Kathryn Dunn Tenpas

2 weeks ago | brookings.edu | Darrell M. West |Kathryn Dunn Tenpas

... ultimately, we can outvote wealthy people because they are a relatively small part of our society and a small part our electorate. But it takes a recognition about what is happening, about the wealthification, about the benefits that wealthy individuals have gotten out of our political system. Darrell West Over the past 50 years, the U.S. has seen a sharp rise in both income inequality and the political influence of ultra-rich Americans.

4 weeks ago | brookings.edu | Benjamin Wittes |Kathryn Dunn Tenpas

[L]et’s start with the easy part, which is the question of do the courts have a role in checking the executive branch in the legality of its action. And the answer to that question in our historical system is yes, absolutely. And that goes back really a very long way. Benjamin Wittes The U.S. judiciary has a long-established role in checking executive power, tracing its authority back to common law traditions and Marbury v. Madison.

1 month ago | brookings.edu | Sarah Binder |Molly Reynolds |Kathryn Dunn Tenpas

As a student of Congress ...I can’t help but think it’s the most important branch, and the framers likely thought that, too, not least because of the historical origins of a revolution against being governed by a king. Sarah Binder Since his inauguration, many of President Trump’s assertive actions have prompted legal and congressional scholars to question the scope of expanded executive authority.

Nov 14, 2024 | brookings.edu | Sarah Binder |William Galston |Molly Reynolds |Kathryn Dunn Tenpas

I’m hoping that we get through the next four years with our basic institutions intact. I will consider the next four years a success if that is the outcome. William Galston On November 5, Former President Donald Trump prevailed over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, while the Senate flipped party control, and the House remained in GOP hands. The victories give President-elect Trump and the Republican Party a unified government.

Oct 31, 2024 | brookings.edu | Kathryn Dunn Tenpas |Adrianna Pita

As the U.S. heads into the final days of the 2024 elections, Kathryn Dunn Tenpas revisits conversations from Democracy in Question on the health of American democracy, the lack of guardrails against mis- and disinformation, and ways to restore public trust.  Listen to The Current on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Sign up for the podcasts newsletter for occasional updates on featured episodes and new shows. Send feedback email to .