Judge me by what I do, not what I say. We’ve all heard that maxim, but have you used it recently in looking at President Trump’s first eight months in office?
On October 18, there will be “No Kings” protests across the United States. A majority of Americans are concerned that Donald Trump thinks of himself as a king. Is Trump a king?
Many of the President’s actions, and some of his words, suggest Trump thinks he is a king. That is worrisome because historically kings enjoy, as White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller recently said, “plenary power.” Cornell Law School defines plenary power as “Complete power over a particular area with no limitations.”
Evidence of President Trump exercising plenary power is everywhere these days. Here are 10 examples:
Sending military troops into states despite requests from state governors to refrain from doing so. National Guard Troops have been sent to Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and even Memphis. In Memphis, National Guard troops were posted outside a Bass Pro Shop and a state visitors center.
Imposing monetary penalties and revoking security clearances for lawyers at law firms involved in criminal litigation of Donald Trump before his re-election in 2024.
Firing members of once-independent agencies, such as the National Labor Relations Board, Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and others.
Firing Inspectors General at 17 federal departments and agencies (some say 18). Inspectors General were once independent watchdogs within agencies charged with ferreting out waste, fraud, and abuse. (RC)
According to Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN), the Trump administration expanded its use of immigration enforcement to target foreign nationals, particularly students, researchers, and legal residents—some for being accused of engaging in, or merely being adjacent to pro-Palestinian activism, some without any explanation at all.
Freezing grants to colleges and universities using spurious claims of antisemitism. The actions severely undermine the independence of American higher education.
Firing thousands of federal employees without cause or pressuring them to resign. These actions have effectively gutted many federal agencies, including FEMA, the CDC, the CFPB, and the Department of Education. Last week Trump, citing the “Democratic-caused shutdown” of the federal government, Trump fired the entire staff of the Office of Special Education Programs at the Education Department, effectively abolishing it. The office was created to ensure that students with disabilities are not discriminated against in federal education programs. Trump also fired 100 employees at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This office operates the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (988).
Rescinding grants made to address climate change. Without legislative authorization, Trump has made the Environmental Protection Agency into an office to promote the use of fossil fuels.
Redecorating the White House to look like a royal palace with hundreds installations of gold, the erection of massive flagpoles and the construction, now underway, of an enormous ballroom more than doubling the size of the White House.
And one additional item—massive corruption by rewriting federal regulation of cryptocurrency while Trump, Trump family members, and others close to the President made large and wildly successful investments in crypto.
This list could go on to cite the indictments of Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, efforts to fire the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, apparent solicitation, and receipt of a gift of a Boeing 747 luxury jet to the Trump Presidential Library from Qatar.
President Trump is acting like a king with no respect or use for Democracy. He appears to be working to rig or set the stage to cancel the 2026 mid-term elections.
Concern over President Trump’s leadership is why more than 2,000 “No Kings” protests are planned for October 18, 2025, including in Easton and Cambridge. More information about No Kings and October 18 can be found here.
J.E. Dean writes on politics, government, and other subjects. A former counsel on Capitol Hill and public affairs consultant, Dean also writes for Dean’s Issues & Insights on Substack.
Jim Bachman says
This is the most incompetent and corrupt administration in US history. So, at least we are #1 in something.
Matt LaMotte says
The saddest part of this unfolding disaster is that so-called poor folks (Lower & Middle classes, many from so-called “Red” states) who make up 80%+ of the US population will be the biggest losers. Sigh…
Jim Bachman says
They are going to be financially crushed when they see their health insurance premiums for 2026. Florida and Texas will be the hardest hit states.
Wilson Dean says
It speaks volumes that President Biden’s infrastructure and clean energy legislation pumped more money into Republican than Democratic states in his effort to rebuild America, while President Trump seeks to dismantle only those grants given to Democratic-run states. Trump’s actions are those of a wannabe Monarch protecting only those who support his authoritarianism and punishing those who will refuse to bend the knee.
Jim Bachman says
He needs to come up with $40 billion now for Argentina. I suppose he can cut it from the farm welfare programs since Argentina will be increasing soybean production to supply China.
Willard Engelskirchen says
Well put. Too many offenses for one administration. Now, will he leave in 3 1/2 years?
John Dean says
Thanks for reading the piece. I do not expect Trump to run again. I believe age is catching up with him. I am very worried about attempts to rig or cancel the 2026 mid-term elections.
Barbara Denton says
You are certainly speaking off the top of your head when you state the majority of Americans think that Donald Trump thinks of himself as king. Please go ahead and march around making fools of yourself. It is fun to watch.
John Dean says
Over 2,000 protests will be held on October 18. I am having a bit of trouble deciding which one I should attend.
Thank you for reading my piece. It sounds as though you do not believe Trump is a king. If I am correct, that is a relief.
Deirdre LaMotte says
“Have fun watching?” Wow, Barbara, how petty. This man you evidently admire is deluded and
stricken with,I have understood, severe dementia. But that is not the issue.
The issue is an administration that is controlled, not by your man, but those behind him who wish to abandon our nation’s set of laws and guidelines: The Constitution.
Unlike you,
apparently, the majority of Americans believe in this document of laws because it is what sets us apart from any other democratic nation. It makes us “American” as does the Declaration of Independence.
This is a time when we all need to abandon cynicism and fight for a way of life that respects all.
I know there have always been Nazi sympathetic Americans in the past 80 years. I-had so hoped our
young men who fought for the ideals above would have survived multiple generations.
Sadly, apparently not.
Robin Westre says
Apparently, other countries are having a “no kings” protest as well. That is yet to be seen, however. I can’t imagine any other president getting away with what trump is getting away with. Putting people in places to keep his agenda going enables him to do pretty much whatever he wants to do. He is so open with his retribution even though it looks petty. Dangerous though to the people who have to lawyer up to protect themselves.
Thank you for your article.
John Dean says
Thank you for reading it. I have been surprised to see protests against Trump in other countries, but I shouldn’t. Other countries see him as a threat to the economic and civil well-being. Many are tired of Trump injecting himself into their affairs–by demanding pardons for Netanyahu and in Brazil for the former president, for example.
Deirdre LaMotte says
We are in Italy now and plan to attend the big “No Kings” in Florence tomorrow. A large crowd is expected.
Sarah Oppenheimer says
If you come for the king… you best not miss.
John Dean says
I’m not coming for the king. I reject political violence of all kinds, especially the type we saw at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Sarah Oppenheimer says
I’m talking about the assignation attempts. They missed.
Jim Bachman says
assignation
noun
1.
an appointment to meet someone in secret, typically one made by lovers.
Trump on Epstein Island?
Sarah Oppenheimer says
Ah thank you. I meant to type assassination.