Michalyn Steele

Last week, the Supreme Court denied President Trump's request to block payment of $2 billion that Congress had already designated, or "appropriated," for foreign aid. Courts are correct to be skeptical of President Trump's unprecedented, across-the-board federal spending freezes. President Trump certainly has the right to pursue his policy objectives, but the means he uses to accomplish those objectives matter.

Last week, the Supreme Court denied President Trump’s request to block payment of $2 billion that Congress had already designated, or “appropriated,” for foreign aid. Courts are correct to be skeptical of President Trump’s unprecedented, across-the-board federal spending freezes. President Trump certainly has the right to pursue his policy objectives, but the means he uses to accomplish those objectives matter.

President Donald Trump recently quoted Napoleon Bonaparte in an apparent attempt to justify his executive orders and other actions: " He who saves his Country does not violate any Law." But U.S. presidents derive power from the Constitution, not from the opinions of an 18th century French military dictator. Under our Constitution, presidents are not above the law, whatever their motives.