Trump, Power & the Rule of Law: Michael Kirk on How the Presidency Is Testing American Democracy

Is the U.S. president above the law?

That’s what Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo wanted to find out when he spoke to Michael Kirk, an award-winning filmmaker and the original senior producer of FRONTLINE, PBS’ flagship long-form documentary series, from its inception in 1983 until the fall of 1987. Kirk’s latest documentary, Trump’s Power & the Rule of Law, explores how the foundational idea that no one is above the law is being tested like never before—in the courts, in Congress, and in the Oval Office itself.

The film tracks the expansion of presidential power from the Nixon era to the Trump administration, and examines the legal battles that have reshaped the limits of executive authority. It explores the implications of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity and what it means for future presidencies.

Through interviews with Trump allies, critics, and legal scholars, the documentary illustrates how unchecked power can erode democratic institutions and weaken the rule of law.

Michael Kirk discusses how Trump’s presidency redefined the boundaries of presidential conduct, what separates this moment from past political crises, and why the stakes for American democracy are so high.

Watch the full documentary on PBS FRONTLINE: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/trumps-power-the-rule-of-law/

Note: This story was updated to correct Kirk’s title at FRONTLINE.