Our constitutional republic was formed with a broad separation of powers. Trump in his first two weeks has committed a broad assault on the constitution, which is leading to a constitutional crisis.
Assault on Birthright Citizenship
On his first day back in office, Trump issued an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to non-citizen parents. This move directly challenges the 14th Amendment, which unequivocally grants citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' immigration status. Legal experts have denounced this action as a blatant violation of constitutional rights. Multiple federal judges have acted quickly to block the order, affirming its unconstitutionality.
Dismantling Democratic Institutions
In collaboration with Elon Musk, Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), purportedly to streamline federal operations. However, this initiative has led to the closure of essential government agencies, freezing of federal funds, and unauthorized access to private information. Such actions erode the checks and balances integral to the U.S. political system, concentrating power in the executive branch and sidelining legislative and judicial oversight. In the constitution, the only branch with the authority to add or eliminate a government agency or department is the legislative. As such, eliminating the Department of Education and USAID both violate the separation of powers and the constitution. Article I clearly gives this power only to Congress, and the actions taken by the President and Musk have violated this.
Politicization of the Federal Civil Service
Trump's administration has aggressively reclassified career civil servants as political appointees, stripping them of protections and making them directly answerable to the president. This move undermines the apolitical nature of the civil service, turning public servants into instruments of the executive branch's agenda. Such actions compromise the integrity of federal agencies and violate principles designed to prevent authoritarianism. This action violates multiple laws including the Civil Service Reform Act.
Erosion of Civil Rights Protections
Through a series of executive orders, Trump has targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within federal agencies and among federal contractors. These orders seek to dismantle programs aimed at promoting equal opportunity and addressing systemic discrimination. By undermining DEI efforts, the administration is reversing decades of progress in civil rights, contravening constitutional guarantees of equal protection under the law.
These actions represent a concerted effort to consolidate power and dismantle democratic safeguards. It is imperative for citizens and institutions alike to remain vigilant and uphold the constitutional principles that form the bedrock of the United States.
In the face of these unconstitutional actions, it is more important than ever for Americans to defend the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and the Constitution itself. Trump's second-term overreach demonstrates a dangerous disregard for legal precedent and institutional norms, setting a precedent that, if left unchecked, could permanently weaken the nation's democratic foundations. Congress, the judiciary, and the public must push back against these violations, ensuring that no president—regardless of party—can place themselves above the law. The resilience of American democracy depends on an engaged and vigilant citizenry committed to upholding the Constitution.
