Amanda Frost is a Law Professor at the University of Virginia Law. She says a constitutional crisis occurs when one branch of government, usually the executive, “blatantly, flagrantly and regularly exceeds its constitutional authority — and the other branches are either unable or unwilling to stop it.”

Frost says the first half of her definition is already happening, and that it’s clear President Trump has gone beyond the powers of the executive branch. She points to him trying to usurp Congress’ “power of the purse” or trying to put an end to birthright citizenship as examples.

Considering their willingness to ignore or deliberately misinterpret court orders, I’d argue we’ve met the second part of the definition…

  • Australis13@fedia.io
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    12 days ago

    As an international observer, I would argue yes.

    Firstly, Trump’s position as president violates the Constitution (the 14th Amendment Section 3 - the insurrection disqualification clause). Then there is the chaos he has unleashed since inauguration, with plenty of clear overstepping of authority. The other branches are either unwilling or unable to stop him, so yes.