Yes
They do.
No
They don’t.
President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats continue to disagree over how much authority the White House should have to carry out the administration’s agenda. The debate goes far beyond one president or political party because it raises a fundamental question Americans have wrestled with for generations: How powerful should the presidency be?
Supporters of President Trump argue that voters elected him to deliver results. They believe Congress should give the administration the authority and resources necessary to address major national concerns such as border security, immigration enforcement, trade, energy production, crime, government spending, and America’s position on the world stage.
From this perspective, too many restrictions can make it difficult for any president to carry out the agenda voters supported at the ballot box. Some Republicans argue that Washington’s bureaucracy and partisan gridlock frequently slow down policies even after Americans have voted for a change in direction.
Democrats generally take a different position. Many believe Congress has a constitutional responsibility to serve as a check on presidential authority regardless of which party controls the White House. They argue that giving additional power to any president could weaken the balance between the executive and legislative branches and establish precedents that future administrations could also use.
That creates an important question for voters. Should Democrats cooperate with President Trump when additional presidential authority could help accomplish certain national objectives, or should they resist expanding executive power even when they might agree with the underlying goal?
There is also a broader issue to consider. Powers granted to one president rarely disappear when another party takes control. Americans therefore must consider not only whether they trust the current administration but whether they would be comfortable with a future president exercising the same authority.
With Washington facing major decisions at home and abroad, the balance of power remains an important national debate.