Is the Unitary Executive A Myth?

Is Unitary Executive A Myth?
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Even though, the constitution grants the President exclusive powers, which cannot be exercised by another person, the unitary executive is a myth. Following the 9/ 11 attacks, Congress made it possible for the President to use force to minimize and stop terrorist attacks. Similarly, under President Obama, the presidency has become more powerful, as it is more likely that the President will make decisions of national interest without requiring approval from Congress. Supporters of unitary executive argue that the President needs to be empowered to take action and control over subordinates. Nonetheless, they fail to acknowledge that this may lead to dictatorial tendencies.
Debates on the constitutional interpretation about executive powers have aroused controversy of late on the unitary executive theory. Presidents from both political parties have relied upon this theory to make orders, but this has also altered the people’s perceptions about presidential power. There is a risk that presidential aggrandizement might usurp powers to make political statements. This was evident on the Firegate, where the President Nixon fired various officials, despite well established precedents on such actions being in place. Hence, there is still controversy whether there are adequate political safeguards to prevent presidential abuse especially when there is political polarization. Hence, the unitary executive is still a myth, as the President cannot totally disregard Congress. In the Obama, administration bipartisanship has been less prominent in Congress, and this has highlighted on the likely risks and benefits of the unitary executive theory.
The framers of the constitution took into account the likely impact of changing the constitution through appealing to one political program. By giving the Present executive powers, Congress was less likely to appeal the people in reform movements who favored changing the constitution to positions that favored legislators. The separation of powers vests executive power to the President, but interpretation of what results to exclusive responsibility and expansive authority is contentious. The unitary theory has mostly been relied upon when the President wishes to make unilateral decisions especially on military efforts. The unitary executive theory has been more prominent among conservatives since the fall of the Nixon administration, as various administrations focus on the foundations of presidential authority as ...