Any Elementary School Student Knows President Doesn’t Have Absolute Power, Says Lawless

Any Elementary School Student Knows President Doesn’t Have Absolute Power, Says Lawless

University of Virginia Professor of Political Science Jennifer Lawless appeared on GoLocal LIVE where she spoke to the growing rift between President Donald Trump and state Governors on who is in charge of reopening the economy — and more. 

In Rhode Island, Governor Gina Raimondo joined with northeast Democratic Governors -- Massachusetts Republican Governor Charlie Baker joined after the announcement — to plan how the states are going to reopen their economies. 

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

On Monday, Trump tweeted in response to the Governors' announcement:

"For the purpose of creating conflict and confusion, some in the Fake News Media are saying that it is the Governors decision to open up the states, not that of the President of the United States & the Federal Government. Let it be fully understood that this is incorrect. 

It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons. With that being said, the Administration and I are working closely with the Governors, and this will continue. A decision by me, in conjunction with the Governors and input from others, will be made shortly!"

“He said very explicitly that as President of the United States he has the power to do whatever he wants — if you ask any elementary school student who’s learned about checks and balances, or separation of powers, or federalism they know that’s not true,” said Lawless. “I’m not convinced that Donald Trump realizes that it’s not true. Given this wartime footing that we seem to be on, that’s a very scary prospect.”

“If these governors defy him and don’t reopen the country according to his terms, there’s nothing really he can do about it. He’s worried because that could ultimately cripple the economic recovery that he’s banking on not only for the country but for his own prospects in November,” she continued. 

“Although the president does control the national security issues and public welfare of the nation, Governors do have substantial control over the economies of their state and if they want to coordinated with one another regarding interstate commerce that’s not outside their purview," she said. 

Biden’s Endorsements

This week, former Vice President Joe Biden receive the endorsements of former President Barack Obama — and former Democratic primary opponent, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. 

“Most Americans are distracted right now — so being this far out from the election, being this far out from the conventions we wouldn’t be paying that much attention, or retaining that much information about big politic news anyway,” said Lawless. 

“The [other] reason I don’t think it matters is because Biden is the nominee and from now on every time that Donald Trump says something Joe Biden will be responding [and] we’re entering the point where Biden — and all the surrogates — will be very outspoken critics of Trump," she added.