Presidents often claim mandates − especially when they want to expand their power or are on the defensive
Donald Trump at an election night celebration early on Nov. 6, 2024, when he claimed “an unprecedented and powerful mandate” from voters. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Julia R. Azari, Marquette University Shortly after the 2024 election was called in Donald Trump’s favor, he declared that voters had given him “an unprecedented and powerful mandate.”