Chapter 12Chapter 12 || The PresidencyThe Presidency12
Outlining the major achievements of Donald Trump’s first two years in office
illustrates the immense power of the presidency. Trump commands the most powerful
military forces on earth—and has pushed through budget increases that will make
them even stronger. Working with Republicans in Congress, Trump enacted the largest
tax cut in American history. His directives have transformed federal policy in areas such
as immigration and the environment.
A look at the personal style that Trump has brought to the office, too, seems to underline
its power. Two years in, there is little doubt that Trump behaves very differently compared
to his predecessors. He hires and fires people working at the highest levels of government,
seemingly at whim. Anything he says—even an offhand comment or tweet—becomes
the focus of public attention. He relies on social media to communicate directly with the
American people; responds to criticism with strong, personal attacks; makes abrupt, radical
changes in America’s domestic and foreign policy; routinely ignores many presidential
traditions and norms; and has made personal loyalty a dominant criterion for his appointees.
Yet the two quotes at the beginning of this chapter illustrate the limits of Trump’s
power. In April 2018, Trump referred to “my Justice Department,” claiming he had total
authority over the organization, including the ability to direct the investigation into
Russian collusion with his campaign—although Trump did not intervene, then or now. And
two months later, Trump called on Democrats in Congress to reverse a Justice Department
decision to separate children from parents who were apprehended when trying to enter
the United States illegally, claiming that he lacked the authority to do so.
More generally, while Trump campaigned on promises to repeal Obamacare and
build a wall on the Mexican border, he has been unable to translate these ideas intoThe transfer of presidential power
pushes us to ask fundamental
questions about the tone and policy
direction of the country. What
will Trump do with the power of
the presidency? Will he work with
Congress or act more unilaterally?
What policies from the past will he
keep? What will he abandon? Will
President Trump be able to accomplish
all he promised?“I’ve taken this position that I will not be involved with the Justice Department.
I’m very disappointed in my Justice Department. I may change my mind at
some point because what’s going on is a disgrace; it’s an absolute disgrace.”
President Donald Trump in a FOX News interview“Why don’t the Democrats give us the votes to fix the world’s worst immi -
gration laws? Where is the outcry for the killings and crime being caused
by gangs and thugs, including MS-13, coming into our country illegally?”
President Donald Trump via TwitterThe Presidency
Why can’t the president get
more done?
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