President Trump's first year of his second term has been marked by an unprecedented consolidation and personalization of executive power, fundamentally reshaping the American presidency and its relationship with other branches of government. Trump has aggressively asserted control over federal agencies, directed prosecutions, and pursued policies that reflect his own interests and grievances, while Congress and the courts have largely failed to provide effective checks.

This new era has seen Trump leave a lasting physical and institutional imprint on Washington, with monuments and institutions renamed in his honor and corporate America contributing out of fear rather than support. On the global stage, he has authorized bold military actions and interventions, often bypassing traditional legal and diplomatic constraints, further expanding presidential authority.

Despite declining public approval, Trump appears undeterred, focusing on legacy-building and pursuing unfinished agendas such as mass immigration enforcement and retribution against perceived enemies. The round-table discussion suggests that these changes may be irreversible, setting a precedent for future presidents to wield similarly unconstrained power, with profound implications for American democracy and global order.