Trump is Trying to Get Ultimate Power

The separation of powers is a fundamental part of how the U.S. government works, built right into our Constitution. It was designed to make sure no single person or group becomes too powerful, protecting democracy by dividing power among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

The Legislative Branch, made up of Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives), is responsible for making laws. They also handle big tasks like declaring war, setting taxes, managing trade, and overseeing the federal budget.

The Executive Branch, led by the President, enforces the laws Congress creates. The President also handles foreign diplomacy, commands the military, and appoints officials and judges (with Senate approval).

The Judicial Branch, headed by the Supreme Court and various lower courts, interprets laws to ensure they're constitutional. Judges protect individual rights, settle disputes, and keep an eye on the other branches to make sure they're following the rules.

Checks and balances are crucial because they help each branch keep the others accountable. For example, the President can veto laws, but Congress can override the veto with enough votes. Similarly, the Supreme Court can declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.

The importance of checks and balances became especially clear during former President Trump's time in office. Trump's immigration policies, like the travel ban, were quickly challenged by federal courts that stopped them, highlighting the courts' role in checking presidential actions. Additionally, Trump invoked the "state secrets privilege" to avoid judicial scrutiny over migrant deportations, raising concerns about transparency and potential abuses of executive power.

Trump frequently criticized judges publicly when decisions didn't go his way, prompting backlash from groups like the American Bar Association, who saw these attacks as threats to judicial independence. His administration’s firings at independent agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission, raised further questions about executive power and independence. There were even moments when the administration appeared to ignore or defy court orders, especially in immigration enforcement, illustrating tensions and the need for strong judicial oversight.

Recently, concerns were again highlighted by an incident involving the accidental sharing of sensitive military plans over an unsecured messaging platform. This alarming event underscores the critical role of both the Legislative and Judicial Branches in holding the current administration accountable. Congress has the responsibility to investigate such security lapses, while the judiciary may need to review these incidents to ensure executive actions comply with legal standards and protect national security.

These examples underscore why maintaining the separation of powers and a strong system of checks and balances is critical. They ensure no branch exceeds its authority, protecting the freedoms that are the foundation of American democracy.

by Emma Goos

Works Cited

“The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription.” National Archives, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript.

Hamilton, Alexander, et al. The Federalist Papers. Penguin Books, 1987.

Liptak, Adam. “Trump Takes Aim at Judges, Raising Concerns Over Independence of Courts.” The New York Times, 5 Feb. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/02/05/us/politics/trump-judges-courts-criticism.html.

"Outrage after White House accidentally texts journalist war plans: ‘Huge screw-up’." The Guardian, 24 Mar. 2025, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/24/journalist-trump-yemen-war-chat-reaction.