By Jack Keen
On the 5th of November 2024, Donald Trump won his race with a landslide. In January 2025, he will be sworn into the highest office of the United States of America, as the 47th President. The man, who disregards opposition, will reach a dangerous level of power, paired with historically low oversight to carry out his plans. Trump confirmed he would be “a dictator on day one”. Joke or not, undoubtedly Trump will shape the future of the USA and the world. Is the future of US democracy in danger?
Trump is likely to be the most powerful President in the modern age.
His landslide win is paired with major gains in Congress. At the time of writing, Republicans have a 3-seat majority in the Senate and are projected to gain a majority in the House. Furthermore, 6 out of 9 Supreme Court justices are conservative, 3 of which are Trump’s appointees. So, the Republican party has majority control over all 3 branches of government, which heavily shifts the balance of power in their favour. Whilst this feat is not uncommon, it is concerning as there has never been a party so loyally devoted to one man in American history. Unlike his previous Presidency, Trump has now converted the Republican party into a cult-like organisation, where decision-making is diverted upward to him and where dissent is uncommon. Trump as President and Republican leader, will hold unprecedented de facto authority across all 3 governing branches. This amount of power in one man's hands is unhealthy for a democratic republic.
Presidential powers have historically been enhanced through the Unitary Executive Theory, which expands presidential control of the executive branch, military and law enforcement, whilst reducing congressional oversight and granting privilege and immunity. The doctrine was first used under President Bush and Dick Cheney and may be pushed to the brink under the Trump administration. Through this route, Trump may seek to legally expand control of the executive branch and potentially extend judicial and military powers. Such extensive influence would erode the ‘power-sharing’ principle of US democracy.
Trump’s extensive authority will go unchecked by other branches.
Any illegal and impeachable actions could go unopposed. Republican-controlled Congress ensures Trump could not get impeached, especially since a recent Supreme Court ruling further cements his untouchable status. The Court set a dangerous precedent (6-3) that gives the President immunity on official actions. In effect, a President has significant leeway in certain areas while in office. The Lead Dissenting Justice described just how extensive this would be: if Trump “Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune”. The Supreme Court majority admits such actions were possible but unlikely. The ruling exposes a major loophole for a President to exploit. There is no certainty Trump won’t because it would empower him to take extreme and illegal actions without consequence.
"This amount of power in one man's hands is unhealthy for a democratic republic."
To make matters worse, Trump is now also protected from any crimes committed in the past. Once he assumes the presidency, the Georgia election interference, January 6th insurrection, and classified documents court cases against him will be dropped or postponed. The sentencing for the 34 felony fraud convictions will likely be minimal. As a result, Trump begins effectively with a clean slate. He also expressed his intention to fire members of the DOJ, such as Special Prosecutor Jack Smith. This breach of a traditionally autonomous institution, which acts as a power balance, should result in impeachment, but this is unlikely.
DOJ employees are not the only people Trump plans to fire. Should he follow Project 2025 plans, Trump will dismiss a significant number of civil service staff and replace them with Republican loyalists, who will not push back against his extreme policies such as mass deportation. Conducting this effective ‘purge’ would weaken American democracy by increasing Trump’s direct power over impartial institutions. Thus, removing the balancers of US politics and reducing his answerability to the American people.
If Trump achieves such considerable sway over layers of political supervision, the only remaining checks on his government would be the Press and State level legislators. Senator Daniel Moynihan said, “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts”, which contradicts Trump's mantra “If you say it enough and keep saying it, they’ll start to believe you”. Trump often labels news outlets as “fake news”. This lays the groundwork for state-controlled media or at least discredits any criticism against his leadership. State legislatures will also be controlled by Republican governors or court appointees. Overall, Trump has managed to remove major restrictions on his power leaving him with hardly any accountability.
No President should possess this level of personal power, especially with so little monitoring. Whilst we cannot predict for sure if Trump will exploit the full extent of his power, the very fact that it is available to him shows that American democracy is at risk. The pillars of democracy may likely weaken under the Trump administration, which will have dire consequences for the future of the US and the world. With Trump’s history of disregarding democratic rights and his thirst for power, how can we trust him to exercise careful and considerate restraint?
Image: Flickr
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