‘A too-powerful presidency’: Will US ever rein in executive branch?

Joe Biden made his first public speech as president last week with his inaugural address. He will be expected to make many more.

George Washington made just nine public speeches in his first term. Through Andrew Jackson, the president averaged about three per year – just one indicator of how the presidency of today is a less humble office than in the country’s early years.

From steering trade and environmental policy to waging war, the executive branch has gradually expanded its powers far beyond what the founders intended. As the...