If you’ve been reading anything at all about the federal government, you will have to agree that it’s chaotic. Some of you like the chaos because you think good will arise from taking a wrecking ball to long established practices that are outdated and need radical change. Others believe that democracy is being threatened as America charges off the cliff like lemmings toward autocracy.
Through all the chaos, Congress has been largely silent, allowing its power to be stolen away by both the Executive and Judicial Branches.
Congress was created by the framers of the Constitution to be the most powerful of the three branches of government. That’s why its powers are both proscribed and prescribed in Article in great detail. Article II describes the power of the Executive. This branch’s powers are fewer and vaguer. Article III briefly describes the Judicial Branch, almost as an afterthought.
Let’s look at the dysfunction of all three branches and then see how easily Congress could, if it so desired, end the chaos.
Let’s begin with the Judicial Branch.
Two Supreme Court justices have been proven to have taken bribes in the form of trips and gifts. Rules could be created by Congress; justices could be impeached.
Two justices lied openly during confirmation hearings, stating clearly that they would not follow precedent and overturn Roe v. Wade, and then voting to end it.
SCOTUS expanded the president’s powers by giving him limited immunity, ignoring his self-coup attempt to overturn the 2020 election and allowing him to run in 2024 in violation of the 14th Amendment. It allowed him to fire Civil Service employees even though Congressionally passed laws do not permit such actions.
Now the Executive Branch:
Attempting to end birthright citizenship, a guarantee clearly stated in the 14th Amendment.
Appointed cabinet secretaries who lied under oath during confirmation hearings.
Ignored court decisions.
Used the National Guard and the Marines to override the powers of the governor of California, increased violence as a result.
Sent, or threatened to send, soldiers to Democratically run cities like Washington D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Ignored the Posse Comitatus Act, which forbids the use of the military to act as police.
Ignored spending laws passed by Congress and signed by previous presidents: Agencies like USAID, and Civil Service protections for federal employees.
Used I.C.E. who are masked and without markings, to arrest people on the street based upon the color of their skin and their accents. These are clear violations of Habeas Corpus, and Due Process, which guarantee every person the right to be charged and tried in a court of law, aided by an attorney.
Arrested and sued judges and members of Congress, a clear violation of the separation of powers. Threatened members of Congress with arrest in direct violation of the Constitution’s Congressional immunity clause.
Abused the power of pardon by freeing clearly guilty rioters who attacked Capitol police during the January 6th insurrection.
Violated the Emolument Clause to enrich himself, his family, and friends.
Acted erratically in regard to tariffs, which is clearly a power given to Congress, not the president, and threatened nations: Canada, Greenland, & Panama with takeover.
Making erratic and threatening comments, causing uncertainty and looming inflation.
Congress has been silent on these issues:
Has not reigned in Trump’s policies, even when its powers were diminished as a result (Trump’s D.O.G.E. actions.) Has not used the power of the purse to limit his unconstitutional actions
Has passed laws like the Big Beautiful Bill which is not in the public interest and which benefits the rich at the expense of the poor.
Has confirmed executive officials who are clearly not competent or honest.
Has allowed Texas to pass gerrymandered voting districts between censuses in clear violation of Constitutional restraints. Governor Gavin Newsom is acting to use an election to gerrymander California’s House districts to create more Democratic Districts in response.
Congressional Republicans have not used their power to stop these and other abuses of power. Their silence speaks volumes about their fear of physical retribution from a vengeful president and/or a desire to retain power and status.
Chaos reigns while Congress remains silent. Are Congressional Republicans committing political suicide in the 2026 midterm elections? It seems to be the case.
