Two and a half centuries after the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, a striking parallel is emerging between President Trump and the monarch they rebelled against. The document’s first grievance—that King George III prevented colonial legislatures from passing laws for the public good—now echoes in Trump’s recent moves to block bipartisan legislation and impound congressionally approved funds.
This year’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration arrives amid what critics call a revolutionary irony: Trump, like the “Mad King” George III, is committing similar “usurpations.” The president has refused to sign two key bipartisan bills—one renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which leaders say is vital for national security, and another addressing the nationwide housing affordability crisis. He has also impounded money appropriated by Congress, a tactic that mirrors the king’s obstruction of colonial assemblies.
A Pattern of Obstruction
Trump’s decision to halt the bipartisan housing bill while demanding passage of a voter ID measure has drawn sharp criticism. The housing legislation, designed to tackle a crisis affecting millions, was shelved as the president pressed for his own priorities. Meanwhile, the impoundment of funds—a practice the Supreme Court has largely curtailed since the 1970s—has reignited debates over executive overreach.
“The Founders listed the king’s interference with legislative authority as their top grievance,” said a constitutional scholar. “Trump is essentially doing the same thing, blocking laws that have broad support in Congress.”
Midterms as a Check
With the midterm elections approaching, the article argues that voters must act to prevent a “lame-duck” president from further abusing power. The Senate GOP’s scramble to meet Trump’s demands on election-related legislation and defense funds highlights the tension within the party. Some Republicans, like Rep. Lawler, have broken with Trump on issues such as Haitian TPS, warning of a healthcare crisis.
The Supreme Court has also played a role, greenlighting Trump’s plan to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians despite warnings from Democrats about fatal consequences. Justice Sotomayor’s dissent in a related asylum ban case underscored the stakes.
Historical Context
The Declaration of Independence never names George III, but his legacy as the “mad king who lost America” is well known. Today, Trump’s actions are drawing comparisons that the article’s author finds troubling. “We The People must be vigilant,” the piece concludes, “or risk seeing the same usurpations that sparked a revolution.”
As inflation remains at 4.1%, piling pressure on Trump and the Federal Reserve, the political landscape is charged. The midterms, the article argues, are the only check on a president who increasingly behaves like a monarch.
