Expanding Reach, Shifting Alliances, and the Pursuit of Influence

This week, the president expanded government reach, fulfilling a campaign promise to increase presidential power. He's targeting institutions like colleges and banks, ordering increased law enforcement in D.C., and pressuring states on redistricting and the census. This approach, viewed as presidential maximalism, also involves punishing companies for diversity initiatives.

Specific actions include requiring more college applicant data, instructing regulators to stop banks from denying services for political reasons, seeking to redraw House maps, and deploying federal agents in D.C. The president denies seeking more power, claiming he's asserting existing authority.

Meanwhile, the president and former Governor Cuomo may be aligning to prevent Zohran Mamdani from winning the New York City mayoral race. The president is considering intervening, potentially supporting Cuomo, who is running as an independent.