The Bunker – News without the nonsense Trump vs. the people – The history of Americans hating the president
Oct 24, 2025
Corey Brettschneider, a political theorist and author, dives deep into the historical dynamics of presidential power and democratic resilience. He highlights how the people have historically fought back against presidential overreach, from Adams' Sedition Act to the struggles during Reconstruction. Brettschneider connects past crises to modern threats, emphasizing citizen pushback as a vital source of democratic strength. He also critiques the unitary executive theory and discusses contemporary examples of resistance, illustrating a continuous cycle of advocacy for constitutional rights.
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Presidency's Built-In Instability
- The U.S. presidency's power creates recurring democratic crises when held by ambitious or criminal leaders.
- Corey Brettschneider argues citizens, not institutions, have repeatedly been the decisive check on presidential overreach.
Use Elections To Restore Institutions
- Rely on civic action and elect 'recovery' presidents to restore democratic institutions rather than expecting courts or impeachment to suffice.
- Brettschneider urges citizens to reclaim constitutional meaning and back leaders who will reinstitute checks and rights.
Adams, The Sedition Act, And Trial Politics
- John Adams prosecuted opposition journalists under the Sedition Act and targeted the partisan press in 1798.
- Editors like Thomas Cooper turned their trials into public campaigns that helped elect Jefferson and end the law.
