The Rise of the Imperial Presidency: Douglas Brinkley on How Executive Power Has Evolved from Washington to Trump
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from May 7, 2025 | The American Presidency: A Presidential Historian’s Perspective. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, presidential historian and Rice University professor Douglas Brinkley offered a sweeping analysis of how executive power in the United States has grown—from George Washington’s modest beginnings to Donald Trump’s dramatic expansion of presidential authority. With decades of experience studying the American presidency, Brinkley placed Trump’s actions in historical context, examining how the office has evolved into what some now call an “imperial presidency.”
The Foundations of Presidential Power
Brinkley began by tracing the early days of the presidency, starting with George Washington. As the nation’s first leader, Washington deliberately avoided appearing monarchical—serving only two terms and exercising executive authority with restraint. At that time, the U.S. Constitution granted limited, clearly defined powers to the executive branch.
But over time, that balance began to shift. Presidents like Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt used executive orders to enact transformative policy—ending slavery, creating the New Deal, and mobilizing the country during wartime. These expansions were often justified by national crises, but they set important precedents for future administrations.
Trump’s “Day One” Strategy and the Politics of Chaos
Brinkley described Donald Trump’s approach as a sharp break from his predecessors. In his second term, Trump launched a flurry of executive orders on “day one,” including a symbolic pardon of January 6 insurrectionists. Lacking major legislative victories, Trump turned to executive action to project strength and disorient his critics.
While many of these actions were overturned by the courts, the spectacle itself had a lasting impact. As Brinkley noted, Trump created the illusion of total control through relentless action, even when legally baseless. This marked a shift from using executive orders for governance to using them as tools of political theater.
Defiance of the Courts and Congress
Trump’s disdain for constitutional checks—particularly the judiciary—mirrors the behavior of Andrew Jackson, one of Trump’s personal heroes. Brinkley recounted how Jackson famously ignored a Supreme Court ruling protecting Native American lands, saying, in essence, “Let them enforce it.” Trump’s rhetoric and behavior echo this same challenge to judicial authority.
Equally concerning, according to Brinkley, is Congress’s growing fear of confronting Trump. Historical moments—like when Republicans turned against Nixon—demonstrate that bipartisan courage can restrain executive excess. Today, however, many lawmakers are reluctant to speak out, citing personal safety and political backlash.
A Dangerous Precedent for the Future
One of the gravest concerns raised in the interview was the normalization of Trump’s tactics. Brinkley warned that what Trump has done may soon become a roadmap for future presidents—regardless of party. By stretching, bending, or ignoring legal constraints, Trump is expanding the boundaries of presidential power in ways that could have long-lasting implications.
Even if Trump eventually exits the political stage, the precedent of a hyper-empowered executive will remain. As Brinkley put it, “Trump isn’t just breaking the rules—he’s rewriting them.”
Restoring the Balance
Brinkley concluded with a reminder that the U.S. system of government was designed to resist authoritarianism. But it depends on institutions—and individuals—willing to enforce those limits. As executive power continues to grow, Brinkley urged citizens, lawmakers, and judges to reassert the balance of power that was central to the founders’ vision.
The rise of the imperial presidency didn’t begin with Trump—but in Brinkley’s view, it may have reached a dangerous new phase under him. Whether the country can recalibrate its constitutional equilibrium remains one of the defining questions of our time.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.