In the frosty January weather, Donald Trump’s second inauguration took place in the historic rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, surrounded by busts of former presidents. This event marked the beginning of a presidency that would challenge the established boundaries of government policy and congressional authority.

Shortly after his inaugural address, Trump set his sights on Congress, seeking to consolidate powers traditionally reserved for lawmakers. “What we have witnessed over the past year represents a significant escalation by the executive branch into areas historically governed by Congress,” stated Molly Reynolds, director of governance studies at the non-partisan Brookings Institution. She noted that congressional Republicans have largely refrained from defending institutional powers as they might have in previous administrations.

Under Trump’s directives, independent agency leaders, designed to operate free from political influence, were dismissed, federal offices were restructured, and the Department of Education faced a directive for dismantling. The president also leveraged emergency powers to impose tariffs, keeping lawmakers uninformed prior to actions such as the raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Many of these policies are encountering legal challenges, with several issues poised to reach the Supreme Court, which has seen a trend of supporting the president’s agenda. Congressional experts highlight a troubling trend: Trump has systematically marginalized lawmakers from governance domains that were once unquestionably their domain, with minimal resistance from the Republican majority in both the House and Senate.

“Throughout the years, the presidency has accumulated significant powers, thanks to the actions from both parties,” remarked Philip Wallach of the American Enterprise Institute. “Everyone seemed comfortable with this concentration of power, which has now been exploited by Trump to redefine government roles in unprecedented ways.”

Responding to inquiries, White House spokesperson Kush Desai emphasized: “President Trump is dedicated to fulfilling his promises to the American public, utilizing every legal authority conferred by the Constitution and Congress.”

Article One of the Constitution details Congress’s authority, including the powers to declare war, levy taxes, and regulate commerce. However, in his first weeks in office, Trump made waves by ousting leaders from key regulatory agencies, further escalating tensions between the executive and legislative branches.

Referring to these actions, Yale University professor David Mayhew labeled Trump’s approach as “disturbing,” highlighting violations of statutory norms and constitutional principles. He contended that attempts to “cut terms short” or impose unfounded prosecutorial pressures undermine the integrity of independent agencies.

Adding to the complexity was Trump’s broader agenda aimed at reducing the federal workforce, effecting significant layoffs and incentivizing resignations. “There’s no precedent for such extensive staff reductions,” observed Mayhew, stressing the need for adequately staffed missions authorized by Congress.

With actions like the raid on Venezuela—conducted with little forewarning to Congress—Democrats have raised alarms about the erosion of legislative authority. “It’s as if Republicans have rendered Congress obsolete,” remarked Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House.

Despite these challenges, Democratic lawmakers acknowledge their limited avenues for pushback. Jamie Raskin, top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, noted: “Holding the line in committees is our best option.” Nonetheless, numerous lawsuits against the Trump administration highlight ongoing resistance.

For Republican representatives, Trump’s maneuvers simply echo strategies employed by previous Democratic presidents. Representative Mike Lawler criticized Democratic opposition to Trump’s initiatives as hypocritical, framing it as a pattern of both parties stretching constitutional limits.

Trump’s reliance on reconciliatory budget measures has allowed him to execute significant legislation, including tax cuts and immigration policies, despite narrow majorities in the House and Senate. As Speaker Mike Johnson grapples with dissent within his party, any shift against Trump’s policies could threaten legislative stability.

Recent dissent in the Senate has also surfaced, with some Republican senators supporting a resolution to assert Congress’s role in war powers. Senator Rand Paul expressed concern over a future president potentially misusing emergency powers for unilateral action.

As debates over power dynamics unfold, it remains uncertain whether congressional Republicans will seek to reclaim authority lost under Trump’s presidency. Raskin cautioned, “Once presidential powers are unleashed, they are challenging to rein in.” Attitudes towards legislative norms could shift in future administrations, as many recognize the importance of upholding democratic governance in America.