DoomsdaysCW<p>'This Is What <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Autocrats" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Autocrats</span></a> Do': Concern Grows Over Single Paragraph Buried Deep in <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/GOPBill" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>GOPBill</span></a></p><p>The provision would force those challenging Trump "to pay up in the form of a posted bond—something many people can't afford to do. That means only the wealthy will be able to even attempt to challenge the most powerful man in the country."</p><p>Jon Queally<br>May 31, 2025 </p><p>"A single paragraph buried deep in a spending bill that passed the GOP-controlled House of Representatives earlier this month is causing growing concern among democracy watchdogs who warn the provision will make it so only the well-to-do would be in a good position to launch legal challenges against a <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Trump" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Trump</span></a> administration that has shown over and over again its disdain and disregard for oversight or judicial restraint of any kind.</p><p>"Coming just about half-way through what President Donald Trump has dubbed the Republican Party's so-called "One <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/BigBeautifulBill" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>BigBeautifulBill</span></a> Act"—which progressive critics point out is a giant giveaway to the nation's wealthiest at the expense of the working class and the common good—the language in question is slight, but could have far-reaching impacts.</p><p>" 'This is what autocrats do. Consolidate power, increase the penalty for objecting, ultimately making it more difficult—eventually impossible—to challenge them.'</p><p>"On Saturday, <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/HumanRightsWatch" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>HumanRightsWatch</span></a> (<a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/HRW" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>HRW</span></a>) noted in a detailed social media thread how the provision 'hasn't gotten nearly enough scrutiny' from lawmakers or the public.</p><p>"A recent piece by USA Today columnist Chris Brennan put it this way: 'One paragraph, on pages 562 and 563 of the 1,116-page bill, raised alarms for reasons that have nothing to do with America's budget or safety-net programs or debt. That paragraph invokes a federal rule for civil court procedures, requiring anyone seeking an injunction or temporary restraining order to block an action by the Trump administration to post a financial bond.</p><p>" 'Want to challenge Trump? Pay up, the provision said in a way that could make it financially prohibitive for Americans to contest Trump's actions in court.</p><p>"HRW details how the provision, if included in the final legislation, 'would make it more expensive to fight Trump's policies in court by invoking a federal rule that effectively punishes anyone willing to stand up against the administration.'</p><p>"Anyone seeking a legal action that would involve an injunction request against a presidential order or policy, the group said, would to face a much larger barrier because Republicans would make it so that anyone challenging Trump in court in this way would 'have to pay up in the form of a posted bond—something many people can't afford to do. That means only the wealthy will be able to even attempt to challenge the most powerful man in the country."</p><p>Read more / listen to audio:<br>www.commondreams.org/news/trump-buried-provision</p><p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CharacteristicsOfFascism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CharacteristicsOfFascism</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/USPol" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>USPol</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/AuthoritarianRule" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>AuthoritarianRule</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SilencingDissent" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>SilencingDissent</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Fascism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Fascism</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/BigUglyBill" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>BigUglyBill</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/BigUglyFascists" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>BigUglyFascists</span></a></p>