A history of America's 'checks and balances' system that Trump is testing

Apnews - May 4th, 2025
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In a period of just 100 days, President Donald Trump has tested the United States' system of checks and balances like few others in history. By issuing a slew of executive orders, seeking to reclassify many government employees, and openly criticizing judicial rulings against his actions, Trump has challenged the foundational structure of American democracy. This system, designed by the framers of the Constitution to prevent the consolidation of power, relies heavily on the good faith of its participants, according to historian John Carey of Dartmouth College.

The story places Trump's actions within a historical context, examining past instances where U.S. presidents have tested the limits of their authority. From John Adams' last-minute judicial appointments to Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus, and FDR's attempt to pack the Supreme Court, history shows the resilience and adaptability of American governance. This ongoing tension between branches underscores the Constitution's intricate balance of power, highlighting the importance of maintaining this equilibrium to prevent the overreach of any single branch of government.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the checks and balances system, using historical examples to illustrate its importance in American democracy. It is largely accurate, with well-documented historical accounts and expert commentary, though it could benefit from more detailed citations and references for contemporary claims.

While the article maintains a balanced perspective, its focus on Trump's actions may suggest a slight imbalance without additional context on other recent administrations. The quality of sources could be improved with more direct citations and a wider range of authoritative references.

The article is clear and readable, effectively conveying complex concepts to a general audience. However, its engagement potential is limited by the lack of interactive elements and the presence of disruptive advertisements. Overall, the article is informative and relevant, contributing to public understanding of a fundamental aspect of governance.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story is factually accurate in its historical accounts, such as Marbury v. Madison establishing judicial review, Andrew Jackson's veto of the national bank, and Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus. These events are well-documented in historical records and align with mainstream scholarship.

However, claims about Trump's actions in his first 100 days, such as signing 'dozens of executive orders' and reducing government agencies, would benefit from specific citations or quantitative data to enhance verifiability. The article accurately describes the structural principle of checks and balances and its historical applications.

While the story provides a comprehensive overview of historical instances of checks and balances, it could improve accuracy by including more precise references to contemporary judicial rulings against Trump and the exact number of executive orders issued. Overall, the article is largely accurate but would benefit from additional details in some areas.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced overview of the checks and balances system by covering a range of historical examples across different presidencies and political contexts. It discusses actions from both Democratic and Republican leaders, providing a broad perspective on how the system has been tested over time.

However, the focus on Trump's first 100 days might suggest a slight imbalance, as it introduces contemporary political dynamics without equally detailed coverage of other recent administrations. The article could enhance balance by providing more context on how other modern presidents have interacted with the checks and balances system.

Overall, the article maintains a fair representation of historical events, but the emphasis on Trump could be perceived as disproportionate without additional context or comparison to other recent leaders.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured, with a clear chronological presentation of historical events that illustrate the principle of checks and balances. It uses straightforward language and provides context for each historical example, making it accessible to a general audience.

The narrative flows logically from one example to the next, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct historical instance. However, the inclusion of embedded advertisements disrupts the flow and could detract from the reader's understanding.

Despite these minor disruptions, the article maintains clarity in its presentation of complex historical and constitutional concepts, aiding reader comprehension.

6
Source quality

The article references a Dartmouth College professor, John Carey, providing an authoritative perspective on American democracy. However, it lacks direct citations or references to primary sources or documents, which could strengthen its credibility.

The absence of specific references to court cases, executive orders, or legislative actions limits the ability to fully assess the reliability of the claims. Including such references would enhance the article's authority and allow readers to verify the information independently.

While the article draws on historical knowledge and expert commentary, it could improve source quality by incorporating a wider range of authoritative sources and direct citations.

5
Transparency

The article does not provide detailed information about the sources of its claims, particularly regarding contemporary actions and judicial rulings. It lacks transparency in explaining the basis for certain statements, such as the number of executive orders signed by Trump.

While it cites an expert, John Carey, it does not provide information about the methodology or sources used to compile the historical examples. Greater transparency about the sources and research methods would enhance the article's credibility.

Overall, the article could improve transparency by offering more detailed citations and explanations of the evidence supporting its claims, particularly in contemporary contexts.

Sources

  1. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S1-3-1/ALDE_00013290/
  2. https://www.usa.gov/branches-of-government
  3. https://billofrightsinstitute.org/essays/separation-of-powers-with-checks-and-balances
  4. https://www.britannica.com/topic/checks-and-balances
  5. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/americas-long-history-checks-balances-tested-trump-rarely-121443827