Prof. James Gardner on the Risks of Expanding Presidential Power
Prof. James Gardner, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the School of Law at the University at Buffalo, was quoted in a ProPublica article examining the shift in interests of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Prof. James Gardner, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the School of Law at the University at Buffalo, was quoted in a ProPublica article examining how Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has shifted from defending states’ rights to supporting President Trump’s efforts to expand presidential power. Gardner explains that Abbott’s cooperation with federal actions — including the deployment of Texas National Guard troops to other states — weakens the constitutional balance between states and the federal government.
The article argues that by backing Trump’s use of executive authority, Abbott may be making it harder for states to resist future federal overreach. Gardner warns that once states give up power to the central government, it is difficult to regain, potentially leaving them more vulnerable no matter who occupies the presidency in the future.
