Explanation:
INCREASE IN PRESIDENTIAL POWERS
Throughout American history, there have been various occasions where the presidential powers have been increased during unusual times such as global pandemic, war, economic turmoil or frayed international relations which can breed tension.
President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War in 1861 temporarily suspended the rights of captured prisoners being taken to a law court to secure his release.
President Lincoln also freed slaves.
An increase in presidential powers can also be as a result of how the executive powers are interpreted by courts and the president himself.
This was shown by President Andrew Jackson who fired his Secretary of State due to his opposition of President Jackson's policies.
It was the first time a President attempted to remove a cabinet member and the President Andrew Jackson viewed that as President, he had the power to remove a political appointee.
Recently, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency because of immigration which led people to ask the extent the executive power can go.
DECREASE IN PRESIDENTIAL POWERS:
To limit or put a check on the powers and actions of the Executive arm of the government which includes the President, there are checks and balances of the Legislature and Judiciary.
Before a president can pass down a decree into law, it has to go through reading in the Senate and must have a majority vote before it passes on to the next reading, where more deliberations are made before it is put to law. This is one of the ways the legislature puts a check on the president.
They can also put checks according to the Constitution of demanding approval from Congress before embarking on war or the use of military force.
There have been various occasions where this has been flouted by Presidents of America.
President Obama ordered a strike on Libya without congressional approval, President Bush ordered the torture of prisoners without Congressional approval.
Even more recently, President Trump ordered the assassination of a top Iranian General without informing Congress and the tensions that ensued from there almost caused a war, even as there were missiles fired by both sides and the Iranians erroneously shooting down a passenger plane because they thought it was a US fighter jet.
The president is required by law to order military striker or go to war with another country when there is no sufficient time to get the approval of Congress.
Advantages of increasing presidential power
1. The president is able to discharge his duties with less bureaucratic hassles
2. The president can make faster decisions for the country during times of war
Disadvantages of increasing presidential power
1. The president can begin to infringe on rights of citizens and sovereignty of countries
2. It can lead to a dictator style leadership
3. The president can begin to feel he is above the law.
