The NPR Politics Podcast Trump's First 100 Days: An Increase In Executive Power
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Apr 23, 2025 
Susan Davis, a political correspondent for NPR, and Domenico Montanaro, NPR's senior political editor, dive into the tumultuous first 100 days of Donald Trump's presidency. They discuss his aggressive use of executive power and its implications for American governance. The duo examines the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity and how Trump's strategies shifted the balance of power with Congress. They also highlight the fears of executive overreach amidst rising political polarization, setting the stage for a contentious relationship between the president and legislators.
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Unitary Executive Theory Evolution
- The unitary executive theory argues the president controls all executive branch power alone. It has evolved from a fringe idea to a mainstream justification for expanded presidential control.
- Trump has used this to fire independent agency heads and assert unilateral presidential authority over government functions.
Trump Accelerates Executive Power
- Trump is accelerating the expansion of executive power through numerous executive orders and firings. These actions often infringe on Congress's traditional spending and legislative prerogatives.
- His approach challenges long-standing norms about separation of powers between branches of government.
Questioning Trump's Mandate
- Trump claims electoral mandate to justify swift policy changes, but his election margin was narrow and public opinion is complex.
- Many voters supported him primarily for economic reasons and may not align with all his agenda.