Payments Crisis (way beyond Impoundment)

"It is no exaggeration to say that this is the most dramatic event in the constitutional law of fiscal policy in the United States ever." (Subscribe to Notes on the Crises or Tip Nathan)

"In gaining the ability to stop payments by the Department of the Treasury, Musk would also make democracy meaningless. We vote for representatives in Congress, who pass laws that determine how our tax money is spent. If Musk has the power to halt this process at the level of payment, he can make laws meaningless. Which means, in turn, that Congress is meaningless, and our votes are meaningless, as is our citizenship."
https://snyder.substack.com/p/of-course-its-a-coup

"Moreover, refusing to spend money appropriated by Congress under the euphemism of a pause is a violation of the rule of law and suggests that the executive branch can overrule the other two co-equal branches of government. This is contrary to the constitutional framework and not the way our democracy works. The money appropriated by Congress must be spent in accordance with what Congress has said. It cannot be changed or paused because a newly elected administration desires it. Our elected representatives know this. The lawyers of this country know this. It must stop."

https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2025/02/aba-supports-the-rule-of-law/

Step 1: Attempt to freeze spending via OMB memo (Impoundment)

This was unconstitutional and quickly blocked by a judge. OMB then issued a memo rescinding the freeze memo, while the administration told agencies to ignore the rescinding memo and continue the freeze.

Step 2: Unelected and un-appointed megalomanic billionaire gains access to Treasury’s payments system

Timeline

March 13

Can Trump Arbitrarily Take Money From Anyone's Bank Account?

A more technical version at Notes on the Crises | Nathan Tankus (subscribe to support Nathan)

Inside Elon Musk’s ‘Digital Coup’

[ .. Sorry, this timeline has big holes .. ]

February 7

A US Treasury Threat Intelligence Analysis Designates DOGE Staff as ‘Insider Threat’

February 4

A 25-Year-Old With Elon Musk Ties Has Direct Access to the Federal Payment System

February 3

Elon Musk Wants to Get Operational Control of the Treasury’s Payment System. This Could Not Possibly Be More Dangerous

Published with Nuclino