Checks on the US President
Checks on the US President - sentence stems
6 point and counter pairs, one per theme. The opening lines that lock a balanced paragraph.
How to use these. Each pair is the opening line for a balanced paragraph - a Point and a Counter on the same theme. Read both halves aloud, then cover one side and recall it. Every body paragraph should carry both before its interim judgement.
Constitutional basis
Point - the case for
Impeachment supports this: The Constitution's removal mechanism - House impeaches, Senate tries.
Counter - the case against
But Midterms + public opinion cuts the other way: No constitutional text - pure politics.
Bit recently
Point - the case for
Federalism and the states supports this: Sanctuary-city resistance in both Trump terms; red-state resistance under Biden.
Counter - the case against
But War powers cuts the other way: Routinely ignored - the June 2025 Iran strikes the latest case.
Depends on party control
Point - the case for
Impeachment supports this: Conviction needs two-thirds of the Senate - impossible without the president's own party.
Counter - the case against
But Midterms + public opinion cuts the other way: Works regardless of party - the out-party usually gains.
Checks domestic power
Point - the case for
Federalism and the states supports this: States can refuse cooperation and set divergent policy.
Counter - the case against
But War powers cuts the other way: Not a domestic check.
President can bypass
Point - the case for
Congress: legislation + the purse supports this: The pen-and-phone presidency - DACA, climate rules, Paris - until the next president reverses it.
Counter - the case against
But Supreme Court cuts the other way: Rulings bind - but a president picks the future Court.
Effective overall
Point - the case for
Supreme Court supports this: Real - and increasingly shaped by the presidents it checks.
Counter - the case against
But Impeachment cuts the other way: A partisan formality in a polarised Senate.