Though separated by nearly two centuries, Andrew Jackson and Donald Trump exhibit notable similarities in their leadership styles and political approaches. Both Trump and Jackson used executive power to exact revenge on political opponents, built a government of loyalists, and enacted devastating and racist policies.
Like Trump, Jackson embraced patronage– removing government officials from previous administrations and replacing them with loyal supporters. This decision centralized executive power and rewarded political loyalty over experience. Andrew Jackson relied heavily on loyal supporters to consolidate power and advance his political agenda. His approach to governance was rooted in rewarding political allies and ensuring that his administration remained firmly under the control of those who backed him.
Jackson introduced the “spoils system,“ a practice where government jobs were given to political supporters as a reward for their loyalty. He famously defended this practice by stating, “To the victor belong the spoils,” arguing that government positions should rotate to prevent corruption. This led to the mass firing of previous administration officials(sound familiar?) and the appointment of Jacksonian loyalists, many of whom lacked qualifications. His spoils system set a precedent for future administrations, leading to widespread corruption in government appointments. Jackson’s reliance on loyal supporters centralized power in the presidency, increased cronyism and nepotism, and challenged the checks and balances laid out in the Constitution.
Additionally, instead of relying solely on his official Cabinet, Jackson surrounded himself with informal advisors, often called the “Kitchen Cabinet.” This group consisted of close friends and political allies who helped shape his policies behind the scenes. This was a way of bypassing official channels, reducing transparency, and consolidating executive power.
Trump’s “kitchen cabinet” includes Elon Musk, a billionaire with a long history of anti-semitism and racist ideology. Musk’s extensive reach within the government, despite lacking an elected mandate or Senate confirmation, challenges traditional democratic processes. Including Musk in leadership has sparked concerns among lawmakers and constitutional scholars about the potential erosion of established governmental checks and balances.
One of Jackson’s most horrifying legacies was the Indian Removal Act (1830). The law primarily affected the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole tribes. The Indian Removal Act led to the forced relocation of Native American tribes, most infamously called the Trail of Tears. Even after the Supreme Court, in Worcester v. Georgia (1832)(see also The Marshall Trilogy), ruled that Georgia had no authority over Cherokee lands, Jackson reportedly dismissed the decision, allegedly saying, “John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it.” This demonstrated Jackson’s disregard for judicial authority. If there existed any doubt, this single act of executive defiance confirmed the imperialist power of the presidency, exiling tribes to their eternal status as colonies of the United States and reinforcing the notion of “democracy” as a white man’s game.
Trump’s immigration initiatives represent a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, emphasizing strict enforcement, quotas, detaining people indiscriminately, separating families, and reducing programs previously designed to offer humanitarian relief. Much like the Indian Removal Act, the cruelty is the point.
Like Jackson’s defiance of court orders, there have been indications from the Trump administration that it might also consider ignoring court orders that impede its policy objectives. Vice President J.D. Vance and “kitchen cabinet” member Elon Musk have publicly criticized judges opposing the administration, with Vance previously suggesting the replacement of federal bureaucrats with loyalists indifferent to court rulings.
Jackson’s presidency established the precedent that the president, as the only nationally elected official, had a direct mandate from the people, allowing him to override Congress and even the Supreme Court when he saw fit. This shift laid the groundwork for the “imperial presidency,“ where the executive branch exercises significant unilateral power.
Following his re-election in 2024, Trump also declared that the American electorate had provided him and the Republican Party with an “unprecedented mandate.” In line with this perceived mandate, President Trump has swiftly enacted a series of executive orders to reverse policies from the previous administration and implement his agenda. These actions include withdrawing from international agreements, rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and reversing environmental initiatives.
If we want to know Trump’s next move, I would suggest we look no further than the presidency of Andrew Jackson. Trump is using his playbook. Like Jackson, history will not look back fondly on Trump and his cronies.
