In a dramatic shift, both the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress have increasingly deferred to President Donald Trump’s authority, signaling a rebalancing of constitutional powers in favor of the executive. The Supreme Court recently ruled that federal judges cannot issue nationwide injunctions on presidential actions—even if unconstitutional—and upheld presidential immunity for core official duties. Congress, meanwhile, has declined to assert control over key areas like war powers, spending, and tariffs.
Critics argue this erosion of checks and balances undermines the U.S. system of separated powers. Legal scholars warn that loyalty to party over institutional independence is accelerating this trend. While the White House frames these changes as a restoration of constitutional balance, dissenting voices, including Justices and lawmakers from both parties, see a dangerous centralization of power that could set lasting precedents.
Whether this shift is a temporary aberration or the “new normal” remains uncertain—but its consequences for American democracy are already profound.