Trump’s Executive Actions Raise Questions Over Congressional Authority
In a series of assertive moves, President Trump’s administration is broadening its interpretation of executive power, impacting federal spending and military actions during a government shutdown. This shift is stirring debate about the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress.
ADRIAN FLORIDO, HOST:
President Trump’s expansive view of executive authority has recently been on display. His administration has increased military operations against what are described as drug trafficking vessels, and has reallocated federal funds to pay workers during a shutdown, bypassing the usual need for congressional approval. These actions have sparked discussions about the role of Congress under his leadership. NPR congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales joins us to talk more about this. Hello, Claudia.
CLAUDIA GRISALES, BYLINE: Hi, Adrian.
FLORIDO: Can you explain what the ideal relationship between the White House and Congress should be?
GRISALES: Certainly. Ideally, Congress and the White House should function as coequal branches of government, with Congress having oversight on decisions like military action and control over government spending, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Instead, we’re witnessing President Trump making unilateral decisions on military strikes in the Caribbean and redirecting funds to pay federal workers during a shutdown, which traditionally would require congressional consent. Georgetown University professor Stephen Vladeck commented on this development.
STEPHEN VLADECK: I think we’ve seen a radical collapse of congressional power.
GRISALES: Democrats have been vocal about their concerns regarding these actions.
FLORIDO: How have Republican leaders responded to these developments?
GRISALES: Many Republicans are in support of the president. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, for instance, has defended the administration’s actions, especially in terms of appropriations.
JOHN THUNE: I mean, we have the power of the purse, obviously. Everybody’s waiting for the government to be opened up. Congress has to do that.
GRISALES: Thune suggested that while Congress retains control over spending, the president’s actions are helping mitigate the effects of the shutdown for federal workers.
THUNE: There are things they can do. They’re moving money around. They’re doing things that any administration has done in the past to try and keep people, as many people as possible, getting paid.
GRISALES: Essentially, Thune is suggesting that Congress is comfortable with this arrangement.
FLORIDO: Appropriations have been a contentious issue for some time. How is this situation unique?
GRISALES: This is unprecedented in terms of the president’s influence over appropriations. Trump’s administration, together with Russell Vought from the Office of Management and Budget, has taken significant steps to manage spending without congressional input during the shutdown. Georgetown law professor Josh Chafetz provided insight into OMB’s strategy.
JOSH CHAFETZ: Essentially, what the OMB is saying is we can spend money that hasn’t been authorized by Congress. And we don’t have to spend money that has been appropriated by Congress. Once you put those two together, there’s nothing left of the congressional role.
GRISALES: Some Republicans, including Senators Rand Paul and Susan Collins, have voiced their concerns about maintaining congressional power over the budget.
FLORIDO: Let’s turn to the military strikes in the Caribbean. How do these actions relate to executive power?
GRISALES: A few Republicans are worried these strikes might breach both domestic and international laws, as Congress holds the authority to declare war. Senator Rand Paul is among those voicing concern, suggesting that the president’s actions set a dangerous precedent.
RAND PAUL: I think the idea of indiscriminately killing people without knowing their names, without seeing any evidence, without making a formal accusation or without collecting evidence – it’s kind of ironic that we think these people are so dangerous, we’re going to kill them without any information.
GRISALES: Recently, an anonymous U.S. official informed NPR about a strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Pacific.
FLORIDO: Are there any potential checks on the president’s expanding power?
GRISALES: Legal challenges in federal courts could serve as a counterbalance to the president’s power. Additionally, voters may have the final say during the upcoming midterm elections.
FLORIDO: Thank you, Claudia.
GRISALES: Thank you.
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