In theory much of the country is designed to be malleable and fault-tolerant. Checks and balances exist to prevent one branch from overpowering others, but the

In theory much of the country is designed to be malleable and fault-tolerant. Checks and balances exist to prevent one branch from overpowering others, but the malleable nature of the country means there are mechanisms to push the dial of what powers each branch has. So the reality is at present a strongman wouldn't have the mechanisms to clean up the mess. Gridlock is - in a way - by design.