The Trump Administration is trampling on the checks and balances imposed by the U.S. Constitution and attempting to unilaterally seize powers it is not constitutionally entitled to. These overreaches have been abetted by a Republican-controlled Congress that is letting the Executive run roughshod over Congress’s critical Constitutional role as a check against tyranny.
That acquiescence must end. Democrats in Congress must prioritize restoring the critical checks and balances fundamental to our democracy. That means repealing or substantially amending statutes that the Trump Administration has exploited in attempts to seize and misuse authority. One example is revisiting laws passed by Congress delegating its authority to set tariffs to the President. Immigration is another example. Congress should drastically curtail or repeal the various laws that the Administration is currently invoking in asserting its right to deport noncitizens, such as the Alien Enemies Act.
A Democratic majority in either chamber would also provide crucial oversight capabilities through committee investigations, hearings, and subpoena power to examine potential abuses of power. We should make sure we are well prepared to leverage and focus national attention on these hearings.
