With only a few weeks under his belt as official president of the United States, Donald Trump has already made some big changes. He’s signed and put into effect a few different executive orders. The media and general population have reacted quite differently. Some are continuing their support for their candidate while others are protesting loudly. But the president’s orders are only effective if they are upheld. There is a situation developing where the president will make an order but everyone required to uphold and enforce it is choosing not to do so.
The structure of the democratic U.S. government has the president at the head and other governmental branches below. These branches are meant to maintain balance across the entire system. But the court systems can and do act on their own. For example, President Trump signed and put into effect a nationwide ban on Muslim travel. Initially, the order was followed until judges across the country ordered to the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) to stop. This came as a result of various lawsuits being presented in the courts by those affected. However, eventually those judicial orders were being disregarded in favor of the original executive order.
There is a great power struggle going on. Generally, the president struggles more to control Congress and get his influence passed through that branch of government. As Trump continues to make orders that the courts reject, there is a constitutional issue developing. How does a breach of constitutional order get handled and by who? There is already a precedent set and policies written if the judicial orders are ignored by other members of the government. For example, if there is a judicial branch order being refused by a state government, U.S. Marshals are dispatched to enforce the order. But would this same method apply if the executive branch (in this instance, President Trump) continues to disregard the judges’ orders?
What’s developing is called a constitutional crisis. During this crisis, the situations will be brought before various courts where those responsible for breaking the law by not following orders can be fined or even jailed. However, there are several complications. If a state agency is presented as a single, united governing body, finding one or two primary responsible parties becomes extremely difficult. The real world effects of this are also dangerous. Media outlets like The New York Times and Cnn news are available for live, real-time alerts as the president makes decisions about executive orders. Regarding the flight ban, if the executive branch pushes for it to be enforced over the judiciary refusal, there could be potential gun violence between airport and government agents.
All of this is developing as President Trump gets more comfortable in office and with his new power to enact laws. One of the long standing conflicts outside of America is also now awaiting his decision. Potential solutions for the crisis are a two-state system, which would force over 400,000 Israeli settlers to move and divide Jerusalem. In a bold move, President Trump has decided against the long-sought two-state system in favor of a single state solution. Following a meeting between Israeli’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump, the president urged that he was working toward one peaceful solution for everyone involved in the conflicts.
The development of the Trump administration is still happening. While he is executing executive orders and meeting with various foreign leaders, this is only the beginning. With the courts challenging and sometimes overruling his orders, it’s hard to determine just who is in control of the United States. Eventually, however, once the government becomes unified with clear policies, the country as a whole will thrive.