I suggest part of the problem is that many have internalized the concept of the “imperial presidency.” The term was coined during the Nixon administration to capture the hubris with which Nixon and his staff operated. (Remember when Nixon tried to change the uniforms of the White House security guards to something resembling the French F…
I suggest part of the problem is that many have internalized the concept of the “imperial presidency.” The term was coined during the Nixon administration to capture the hubris with which Nixon and his staff operated. (Remember when Nixon tried to change the uniforms of the White House security guards to something resembling the French Foreign Legion?) Anyway, the phrase captured a tendency that developed during the 20th century to treat the president as the first among branches of government. It accelerated during the Cold War as the president became the sole possessor of nuclear weapons, and started to throw troops at foreign policy problems without a Congressional declaration of war.
I think Trump is benefiting from the mantle of the presidency. Many “very serious people” blanch at the thought of subjecting the (former) great avatar of the nation to something as mundane as law. Unconsciously they seem to assume the presidency is just too august to be brought down low. It’s a habit of mind yet to be overcome, unfortunately.
Admittedly that’s just part of the problem. Also at work is the deference shown to the rich (and even the fake rich, it seems.)
I suggest part of the problem is that many have internalized the concept of the “imperial presidency.” The term was coined during the Nixon administration to capture the hubris with which Nixon and his staff operated. (Remember when Nixon tried to change the uniforms of the White House security guards to something resembling the French Foreign Legion?) Anyway, the phrase captured a tendency that developed during the 20th century to treat the president as the first among branches of government. It accelerated during the Cold War as the president became the sole possessor of nuclear weapons, and started to throw troops at foreign policy problems without a Congressional declaration of war.
I think Trump is benefiting from the mantle of the presidency. Many “very serious people” blanch at the thought of subjecting the (former) great avatar of the nation to something as mundane as law. Unconsciously they seem to assume the presidency is just too august to be brought down low. It’s a habit of mind yet to be overcome, unfortunately.
Admittedly that’s just part of the problem. Also at work is the deference shown to the rich (and even the fake rich, it seems.)