What is the relationship between presidential strength and congressional power when a president is perceived as weak?

When a president is perceived as weak, Congress tends to gain more power. This phenomenon occurs because a weak president might struggle to assert leadership or effectively influence legislative outcomes. Such a scenario creates an opportunity for Congress to assert its authority and take charge of the legislative agenda. Lawmakers may feel emboldened to challenge the president's proposals or push their own initiatives, as they sense less executive pushback.

In this context, Congress can leverage its constitutional powers more effectively, including its authority to legislate, conduct oversight, and control budgetary processes. Additionally, when a president appears unable to rally support or deliver on key policy initiatives, Congress can step in to fill the vacuum, thereby expanding its influence and role in governance.

The other options do not fully capture the dynamic at play in this scenario. The judiciary typically remains independent, and while it may occasionally gain significance as legal disputes arise during periods of executive weakness, it doesn't directly gain power in the same way Congress does. Similarly, media influence may not directly correlate with presidential strength or weakness; rather, it often functions in its role of informing public opinion and scrutinizing both Congress and the president.