Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) seemed to think he had a slam dunk argument against President Biden's rush of executive orders. But in an attempt to spin Biden's own words against him on Thursday, McConnell ended up replacing Biden's quote with a misleading version that has been circulating online.
Biden has signed more than 30 executive orders since he took office last week, taking aim at former President Donald Trump's immigration crackdowns, loosened environmental policies, and more. McConnell on Thursday claimed the flurry of orders flew in the face of what Biden said in an October town hall: That "you can't legislate by executive action unless you are a dictator." But as CNN's Daniel Dale points out, Biden actually said "there are some things you can't do by executive order unless you're a dictator," with no reference to legislation.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 2, 2025Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - world domination, fantasy dominion, and more
-
5 dangerously funny cartoons about air travelCartoons Artists take on fees, fears, and more
-
In search of British Columbia's spirit bearsThe Week Recommends Canada's Pacific coast harbours a myriad of 'wondrous creatures'
-
Judge tells White House to stop ordering mass firingsspeed read The ruling is a complication in the Trump administration's plans to slash the federal workforce
-
Trump vows 25% tariffs on EU at Cabinet meetingSpeed Read The tariff threats serve to enhance a growing suspicion that the president views Europe as an adversary, not an ally
-
Trump proposes 'gold card' visas for rich immigrantsspeed read The president claimed the US will begin selling $5 million visas offering permanent residency
-
House passes framework for big tax and spending cutsSpeed Read Democrats opposed the GOP's plan for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in spending cuts, citing the impacts it will have on social programs
-
Trump sides with Russia on Ukraine war anniversarySpeed Read The president's embrace of the Kremlin is a reversal of American policy
-
Trump purges Pentagon, puts MAGA pundit at FBIspeed read The president fired top military leaders and appointed podcaster Dan Bongino as deputy director of the FBI
-
Musk's email to all federal workers prompts blowbackSpeed Read Elon Musk ordered workers to summarize their accomplishments for the past week or be forced to resign
-
Mitch McConnell won't seek reelectionSpeed Read The longest-serving Senate party leader is retiring
