What Trump took from Dick Cheney's political playbook

The article explores the similarities between former US President Donald Trump and former Vice President Dick Cheney in their approaches to expanding presidential power. Despite their political differences, both men sought to consolidate executive authority and challenge the traditional checks and balances of the US government. The article highlights how Cheney, as Vice President under George W. Bush, advocated for a robust interpretation of the unitary executive theory, which holds that the President has broad, unilateral authority over the executive branch. Similarly, Trump often clashed with Congress and the judiciary, seeking to expand the scope of presidential prerogatives. Both Cheney and Trump were criticized for their expansive views of executive power, which some saw as a threat to democratic norms. The article suggests that their actions have had lasting implications for the balance of power in the American political system, setting a precedent for future presidents to assert greater control over the executive branch.