this post was submitted on 06 Aug 2025
837 points (99.2% liked)

politics

25117 readers
2260 users here now

Welcome to the discussion of US Politics!

Rules:

  1. Post only links to articles, Title must fairly describe link contents. If your title differs from the site’s, it should only be to add context or be more descriptive. Do not post entire articles in the body or in the comments.

Links must be to the original source, not an aggregator like Google Amp, MSN, or Yahoo.

Example:

  1. Articles must be relevant to politics. Links must be to quality and original content. Articles should be worth reading. Clickbait, stub articles, and rehosted or stolen content are not allowed. Check your source for Reliability and Bias here.
  2. Be civil, No violations of TOS. It’s OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (pejorative, pejorative). It’s NOT OK to say another USER is (pejorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect! This includes accusing another user of being a bot or paid actor. Trolling is uncivil and is grounds for removal and/or a community ban.
  3. No memes, trolling, or low-effort comments. Reposts, misinformation, off-topic, trolling, or offensive. Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.
  4. Vote based on comment quality, not agreement. This community aims to foster discussion; please reward people for putting effort into articulating their viewpoint, even if you disagree with it.
  5. No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in a ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be banned without warning

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.

That's all the rules!

Civic Links

Register To Vote

Citizenship Resource Center

Congressional Awards Program

Federal Government Agencies

Library of Congress Legislative Resources

The White House

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

Partnered Communities:

News

World News

Business News

Political Discussion

Ask Politics

Military News

Global Politics

Moderate Politics

Progressive Politics

UK Politics

Canadian Politics

Australian Politics

New Zealand Politics

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Edit: as pointed out in a comment below, the official cause is coding error

Compare with the original, from a few weeks back

Half of section 8, governing Congressional power over the military is removed.

Section 9 had, among other things:

  • Habeas Corpus the right to get a court hearing instead of arbitrary imprisonment
  • a ban on foreign emoluments for the US officials (eg: payments from foreign governments)

Section 10 reserved foreign policy for the federal government instead of the states.

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 107 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Technically this should be removed as it's not a news article discussing the edit, but it's important enough that I'll leave it for now.

EDIT Story has now been picked up by Alternet:

https://www.alternet.org/trump-constitutional-crisis/

Edit 2 The missing sections are now restored.

Full text here:

https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/full-text

(Removed sections in bold)

Section 8: Powers of Congress

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards and other needful Buildings;-And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section 9: Powers Denied Congress

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Section 10: Powers Denied to the States

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

[–] ShaggySnacks@lemmy.myserv.one 2 points 6 hours ago

The most logical take is that this was an error committed by some employee. This is an administration is staffed with incompetence.

My more conspiratorial take is that this was done to muddy the waters for lay people. Judges, lawyers, legal and constitutional scholars would know that the missing sections still apply. The general public? That's a different story. The general public doesn't know what needs to be amend the Constitution nor what is contained in it.

The average person will go to an official government website to check the Constitution and all the changes made. The thought process for the average person will be "I guess they amended the Constitution."

When judges, lawyers, and other experts start to say "No, the Constitution hasn't been changed and these rights still apply." The Government will push the message of "Don't listen to these experts, listen to us." Get a substantial minority of people to believe the Government's message, viola! Problems for all!*

Case in point, sovereign citizens and how sheriffs are the only real law enforcement. These people believe absolute bull shit legal theories. Imagine when you have the Government backing the theory of "the rights were amended out of the Constitution" or what crack brained shit the Government comes up with.

*Just no problems for the authoritarian government.

[–] CMDR_Horn@lemmy.world 8 points 15 hours ago (1 children)
[–] scottrepreneur@lemmy.world 6 points 14 hours ago

Lemmy mentioned!

[–] BigMacHole@sopuli.xyz 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

So?

-People who defend MASS SCHOOL SHOOTERS because of the Second Amendment!

[–] disco@lemdro.id 2 points 23 hours ago

Hell, they defend pedophiles too. Backwards country full of yokels

[–] cAUzapNEAGLb@lemmy.world 20 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Update from the Library of Congress says they'll fix it and gave a weak excuse, for now they've added a banner to the website saying its not accurate

At least they are not doubling down

https://bsky.app/profile/librarycongress.bsky.social/post/3lvqilhwb6k2x

[–] III@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me a thousand times while I gargle Trump's balls, call me MAGA.

