Trump's Presidency: A 19th-Century Approach in the 21st Century

The article posits that President Trump's approach to the presidency aligns more closely with 19th-century norms, which clashes with the expectations and demands of the modern, 21st-century presidency.

19th-Century Model:
- Presidents had a smaller policy role.
- Congress was the center of policy-making.
- Presidents were often led by their parties.
- Limited staff and policy resources.
- Example: Presidents Zachary Taylor and Franklin Pierce deferring to Congress on the slavery issue in the 1850s.
- Stephen Douglas urged Pierce to support the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854.
Modern Presidency:
- President at the center of the policy show.
- Considerable influence over the nation’s policy agenda.
- Tools for policy influence, such as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
- Executive Office of the President (created in 1939) provides policy support.
- Active partner in policy-making, including implementing and crafting legislation.
Trump's Approach:
- Follows the 19th-century model.
- Hasn’t shown interest in policy details.
- Hasn’t fully staffed the executive branch with experienced policy officials.
Incongruity with Modern Demands:
- The federal government is involved in more policy areas (labor, health, education, disaster relief).
- The executive branch is needed to enforce laws passed by Congress.

19th-Century Model:
- Presidents commented on major issues but typically in scheduled speeches (inaugural, farewell addresses).
- Presidential values were not omnipresent in American lives.
- Example: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address as a brief invitation to speak at a cemetery dedication.
Modern Presidency:
- Televised national addresses and in-person remarks are standard responses to tragedy or crisis.
- Presidents are expected to articulate widely shared values and goals.
Trump's Approach:
- Prefers Twitter and campaign-style rallies over conventional prime-time addresses.
- Preference for partisan media.
- Hasn’t harnessed the moral power of the office.
- Example: Initial statement after the Charlottesville violent confrontations on Aug. 12, which led to three deaths, drew criticism for references to violence “on many sides”.
Colleen Shogan argued that all contemporary presidents now labor under the demands of lofty presidential rhetoric and moral leadership.

Modern Presidency:
- Dealt with greater global pressures after World War II.
- Trade, diplomacy, and international intervention became part of presidential policy issues.
- The National Security Act of 1947 created the modern security state.
19th-Century Echoes:
- Emphasis on national strength, economic self-sufficiency, and governmental capacity.
- Trump’s desire to pull back from the post-World War II world order.
- Example: Trump’s executive order calling for more energy independence.
- John Logan said: “If there be a nation on earth which might, if it were a desirable thing, build a wall upon its every boundary line, deny communication to the all the world, and proceed to live upon its own resources and productions, that nation is the United States.”
Trump's Approach:
- Committed to sending more troops to Afghanistan but expressed his original instinct to pull out.
- Prioritizes national interests over promoting democracy and human rights.
- Justifications are nationally oriented: “instead of pursuing our security interests above all other considerations.”
Breaks with decades of foreign policy ideas from both Republicans and Democrats.

The presidency has changed, including efforts to separate politics from executive branch service and new expectations about presidential leadership.
Trump could potentially transform the job, but there’s probably no going back to the 19th-century model.
So far, the mismatch has brought Trump political trouble, with low approval ratings and few legislative accomplishments.
Trump leads a party that has long advocated for a smaller federal government.
If Trump can’t sell his presidential style, he may face the fate of 19th-century presidents like Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, and Chester Arthur: a challenge from within the party that keeps him from serving a second term.

I utilized the existing note on Trump's Presidency: A 19th-Century Approach in the 21st Century, and the previous main points that

Overview

The article suggests Trump's presidency is more like the 19th-century, which doesn't fit today's expectations.

Policy Leadership

19th-Century Model:
- Presidents had a smaller policy role, with Congress leading.
- Limited staff and resources.
- Example: Taylor and Pierce let Congress handle slavery.
Modern Presidency:
- President leads policy, with tools like OMB.
- Executive Office supports policy.
Trump's Approach:
- Follows the 19th-century model.
- Lacks policy interest and experienced staff.
Modern Demands:
- Government handles more policy areas.
- Executive branch enforces laws.

Moral Leadership

19th-Century Model:
- Presidents spoke on issues in speeches.
- Values weren't always in the spotlight.
- Example: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
Modern Presidency:
- Addresses and remarks respond to crises.
- Presidents share values.
Trump's Approach:
- Uses Twitter and rallies.
- Prefers partisan media.
- Hasn’t used the office's moral power.
- Example: Charlottesville statement criticism.
Colleen Shogan: Presidents face demands for moral leadership.

'America First' Foreign Policy

Modern Presidency:
- Handles global pressures after WWII.
- Trade, diplomacy, and intervention are key.
- National Security Act of 1947.
19th-Century Echoes:
- Focus on national strength and self-sufficiency.
- Trump wants to pull back from the world order.
- Example: Energy independence order.
- John Logan: The U.S. could isolate itself if it wanted to.
Trump's Approach:
- Sends troops to Afghanistan but wanted to leave.
- Puts national interests first.
- Justifications are nationally oriented.
Breaks with foreign policy ideas.

Consequences of the Mismatch