When the framers established our government, they implemented checks and balances for a reason: to prevent the concentration of power. However, Donald Trump seems to view the system as a mere obstacle. He not only bends the rules but also disregards the constitutional authority of Congress.
Time and again, Trump has acted to avoid Congress entirely. He initiated a military operation without authorization and withheld crucial information from lawmakers while even diverting funds that had already received Congressional approval. These actions aren’t just minor oversights; they represent a significant challenge to the separation of powers.
Consider national security issues. The Pentagon recently blocked Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.), a prominent member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, from obtaining information regarding a US spy agency. This decision followed criticism from conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer. Think about it: a sitting senator was sidelined due to pressure from fringe figures. That’s not how democracy should function.
Look at the situation in Venezuela as well. The military launched operations against cartel suspects without notifying Congress—something previous presidents, both Democrats and Republicans, made sure never to do. Lawmakers expressed concern that this lack of transparency reflects a worrying trend. The Trump administration seems to routinely disregard the necessity of keeping Congress informed about national security matters.
Then there’s the issue of funding. Trump has employed a controversial tactic known as a “pocket withdrawal,” which cancels nearly $5 billion in foreign aid that Congress had already approved. Democrats raised alarms, and even some Republicans questioned its legality.
Moreover, Trump’s aggressive military actions have also led to legal challenges. A federal judge determined that his deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles was unlawful. Officials in Washington, DC, have even sued him for sending thousands of troops into the city without local consent. Now, he’s threatening similar actions in Chicago, raising eyebrows among supporters. One political commentator noted that such military interventions can’t happen without the governor’s invitation, highlighting the constitutional concerns at play.
This issue extends to Iran, too. When Trump ordered a strike on a nuclear facility there, both Democrats and Republicans voiced their concerns.
Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), a House minority leader, and even Republican Rep. Thomas Massey of Kentucky pointed out that such a move isn’t constitutional.
The trend is evident—Trump has signed nearly 200 executive orders, setting a record for the first 100 days of a presidency. The same Republicans who once raised alarms over executive overreach have largely stayed silent as Trump has acted boldly.
The founders never intended for the president to wield unchecked power. They granted Congress the authority over fiscal matters, the power to declare war, and the responsibility for oversight. By disregarding Congress, Trump isn’t just breaking norms; he is essentially rewriting the Constitution. The alarming part is that every time lawmakers turn a blind eye, they make it harder to rein in that power.
Congress was meant to keep the president accountable, not serve as a rubber stamp. When oversight falters, we don’t just weaken government branches; we jeopardize the very system designed to keep the presidency in check.
