Presidential Power in the Age of Trump

Catalog description

Clashes over executive power predate the Constitutional Convention. This exclusive seminar will trace the history of presidential prerogatives vis-a-vis Congress and the courts. Students will meet directly with executive branch officials, as well as legislators and judges, to explore the practical realities of checks and balances in 2025. The class will cover Supreme Court decisions that allow more expansive claims of executive authority, including immunity, as well as active fights over a president's ability to wage war, set tariffs and cut spending without congressional approval. The goal is to study the degree to which Donald Trump is fundamentally altering the balance of power in the federal government or accelerating trends that began under previous presidents of both political parties. This course is offered in person in Washington, D.C. only to students who are participating in the Bing Stanford in Washington Program.