Undermining Democracy: Trump's Approach Explored
Title: Trump's Assault on Democracy: Separation of Powers, Justice, Education, and Freedom
Trump's presidency has ignited a storm of controversy, challenging the heart of democracy in America. From undermining the separation of powers to meddling with education and research, Trump's actions have left many questioning the future of the nation.
In a recent study, the score on the political system scale plummeted under Trump, dropping from 67 to 49. Even during his first term and the January 6th coup attempt, the score never dipped below 60. The rapid descent towards autocracy is alarming, but is America headed there for good?
In the realm of power distribution, Trump has surpassed presidential boundaries like no leader since World War II. His administration has blatantly ignored court orders and limited cooperation with them to the bare minimum. Trump has publicly disparaged judges, suggesting that judges have no business reviewing or restricting the president's actions. This isn't just a question of political etiquette; it's a matter of constitutional checks and balances.
Trump treats the US Congress as if it's another agency subject to his whims. He's blocked the sale of the social media platform TikTok, a decision made jointly by both parties, and withheld funding from unapproved agencies. But, according to the Constitution, these decisions are the sole domain of the Congress. Trump's interpretation of his own authority seems to be a bit skewed.
The Deconstruction of Justice
The right to a fair trial is enshrined in the US Constitution, guaranteeing fair treatment regardless of citizenship. However, under Trump's rule, this principle has suffered numerous violations. Over the weekend, Trump publicly questioned if the Constitution applies to migrants, implying that they might be treated as second-class citizens in the legal system.
The most egregious example is the deportation of 238 individuals of migrant descent to a high-security prison in El Salvador without trial. The case of Kilmar Ábrego García has since garnered nationwide attention. If non-citizens are deprived of their right to a fair trial, US citizens might find themselves in the same predicament. A US lawyer, Denise Gilman of the University of Texas, warned, "The Constitution does not distinguish who is protected. Trump's actions could easily set a dangerous precedent."
A Varying Scale of Justice
The phrase "equal justice under law" seems to be a distant dream with Trump in power. Since the Watergate scandal, the White House has been generally hands-off when it comes to the Department of Justice and the Attorney General. Trump has broken that tradition. He's using the Department to further his own interests, targeting political opponents, and declaring that he's doing it for the good of the country. A high-profile example occurred in April, when Trump ordered investigations into ActBlue, the Democratic Party's fundraising network, and various opposition groups.
Meanwhile, Trump has allowed or ended investigations into his associates, allowing them to go unpunished. In his early months, he targeted unwanted law firms that worked with Democrats, attempting to stifle lawsuits against his overreaching policies. On his first day in office, he pardoned all those convicted for storming the Capitol. His message seems clear: loyalty to Trump is more important than the law.
Silencing Free Speech
Trump and his team often claim they've "revitalized" free speech. In reality, they've managed to stifle it instead. Trump has launched lawsuits against various US media outlets for unfavorable coverage, using these actions to intimidate journalists and editors. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, now even holds press conferences with pro-Trump influencers, provoking comparisons to North Korea.
Book bans have become a contentious issue in the conservative culture war against progressive politics since Trump's first term. Trump has influenced which books are available in military libraries, favoring titles that align with his ideology and silencing those that don't. "Mein Kampf" remains available in two copies as a testament to the twisted logic behind this censorship.
Targeting Culture and Research
Trump is attempting to bring prestigious institutions like the Smithsonian Institution in line with his ideology. The Smithsonian is a research and educational institution that was once considered the nerve center of American historical narrative. Trump has ordered new curations of exhibitions that favor patriotic narratives, silencing opposing viewpoints.
Trump has targeted migrants at universities who publicly criticize Israel. Some had their residence permits revoked, while others have been arrested on the street. Republicans view universities, particularly academia, as a breeding ground for progressive politics that needs to be controlled. Trump threats to withhold funds from universities that don't comply with his government's demands to end affirmative action measures and other structural changes have silenced many.
Veteran university Columbia announced it will lay off 180 employees due to reduced funding, while Harvard has already had tax exemptions removed and funding frozen. Jason Stanley, a Yale University professor and author of "How Fascism Works," plans to leave his position in America and relocate to Canada. "It's easier to teach and conduct research elsewhere because you're not under this pressure anymore," he says, adding, "I find it very difficult to see a democratic future in this country."
Sources: Washington Post, ntv.de
- The rapid weakening of the political system under Trump, as indicated by the study, is concerning, with the score on the political system scale dropping from 67 to 49.
- Europeans watching the developments in American politics might find a chisel-like effect on their perception of the European Union's political stability.
- It's crucial for personal-growth and education-and-self-development platforms like WhatsApp to protect user data and encourage fair and open discussions, considering the suppression of free speech in the general-news sphere.
- Policy-and-legislation concerning crime-and-justice should be stringently enforced to prevent the unequal treatment of individuals based on citizenship or national origin, as demonstrated by Trump's deportations and constitutional questions related to migrants.
5.tar-Democracy-crisis-education-freedom-future-European-Union-critical-thinking6. The politically-charged environment created by Trump's actions might have ripple effects in war-and-conflicts policy-and-legislation, potentially impacting the European Union's foreign relations and stability.
