Executive Mutation

America's Constitutional Mutation and the Rise of CEO-Kings

On July 2, 2024, a day after the Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Trump v. United States, I wrote a letter to The Atlantic. The deci

sion had shaken me deeply, as it seemed to mark a fundamental shift in the balance of power within the American government. I felt compelled to write—not just as an observer from Australia but as a Christian who believes in the intrinsic dignity of all humans as image bearers of God.

The letter was never published. Perhaps it was too long, too impassioned, or simply lost in the flood of submissions that surely followed such a seismic ruling. But today, as I revisit those words in light of recent events, I realise how urgent they remain—not only for those who value democracy but for Christians who understand the theological stakes of unchecked power.

The Letter

To the Editors of The Atlantic,

Greetings from Australia, a nation that has long balanced constitutional monarchy with democratic principles. From this vantage point, I have watched recent developments in the United States with fascination and concern. Your political chrysalis, so carefully crafted by the Founding Fathers, appears to be undergoing an unexpected mutation. Instead of emerging as the majestic democratic butterfly intended, it seems to be transforming into something else entirely—a strange, monarchical moth with an ever-expanding proboscis for unchecked executive power.

The Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. United States granting 'presumptive immunity' to sitting presidents feels like genetic engineering gone awry. This ruling has created a creature with an impenetrable exoskeleton against prosecution, shielding the executive branch from accountability while leaving citizens vulnerable to its unchecked reach. The constitutional caterpillar you’ve nurtured for centuries is pupating into something peculiar: its democratic wings are shrinking while its executive proboscis grows ever longer—probing for elixirs of power in places once thought constitutionally forbidden.

Are we witnessing the emergence of a 'presidential monarch' from America's democratic cocoon? The signs are troubling: an executive branch with limbs extending far beyond their intended reach, legislative antennae atrophying from disuse, and judicial eyes that seem to admire this new form rather than scrutinise it. The Court’s majority opinion suggests that motives behind presidential actions are beyond judicial inquiry—a notion that runs counter to the very principles of accountability embedded in your Constitution.

As a Christian observing from across the Pacific, I am struck by how this struggle for power is cloaked in symbols that blur its true nature. In America’s case, it wears a red baseball cap aspiring to the weight of a crown, as if democracy were merely a game of dress-up with constitutional consequences. Your Founders envisioned a system where no single branch could dominate the others—a delicate balance now teetering under the weight of expanding executive privilege.

This is not just America’s struggle; it is ours as well. Democracies worldwide face modern pressures that test their resilience against authoritarian impulses and unchecked ambition. For Christians especially, this moment calls us to reflect on what it means to live out our faith in systems where power is concentrated rather than dispersed. The challenge before us is clear: to reaffirm that no single leader or symbol can outweigh the collective will of the people or undermine institutions designed to serve them.

The world watches America’s metamorphosis with bated breath—not out of schadenfreude but out of solidarity. For what happens in your chrysalis will ripple far beyond your borders, shaping not just your future but ours as well."

My reflections today

When I wrote those words last July, I could not have foreseen how quickly events would unfold—or how prescient my concerns would feel today. Trump's recent comments blaming Zelenskyy for "starting the war" and his blatant disregard for documented truth have only deepened my unease about this transformation. Is this merely political opportunism tied to Ukraine's rejection of a rare earth minerals deal? Or is it part of a broader strategy to consolidate power by reshaping narratives and vilifying dissenters?

For Christians who believe in the equality of all humans as image bearers of God (Genesis 1:27), these developments carry profound implications. Scripture teaches us that Christ has broken down "the dividing wall" (Ephesians 2:14), uniting humanity under His lordship and calling us into relationships marked by justice and humility. Systems of governance—while imperfect—should reflect these values by protecting against human tendencies toward domination and exploitation.

Democracy is not a Christian doctrine, but it offers a framework that can safeguard against humanity's dangerous inclination to usurp power for selfish ends (Jeremiah 17:9). Its checks and balances—when managed well—can prevent any one individual or institution from wielding authority unchecked. This aligns with biblical warnings about concentrated power: from Pharaoh enslaving Israel (Exodus 1) to Israel wanting a King (1 Samuel 8:19). History shows us again and again that when power goes unchecked, oppression follows.

Curtis Yarvin’s neo-reactionary philosophy—which dismisses democracy as inefficient and advocates for centralised authority under a “CEO-monarch”—stands in stark contrast to these biblical principles. His vision reflects humanity’s oldest temptation: “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5). It is no coincidence that Trump’s actions increasingly resemble Yarvin’s blueprint—consolidating power while dismantling institutions designed to hold leaders accountable.

As Christians, we must resist this drift toward authoritarianism—not out of partisan loyalty but out of fidelity to Christ’s call to love our neighbours and seek justice (Micah 6:8). We must remember that no earthly leader can bear ultimate authority; only Christ is King (Colossians 1:16-17). And we must advocate for systems that reflect His kingdom values—systems where truth matters more than propaganda, where power serves rather than exploits, and where every human being is treated with dignity.

The Supreme Court’s decision last year may have emboldened those seeking unchecked power, but it also serves as a wake-up call for all who care about justice and accountability. As Christians living in democracies—or any form of governance—we have a responsibility to steward these systems wisely, ensuring they protect rather than oppress.

Christ has already broken down every dividing wall (Ephesians 2:14). Our task is to ensure no human system rebuilds them in His name.