Tehran - BORNA - A report by The New York Times describing Donald Trump's second term as an "Imperial Presidency" notes: "Trump 2.0 is Trump 1.0 unleashed." From gold-leafed decorations in the Oval Office and the demolition of the East Wing—to be replaced by a massive ballroom—to the plastering of his name and image on government buildings and now the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the signs are everywhere. Furthermore, designating his own birthday as a holiday with free entry to national parks signals a level of personal aggrandizement and power accumulation that has met little resistance from Congress or the Supreme Court.
Royal Protocol and Foreign Relations
The newspaper highlights Trump’s "royal ceremonies," specifically noting his hosting of the Saudi Crown Prince. Inspired by British monarchical traditions for hosting foreign dignitaries, the reception included military flyovers, the use of horses, and long ceremonial banquet tables instead of the standard round tables.
For some observers, these unusual decorations seemed familiar. Only two months prior, King Charles III had organized a similar reception during Trump’s state visit to the UK, featuring military aircraft flyovers, black horses, and a lavish dinner at St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle. Nearly 250 years after American colonists overthrew their king, this is arguably the closest the country has come to the centralized authority of a monarch in a time of domestic peace.
The Redefinition of Executive Power
Trump views the reinterpretation of constitutional amendments and the dismantling of organizations and departments created by Congress as his personal prerogative. He dictates to private institutions how to conduct their affairs, sends troops onto American streets, and wages an unauthorized war against civilian boats in the Caribbean.
The report further notes that he openly uses law enforcement for what his own chief of staff calls "settling scores" against enemies, pardons his favorite allies, and equates criticism with sedition—punishable by death. According to the publication, Trump’s "reinvention of the presidency" has shifted the balance of power in Washington in profound ways that will likely persist long after he leaves the scene.
The Culmination of a 75-Year Trend
Matthew Dallek, a political historian at George Washington University, remarks: "Trump’s second term does not merely represent a break in presidential norms and expectations; it is the culmination of a 75-year trend during which presidents have struggled to increase their power and authority as much as possible."
The current actions are seen as the peak of four years of planning between his first and second terms. In the first term, Trump was a political newcomer who did not know how the government functioned and was surrounded by advisors who tried to restrain his most extreme instincts. This time, he has returned with an agenda to complete what he could not in his first term, backed by a team of loyalists who share his vision for transforming the country.
Personal Gain and Lack of Oversight
The New York Times points out that the lack of oversight has granted Trump freedom of action not only in policymaking but also for personal profit. While other presidential families have benefitted from the prestige of the White House, none have been as successful or as bold as Trump and his associates.
In the 11 months since he reclaimed the White House, his family has reportedly gained—at least on paper—billions of dollars through global business deals, cryptocurrency investments, and by leveraging individuals with interests in U.S. policy. Simultaneously, Trump has systematically dismantled tools of accountability, appointing party loyalists to the FBI and DOJ, firing inspectors general, and purging prosecutors involved in past investigations of his dealings.
The Emergence of Resistance
As 2025 comes to a close, signs of resistance to Trump’s unchecked power are beginning to surface. A U.S. judge recently dismissed indictments brought by the Trump administration against two of the president’s adversaries, Letitia James and James B. Comey. Additionally, Congress recently passed a law to release the files of Jeffrey Epstein and approved a bill to cut the travel budget of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth by 25% if he fails to provide video evidence of a controversial second attack on a boat carrying drug traffickers near Venezuelan waters.
The question remains: will these changes to the structure of the American presidency be permanent, or will they be dismantled by changing political conditions and judicial resistance?
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