“We are the Federal Law”
Governing like a dictator.
Via the AP: Trump spars with Maine’s governor at the White House over transgender athletes.
The confrontation during the meeting came after Mills and Trump had traded barbs over the last 24 hours regarding his push to bar transgender athletes from playing in girls’ and women’s sports. The confrontation in the State Dining Room was an unusual breach of the typically courteous interactions that lawmakers, even of opposing parties, have historically shared at the White House.
The back-and-forth came in the middle of the president’s remarks welcoming the nation’s governors to the White House. As he was speaking about an executive order he signed earlier this month on transgender athletes, he sought out Mills in the room after singling her out a day earlier in remarks to the Republican Governors Association.
Here’s the interchange.
“Is Maine here, the governor of Maine?” he asked.
“I’m here,” she replied.
“Are you not going to comply with it?” he asked.
“I’m complying with state and federal laws,” Mills replied.
Trump responded, “We are the federal law.” He again threatened the state’s federal funding and said Maine may be a Democratic state but its residents largely agree with him on this issue.
“We’re going to follow the law,” she said.
“You’d better comply,” Trump warned. “Otherwise, you’re not getting any federal funding.”
“We’ll see you in court,” the governor replied.
“Good, I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one,” Trump said. “And enjoy your life after governor because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”
Here is a video clip, as I think hearing himself say “we are the federal law” and his general tone is needed beyond just reading his statement.
Click here for the tweet, as the embed appears not to be working.
This is simply not the way a democratic head of government should behave. This is the way an authoritarian behaves. I am sure many of his fans in the populace will be pleased with his confrontational demeanor, but they are cheering dictatorial behavior.
He is not the “federal law.” Yes, he can issue Executive Orders, but they are challengable in court. EO’s have to conform, ultimately, with what the legislature has passed. Congress is the lawmaker, not the executive. This is the nature of the constitutional order. Maybe he can do what he asserted, and maybe he can’t. I have no informed view on the subject.
Governors/states have every right to challenge an EO in court. Again, this is all part of the constitutional order. There is no defensible reason to call out a political opponent in this manner and to threaten them both in terms of their state’s funding and their specific political future.
Trump continues to demonstrate an authoritarian personality and that he was lying when he would only try and be a dictator on “day one” only (like even that was an okay thing to say).
Wow.
I have tried to write more here, but nothing seems to land and make sense and make me want to click “Post comment”.
“Wow” will just have to do.
A reminder that French king who claimed to be the state did not get his head chopped off. That was over a century later.
I wonder whom the felon’s “we” includes. the chief nazi, Mad Vlad, both, or someone else?
BTW, if America felt the need to transition from a government of laws to one of men, couldn’t they find a smart, patriotic man to take on the role?
@Kathy: Pretty much half of America thought Trump was that smart, patriotic man.
That’s what I’m finding so depressing.
It reminds me of a quote from one of my all-time favorite movies, The Stunt Man
I see President Doughboy is going to sign an EO making English the official language.
Now THAT is going to lower the price of eggs and gas!!!
@Daryl: Of course, executive orders are not legislation. At some point, there has to be a significant legal and political challenge to Congress becoming the Supreme Soviet.
@Kingdaddy: It seems to me that Trump quite clearly can demand that all interaction with US government agencies be done in English. He can fire all the translators, and language specialists, unless they are specifically mandated by law*. I don’t know why this would’t be a political issue for the GOP though. They depend on Cubans in Florida and Mexicans in Texas. Maybe elsewhere.
*Well, he can do more, but we’re talking legally. But then, I could be wrong about this and multilinguality is mandated by law.
A false internet post said that Mills subsequently stated that if funding was cut then Maine workers would no longer pay Federal Taxes. Again, it was fake and Mills never said that.
BUT…it’s an idea/topic that I think needs more attention.
Blue States supporting Red States is a real thing (not Maine, however). I think it’s long past time that Blue States demand better economic management from Red States.
Being lectured about the economy by MAGA Moses Mike Johnson, who’s home state of LA is the biggest recipient of Blue State money, is insulting.
@Kingdaddy:
@Jay L Gischer:
Obviously this is just gruel for the bigoted MAGAts, who are absolutely terrified of anyone or anything not just like them.
It’s about as serious as renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
Jarring juxtaposition of attitude from someone who has run from the law, and run from “doing the right thing” all his life. Now he is the law, and center of “moral authority” for this country.
Yes, Trump is a narcissist. Yes, he is a fascist. May Mills and all in her camp resist this malignancy with every resource and every ounce of determination.
@Kingdaddy: One may come in 2026. Whether it will be significant will depend on the voters and candidates.
@Daryl: Well, it is definitely gruel. But is it “just” gruel. There are people out there who really mean this, and really want this. Trump has no moral center, no sense of what he wants. He tosses this stuff out there, and it’s far from clear where he is going to go with it.
@Daryl: Alas, it’s not like employers and individuals are writing checks to the State Treasury that then forwards it off to the Federal Treasury.
Although I did hear rumblings about changing that as part of getting rid of the IRS.
@Daryl: Here in the Free State of Florida ™ we have bill pending to rename part of the famousTamiami Trail “Gulf of America Trail”.
No Donald Trump. You are wrong.
@Mister Bluster: Sure, but only to the degree to which he is willing to perform the duties of his office in conformance with that statement.
Or to which someone else has the power to require him to. (Remembering at this point that power may involve there being only one thing humans have the actual power to force other humans to do.)
@just nutha:..only to the degree to which he is willing to perform the duties of his office in conformance with that statement.
Yeah, I know it is a pipe dream to think that Trump will actually abide by the
United States Constitution.
Yes, not sure how our current system came about but this setup of states sending money to the feds who sent it right back with strings attached needs to go. Time to let states keep more of their money and let them spend it as they see fit.