US is about to learn the meaning of unrestrained presidential powers, as watered-down checks and balances are offered on a plate to returnee

Neither bullets nor ballots could stop the return of Donald Trump. Now we are about to witness how constitutional restraints – those famous checks and balances – won’t mean much either.

The US Supreme Court, once the most trusted government institution in America, is now at its most ideological with a supermajority of conservative judges. The Republicans look set to control both houses of Congress. And Trump has their entire party under his thumb.

The US presidency has long been described as imperial, but Trump will be making himself even more powerful than most Roman emperors.

Consider just three areas. 1. As president, Trump will essentially be above the law. 2. He may go after his enemies legally with powers claimed by his office. 3. He has the power to replace much of the US government with loyalists, not just key cabinet posts.

Jack Smith, the special counsel brought in to bring down the Donald, has thrown in the towel over two cases – Trump’s conspiracy to obstruct the results of the 2020 election and his mishandling of classified documents.

Other federal cases under different prosecutors are expected to follow suit. These are in line with the US Justice Department’s policy that bars the prosecution of sitting presidents.