Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) likened President Trump’s onslaught of executive action to a “blitzkrieg” whose ultimate goal is to “collapse our democracy.”
“The freezing of federal grants, the firing of all inspector generals, the immunization of political violence — does everybody not see what’s happening?” Murphy wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.
“In a blitzkrieg, Trump is trying to collapse our democracy — and probably our economy — and seize control. Call it what it is,” Murphy added, referencing a form of warfare characterized by its sudden, forceful and swift nature.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
In just over a week, Trump has taken various bold steps that have sparked concern among Democrats and other critics.
A memo issued late Monday by Matthew Vaeth, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), directed federal agencies to temporarily pause “all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance.”
“This temporary pause will provide the Administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the President’s priorities,” the memo read.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) lambasted the move immediately in a statement, saying the pause on federal disbursements “blatantly disobeys the law” and expressing skepticism that it is just a temporary hold.
Murphy also pointed to Trump’s move Friday night to fire at least 17 inspectors general at various government agencies.
The move compelled Democrats to write a letter to the president on Saturday, pointing to a law that requires the president to give Congress 30 days’ notice of watchdog terminations, a step Trump did not take.
“We write to express our grave concern about your recent attempt to unlawfully and arbitrarily remove more than a dozen independent, nonpartisan inspectors general without notice to Congress or the public and in the dead of night,” House Democrats wrote in a Saturday letter to the president.
“Your actions violate the law, attack our democracy, and undermine the safety of the American people,” they added.
On his first day in office, Trump pardoned nearly all Jan. 6 defendants.
Trump granted roughly 1,500 “full, complete and unconditional pardons” for rioters charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. There have been 1,583 total defendants charged.
Republicans have been broadly supportive of Trump’s moves, pointing out his election victory gives him latitude for change. But many have been left surprised by the sweeping nature of executive actions and firings, with some GOP senators asking for specifics on funding and saying the most violent Jan. 6 defendants should not have been pardoned.
