DO SOMETHING
It was the renowned poet, and now grandfather, Marshall Mathers who once said— Dr. Dre, don’t just stand there, operate.
I think of this often when I see Congress and the Courts allow for VoldemOrange to do whatever he wants, usurping and ignoring their own powers.
What is happening now is not unlike the decay of democracies of the past. What is new, however, is the audacity with which the republican machine has operated, and the open airing of it all.
They are quite literally playing in our faces.
And our elected ‘leaders’ are letting it happen, either too scared of a mean tweet from Tangerine King or hoping to be brought into his good graces for future endeavors.
Both are bad.
Our system was allegedly designed to prevent this kind of thing, I mean this country was started ostensibly because we wanted freedom from tyrannical rule.
Well, how the turn tables.
The Constitution Was NOT Built For This
The U.S. Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances through the separation of powers among the three branches of government.
Article I grants legislative powers to Congress, including the power to make laws (§1), approve budgets (§9), and impeach and remove federal officials (§2 & §3).
Article II assigns executive power to the President, including veto authority over legislation (§2), the role of Commander in Chief (§2), and the power to appoint federal officers and judges with Senate confirmation (§2).
Article III vests judicial power in the federal courts, giving them authority to interpret laws and the Constitution (§1). Though judicial review is not explicitly stated, it was affirmed in Marbury v. Madison (1803), establishing the courts’ power to strike down unconstitutional laws or actions. This structure ensures that each branch can check the others, preserving a balance of power.
Three articles, three ‘equal’ branches of government. So easy, a caveman could do it.
Rules (and Laws) Are For Suckers
This stance is not new to the Orange One. He has repeatedly challenged the balance of powers intended by the Constitution. By defying lawful congressional subpoenas during impeachment proceedings and refusing to allow executive branch witnesses to testify (violating Congress’s investigative power under Article I, §1 & §2), he undermined legislative oversight. He also attempted to bypass the Senate’s confirmation authority (Article II, §2) by installing numerous officials in “acting” roles, avoiding constitutional scrutiny. Trump’s attacks on the judiciary, including disparaging judges and challenging their authority, threatened the independence envisioned in Article III. And all this was before January 6 during the first iteration of idiocy, with an insurrection that represented a direct threat to the peaceful transfer of power, a core democratic principle embedded in the constitutional framework.
But here is where it gets worse…
A lot of those in our institutions are allowing it.
It started with the immunity decision and has snowballed ever since. The courts have become a weaponized arm of the Executive branch. So, if you remember from our class a few paragraphs back, Article 2 and Article 3 are now jumbled up together.
Just last night the unSupreme Court basically affirmed that he could do clearly illegal stuff.
Yes, I know the ruling is nuanced and blah blah blah. And Justice Barrett joined the ‘liberals’ and blah blah blah. But what they did say in a 5-4 decision is…cool bro keep it up but next time let those ‘illegals’ each get their OWN attorney.
Because obv they all have personal attorneys right. Don’t we all?
I know Morgan & Morgan is for the people an all but…IDK if they have that capacity.
Congress CAN Do Something
And Congress is not powerless either. Look at the market collapse right now due to the AI generated tariffs. Congress holds the constitutional authority over trade and tariffs under Article I, Section 8, which grants it the power “to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations” and “to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises.”
While the executive branch can impose tariffs in certain situations (such as under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 or the International Emergency Economic Powers Act), these powers are delegated by Congress and can be limited or revoked. In the face of harmful or politically motivated tariffs—Congress has the power to pass legislation curbing or reversing such actions. By reclaiming its trade authority, holding oversight hearings, and enacting economic safeguards, Congress can check executive overreach, protect American businesses and consumers, and stabilize both domestic and global markets.
They could do this today. But they are also busy hiding from constituents and taking money from Super PAC groups.
It is all stupid. And frustrating. And scary.
As we watch the government rapidly devolve into a one man show…some of us are left singing Eminem songs—
Dr. Dre, don’t just stand there OPERATE.
NOW.