Scott Detrow

And a big part of that judicial worldview is something called the unitary executive theory, the idea the president has way more power, way more influence over the executive branch than has previously been utilized. The group helped nominate judges onto the federal bench who, over decades of rulings, have made this theory more and more of a central accepted legal argument.

The idea came into focus after President Trump's 2024 immunity case.

The idea came into focus after President Trump's 2024 immunity case.

The idea came into focus after President Trump's 2024 immunity case.

That's Kim Whaley. She is a constitutional law professor. And earlier in her career, she worked for independent counsel Kenneth Starr as he investigated Bill Clinton's presidency. I asked Whaley if she sees a connection between the immunity decision and President Trump's actions. Actions like closing USAID and firing thousands of federal employees.

That's Kim Whaley. She is a constitutional law professor. And earlier in her career, she worked for independent counsel Kenneth Starr as he investigated Bill Clinton's presidency. I asked Whaley if she sees a connection between the immunity decision and President Trump's actions. Actions like closing USAID and firing thousands of federal employees.

That's Kim Whaley. She is a constitutional law professor. And earlier in her career, she worked for independent counsel Kenneth Starr as he investigated Bill Clinton's presidency. I asked Whaley if she sees a connection between the immunity decision and President Trump's actions. Actions like closing USAID and firing thousands of federal employees.

Right now, there are a number of lawsuits challenging the legality of Trump's ability to fire federal employees, cases that may ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court. And Whaley has a prediction.

Right now, there are a number of lawsuits challenging the legality of Trump's ability to fire federal employees, cases that may ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court. And Whaley has a prediction.

Right now, there are a number of lawsuits challenging the legality of Trump's ability to fire federal employees, cases that may ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court. And Whaley has a prediction.

But early on, some of the administration's moves have been successfully challenged, at least initially. Already five justices ruled that the Trump administration must pay $2 billion to USAID contractors for work they've already completed.

But early on, some of the administration's moves have been successfully challenged, at least initially. Already five justices ruled that the Trump administration must pay $2 billion to USAID contractors for work they've already completed.

But early on, some of the administration's moves have been successfully challenged, at least initially. Already five justices ruled that the Trump administration must pay $2 billion to USAID contractors for work they've already completed.

Elon Musk's role is. It's an open question on how the court will approach these matters. But in the meantime, Whaley says the immunity decision has emboldened Trump to push the envelope on what the executive branch can do. And in doing so, it's taken power from other branches of government.

Elon Musk's role is. It's an open question on how the court will approach these matters. But in the meantime, Whaley says the immunity decision has emboldened Trump to push the envelope on what the executive branch can do. And in doing so, it's taken power from other branches of government.

Elon Musk's role is. It's an open question on how the court will approach these matters. But in the meantime, Whaley says the immunity decision has emboldened Trump to push the envelope on what the executive branch can do. And in doing so, it's taken power from other branches of government.

Whaley says the immunity ruling gives the president carte blanche to do what he wants while in office. And that ushers in a new type of American presidency.

Whaley says the immunity ruling gives the president carte blanche to do what he wants while in office. And that ushers in a new type of American presidency.

Whaley says the immunity ruling gives the president carte blanche to do what he wants while in office. And that ushers in a new type of American presidency.

When you're on the road as a reporter, you're bound to pick up some local vernacular.