When Will America Wake Up? The Constitutional Violations Pushing Us Toward Authoritarianism

Arresting Mayors, Kidnapping Dissenters: How Far Will Trump Go Before We Stop Him? - 10 Constitutional Red Flags History Will Never Forgive Us For Ignoring

Trump’s ‘Unitary Executive’ Fantasy: How He’s Firing Watchdogs, Defying Courts, and Becoming a Dictator

Our President does not respect our Constitution or the rule of law (unless he can use them to his advantage).

Today’s post goes over 10 of the (many) ways President Donald Trump’s regime has violated or undermined the U.S. Constitution since his second term began in January 2025:

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Bright yellow and black caution tape.

America’s Constitutional Crisis

Please note this is in no way an exhaustive list.

Unfortunately, one could go on and on with examples of the regime's misconduct (because the violations are bold and frequent, and new wrongs are being committed daily).

1. Closing USAID Illegally

   Attempted to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (established by Congress in 1998) and transfer its functions to the State Department without legislative approval (something the President doesn’t have the authority to do).

2. Stripping Independence from Regulatory Agencies

   Signed an executive order forcing independent agencies (like the FEC and FCC) to submit regulations to White House review, undermining their Congressionally mandated autonomy. Lawsuits argue this violates the separation of powers.

3. Freezing Federal Funds Without Congressional Approval

   Trump's administration paused trillions in congressionally appropriated spending, disrupting Medicaid, housing subsidies, and other programs.

   • This was in violation of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (a law that limits the President's ability to withhold funds appropriated by Congress) and Congress's exclusive 'power of the purse' under Article I of the Constitution (which gives Congress the authority to control the government's spending).

4. Illegal Firings of Inspectors General

   Removed 18 inspectors general— overseers of federal agencies—without providing Congress the required 30-day notice or justification.

5. Illegal Firings of Independent Officials

   Similarly, members of independent bodies like the NLRB and EEOC were fired without demonstrating "cause" (violating protections intended to protect such positions from political retaliation).

   • The regime has also fired the heads of other independent agencies (such as the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board) to consolidate control over the executive branch.

     • This move is based on the dangerous (and once fringe but now more mainstream) 'Unitary Executive' Theory, which argues that the Constitution does not constrain presidential authority over federal agencies.

       • If this theory is upheld, it would significantly weaken the checks and balances system in the U.S. government, crating a dangerous power imbalance, that could easily lead to abuses of power and Executive Branch Overreach.

6. Deploying the Alien Enemies Act to Suppress Dissent

   Detained and deported foreign students and legal residents without due process, in some cases citing alleged proximity to pro-Palestinian activism. Courts likened this to other historic abuses of the 1798 law, which is reserved for wartime... but he said he'd do that and worse before he was elected.

7. Attempting to End Birthright Citizenship

   Issued a (BLOCKED) executive order denying automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents, directly contradicting the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause. Federal judges, including a Reagan appointee, ruled the order "blatantly unconstitutional".

   • However, this case is still on, and the regime is still fighting to end Birthright Citizenship.

8. Defying Judicial Orders and Attacking the Judiciary

   Trump publicly criticized federal judges who blocked his policies and called for the impeachment of a judge who ruled against him.

   • Targeting law firms like Perkins Coie through executive orders penalizing them for political reasons.

   • Trump and his regime have repeatedly resisted compliance with nationwide injunctions.

   • They still haven't returned Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, despite being ordered to do so weeks ago.

9. Using Fear and Intimidation to Stop Leaders Who Stand Up

   Issued mass pardons for participants in the 2021 Capitol attack, then purged FBI officials involved in prosecuting them.

   • Arrested Wisconsin state judge, Judge Hannah Dugan, on dubious charges, signaling retaliation against critics in the legal system.

   • Arresting the Newark Mayor Ras Baraka as he attempted an inspection of the facility, and then threatening to arrest house democrats who had appeared with Baraka at the time of his unjust arrest.

10. Attacking Universities

    Ordered federal funding cuts to universities accused of supposed "anti-American" values (like DEIA), violating academic freedom.

And all of this is just the beginning...

If they have their way, the regime hopes to take things MUCH further.

"Project 2025 seeks to impose a hierarchical, gendered, patriarchal vision of society. It is particularly focused on enforcing a vision of the family that relies on fixed and narrowly defined gender roles and on undermining protections that enable women and LGBTQI+ people to thrive outside of a male-dominated, heterosexual family."

Based on Project 2025 (the document the administration denied any knowledge of), which is now inching closer and closer to completion under the Trump regime, lots has been done - but the worst is still yet to come.

Women, Families, and Gender-based minorities are significant targets for Project 2025.

Paid subscribers have access to the rest of this story. Thanks to every one of you for supporting my work.

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- Lyric