Trump’s Vision of Presidential Power
Donald Trump has long argued that the U.S. presidency should wield near-absolute power. If he secures a second term, few legal or political limits are expected to hinder him.
His decisive win over Vice President Kamala Harris shifts a once-remote possibility into a real likelihood. With past efforts to weaken presidential limits and ongoing legal maneuvers, Trump’s authority could become nearly unchecked. His return to the White House would position him to expand executive control further.
Trump’s history indicates he will resist constraints on his authority. His business and political careers reveal a consistent drive to eliminate restrictions. A Republican-controlled Senate, with the House’s fate uncertain, could pave the way for a largely unopposed second term.
Trump’s Influence Over the Republican Party
A key factor in Trump’s potential unchecked power is his control over the Republican Party. Dissenters within the GOP have been marginalized or ousted, ensuring party loyalty to his agenda. The Republican Party’s alignment with Trump minimizes the chance of internal resistance.
With a GOP-controlled Senate and potential House majority, Trump would face minimal legislative opposition. Republican support could enable him to enact his policy goals with little interference.
A significant boost to Trump’s power comes from a Supreme Court ruling that grants him broad immunity for official actions. This decision, stemming from his 2020 election legal battles, gives him significant legal protection. The conservative-majority Court, shaped by Trump’s appointments, is expected to shield him from key challenges, further bolstering his power.
A Mandate for Unchecked Authority
Trump’s electoral victory provides him with a strong claim to democratic legitimacy. He gained wider support from key voter groups and secured a larger share of the popular vote than in his first term. His success in the Electoral College strengthens his assertion that he has a “right” to act without limits.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger remarked, “Everybody knew this when they voted yesterday.” His statement highlights the public’s awareness of the unchecked power they granted Trump. The platform Trump promoted after the 2020 election, once controversial, now has broad acceptance among his supporters.
At his Mar-a-Lago victory celebration, Trump called the election result an “unprecedented and powerful mandate.” While he denies dictatorial ambitions, his promises—like the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history—show a readiness to wield extreme power. His rhetoric signals he’s prepared to use all available presidential tools, regardless of democratic norms.
Trump’s Record of Evading Accountability
Trump’s disregard for constitutional checks was clear in his first term. Two impeachments—for pressuring Ukraine and his role in the Capitol attack—failed to impose consequences. Senate Republicans, controlling both impeachment trials, refused to convict him, weakening the impeachment process as a check on presidential behavior.
The GOP’s loyalty to Trump suggests fewer constraints on him in a second term. Figures like the late Senator John McCain, who occasionally opposed Trump, are rare in the modern GOP. Figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene warn that party dissent will not be tolerated.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger noted, “There is no chance, 0.0% chance, that Donald Trump says something and Republicans in the House buck him anymore.” His statement reflects Trump’s firm grip on GOP lawmakers.
Trump’s return to power could shield him from legal accountability. Legal cases related to the 2020 election, classified documents, and other investigations have not significantly hindered him. Precedents protecting sitting presidents from prosecution might delay or block future cases against him.
The Expansion of Executive Power
Trump’s capacity to expand executive power is considerable. His administration could reinterpret laws in ways that prior presidents would have avoided. Corey Brettschneider, a politics professor, warns of a “real danger” of unchecked executive power. He recalls how American founders, like Patrick Henry, feared ambitious leaders might use the presidency’s powers to weaken democracy.
Trump’s admiration for autocratic leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, underscores his preference for strongman-style leadership. He’s praised these figures for their ability to act without opposition, suggesting a similar approach for his presidency.
In 2019, Trump claimed, “I have an Article II, where I have the right to do whatever I want as president.” While Article II outlines presidential duties, it does not grant absolute power. Yet Trump’s interpretation reflects his belief in unrestrained executive authority. Many of his supporters share this view.
Will Trump Face Any Limits in a Second Term?
In theory, a president’s restraint relies on self-discipline—the willingness to govern within legal bounds. But self-restraint is a foreign concept to Trump, who rejects political correctness and traditional limits. Winning a second term would free him from electoral consequences, giving him even more leeway to act without fear of backlash.
One possible check on his power is a Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, which could use oversight powers to challenge him. However, with Republicans likely to regain control, that check may be limited.
Courts could play a role in curbing Trump’s power, but the conservative judiciary—shaped by Trump’s appointments—might not be inclined to oppose him. His tendency to replace officials who resist him, like Chief of Staff John Kelly and Defense Secretary Mark Esper, suggests he’ll seek loyalists for key roles, limiting internal resistance.
The Stakes for American Democracy
The fate of U.S. democracy under Trump’s second term may rest on the president himself. Protests, legal challenges, and public opposition could rise, but history shows that once a president’s actions are set in motion, stopping them is difficult.
Corey Brettschneider argues that America’s founders believed virtuous individuals would hold the presidency. But when virtue is absent, the system’s safeguards can fail. Trump’s past conduct suggests he’ll prioritize his agenda over democratic norms.
If Trump’s second term mirrors his first, with the further erosion of institutional checks, the future of U.S. democracy could be at risk. The central question is whether any institution or individual will be able to stop him from governing without constraints.