President Donald Trump's second term has been marked by a lot of loud moments that seemed like they might be the beginning of something consequential, only to peter out amid political pushback, court decisions and bureaucratic inertia.
• His invocation of the 18th century Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants without due process was paused by the Supreme Court, though it might yet come back.
• Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency did a lot of damage, but it ended without cutting the trillions of dollars the billionaire federal contractor once promised.
• Trump's attempts to use the legal system to punish perceived enemies such as former FBI Director James Comey have faltered due to poor lawyering, though the Justice Department keeps pressing on.
These moments may yet prove to be pivotal. The Trump administration is still trying to deport immigrants with a minimum of due process. Hundreds of thousands of people have already died as a result of DOGE's cuts to foreign aid, according to estimates. And even a failed criminal charge takes a financial and emotional toll on those targeted for retribution.
But a moment on Monday may prove to be Trump's most lasting legacy: The Supreme Court heard arguments in Trump v. Slaughter, a case that could redefine presidential powers and destroy the very concept of an independent federal agency. The end result may be nothing less than a rollback of the features that underpinned American strength and stability in the 20th century.
Read Ryan Teague Beckwith's full analysis here.
