After defeating King George in the Revolutionary War, the Founding Fathers emphasized “states rights” in the Constitution for fear of too strong of a central government and another king.
Only those “expressed” powers stated in Article 1, dealing with the executive branch, are for the federal government. All other powers are “reserved” for states.
All aspects of elections and voting procedures are reserved powers of the states since there is nothing about them in the Constitution. Yet President Trump is trying to prevent mail-in voting, control the types of voting machines used and control what seems like every other aspect of voting and elections.
His push to have Texas gerrymander congressional districts is legal due to his conservative Supreme Court voting to allow it in 2019. However, the reapportionment of House seats should only take place after every 10-year census, not in the middle of that time period. He gets away with it.
Constitutionally, treaties regarding tariffs, settling of war negotiations and other foreign affairs issues are to be ratified by two-thirds of the U.S. Senate. Again, no one questions his actions.
Finally, the use of federal troops, ICE and the FBI should only be used during insurrection or severe domestic violence. It is up to the states to keep order within their boundaries. Yet again Trump disregards this statute.
“States rights” have been trampled upon. Trump just does what he wants. With his Supreme Court ruling that he cannot be prosecuted for anything he does in office, we have what the Founding Fathers feared most — a king.
Tom Tarosky
West Leechburg