TOO LITTLE, TO LATE
CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS AND THE CHAOS OF THE UNITARY EXECUTIVE THEORY
In a world where the Constitution is supposed to reign supreme, we somehow find ourselves in a reality show where the judiciary, the executive, and the legislative branches are contestants vying for power. And let’s be honest: lately, it feels like the Supreme Court has been handing out golden tickets to contestants who think they’re auditioning for "America’s Next Top Monarch."
Chief Justice John Roberts recently decided to chime in, offering a polite wrist-slap to Donald Trump’s ongoing disregard for judicial rulings. But let’s call it what it is: too little, too late. If Roberts were a firefighter, he’d be showing up to a house that’s already burned to the ground, holding a garden hose and asking, “Did someone call for help?”
The real culprit here is the so-called Unitary Executive Theory—a fancy term for “the president can do whatever they want because reasons.” This theory has been lurking in the shadows of legal academia for decades, but it found its loudest cheerleader in Trump, who treated it less like a theory and more like a personalized cheat code for democracy. Spoiler alert: it’s not in the Constitution.
Let’s get one thing straight: the Constitution is not a buffet where you pick and choose what suits your appetite. It explicitly outlines three equal branches of government—equal being the operative word here. The president isn’t a king. The Supreme Court isn’t an oracle. Congress isn’t an overpaid debate club. Each branch has its role, and none is supposed to overshadow the others. Yet here we are, with a Supreme Court that has, at times, enabled executive overreach like an overly indulgent parent handing car keys to a reckless teenager.
And don’t get me started on Trump’s approach to court rulings. Ignoring them? Flouting them? Treating them like suggestions instead of mandates? That’s not how a president behaves; that’s how a wannabe dictator operates. Imagine if every citizen treated laws the way Trump treats court decisions. Chaos would reign! People would run red lights, skip taxes, and bring emotional support peacocks on airplanes—oh wait, some of that already happens.
This isn’t about political parties or ideological leanings. This isn’t about red states or blue states or even purple prose. It’s about America—the United States of America—a nation built on the idea that no one is above the law. Not Trump, not Musk, not Bezos, not anyone who thinks their billions or their title grant them immunity from accountability.
The problem is that we’ve allowed this nonsense to fester. We’ve let highfalutin legal theories like the Unitary Executive morph from obscure law school debates into real-world policies that threaten our democracy. And while it’s nice that Chief Justice Roberts has finally decided to speak up, his words feel more like a gentle nudge than the stern wake-up call we desperately need.
Roberts’ recent comments suggest he wants to remind us that the courts are still arbiters of justice. Great! But where was this energy when the Supreme Court was busy enabling some of these very issues? It’s like building a dam after the floodwaters have already swept away the village. Thanks for trying, but maybe next time act before we need lifeboats.
At its core, this isn’t just about Trump or Roberts or any other individual. It’s about us—the people. We’re the ones who have to demand better. We’re the ones who have to insist on respecting the Constitution and upholding the rule of law. Democracy isn’t self-cleaning; it requires maintenance, vigilance, and occasionally a good old-fashioned intervention when things go off the rails.
We need to stop treating politics like a spectator sport and start treating it like what it is: the foundation of our shared lives as citizens of a republic. That means holding leaders accountable, rejecting authoritarian tendencies, and remembering that “nation of laws, not of men” isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a guiding principle.
So yes, Chief Justice Roberts’ comments are appreciated, but they’re hardly sufficient. The time for half-measures and polite admonitions has passed. What we need now is bold action—action from the courts, from Congress, and most importantly, from us as citizens.
Because if we don’t stand up for our democracy, who will? Certainly not those who see power as their birthright and the Constitution as an inconvenient speed bump on their road to domination. And definitely not those who think “checks and balances” is just a phrase you use when reconciling your bank account.
It’s time to wake up, America. The Constitution isn’t going to defend itself, and democracy won’t survive on autopilot. Let’s treat this moment as a call to action—not just for Chief Justice Roberts but for all of us. And let’s remember: this isn’t about left or right; it’s about right and wrong.
What Is Unitary Executive Theory? How is Trump Using It to Push His Agenda? https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/what-is-unitary-executive-theory-how-is-trump-using-it-to-push-his-agenda/
White House calls judge challenging Trump deportation order a ‘Democrat activist’ | Trump administration | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/trump-deportation-court-ruling
Trump attacks on judges continue after statement from Chief Justice John Roberts https://youtu.be/Vz7nxur0Llc?si=bw7YpjLGt4d4oaJN via @YouTube
