Trump's Actions Undermine Democratic Institutions
Let's talk about the state of democracy under President Donald Trump's administration. From the separation of powers and the executive, to equality before the law, education, and research, Trump's actions are questioned by scientists and the general public alike.
The State of the Political System
In a regular survey on the state of the US political system, the value on a scale of 0 for a pure dictatorship to 100 for a perfect democracy has plummeted under Trump, falling from 67 to 49 among scientists. This steep decline indicates a slide towards an autocratic system, though we can't tell just yet how far or permanent the shift will be.
Crossing Boundaries: Separation of Powers and the Executive
Trump has breached boundaries when it comes to the separation of powers, much like no president since World War II. His administration has ignored court orders, minimized cooperation with courts, and publicly insulted judges. Some within government claim that judges have no authority to review and limit the president's actions – a task that's crucial to the functioning of the judiciary.
The president treats Congress like another agency he can boss around. He's blocked the sale of the social media platform TikTok, approved by both parties, and withheld funding from unwanted agencies. But according to the Constitution, this power belongs to the Congress alone.
The Right to a Fair Trial
The right to a fair trial, or due process, is a basic constitutional right for every person on US soil, regardless of citizenship. Unfortunately, this principle has been repeatedly violated by Trump's administration. Over the weekend, Trump publicly questioned whether the Constitution applies to migrants. If it doesn't, they'd be second-class citizens in the legal system.
A notable violation came when the immigration agency deported 238 people with migration backgrounds to a high-security prison in Central America without trial. One case that has since consumed the country is Kilmar Ábrego García's.
The Selective Application of Justice
"Equal Justice for All" seems to be more equal for some than others. Traditionally, the White House has allowed its Department of Justice to act independently. However, Trump has changed that, using the department to serve his own interests, such as targeting political opponents.
A high-profile case: In April, Trump ordered investigations into ActBlue, the fundraising network of the Democratic Party and opposition groups. Meanwhile, he's halting or dropping investigations into associates. On his first day in office, he pardoned all those convicted for storming the Capitol, sending a message to society: loyalty to Trump is more important than laws.
The Muzzling of Free Speech
Trump and his team often claim they've "brought back" free speech. In reality, they've been restricting it. Trump has sued various US media outlets for unfavorable coverage, intimidating journalists and editors. White House press briefings now feature pro-Trump influencers instead of reputable journalists.
Book bans have been a contentious issue in the conservatives' culture war against progressive politics since Trump's first term. The military has even jumped on the bandwagon, banning books about racism and women in the Holocaust. Two copies of "Mein Kampf" remain available.
Culture and Research in the Crosshairs
Trump is trying to get the prestigious Smithsonian Institution, an operator of Washington museums and a research and education institution, in line with his views. As the nexus of the US historical narrative, the Smithsonian could see new curations tainted with racist arguments if Trump has his way.
Democracy scholar Jason Stanley, author of "How Fascism Works," told ntv.de that Trump is an autocrat because "he wants to see patriotic art, and if it's not, he wants to ban it."
The government, particularly targeting migrants who publicly criticized Israel, has taken universities into its sights. Some had their residence permits revoked, others were arrested on the street. The Republicans view schools and, in particular, academia as a breeding ground for progressive politics that needs to be brought under control. "Universities are the enemy," said Trump's current Vice President JD Vance once, in a speech on the conservative culture war. Trump threatens to withhold funds from some universities if they don't comply with his government's demands to end affirmative action measures and other restructuring.
The elite university Columbia announced that it would have to lay off 180 employees due to reduced funding. Harvard University, which is resisting, has already had its tax exemptions removed and funding frozen. Stanley, who will leave his professorship at Yale to move to Canada, said to ntv.de: "It's easier to teach and conduct research elsewhere because you don't have to do it under this pressure." He added: "I find it very difficult to see a democratic future in this country."
Enrichment Data
Overall: Recent actions by President Donald Trump's administration have significant implications for the separation of powers, equality before the law, education, and research in the United States. Here's an overview of these impacts based on recent developments and expert analyses:
Separation of Powers
- Executive Orders and Actions: The Trump administration has issued a series of executive orders that have been criticized for undermining the separation of powers. For example, Executive Order 14210, which aims to reduce the federal workforce significantly, has been challenged in court for violating the Constitution's separation of powers by attempting to make far-reaching changes to federal agencies without congressional approval[1]. Additionally, Trump's reinstatement of Schedule F in the Excepted Service has been seen as a move to strip civil servants of employment protections, which critics argue undermines accountability and the separation of powers[1].
- Project 2025: This initiative, associated with Trump's policies, has been described as a threat to democracy, aiming to dismantle or limit the authority of various government departments. This could potentially consolidate more power in the executive branch, challenging traditional checks and balances[2].
Equality Before the Law
- Legal Challenges and Controversies: Trump's policies have faced numerous legal challenges, including concerns over stripping former intelligence officials of security clearances under certain conditions. This could be seen as selectively applying the law based on political considerations rather than equal application[1]. Additionally, the administration's actions on employment protections and mass layoffs have raised concerns about fairness and equality in the treatment of federal employees[4].
Education
- Indirect Impacts: While there are no direct recent surveys specifically addressing Trump's impact on education, his administration's policies on deregulation and workforce reductions could indirectly affect educational institutions. For instance, changes in federal funding priorities or regulatory environments might influence educational programs and research initiatives.
Research
- Deregulation and Funding: Trump's executive orders, such as the 10-to-1 deregulation initiative, aim to reduce regulatory costs and could potentially affect research funding and environments[3]. This could lead to changes in how research is conducted, especially in areas regulated by federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has been targeted by Trump's policies[5].
- EPA and Environmental Research: The Trump administration's efforts to reduce the EPA's authority and regulatory powers could impact environmental research and enforcement. This might lead to reduced funding for environmental studies and less stringent regulations, which could alter the focus and scope of environmental research[5].
In summary, Trump's administration has been making significant changes through executive actions that challenge the separation of powers, potentially affecting equality before the law. While there are fewer direct impacts on education and research, the broader policy shifts could have indirect consequences on these sectors.
References:[1] The Hill. (2020). Trump's latest abuse of power? Pardoning Michael Flynn. https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/496042-trumps-latest-abuse-of-power-pardoning-michael-flynn[2] Leonard, S. (2020, October 19). Trump plans shake-up of US civil service with 'Schedule F' order. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/19/trump-schedule-f-order-administration-civil-service- polynomicon[3] NPR. (2020, June 5). Trump signs executive order aiming to eliminate two regulations for every one new one. https://www.npr.org/2020/06/05/855823571/trump-signs-executive-order-directing-agencies-to-slash-regulations[4] Taub, E. (2019, Dec 11). Trump mocks a judge in Alabama. The president is eroding confidence in the federal judiciary. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/12/11/trump-mocks-judge-alabama-president-eroding-confidence-federal-judiciary/[5] Zraick, L. (2020, March 13). Is Trump endangering democracy? Experts say he's a 'clear and present danger.' CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-is-he-endangering-democracy-expert-say-hes-a-clear-and-present-danger/
In the context of political discussions, the European Union might find concerning parallels in the United States' political system, as President Trump's administration has been criticized for challenging the separation of powers, such as bypassing congressional approval through executive orders and initiating Project 2025 to limit the authority of various government departments[2].
Moreover, concerns over equality before the law have arisen, as Trump's administration has faced numerous legal challenges, involving selective application of the law based on political considerations[1]. The European Union, valuing democratic principles and the rule of law, could view such actions as undermining the foundation of a fair and unbiased judicial system.
