Kara Sears
Former US President Donald Trump has been accused of breaking the law and undermining the Constitution through his use of executive orders and other unilateral actions. While executive orders are a common tool used by US presidents to advance their agenda and enforce the law through the executive branch, they are not without constraints and can be overturned by the courts if found to be unconstitutional or in violation of existing statutes. Trump's actions, including signing a resolution that overturned the US Department of Health and Human Services' final rule on the Title X family planning program, repealing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule on forced arbitration, and attempting to revoke birthright citizenship, have faced legal challenges and criticism. Trump has also been criticized for undermining civil and human rights progress, initiating plans to gut the Public Integrity Section of the Justice Department, and impounding congressionally-appropriated funds at federal agencies. Legal experts and scholars have debated the extent of Trump's legal authority in these matters, with some arguing that he has overstepped his constitutional powers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Signing of illegal and unconstitutional executive orders | Signing an executive order to undermine healthcare and end subsidies for certain healthcare plans |
| Firing of federal professionals | Firing of dozens of federal prosecutors, thousands of other federal professionals, 17 Inspectors General, and experienced career FBI officials |
| Violation of the law | Violation of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, a federal law that requires the president to get permission from Congress to withhold discretionary spending |
| Dismantling of agencies | Closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development, in violation of Federal law |
| Pardoning of criminals | Pardoning of hundreds of violent criminals |
| Stealing of funds | Stealing of funds from programs that help American families and businesses |
| Violation of civil rights | Signing of a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act, which repealed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rule on forced arbitration, harming consumers and undermining civil rights and consumer protection laws |
| Violation of consumer protection laws | Signing of an executive order outlining principles for regulating the U.S. financial system, viewed as an attack on consumer protection laws |
| Violation of human rights | Aggressive attempts to turn back the clock on the nation's human rights progress |
| Violation of constitutional authority | Attempting to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) without congressional approval |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's use of executive orders
Trump has also used executive orders to undermine healthcare, signing an order on October 12, 2024, to end subsidies for certain healthcare plans. On April 13, 2024, he signed a resolution that overturned the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' final rule updating regulations for the Title X family planning program, a vital source of family planning for low-income and uninsured people.
Trump's administration has been accused of actively destroying the rule of law and undermining the Constitution. This includes illegally stealing funds from programs that help American families and businesses, firing thousands of federal professionals without cause, and dismantling agencies created by acts of Congress.
In 2025, Trump signed 124 executive orders, impacting dozens of industries. One example is an order to construct physical barriers at the U.S.-Mexico border and deploy personnel to enforce immigration laws. Another order directed agencies to streamline environmental review processes for infrastructure projects.
Trump has also proposed shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides humanitarian aid and promotes global health initiatives. However, legal experts argue that he lacks the constitutional authority to do so without congressional approval.
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Trump's attack on consumer protection laws
While the US President does not have the authority to overturn laws and statutes, there are several ways in which a President can attempt to undermine or weaken them. President Trump has been accused of actively destroying the rule of law and undermining the Constitution through various means.
One of the key ways in which Trump has been accused of attacking consumer protection laws is through his signing of an executive order on February 3, which outlined principles for regulating the US financial system and called for a review of existing laws, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This order was seen as an attack on consumer protection laws, with Trump's administration putting corporate interests ahead of the middle class.
On November 1, Trump signed a resolution under the Congressional Review Act, which repealed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule on forced arbitration. This rule had protected consumers from being forced into "kangaroo court" processes by big banks and payday lenders, where their claims would be decided by hired arbitration firms rather than judges and juries. Trump's resolution undermined consumer protection laws and harmed consumers' rights.
Trump has also been accused of systematically backing off consumer protections, with his administration's regulatory pullback affecting agencies that touch nearly every aspect of consumer life. For example, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which is responsible for enforcing consumer protection laws, has not filed any new enforcement cases or sanctions against corporations since Trump took office. The CFPB has also dropped lawsuits against payday lenders that charged unlawfully high-interest rates, instead bolstering the hopes of these lenders by deferring to state regulators.
In addition, Trump has pardoned violent criminals, fired federal inspectors general and other professionals without cause, dismantled agencies, and attempted to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID), all of which have been seen as attacks on the rule of law and consumer protection.
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Trump's plans to shut down USAID
In February 2025, news emerged that US President Donald Trump was planning to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the US government's main overseas aid agency. Trump has long criticized USAID, claiming that it is not a valuable use of taxpayer money and that it often strays from his "America First" agenda.
In a post on his Truth Social page, Trump wrote that USAID's spending "IS TOTALLY UNEXPLAINABLE... CLOSE IT DOWN!". He also said that the agency was run by lunatics and that he would "get them out, and then we'll make a decision".
