Trump and the Balance of Powers

Donald Trump claims, “I alone,” can change the status quo in Washington. The idea of unilateral change driven solely by him has stuck a resonant chord among his most loyal supporters, as has his position as the “outsider” candidate, helping to drive this notion. How is he planning to accomplish his goal? Should Trump win the election, is he expecting to stride into the White House in January and immediately demand that the government acquiesce to his every demand? Here are a couple of options for how this can play out for Trump and his Republicans.

Should Trump win the White House, two things stand in the way of his desired achievements; the Legislative and Judicial branches of the Government. Contrary to what Trump may have his followers believe, he will step into a government designed not to give too much power to any one branch. Therefore, he cannot simply walk in and make demands. Any laws, or changes to laws, must still filter through the other two branches before they can be enforced. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news for those voting for Trump because they are disillusioned into thinking he will bring about immediate change in Washington.

There are, however, Republican chess players that are convinced that if Trump gets elected they will retain power in the House and Senate. The appointment of possibly two Supreme Court Justices also lays in balance, which would undoubtedly be ultra-conservative. This poses the biggest problem for Democrats, and the American people. With all three branches of the government under a Republican/conservative monopoly, little would stand in the way of passing laws supporting a right-wing agenda. This situation could bring us closer to a monarchy than this country has seen since it’s inception.

Fact is, Trump alone cannot change Washington. Eventually he will have to work with others in the government to push his platform through. Currently, given what he has shown the American people, it seems impossible for him to be able to work with anyone other than himself. Rather than bring about change, electing Donald Trump would instead put this country on pause for the next four years.