A tyrannical George III still fresh on their minds, the Constitution’s framers fashioned Congress as the dominant branch of government. To make sure he knew his place, it rejected kingly titles, so George Washington became just the “president.” He initially respected this, believing for example that he should only veto a bill if he deemed it unconstitutional, not just because he didn’t like it.
That didn’t last. With the help of Alexander Hamilton and an increasingly liberal interpretation of the Constitution, Washington soon dominated foreign affairs, defense, and created a national financial system. The course of American history has led most presidents to want more power than the framers intended. Republican anger at President Obama and Democratic anger at President Trump for executive over-reach should be seen in this historical context. But how much presidential power is too much?
In theory chief executives or presidents always want more power but fortunately there are many counterbalances that hinder them.
It is a fact that a way to seek more power is through increasing the role of government.
