Scott Detrow

That is Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon speaking on Tuesday. He ticked off the actions President Trump has taken so far during the start of his term. The inspector general's being fired. Trump fired the watchdogs who monitor federal agencies en masse on a Friday night, ignoring a law that requires him to give Congress 30 days notice and a reason.

That directive asked employees to report any colleagues trying to get around President Trump's order aimed at ending federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs. And then Merkley brought up the memo that ordered a broad pause on federal loans and grants.

That directive asked employees to report any colleagues trying to get around President Trump's order aimed at ending federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs. And then Merkley brought up the memo that ordered a broad pause on federal loans and grants.

That directive asked employees to report any colleagues trying to get around President Trump's order aimed at ending federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs. And then Merkley brought up the memo that ordered a broad pause on federal loans and grants.

The memo was rescinded on Wednesday, though the White House says it still intends to cut federal funding. It's now tied up in court. Merkley described all of this in stark terms. That is a constitutional crisis. The Constitution, of course, has checks and balances built in. But the legislative branch is controlled by Republicans. Both the House and the Senate are under GOP control.

The memo was rescinded on Wednesday, though the White House says it still intends to cut federal funding. It's now tied up in court. Merkley described all of this in stark terms. That is a constitutional crisis. The Constitution, of course, has checks and balances built in. But the legislative branch is controlled by Republicans. Both the House and the Senate are under GOP control.

The memo was rescinded on Wednesday, though the White House says it still intends to cut federal funding. It's now tied up in court. Merkley described all of this in stark terms. That is a constitutional crisis. The Constitution, of course, has checks and balances built in. But the legislative branch is controlled by Republicans. Both the House and the Senate are under GOP control.

And Republican lawmakers look at Trump's moves differently. North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer told local radio station KFGO that he's a stickler for the separation of powers. But he told reporters Tuesday that Trump was just testing his own authority.

And Republican lawmakers look at Trump's moves differently. North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer told local radio station KFGO that he's a stickler for the separation of powers. But he told reporters Tuesday that Trump was just testing his own authority.

And Republican lawmakers look at Trump's moves differently. North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer told local radio station KFGO that he's a stickler for the separation of powers. But he told reporters Tuesday that Trump was just testing his own authority.

And indeed, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said this week that all of Trump's moves are legal.

And indeed, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said this week that all of Trump's moves are legal.

And indeed, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said this week that all of Trump's moves are legal.

Here she is talking about another Trump order, one aimed at ending birthright citizenship, the idea that everyone born in America is an American citizen. It's taken from language in the Constitution.

Here she is talking about another Trump order, one aimed at ending birthright citizenship, the idea that everyone born in America is an American citizen. It's taken from language in the Constitution.

Here she is talking about another Trump order, one aimed at ending birthright citizenship, the idea that everyone born in America is an American citizen. It's taken from language in the Constitution.

And that order is likely headed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court eventually, which has taken a very expansive view lately of presidential power. Republican Senator Jim Risch of Idaho summed up the state of affairs succinctly. For all of you who haven't noticed, this is a different day in Washington, D.C., Consider this. Trump is testing the limits of presidential power.

And that order is likely headed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court eventually, which has taken a very expansive view lately of presidential power. Republican Senator Jim Risch of Idaho summed up the state of affairs succinctly. For all of you who haven't noticed, this is a different day in Washington, D.C., Consider this. Trump is testing the limits of presidential power.

And that order is likely headed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court eventually, which has taken a very expansive view lately of presidential power. Republican Senator Jim Risch of Idaho summed up the state of affairs succinctly. For all of you who haven't noticed, this is a different day in Washington, D.C., Consider this. Trump is testing the limits of presidential power.

Is it a political flex or a subversion of the Constitution? From NPR, I'm Scott Detrow.