Little-noticed order that gives US president powers far beyond mere oversight denounced as ‘breathtaking’

Trump’s executive order stripped agencies of their independence by making them directly accountable to a part of the presidency: the office of management and budget (OMB). The OMB is led by Russell Vought, founder of the rightwing Center for Renewing America (CRA) thinktank and one of the primary authors of the Project 2025 plan for an authoritarian takeover of government.

  • perestroika@slrpnk.net
    6·
    8 hours ago

    The executive order in question is likely no. 14215, currently disputed in court by the DNC. Among other things, it says:

    "(b) “Agency,” unless otherwise indicated, means any authority of the United States that is an “agency” under 44 U.S.C. 3502(1), and shall also include the Federal Election Commission.

    …and also…

    The President and the Attorney General, subject to the President’s supervision and control, shall provide authoritative interpretations of law for the executive branch. The President and the Attorney General’s opinions on questions of law are controlling on all employees in the conduct of their official duties.

    No employee of the executive branch acting in their official capacity may advance an interpretation of the law as the position of the United States that contravenes the President or the Attorney General’s opinion on a matter of law, including but not limited to the issuance of regulations, guidance, and positions advanced in litigation, unless authorized to do so by the President or in writing by the Attorney General.

    It’s easy to foresee that he wants to alter the constitutional order and establish an authoritarian regime.

    Some sound advise to people in the US:

    • observe what becomes of the legal challenges to this and other executive orders
    • see what political action you can take within established frameworks
    • get in touch and establish communications with like-minded people

    If the situation worsens, you will benefit from secure communications between people, to hold your councils, make smarter decisions and organize action.

    Also, some controversial advise:

    • if you’re into tech, find a nice hobby involving something like drones, model planes, airships, tethered blimps, kites, rockets, RC cars, boats, subs or even stationary robots - something that is interesting and fits your budget (let’s hope you’ll use your skills for fun and wholesome things, but life could make corrections)

    • it also benefits to know your way around communications: how to participate in a mesh network, how to establish a radio link to some distance, how to lay single mode bare fiber between 2 points exceptionally fast

    • Kitathalla@lemy.lolEnglish
      2·
      6 hours ago

      I was wondering what new one was out. The subtext of ‘little-noticed’ seems wildly misleading. Also, I wonder who is into rocketry these days? I haven’t seen them in my local hobby shop for at least several years.