Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Book Examines Power, Secrecy and Cruelty in Trump’s Second Term
A new book looks at what Donald Trump has done during his second term as president.
Its authors, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, spoke with more than 1,000 people.
They say Trump has tried to use presidential power very broadly.
The book describes immigration arrests, military actions and pardons for many people.
It also says important decisions are made by a small group of loyal advisers.
Some information came from people who were not named publicly.
Trump says the book is mostly made up and fake news.
The article argues that the book raises questions about limits on presidential power and international rules.
Regime Change by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan examines the first 14 months of Donald Trump’s second administration.
The authors argue that Trump has expanded presidential power while weakening international norms, legal conventions and institutional checks.
The book details immigration arrests, military operations against alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers and extensive use of presidential pardons.
Haberman and Swan rely on more than 1,000 interviews, including many conducted on deep background, to describe a secretive administration.
Trump has dismissed the book as mostly made up and fictional, while the article says its disclosures have contributed to political debate.
- Who
- Donald Trump, journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, and people interviewed for their book.
- What
- The book Regime Change examines the first 14 months of Trump’s second administration and alleges extensive use and abuse of presidential power.
- When
- The book covers the first 14 months of Trump’s second administration; the article discusses events through 2025 and 2026.
- Where
- The events described primarily occurred in the United States and in US foreign policy involving Iran, Venezuela and other countries.
- Why
- Haberman and Swan sought to document how the administration operates, while the article examines the implications for legal conventions, international rules and democratic checks.
Authors’ and Critics’ View
Trump’s View
Use of Presidential Power
Authors’ and Critics’ View
Haberman and Swan argue that Trump has pushed beyond established conventions, used power against political targets and weakened legal and international restraints.
Trump’s View
Trump presents his actions as a legitimate use of presidential authority and has described his power as unusually extensive.
Accuracy of the Book
Authors’ and Critics’ View
The article says the book is based on extensive reporting and carefully assessed anonymous sources, and describes its disclosures as significant.
Trump’s View
Trump says the book is mostly made up, fake news and largely fiction.
Presidential Pardons
Authors’ and Critics’ View
The authors characterize Trump’s pardons as an assembly line benefiting allies and white-collar criminals, including people convicted of serious offenses.
Trump’s View
Trump’s administration treats the constitutional pardon power as broad and relatively unrestricted by written law, emphasizing presidential discretion.
- Book
- Regime Change, by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan
- Book length
- 464 pages
- Reporting base
- More than 1,000 interviews with officials, aides, donors, associates and others
- January 6 pardons
- Trump pardoned about 1,500 people charged over the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot on the first day of his second term
- Additional pardons
- The authors report that a further 166 pardons were granted during the administration’s first year
- Book sales
- An Axios report cited in the article said 500,000 copies had been sold
- Trump’s response
- Trump called the book mostly made up, fake news and largely fiction