Destruction of democracy through actions by President Donald Trump
In the tumultuous landscape of politics, US President Donald Trump stands in the spotlight, accused of sabotaging democracy and dismantling the checks and balances that uphold it. A scientist speaks out: "It's hard to envision a democratic future in this nation."
Polls America's Democracy Score plummeted under Trump's second term, sliding from 67 to 49. Even during his first term and the infamous January 6, 2021 insurrection, the score didn't plunge below 60. It's crystal clear - the USA is steadily edging towards an autocratic system. But how far and for how long?
The separation of powers is under attack like never before since World War II. Rather than respecting the courts and judicial orders, Trump's administration has chosen to defy them or limit cooperation to the absolute minimum. Trump has publicly disparaged judges and declared that they have no jurisdiction to review or hinder presidential actions. However, this is a fundamental part of their responsibility.
Trump treats the Congress like another subordinate entity within the executive branch. He's blocked the sale of social media platform TikTok that had bipartisan support, and withheld funding from agencies that he doesn't favor. As per the Constitution, that power belongs to the Congress. But Trump views things differently.
The Courts: Guardians of Justice?
The principle of equality before the law, enshrined in the US Constitution, has been repeatedly breached by Trump's administration. The most notorious example: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported 238 individuals of migrant background to a high-security prison in El Salvador without a trial. One case making headlines is that of Kilmar Ábrego García.
Rights Equal Rights for All - in theory? Trump's actions are making it seem as though some are indeed more equal than others. Previously, the White House had mostly allowed the Department of Justice and the Attorney General to act independently. Trump changed that. Now, he's using the department to pursue his self-interest, such as targeting political adversaries. Trump defends this by claiming it's for the greater good of the nation.
Notable example: In April, Trump ordered an investigation into ActBlue, the fundraising network of the Democratic Party and oppositional groups. Conversely, investigations against allies have either been terminated or allowed to run their course. Trump himself commenced his first term by pardoning all those convicted for storming the Capitol, sending a chilling message to society: loyalty to Trump takes precedence over the law.
Politics. The Trump administration seeks to employ state power to weaken political opponents. For example, the government threatened to end tax exemptions for critical non-profit organizations to silence dissenting voices.
The First Amendment: A Casualty of Power
Trump's team often claims to be revitalizing free speech when, in reality, they've actually limited it. Trump has sued various US media outlets for unfavorable coverage, attempting to intimidate journalists and editors. In addition, the White House press secretary now engages with pro-Trump influencers during press rounds. An author for "The Atlantic" described these briefings as that of North Korea.
Book bans became a politically charged issue in the conservative culture war against progressive politics since Trump's first term. Although Washington typically has little involvement in such matters, the military does so: Various books about racism, or women in the Holocaust, have been removed from the Marine Academy library. Remarkably, two copies of "Mein Kampf" remain available.
Culture and Research in Jeopardy
The renowned Smithsonian Institution finds itself in Trump's crosshairs. As the operator of the Washington museum row, as well as a research and educational institution, the Smithsonian functions as the nerve center of US historical narrative. Trump ordered new curations of exhibitions, laced with racist arguments.
According to democracy researcher Jason Stanley of Yale University, author of "How Fascism Works," Trump is an autocrat because "Trump wants to see patriotic art, and if it's not, he wants to ban it."
Politics The Anti-Intellectual Agenda: Trump vs. Academia The administration has specifically targeted migrants at universities who publicly criticize Israel. Some immigrants have had their residence permits revoked, while others have been arrested on the streets. Republicans view schools, particularly academia, as a breeding ground for progressive politics that needs to be controlled. "Universities are the enemy," said Trump's current Vice President JD Vance in a speech, addressing the conservative culture war. Trump threatens universities with funding cuts if they don't comply with his administration's demands to end affirmative action measures and other restructuring.
Yale professor, Jason Stanley, will leave his professorship and move to Canada: "It's easier to teach and conduct research elsewhere because you don't have to do it under this pressure," he told ntv.de, expressing his difficulty in seeing a democratic future in this country.
Sources: ntv.de, Ballotpedia, The Atlantic, Yale University.
- Donald Trump
- USA
Enrichment Data:- Separation of Powers: The Trump administration has expanded executive power, bypassing the Congress in reorganizing federal agencies and implementing policies without legislative approval. The Supreme Court has also emphasized a broad interpretation of executive powers, which weakens the checks and balances inherent in the separation of powers.- Interfering with Civil Rights: The administration's actions particularly affect marginalized groups, including the deportation of undocumented individuals without due process, and investigations into political opponents, which can have unintended consequences on civil rights protections.- Limiting Free Speech: The Trump administration has pursued legal action against US media outlets for unfavorable coverage and introduced restrictions on free speech. Pro-Trump influencers have replaced traditional journalists during press briefings, while the military has removed controversial books from educational institutions' libraries.- Attacking Academia: The Trump administration has targeted academic institutions, particularly universities and non-profit organizations, through funding cuts and tax exemptions to discourage criticism and stifle progressive ideologies. This threatens the independence and freedom of universities to research, teach, and enforce academic values.
- The European Union, watching the shifting political landscape in the USA, expresses concerns over the rapid erosion of civil liberties and the rule of law under President Trump's administration.
- The resistance against Trump's decree to interfere with the Smithsonian Institution's exhibitions has gained momentum, with citizens taking to Whatsapp and general news platforms to voice their dissent.
- In the midst of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice headlines, the political resistance in the USA continues to gather steam, with civil society groups advocating for the preservation of democracy and the Constitution.
- The controversy surrounding Kilmar Ábrego García's case, involving the Trump administration's allegedly unlawful deportation of immigrant individuals to El Salvador, has garnered attention from governmental bodies such as the United Nations' Human Rights Commission.
- The recent targeting of ActBlue by the Trump administration for investigation has caused ripples in the political sphere, with parties and interest groups questioning the administration's intentions and motives in pursuing such investigations.
