Plan to help Americans: uncertainty and confusion after Trump signed 4 decrees

US President Donald Trump at a press conference in Bedminster, New Jersey on August 8, 2020. Joshua Roberts / Reuters

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Uncertainty and confusion in the United States after the signing this weekend of four presidential decrees intended to support Americans in the face of the economic crisis. Congress failed to agree on an aid plan, which led Donald Trump to intervene. But the decrees signed by the American president risk being challenged in court.

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With our correspondent in Washington, Anne Corpet

"  The decrees signed by the president are unconstitutional,  " said Nancy Pelosi, the leader of the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives. In fact, Congress normally holds the purse strings, and the US President cannot dispose of the federal budget as he pleases. The millions of unemployed Americans are therefore far from sure of being able to touch the 400 dollars a week in aid promised by Donald Trump. Especially since this boost is conditioned by the contribution of a quarter of the sum by the States: however, many are already in the red on the financial side.

► To read also: Trump promulgates by decree a new plan to help the Americans

Republicans call on Democrats to resume negotiations

There is no guarantee either that tenants who are struggling to pay their rent due to the crisis will be able to avoid being evicted, despite the president's assurances, or that companies will actually be able to benefit from a wage freeze.

The scope of the four decrees signed by Donald Trump may therefore be relative, or even zero if they are challenged in court. The administration is aware of this: after contradictory statements from several officials in the media on Sunday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday August 10 called on the Democrats to resume negotiations in Congress, in order to reach a budget compromise that help get Americans the help they need.

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  • United States
  • Donald trump
  • Economic crisis

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