The Bunker – News without the nonsense Is Trump basically a king now?
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Jul 24, 2025 In this engaging conversation, Andrew Rudalevige, a UCL Politics professor who specializes in American political institutions, dives deep into the troubling phenomena of Donald Trump's leadership style. He highlights how Trump’s defiance of court rulings and the use of executive orders threatens checks and balances. The discussion also critiques the Supreme Court's role in empowering presidential authority, suggesting a shift towards a quasi-monarchical system. Rudalevige raises critical questions about the future of democracy in this unprecedented political landscape.
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Erosion of Checks and Balances
- Trump’s presidency reveals a shift where checks and balances no longer constrain executive power effectively.
- The Supreme Court’s rulings have broadly acquiesced to Trump's expansion of presidential authority, undermining traditional limits.
Unitary Executive Doctrine Explained
- The doctrine of the unitary executive posits the president's sole control over the executive branch.
- Under this theory, presidential powers can override congressional restrictions, resembling monarchical authority.
Supreme Court's Activist Role
- The current Supreme Court is activist, expanding executive power beyond traditional conservatism.
- It frequently supports presidential authority even when inconsistent with historical or constitutional norms.
