Capehart Opens Show with ‘Welcome to the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump... ‘

CAPEHART: “Welcome to the imperial presidency of Donald Trump. I can’t think of a better way to describe the first six days of his second term. Through executive orders, he is challenging the Constitution and seeking to wrench all manner of powers away from Congress, pushing the limits of how much of the federal government one man can control. Earlier today, Trump unleashed his fury on Colombia for turning away to deportation flights from California. In one — in a single social media post, Trump announced 20 five percent tariff on Colombian imports, a travel ban for Colombian officials, and heightened security screenings for all Colombian nationals. Trump said the tariffs would increase to 50% after a week, warning ‘these measures are just the beginning.’ Colombia’s president just responded in the last hour by imposing a 25% tariff on American goods. And in Chicago, Trump’s long-dreaded mass deportations got underway today. Acting attorney general Emil Bove and border czar Tom Homan were on the ground with ICE to observe enforcement operations. Homan explained why they’re focused on Chicago.”

[Clip starts]
HOMAN: “Chicago is a meaningful place because we want to show the American people that sanctuary cities are not safe. Sanctuary cities are sanctuaries for criminals. That’s who we’re trying to target.”
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CAPEHART: “But the ICE raids and threats of prosecution against local officials who don’t comply with deportation efforts are just one part of Trump’s authoritarian approach to immigration. A federal judge in Seattle has temporarily blocked Trump’s efforts — effort to end birthright citizenship that’s guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, calling it ‘blatantly unconstitutional.’ The judge’s ruling prevents Trump’s order from taking effect for the next two weeks. President Trump is also ignoring the authority of Congress. On Friday, he removed 18 inspectors general, defying the law Congress passed after Trump’s first term firing sprees. Under that law, Trump owes Congress 30-days notice and clear Rationale for dismissing any inspector general. Trump, however, has shown no remorse. He claimed yesterday his Friday night massacre was totally normal.”

[Clip starts]
Reporter: “Can you talk to us about the firing of the inspectors general? Why did you do that?”
Trump: “Because it’s a very common thing to do. Some people thought that some were unfair, or some were not doing the job. And it’s a very standard thing to do, very much like the U.S. attorneys.”
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CAPEHART: “‘Very common thing to do.’ And shocker: here’s Senator Lindsey, Graham, one of Trump’s chief sycophants, defending the purge.”

[Clip starts]
WELKER: “Did he violate the law?”
Graham: “Well, technically, yeah. But he has the authority to do it, so I’m not losing a whole lot of sleep that he wants to change the personnel out.”
[Clip ends]

CAPEHART: “And then, there are Trump’s plans to eliminate FEMA. While touring hurricane damage in North Carolina, Trump said he would cut out Congress and put himself in charge of doling out disaster aid.”

[Clip starts]
Trump: “It’ll be direct. In other words, the aid will go through us. So rather than going through FEMA, it will go through us. And I think maybe this is a good place to start.”
[Clip ends]

CAPEHART: “You’d think House Speaker Johnson would jealously guard the legislative Branch’s control of the purse strings, and you’d be wrong. He’s said he’s all for the president’s idea. What other plans Trump has will surely be spelled out when he speaks before a joint session of Congress on March 4th, and we’ll all be all-ears, because 10 days later is the next deadline to avoid a government shutdown.”