Context:

Republican majorities in Congress and conservative Supreme Court justices are increasingly ceding power to President Donald Trump, allowing him to wield more control over areas traditionally separated by the Constitution. This shift is evident in Trump's unilateral military actions against Iran and his aggressive use of tariff powers, which have historically been under congressional jurisdiction. The Supreme Court's recent ruling limiting district courts' ability to issue nationwide injunctions further empowers Trump, enabling him to circumvent constitutional constraints like the 14th Amendment. Critics argue this centralization of power undermines the US system of checks and balances, raising concerns about executive overreach and potential constitutional violations. As Trump continues to test the limits of his authority, he aims to advance controversial policies such as altering birthright citizenship and limiting certain federal funding, leveraging the judicial and legislative support he receives to push his agenda forward.

Dive Deeper:

• Republican lawmakers and conservative justices are increasingly allowing President Trump to consolidate power by supporting his military actions and tariff policies, despite these areas traditionally falling under congressional oversight.

• The Supreme Court has limited the ability of lower courts to issue nationwide injunctions, which has historically checked executive overreach, thus granting Trump more latitude in implementing his policies without judicial interference.

• Trump's interpretation of the 14th Amendment, particularly concerning birthright citizenship, suggests a willingness to redefine constitutional principles without legislative approval, raising alarms about potential abuses of executive power.

• Critics, including liberal justices, warn that this shift towards unchecked executive authority could lead to a breakdown of the constitutional balance intended to prevent any one branch from dominating the government structure.

• Trump's administration has utilized the rulings and legislative support to pursue a series of controversial policies, including restricting sanctuary funding and freezing certain federal spending, indicating a broader strategy to reshape government policy according to his priorities.

• The Supreme Court's decision to grant Trump certain immunities further insulates him from prosecution for actions taken while in office, complicating efforts to hold him accountable for contentious decisions, such as those related to the 2020 election.

• This consolidation of power reflects a fundamental change in the relationship between the presidency and other branches of government, with long-term implications for the separation of powers that underpin the US constitutional framework.