President Donald Trump is putting enormous strain on the institutions and rules that have made the US democracy such a success. His direct, personal attacks on judges threaten the independence and standing of the judiciary. A willingness to govern by executive order also undermines the role of Congress as the nation's primary lawmaker.

So far, the US system has met these challenges and is holding the new President to his proper role. Courts have not bowed to pressure and have put a stop on his immigration bans. Members of Congress have also pushed back on the President's initiatives, and the media has reported fearlessly on his early days in office.

These events beg the question of how Australia's institutions would respond if we had a Prime Minister and cabinet (our executive branch of government) seeking to follow Trump's lead. The short answer is that we may not fare so well.

In Trump's case, he faces a formidable obstacle in the US Bill of Rights. Any attempt to muzzle the media will be defeated by the freedoms of speech and of the press. Or, as the US Court of Appeals found on Thursday, his immigration order has been stayed and may be struck down because it violates the right of every person to due process and protection against religious discrimination.