The 250th anniversary of America’s liberation from a king has kicked off with a campaign-style rally on the National Mall by President Donald Trump. His presidency has been marked by a series of actions that have led to comparisons with King George III, the British monarch whose rule inspired the American Revolution.

Expansion of Presidential Power

Trump has nominated one of his personal lawyers to serve as attorney general, ordered the Department of Justice to pursue his political enemies, and deployed the U.S. Marines to the nation’s second-largest city. He has also leveraged the presidency to enrich himself and his family, launching cryptocurrencies and filing a private $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS.

The president’s actions have been aided by the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, which has sided with Trump numerous times after lower court rulings hampered him. However, the Supreme Court has also demonstrated that presidential power does have its limits, slapping down Trump’s global tariffs and allowing a Federal Reserve governor to remain on the board while it considers a case.

Concerns About Authoritarianism

Trump’s approach has been criticized for being authoritarian, with some arguing that it is reminiscent of a monarch. The president has argued that the courts cannot constrain the president on key issues, including his claims that he has the ability to fire members of independent agencies. However, others have pushed back against this notion, arguing that the presidency is not a monarchy and that Trump’s actions are a threat to the country’s democratic institutions.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.