If this is a riddle and a pun then his name was Donald Trump.
These riddles usually revolve around the idea that it's meant for the current president of the United States since his name was Donald Trump even in 1996. If it wasn't a riddle and the the question was better made to ask what was the name of the president at that time, then the answer would be Bill Clinton, but since it's a joke then it's the name of the current president.
Then churches controlled everything including the government making them the higher power wherever they are based
Answer: the number of residents has grown substantially
Explanation:
