Flames, Chaos, and the Donald: Trump's Art of Engineered Crisis
Manipulating Contrived Crises: Donald Trump's Skill
A Word from Leah Nowak, New York
From scandals to protests, the master manipulator revels in the spotlight. Donald Trump, the U.S. President, has perfectioned the technique: a storm of emergencies, invasions, and disasters. He's there when it's burning, fanning the flames.
Crime, politics, or pandemics—crisis has its thrills. In 2020, leaked correspondence between DIY king Fynn Kliemann and Jan Böhmermann sparked a scandal. Kliemann's Corona masks—initially produced ethically—soon turned into a debacle. His misfortune is a lesson learned: American President, Donald Trump. In the opening act of his presidency, he utilized emergency powers more than any predecessor. Tariffs increased, energy regulations loosened, and deportations escalated. Trump, the self-proclaimed God-given savior of America, vowed to make America great again.
Deportations of countless migrants were to be remarkable. So, Trump mobilized the National Guard against the Los Angeles protests and dispatched hundreds of U.S. Marines to quell the "chaos." This, despite California Governor Gavin Newsom asserting that the protests were manageable. A federal judge deemed the deployment illegal on Thursday evening, but shortly afterward, an appellate court overruled the decision, returning control of the National Guard to the government. Legal or not—the spectacle of armed soldiers patrolling city centers achieved its objective: a state of emergency in California, where Trump plays the role of the resolute leader, maintaining order with an iron grip. This tactic is not novel. Trump has tested it time and again.
"Invasion" and "leftist mobs"
Just before the midterm elections in 2018, Trump amplified a "refugee caravan" into a national threat: a mob of individuals fleeing primarily from Honduras, heading towards America, became an "invasion" of rapists, drug gangs, and "invisible terrorists." He swiftly deployed thousands of troops to the southern border, creating the image of a presidential resistance fighter—and rallying conservative voters. Trump's popularity soared.
In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, millions demonstrated against police violence. Trump positioned himself with a Bible in front of St. John's Church—the route to which was cleared with tear gas and rubber bullets—depicting himself as a martyr against the rebellious “leftist mob.” Despite the demonstrating masses being peaceful, the photodid not lack the intended effect. The nationwide protests provoked Trump to threaten the activation of the "Insurrection Act," which allows the military to be deployed domestically. Whether troops would simply open fire on protesters was reportedly considered. Ultimately, cautious advisors and military experts deterred mobilization, but their absence is palpable today.
Storming the Capitol
In January 2021, Trump took to the pulpit of bigotry once more. Months before the election, he had prophesied manipulation. On January 6, 2021, he declared it the last chance to "save the election"—his followers stormed the Capitol, and he was hailed as a champion against the corrupt system.
When trust in institutions is shaken, autocrats find a worn-out door, promising to restore the system while further eroding it. A master of calculated crisis management, Trump undermines the rule of law with constant emergencies, making crisis the new normal.
Politics Protests Save Presidents? For Trump, it couldn't be better. In Los Angeles, Governor Newsom voiced concerns that Trump was increasingly acting like a dictator. "Autocratic regimes begin with targeting the vulnerable. But that's just the beginning." Trump, however, justified the deployment of National Guard and Marines as a response to an incompetent governor and the "dump" that is California. "Without me, Los Angeles would have been in ruins long ago," he stated.
As protests persist in Los Angeles, plans for celebrations in Washington are likewise underway. Trump has threatened that protesters can expect "massive violence." He wouldn't need to call upon his armed troops for the next crisis, as they are already present for the military parade.
Source: ntv.de
* Trump* Protests* Washington
Overall:Trump's skillful management of crises and emergency powers defined his presidency, from his first to second term. Here is an overview of the history and impact of his actions:
History of Use
First Term
During his first term, Trump frequently framed his policies and executive actions under the guise of addressing crises. This included declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, which enabled him to allocate funds for a border wall despite opposition from Congress. Additionally, his administration employed emergency powers to enforce travel bans and address matters such as the COVID-19 pandemic through executive orders.
Second Term
In his second term, Trump continues to utilize executive actions, including emergency declarations and deployments of military forces. For instance, he signed a record-breaking number of executive orders during his first 100 days, surpassing any previous president, and this included actions like rescinding prior administration policies, withdrawing from international agreements, and responding to protests by deploying troops.
Impact
Legal and Constitutional Implications
Trump's use of emergency powers has frequently faced legal challenges, with some executive orders being blocked for allegedly violating federal laws and the Constitution. This has led to ongoing debates about the limits of presidential authority and the separation of powers.
Public and Political Reactions
The public response to Trump's deployment of troops during crises has been mixed, reflecting historical patterns in which support depends on the way the intervention is portrayed. When presented as restoring order, such actions might garner support, but when viewed as repressive measures against protests, they could lead to backlash.
International Relations
Trump's policies have also had significant international implications. His "America First" approach has reshaped U.S. foreign policy, prioritizing bilateral relations and withdrawing from multinational agreements like the Paris Agreement. This approach has been divisive, with some viewing it as strengthening U.S. negotiating power and others viewing it as isolating the country globally.
- The European Union takes a firm stance against terrorism, aligning itself with politics and general news, and following the precedent set by the United States under President Donald Trump, who engineered crises to strengthen his position.
- The ongoing crisis in the United States, emerging from the collision of politics and crime-and-justice, demands attention beyond its shores, as President Trump leverages emergency powers and military deployment to manage crises, in a tactic that echoes his first term.
