Trump Examples

Question 1

How did Trump challenge constitutional checks and balances?

Answer 1

Trump ignored court orders, attempted to dominate Congress, and undermined state powers by deploying the National Guard to California without the governor’s consent — a move not seen since LBJ in 1965.

Question 2

How did Trump stretch the power of the presidency?

Answer 2

Through aggressive use of executive orders, refusal to comply with courts, unilateral foreign policy decisions, wide use of pardons, and tight control over federal agencies.

Question 3

How did Congress respond to Trump’s use of presidential power?

Answer 3

Congress largely failed to check him, but he used the “power to persuade” (e.g., lobbying for his “big beautiful bill”). Democrats eventually ended a filibuster to avoid blame for a shutdown, passing a spending bill they didn’t support.

Question 4

How did the courts check Trump’s presidency?

Answer 4

The Court of International Trade ruled Trump overstepped by using emergency powers for tariffs (tariff power lies with Congress). The Supreme Court also ruled against him despite its conservative majority, e.g. in the Garcia and Alien Enemies Act cases.

Question 5

Give an example of Trump ignoring the judiciary.

Answer 5

In February 2025, Trump continued to freeze federal funds despite a direct court order to release them.