Why former Trump aides fear a crisis could unfold in a second Trump term

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October 17, 2024 Ex-Trump Aides Fear Second Term Crisis Over Secret Presidential Powers BY PHILIP ELLIOTT Title, TIME Editor's note: Today, we're highlighting exclusive reporting from Brian Bennett, as well as other recent work out of TIME's Washington bureau. Locked away in a classified safe on the White House grounds is a stack of papers crafted over decades with the hope that no one would ever use them. It lists the extraordinary powers a President may be authorized to use in the event of a nuclear attack or other massive catastrophe. Among the select few who have been granted access to the nation's most closely held secrets, the pages are known as the Presidential Emergency Action Documents, or PEADs. Some simply call it the "Doomsday Book." When Donald Trump was in the Oval Office, members of his national security staff actively worked to keep him from learning the full extent of these interpretations of presidential authority, concerned that he would abuse them. READ THE STORY » Exclusive: Larry Hogan Approved Millions for His Firm's Listed Clients as Governor By Eric Cortellessa Six listed clients won nearly 40% of housing awards over eight years. Experts call for investigation. READ MORE » What Kind of President Would Kamala Harris Be? By Charlotte Alter The fight to define Harris will be one of the central battles of the campaign's final weeks. READ MORE » Harris Increases Pressure on Trump's Mental Acuity After Bizarre Town Hall By Nik Popli The strategy follows a bewildering town hall where Trump played his favorite songs. READ MORE » What We Learned From Kamala Harris' Medical Report—and Why It's Significant By Rebecca Schneid The public has little information on Trump's current health. READ MORE »     Want more from TIME? Sign up for our other newsletters.         Subscribe to TIME   TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Connect with TIME via Facebook | Twitter | Newsletters TIME Customer Service, P.O. Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508 Questions? Contact newsletters@time.com   Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here © 2024 TIME USA, LLC. 1095 Sixth Avenue New York, NY 10036, United States of America Terms of Service