This is presidential malpractice of the highest order: politico.com/news/2020/03/1… 1/2
I'm no fan of the current emergency powers framework (which lacks checks and balances) or of many of the authorities that can be triggered by an emergency declaration (ditto). 2/6 theatlantic.com/magazine/archi…
But there are such things as real emergencies, and there are legal authorities that can be very helpful in dealing with them. A Stafford Act emergency declaration would provide resources and flexibility to public health/health care institutions fighting the coronavirus. 3/6
Reportedly, the president won't declare a Stafford emergency because it contradicts his message that the coronavirus is no different than the flu. 4/6
The purpose of that lie is to keep the markets settled, and the purpose of keeping the markets settled is to increase the president's chance of reelection. The president is (once again) prioritizing his own reelection over the safety of Americans. 5/6
Declaring an emergency when none exists in order to build a border wall that Congress has refused to fund is an abuse of emergency powers. NOT declaring an emergency when one DOES exist in order to get reelected is also an abuse of emergency powers. 6/6
