To the editor:
The “unitary” theory of the executive department says the President has total power over every personnel decision in the executive branch. (“This theory is behind Trump’s power grab,” New York Times, Feb. 26.)
In fact, the unitary theory violates the spirit of the “separation of powers” in American government, which says power must be disaggregated as much as possible inside every branch as well as across the three branches of government.
How do we know this? Because the Founding Fathers debated having a dual chief executive like the ancient Roman democracy did. Rome had two “consuls” (Presidents) and a variety of other powerful executive branch figures like the Roman “censor,” who dealt with accountability issues like our modern Inspectors General do.
In addition, they required that all major personnel decisions obtain the consent of the Senate.
The President as “dictator” in his branch overturns the clear intent of democracy in general and our Founders in specific. His firing of the Inspectors General just adds to the authoritarian trend.
Kimball Shinkoskey
Utah
