Overview

• President Trump has invoked a controversial philosophy, quoting Napoleon to justify his broad use of executive authority during his second term.
• The administration is pursuing legal battles to challenge protections for federal officials and expand presidential control over independent agencies.
• Critics accuse Trump of ignoring court orders and dismantling federal institutions, including mass firings and proposed closures of key agencies like USAid and the Department of Education.
• The administration's actions have drawn comparisons to dictatorial behavior, with opponents warning of a constitutional crisis as lawsuits mount nationwide.
• Economic pressures, including rising inflation and potential trade wars, add to the turbulence of Trump's governance, alongside controversial moves like renaming the Gulf of Mexico.