President Donald Trump departs the White House en route to Norfolk, Virginia, to attend the 250th anniversary of the Navy celebration on October 5, 2025. Aaron Schwartz/Reuters

A common thread running through the controversies of the new fall season of America’s bitter politics is Donald Trump’s attempt to impose unfettered, often unprecedented presidential power on multiple fronts.

The story of his second term will ultimately be defined by how much states, courts and underpowered Washington Democrats do to frustrate his expansive impulses, and — crucially for constitutional governance — whether he takes any notice.

The power struggle drove two key showdowns waged by the White House at the weekend: over its plans to deploy troops to enforce its immigration crackdowns in Portland, Ore

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