Is Donald Trump starting to learn the limits of presidential power?
They say that politicians campaign in poetry but govern in prose. But, as in so many other things, Donald Trump is trying to defy the normal rules of politics, both in the way that he governs (such as his inveterate tweeting) and in the policies that he is pursuing (such as the Muslim ban).
Yet, even Trump is finding that there are constitutional, legal and ultimately political constraints on the exercise of power in the real world. Obviously the most high profile challenge to his policies has been the court stays on implementation of his Executive Order restricting immigration to the US from seven mainly-Muslim states.
But already on a whole range of important foreign policy positions – the role of the UN, the importance of NATO, the One China policy, defence of Japan and South Korea, Israeli settlements and Jerusalem, the immigration deal with Australia – Trump has had to reverse attitudes which he declared on the campaign trail and even in his first days in the White House.
As Simon Tisdall of the “Guardian” newspaper wonders in this short article:
“Is Trump learning on the job? Or is he just a bully who backs off when he encounters resistance? Given his volatility and unpredictability, it is possible he could reverse himself again on key policies, reverting to his more radical and destabilising ideas. So far, the responsibilities of office, and the complexities of the issues, do seem to be weighing more heavily on Trump’s outlook. Other national leaders and more experienced advisers like Mattis are exerting influence. And Trump, in office, is coming up against a sobering reality that faces all American leaders sooner or later: the limits of presidential power.”
February 12th, 2017 at 8:43 pm
I think Roger that we are seeing the greatest test of the constitution since the Civil War. If Trump is successfully restrained, the Founding Fathers are vindicated, as indeed will be the American people.
The danger is that he will invoke (provoke?) an emergency. One of his first acts as President was to take over the DC National Guard…..
February 13th, 2017 at 12:41 am
You’re right, David, Trumpism is going to test the famed system of checks and balances BIG time. So far, the media and the courts have been doing their job in spite of vilification and bullying.
February 16th, 2017 at 8:23 pm
I grew up as a child watching civil rights marches in USA, then the campaign in NI for one man one vote, followed by the years of getting Governments to recognise the rights of citizens. What is happening in USA with Trump has been scary, thankfully, the checks and balances set by the founding fathers will keep any outrage under control.
February 16th, 2017 at 9:11 pm
I hope that you’re right, Kevin. I don’t think the US system has ever been tested in quite this way before.