In just over four months since his second inauguration on January 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed over 150 executive orders. These orders impact everything from trade and tariffs to immigration and border security. To put it in perspective, former President Joe Biden signed 162 executive orders during his entire four-year term.
This rapid use of executive power has many people wondering: Why can’t Congress or the courts effectively limit the president’s actions? What does this mean for the future of democracy in the United States?
We spoke with two experts to find out. Mitchel Sollenberger is a political science professor who studies the limits of presidential power. David Super is a law professor who focuses on constitutional law and government oversight. Here’s what they had to say.
Political Division Weakening Congress
Professor Sollenberger believes that growing partisanship—or strong loyalty to one’s political party—is a big reason Congress isn’t checking the president’s power. “Political parties are not as ideologically diverse as they were 30 or 40 years ago,” he explains. “This polarization makes it harder for Congress to come together to pass laws that might limit the president.”
He also points out that because party members often rally around their president, they may neglect their responsibilities to uphold the Constitution and the balance of power.
Courts Hesitant to Challenge the President
According to Sollenberger, the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, has contributed to expanding presidential power. Many of the justices have conservative views that favor strong executive authority. Recent court decisions have given the president more power over appointments and dismissals.
Professor Super adds that courts usually assume the administration is trying to act lawfully. “That clearly has not been true under this administration,” he says. However, some judges may worry that if they order the president to stop doing something and he refuses, it could harm the credibility of the courts.
What This Means for the Future
The experts agree that the increase in presidential power isn’t new, but Trump’s aggressive use of executive orders could have lasting effects. “Presidential power has been increasing over the last 100-plus years,” says Sollenberger. He suggests that if this trend continues, the U.S. might need to consider changing the Constitution to restore balance.
Super warns that ignoring constitutional norms could lead to division and instability. “Much of our constitutional order has been built around informal norms, deference, and trust,” he explains. “If these are eroded, the U.S. may need to establish a new consensus or face ongoing conflict.”
The bottom line is that the actions of the Trump administration raise important questions about the future of American democracy. Will Congress and the courts find ways to restore the balance of power, or will the presidency continue to grow stronger? Only time will tell.
