The article argues that recent executive overreach and politicization have severely undermined established norms of U.S. civil-military relations. To restore professional standards, the incoming Congress must actively exercise its oversight powers, moving beyond mere criticism to demanding transparency in defense policy and personnel decisions. Key reforms include enforcing meritocratic promotion processes, requiring documented justification for senior officer removals, and preventing the partisan use of the military. These actions are crucial for bolstering public trust and ensuring the military remains a nonpartisan instrument of civilian control.
The Government’s Unprecedented Equity Portfolio Has a Distressingly Weak Legal Foundation
English Summary
Cato argues that the federal government's rapidly expanding portfolio of private equity stakes lacks a clear and explicit legal foundation. The administration is relying on vague language in existing laws, which previous presidents have not interpreted to justify acquiring shares in private US companies. The lack of Congressional authorization for these deals not only raises significant legal concerns but also sets a dangerous precedent for increased state control over private businesses and the broader US economy. Policymakers must address this legal vacuum to prevent further overreach and potential market instability.
中文摘要
Cato 認為，聯邦政府不斷擴大的私募股權投資權益組合，缺乏明確且具體的法律基礎。現行行政部門依賴現有法律中的模糊措辭來進行這些交易，而此類解釋此前總統並未援用，以證明其有權收購美國私營公司的股份。缺乏國會授權進行這些交易，不僅引發了重大的法律疑慮，也為國家對私營企業和美國整體經濟的控制擴張，樹立了危險的先例。政策制定者必須填補這一法律真空，以防止進一步的權力過度擴張和潛在的市場不穩定。
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