Congressional Republicans branded weak for yielding to Trump’s power

William S. Becker, a longtime former official of the Department of Energy, published a piece warning that the 119th Congress will be remembered as a "weakling" for relinquishing its constitutional role to President Donald Trump. He notes that with less than five months remaining, the Republican-led chamber has stopped functioning as an independent branch, instead enabling the executive and judiciary to fill the power vacuum.

Becker points to Congress’s willingness to let Trump impose damaging tariffs, reshape federal agencies, and confirm numerous loyalists lacking relevant expertise. While a handful of legislators have recently tried to push back against Trump to avoid voter backlash, Becker argues these moves cannot undo the extensive erosion of governmental integrity, public trust, and the rule of law. He stresses that a robust Congress is essential to curb presidential overreach, and its failure threatens democratic stability.