Nov. 5 is an appropriate date to discuss how not to seize power or disrupt government. On that day in 1605, Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up James I and the English Parliament in what became known as "gunpowder, treason and plot." He failed.
Today, Donald Trump has threatened by executive order to alter the 14th Amendment of the Constitution by redefining birthplace citizenship so that children born here of illegal immigrants are not granted automatic citizenship. This threat is absurd as some members of the president's party have noted. Yet, one wonders if this is not a signal on the president's part for how he intends to govern over the next two and possible six years of his administration.
Trump is an accomplished actor, something that was never attributed to Ronald Reagan, who after all grew up in that profession. So this act to use executive action is either as delusional as the plot to blow up Parliament was or a very clever deception and misdirection play beyond shifting the political debate the week prior to the by-elections in which words substitute for Fawkes' gunpowder. However, this promise also could be a hint about the president's future intent to make America great.
Commentators have satirized the president's idea of using an executive order, suggesting that the mouthpieces to make these extra-constitutional changes will be Breitbart and Fox News. But to push this theater of the ridiculous further, suppose the president has a post-election strategy regardless of whomever wins control of Congress and whether or not the promised "red" and "blue" waves materialize.
Since the president is keen to govern by executive order, why not issue one that will empower him to make America great. He could call them Supreme Presidential Series of Executive Orders, or "Suppressors" for short. What might such a memo direct in terms of constitutional changes to conform with the president's idea of governing?
Memo for: The American Public From: The President of the United States Subject: Supreme Presidential Series of Executive Orders (Suppressors)
Effective immediately, in order to make America Great and to correct the errors of the past that have prevented achieving this greatness and will allow government to work again, I am altering the Constitution as follows by decree:
In the Preamble, delete "We the People" and substitute "I Donald J. Trump, in order to form a more perfect union...."
Reverse Article I (The Legislative) with Article II (The Executive ) so that the Executive is the new Article I and hence the most dominant branch of government. In new Article I, delete Section 1, paragraph 7 so that the emolument clause no longer applies. The reason is that no president should be prevented from making money from prior work.
In Section 2, add new paragraphs 4 so that the president will have the authority to determine how, when and where all appropriated monies shall be spent and new subparagraph 5 that authorizes the president to appoint without Senate advice and consent all judges for less than lifetime appointments. The reason: Congress has been incapable of budget discipline and a good businessman is needed to ensure we spend wisely and that judges will agree.
In new Article II on the Legislature, amend Section 2-5, such that the president "will choose" the speaker of the House. In Section 3-6, impeachment and conviction of a president will require unanimous vote in which not less than 3/4 of all members must participate. Amend 7-2 on spending to confirm with new presidential powers and 8-1 to permit the president to set all migration policies. The reasons are obvious.
In Article III on the Judiciary, Section 2-3 permits trial by jury except for "enemies of the state" as specified by the president.
Change the First Amendment so that free speech is not extended to "enemies of the state." Simplify the Second Amendment as there is no "well-regulated militia" to read "All citizens have the right to bear and carry arms." Modify the Fourth Amendment on search and seizure such that "enemies of the state" have no such rights.
Streamline the Constitution by eliminating the Seventh Amendment on requiring jury trials for any amount in excess of $20; and the 18th and 21st Amendments that prohibited consumption of alcohol and then repealed it; and the 22nd Amendment that limits a president to two elected terms.
And finally, add a new amendment that grants all other unspecified powers to the presidency. The only way America can win in the 21st century is through strong executive leadership that only I can bring.
/s/ Donald J. Trump
Harlan Ullman is UPI's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist. His latest book is "Anatomy of Failure: Why America Has Lost Every War It Starts." Follow him @harlankullman.
