The Perils of Trump's Imperial Presidency and the Case for an Activist Congress

The Imperative for Congressional Action

As it stands, approximately 42 million Americans are on the brink of losing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as funding runs dry. This predicament primarily affects children, seniors, and the disabled, alongside those working multiple jobs yet still unable to make ends meet. It compels us to ask: who will step in to fill this yawning chasm of aid, and why should we, as a society, even allow the government to take such drastic measures against our citizens?

Private charity can only cover a fraction of this overwhelming need. Current lawsuits from over two dozen states attempting to pry emergency funds from the administration highlight the pressing need for federal intervention. If Congress continues to falter in its duties, the onus of addressing hunger squarely rests upon a government ill-prepared for such a humanitarian crisis.

The Healthcare Crisis: A Looming Catastrophe

Moreover, if Congress fails to act, millions could face catastrophic increases in premiums within the Affordable Care Act marketplace, leading to rampant insurance cancellations and dire consequences for access to necessary healthcare. This isn't just a policy failure—it's a national emergency that demands immediate action.

“If it is not an impending disaster of food and health care insecurity, it is a president who has done nearly everything to tear down the limits placed on the executive branch.”

Trump's aggressive military strategies, which are arguably veering into illegal territory, have taken aim at noncombatants not only in distant lands but also in our own backyard. His threats of regime change in Venezuela and his militarized approach to foreign policy underscore the urgent need for Congress to reassert its constitutional authority. Despite claims of potential crises abroad, the more pressing crisis lies within our own borders—our government's effective sidelining of legislative authority.

The Quagmire of a Dysfunctional Congress

Right now, we find ourselves in a government shutdown, a stark testimony to Congress's inability to govern. House Republicans are largely inactive, under the orders of Speaker Mike Johnson, leaving the legislature in a state of paralysis. The Senate, while technically still functioning, has become functionally inert.

This lack of action represents a constitutional tragedy exacerbated by a politically motivated stall tactic. Congressional dissolution isn't formally possible, yet the behavior of the Republican-led Congress has made it a near-reality, effectively ceding its powers to an executive that seeks to operate without checks.

As Richard Primus points out in his critical analysis of constitutional authority, these powers assigned to Congress were always meant to signify more than mere limitations; they embody the very foundation of its authority to shape our government's future.

The Historical Precedent and Future Roadmap

Reflecting on the high points of congressional influence reveals the institutional strength that can emerge when lawmakers are willing to engage the public effectively. Figures like Henry Clay and Ted Kennedy remind us that Congress can indeed be a force for good when empowered to act in accordance with the needs of the people.

Today's Congress, in contrast, often treats its mandate as a burden and questions its necessity in the face of executive overreach. Without a commitment to uphold its constitutional duties and a willingness to challenge an unrestrained presidency, Congress risks becoming utterly irrelevant.

The powers of Congress remain, dormant yet potent, merely waiting for empowered leaders willing to utilize them for the betterment of our political system. When we envision a future post-Trump, it must include an activist Congress prepared to reclaim its rightful role, ensuring checks and balances are reinstated in our democracy.

Conclusion: A Call to Action for a Reborn Congress

As we bear witness to the apotheosis of an imperial presidency, we must also consider what an imperial Congress could look like. The current moment calls not just for preservation but for renaissance—a Congress resolute in harnessing both formal and informal powers to redefine the landscape of American governance.

Let this be a pivotal moment in history when we redefine the balance of power, returning authority to where it rightly belongs—Congress, the driving force intended to protect democracy, guarantee rights, and uplift the American spirit.