The Trump administration's appalling behavior -- such as, the head of the GSA outright refusing for some reason to sign the papers that would give money to Biden and otherwise start what is supposed to be the bog-standard process of a new president-elect hiring staff and preparing to take the reins in January -- has shown one glaring flaw in the constitution (or Trump's constitution, heh heh heh): too many things are based on the idea that whoever is president is behaving with some bare minimum amount of good faith: like, when a president enters his lame-duck phase, of COURSE his administration will start working with the incoming guys so the transition goes smoothly. This is obviously necessary even when things are going generally well, and especially so during a freaking pandemic or any other national or world-level crisis.
So I am wondering what future laws or even outright constitutional amendments might come about as a direct result of the Trump administration -- replacing "assumption of good faith" with "presidents/politicos must do this OR ELSE."
I'm thinking a requirement to release tax returns and financial records might be one, and a requirement that outgoing presidents (or their administrations) work with the incoming ones, might be two, to start with.
ETA; typos
Constitutional amendments
Constitutional amendments
Last edited by Jennifer on 17 Nov 2020, 15:25, edited 1 time in total.
"Myself, despite what they say about libertarians, I think we're actually allowed to pursue options beyond futility or sucking the dicks of the powerful." -- Eric the .5b
Re: Constitutional amendments
I'm not opposed to making certain things more explicit, but any system can be gamed by the guy willing to make absurd arguments with a straight face and shameless enablers in key places. One thing that we have learned in the 21st century is that a president with no shame and a similarly shameless Senate majority leader can do what he wants.
For that matter, a president facing an opposition congress can do what he wants if someone is willing to write a memo saying that technically this isn't forbidden.
Go ahead and write new rules. John Yoo or his Blue equivalent will write memos and a critical mass in congress will decline to call BS.
For that matter, a president facing an opposition congress can do what he wants if someone is willing to write a memo saying that technically this isn't forbidden.
Go ahead and write new rules. John Yoo or his Blue equivalent will write memos and a critical mass in congress will decline to call BS.
"saying 'socialism' where normies can hear it is wrapping a bunch of barbed wire around a bat, handing the bat to the GOP, and standing with your head in the strike zone."
--Lunchstealer
--Lunchstealer
Re: Constitutional amendments
I've been watching the obstructionism around the transition for a few days now. The one thing that bothers me about the Biden side is that Biden is not technically the President-Elect until January 6th. De facto, he is, but not in law. It seems there is no way around Trump's behavior without a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College. Good luck with that.
If Trump supporters wanted a tough guy, why did they elect such a whiny bitch? - Mo
Those who know history are doomed to deja vu. - the innominate one
Never bring a knife to a joke fight" - dhex
Those who know history are doomed to deja vu. - the innominate one
Never bring a knife to a joke fight" - dhex
Re: Constitutional amendments
He's the president-elect when the GSA rules that he is.Aresen wrote: ↑17 Nov 2020, 15:56 I've been watching the obstructionism around the transition for a few days now. The one thing that bothers me about the Biden side is that Biden is not technically the President-Elect until January 6th. De facto, he is, but not in law. It seems there is no way around Trump's behavior without a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College. Good luck with that.

- D.A. Ridgely
- Posts: 20817
- Joined: 26 Apr 2010, 17:09
- Location: The Other Side
Re: Constitutional amendments
Even if the Electoral College were eliminated, one lesson that has been thoroughly established by the Trump Administration is that there's little to nothing that can force the hand of a sitting president who is unafraid of Congress. Trump may not be able to wreak all the havoc he's trying to push through now, but there's nothing forcing him or probably any other subsequent president to lift a finger to facilitate the transfer of power before January 20th.
Honestly, though, I believe reports that Trump hasn't had a security briefing since early October, so what does Biden need to know to safeguard the nation between now and late January? Sure, our adversaries may take some advantage as they've almost certainly been doing throughout Trump's tenure, but not in a way that poses any sort of existential threat to the U.S. And it won't take Biden or, more importantly, his competent advisers long to get up to speed. Lots of fresh classified information is very transient. Where nuclear submarines will be next Thursday, that sort of thing. If Obama really did keep Biden in the loop (and his memory hasn't failed) and Biden is getting unofficial intelligence briefings, I don't see the big deal.
Honestly, though, I believe reports that Trump hasn't had a security briefing since early October, so what does Biden need to know to safeguard the nation between now and late January? Sure, our adversaries may take some advantage as they've almost certainly been doing throughout Trump's tenure, but not in a way that poses any sort of existential threat to the U.S. And it won't take Biden or, more importantly, his competent advisers long to get up to speed. Lots of fresh classified information is very transient. Where nuclear submarines will be next Thursday, that sort of thing. If Obama really did keep Biden in the loop (and his memory hasn't failed) and Biden is getting unofficial intelligence briefings, I don't see the big deal.
Re: Constitutional amendments
Instead they’ll do shit that damage out long term credibility like hand over Western Sahara to Morocco for a largely worthless treaty and taking Sudan off the sponsors of terror list for the same.
his voice is so soothing, but why do conspiracy nuts always sound like Batman and Robin solving one of Riddler's puzzles out loud? - fod
no one ever yells worldstar when a pet gets fucked up - dhex
no one ever yells worldstar when a pet gets fucked up - dhex