How Trump has tried to undermine the powers of Congress: ‘Violation of norms’
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Due to frigid January weather, Donald Trump’s second inauguration was held in the US Capitol rotunda, after which he moved to seize powers traditionally held by Congress, including spending control, agency leadership, and war declarations.
- Trump fired leaders of independent agencies meant to be insulated from presidential influence, dismantled federal offices, and refused to spend funds appropriated by Congress, actions that experts say represent unprecedented executive overreach with little pushback from congressional Republicans.
- Legal challenges have been mounted against many of Trump’s policies, including his use of emergency powers for tariffs and military actions like the raid on Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, which was conducted without congressional approval.
- Congressional Republicans have shown limited resistance to Trump’s tactics, often
