2018
Trump v. Hawaii
Yes. The proclamation was within the President’s statutory authority and survived constitutional review. The opinion also stated that Korematsu was wrongly decided.
Source: Opinion of the Court
The recent era. 2016–now
Two impeachments of one President, a national emergency for a pandemic, the breach of the Capitol during the electoral count, and decisions on abortion, guns, affirmative action, agency power and presidential immunity.
The questions. As the record frames them.
The constitutional questions this era’s decisions and laws turned on.
- What are the limits of presidential power and immunity?
- Which rights does the Constitution protect that it does not name?
The record. 12 entries, in order.
Every case, amendment and event in Constilumen dated 2016 to now.
2019
House impeaches President Trump
The House approves two articles, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, relating to dealings with Ukraine. The Senate acquits on both.
Source: U.S. Senate
2020
COVID-19 national emergency declared
A presidential proclamation declares a national emergency under the National Emergencies Act. Congress ends it by joint resolution in April 2023.
Source: Federal Register
2021
House impeaches President Trump a second time
One week after the Capitol was breached during Congress’s count of electoral votes, the House approves one article, incitement of insurrection. The Senate votes 57–43 to convict, short of the two-thirds required.
Source: U.S. Senate
2022
New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen
No. Gun regulations must be consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.
Source: Opinion of the Court
2022
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
No. Roe and Casey were overruled, returning the regulation of abortion to the people and their elected representatives.
Source: Opinion of the Court
2022
Electoral Count Reform Act
Amends the Electoral Count Act of 1887 to state that the Vice President’s role in the count is ministerial and to raise the threshold for objections to a state’s electors.
Source: Congress.gov
2023
Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard
Yes. Both programs were unlawful; applicants may discuss how race affected their lives, but must be treated as individuals.
Source: Opinion of the Court
2024
Trump v. Anderson
No. States may not enforce Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates; that responsibility rests with Congress.
Source: Opinion of the Court
2024
Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo
No. Courts must exercise independent judgment on what a statute means; the Chevron doctrine was overruled.
Source: Opinion of the Court
2024
Trump v. United States
A former President has absolute immunity for acts within his conclusive constitutional authority, presumptive immunity for other official acts, and no immunity for unofficial acts.
Source: Opinion of the Court
2025
Alien Enemies Act invoked
The President invokes the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, for the first time since World War II, against members of a Venezuelan gang designated a foreign terrorist organization. Its use is challenged in federal courts.
Source: Federal Register
The language. What stood out in print.
Tracked terms printed most often in 2016–2022 compared with their own average across 1789–2022. A value of 2× means the word appeared twice as often as usual.
- populism10.4×
- authoritarianism6.9×
- nationalism4.7×
- totalitarianism4.0×
- free speech3.2×
- fascism3.2×
Executive orders. Presidencies of the era.
Totals for each full presidency, including years outside the era. Counts before 1945 include unnumbered orders.
| President | Took office | Orders | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barack Obama | 2009 | 276 | 35 |
| Donald J. Trump (I) | 2017 | 220 | 55 |
| Joseph R. Biden, Jr. | 2021 | 162 | 41 |
| Donald J. Trump (II) | 2025 | 292 | 166 |
Source: The American Presidency Project. All presidencies