of Art. VI, federal laws are supreme and any state laws in conflict with them are null and void. It would be deliciously ironic if a Republican President ends up pursuing this line of precedent to override state decisions on the emergency restrictions. I actually think he could make out a strong case, but it would be politically awkward for him to make it.

 

Governors form compacts to coordinate reopening society
GEOFF MULVIHILL
Associated Press
April 13, 2020, 4:19 PM EDT

Governors form compacts to coordinate reopening society

excerpt:

"The governors, all but one of them Democrats, made separate announcements just hours after President Donald Trump said on Twitter that it was his decision to decide when to “open up the states."

They did not announce specific plans on how to scale back stay-at-home orders or reopen businesses. Instead, both groups said they would coordinate those decisions while first considering the health of residents. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said it could take time.

“The house is still on fire," he said during a conference call with reporters. “We still have to put the fire out, but we do have to begin putting in the pieces of the puzzle that we know we’re going to need ... to make sure this doesn’t reignite.”

His state is in a coalition with its Northeastern neighbors — Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Massachusetts, the only one of the states involved with a Republican governor, was announced as a member later in the day Monday."

 

Trump Uses Coronavirus Briefing to Play Batshit Campaign Ad Attacking Press
The president also declared he has “total” authority if governors disagree with him at an off-the-rails briefing.
Hunter Woodall, Justin Baragona, and Asawin Suebsaeng
Published Apr. 13, 2020 6:19PM ET
Updated Apr. 13, 2020 8:58PM ET

Trump Uses Coronavirus Briefing to Play Batshit Campaign Ad Attacking Press

excerpt:

"The president, meanwhile, went on to insist he has absolute power when it comes to governors’ stay-at-home orders during the crisis. Asked on Monday how he would respond if a governor issued a stay-at-home order in conflict of his national wishes, Trump insisted his power as president is “total.”

“When somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is total and that is the way it’s gonna be,” Trump bellowed. “It’s total. It’s total. And the governors know that.”"

 

Trump's 'opening our country council' still lacks any business leaders
Some executives are leery of being involved in a business panel that could become as controversial as Trump's earlier forays, which were disbanded after several CEOs resigned.
By Ben Popken and Stephanie Ruhle
April 14, 2020, 12:59 AM UTC / Updated April 14, 2020, 1:05 AM UTC

Trump's 'opening our country council' still lacks any business leaders

excerpt:

"However, few business leaders seem to want the media scrutiny of their own company — and any government assistance from which they may be benefiting. The $2 trillion coronavirus relief package provides $500 billion in aid for corporations, such as airline companies, that have been hurt by the outbreak.

Other executives are leery of being involved in a panel that could become as controversial as Trump's earlier forays, such as the "Strategic and Policy Forum" and the "American Manufacturing Council." Formed early on in Trump's presidency, the business focus groups were designed to have a direct line to advise the president on a range of important business matters. However, the councils were disbanded after just a few months as a rash of CEOs resigned in the wake of Trump's response to a deadly white nationalist attack in Charlottesville, Virginia."

 

or these starts deporting DAPA people.

 

Trump burned bridges earlier in his administration, such as business councils of his that disbanded and the trade wars he started. His ongoing divisiveness has dug him a deep hole that makes it difficult for him during a real crisis.

His next war appears to be against the governors if they don't comply with his perceived absolute authority during a deadly pandemic.

 

Trump claims "authority of the president is total" to reopen states
Axios
April 13, 2020

Trump claims "authority of the president is total" to reopen states

excerpt:

"Asked who told him that the president has this authority, Trump responded: "We are going to write up papers on this. It's not going to be necessary because the governors need us one way or the other. Because ultimately it comes with the federal government."

What they're saying: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo told CNN Monday evening,
"The President doesn't have total authority. We have a Constitution. We don't have a king.""

 

"I'm going to have to make a decision, and I ... hope to God that it's the right decision," Trump said Friday. "It's the biggest decision I've ever had to make."
By Ben Popken and Stephanie Ruhle
April 14, 2020, 12:59 AM UTC
Updated April 14, 2020, 1:05 AM UTC

Trump's 'opening our country council' still lacks any business leaders

excerpt:

""I'm going to have to make a decision, and I ... hope to God that it's the right decision," Trump said Friday. "It's the biggest decision I've ever had to make."

When asked what metrics he would base the decision on, Trump pointed at his forehead and said: "The metrics right here. That's my metrics.""

 

It's going to be difficult to watch Trump and the U.S. go down so unprotected.

 

Trump PR Stunt Falls Flat, as White House Video Exposes His Failure to Prepare for Pandemic
Robert Mackey
April 14 2020, 6:14 a.m.

Trump PR Stunt Falls Flat, as White House Video Exposes His Failure to Prepare for Pandemic

excerpt:

"In fact, the only entry on the video timeline for February — the month Trump held mass campaign rallies and described criticism of his handling of the virus from Democrats as “their new hoax” — was Feb. 6: “CDC Ships First Testing Kits.” The fact that those test kits were defective, a massive failure at a critical moment, seems like an odd thing to brag about.

