Essay final (copy)

Topic 1: Trump v. Biden’s domestic policymaking

Explain how President Biden and the Democrats fared on domestic policy during his first term. How did this differ from how President Trump and the Republicans fared on domestic policy during Trump’s first term? In doing so, integrate the following concepts: the Green Lantern theory, the presidential spectacle, and Court packing.

Topic 2: Trump v. Biden administration foreign policy

How did the Biden administration’s foreign policy differ from – versus overlap with – the first Trump administration’s foreign policy? In answering this question, integrate at least three of the following four topics: foreign policy neo-conservatives (a.k.a. neo-cons), neoisolationism, presidential spectacle, and/or international treaties.

Topic 3: Trump impact on the Supreme Court

a. Now that three of President Trump’s nominees are serving life terms on the Supreme Court, what can we say about Trump’s impact on the Court? To what extent has this hard-conservative Court delivered reliably for – versus disappointed – the Party of Trump? What would you expect the answer to the previous question to be in the coming years? How would experts explain why the Court has ruled and will continue to rule the way it has?

b. Who is really putting the most pressure on Republican Presidents’ decision of whom to nominate and Republican Senators’ decision of whether to confirm/reject this nomination? What does this say about the Republican Party as the Party of Trump?

Topic 1: Trump v. Biden’s Domestic Policymaking

  • Biden and Democrats: During President Biden's first term, the Democrats focused on expansive domestic policy initiatives, particularly in the areas of economic recovery from COVID-19, infrastructure investment, and social equity. Key pieces of legislation included the American Rescue Plan, which provided direct financial aid to families, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, aimed at revitalizing the nation’s infrastructure and creating jobs.

  • Comparison with Trump and Republicans: Conversely, President Trump's first term emphasized tax reforms, particularly the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which significantly reduced corporate tax rates and aimed to stimulate economic growth from the top down. The Republican agenda was also marked by efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and immigration policies aimed at reducing undocumented immigration.

  • The Green Lantern Theory: This concept posits that the president possesses the power to enact their agenda based solely on willpower and presidential authority, rather than the support of Congress. Biden faced significant hurdles due to a closely divided Senate, which limited his ability to push through major legislation without bipartisan support. Trump, meanwhile, enjoyed a Republican majority in both houses during his early term, allowing him to more aggressively pursue his agenda.

  • Presidential Spectacle: Trump's penchant for theatrically presenting policies and controversies often overshadowed substantive policy discussions, creating a polarized environment. Biden, attempting a different approach, focused on unity and bipartisanship but has also faced vicious media scrutiny and pushback from conservative factions.

  • Court Packing: This refers to the proposal to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court to secure more favorable rulings for a party's agenda. While Biden has expressed concerns regarding the Court's partisan leanings, he has not actively pursued court packing as a policy, contrasting with the prevailing narratives during Trump’s presidency about the Supreme Court being a critical focus for conservative aims.

Topic 2: Trump v. Biden Administration Foreign Policy

  • Differences: The Biden administration shifted towards multilateralism, emphasizing alliances and international cooperation, such as rejoining the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization. Trump’s policy was characterized by an “America First” approach, often questioning long-standing alliances like NATO and withdrawing from international agreements.

  • Overlaps: Both administrations faced challenges regarding China, though their approaches differed significantly. Biden has emphasized coalition-building to address issues like trade and human rights, while Trump sought to confront China more directly on trade imbalances and security issues.

  • Neo-Conservatives vs. Neo-Isolationism: Trump’s administration saw a blend of neo-conservative and neo-isolationist policies, advocating for strong military presence abroad but also promoting withdrawal from longstanding engagements, such as in Afghanistan. Biden’s administration appears to lean towards a more traditional foreign policy stance, prioritizing diplomatic solutions over military interventions while keeping military alliances intact.

  • Presidential Spectacle: Both presidents used their positions for dramatic presentations of foreign policy, although Trump’s rhetoric was more personal and confrontational, while Biden has tended to use a more classic diplomatic approach to convey policy changes.

  • International Treaties: Biden's focus on re-entering and strengthening international treaties contrasts with Trump’s actions of withdrawing from agreements, like the Iranian nuclear deal.

Topic 3: Trump Impact on the Supreme Court

  • Impact of Trump's Appointees: Trump's three Supreme Court nominees, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, have solidified a conservative majority on the Court. It has delivered rulings that generally align with conservative values, such as in cases concerning abortion rights and gun laws. However, there remains debate on whether the Court will consistently rule in ways that support Trump's agenda, especially as individual justices may diverge or surprise on certain cases.

  • Expectations for Future Rulings: Experts predict the hard-conservative majority will continue to deliver rulings reflecting conservative ideologies, although the Court may also address contentious issues that could lead to unexpected deviations from conservative orthodoxy.

  • Pressure on Nominations: The real pressure stemming from the Republican Party's nomination decisions comes from influential conservative groups and grassroots movements, as well as the party's base, which has grown increasingly aligned with Trumpian ideals. This indicates a shift within the party toward a more populist line, where the nominee’s fidelity to Trump’s brand of conservatism could weigh heavily in confirmation decisions.

  • Implications for the Republican Party: This highlights how the Republican Party has increasingly become the ‘Party of Trump’, where traditional conservatism gives way to a more populist and often confrontational approach to governance and policymaking.