Seven Signs that Donald Trump Has Transformed the US Government into a Personalist Regime

Trump has put his name—and face—all over our government. And he's taken corruption to a new level.

Jun 01, 2026

∙ Paid

Don Moynihan is the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy at the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy. Subscribe to his Substack, Can We Still Govern?

When asked about constraints on his power, President Trump replied: “There is one thing. My own morality.” Not Congress. Not courts. Not the Constitution. Not law, domest…

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Lincoln Square.

Or purchase a paid subscription.

A guest post by

Don Moynihan

Guggenheim Fellow, Professor of Public Policy, Ford School, University of Michigan. Immigrant. Researches and teaches about state capacity, tech in government, administrative burdens, and politicization.