Trump expands power beyond “Day One Dictatorship,” revokes Secret Service for Bidens, and challenges pardons

Trump Expands Power, Targets Biden’s Legacy and Family

U.S. President Donald Trump appears to be making good on his campaign declaration that he would act as a “dictator” on the first day of his presidency—only now, with Republican majorities in Congress and the Senate, his power grab is extending well past a single day.

In a series of Truth Social posts, Trump has taken unprecedented steps to exert control over the justice system and target his political adversaries.

On Sunday, he declared that President Joe Biden’s pardons of Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and members of the January 6th House Committee were “VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT.”

This move, legally untested and historically unprecedented, raises concerns about whether a president can unilaterally undo a predecessor’s pardons—something constitutional scholars argue is not possible.

Trump Strips Secret Service Protection from Biden’s Children

Trump’s latest escalation didn’t stop with challenging Biden’s pardons. He also announced that Hunter and Ashley Biden would no longer receive Secret Service protection, claiming their security details were excessive and a burden on taxpayers. In his post, Trump wrote:

There is no legal precedent for a president unilaterally revoking Secret Service protection from protected individuals. The Secret Service operates under federal law, and its protection decisions are based on security assessments rather than presidential decree.

From “One-Day Dictator” to Expanding Executive Power

During his campaign, Trump told supporters that he would be a “dictator” for just one day to take swift action on policies he favored. However, with Republican majorities in Congress and the Senate, Trump is now operating with few checks on his authority, raising alarms among legal experts and political analysts.

His attempt to revoke Biden’s pardons and strip his family of protection suggests a broader strategy: using the power of the federal government to target political enemies while consolidating control over key institutions. The Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. U.S., which granted broad immunity to presidents for official acts, could further shield Trump from legal consequences as he pushes the limits of executive power.

What Happens Next?

If Attorney General Pam Bondi follows through with Trump’s demands by prosecuting individuals Biden pardoned, it would ignite a major legal battle over the limits of presidential authority. Similarly, if the Secret Service refuses Trump’s directive to end protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden, a constitutional confrontation could unfold.

Trump’s early moves suggest that his administration will be marked by aggressive executive actions, setting the stage for an era of political and legal turmoil that could reshape American democracy.