Evidence Flashcards
Trump’s electoral mandate
Used his mandate to justify restrictive immigration policies, including the construction of a border wall with Mexico, citing his campaign promises. Though he couldn’t get Congress to pass a law to enact the border wall, he used executive orders to get as much built as he could.
Bush electoral mandate
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 capitalised on his electoral mandate and aimed at reforming eduction by increasing accountability standards.
How many EO did Trump sign
220 including a number of very high profile ones at the start of his presidency.
Biden EO
July 2022 Biden signed an EO titled Protecting Access to Reproductive Healthcare Services in response to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade a week earlier.
Biden’s executive agreement
Soon after becoming President, Biden rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, reversing Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US.
Bill Clinton signing statements (1993-2001)
381
Donald Trump (2017-2021) signing statements
29
Executive Privilege under Trump
In 2020, Trump invoked executive privilege to resist Congressional requests for his tax returns, arguing that these were private matters and not subject to Congressional oversight.
Methods of persuasion - through EXOP and the cabinet example
Under President Trump, the Office of Legislative Affairs was instrumental in coordinating with Congress to advance the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, even though this eventually failed.
Using Bully Pulpit to Put Public Pressure on Congress
President Trump’s use of Twitter to advocate for the funding of the border wall stands out. He frequently tweeted about the necessity of the wall for national security, using specific incidents and statistics to strengthen his case. This constant public pressure contributed to the 2018-2019 government shutdown over border wall funding.
Trump’s cabinet
Trump fired/ forced to resign more cabinet members than any previous President.
As Vice President, Mike Pence had significant influence. He led the federal governments response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
EXOP under Trump
The National Security Council and advisor Jared Kushner played a significant role in foreign policy, which is traditionally the remit of the Secretary of State.
National Security Council under Trump
the NSC was involved in shaping Trump’s approach to North Korea, including historic summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Commander-in-chief example
President Barack Obama decided to order the military operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011. This was made under his authority as Commander-in-chief.
Power to negotiate treaties
President Wilson’s role in negotiating the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 to end World War I
Appointment power example
President Donald Trump’s appointment of Nikki Haley as the US ambassador the the United Nations 2017
Receiving Ambassadors and Foreign Officials example
Roosevelt received Churchill during WWII. Their meeting were crucial for the Allied strategy against the Axis powers.
Executive agreement example
The Paris Climate Agreement (2016)
President Obama entered into this landmark international accord to combat climate change. This was bypassed by the Senate but also meant Trump could withdraw from the agreement without congressional approval.
Use of military force without formal declaration of war: example
Vietnam War
Invasion of Iraq 2003 - authorised by Bush
The War Powers Resolution example
Gulf War
Congress asserted its authority under the War Powers Resolution.
Using the power of the purse to defund military interventions example
Defunding war in Iraq
Increased oversight and investigation example
Impeachment of Trump over his dealings with Ukraine
What did trump withdraw from
Paris Climate Agreement in 2017
The war in Ukraine
The Biden administration has provided substantial military and economic assistance to Ukraine, following Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Supreme Court limiting Biden’s powers
The Supreme Court ruled that Biden’s $430 billion student debt forgiveness plan was unconstitutional.
Trump separation of powers example
Trump’s efforts to secure funding for the construction of a border wall along the U.S. - Mexico border. After Congress allocated significantly less funding than what Trump requested for the wall, he declared a national emergency at the border in February 2019.
This executive action immediately faced legal challenges.
Numbers in congress - Obama
During his first two years he had a democratic majority in congress and achieved significant legislative success, most notably the Affordable Care Act.
However, after the 2010 midterm elections, Republicans gained control of the House, leading to a period of legislative gridlock.
Supreme Court on Obama
Throughout his tenure the ideological balance was closely divided
4 liberal 5 conservative
The court made rulings that both supported and challenged Obama’s agenda.
Court upheld the Affordable Care Act NFIB v Sibelius
Shelby County v Holder the SC’s decision went against Obama’s policy efforts to strengthen federal oversight os style voting laws.
Supreme Court Trump
Shifted significantly to the right
Made 3 appointments - replacing 2 conservatives and 1 liberal led to a strong 6-3 conservative majority
The court didn’t always make rulings in his favour though and they upheld the constitution
Presidential power: popularity
- a president needs the backing of their party to push through legislation, particularly in a polarised political environment.
- high approval ratings provide a president with increased political capital, enabling them to wield influence over Congress and shape legislative outcomes.
- successful policy initiatives and events such as responses to crises can boost a president’s popularity and strengthen their ability to advance there agenda.
- under divided government, presidential power to pursue their agenda is in part dependant on how unpopular they are with the opposing party. If they are too unpopular, few members of the opposing party in Congress will be willing to cooperate with them, leading to a lack of legislative success even if they may be popular within their own party.
Presidential power: the individual skills of a president
- skills in persuasion, relationship management, and event handling are paramount to their ability to wield power effectively.
- a president’s capacity to persuade Congress and garner support for their agenda is pivotal in navigating the legislative process and enacting desired policies.
- moreover, adapt management of high-profile events and crises can significantly influence public opinion and bolster the president’s authority. Competent communication and crisis management skills allow a president to navigate challenges adeptly, enhancing their credibility and popularity.
The relationship between a President and their party
Position of the president within their own party and their relationships with party leaders in Congress are critical factors that determine the extent of a President’s power.
The President’s standing within their party influences their ability to rally support for key initiatives and mobilise party members to act in unison.
