Disruption?

This week’s review takes an in-depth look at the US Senate, considering the impact of Trump’s first presidency on its operations.

Posted on July 7, 2025 in Reviews of the Month

Disruption?: The Senate During the Trump Era

ed. by Sean M. Theriault Oxford, 2024
296p bibl index, 9780197767832 $29.95, 978019776786

Disruption?: The Senate during the Trump Era book cover.

This erudite and accessible collection of essays edited by Theriault (Univ. of Texas) assesses the influence of the Trump presidency on the decision-making of the US Senate. Across 13 essays, the central theme of this volume is whether or not the Trump presidency was a “disruption” or a “culmination” of the Senate’s work. Through solid research and historical analysis, the book also provides a deeper understanding of the Senate’s evolving role in American politics. In many ways, the essays challenge the often imprecise depiction of the Senate in recent years in a manner that allows for greater understanding. For example, Donald Ritchie argues that the Senate has indeed changed in recent years; however, the rules have remained the same. The filibuster, as a legislative device, has remained intact, even with Trump’s contretemps both in favor of and in opposition to the measure. The volume surveys disruption as a strategy of legislative behavior, suggesting that it was commonplace long before Trump. Finally, Theriault examines criticism from liberal academics on the continued relevance of the Senate.

Summing Up: Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty.
Reviewer: H. L. Cheek Jr., emeritus, East Georgia State College
Subject: Social & Behavioral Sciences – Political Science – U.S. Politics
Choice Issue: Jan 2025

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