Presidents Day is a time to reflect on the incredible power we entrust to imperfect hands
And an opportunity to think about potential reform
The president wields unparalleled power — the power to shape our national culture, proclaim values, manage institutions, and lead the government in times of crisis. History shows us how presidents can harness that power for tremendous good, or fail to live up to that potential. With Presidents’ Day just around the corner, this week is a good opportunity to think about whether we want the president to have all that authority and whether those expectations are fair. For example…
The president’s bully pulpit is one of the most powerful tools at their disposal. Through their public actions, speeches and interviews, presidents can promote a certain type of American culture and values. More than any other president, Theodore Roosevelt embraced and exemplified the power of the bully pulpit. He adopted many progressive causes, including nature conservation, food quality controls, labor protections and trust busting. While these critical reforms were the result of decades of hard work and organizing by thousands of activists, they gained additional momentum when Roosevelt spoke out in favor of their causes and supported legislation to address these ills.
We’ve witnessed the contemporary power of the bully pulpit during the transition from Donald Trump’s administration to the Joe Biden presidency. Former President Trump encouraged nationalism and xenophobia, demonized medical professionals and expertise, and proposed cutting $180 billion from food stamp programs during the pandemic when millions of families struggled to put food on the table. In his first few weeks in office, Biden has presented a different set of American values that have welcomed diversity, prioritized science and education, and welcomed the opportunity to assist our neighbors in need.
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