Separation of Powers and Congressional Authority
• Trump repeatedly challenged or ignored the constitutional boundaries between the executive branch and Congress. This includes refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas related to investigations and attempting to block the release of his financial records, which resulted in the Supreme Court reaffirming Congress’s investigative powers.
• He has used executive orders to unilaterally override or undermine laws enacted by Congress, which the Constitution does not permit.
Use of Military on U.S. Soil
• Trump turned to the military as a “personal police force” against American citizens, particularly in response to protests, which has been accused of violating both federal law and the Constitution’s protections for civil liberties.
War Powers Clause
• He ordered military actions (e.g., bombing Iran) without congressional approval, contradicting the Constitution’s war powers clause that reserves the right to declare war exclusively to Congress.
First Amendment Violations
• Trump’s actions targeting peaceful protesters, threatening lawmakers for their speech, and attempting to punish academic institutions and law firms for political reasons have been labeled unconstitutional violations of free speech and due process rights.
14th Amendment and Birthright Citizenship
• His administration sought to deny citizenship to people of color born in the U.S., contrary to the clear language of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees birthright citizenship.
Punishing Political Enemies and Targeting Institutions
• Trump issued executive orders and directed government agencies to retaliate against law firms and universities perceived as opponents, which experts say violates the equal protection and due process clauses.
Speech and Debate Clause
• Attempts were made to investigate and potentially criminalize speech by Democratic lawmakers, threatening constitutional protections for congressional speech.
Power of the Purse
• Trump encroached upon Congress’s constitutional “power of the purse” by redirecting funds without congressional approval, thus violating the separation of powers.
Separation of Powers and Congressional Authority • Trump repeatedly challenged or ignored the constitutional boundaries between the executive branch and Congress. This includes refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas related to investigations and attempting to block the release of his financial records, which resulted in the Supreme Court reaffirming Congress’s investigative powers. • He has used executive orders to unilaterally override or undermine laws enacted by Congress, which the Constitution does not permit.
Use of Military on U.S. Soil • Trump turned to the military as a “personal police force” against American citizens, particularly in response to protests, which has been accused of violating both federal law and the Constitution’s protections for civil liberties.
War Powers Clause • He ordered military actions (e.g., bombing Iran) without congressional approval, contradicting the Constitution’s war powers clause that reserves the right to declare war exclusively to Congress.
First Amendment Violations • Trump’s actions targeting peaceful protesters, threatening lawmakers for their speech, and attempting to punish academic institutions and law firms for political reasons have been labeled unconstitutional violations of free speech and due process rights.
14th Amendment and Birthright Citizenship • His administration sought to deny citizenship to people of color born in the U.S., contrary to the clear language of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees birthright citizenship.
Punishing Political Enemies and Targeting Institutions • Trump issued executive orders and directed government agencies to retaliate against law firms and universities perceived as opponents, which experts say violates the equal protection and due process clauses.
Speech and Debate Clause • Attempts were made to investigate and potentially criminalize speech by Democratic lawmakers, threatening constitutional protections for congressional speech.
Power of the Purse • Trump encroached upon Congress’s constitutional “power of the purse” by redirecting funds without congressional approval, thus violating the separation of powers.