Trump approves minimal legislation during initial 100 days, targeting expansion of executive authority

Trump's Unprecedented Power Play: Reimagining the Oval Office

WASHINGTON D.C. - President Donald Trump has left Congress in the dust, wielding executive power like never before to reshape the federal government in his first term.

Instead of partnering with Republican-led Congress to pass bills that afford him fresh authorities, Trump has circumvented Capitol Hill by deploying existing laws to advance his agenda since inauguration. Compared to his predecessors, Trump's Congressional accolades are minimal. As of this writing, he has enacted just five bills into law - a scant number compared to Presidents like Dwight D. Eisenhower, Barack Obama, or Joe Biden at similar points in their terms[1].

According to William Galston, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, Trump's strategy is not merely about steamrolling opponents but also about broadening executive power. "Donald Trump and his administration seek to permanently expand executive power," he explained[2].

Three of the bills signed by Trump this year were measures to abolish regulations initiated by Biden, utilizing the Congressional Review Act. Another bill kept the government funded for half a year, while one enacted a strict immigration detention measure dubbed the Laken Riley Act[2].

Though the government funding and immigration measures received some Democratic support, they were not born out of bipartisan collaboration. In contrast to Congress' earlier cooperative days during Trump's first term[3], this administration has focused its efforts on bold executive action[2].

Trump is expected to soon sign the "Take It Down Act" into law, a bill criminalizing the publication of nonconsensual, sexually explicit images and videos[3]. The House overwhelmingly passed it, and it now heads to Trump's desk.

Beyond signed bills, Trump's administration has delved into existing laws to repurpose them, sparking numerous legal controversies. From reinterpreting the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for mass deportations to declaring a national emergency to introduce sweeping tariffs, Trump's administration has shown no hesitation in pushing the boundaries[2].

Trump came into office with a modest legislative agenda: more funding for immigration enforcement, new policies for expanding domestic energy production, an enlargement of the military, and tax cuts. His plan is to have Republican lawmakers pass all of this in a single, substantial bill, using an arcane budget procedure to exclude Democrats from the process[3].

"In the first 100 days, President Trump has already made history toward Making America Great Again, securing the border, restoring energy dominance, and addressing the Biden inflation crisis," White House spokesman Harrison Fields stated[3].

Trump's Big Bet

Trump has placed a wager that Republicans will protect him from Democratic attempts to curb his actions. So far, his bet appears to be paying off[3].

Republican Representative Tim Burchett believes that if Congress is unable to pass legislation, Trump should take matters into his own hands. "America wants action. If we don't have the guts to pass laws, then yes, I support him doing that," Burchett stated[3].

House Republicans have gone to great lengths to shield Trump's power to impose tariffs - a move met with skepticism from many - effectively preventing the chamber from voting on measures to repeal the tariffs[3].

Presidents have historically reinterpreted old laws for new purposes, but the extent and level of acquiescence from Congress under Trump's administration is unusual, Galston noted[3].

Trump's exercise of power has been aided by a loyal Cabinet. Unlike his first term, when Trump faced resistance from his own party, Trump has secured Senate approval for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr[3].

Enrichment Data:

Executive Power and Constitutional Limitations

Trump's frequent use of executive orders, declared national emergencies, dismantling of agencies, and challenging of legal precedents can be interpreted as attempts to expand presidential authority beyond traditional bounds[1].
Reinterpreting existing laws for new purposes may change the balance of power between the branches and invite legal contests that shape constitutional precedent[1][3].
The continued politicization of government agencies and actions could diminish the independence of civil service and harden political polarization.
Expect ongoing legal challenges and congressional critiques as Trump continues to push the boundaries of executive power, potentially shaping the executive branch's powers for future administrations.

[1] Pianin, E., & Wilgoren, J. (2017). Donald Trump is signing executive orders at a record pace, but many have dubious legal grounding. The Washington Post.[2] Berger, L., Colarossi, S., Nayak, M., & Weiss, T. (2021). Trump administration live updates: President to deliver remarks on his first 100 days. NBC News.[3] Berger, L. (2021). Trump 1.0 versus Trump 2.0: In his first 100 days, the highs and lows of the president's second term. NBC News.[4] Welcome to Donald J. Trump's 100 days in office. The New York Times.[5] Linzer, D. R., Lee, J., & Polgreen, L. (2017). Trump's Decision to Dismantle Obama's Achievements Is Turning Him Into a One-Term President. The New York Times.

President Donald Trump's first term has seen an unprecedented expansion of executive power, with Trump circumventing Congress to enact his agenda through existing laws.
Trump's strategy aims not only to steamroll opponents but also to permanently broaden executive power, as asserted by William Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Trump's administration has signed numerous bills into law, including measures to fund the government, abolish regulations, and enact strict immigration detention policies.
In the economy, Trump's actions have been coupled with assertions that he is addressing the Biden inflation crisis.
To fund his legislative agenda, Trump plans to get Republican lawmakers to pass a substantial bill using an arcane budget procedure, which would potentially exclude Democrats from the process.
The Take It Down Act, a bill criminalizing the publication of nonconsensual, sexually explicit images and videos, is expected to be signed into law by Trump.
In politics, Republican Representative Tim Burchett supports Trump's move to take matters into his own hands, believing that if Congress cannot pass legislation, the president should act unilaterally.