Well, here we are, nearly a year into Trump’s second term and could anyone have really imagined how bad things could get? Consider:
None of his campaign promises are coming to fruition. Congress, paralyzed by the longest protest-walkout in history, has been unable to come up with a single piece of legislation on any of Trump’s promises – not one.
Inflation is picking up steam with shortages and price increases sporadic throughout the economy. Wages are stagnant, prices are up, erratic shipping is leading to shortages galore, and employment is bouncing up and down in unpredictable spurts. All the experts predict significant downturns as business reacts to the evolving circumstances. Most predict a recession, with some predicting depression. All see the business future as being grim.
In the face of predictions from every reputable expert in the field and ignoring the experiences of the last broad tariff regime attempted in the 1930s, Trump imposed broad tariffs on a multitude of imports. The predicted consequences have thrown the nation’s import-export markets into complete disarray, with shipping in many areas coming to a complete halt, many smaller shippers collapsing, and the cost of it all being passed on to the U.S. consumers. None of the direct costs of any tariffs are being or will be paid by the foreign exporters; the cost of it all ultimately will all fall upon us.
The result of all this is a domestic environment in complete disarray. No one can predict exactly where the economy is going to wind up, or how bad it will get – but all experts agree that it is going in the wrong direction and is going to get much, much worse.
Now, on top of all the local problems and internal struggles, and ignoring hundreds of years of foreign experience, well documented principles of international law, limitations upon his authority imposed by the Constitution and existing federal legislation, and just plain logic and common sense, Trump has taken the country into the mouth of a diplomatic catastrophe of international proportions by his actions in Venezuela.
Consider:
1. His action – seizing the elected leader of an independent nation – is an irrefutable act of war, taken without the notice to or consent of Congress.
2. Individual criminal misconduct is not a matter for military involvement. By long standing tradition and law, the military is not to be used to carry out ordinary criminal law enforcement.
3. The area of individual liability in drug enforcement is a circumstance of criminal law and procedure, not cognizable to a military response
4. The area of petroleum development and export is a matter of civil law and economic circumstances, and is not cognizable to a military response.
5. Without a formal act or declaration of war, or formal authorization by Congress, the use of a nation’s armed forces is limited to the defense against armed aggression; there is no exception to this principle that would cover initiating military action by the U.S. against a foreign country without specific, advance Congressional approval.
6. No circumstance in the law justifies kidnapping a national leader without notice to Congress.
7. None of the drug related activities alleged to be occurring in Venezuela were conducted by or in the name of the government; although individuals in the government were alleged to have been involved, such would have been in their individual capacity and not as representatives of the government. There is no basis for a military response to an essentially civil issue of criminal law.
8. None of the petroleum development or exporting issues connected to markets in Venezuela were connected to actions or inactions of a military nature carried out by the government. All decisions and actions in this area were civil in nature. There is no basis for a military response to an essentially civil issue, and certainly no basis for independent action by a President without the authorization of Congress.
9. The use of the military in resolution of either issue is contrary to long established principles of international law, to the Constitutional authority of the President to act without Congressional authorization, and to fundamental principles of law separating criminal acts of individuals when compared to national acts of the government.
Trump’s address to the nation did not show any proper justification for ignoring or avoiding any of these essential elements of Constitutional and International law. The additional remarks of the Vice President and the Secretary of Defense were of no help.
None of our allies have supported Trump in this action, and none save Israel have indicated any support for the result. Trump has the entire nation in the soup, and it will take years to unscramble the mess that is brewing.
Hold your breath and stay tuned. It is going to get worse.
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