That’s why I think the specificities of this Tik Tok deal, in the larger context of U.S. politics, culture and society, are pretty minimal. But as a precedent for presidential empowerment, it’s a critical juncture in American history. Depending upon President Trump’s actions in compliance or defiance of Congress and the Supreme Court over the next few years, I’m guessing future historians will locate in this episode the first time he openly, unambiguously, and successfully thwarted the constitutional prerogatives of both Congress and the Supreme Court.