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brooklynite

(94,602 posts) Wed Sep 19, 2018, 05:38 PM Sep 2018

Trump can't use FEMA's wireless alerts to send personal messages -- it's illegal

NBC News:

Contrary to public concern, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is not handing President Donald Trump a direct line to send personalized messages to American citizens.

He would be breaking the law if he did.

Last Friday, the Federal Communications Commission and FEMA announced plans to test a system that would allow the president to send a message to mobile devices across the U.S.

The announcement of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) test caused some concerns that it could be used by Trump like he uses Twitter. But in 2015, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., introduced a bill to prevent any president from abusing the system.

"Except to the extent necessary for testing the public alert and warning system, the public alert and warning system shall not be used to transmit a message that does not relate to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster or threat to public safety, " states the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015.

6 replies

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Trump can't use FEMA's wireless alerts to send personal messages -- it's illegal (Original Post) brooklynite Sep 2018 OP

It's illegal?! PJMcK Sep 2018 #1

Beat me to it, great comment. saidsimplesimon Sep 2018 #4

"It's illegal" lol oh my bless your heart. Fullduplexxx Sep 2018 #2

The article assumes that because something is illegal Trump won't do it, or other people RockRaven Sep 2018 #3

What's the penalty? gratuitous Sep 2018 #5

That won't stop the fear mongering mythology Sep 2018 #6

PJMcK

(22,037 posts)

1. It's illegal?!

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Wed Sep 19, 2018, 05:40 PM

Sep 2018

Like that will stop Trump?!

saidsimplesimon

(7,888 posts)

4. Beat me to it, great comment.

Reply to PJMcK (Reply #1)

Wed Sep 19, 2018, 05:45 PM

Sep 2018

"The best defense is a good offense." I hope the evil grifter is hoisted on his own petard.

Fullduplexxx

(7,865 posts)

2. "It's illegal" lol oh my bless your heart.

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Wed Sep 19, 2018, 05:42 PM

Sep 2018

Add it to everyrhing else he has done

RockRaven

(14,974 posts)

3. The article assumes that because something is illegal Trump won't do it, or other people

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Wed Sep 19, 2018, 05:43 PM

Sep 2018

would stop him or refuse his instructions on the same grounds. EVERYTHING in the historical records says that this is a very bad assumption.

I don't actually think Trump will misuse the FEMA notification thingy, but the article's analysis is dumb.

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)

5. What's the penalty?

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Wed Sep 19, 2018, 05:47 PM

Sep 2018

I did a quick scan over the law, and saw that yes, it is illegal to abuse the system. Oddly, though, there is no penalty: No fine, no jail, no censure, not even a slap on the wrist.

Considering the way Trump has conducted himself as President, I don't see any reason for thinking that he won't abuse the WEA system. Who's going to stop him?

mythology

(9,527 posts)

6. That won't stop the fear mongering

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Wed Sep 19, 2018, 05:55 PM

Sep 2018

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