Stephen Miller's "Plenary Authority" Remark Ignites Constitutional Debate

Washington D.C. - A recent appearance by Stephen Miller, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, on CNN has ignited a fresh debate regarding the scope of presidential power. During the broadcast, Miller stated that "the President has plenary authority" under Title 10 of the US Code, before appearing to hesitate and pause for several seconds. This moment, which some observers have described as a "glitch," has been widely circulated and discussed across social media platforms. The term "plenary authority" refers to power that is wide-ranging, broadly construed, and often limitless for practical purposes, particularly when used with respect to public officials. Critics argue that Miller's statement, and his subsequent pause, inadvertently revealed a belief in an executive branch with unchecked power, a concept many contend is antithetical to the principles of the US Constitution. One online commentator noted, "Plenary authority means complete and absolute power to act on a particular issue, without needing approval or input from others… this is terrifying." Another user highlighted the perceived contradiction, stating, "He just legally admitted what Trump is doing is illegal…" The video's host further elaborated on the implications, asserting that such a view of presidential power contradicts the US Constitution's framework of checks and balances, designed to prevent any single branch from becoming authoritarian. "We're supposed to be a country of checks and balances," the host emphasized. The incident continues to fuel discussions on the interpretation of executive power and the foundational tenets of American democracy.