Bill Maher Shreds Donald Trump's Open 'Lawbreaking'

Bill Maher Slams Byron Donalds' Defense of Trump

Bill Maher didn't hold back on the Friday, February 7, episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, mocking Rep. Byron Donalds' justification of President Donald Trump's controversial executive actions. 
Donalds argued that Trump's transparency made his actions more acceptable, prompting Maher to sarcastically summarize, "We're criminals, but we're announcing it!" 
The exchange was meant to highlight the stark divide "between Trump's defenders and critics over the boundaries of executive power," a political analyst shared on X.
Here's what happened. 
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Tara Palmeri Warns of Trump's Power Grab

Puck's Tara Palmeri didn't mince words when discussing Trump's second-term agenda. 
She argued that Trump is "testing the limits of the executive branch," stripping congressional oversight, and consolidating power within his administration. 
Palmeri warned that Trump sees the Department of Justice, FBI and Attorney General as his "executioners" who will carry out his directives with little resistance — except from the courts, which are currently the only real check on his power.

Byron Donalds Defends Trump's 'Transparency'

Rep. Donalds pushed back against criticisms of Trump's aggressive policies by drawing a contrast with the Biden administration. 
According to Donalds, Biden "operated in the shadows" and ignored congressional inquiries, while Trump openly announces his plans, even if they are controversial. 
"If democracy truly dies in darkness, I would rather have an executive tell me what they're doing as opposed to hiding it from the American people," Donalds argued, presenting Trump's blunt approach as a positive.

Maher and Panelists Rip Trump's 'Extra-Legal' Moves

Maher and his panel weren't convinced by Donalds' defense. 
Maher pointed out that Trump is bypassing the checks and balances of the three branches of government, calling his actions "extra-legal" — a play on words to highlight how Trump is stretching the limits of executive authority. 
Palmeri echoed the concern, emphasizing that Trump is seeing how much he can "get away with." 
With legal battles looming and Trump's allies doubling down, the debate over executive power is far from over, and "is starting to get pretty alarming," the analyst stated.