Author Archive

Nigel Bowles

Dr Nigel Bowles is a Senior Research Fellow at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He was formerly Director of the Rothermere American Institute at the University of Oxford.

Donald Trump will become the 45th President of the United States in January, but will he actually be able to carry out his agenda? Nigel Bowles writes that he will largely be able to. In the areas of trade, security, taxation and judicial appointments Congress will struggle to constrain him under current law and politics. Changing immigration law and reforming the Affordable Care Act are likely to prove more challenging. Nonetheless, during the first year of the Trump presidency American politics is likely to give the appearance of being what it only rarely is: a presidential system. For better or for worse, President Trump really will be in charge. The United States constitution is Madisonian in design and spirit. Separation of powers and …