Trump using Twitter to announce huge policy changes or attack people is authoritarianism.

[Mrs. Overall]

I find it disturbing that we just found out about this large policy change in the military (banning transgender individuals) via a tweet with a "Thank You" at the end.

By using Twitter, all "announcements" come solely from him--there is no legislative context--matters and policies are simply stated by him alone and then "end of story."

And, if the media reports and corrects his tweets, those who initially read them and who are loyal to trump, tend to believe him because they read it straight from the office of the president.

This is an abuse of power and another sign that our democracy is in danger.

[NobodyHere]

1. Twitter is the future

I bet Democratic presidents will be using it too.

[Mrs. Overall]

4. You are right, but I am finding this disturbing.

I don't think "tweets" are the preferred mode of communication when it comes to matters that need context and refined explanation.

Maybe it is the wave of the future, but something in me is resisting it.

[RKP5637]

5. For major policy changes broadcast by one individual? We saw this in WW II era

by authoritarian figures/regimes.

[HipChick]

2. Imagine if President Obama led via Twitter...

The media need to call Dolt45 on his BS

[RKP5637]

3. Very well said and exactly true. The US is allowing this creature to enact authoritarian rule across

the country. Those cheering him on will be shocked when he turns on them too as he exercises authoritarian rule and the meek congress allows him to carry on.

[sunonmars]

6. Honestly, he is following the erdogan playbook to the letter, read up on it.

I can see whats coming. Needs to be stopped now or we're screwed.

[SharonClark]

7. Couldn't agree more!

[Hugin]

8. The definition of a Dictator.

May we now dispense with Godwin's Law? Please?

[Mrs. Overall]

9. He announced this in isolation without the knowledge of the Pentagon or Mattis.

Authoritarian.

(and just stupid)

[Tommy_Carcetti]

10. By Proclamation of Great Leader the Emperor Trump I, I hereby declare.....

....you get the idea.

[JoeStuckInOH]

11. I disagree with that rationale.

By using Twitter, all "announcements" come solely from him--there is no legislative context--matters and policies are simply stated by him alone and then "end of story."

If he announces that a policy has changed, and the medium happens to be twitter, then it wasn't "the tweet" that changed the policy. He was just reporting something or some decision that ALREADY had just happened. Whether or not he tweets something doesn't change that fact that a policy has changed. It's not like Trump tweets something an then it become policy by virtue of his decree/tweet. In this most recent example, Trump states there was Consultation with his generals and military experts, so presumably, THAT it where the decision or policy change happened... not when the tweet was made.

Hypothetical example disproving the OP theory: If trump woke up tomorrow and declared we were going to war with Canada via his twitter account, it would not actually happen. Because trump's tweets are not authoritarian decrees. He would still have to go to congress and ask for a declaration of war regardless of his tweet.

Twitter is nothing more than a media outlet and trump is not a dictator (yet) despite any of his aspirations.

[Mrs. Overall]

12. I didn't mean to state that his tweets don't reflect proper procedure in terms of legislation--

I am simply talking about his manner of announcing it via Twitter and the psychological impact of "proclamation."

I think it is partly a "shock and awe" sort of strategy.

For instance this morning, it appears that the Pentagon is blindsided as is General Mattis. He apparently did not work out this major policy change through the proper channels. The Pentagon learned of this shift in policy via his Twitter account. There is something very wrong with that.

I think announcements via Twitter are very different from a press conference or an in person announcement at an official podium that is broadcast live.

I hope that clarifies my original post.