SECONDNEXUS
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President Donald Trump's Monday press briefing regarding the global pandemic was nothing short of unhinged.
The President played a propaganda video designed to rewrite the history of his bungled response to the pandemic before bickering with reporters.
Another chilling moment came when Trump revealed just how broad he thinks his powers as President are—and just how little he knows about the Constitution he swore to uphold.
The President has begun asserting that he has the complete authority to reopen the economy and scale back stay at home orders designed to curb the virus.
The problem? He doesn't.
These orders were implemented by governors and local leaders, and Trump is powerless to revoke them according to the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
At the press briefing, Trump insisted that was untrue.
Watch below.
TRUMP: "When somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is total. And that's the way it's gotta be. It's total." pic.twitter.com/zIuiBn1Mhw
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 13, 2020
Trump said:
"When you say my authority, the President's authority, not mine, because it's not me. When somebody is the President of the United States, the authority is total. And that's the way it's gotta be. It's total. And the governors know that."
Up until now, the President has said states were on their own in handling the pandemic, and that they should only rely upon the federal government as a backup. Now that he's eager to reopen the economy despite the potential human toll, he claims to have total power.
The President's claim was disturbing to many—even Republican Congresswoman from Wyoming, Liz Cheney, who is one of the President's most vocal defenders.
Cheney cited the 10th Amendment in a tweet subtly rebuking Trump's claim.
The federal government does not have absolute power. “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Consti… https://t.co/JvBYkxAHa6— Liz Cheney (@Liz Cheney) 1586821340.0
That rebuke, however, rang hollow.
Cheney has enabled Trump's slide into totalitarianism nearly every step of the way.
@Liz_Cheney Fake outrage tweets with zero action. The Liz Cheney way. Pathetic— Ned Pyle (@Ned Pyle) 1586854612.0
@Liz_Cheney Sure. And yet when HE grabs more power than the Constitution allows him or commits high crimes and misd… https://t.co/6oZKmjQ8aU— Jamie Schler (@Jamie Schler) 1586844080.0
Liz Cheney voted to acquit this cruel tantrum child and keep him in our highest office. No takebacks.… https://t.co/qXEoXUVdKE— Paul Moment (@Paul Moment) 1586863453.0
It's people like you who've enabled this jackass from the beginning. He thinks he has absolute power because of you… https://t.co/oTsfqaMy2U— Shaun T (@Shaun T) 1586869843.0
Cheney voted and railed against Trump's impeachment before he was acquitted by the Republican Senate, a fact that people wasted no time reminding her of.
And you voted against impeachment because...? Yeah. Take some time, @Liz_Cheney. Explain that one. https://t.co/uBPgx4li94— Harry Turtledove (@Harry Turtledove) 1586867451.0
Weird. He was literally just on trial for this three months ago and you seemed to feel different then, @Liz_Cheney. https://t.co/aJqeuzWmyP— natcassidy (@natcassidy) 1586867703.0
@Liz_Cheney So true, Liz. So true. Too bad you voted against impeachment and encouraged this kind of dictatorial nonsense. Good work.— Tracy P (@Tracy P) 1586826667.0
Cheney wouldn't even call him out by name.
No one said the "federal government" had absolute power. @realDonaldTrump said HE has total power. Will you call… https://t.co/Erl1csdMmq— Jennifer Horn (@Jennifer Horn) 1586833311.0
Here Liz, tagged him for you... @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/d4DMtflxmA— Travis Akers (@Travis Akers) 1586874743.0
Tag @realDonaldTrump you coward https://t.co/shfH7BImFy— Devin's Dog (@Devin's Dog) 1586841177.0
You forgot to tag @realDonaldTrump Or your dad for that matter. https://t.co/e7FbCqO2PF— Michelangelo Signorile, subscribe to my newsletter (@Michelangelo Signorile, subscribe to my newsletter) 1586871074.0
Way to go, Liz.