this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2025
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U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a suspension of all military aid to Ukraine, escalating pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky mere days after a heated exchange in the Oval Office cast doubt on U.S. support for Kyiv.

A senior Defense Department official told Bloomberg that all U.S. military assistance to Ukraine is on hold until Trump determines that Ukrainian leaders are making a genuine effort toward peace.

The pause affects not only future aid but also weapons already in transit, including shipments on aircraft and ships, as well as equipment awaiting transfer in Poland.

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Edit: changed source from Bloomberg to Kyiv Independent b/c there's no paywall and more detail in the story.

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[–] [email protected] 56 points 2 months ago (9 children)

I have not a lot of knowledge how American politics work, but isn't this for congress to decide? how is Trump so powerful? (sorry for my daft question)

[–] [email protected] 45 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

It isn't daft. The Republicans since Reagan have pushed a fringe legal theory called the Unitary Executive Theory. Basically, they want the president to fully control the executive branch and military such that theirs is the only voice that matters for much of the government. Not unlike a king, but partially checked by congress and the courts. They have been taking (illegal) actions to try to get sued, and also have been suing others/other branches of government, to try to get the Supreme Court to hear cases that will support this fringe legal theory so that it becomes the law of the land.

I am not a lawyer, but this is possibly something Trump can legally do since he is Commander in Chief of the armed forces. However, this seems more like an apportionment thing, which is Congress' responsibility. Congress has allocated funds to send military aid to Ukraine. So, even if Trump as Commander in Chief could say "no more weapons to ukraine", it seems doubtful to me that he could (legally) stop weapons shipments currently en route.

But, by the time whatever government office sues the office of the president to get a judge to enjoin them to send the agreed upon weapons that were already apportioned, it will already have hurt Ukraine somewhat. Trump often weaponizes inefficiency. And these sort of illegal acts aren't crimes per se - they're just procedural breaches - the legal remedy is just to reverse the action.

So, probably not legal. But Trump gets to weaponize his administration's incompetence (or feigned incompetence) to at least delay aid. More competent people may support these actions, knowing they're illegal, to try and strengthen the president's role even further.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Wow! Thanks so much for this reply! this is very helpful, thnx a lot

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (4 children)

The answer is simpler than that: the "checks and balances" system is a facade created to prevent meaningful progressive policy from passing. There's a reason why Trump can modify a billion laws from day 1, but poor Biden couldn't possibly do anything to codify abortion as a right or prevent the bombing of children in Gaza.

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[–] [email protected] 33 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Republicans hold the majority in congress, so they're refusing to push back and are just allowing him to usurp power from them.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Thnx for your reply! i understand that, but it seems nothing goes via congress?!

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[–] [email protected] 37 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I would love to see everyone just start ignoring Trump and everything he says and just keeps doing their job.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 months ago (1 children)
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