Forum Message

Topic: Reply
Posted by: Michael Ixer
Date/Time: 05/04/25 17:41:00

Steven.  In this instance as Trump has declared a national emergency he may be able to dictate these tariffs. I'm just going by this item that came into a social media news feed today from a concerned group. (Edited slightly to keep primarily to facts and remove some opinions.)

President Trump recently declared a national economic emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) — which grants him sweeping authority over international trade by labeling foreign economic practices an “unusual and extraordinary threat.”

By doing so, he unlocks access to over 120 statutory powers scattered throughout federal law. (It would seem many of these powers have nothing to do with trade but everything to do with expanding presidential authority inside the U.S.)

What this move apparently enables in terms of expanded domestic powers are:

1. Control of Domestic Communications
- 47 U.S.C. §606(c): Allows the president to take control of, shut down, or regulate wire and radio communications — including the internet, social media platforms, broadcast networks, and telecom infrastructure — in the name of national defense. Originally intended for wartime, this Cold War-era law remains on the books.

2. Asset Freezing and Financial Surveillance
- Under IEEPA and related laws, the president can freeze the assets and bank accounts of individuals or organizations accused of aiding foreign threats. These powers are vague and can be stretched to include domestic political groups, journalists, or activists — especially if they’re perceived as having foreign ties or influence.

3. Domestic Military Deployment
- Under the Insurrection Act (10 U.S.C. §§ 251–255), the president can deploy active-duty U.S. military to enforce laws or suppress civil unrest within the country. In certain scenarios, this can be done without state governor consent — especially if the president claims state authorities are failing to uphold federal law.

4. Emergency Detention Powers (Non-Citizens)
- The Alien Enemies Act (50 U.S.C. §21) — a law dating back to 1798 — allows the president to detain or restrict the movement of non-citizens from nations deemed hostile. The criteria for “hostile” can be broad and undefined during a declared emergency.

5. Control of Energy and Transportation
- Under laws like 42 U.S.C. §6272 and others, the president can redirect or restrict domestic fuel production, electricity usage, or energy transportation. Additionally, 49 U.S.C. §40106(b) allows the president to limit, reroute, or suspend civil aviation, giving the executive branch near-total control over U.S. airspace in a crisis.

6. Suspension of Labor Regulations
- During a declared emergency, the president can waive federal labor regulations and override contract protections. This includes removing limits on hours, wages, and workplace safety for federal contractors and any industries deemed vital to national security.

7. National Security Letters & Warrantless Surveillance
- Emergency declarations expand the reach and use of National Security Letters (NSLs) — tools that let federal agencies demand financial, telecom, and internet records without a warrant. These also come with gag orders, preventing the recipient (e.g., Google or a bank) from disclosing that they’re under surveillance.

In summary, a national emergency lets the president:
- Frame the issue as a national security crisis, justifying aggressive action
- Bypass Congress and the courts by acting unilaterally
- Sway public opinion using fear, urgency, and patriotic rhetoric

The IEEPA is was intended to focus on foreign threats but, once the emergency is declared, a president can tap into a hidden arsenal of domestic control powers. What began as a trade issue could quickly shift into civil liberties restrictions, mass surveillance, or other crackdowns under the legal shield of an “emergency.”


