After reading the umpteenth article [example here] from congressional voices talking about what President Trump needs to do in order for the legislative branch to reauthorize FISA (702), it’s worth reminding everyone how we accept goofy just because goofy has become the norm.
The FISA (702) issue belongs entirely to the legislative branch. It is their work product. It is their enacted law, albeit with an expiration date. The executive branch has nothing to do with the law. If congress doesn’t reauthorize a law they have enacted, that’s on the legislative branch – not the executive branch.
The legislative branch enacted a law; it could be unconstitutional and has never been tested in the Supreme Court. However, it is their law. If the same legislative branch allows the law to expire, that’s entirely their choice. The executive branch can do nothing to reauthorize a law that is entirely in the purview of the legislative branch.
President Trump should not accept the legislative branch dysfunction as if it is his problem to solve. It’s not his monkey.
Somehow the baseline of responsibility has been permitted to shift from the Legislative Branch to the Executive Branch, and the media are apparently clueless about how the separation of powers actually functions. Even if the Executive Branch wanted to reauthorize it, they can’t.
Somewhere in our modern discussions of things, we have lost sight of the roles and responsibilities within government.
As to the argument of whether or not to reauthorize it, personally I hope congress lets the FISA (702) legislation expire. However, that’s a distinctly moot point when overlaid against who has responsibility for it.
It’s time to teach civics again, and our nation would be well served if the people around President Trump simply reminded the media and by extension the American people, that FISA is a congressional responsibility. If they don’t want to reauthorize the law they enacted, then fine; but the issue is all theirs.
The problem of FISA (702) being carried out is multifaceted and complicated. However, the origin of the law and or extension therein, is entirely the responsibility of the Legislative Branch. It really is that simple.
WASHINGTON DC – […] Democrats have coalesced behind an ultimatum: They won’t support a reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act as long as Bill Pulte, an ally of President Donald Trump with no national security experience, remains acting director of national intelligence. The White House is standing by Pulte, at least publicly, while accusing Democrats of holding the spy power “hostage” and putting the country’s “national security at risk.” (read more)
One can only hope Trump also looks at it that way.
As the individual most abused by FISA 702, President Trump has every motive to let it die. I’m glad the RINOs and the Dumocrats are too stupid and infected by terminal TDS to process that fact. God works in mysterious ways. Hallelujah.
Yes and No.
It also allows POTUS to discover traitors working within and working with govt. officials but from outside of our government or even our country.
That may well be the primary reason behind the reluctance of some in Congress to re-authorize the law. Those most vulnerable may think stopping the law shields them from discovery.
Well, it’s set to expire this Friday, June 12th. Surely we the people can find something to keep Congress distracted long enough that they forget to renew it, right?
You made me laugh – thank you. Love the idea of the boomerang distractions.
I think I’ll riot for Carmelo Anthony to become coach of Syracuse University ladies basketball team. That’ll confuse everybody.
As if the IC needs 702 as a good ahead to spy. They are going to do it anyway.
Just like they were doing prior to 1978 when the FISC court and Congressional Intel Committees were created as outcomes of the Church Committee.
Congress – An undeclared domestic terrorist organization and unindicted RICO case.
Mrs Sunshine You nailed the truth!
Why would we want a law that lets a lawless federal bureaucracy spy on innocent citizens, i.e. us?
Maybe Trump voiced support for FISA just so the Democrats would kill it. Trump knows the Democrats will kill anything he supports. That would be brilliant.
I think we all know why “…the baseline of responsibility has been permitted to shift…”
If the heat is on Trump, it’s not on congress. They are only too happy to duck any and all responsibility.
Thank you, Sundance!
What if the Dems are scared that it will used against them? Is that weird?
I’m sure both wings if the Uniparty worry about that. One of the reasons they exempt themselves from the surveillance.
The POS’s in the sewer are having this faux b!tch fit over Bill Pulte, this is who they voted to have over see the nuclear agency…
Wordman run with the above pun.
It’s likely many of those in Congress and their families were themselves victims of this abusive and unconstitutional process. I’m surprised the vote isn’t nearly unanimous to scrap it all.
Which branch of government does the Vice President actually fall under? The Constitution shows the Vice President as the President of the Senate unless absent, or filling the Office of the President. Under the Executive section he is only mentioned as being elected at the same time as the President, and replacing the President upon vacancy.
The entire Legislative Branch is broken and they have no one but themselves to blame! They have ceded their power and their responsibility to the other two branches, AND to the lobbyists, for decades and now that they are actually being asked to DO THEIR JOB and write/renew a bill, they have no idea what to do!
The propagandists love to trot out the School House Rock (how a bill becomes a law) ideallogy until it’s not useful.
Stand strong on this one, President Trump!
FISA (702) Surveillance is only used to prosecute Republicans and anyone who opposes the Democrat Regime. Why would Republicans want to hand Democrats such a powerful weapon that will only be used against Republicans? 😎
Nevertheless(!) … the fundamental issue is, and always has been . . .
That both “Section 702,” and the surrounding “PATRIOT (sic …) Act,” remain fundamentally Unconstitutional.
Our Founders managed to encapsulate wisdom into single sentences . . .
Our legislature desperately wants 702 to continue, not as they say for our safety, but for their IC shenanigans. How I hope President Trump calls their bluff.