Can Originalism Constrain the Imperial Presidency?

6 Pages Posted: 6 Jan 2021

See all articles by Lee J. Strang

Lee J. Strang

University of Toledo College of Law; Institute of American Constitutional Thought & Leadership

Date Written: October 8, 2020

Abstract

The Living Presidency: An Originalist Argument Against Its Ever-Expanding Powers, by Professor Saikrishna Bangalore Prakash, is a readable, systematic, and well-reasoned description of today’s living presidency, as well as a roadmap showing the way back to the constitutionally-authorized office. The Living Presidency’s thesis is that today’s presidents routinely “alter the Constitution and laws” such that the office has “become the amending executive.” But, in the beginning, “the original presidency was not meant to be all-powerful [and] lacked the unilateral authority to amend the Constitution or to make, amend, or unmake statutory law.” Professor Prakash describes the causes of today’s out-sized presidency, details support for his claims that the living presidency departs from the Constitution’s original meaning, and then suggests means to tame the living presidency.

Keywords: originalism, president, presidency

Suggested Citation

Strang, Lee J., Can Originalism Constrain the Imperial Presidency? (October 8, 2020). 21 Fed. Soc. Rev. 232 (2020), University of Toledo Legal Studies Research Paper Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3732416

Lee J. Strang (Contact Author)

University of Toledo College of Law ( email )

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419-530-2877 (Phone)

Institute of American Constitutional Thought & Leadership ( email )

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Toledo, OH 43606
United States

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