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The Trump administration contends presidents can impose tariffs by declaring trade deficits emergencies — a constitutional claim the Supreme Court will soon assess.

Congress has systematically weaponized the “emergency” label to skirt spending caps, amassing roughly $12.5 trillion in emergency spending since 1991 without meaningful review.

The emergency designation — originally reserved for genuine crises — now routinely shields controversial provisions that would never survive normal legislative debate or public scrutiny.

In Washington today, the word “emergency” is a magic key; it unlocks powers Congress never granted, suspends the discipline of regular order and decorates bloat

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