Trump wielding US administration for personal agenda pursuit

In the four years of his presidency, Donald Trump made headlines for his unconventional approach to governing. Here's a look at some of the most notable instances where he asserted his power in ways that were both controversial and unprecedented.

Trump threatened to block a stadium plan for the Washington Commanders football team unless it readopted a racial slur it used as a moniker until 2020. This move was criticised by many as a blatant attempt to use government power to enforce racial insensitivity.

Trump also wielded his power against political opponents and those who crossed him. He fired a Federal Reserve governor and threatened to block access to government facilities for attorneys at law firms he disfavored. Trump also fired or reassigned federal employees targeted for their work, including prosecutors who worked on cases involving him.

Trump's use of executive orders was another contentious aspect of his presidency. He issued orders directing the Justice Department to investigate two officials from his first administration and signed a sweeping order targeting a prominent law firm that represents Democrats.

Trump was not shy about using the bully pulpit to claim powers that none of his modern predecessors came close to claiming. He threatened to use the power of the government to prosecute his political opponents and even suggested sending National Guard troops to Chicago and Baltimore, although he never specified a date.

Trump's actions were not limited to domestic affairs. He revoked billions of dollars in federal research funds and sought to block international students from elite universities. He also threatened to deploy federal agents and National Guard troops in cities run by Democrats, including Baltimore, Chicago, New York, and New Orleans, although he later backed off these threats as the election drew closer.

Trump's actions did not go unchallenged. In 2025, he declared an end to government weaponisation in his second inaugural address, but this was met with scepticism by many. His 2024 campaign, however, centers around the idea that he is a victim of "government weaponisation" by the Biden administration.

Attorney General Pam Bondi is pursuing a grand jury review of the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation and appointed a special prosecutor to scrutinize New York Attorney General Letitia James and U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff. This move was seen as an attempt by Trump to use the power of the government to investigate his political opponents.

In a less controversial move, Trump signed a decree allowing the use of "Department of War" as a secondary title for the Department of Defense, although a final name change requires congressional approval. This action occurred on September 5, 2025.

Trump's presidency was marked by a unique blend of audacity and controversy. His actions raised important questions about the balance of power between the executive branch and other arms of government, and his legacy will continue to be debated for years to come.