# Trump's Shutdown **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 11, 2019, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577 "2019-01-11T06:18:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/541 "2019-01-28T20:03:48Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > If I were a better person, I wouldn’t enjoy this so much. Ah, well. [Mercy is the mark of a great man.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnuGC3reAkc) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/542 "2019-01-28T21:10:28Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > … If would be as if Trump invited Pelosi over to the oval office to club him in the nuts with a lead pipe on live TV while Pence looked on lovingly and applauded. Oh boy! _\_ I’m not seeing this on the schedule yet. When is it going to be on? Even if it’s Pay-Per-View, I’m payin! ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/543 "2019-01-28T21:15:16Z")
> [@Sandwich](#): > > Mulvaney said the president didn’t want another shutdown, but he would do it if necessary. > > Right. So the cunning plan is to spend a couple of weeks insisting that the president will shut down the government, then the president will shut down the government, then the president will blame the Democrats for the shutdown? 😕 You are correct. And then, the MAGA-capped morons will agree with him and blame others, as will most of the complete amoral dinks in the Senate. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/544 "2019-01-28T22:26:50Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Now Ann Coulter is [turning on Newt Gingrich](https://twitter.com/oliverdarcy/status/1089906651078017024) with some pretty sharp barbs. > > “The Constitution doesn’t just give free speech to disgraced politicians…” > > Ouch, Ann! That was totally called-for! Hmm. That would mean the entire Republican party would more or less have to shut up. Sounds good to me. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2019, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/545 "2019-01-28T23:12:24Z")
> [@](#): > > “Ann Coulter’s never run for office,” Gingrich continued. “She doesn’t know anything about how you put a majority together. She’s off here on some fantasyland where she gets to be noisy, which helps her sell books.” It’s almost as if Newt is daring Ann Coulter to launch a presidential bid. If she did launch a primary challenge to Trump, that would be _the_ end. Of course she’s unqualified, but consider the current White House occupant and who put him there. It would right wing wackadoodle cannibalism. ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/546 "2019-01-30T00:14:56Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Also, include all kinds of strict requirements for all work to be Made-In-America and American-Owned materials and labor. If [certain nasty suspicions](https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/letters/2019/01/19/letter-who-will-profit/) about the real purpose of the wall project have a basis in fact, that’ll screw Lord Orange over in a way that he will have the devil’s own time wriggling out of or even complaining about. With the shutdown over (or at least in abeyance), and the issue of Dane-geld less pressing, perhaps now it would be appropriate to offer funding for a serious Investigation into Border Security, or IBS. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/547 "2019-01-30T17:00:12Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > [Mercy is the mark of a great man.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnuGC3reAkc) [I am no man!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE4mqbNo0R4) _pulls out popcorn_ ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/548 "2019-01-30T23:33:49Z")
Damn, I hate to agree with anything Newt says but re. Ann Coulter - I’m stuck. Can’t find anything to argue about in that statement. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/549 "2019-01-31T01:55:28Z")
The intel and military reps did their best in their recent testimony to Congress to eliminate the “national emergency” argument about the US southern border. If Trump tries to declare a national emergency, it gets challenged in the courts, and Exhibit A for the plaintiffs is the transcript of the testimony, that there’s no real pressing emergency, that the military isn’t carrying out a military mission, etc. Exhibit B, to challenge the President’s credibility, is a copy of _Sicario: The Day of the Soldado_. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/550 "2019-01-31T02:58:56Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > …If Trump tries to declare a national emergency, it gets challenged in the courts, and Exhibit A for the plaintiffs is the transcript of the testimony, that there’s no real pressing emergency, that the military isn’t carrying out a military mission, etc. … If thump declares a national emergency, will it get challenged in the Senate–that’s what I’m wondering. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/551 "2019-01-31T19:37:54Z")
AIUI, the is no legal definition an administration has to meet to declare a national emergency. Just like “national security” it’s whatever the executive says it is. There are currently more than thirty “national emergencies” in effect. If it’s challenged, it will be on whether specific actions proposed are allowed, not the validity of the emergency itself. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/552 "2019-01-31T20:02:58Z")
AIUI, what **garygnu** wrote is correct. This may be a good time for [these articles on Lawfare](https://www.lawfareblog.com/tagged/national-emergency-act): [Declaring an Emergency to Build a Border Wall: The Statutory Arguments](https://www.lawfareblog.com/declaring-emergency-build-border-wall-statutory-arguments) and [Can President Trump Fund the Wall by Declaring a National Emergency?](https://www.lawfareblog.com/can-president-trump-fund-wall-declaring-national-emergency) ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/553 "2019-01-31T21:38:22Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > AIUI, what **garygnu** wrote is correct. > > This may be a good time for [these articles on Lawfare](https://www.lawfareblog.com/tagged/national-emergency-act): > > [Declaring an Emergency to Build a Border Wall: The Statutory Arguments](https://www.lawfareblog.com/declaring-emergency-build-border-wall-statutory-arguments) > > and > > [Can President Trump Fund the Wall by Declaring a National Emergency?](https://www.lawfareblog.com/can-president-trump-fund-wall-declaring-national-emergency) That second link affirmed something I had read earlier: that under a national emergency, the President can ‘redirect’ DOD construction funds that have not already been earmarked for specific projects. IOW, he could rob a military account to build his precious wall. I wonder how that would play out with the base? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/554 "2019-01-31T22:04:47Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > IOW, he could rob a military account to build his precious wall. I wonder how that would play out with the base? Just fine. They would blame Hillary or Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/555 "2019-01-31T22:14:21Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > That second link affirmed something I had read earlier: that under a national emergency, the President can ‘redirect’ DOD construction funds that have not already been earmarked for specific projects. > > IOW, he could rob a military account to build his precious wall. I wonder how that would play out with the base? I can tell you how that will prolly play out with Congress: everything will be earmarked in future appropriations bills so no POTUS can do what Trump is contemplating doing ever again. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/556 "2019-01-31T22:19:14Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > That second link affirmed something I had read earlier: that under a national emergency, the President can ‘redirect’ DOD construction funds that have not already been earmarked for specific projects. > > IOW, he could rob a military account to build his precious wall. I wonder how that would play out with the base? And by build his wall, you mean award juicy contracts to his business partners and friends. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/557 "2019-01-31T22:39:21Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > And by build his wall, you mean award juicy contracts to his business partners and friends. Of course, one of the largest U.S. steel producers is EVRAZ, which is controlled by Roman Abramovich, Alexander Abramov, and Aleksandr Frolov, who are close to Putin. [Evraz shareholders Roman Abramovich, Aleksandr Abramov and Aleksandr Frolov on list of those said to have benefitted from close ties to Russian leader](https://nationalpost.com/news/world/owners-of-western-canadas-biggest-steel-company-on-u-s-treasurys-new-putin-list). (NB: _National Post_ is Canadian, hence they talk about EVRAZ’s Canadian operations. EVRAZ North America is headquartered in Chicago.) ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/558 "2019-01-31T23:42:12Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > And by build his wall, you mean award juicy contracts to his business partners and friends. No would-be President-for-Life can get to _be_ President-for-Life without creating some oligarchs. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/559 "2019-02-01T03:16:29Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > No would-be President-for-Life can get to _be_ President-for-Life without creating some oligarchs. Or, as we’re watching in live action now, being owned by oligarchs. ---
**Author:** ![Anxious\_Squirrel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anxious_squirrel/32/1083_2.png) [@Anxious\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anxious_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577/560 "2019-02-01T05:15:18Z")
Oligarchs are the best garchs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-shutdown/827577.md?page=29)