WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is taking executive power to unprecedented levels, firing thousands of federal workers and dismantling key government agencies in a sweeping effort that has sparked intense legal battles and fears of a constitutional crisis.
While legal experts say the situation hasn’t reached that level yet, critics warn that Trump’s aggressive approach to consolidating control over the executive branch is pushing the boundaries of presidential authority like never before. The White House, however, calls these concerns nothing more than fearmongering.
As Trump prepares to deliver a major speech to Congress, his vision for the federal government is clear: smaller, leaner, and under his direct control. His strategy hinges on a decades-old legal theory known as the “unitary executive,” championed by the late Justice Antonin Scalia. This doctrine asserts that the president has sole authority over the entire executive branch—a belief that has now become the foundation of Trump’s radical restructuring.
Slashing Jobs, Eliminating Agencies, and Ignoring Congress
Since returning to office, Trump has axed over 20,000 federal workers, with more layoffs on the way. Agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) are being gutted, fulfilling Trump’s long-standing promise to trim what he calls a “bloated” government.
“We’re cutting down the size of government. We’re bloated. We’re sloppy,” Trump declared during his first Cabinet meeting of his new term.
Despite the seismic changes, Congress has largely stayed out of the fight, leaving it to Democratic state officials, federal employee unions, and advocacy groups to launch nearly 100 lawsuits to block Trump’s actions. Courts have already halted several of his moves, ruling that the president cannot simply override Congress when it comes to funding and staffing federal agencies.
Trump’s War on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
One of the most contentious battles is over Trump’s attempt to dismantle the CFPB, an agency created to protect Americans from financial fraud. A coalition of 203 Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Maxine Waters and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, has filed a legal challenge, calling Trump’s sweeping firings and stop-work orders a “blatant disregard” for Congress’s authority.
“Not only do these efforts violate our law and constitutional structure, but they also threaten the consumers the CFPB was created to protect,” the lawmakers argued.
Even some Republicans have quietly raised concerns—especially after reports surfaced that Trump’s agency purge accidentally included workers overseeing the nation’s nuclear weapons arsenal.
Elon Musk’s Influence and the Growing Power of the Executive
One of Trump’s closest advisers in this dramatic overhaul is billionaire Elon Musk, who has publicly supported slashing government jobs and curbing federal oversight. Musk, who attended Trump’s first Cabinet meeting, has even suggested that judges blocking Trump’s policies should be impeached for “undermining the will of the people.”
Trump, however, has vowed to follow the legal process, saying he will appeal unfavorable rulings rather than defy court orders outright.
“I always abide by the courts,” Trump told reporters. “Then I’ll have to appeal it.”
Still, his administration has not hesitated to lash out at judges, accusing them of acting as political activists rather than neutral arbiters of the law.
A Direct Challenge to the Constitution’s ‘Power of the Purse’
Trump’s approach is also challenging a core principle of the U.S. Constitution: Congress’s control over government spending. The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 was designed to prevent presidents from refusing to spend money allocated by Congress. But Trump argues he still has the power to halt federal funding at will, and his Office of Management and Budget has already attempted to freeze key grants and loans—a move currently blocked by the courts.
“This disaster of a law is clearly unconstitutional,” Trump said in a campaign video. “When I return to the White House, I will do everything I can to challenge the Impoundment Control Act in court.”
Legal experts, including Supreme Court justices past and present, have warned that Trump’s interpretation of executive power is deeply flawed. Even conservative legal minds like Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh have written opinions affirming Congress’s control over federal spending.
Birthright Citizenship and the Next Legal Showdown
Beyond spending battles, Trump is pushing another legally explosive policy: ending automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents. Federal courts have already blocked his executive order, citing the 14th Amendment, which guarantees birthright citizenship. But Trump remains confident that the conservative-leaning Supreme Court will ultimately rule in his favor.
“I want to hear the other side,” said legal scholar Philip Bobbitt, who believes the challenge will fail but acknowledges the debate could reshape constitutional interpretation.
Trump’s Popularity: The Ultimate Test of His Power
Despite legal challenges, Trump’s power remains tied to his popularity. His approval rating sits at around 48%—a fragile but critical figure as he pushes for deep spending cuts, sweeping tax reforms, and a fight over the nation’s borrowing limit.
Ultimately, experts say, the most significant check on Trump’s power won’t come from Congress or the courts. It will come from the American people.
