Jeff Flake

We must never regard as normal the regular and casual undermining of our democratic norms and ideals.

Probably retreat.

You know, in this system, presidency just, by virtue of the system, gains more power over time.

But what's been frustrating is to see the Senate just willingly give up Article I authority.

Yes, most definitely.

I'm not saying that we're under an authoritarian system now.

We're not.

But that tendency, and certainly Congress has abdicated its responsibility on a number of areas, whether it's war powers, whether it's tariffs, issues that rightly belong in the Senate.

And senators have typically, over time, jealously guarded their prerogative

But they have willingly kind of given that up.

And you have a president who is eager to take just about everything he can get.

Now, every president, Republican and Democrat, will push some limits somewhere in terms of executive orders.

This president is doing that in spades, obviously.

But that's why you need a Senate willing to stand up.

And we've seen inklings lately that you might see some of that coming.

But, boy, it's been long in coming.

And I was concerned then.

I'm more concerned today.

When I left, I never said I want to spend more time with family.

I love my family, but I would have liked to have served another term.