Welcome to The Logoff. At present, I’m specializing in a combat over management of the Treasury Division’s cost system, a authorized battle with massive implications for our democracy. At stake is Congress’s skill to maintain management over authorities spending, a important (and constitutional) verify 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 cost system. For now, solely two DOGE workers will be capable of view the system’s inside workings, however they gained’t be capable of make adjustments or cancel funds.
Again up. What’s the context right here? For weeks, DOGE workers have been pushing to entry the system — which handles trillions of {dollars} of federal spending — and sparring with profession (non-political) Treasury workers who oversee it. Authorities workers’ teams sued to dam DOGE’s entry, leading to Thursday’s settlement.
What entry does DOGE need? Finally, DOGE is searching for the flexibility to unilaterally cancel funds. That’s clear after the New York Occasions and CNN revealed that Trump’s crew 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 will be an enormous enlargement of his authority. It might 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 duplicate.
And with that, it’s time to sign off …
Okay! I do know that was loads. Thanks for making it via. It’s Friday, so I’ve a choose-your-own journey set of hyperlinks for you. If you happen to’re exhausted and simply want fun, right here’s my favourite (and extremely rewatchable) Saturday Night time Dwell skit in a superb whereas. And should you’re feeling motivated, right here’s a brilliant useful article on methods to carry down your grocery payments. Both means, I actually admire you studying. Have a satisfying weekend, and I’ll see you again right here subsequent week.
