Donald Trump keeps declaring national emergencies. Why?

Amanda Lewellyn and Noel King’s article for Vox, “Donald Trump keeps declaring national emergencies. Why?” published on May 18, 2025, examines President Trump’s unprecedented use of national emergency declarations during the first 100 days of his second term. These declarations grant him access to special powers outlined in over 150 legal provisions, enabling actions beyond or against congressional authorization. The article features insights from Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice, who discusses the history and potential for misuse of these powers, especially given the limited checks on presidential authority following a 1983 Supreme Court ruling that removed Congress’s ability to veto emergency declarations. The legality of Trump’s use of emergency powers is currently under judicial review, and there continues to be debate regarding the legitimacy of the declared emergencies.