The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Archive: Lindsay Chervinsky on ‘Making the Presidency’
Nov 11, 2025
Lindsay Chervinsky, Executive Director of the George Washington Library at Mount Vernon and author of a book on presidential precedents, discusses John Adams's impact on executive power. She reveals how Adams navigated tension with his cabinet and rival factions, emphasizing his strategy to assert presidential authority amidst challenges. Chervinsky delves into the Quasi-War with France, Adams's unique use of the pardon power, and the norms surrounding foreign policy. Her insights illustrate the foundational role Adams played in shaping modern presidential conduct.
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Making The Peaceful Transfer Practical
- John Adams shaped the peaceful transfer of power by handling mundane transition tasks and encouraging cooperation with his successor.
- These unwritten acts created precedents that defined early presidential transitions.
Cabinet Versus President Clash
- Adams faced a cabinet that treated itself as a governing committee and often undermined his authority.
- He had to assert presidential primacy because Washington's personal stature did not transfer to successors.
Hamiltonian Means, Hamiltonian Ends
- Hamilton championed a strong executive but sought to control it from outside when he couldn't influence Adams.
- Arch-Federalists aimed to put executive power into departmental hands rather than the president's.
