Donald Trump‘s approach to power has been characterized by aggressive use of the presidency to advance his political agenda and settle scores. His actions since the start of his second term have been described by some as unprecedented.
Observers have noted Trump‘s frequent use of analogies from poker to describe his interactions with allies and opponents. This analogy reflects his strategic approach, where he views his presidency as a game of accumulating and deploying power for his benefit.
A sociologist from the University of Kansas, David N. Smith, commented that Trump‘s use of the state as a tool in the culture wars is central to his agenda. Smith noted a shift in support among Trump‘s base, who initially opposed government overreach but now seem to approve of its use against their perceived enemies.
Trump‘s actions have been swift and extensive. Within hours of his inauguration, he began leveraging federal power in new ways. This includes deploying federal agents and National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., under a rarely used law allowing him to control the city’s law enforcement. Similar actions were threatened in other Democratic-led cities, including Baltimore, Chicago, New York, and New Orleans.
The targets of Trump‘s actions have been numerous and varied. He threatened to block stadium funding for the Washington Commanders unless they reinstated their former name, deemed racially offensive. He revoked security clearances for lawyers from firms he dislikes and attempted to bar their access to government facilities. He also withheld billions in federal research funding from elite universities and tried to prevent foreign students from enrolling. Several universities, including Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, and Northwestern University, faced pressure and ultimately made concessions.
Further actions included firing or reassigning federal employees, dropping corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams in exchange for cooperation, and securing multi-million dollar settlements in lawsuits widely considered weak. Additionally, Attorney General Pam Bondi initiated a grand jury review of the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation, and a special prosecutor was appointed to investigate New York Attorney General Letitia James and Senator Adam Schiff.
Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson, countered that these actions are not weaponizing the government but rather exercising power. Fields described the current administration as the most impactful in U.S. history.
Trump‘s approach to power is notable for its aggressiveness and disregard for traditional restraints. He has, through executive orders, personnel changes, and sheer audacity, amassed power exceeding that of his modern predecessors. This power has been further bolstered by his fiercely loyal base, a Congress and Supreme Court that have thus far yielded to executive authority, and institutions that have negotiated or settled with him.
While the U.S. government is powerful, it is not omnipotent. Trump learned this during his first term, encountering limitations from the Constitution, laws, court rulings, bureaucracy, traditions, and norms. However, in his second term, he has effectively eliminated, bypassed, or neutralized many of these checks and balances.
Steven Lukes, emeritus professor at New York University and author of “Power: A Radical View,” argued that Trump embodies the three dimensions of power: setting the agenda, shaping preferences, and manipulating perceptions. Lukes highlighted Trump‘s “epistemic liberation”—the willingness to invent facts without evidence—as a novel element in liberal democracies. Trump‘s use of memes and jokes rather than arguments and activism to express his preferences was also noted by Lukes.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump portrayed himself as a victim of a weaponized government. Facing multiple criminal cases, he shifted from opposing government weaponization to embracing it. He stated his intention to use the power of the presidency against his opponents if re-elected, later retracting some of these threats as the election approached. Upon winning, he declared an end to the weaponization of government, although his actions since have contradicted these statements.
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