Entire Thread
TopicDate PostedPosted By
Trump's Tariffs 03/04/25 07:57:00 Sue Hammond
   Re:Trump's Tariffs 03/04/25 16:32:00 Sue Hammond
   Reply03/04/25 17:52:00 Michael Ixer
      Re:Reply03/04/25 19:30:00 Ivonne Holliday
         Reply03/04/25 21:59:00 Michael Ixer
         Reply03/04/25 22:36:00 Michael Ixer
   Re:Trump's Tariffs 03/04/25 19:26:00 Ivonne Holliday
      Re:Re:Trump's Tariffs 03/04/25 20:19:00 Steven Rose
         Re:Re:Re:Trump's Tariffs 03/04/25 20:40:00 Ivonne Holliday
            Reply03/04/25 22:40:00 Michael Ixer
         Reply05/04/25 17:41:00 Michael Ixer
   Re:Trump's Tariffs 03/04/25 21:36:00 Gerry Boyce
      Re:Re:Trump's Tariffs 03/04/25 22:13:00 Philippa Bond
      Re:Re:Trump's Tariffs 03/04/25 23:32:00 Ed Robinson
   Re:Trump's Tariffs 05/04/25 21:11:00 Gerry Boyce
      Re:Re:Trump's Tariffs 05/04/25 21:16:00 Ivonne Holliday
         Re:Re:Re:Trump's Tariffs 05/04/25 22:53:00 Ed Robinson
            Reply05/04/25 23:11:00 Ed Robinson
               Reply06/04/25 00:10:00 Michael Ixer
                  Re:Reply06/04/25 01:38:00 Ed Robinson
   Re:Trump's Tariffs 06/04/25 13:21:00 Gerry Boyce
      Reply06/04/25 13:43:00 Michael Ixer
         Re:Reply06/04/25 15:30:00 Gerry Boyce
            Reply06/04/25 16:18:00 Michael Ixer
               Reply06/04/25 17:32:00 Michael Ixer
                  Re:Reply06/04/25 18:07:00 Ivonne Holliday
                  Re:Reply06/04/25 18:26:00 Gerry Boyce
            Re:Re:Reply06/04/25 18:06:00 Ivonne Holliday
               Re:Re:Re:Reply06/04/25 18:29:00 Gerry Boyce
                  Reply06/04/25 20:40:00 Michael Ixer
                     Reply09/04/25 11:10:00 Michael Ixer
                  Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply06/04/25 21:16:00 Sue Hammond
                     Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply06/04/25 21:23:00 Steven Rose
                        Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply06/04/25 22:51:00 Michael Ixer
                        Reply: (Retribution & Reward?)06/04/25 23:21:00 Sue Hammond
                           Reply06/04/25 23:35:00 Michael Ixer
                              Re:Reply07/04/25 00:18:00 Ed Robinson
                                 Re:Re:Reply07/04/25 00:39:00 Ed Robinson
                                 Reply07/04/25 11:13:00 Michael Ixer
                                    Re:Reply07/04/25 20:35:00 Ed Robinson
                     Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply07/04/25 11:26:00 Gerry Boyce
   Re:Trump's Tariffs 07/04/25 11:24:00 Jonathan Callaway
      America significantly less great.09/04/25 19:29:00 Ed Robinson
   Reply09/04/25 19:56:00 Michael Ixer
      Re:Reply09/04/25 20:33:00 Ivonne Holliday
         Reply09/04/25 20:50:00 Michael Ixer
            Re:Reply10/04/25 19:10:00 Philippa Bond
         Re:Re:Reply11/04/25 10:17:00 Philippa Bond
            Reply11/04/25 11:08:00 Michael Ixer
               Re:Reply11/04/25 20:25:00 Ed Robinson
               Reply12/04/25 07:08:00 Michael Ixer
                  Re:Reply12/04/25 18:53:00 Jonathan Callaway
                     Reply12/04/25 19:06:00 Michael Ixer
                        Re:Reply12/04/25 22:00:00 Ed Robinson
                           Re:Re:Reply13/04/25 09:38:00 Jonathan Callaway
                              Re:Re:Re:Reply13/04/25 12:03:00 Elizabeth Balsom
                                 Reply13/04/25 13:20:00 Michael Ixer
                                 Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply13/04/25 15:43:00 John Hawkes
                                    Reply13/04/25 17:11:00 Michael Ixer
                                       Reply13/04/25 20:22:00 Michael Ixer
                                          Re:Reply13/04/25 20:44:00 Robert Wheeler
                                             Reply13/04/25 21:21:00 Michael Ixer
                                                Re:Reply14/04/25 08:45:00 Robert Wheeler
                                                Re:Reply14/04/25 11:03:00 Jonathan Callaway
                                                   Reply15/04/25 00:20:00 Michael Ixer
   Reply18/04/25 23:45:00 Michael Ixer
      Reply18/04/25 23:58:00 Michael Ixer

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