The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Archive: The Legislative Dog That Hasn’t Barked
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Apr 27, 2025 Quinta Jurecic, a legal scholar specializing in national security law, joins Andrew Kent, a Fordham law professor, to discuss the stark contrast in congressional reforms following presidential misconduct between the Watergate era and Trump’s departure. They explore the failure of Congress to pass significant reforms like the Protecting Our Democracy Act and analyze political polarization's impact on legislative action. The conversation delves into historical parallels, the challenges of modern governance, and the pressing need for accountability in leadership.
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Trump Era Sparks Reform Expectations
- Trump's presidency triggered expectations for broad legislative reforms like post-Watergate reforms.
- Calls to reform executive power had been building for years and Trump's abuses seemed to create a ripe moment for change.
Narrow Majorities Stall Reform Efforts
- Legislative reform after Trump has been slow, partly due to narrow Congressional majorities.
- Political tradeoffs hinder passing reforms that might alienate coalition members needed for other agenda priorities.
Limited Post-Trump Legislative Progress
- Only limited legislative reforms related to executive power have been enacted since Trump left office.
- Some reforms passed as temporary measures; others remain stalled despite bipartisan interest.