President Donald Trump kicked off his second term with a wave of executive actions, including efforts to shrink the federal government by gutting or entirely dismantling some federal agencies. While some of these moves are unprecedented, it’s not the first time a president has tried to unilaterally undermine a federal agency. Political scientist Ryan LaRochelle breaks down how President Richard Nixon attempted to shutter the Office of Economic Opportunity and the legal and political pushback he faced as a result. LaRochelle draws on this history to explain why presidents can’t slash federal programs on their own and how public and congressional resistance can help keep agencies intact. 

For more on this topic:

• Check out LaRochelle’s opinion piece on Nixon’s failed attempt to shut down the Office of Economic Opportunity in TIME Magazine.

• Read an opinion piece he co-authored with Luisa Deprez about fears over Trump’s strategy to cut U.S. safety net programs in Common Dreams.