Trump's administration presented a plan to cut staffing for US aid projects worldwide, leaving fewer than 300 workers out of the current 8,000. This would effectively shut down the agency by stripping it of its independence and placing it under the control of the State Department. The plan has been criticized by Democrats and federal workers' associations, who argue that it is illegal without congressional approval and that it will endanger people's lives.
Indeed, USAID has been a vital part of US foreign policy, providing humanitarian aid, promoting global health initiatives, and supporting democratic governance in some of the world's most volatile regions. It spends around $40 billion annually, with the majority of the money going to Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe. The agency also operates the world's gold-standard famine detection system, which predicts emerging food shortages.
Trump's move to shut down USAID is part of a broader pattern of civil and human rights rollbacks during his administration. Other examples include overturning consumer protection laws, undermining healthcare, and impounding congressionally-appropriated funds.
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Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship
During his time in office, former US President Donald Trump attempted to overturn a number of laws and policies, including those related to civil and human rights, consumer protection, and immigration. One of his most controversial attempts was his bid to end birthright citizenship.
Birthright citizenship, also known as jus soli or "right of the soil," is a principle applied in about 30 countries, including the US, Canada, and Mexico. It grants citizenship to children born on US soil, regardless of their parents' citizenship or immigration status. This interpretation of the 14th Amendment has been upheld by courts, including the US Supreme Court, since the late 19th century. However, conservatives, including Trump, have argued that birthright citizenship encourages illegal immigration and is exploited through birth tourism.
On January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship for children of parents who are in the US unlawfully. This order was met with immediate legal challenges, with attorneys general from multiple states bringing lawsuits to stop the policy. They argued that birthright citizenship is "enshrined in the Constitution" and that Trump lacked the authority to issue such an order. The lawsuits also highlighted the potential impact on state funding for essential services, such as foster care and healthcare for low-income children.
Despite the legal challenges, the Trump administration continued to defend its position. They asserted that children of noncitizens are not "subject to the jurisdiction" of the US and, therefore, not entitled to automatic citizenship. The administration asked the Supreme Court to allow restrictions on birthright citizenship to take effect while the legal battles played out. However, by February 2025, four federal judges had blocked the order, with U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin stating that the "Constitution confers birthright citizenship broadly."
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Trump's rollback of civil and human rights progress
While the US President does not have the power to overturn laws, there are several ways in which they can work around existing laws or stall new ones. Trump's administration has been accused of working "aggressively to turn back the clock on [US] civil and human rights progress".
Trump's actions have been described as "undermining the Constitution", with the House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member, Rosa DeLauro, stating that the "Trump Administration is breaking the law and undermining the Constitution every day by illegally stealing funds for the programs that help American families and businesses, firing career civil servants without cause, and dismantling agencies created by acts of Congress".
- Trump signed an executive order on February 3, outlining principles for regulating the US financial system and calling for a review of existing laws, such as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This was seen as an attack on consumer protection laws.
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rescinded its 2014 Joint Sales Agreement (JSA) guidance on February 3, which had led to an increase in television diversity.
- The Trump administration resumed the federal death penalty, with 13 federal executions taking place in 17 years.
- Trump signed an executive order on October 12 to undermine healthcare and end subsidies for certain healthcare plans.
- The Department of Justice ended its agreement to monitor the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County in Tennessee, which addressed discrimination against Black youth, unsafe conditions, and a lack of due process at hearings.
- Trump's Muslim ban, which was an executive order that discriminated against Muslims and banned refugees.
- The Department of Education announced it was withdrawing nearly 600 policy documents regarding K-12 and higher education.
- Trump pardoned hundreds of violent criminals upon taking office.
- The Department of Justice urged the court to affirm the lower court's ruling that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional, which could result in millions of Americans losing their health insurance.
- The Department of Health and Human Services asked the Pentagon for space to house up to 5,000 migrant children, and admitted that they do not believe it is necessary that they be returned to their parents.
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Frequently asked questions
Trump can overturn laws he disliked through executive orders. However, these orders can be undone by the courts if they are found to be unconstitutional or in violation of existing statutes.
Trump has signed numerous executive orders, including one to undermine healthcare and end subsidies for certain healthcare plans, and another to direct Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to study the federal government's role in education.
Trump tried to revoke birthright citizenship but was blocked by the courts. Most legal scholars agree that the President does not have the power to unilaterally change this law, which is based on the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.
Trump has been accused of breaking the law and undermining the Constitution through actions such as illegally stealing funds from programs that help American families and businesses, firing career civil servants without cause, and dismantling agencies created by acts of Congress.
