1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern over recent actions that expose corruption at the highest levels of our government and threaten the integrity of our democracy. It has now been reported that Elon Musk has signaled his intent to funnel $100 million into groups controlled by Donald Trump’s political operation. This is in addition to the nearly $300 million his own PAC has already poured into the 2024 election and the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The blatant quid pro quo was on full display when Trump used the White House to promote Musk’s electric vehicles—an act that raises serious ethical questions about the merging of corporate interests with government power. Even more troubling is how House Republicans have manipulated legislative rules to avoid accountability for Trump’s economic policies. The Constitution grants Congress—not the president—the authority to impose tariffs. However, Trump unilaterally declared a national emergency on February 1, allowing him to enact tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Normally, Congress has the power to terminate such a declaration. But rather than allow a vote on this issue, House Republicans have passed a measure declaring that, for the rest of this congressional session, “each day… shall not constitute a calendar day” for the purposes of terminating Trump’s emergency declaration. This is not just a procedural trick; it is an outright subversion of the democratic process. By preventing Congress from fulfilling its constitutional duty, lawmakers are shielding Trump and Musk’s radical economic agenda from scrutiny. These actions do not serve the American people—they serve the interests of billionaires and political operatives who are willing to rewrite the rules to consolidate power. I urge you to stand against these abuses and work to restore transparency, accountability, and the constitutional separation of powers. Our democracy cannot afford to be held hostage by those who twist reality to fit their own ideological and financial interests. I look forward to your response and to seeing real leadership on these critical issues. The Republicans’ legislation that a day is not a day seems to prove the truth of Burke’s observation that by trying to force reality to fit their ideology, radical ideologues will end up imposing tyranny in the name of liberty.