[–] baines@lemmy.cafe 180 points 2 days ago (7 children)

how is this not a bigger deal?

[–] silence7@slrpnk.net 76 points 2 days ago (7 children)

Because we dont know for sure that its not some really dumb technical problem instead of yet another announcement of the intent to turn the US into a dictatorship.

[–] s@piefed.world 130 points 2 days ago

A fuckup that specifically in line with what the Führer wants is no accident

[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 74 points 2 days ago (10 children)

What possible 'technical problem' could do this? It's not like the whole page has just gone offline. Specific sections of text are missing. And this is text that should never need updating.

load more comments (10 replies)
load more comments (5 replies)
[–] Randomgal@lemmy.ca 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

To be fair, it's because the website is not the constitution.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] breecher@sh.itjust.works 41 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Put it in the pile of big deals.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (4 replies)
[–] SabinStargem@lemmy.today 59 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (11 children)

With every month that passes, comes greater confirmation that investing in a firearm is the right call. That sucks, because training is expensive as heck on my budget. Hopefully, I won't have to use my shotgun.

Unfortunately, I have a feeling that blood will tell the direction that North America ultimately takes. The original Constitution was written in red, and I expect a renewed one to also drip with crimson.

[–] Bluewing@lemmy.world 29 points 1 day ago (7 children)

The tree of Liberty must refreshed with the blood of tyrants and patriots from time to time. I do agree with you. That time is perhaps drawing near.

load more comments (7 replies)
load more comments (10 replies)
[–] empireOfLove2@lemmy.dbzer0.com 96 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I just threw that whole page into multiple archive sites, so when they revert it later and claim nothing happened, there's still a log.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] Stimpy@lemmy.world 97 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Benjamin felt a nose nuzzling at his shoulder. He looked round. It was Clover. Her old eyes looked dimmer than ever. Without saying anything, she tugged gently at his mane and led him round to the end of the big barn, where the Seven Commandments were written. For a minute or two they stood gazing at the tatted wall with its white lettering.

"My sight is failing," she said finally. "Even when I was young I could not have read what was written there. But it appears to me that that wall looks different. Are the Seven Commandments the same as they used to be, Benjamin?"

For once Benjamin consented to break his rule, and he read out to her what was written on the wall. There was nothing there now except a single Commandment. It ran:

ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL

BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] kylie_kraft@lemmy.world 91 points 2 days ago (3 children)

It's just so fucking stupid and terrifying at the same time.

They don't got to burn the books, they just remove them.

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 73 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (8 children)

Holy shit, it’s indexed in search engines but 404s:

https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-1/section-9/

Removed here too:

https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-1/

Here are sections 9/10 on another government website, just to make sure I’m not crazy: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript#1-9

[–] wetbeardhairs@lemmy.dbzer0.com 49 points 2 days ago (6 children)

Yeah that pretty much confirms it wasn't just a text based whoopsie. Which... there's no real reason to be modifying the contents of that page anyways. Even the browse article 1 section no longer has links to section 9 or 10.

load more comments (6 replies)
load more comments (7 replies)
[–] gerowen@lemmy.world 37 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I just emailed 404 Media about this.

[–] Tolookah@discuss.tchncs.de 21 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I contacted my representatives. They'll make some noise, if nothing else.

Same. We'll see if they read my essay of a message.

[–] Sekoia@lemmy.blahaj.zone 31 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I think these are probably the main bits they wanted to remove (both Article I section 9):

  • The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
  • No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
  • No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

Pure speculation to be clear, but they removed only the end of section 8, and probably removed section 10 because it would have to be numbered differently. Habeas Corpus has been causing them trouble, they've been stealing money pretty blatantly already, and bill of attainder/ex post facto laws seem convenient to them.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] VitoRobles@lemmy.today 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

Internet archives about to get unreliable.

https://tech.yahoo.com/general/articles/internet-archive-now-official-us-123036550.html

First delete it from the website. Then delete it from the internet history.

Then say it's all gaslighting.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] londos@lemmy.world 69 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Is this getting media attention?

[–] silence7@slrpnk.net 54 points 2 days ago (1 children)

So far as I'm aware, its circulating among environmental journalists, but not the broader press yet

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments
view more: next ›