Welcome to The Logoff. As we speak, I’m specializing in a struggle over management of the Treasury Division’s fee system, a authorized battle with large implications for our democracy. At stake is Congress’s potential to maintain management over authorities spending, a vital (and constitutional) test on Donald Trump’s energy.
What’s the most recent? A federal choose on Thursday signed off on an settlement limiting the entry that Elon Musk’s Division of Authorities Effectivity will get to the Treasury Division’s fee system. For now, solely two DOGE staff will have the ability to view the system’s internal workings, however they received’t have the ability to make adjustments or cancel funds.
Again up. What’s the context right here? For weeks, DOGE staff have been pushing to entry the system — which handles trillions of {dollars} of federal spending — and sparring with profession (non-political) Treasury staff who oversee it. Authorities staff’ teams sued to dam DOGE’s entry, leading to Thursday’s settlement.
What entry does DOGE need? Finally, DOGE is looking for the flexibility to unilaterally cancel funds. That’s clear after the New York Occasions and CNN revealed that Trump’s group had tried unsuccessfully to get Treasury to cancel all funds from the US Company Worldwide Improvement, the company Trump has since gutted.
What are the larger stakes right here? There are privateness and safety considerations, however that is finally in regards to the stability of energy. The power to cancel Treasury funds would successfully give Trump management over authorities spending. The Structure reserves that energy for Congress, and Trump taking it could be an enormous enlargement of his authority. It could additionally permit Trump’s group to quickly paralyze spending at authorities companies that don’t align together with his agenda, making the dismantling of USAID simpler to duplicate.
And with that, it’s time to log out …
Okay! I do know that was so much. Thanks for making it by way of. It’s Friday, so I’ve a choose-your-own journey set of hyperlinks for you. In case you’re exhausted and simply want amusing, right here’s my favourite (and extremely rewatchable) Saturday Evening Reside skit in an excellent whereas. And in case you’re feeling motivated, right here’s a brilliant useful article on how you can deliver down your grocery payments. Both means, I actually recognize you studying. Have a satisfying weekend, and I’ll see you again right here subsequent week.
