Independence Day

Trump doesn’t have to stage a coup because Congress and the Supreme Court are handing him the keys and a throne. Why break down democracy’s door when the guards are opening it for you? That’s the trend in Washington, where Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office resembles less a hostile takeover and more a coronation sponsored by the GOP and underwritten by the Supreme Court.

Congress, once a co-equal branch of government, has decided it's more of a cheer squad now. House Republicans responded to Trump’s unilateral airstrike on Iran not with alarm, but with applause—because who needs those pesky "war powers" when you’ve got good vibes and Fox News clips?

Tariffs? Congress used to regulate them. Now, Trump treats them like loyalty tests, cutting off Canada with all the ceremony of unfollowing someone on Instagram. Why legislate when you can litigate via TruthSocial?

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court just helpfully limited lower courts’ ability to block Trump’s executive orders. The justices called it a constitutional reset; critics called it an open door for executive overreach. Justice Amy Coney Barrett even reached back to English law to justify it.

On birthright citizenship, Trump is giving the 14th Amendment a makeover by declaring it doesn’t apply to babies he doesn’t like. The Court won’t weigh in yet, which basically lets Trump take it for a test drive with no license.

Liberal justices warned that this “executive lawlessness” could end our constitutional republic. Conservatives called it Tuesday.

Trump's allies celebrated the ruling as an end to the "imperial judiciary"—ironically, by creating an imperial presidency. His Attorney General called it taking power back from activist judges. Apparently, separation of powers now means “whatever Trump wants, whenever he wants it.”

And remember Trump’s legal immunity? Thanks to the Court, being president now comes with a personal get-out-of-jail-free card. Forget checks and balances—Trump has the pen, the gavel, and now, maybe the crown.

In short, Trump doesn’t need to storm the castle. The guards are polishing his scepter.