The relationship between a President and their party
Example
Biden’s ability to keep key members of his party in the Senate on side, in particular Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer and moderates, has been crucial to his ability to achieve his policy agenda given the very slim majority the Democrats have had in the Senate throughout his first term.
What did Biden and Trump do in their first 100 days as president
Biden - passed the American Rescue Plan Act
Trump - appointed Neil Gorsuch
George Bush early focus on domestic policy
George W. Bush’s presidency was initially focused on domestic policies, with significant legislative success in passing tax cuts and the No Child Left Behind Act.
The catastrophic events of 9/11 dramatically shifted his focus, with much of his presidency becoming defined by his response.
Bush launched the War on Terror, which included the invasion of Afghanistan.
Domestically he constituted to pursue conservative policies including further tax cuts.
Bush’s second term
Marked by continued involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, amidst growing public discontent and challenges in managing the conflicts.
Domestically he faced significant challenges, including the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which was widely criticised, and the failure to pass immigration reforms. This contributed to the Republicans losing control of both houses of Congress in the 2006 midterms.
Donald Trump’s first 2 years
Presidency began with a clear message of change, capitalising on his electoral mandate to reshape American policy, particularly in immigration, trade, and deregulation.
In 2017, he moved quickly to implement his agenda and used executive orders to undo many Obama-era policies.
Trumps divided government after the midterms
2018 midterm elections were a turning point, as Democrats gained control of the House, introducing a significant check on Trump’s power. This shift led to heightened legislative gridlock, exemplified by the longest government shutdown in U.S. history over disputes about funding for a border wall.
Donald Trump final year
Dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic and his administration’s chaotic and ineffective response, which led to the US having a very high death rate.
This led to his declining popularity and public approval ratings, which contributed to his eventual defeat in the 2020 election.
How effectively Bush achieved his aims
Key successes
- enacted significant tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 to stimulate economic growth.
- led the No Child Left Behind Act, a major education reform bill that imposed federal standards.
- managed to secure a second term
- played in a crucial role in establishing the Department of Homeland Security in response to 9/11 and shifting US foreign policy significantly to pursue the War on Terror.
- initiated the Medicare prescription drug benefit, expanding coverage for seniors.
Key failures:
- the Iraq War, begun under false pretences of weapons of mass destruction, became highly controversial and costly.
- Hurricane Katrina response was widely criticised for being slow and inefficient.
- his administration faced significant criticism over the handling of the 2008 financial crisis.
- social security reform efforts failed, lacking support from congress.
Obama key success and failure
Key success:
Passed the Affordable Care Act
Key failure:
Faced criticism over the handily of the Syrian civil war and the rise of ISIS.
Trump key success and failure
Success:
Passed significant tax reform with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
Failures:
Impeached twice
Struggled to repeal and replace Affordable Care Act
Imperial Presidency Theory
Posits that the U.S. Presidency has become increasingly powerful, often exceeding constitutional limits and ignoring wishes of Congress, particularly during periods of war and national crisis.
Key methods suffered by this theory include:
- executive orders to bypass congress
- aggressive foreign policy initiatives without declarations of war or Congressional Approval.
- executive agreements to replace treaties
- signing statements which can act as a line-item veto, and the expansion of the executive branch’s control over domestic policy.
The imperial presidency is characterised by a diminished system of checks and balances, where the executive increasingly operates with minimal legislative or judicial oversight, often justified by national security or emergency needs.
Imperial presidency example
Bush, trump, Obama
Bush
Aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, President Bush significantly expanded executive power through the authorisation of the Patriot Act, which allowed for increased surveillance and search powers without conventional judicial oversight.
Trump
Declared a national emergency in 2019 to divert funds to build a border wall after Congress denied funding for it.
Obama
Extensively used executive orders to achieve policy goals when Congress failed to pass legislation to fulfil them.
Imperilled presidency theory
Presents a contrasting view to the Imperial Presidency, suggesting that the President of the US often faces significant limitations and challenges in exercising power.
Key methods highlighted by this theory include the President’s reliance on persuasion as a primary tool for achieving objectives, as the formal powers vested in the office are often insufficient to unilaterally enact significant change.
Additionally, the imperilled presidency theory underscores the importance of building coalitions and negotiating compromises, emphasising the President’s role as a facilitator rather than an autonomous decision-maker.
Imperilled presidency example
Obama and Trump
Obama
Apart from his first 2 years where he passed the affordable care act, Obama failed to pass any significant legislation on big issues including environment, gun control and immigration.
Trump
Even with a Republican majority in both houses of Congress in his first 2 years, Trump was unable to achieve 2 of his key policy goals due to lack of support from some Republicans moderates: repealing the Affordable Care Act and funding his border wall.
Dual presidency theory
Posits that there are two distinct realms of presidential authority: foreign and domestic policy, and that Presidents in the United States often experience significantly more success and autonomy in foreign affairs than domestic policy.
International arena - presidents are seen as having a broader scope of action, less constrained by Congress, and more unilateral power, partly due to the inherent nature of foreign policy and national security matters.
Conversely, in the realm of domestic policy - presidents frequently face more significant challenges, including more rigorous checks and balances, greater scrutiny from the media, public opinion, and a more complex negotiation process with Congress.
Dual presidency examples
Bush and Obama
Bush
Domestic policy - faced substantial challenges in passing social security legislation and was damaged due to his administrations low and inefficient response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Foreign policy - he was able to initiate a fundamental shift and swiftly initiate military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq with relatively less immediate congressional or public resistance.
Obama
Domestically - Obama encountered significant hurdles in pushing through key legislative initiatives.
Foreign policy - he demonstrated more autonomy, exemplified by his decision to authorise the military operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden.
