Americans have to endure less than a year more of Barack Obama’s imperial presidency, but he seems determined to make the time pass painfully.

Just a few weeks ago, his White House spokesman said that regardless of the Supreme Court order that the Environmental Protection Agency delay enforcement of the Clean Power Plan, steps to implement it would proceed.

Now, though Congress annually passes bills banning closure of the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention center for terrorists, Obama says he will shut it down. About 35 of the 91 detainees remaining there would be sent to other countries. As many as 60 could be brought to the United States.

Members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, have voted against housing dangerous terrorist detainees in U.S. prisons several times. Yet Obama says he will do just that.

In many countries – and, for that matter, under most presidents who have served this one – such behavior would be unthinkable. Once Congress, the elected representatives of the people, has spoken, presidents are supposed to obey. Once the nation’s highest court has ruled, that is supposed to be the law of the land.

Not for Obama. It has been said his final-year goal is to cement his place in the history books.

He is doing that, all right – as the president who would be king.