Is the U.S. presidency becoming too powerful?

Imagine a president ignoring court rulings, dismantling government agencies, and bypassing oversight. It’s not just a hypothetical—it’s happening now. In this episode, we explore the rise of executive overreach and its implications for democracy.

🔹 Guests:

• Professor Kevin Smith – Political scientist specializing in governance and federal agencies.
• James Goodwin – Legal expert in constitutional law and public policy.

🔍 Topics Covered:
✔️ The shift of power toward the executive branch
✔️ Why bureaucracy exists—and why efficiency isn’t always the goal
✔️ The role of Congress and why it’s failing to hold the presidency accountable
✔️ How courts are becoming the last line of defense—and what happens when they’re ignored
✔️ Lessons from countries where democracy has eroded
✔️ What citizens can do to push back against unchecked executive power

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Show Notes:
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Contact me, David Beckemeyer by email [email protected]. Follow the show on Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload. Check out our Subtstack https://outrageoverload.substack.com

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Also check out our companion podcasts, This Week in Outrage and Outrage Science Bites.

Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C.

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.