[dmix]

Well that's my point. Those are libertarian/small government conservative values which are no longer in vogue. Nothing stops you from being conservative and supporting authoritarianism or believing a strong executive branch over other branches (including the courts).

I would argue it makes them less of a traditional American conservative party though, as values like separation of powers are rooted in the US founding documents of the country. And a core part of being conservative is respecting your established institutions (cultural, legal, etc).

On paper Trump is a centrist in many ways because he doesn't seem to have strong values either way.

[supplied_demand]

== On paper Trump is a centrist in many ways because he doesn't seem to have strong values either way.==

He has enacted much of the Project 2025 agenda, which is a right-wing, authoritarian playbook.