By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Early in his presidency, Donald Trump issued numerous executive orders, many facing legal challenges, prompting a Pew Research Center survey on public opinion regarding expanded presidential power. A significant majority (65%) deemed granting Trump more power “too risky,” while only 33% believed it would improve problem-solving. This skepticism extended to presidential power in general, with 78% expressing concern about its expansion. Partisan divides were evident, with Republicans more likely than Democrats to favor increased presidential authority for Trump.
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Most Americans recognize the inherent risks in expanding presidential power, especially considering the track record of recent administrations, and this concern applies equally to all presidents, including former President Trump. The potential for abuse of authority is a significant deterrent, prompting widespread apprehension about concentrating excessive power in the executive branch.
The idea of granting additional authority to any president, regardless of political affiliation, is viewed with considerable skepticism by the majority of Americans. There is a clear understanding that such a move could have profoundly negative consequences, regardless of the president’s personal characteristics or policy stances.
The pervasive feeling among most Americans is that the concentration of power within the presidency is already dangerously high. Further expansion, they believe, would create an environment where the potential for abuse becomes exponentially greater, threatening the delicate balance of power within the democratic system. This risk is amplified by the existing difficulties in holding presidents accountable for their actions.
Many believe that the current system already grants the executive branch an excessive degree of power, and they see expanding this only as exacerbating the existing problems. They highlight concerns about the lack of sufficient checks and balances to prevent overreach. The perception is that too much power in the hands of one individual, regardless of their party, poses a clear and present danger to democratic principles.
The widespread belief that the executive branch has accumulated too much power is not a new phenomenon; it is a sentiment fueled by long-standing concerns about the erosion of power from the legislative branch. There are legitimate concerns about the gradual shift of authority away from Congress towards the executive branch over several decades. This concern is not limited to one particular political party or ideology; it represents a broader societal unease regarding the balance of power.
The potential for a president to use their authority for personal gain or to disregard the will of the people is a primary driver of this widespread anxiety. Many believe that additional power could only embolden such behavior, undermining the very foundations of democratic governance. The lack of accountability and the potential for misuse of authority contribute to this prevailing fear.
The argument that giving a president, especially one with a controversial past like Trump’s, more power would be an excessively risky gamble is strongly supported by the prevailing public sentiment. The widespread perception is that there is already insufficient oversight, and granting further latitude would only make the situation worse. The implications for the future of American democracy are seen as potentially dire.
The reluctance to grant presidents additional power reflects a profound lack of faith in the checks and balances meant to curb executive authority. Many feel that the existing safeguards are inadequate and insufficient to protect the nation from potential abuses of power. The ongoing concerns highlight the need for meaningful reform to restore trust in the system.
It is important to acknowledge that this concern is not solely focused on any particular president. It is a general apprehension regarding the accumulation of power within the executive branch, irrespective of the individual holding the office. The underlying worry remains consistent: the potential for abuse of power is a significant threat to the health of the American democracy.
In summary, the majority of Americans view expanding presidential authority as an unacceptable risk. This concern stems from a deep-seated fear that granting more power, irrespective of the individual president, would exacerbate the imbalance of power, lead to further abuse of authority, and ultimately threaten the democratic foundations of the nation. The pervasive sentiment reflects a broader societal anxiety regarding the future of governance in the United States.