We the People How Powerful is the President?
11 snips
Feb 21, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, guests Yuval Levin, a political expert at the American Enterprise Institute, and Melody Barnes, former White House Domestic Policy Council Director, explore the evolving nature of presidential power. They examine the implications of recent executive actions and historical parallels of political violence, particularly in relation to the Civil War. Joined by Charles Cooke, a National Review writer, and Joanne Freeman, a Yale historian, the conversation emphasizes checks and balances essential for democracy amid rising concerns of authoritarianism.
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Presidential Power vs. Executive Power
- The president commands the executive branch, but the executive branch doesn't command the entire government.
- Distinguish between disputes over presidential control within the executive branch and disputes over presidential control over other branches.
Presidential Immunity and Accountability
- Justice Sotomayor argues that broad immunity for presidential acts has made the president too powerful.
- She warns that removing accountability, coupled with a complacent Congress, could lead to an unchecked executive.
Protecting Institutional Prerogatives
- Melody Barnes recalls the 1999 Clinton impeachment, highlighting how senators prioritized institutional integrity.
- Despite political differences, they protected the Senate's role and negotiated a framework for the trial behind closed doors.