President Donald Trump on Thursday signed the spending bill and decided to declare a national emergency to obtain funding for his border wall. But not everyone is excited by the news. In fact, a number of conservative commentators and talking heads took to Twitter to explain why they're opposed to Trump's national emergency declaration. The most common reason people are opposed to the news: they're afraid Democrats will utilize national emergencies in the future to push for policies they can't get through Congress. Remember, President Obama used a pen and a phone to get things done. And we don't need a repeat of that.
Conservative @mattklewis: Trump declaring a national emergency to build a wall "is wrong... It sets a dangerous precedent."
— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) January 31, 2019
When a Democrat is President, they can "declare a state of emergency to address a school shooting," or to deal with climate change https://t.co/qpCEEONWBb pic.twitter.com/3GAIUt2xbz
We will see how President Trump proceeds with this, but this makes it a whole lot easier for the next Democrat president to invoke a national emergency on guns, climate change, etc.
— Lisa Boothe (@LisaMarieBoothe) February 14, 2019
This is low-key one of the greater self-owns in recent political history. He’s going to sign this shit bill *and* try to set a precedent that’ll certainly benefit Dems more than the GOP long-term.
— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) February 14, 2019
Exactly why a national emergency is not a wise move. ???????????? https://t.co/u93AoYPyrg
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) February 14, 2019
I don’t want this national emergency move to become the new Harry Reid’s filibuster reform.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) February 14, 2019
What if Democrats one day decide to say that climate change is a national emergency (they already have) but have the power to use executive action? Must be very, very careful here.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) February 14, 2019
Emergency declaration is a dangerous, rash, reckless, and myopic decision that should be passionately opposed by all principled conservatives. https://t.co/UgZ7hfvR24
— Philip Klein (@philipaklein) February 14, 2019
If Trump succeeds, it would not be difficult for a Democrat to declare an emergency based on the National Climate Assessment, and then go about using the military for massive infrastructure projects in clean energy. https://t.co/UgZ7hfvR24
— Philip Klein (@philipaklein) February 14, 2019
The only hope for limited government conservatives is that any emergency declaration gets quickly enjoined, and eventually nixed, in federal court. At least that would set legal limits on use of emergency powers. https://t.co/UgZ7hfvR24
— Philip Klein (@philipaklein) February 14, 2019
Republican strategist Rick Wilson went on a tangent about Trump's decision and reminded conservatives that this decision is bad for the conservative movement.
1/ Every one of you "conservatives" gushing about the abuse of emergency powers owns it when a Democratic President declares a national emergency on Day 1.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) February 14, 2019
Whether it's on guns or abortion or climate or LGBT issues, you just remember, you wanted this to be how things go.
2/ That's just the political side, but you'll own it. You wanted a national emergency for a totally made-up crisis, and so you'll get more.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) February 14, 2019
No tool goes unused in politics.
3/ This declaration is social engineering to make the lumpentariat of Trump supporters feel good about how he's going to Stop The Brown Tide and for short-term political spank-bank material for Sean Hannity and his imitators.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) February 14, 2019
4/ *Conservatives* used to be cautious about executive overreach, at least on paper.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) February 14, 2019
Now, they're cheering for a false flag emergency that will have long-running knock-on effects in the hands of the other team.
5/ "Conservatives" now want to make the budget process of appropriations *enshrined in the Constitution* subject to Presidential whim alone.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) February 14, 2019
From “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law" to ¯\_(?)_/¯
The question isn't if Democrats will now utilize this strategy and point to Trump's precedent it's a matter of when and for what issues.
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