Watergate Today as a Blip of a Story? Vance Might Not Be Entirely Wrong.
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-06-27 04:02:00 — www.nytimes.com
Donald Trump Pushes Boundaries of Presidential Power, Embraces Aggressive Tactics Against Critics
Donald Trump has openly distinguished himself from Richard Nixon by highlighting his refusal to resign in the face of impeachment, stating that unlike Nixon, he fought impeachment proceedings—twice. Since his re-election, Trump has been upfront about pursuing business interests while in office and about using the power of government to punish his enemies.
This approach signals a dramatic shift in the norms of presidential conduct. Trump’s willingness to leverage his office for personal and political gain, and to retaliate against perceived opponents, marks a departure from the constraints that were put in place after the Watergate scandal to prevent abuse of presidential power. These measures were designed to protect the independence of the Justice Department and other federal agencies.
Trump’s record stands in stark contrast to the bipartisan consensus that ultimately led to Nixon’s resignation. While Nixon left office after Republicans joined Democrats in approving articles of impeachment, Trump has maintained a mutually appreciative relationship with Nixon’s legacy but has emphasized his own combative stance against oversight and accountability.
Observers note that Trump’s actions have been met with little challenge from Congress and increasing approval from the Supreme Court, which has granted broad immunity from prosecution for official actions. This environment has allowed Trump to push the bounds of presidential authority further than any of his predecessors.
The current political climate, as reflected in the comments of Vice President JD Vance and others, suggests that the standards for presidential accountability have eroded. Trump’s ability to “curate his own reality” and to rewrite the narrative around his actions would have been inconceivable in the era of Watergate. As a result, experts warn that a president could now engage in the kinds of abuses that ended Nixon’s career and still remain in office.
In summary, Donald Trump’s open pursuit of personal business interests while president and his use of government power to punish adversaries exemplify a new, unbound model of executive leadership—one that raises serious questions about the future of democratic accountability in the United States.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/27/us/politics/watergate-vance-trump-nixon.html