No one should be surprised as to how Congress, and in particular the Senate, have once again been denigrated by President Trump. This was attempted in Trump’s first term, but not to the extent as witnessed to date under his second term in office. If you don’t believe me, you might want to read The Betrayal by Ira Shapiro. The author outlines in detail how Mitch McConnell, then the Senate majority leader, and the Senate Republicans gave into many of Trump’s policy demands during his first term. Several episodes took place during the impeachment hearings against Trump at that time and during the selection and confirmation of Supreme Court judges, including Brett Kavanaugh. Even the January 6, 2021, insurrection and mob attack on the Capital by Trump supporters did not cause the Republicans, who were outraged at the time like many Americans, to subsequently reduce their support for Trump. Remember that on January 20, 2025, upon taking office, Trump granted clemency to all January 6 rioters, including those convicted of violent offences. This even angered several Trump law and order supporters in the Republican Party, but most refused to comment publicly on the matter.
Supposedly, it is Congress that controls the government’s purse strings. However, what is actually happening is that a Republican controlled Congress is simply rubber stamping Trump’s policies. With the current federal government shutdown, the Trump administration has taken the opportunity to shift billions of dollars around to take care of its priorities during the shutdown with scant input from lawmakers. Trump is once again ignoring Congress’s clear constitutional supremacy over the power of the purse. Congressional Republicans have also been mainly silent as Trump has unilaterally imposed and threatened tariffs to achieve his own strategic, political and economic goals. Despite the fact that the Constitution gives Congress chief responsibility for levying tariffs, the Republicans appear willing to simply wait until several cases against the tariffs are reviewed by the Supreme Court, which could take months.
The Trump administration most recently has taken upon itself to authorize the drone bombing of boats in international waters off both the Pacific coast and in Caribbean waters off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia, alleging that they are drug smugglers. Whether they are or not is not the issue. The issue is whether such actions are legal or not under international laws of the seas and one which would normally need the consent of Congress. These are not police operations, but are clearly extraterritorial military operations which could be deemed as hostile by the affected countries whose dozens of citizens have already been killed.
Only a few days ago, Trump appeared more willing to restrain Moscow in its war on Ukraine. Once again sidestepping Congress, his administration announced new penalties on Russia. However, Congress has always pressed for even more stringent measures against Russia.
These are only a few examples of how the current Trump administration is obviously attempting to enhance the powers of the president. Democrats have been largely steamrolled by Trump and his Republican allies all year. Democrats have had to rely on the courts to hold the line against illegal actions by the White House, a hope that has so far met with mixed success. The matter is further exemplified by the fact that the Republican leaders themselves have made it quite clear that they view their role as subordinate to the president, saying they won’t open talks with their Democratic counterparts unless Trump allows them to do so.
Nevertheless, one will find lawmakers in both parties who worry that the steady erosion of congressional prerogative they are witnessing daily could inflict permanent damage on the institution at the forefront of representative government. All one can ask at this point in time is whether or not the damage has been done and whether this blatant acquisition of power and influence by Trump can be reversed in the future? America needs to reinstate the constitution’s checks and balances critical to its democracy, or potentially face a more authoritarian future.
FROLITICKS 