Potential Shifts in Presidential Power and Republican Dynamics

For years, Republicans have celebrated the expansion of presidential authority under Donald Trump, achieved through a combination of legal challenges, executive orders, and political pressure. However, this growing concentration of power may pose challenges for the GOP if a Democrat assumes the presidency in the future.

Bob Bauer, a former White House counsel under Barack Obama and now a law professor at New York University, warns that the norms surrounding presidential power are not fixed. “We tend to believe that institutional norms are permanent, but they are not,” he explains. Bauer hopes Democrats will resist the temptation to mirror Trump’s norm-breaking tactics, but he cautions that these norms are fragile and can be eroded over time.

Trump’s presidency has seen an unprecedented expansion of executive authority. The Supreme Court’s recent decision limiting nationwide injunctions exemplifies this trend, potentially altering the landscape of presidential influence. Many of President Biden’s initiatives-such as student loan forgiveness and tighter regulations on payday lenders-have been hindered by nationwide injunctions, illustrating the power struggles at play.

Historically, Democratic presidents like Obama faced accusations of “imperial presidency,” a term Republicans used to criticize perceived overreach. Yet, under Trump, the balance shifted dramatically. Republicans now often defend the broad use of executive power, with some experts noting that once a certain threshold is crossed, it becomes difficult to revert to previous norms.

This evolving power dynamic raises critical questions for Democrats. While the party has traditionally campaigned on restoring norms and limiting executive overreach, the current landscape suggests that future Democratic candidates may need to accept and navigate a new reality of expanded presidential authority. As Jesse Ferguson, a seasoned Democratic strategist, puts it, “Trump’s actions have rewritten the rulebook. Democrats will need to adapt or risk being left behind.”

Sam Cornale, a former Democratic National Committee executive, emphasizes the importance of balancing aggressive anti-corruption messaging with strategic use of legal powers already available. Bauer envisions a future debate where Democratic presidential hopefuls are asked whether they would leverage expanded powers to achieve specific policy outcomes-highlighting how Trump’s reshaping of the office influences political discourse.

Policy and Political Developments

White House Focus: Trade and Tariffs

Following his landmark legislative victory last week-signing into law a comprehensive tax and immigration reform package-President Trump is now turning his attention to trade negotiations. With a self-imposed deadline of July 9, the administration is pushing for new trade agreements, though progress remains slow. According to reports from Brussels, negotiators are still working through the details of a tentative deal with Europe, which aims to address some of the most contentious trade disputes.

Despite initial promises of securing 90 trade deals within 90 days, the administration is falling short of this ambitious goal. As the deadline approaches, officials threaten to escalate tariffs if countries do not accelerate negotiations. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that if progress stalls, tariffs could revert to April levels starting August 1, signaling a more aggressive stance in upcoming diplomatic communications.

Political Campaigns and Advertising Strategies

The political landscape is heating up as Democratic groups launch targeted advertising campaigns against the recently enacted Republican-led budget bill. Organizations such as Unrig Our Economy, Protect Our Care, and the League of Conservation Voters have begun airing ads that criticize the legislation, especially highlighting its impact on healthcare programs like Medicaid.

One ad from Unrig Our Economy, airing during the Fourth of July celebrations, accuses Republicans of enacting the largest Medicaid cuts in history, which would jeopardize healthcare access for millions. Similarly, Protect Our Care features multiple versions of an ad criticizing House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), emphasizing promises broken and the bill’s implications for vulnerable populations.

This is just the beginning of a broader advertising push, as progressive groups aim to shape public opinion ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Meanwhile, Republican-aligned organizations invested heavily in promoting the bill before its passage, and they remain optimistic about mounting their own counter-campaigns to defend the legislation.