When President Donald Trump threatened a trade war, Sen. Ron Johnson had a telling response to why lawmakers, over decades, had ceded tariff power to the White House.
“If Congress were more functional, I could see maybe having a little bit larger role,” said Johnson (R-Wisc.). But Congress, “doesn’t want to be held accountable.”
He was talking about one specific area, but Johnson’s answer helps explain the wider way in which Congress has turned itself into a bystander as Trump runs rampant. He’s aiming to drastically shrink the federal government, restrict spending Congress has approved, and potentially demolish the global ...