How much power did the Founders want the President to have?

[kentuck]

Obviously, they did not want him to be a King or have the powers of a king. That is why we fought the Revolution.

They discussed whether or not they should even have a president? Or if there should be two presidents?

They decided that if they had to go to war with another country, they would need someone in charge. In a time of war, they would need a "Commander in Chief". In my opinion, that was the primary reason the Founders created a "President" to head the Executive Branch.

Now, two and a half centuries later, we debate whether or not a "president" can be held accountable for crimes he has committed. We act as if he was a king. I am certain the Founders had no intent for the president to play the role that he plays today. It is too much power in the hands of one man.

We debate whether or not holding a president accountable for criminal acts.

It is insane and inane.

[unblock]

1. Actually, there was nontrivial support for making George washington king

He squashed that talk and in any event it likely would not have happened anyway, though he certainly could have remained president longer if he wanted.

What is crystal clear is that the founders did not want a tyrant. And that, Donnie most assuredly was.

[kentuck]

3. I think they wanted Washington to be President for life...

...but when he chose to only serve 8 years, that set a precedent for presidents right up to FDR.

They definitely did not want another tyrant to lead the country. Unfortunately, they never imagined Donald J Trump.

[leftyladyfrommo]

2. I think we should have a tribunal except it might end up

like our Supreme Ct.

It's terribly obvious that we need to do something to stop another Trump.