Page "President of the United States" Paragraph 36

Most of the nation's Founding Fathers expected the Congress, which was the first branch of government described in the Constitution, to be the dominant branch of government ; they did not expect a strong executive.

However, presidential power has shifted over time, which has resulted in claims that the modern presidency has become too powerful, unchecked, unbalanced, and " monarchist " in nature.

Critic Dana D. Nelson believes presidents over the past thirty years have worked towards " undivided presidential control of the executive branch and its agencies.

" She criticizes proponents of the unitary executive for expanding " the many existing uncheckable executive powers – such as executive orders, decrees, memorandums, proclamations, national security directives and legislative signing statements – that already allow presidents to enact a good deal of foreign and domestic policy without aid, interference or consent from Congress.

" Activist Bill Wilson opined that the expanded presidency was " the greatest threat ever to individual freedom and democratic rule.