Well into March, Trump was downplaying the new coronavirus as no more threatening than the flu.

Having seemed so pleased with himself while the video was playing, Trump looked stunned by Reid’s observation that its timeline showed the period of inaction The Times had described. “The argument is that you bought yourself some time,” by imposing the partial travel ban from China, Reid noted. “You didn’t use it to prepare hospitals, you didn’t use it to ramp up testing.”

As Trump interrupted to denounce her as “so disgraceful,” the correspondent pressed on to ask what, exactly, Americans were supposed to take away from his gauzy video tribute to himself? “Right now nearly 20 million people are unemployed. Tens of thousands of Americans are dead. How is this sizzle reel or this rant supposed to make people feel confident in an unprecedented crisis?”

Trump had no response but to shift back to praising himself for restricting travel from China in January. “But what did you do with the time that you bought?” Reid asked. “The month of February… the video has a gap.”"

 

Post of bloggers:

"Worse than that. He's telling us the Federal Government has no role in providing central logistics and direct support of the states, BUT he gets to decide how they govern. None of this is right and it's a dangerous interpretation of federalism."


"We hired a game show host as president and now we're on Survivor."


Preet Bharara@PreetBharara:

"Trump: My authority is total but my responsibility is zero. What leadership."

 

"I have total authority... You may bend the knee..." ~ Donald J. Trump

 

Coronavirus Live Updates: States Make Pacts for Reopening, But Trump Claims ‘Total’ Authority
The New York Times
April 14, 2020

Coronavirus Live Updates: States Make Pacts for Reopening, But Trump Claims ‘Total’ Authority

excerpt:

"Mr. Trump’s approach, after weeks of presenting himself as merely a supporting player while he sought to shift blame to the governors for any failures in handling the virus, was just the latest of many conflicting messages sent by the president during the course of the pandemic.

At various points, he has played down the seriousness of the virus, then called it the most serious situation the nation has ever confronted. He has defended China for its handling of the original outbreak, and assailed China for its handling of the original outbreak. He has called for strict social distancing, then called for reopening the country by Easter, then called off the plan to reopen."

 

Coronavirus Live Updates: States Make Pacts for Reopening, But Trump Claims ‘Total’ Authority

excerpt:

"In its World Economic Outlook, the I.M.F. projected that global growth will contract by 3 percent in 2020, an extraordinary reversal from earlier this year, when the fund forecast that the world economy would outpace 2019 and grow by 3.3 percent.

This year’s fall in output would be far more severe than the last recession, when the world economy contracted by less than 1 percent between 2008 and 2009. A 3 percent decline in global output would be the worst since the Great Depression, the I.M.F. said.

The economic damage in the United States is expected to be severe, the I.M.F. said, with the American economy projected to contract by about 6 percent in 2020. The global group cast doubt about the prospect of a “V” shaped recovery in the United States, suggesting that a sharp rise in unemployment and disruptions to supply chains will keep the economy below its pre-virus trend next year."

 

What's next with Trump and his "total authority" ……….. re-minting all U.S. currency to read "In Trump, our King and stable genius, we trust" ???

This waste is off the charts and scales for narcissism, ego, and self-centered megalomania. ( Megalomania: delusions of one's own greatness, supremacy, wealth ). - Webster's dictionary

 

Donald J. Trump tweet April 14, 2020:

"Tell the Democrat Governors that “Mutiny On The Bounty” was one of my all time favorite movies. A good old fashioned mutiny every now and then is an exciting and invigorating thing to watch, especially when the mutineers need so much from the Captain. Too easy!"

 

Indications of a Psychopath:
1: Superficial charm & glibness. (check)

2: Inflated sense of self worth. (check)

3: Constant need for stimulation. (check)

4: Lying pathologically. ( CHECK)

5: Conning others; being manipulative. (check)

6: Lack of remorse or guilt. (check)

7: Shallow emotions. ( shows plenty when denigrated/criticized.)

8: Callousness; lack of empathy. (check)

9: Using others (a parasitic lifestyle) (check)

10: Poor control over behavior. (check)

11: Promiscuous sexual behavior (check)

12: Behavior problems early in life. (check)

13: Being impulsive. (check)

14: Lack of realistic long term goals. (check)

15:Being irresponsible. (check)

16: Blaming others and refusing to take responsibility. (CHECK)

17: Having several marital relationships. ( divorce rate is high--give him a pass on this one).

18 Delinquency when young. (check)

19: Criminal acts in several realms. (criminal versatility) (check)

THERE YA'GO TRUMP-SUCKERS.DON'T IT MAKE YA' PROUD TA' BE A ' MURICAN?

 

I think it's time to take to the streets. Bring back the 60s.