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The president has no such authority, no matter how much he claims to. The power is with the states.


> No matter how much he claims to.

Unless he makes a series of public orders that says he will install Apparatchiks in every independent agency and law enforcement agency for compliance, will (and does) fire anyone who goes against his will, then states that he is the sole arbiter of law for all law enforcement and military members.

Then he very much can have that authority if enough people comply. And, if you look around, it's pretty obvious the police and executive are complying.


Since the President’s power ultimately relies on others compliance, what if a bunch of very high ranking officials in the military simply decide they’re going to ignore the President? No more power.

At the end of the day, there is no true forcing function that forces people to comply if they don’t want to. It can all come crumbling down. Trump is playing a dangerous game.


State power has only gotten weaker and weaker compared to the federal government over time.




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