Just Like Hitler Did in 1937, Trump Plans Deep Cuts to US State Department and EPA

As Thomas Jefferson said: "Beware the tyrant who would cut the Environmental Protection Agency, because there is no tree of liberty without a tree. Google it."

Reuters:

The White House will send federal departments a budget proposal on Monday containing the defense spending increase President Donald Trump promised, financed partly by cuts to the U.S. State Department, Environmental Protection Agency and other non-defense programs, two officials familiar with the proposal said....

A second official said the State Department's budget could be cut by as much as 30 percent, which would force a major restructuring of the department and elimination of programs.

I don't know if this is true but just speculating: While you can't just fire civil servants without a lot of costly lawsuits, I imagine that process becomes eased if there's a general downsizing of the department.

Meanwhile, a GOP proposal on Obamacare could slash funding to states for the program by up to 80%.

A GOP proposal to repeal and reform parts of Obamacare could cut federal funding to state health care programs between 65 and 80 percent, according to one analysis.

There's a lot of mere talk on that issue and a lot of Republicans seem to be very reluctant to do what they promised to do. And Trump himself, and some in his circle of advisers, seem reluctant as well.

Jim Geraghty notes that tonight's SOTU speech to a joint session of Congress will be a moment that Trump will not be able to avoid being specific about his plans on Obamacare... though I imagine he will avoid doing so anyway.

Trump recently said, "Nobody knew health care could be so complicated."

As everyone knows, "It's complicated" means you are kinda-sorta free to date other policy options, though there may be some rules about what times of day you're allowed to call.

posted by Ace at 04:41 PM

| Access Comments