Trump Airwaves Takeover?

As reports emerged that President Donald Trump considered declaring a national emergency to fund a wall on the Southern border, Federal Communications Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel wrote on Twitter such a move permits the president to “shut down or take over communications in war or emergency.” It's not clear just how expansive that little-tested power is — if, for instance, a president could use it to hijack TV broadcasts or disrupt Americans' internet service. The section of the Communications Act on “war powers of president” is “striking in its breadth,” Commissioner Rosenworcel said, adding that it’s important to understand what powers become available to the president across the board. “We should be asking the administration what authorities they intend to exercise if they make that declaration,” she said. During his prime time address Jan 8, the president declined to make a national emergency declaration.