Democracy & Power
IN THIS SERIES
This educational series breaks down what the U.S. president can and cannot do, using the Constitution, federal law, and credible government sources.
From executive orders to emergency powers, and from Project 2025 to Schedule F, we explain the tools, the limits, and the risks of unchecked executive authority in plain, accessible language. Each slide is fully cited and fact-checked. The goal is to inform, empower, and help you recognize the warning signs of power abuse. Whether you are learning for the first time or helping others stay informed, this series gives you the tools to push back with facts.
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Slides 2–3: Constitutional Powers of the President
U.S. Constitution Annotated – Article II:
https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-2/
CRS – Overview of Presidential Powers:
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R44729Slide 4: Executive Orders, Appointments, Emergency Powers
CRS – Executive Orders: Issuance, Modification, and Revocation:
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10504
Partnership for Public Service – Presidential Appointments Guide:
https://presidentialtransition.org/.../presidential.../
Brennan Center – Emergency Powers Overview:
https://www.brennancenter.org/.../resear.../emergency-powers
CRS – National Emergency Powers:
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/98/98-505Slide 5: Power Expansion Tactics
American Bar Association – Signing Statements & Separation of Powers:
https://www.americanbar.org/.../issue-2/signing-statements/
CRS – Executive Privilege: A Legal Overview:
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL30319
OPM – Federal Workforce Reports:
https://www.opm.gov/.../data.../federal-employment-reports/Fact Check Slide: Common Presidential Power Myths
FactCheck.org – “Can Trump Cancel the Election?”:
https://www.factcheck.org/.../trump-cant-postpone-the.../
FactCheck.org – “Can Trump Pardon Himself?”:
https://www.factcheck.org/2018/08/can-trump-pardon-himself/
PolitiFact – Fact-checks on war declarations and constitutional overrides:
https://www.politifact.com/.../no-president-cant.../
CRS – War Powers Resolution:
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R42699
CRS – Presidential Pardon Power:
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10561
CRS – Executive Orders & Legal Limits:
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10504
NPR – “No, the President Cannot Delay the Election”:
https://www.npr.org/.../can-the-president-delay-an-electionSlides 6–7: Project 2025 & Schedule F
Associated Press – “What to Know About Project 2025”:
https://apnews.com/.../project-2025-trump-heritage...
CRS – Schedule F and Federal Workforce Protections:
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10524
NPR – “Schedule F and the Civil Service Overhaul Proposal”:
https://www.npr.org/.../schedule-f-trump-civil-service...Slide 8: Checks and Balances
U.S. Courts – Separation of Powers & Checks and Balances:
https://www.uscourts.gov/.../educationa.../separation-powers
National Archives – How Laws Are Made:
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs
Library of Congress – Congressional Oversight Powers:
https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R45636.pdfBonus Slide: Checks and Balances in Action
Associated Press – “Judge finds probable cause to hold Trump administration in contempt over deportation case”:
https://apnews.com/article/da282511ac6f5c8dd19af620995ca440
Vox – “Trump’s contempt of court moment is here”:
https://www.vox.com/.../trump-contempt-court-el-salvador...