1) Checks + Balances

• Power 1 - Founding Fathers

  P - USA political system was designed by the Founding Fathers to ensure no one branch of govt became too powerful.

  E - US constitution includes series of Checks and Balances to reinforce the separation of powers. Political system designed to separate executive, legislative and judicial powers. Checks and Balances create balances of power of other branches.

  E - Congress can check power of president and USSC can check power of Congress. Likewise president balance power of other branches.

  A - Owing to constitution separating powers no one branch becomes too powerful
• Power 1 (Rebuttal) - Commander and Chief

  P - Despite Checks and Balances, president is able to dominate decision making in his role as Commander and Chief.

  E - Article 2 designates president as CaC of armed forces giving authority to use military force without congressional authorisation for defensive purposes.

  E - 2024 - Biden airstrike in Yemen, administration informed congress but did not seek its approval. US congress charged Biden for violating constitution.

  A - Provision gives White House authority of limited foreign military action despite Congress approval.
• Power 2 - Executive Order

  P - Official directive from US president to federal agencies often have some power of law.

  E - President instructs government how to work within parameters set by Congress. Allows president to push through policy changes. Order recorded in federal register - considered binding.

  E - 2017 - Trump EO 13767 (the wall). Trump shut down govt to ensure deal was made.

  A - Dominate decision making - Trump ability to hold Congress at Ransom. Feb 15th - deal was made - extent of power
• Power 2 (Rebuttal) - Executive Order

  P - Power of president not limitless - not all executive orders successful

  E - Supreme court check against power - power of judicial review - can decide any law passed is unconstitutional. Can't be appealed by any other court.

  E - 2017 - Trump attempted to issue EO banning islamic travelers in and out of country - supreme court overturned - unconstitutional

  A - Political system doesn't allow one branch to completely dominate as President couldn't pass controversial "Muslim travel ban". Owing to SC to check power of executive branch