Trump thinks presidents have near-total power: there will be little to stop him in his second term

Donald Trump’s belief in the almost absolute power of the presidency has been a topic of concern for many Americans. With his sweeping victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, the possibility of Trump indulging his autocratic instincts in his second term has become a reality. As he returns to the White House in January, Trump will be one of the most powerful presidents in history, with few political or legal restraints to check him.

During his first presidency, Trump systematically dismantled guardrails and continued to do so through legal maneuvers out of office. His aggressive tactics have led to the crushing of opposition within the Republican Party and the expulsion of those who do not align with his “Make America Great Again” ideology. With the GOP now controlling the Senate and possibly the House, Trump will have unprecedented power at his disposal.

One significant factor contributing to Trump’s unchecked power is a Supreme Court ruling that grants significant immunity to presidents for official acts. This ruling, a result of Trump’s challenge to a federal indictment for election meddling, is seen as a green light for future power grabs. With a conservative court majority fashioned by Trump in his first term, legal observers are concerned that the Court may serve as a rubber stamp for his autocratic ambitions.

Despite his claims to the contrary, Trump’s actions speak volumes about his desire for unchecked executive power. His two impeachments did little to rein in his behavior, and the acquittal by Senate Republicans demonstrated the toothlessness of this constitutional remedy. With dissent within the GOP likely to be squashed, Trump’s disregard for constraints on presidential authority is cause for concern.

In addition to the Supreme Court ruling on immunity, Trump has evaded legal constraints by seeking to end federal prosecutions against him for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election and other charges. With the Justice Department considering dropping these cases and Office of Legal Counsel guidelines limiting prosecutions of sitting presidents, Trump’s legal troubles may be coming to an end.

As Trump prepares to assume the presidency for a second term, the American people have given him a powerful mandate. Whether he will use that mandate to further erode democratic norms remains to be seen. But with few political or legal restraints in place, Trump’s second term could see an unprecedented concentration of power in the hands of a president who has shown a willingness to defy checks and balances.