The Opinions Hello, Greenland. Goodbye, Checks and Balances.
11 snips
Jan 22, 2026 
Ross Douthat, an opinion columnist known for his deep dives into politics, teams up with historian and commentator Jamelle Bouie to explore Trump's second term. They dive into Trump's expansion of executive power, with Douthat likening it to FDR's era. Bouie contrasts the Monroe Doctrine with Trump's self-serving foreign policy maneuvers, including the infamous Greenland interest. They also dissect the implications of aggressive immigration policies and Congress's failure to check the president's authority, setting the stage for potential political and electoral ramifications.
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Executive Power Expanded Rapidly
- Ross Douthat argues Trump's administration has expanded de facto presidential power through unilateral executive actions.
- He warns this may produce enduring executive dominance or temporary frenetic policy that future presidents could reverse.
Delegation Undermines Presidential Control
- Jamelle Bouie says Trump has delegated core presidential functions, weakening centralized political decision-making.
- He links this delegation to policy incoherence and political difficulties for the administration.
Greenland Move Is Personal and Radical
- Ross suggests Trump's Greenland push stems from a long-standing personal interest and a faction celebrating territorial expansion.
- He calls the Greenland gambit indefensible and divergent from other measured foreign-policy moves.