Is That Even Constitutional?
It's never been a better time to understand the U.S. Constitution: what it allows, what it prohibits, and what is in the grey area. Join host Sadena Thevarajah and constitutional scholar Ken Thomas in conversation as they scrutinize recent federal administration actions, to help us better see our country's founding document for the living document that it is.
Is That Even Constitutional?
Presidential Power and the Unitary Executive Theory
First raised in the 1980s, the Unitary Executive Theory argues that the President should be allowed to fire the officials of all agencies, even if the positions are protected by Congress. President Trump’s administration has extended this theory beyond recognition to argue that agencies can refuse to spend money authorized by Congress, fire federal workers without following legal guidelines, and eliminate certain federal agencies completely. Dozens of cases are ongoing that will decide just how far the power of the Executive Branch can go.