There is a pattern in American politics that repeats so often it should no longer surprise anyone, yet it still manages to disappoint millions every time it happens. Politicians campaign as outsiders. They campaign as reformers. They campaign as the people who will finally challenge the machine, expose corruption, defend liberty, and dismantle the abusesContinue reading “Trump, FISA, and the Endless Cycle of Power: Why We Must Oppose Surveillance No Matter Who Is in Charge”
Tag Archives: executive power
Even After the Senate Votes, the Shutdown Could Still Continue
The ongoing government shutdown has already stretched far beyond the expectations of most observers. Yet in many discussions, there is an implicit assumption: once the Senate secures enough votes to reopen the government, normal operations will resume. This assumption, however, oversimplifies the reality of U.S. governance and ignores the crucial role of the president andContinue reading “Even After the Senate Votes, the Shutdown Could Still Continue”
The Shutdown Could Keep GoingâEven If the Senate Votes to Reopen
The government shutdown is still dragging on, and the media narrative has largely fallen into a familiar pattern. Headlines reassure us that a deal is âjust around the corner,â that ânormal operations will resume soon,â or that ânegotiations are progressing.â Yet anyone who has been closely observing the current administrationâs approach to executive power knowsContinue reading “The Shutdown Could Keep GoingâEven If the Senate Votes to Reopen”
When a Shutdown Becomes a Purge: How the 2025 Government Shutdown Is Reshaping the Bureaucracy
The 2025 government shutdown is unlike any prior shutdown in U.S. history. While most shutdowns temporarily halt government operations and furlough non-essential employees, the current crisis appears to be functioning as a strategic bureaucratic purge. On October 10, the administration announced that reductions in force (RIFs) had officially begun, signaling the start of a massContinue reading “When a Shutdown Becomes a Purge: How the 2025 Government Shutdown Is Reshaping the Bureaucracy”
The RIF Test: How the 2025 Shutdown Is Reshaping Federal Law and the Constitution
The 2025 government shutdown is not merely a political impasse; it is a stress test of the very foundations of federal employment law and, perhaps more dangerously, of the constitutional framework that governs the executive branch. On October 10, the administration announced that reductions in force (RIFs) had officially begun, setting into motion a cascadeContinue reading “The RIF Test: How the 2025 Shutdown Is Reshaping Federal Law and the Constitution”
Whoâs Policing the Police? Authoritarianism in Uniform
In Trump’s second term, law enforcement agencies have been emboldened, with increased federal support and diminished oversight. The administration’s rhetoric and policies have led to a surge in aggressive policing tactics, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Civil rights organizations report a rollback of reforms aimed at accountability, raising concerns about the erosion of civil liberties.