Reference no: EM132190972

Trump and the Constitution: Writing Assignment

You are to write a paper examining the legal and constitutional challenges to the Trump administration. The purpose of this assignment is to identify and apply constitutional principles associated with the assignment, and to find and assess a relevant critique of the main subject through research. Grammar, spelling, and logically constructed arguments are essential to this assignment.

Use your name and follow that pattern.

The 39 men who signed the Constitution signed a document that they designed to address several problems. First, the new structure had to replace the structure assembled under the Articles of Confederation. At the same time, having recently suffered under a government directed by a king, the drafters were careful to assure that the new structure did not give unlimited power to the executive branch of the new government. As a guard against tyranny, the drafters created a republican form of government characterized by a federal structure, a separation of powers, and a system of checks and balances.

Donald Trump assumed the presidency with no experience in government. He has pledged to erase the policies of past administrations and to replace them with a new direction and a new set of policies. In the first 2 years of his administration, the president has found himself frustrated in his effort to redirect the country even though the Republican party controls the executive branch, both houses of the legislative branch and has appointed five of the nine justices of the supreme court.

In fact, it can be credibly argued that the Trump administration is under attack and endangered because those who oppose his policies have made effective use of the courts and the legal system. They have made use of the various defensive mechanisms that the constitution provides (or allows) to limit the powers of the individual who occupies the Office of the President.

In class, we have covered a number of legal challenges to Donald J. Trump in his individual capacity and in his capacity as President. There have also been legal challenges to members of his campaign staff, his administration and his family. The legal threats to the presidency range from an investigation into possible collusion with a foreign government and obstruction of justice to individual legal claims that would result in private civil or criminal liability.

A number of the legal actions are based on provisions of the Constitution. A number of the defenses proffered by the president are based upon asserted provisions of the constitution. In not less than five double-spaced, type-written pages, please identify the various legal challenges faced by the president and his administration. Please distinguish between the challenges based on his individual capacity and his capacity as president of the united states. Assess the likelihood of the various arguments based constitutional precedents (cases) discussed in class.

Identify the case or cases that pose the greatest threat to the Trump presidency. Explain your reasoning.

Address the topic in a logically coherent, well-argued manner. Please draw upon the opinions in related casesand credible media reports when writing your essay. Make sure to quote and cite the text when appropriate. Use secondary sources to help you, making sure you quote and cite them as well.

Factors for evaluating the writing assignment

• A clear statement of the issues to be addressed;

• The identification of specific cases and controversies facing president Trump and his administration;

• The thoroughness of the list of relevant cases identified;

• Analysis of constitutional provisions and issues raised where relevant (identify those provisions);

• Your identification of supreme court decisions that are applicable to the outstanding cases;

• Citations to relevant cases and news sources; and

• A clear statement of your conclusions.