John,
Donald Trump used his unilateral tariff authority to send global markets into a tailspin. Trillions of dollars in value were wiped out. Retirement savings plummeted. Costs for working families were set to rise overnight.
All of this damage came from a single decision made with no public input, no congressional approval, and no economic justification. And, unless Congress stops him, Trump can do it again, any time.
This is a direct violation of the principles of representative government. When one individual can impose sweeping economic policy without accountability, we’ve lost the balance of power that defines a functioning democracy. For now, Trump is trying to walk back his words with a temporary 90 delay, but then what? Does this all start over again?
This is what happens when one person holds unchecked power over U.S. trade policy.
Trump made a reckless, destabilizing decision that triggered economic harm for millions of Americans. If Congress does nothing, he’ll be free to escalate. Tell Congress: Revoke Trump’s tariff authority before more damage is done.
The Constitution gave Congress control over trade, not so they could hand it over to a president acting on unhinged impulses, but so they could protect our economy and our democracy from exactly this kind of abuse.
Trump tariffs showed the dangers of that unchecked power. They were incoherent, unpredictable, and disconnected from any strategic economic goal. They created uncertainty for businesses and fear for workers. And they made it clear how vulnerable our economy is when no guardrails are in place.
There is already bipartisan momentum to act because even some Republicans understand that no president should have the power to crash the global economy on a whim. But momentum isn’t enough. Without public pressure, Congress will default to caution.
Congress needs to hear from voters demanding immediate action, no more delays, no more excuses. Tell Congress to end Trump’s reckless economic authority. Protect our economy. Defend democracy. Reassert the balance of power. Now!
Let’s hold the line on democracy and economic justice.
- DFA AF Team
