Donald Trump will need congressional approval if he wants to abolish federal agencies, a legal analyst has told Newsweek.
Why It Matters
Trump has vowed to demolish large parts of the federal government, from the Department of Education to the aid agency, USAID. If Congress approves his plans, it could bring radical change to many areas of American life.
What to Know
A former federal prosecutor has told Newsweek only Congress can abolish or defund government agencies.
Neama Rahmani, now president of the West Coast Trial Lawyers law firm in California, said that all of Trump’s plans will be tested in the courts.
“We’re in uncharted legal waters and the Supreme Court may ultimately have to weigh in, but there are several issues at play here,” he said.
“The president can’t simply refuse to spend monies lawfully appropriated by Congress. That would be a violation of the Impoundment Control Act as well as an infringement upon the congressional…
