Today’s links Trump’s Tiktok two-step is a lesson for future presidents: Deference to corrupt institutions didn’t get Democrats re-elected. Hey look at this: Delights to delectate. Object permanence: 2005, 2010, 2015 Upcoming appearances: Where to find me. Recent appearances: Where I’ve been. Latest books: You keep readin’ em, I’ll keep writin’ ’em. Upcoming books: Like I said, I’ll keep writin’ ’em. Colophon: All the rest. Trump’s Tiktok two-step is a lesson for future presidents (permalink) Remember the Tiktok ban? I know, it was ten million years ago (in Musk years, anyway), so it may have slipped your mind, but let me remind you: Congress passed a law saying Tiktok was banned. Trump said he wouldn’t enforce the law. The end. No, really. I mean, sure, there’s a bunch of bullshit about whether Trump will pick up the ban again after Tiktok’s grace period ends, depending on whether they sell themselves to his creepy wax museum pal Larry Ellison. Maybe he will. Maybe Tiktok’ll buy so many trumpcoins that he forgets about. Whatevs. The important thing here is: Congress passed a (stupid) law and Trump said, “I’ve decided not to enforce that law” and then that was it: https://prospect.org/justice/2025-01-31-trump-administration-test-supreme-court-tiktok/ Sure, there’s some big rule of law/checks and balances/separation of powers problems here, and there are plenty of laws I’m mad about Trump not enforcing (like the law that says corporations can’t bribe foreign governments, say). But this one? Sure, it’s fine. The problem with Tiktok is that it invades our privacy…Pluralistic: Trump's Tiktok two-step is a lesson for future presidents (12 Feb 2025)