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 capacity to maintain management over authorities spending, a crucial (and constitutional) verify on Donald Trump’s energy.
What’s the most recent? A federal decide 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 be capable of view the system’s interior workings, however they received’t be capable of make modifications 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 in search of the power to unilaterally cancel funds. That’s clear after the New York Instances and CNN revealed that Trump’s crew had tried unsuccessfully to get Treasury to cancel all funds from the US Company Worldwide Growth, the company Trump has since gutted.
What are the larger stakes right here? There are privateness and safety issues, however that is in the end concerning the steadiness 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 will be a large enlargement of his authority. It could additionally permit Trump’s crew to quickly paralyze spending at authorities companies that don’t align together with his agenda, making the dismantling of USAID simpler to copy.
And with that, it’s time to sign off …
Okay! I do know that was so much. Thanks for making it via. It’s Friday, so I’ve a choose-your-own journey set of hyperlinks for you. When you’re exhausted and simply want amusing, right here’s my favourite (and extremely rewatchable) Saturday Night time Dwell skit in an excellent whereas. And for those who’re feeling motivated, right here’s a brilliant useful article on how one can carry down your grocery payments. Both method, I actually respect you studying. Have a satisfying weekend, and I’ll see you again right here subsequent week.
