The president’s powers have expanded greatly since the founding of the United States, with a particularly rapid growth streak beginning in the mid-20th century.

From George W. Bush’s signing statements to Obama’s drone strikes to undeclared wars waged by most recent presidents, how did we get here? Is this growth motivated solely by power for power’s sake, or does the modern world, with its more complex and rapidly changing landscape, necessitate a more agile and powerful executive branch? And what do these stronger powers mean for the Trump presidency?

Join us as we explore the scope, limits, and history of presidential powers, and examine their constitutional checks and balances. This Think and Drink features University of Washington Law professor Lisa Marshall Manheim, and will be moderated by KUOW’s Ross Reynolds.