Wealthy Donors and the Military: A Slippery Slope
A recent event has sparked concerns about the influence of wealthy individuals on the U.S. military.
President Trump's Controversial Announcement
President Trump announced that a friend, who wished to remain anonymous, had donated $130 million to cover military salaries during the government shutdown. This friend was later identified as Timothy Mellon, a wealthy heir known for his political contributions.
The Troubling Implications
The idea of private individuals funding the military is troubling for several reasons:
- Dependency on Wealthy Donors: It creates a dependency on wealthy donors, giving them undue influence over the president and the military.
- Loyalty Concerns: This could potentially lead to the military answering to the president rather than the nation, raising questions about where their loyalties would lie.
Legal and Financial Concerns
- Minimal Impact: The donation, while substantial, is unlikely to make a significant impact on military salaries.
- Principle and Precedent: It's more about the principle and the precedent it sets.
- Illegal Under Law: This kind of funding is also illegal under the Antideficiency Act, which prevents federal agencies from spending money not appropriated by Congress.
A Larger Pattern of Power Consolidation
This incident is part of a larger pattern of the Trump administration trying to bypass Congress and consolidate power:
- Refusing Appropriated Funds: From refusing to spend money Congress has appropriated.
- Undermining Checks and Balances: To demolishing the White House's East Wing without public notification, these actions undermine the checks and balances of the U.S. government.
The Path Forward
The best way to prevent such power grabs is for Congress to assert its constitutional powers. However, with Republicans showing little interest in restraining Trump and Democrats lacking control, it's unclear how this will play out.
