Donald Trump undermined the constitutional framework during his presidency, challenging the independence of the Department of Justice, bypassing Senate confirmation processes, and circumventing Congressional authority on budget matters. His tenure exposed the fragility of democratic safeguards, revealing them to be more symbolic than substantive.
Should Trump secure another term, Republicans plan to further consolidate power using the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, potentially transforming the presidency into an autocracy.
Republicans’ Project 2025 Aims to Transform the Presidency into an Autocracy
The responsibility for addressing these issues largely falls on President Biden. Upon taking office, he should have prioritized repairing the damage caused by Trump. However, his efforts were limited, focusing mainly on modest adjustments to the Electoral Count Act and showing little initial enthusiasm for these changes.
With Kamala Harris now positioned as the Democratic nominee for 2024, there is hope she will address the need to protect American democracy more robustly. While criticizing Project 2025 is a step in the right direction, proposing comprehensive reforms to safeguard the presidency from authoritarian threats would be even more beneficial.
Looking ahead to Democracy 2026, the 250th anniversary of American democracy, we have an opportunity to reinforce our system of checks and balances. This milestone should be marked by updating our democratic infrastructure to ensure its resilience for the next two centuries.
Our current system has become lax, with Congress progressively conceding power to the presidency. Reforms are necessary, including addressing legal anomalies that shield presidents from indictment and exploring constitutional amendments to prevent self-pardons and limit immunity.
There are numerous reforms to consider, such as clarifying congressional subpoena powers, updating the National Emergency Act, and strengthening civil service protections. These changes require a president dedicated to advancing democratic principles, regardless of Congressional control.
A commitment to these reforms could define Harris’s presidency and fortify democracy against future threats. Biden’s reluctance to prioritize democratic infrastructure has left us vulnerable, and a potential Harris administration must be prepared to act decisively to safeguard democracy.
