After negotiations between congressional lawmakers stalled regarding another economic relief package in the face of the pandemic, President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders aimed at achieving Republican goals for the stimulus package.
The orders include a payroll tax deferral, the reconsideration of evictions, the waiving of student loan payments, and the cutting of expanded unemployment benefits from $600 to $400.
The legality of Trump's executive orders is questionable, with many of Trump's critics—and even some of his allies—saying that these orders undermine the fiscal power held by Congress.
White House trade advisor Peter Navarro seemed unbothered by these concerns in a recent interview with MSNBC's Chuck Todd.
Watch below.
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro defends Trump's executive orders: "I mean the Lord, and the Founding Fathers created executive orders, because of partisan bickering and divided government. That's what we have here." pic.twitter.com/exduSYOtGi
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) August 9, 2020
After Navarro hailed Trump as "the hardest working President in history," he continued:
"The Lord and the Founding Fathers created executive orders because of partisan bickering and divided government. That's what we have here, but the president has taken action."
People were stunned by the bizarre assertion.
The Lord? Oh heavens, and I say that as a believer.
— Joe Metz (@tscinti) August 9, 2020
We should neither miss nor dismiss the appeal to Christian Nationalism in Navarro's response. This is what dictators (and their minions) do - buttress authoritarianism with a claim of divine mandate. This is dangerous rhetoric used to justify fascism.
— Leah Schade, PhD (@LeahSchade) August 9, 2020
When people start claiming their actions are divined by the lord, you know they're running out of good reasons. It's last-ditch logic designed to excuse their actions by claiming they're unquestionable. But we don't live in a theocracy and that's not how you justify policies.
— Eric Ashby (@ericashby_II) August 9, 2020
This of course is complete and utter nonsense
— Alan (@JudahTheHammer) August 9, 2020
He claims that executive orders are from God? Wow.
— Patrick Fitzgerald MD (@pdxpatfitz) August 9, 2020
Others were frustrated with Meet the Press host Chuck Todd, whom they felt didn't adequately challenge Navarro's misleading or false claims.
Peter Navarro just said the Lord and Founding Fathers created executive orders on Meet the Press and Chuck Todd didn't even blink
— Daniel Uhlfelder (@DWUhlfelderLaw) August 9, 2020
.@chucktodd's interview today with Peter Navarro only serves to further confirm that he has no business on a major news program in 2020.
When will @MSNBC replace him?
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) August 10, 2020
Chuck Todd's "interview" with Peter Navarro was a disaster.
Navarro says DEMS want Americans to die from Covid-19 to boost their Electoral chances:
Chucky: "I take your point"
Navarro: The Lord created executive orders.
Chucky is unresponsive. @MeetThePress @MSNBC @chucktodd
— Julie Pillay (@Julia3131) August 9, 2020
Why does Chuck Todd of Meet The Press allow Trump advisor Peter Navarro to deliver President Pendejos talking points uninterrupted for 15 minutes?
— Art Navarro (@Angrybrownman21) August 9, 2020
Peter Navarro: Executive orders were invented by God, Democrats want everybody to die, Joe Biden drinks virgin blood, Nancy Pelosi kicks babies as a sport
Chuck Todd: I'll trust your word, fact-checking is overrated
— Nico XW (@Nicoxw1) August 9, 2020
The criticisms come only a week after MSNBC moved Todd to a 1 pm slot, instead of his old slot at 5 pm. The move was widely seen as a demotion.
Meanwhile, Navarro proudly shared the interview with Todd on his Twitter account.
President Trump has transformed the Republican Party into the party of the working class -- @potus broad base includes Main Street Republicans, Blue Collar Democrats, and Independents FED UP with the Washington SWAMP.https://t.co/3pQos16U4l
— Peter Navarro (@PeterNavarro45) August 9, 2020
@winnieharlow/Instagram
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social