RESEARCH LINKS
Issue 1: National Emergency
White House: “Presidential Proclamation Declaring National Emergency”
Sen. Lamar Alexander Statement on Trump’s Emergency Declaration
Sen. Thom Tillis OpEd: “I Would Vote Against Trump’s National Emergency”
ushistory.org: “The Powers of Congress”
USA Today AGs OpEd: “Trump’s Emergency Declaration Constitutional”
Issue 2: Civil Asset Forfeiture
Supreme Court Decision on Timbs v. Indiana
Institute for Justice: “Policing for Profit – The Abuse of Civil Asset Forfeiture”
Department of Justice Statistics on Equitable Sharing Program Proceeds
Forbes: “Indiana Claims It Can Forfeit Cars For Speeding, Minor Drug Crimes”
Heritage Foundation: “7 Things You Should Know About Civil Asset Forfeiture”
National Conference of State Legislatures: “Evolving Civil Forfeiture Laws”
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Issue 1: National Emergency
- Review President Trump’s national emergency declaration (link above). Do you agree with his decision to declare an emergency? Why or why not?
- Why do you think the Constitution’s framers created a system of checks and balances and separation of powers for the government? Is the system working as the framers intended? Why or why not?
- What are the powers demonstrated by the legislative branch and the executive branch in this situation?
- Which branch of the government do you think has the most power? Why?
- Read the statement from Sen. Lamar Alexander on Trump’s emergency declaration (link above). Do you agree with him that Trump’s declaration sets “a dangerous precedent?” Why or why not?
Issue 2: Civil Asset Forfeiture
- Should law enforcement agencies be allowed to take money and property from people who haven’t been charged or convicted of a crime? Why or why not?
- In your opinion, does the practice of civil asset forfeiture violate citizens’ constitutional rights? Why or why not?
- Read the Supreme Court’s decision on the Timbs v. Indiana case (link above). Do you agree with the court’s conclusion? Why or why not?
- What is your position on civil asset forfeiture laws? Are they in need of reform? Why or why not?
- What protections does the Constitution provide for people who are charged with a crime? Should these same protections be guaranteed to people whose property is taken via civil asset forfeiture? Why or why not?