Taking Trump's Axe to the Pillars of Democracy: A Rundown
Undermining Democracy: Trump's Strategies Revealed
Caustic Copy: Trump's reign in the White House is carving a chaotic path through the heart of democracy, undermining the balance of power, the rule of law, education, and research. Over 700 scientists and concerned citizens are keeping a sharp eye on the unfolding spectacle.
In a regular gauge of the political landscape, the US has seen its democratic values dwindle under Trump. The value on a 0-100 scale, with 0 representing a dictatorship and 100 a perfect democracy, dropped from a relatively stable 67 to a disquieting 49 during his second term. This slide towards an autocratic system leaves many wondering just how far and how permanent the slide will be.
Overstepping Boundaries: The Executive Branch
Trump has transgressed the boundaries of presidential power like no president since World War II. His administration has flouted court orders, minimized cooperation with the judiciary, and undermined the separation of powers. Trump's public taunts against judges, coupled with several government members claiming judges lack authority to restrict presidential actions, are a direct challenge to the constitutional checks and balances.
Trump treats the US Congress like a mere appendage to be tossed around. He has blocked the sale of TikTok, a decision that lies within the power of Congress, and withdrawn funding from agencies deemed unwelcome. His interpretation of the Constitution is increasingly autocratic, as evidenced by his pardoning all those convicted for storming the Capitol on his first day in office.
A Mangled Mirage of Justice
The due process, the principle of a fair trial enshrined in the US Constitution, has been repeatedly mauled by Trump's administration. Over the weekend, Trump publicly placed migrants' rights in question, insinuating that they might not be protected by the Constitution. Such a move would relegate migrants to second-class status in the eyes of the law.
A glaring example of this erosion of justice is the deportation of 238 people with a migration background to a high-security prison in El Salvador without a trial. One such victim, Kilmar Ábrego García, has captured the nation's attention. Should non-citizens be denied a fair trial, it could also happen to US citizens. Lawyer Denise Gilman of the University of Texas warns that the Constitution does not discriminate between those granted protection and those denied. Trump's proposed deportation of criminal US citizens remains a chilling possibility.
Selective Justice: All is Not Equal Before the Law
The slogan "Equal Justice for All" appears to be more a catchphrase than a reality for some. Since the Watergate scandal, the Department of Justice and the Attorney General have enjoyed a relative independence. Trump changed that, using the department as a means to serve his own interests, such as targeting political opponents. He justifies his actions as being in the best interest of the country. A high-profile case is the investigation into ActBlue, the fundraising network of the Democratic Party and opposition groups.
Simultaneously, the President has halted or allowed investigations into his associates to run their course, signaling that loyalty to Trump trumps the law. During his campaign, Trump announced plans for the "largest deportation in history," a chilling reminder of an autocratic future lurking on the horizon.
Crushing Free Speech: A One-Way Street
Trump and his team often claim they are championing free speech. In reality, they have stifled it. Trump has sued various US media outlets for unfavorable coverage, using intimidation to silence journalists and editors. The White House press secretary now holds press conferences with pro-Trump influencers, earning comparison to North Korean press briefings. Book bans have become a flashpoint in the culture war between conservatives and progressives, particularly in the military.
Crosshairs: Culture and Research
Trump is attempting to bend the Smithsonian Institution, a keystone of US historical narrative and a research and educational institution, to his will. He has issued executive orders mandating new curations of exhibitions that tread dangerous racist lines, a petty attempt to impose a narrow, pro-Trump view of history.
Trump's administration has targeted migrants who publicly critique Israel, with universities becoming collateral damage in the crossfire. Some have had their visas revoked, while others have faced arrests on the streets. Trump views academia as a breeding ground for progressive politics that needs to be controlled. Ivy League universities are suffering, with Columbia forced to lay off 180 employees due to reduced funding, and Harvard facing tax exemptions removal and funding freezes for resisting government demands. Famed scholar Jason Stanley, who will migrate to Canada due to the pressure, finds it difficult to envision a democratic future in the US.
Sources:- ntv.de- [1] Reuters- [2] Reuters- [3] Roll Call- [4] Washington Post- [5] Brookings Institution
- Donald Trump
- USA
Here's How Trump's Actions Align with the Enrichment Data:
Separation of Powers
- Trump's Actions: Trump's actions, including ignoring court orders, restricting cooperation with the judiciary, and challenging congressional authority, align with the reported trend of pushing the limits of presidential power[1][4][5].
- Challenges to the Judiciary: The instances of Trump's public insults against judges and claims that judges have no authority to review and restrict presidential actions reflect the tension between the executive and judicial branches.
Equality Before the Law
- Challenges to Equality: Trump's administration's policies, such as targeted investigations into political opponents, could be interpreted as a challenge to equality before the law[4].
- Limited Protection for Migrants: The questioning of migrants' rights and the subsequent deportation of 238 people without a trial are examples of the erosion of equality before the law for some.
Education
- Impact on the Department of Education: The reported attempts to dismantle the Department of Education align with the broader restructuring efforts in the Trump administration, potentially affecting federal education policies and funding[5].
- Funding Cuts for Universities: The reported funding cuts and threats to universities for not complying with government demands, such as ending diversity measures, are consistent with efforts to undermine education.
Research
- Government Funding and Reorganization: The reduction of federal agencies and restructuring of government functions, as reported, could impact research funding and priorities, coinciding with the broader trend of government reorganization[5].
- Impact on Research Agencies: Trump's attempts to impose a pro-Trump view on historical narratives and museums are consistent with the reported call for new curations of exhibitions that take a racist approach.
- The European Union, amidst global concerns over war-and-conflicts and general-news, is closely monitoring the erosion of democratic values in the United States, particularly the accusations of Trump overstepping boundaries in the Executive Branch, selective justice, and the mutilation of free speech.
- The policy-and-legislation of the Trump administration, such as the selective treatment of political opponents, the erosion of equality before the law for certain groups, and the impact on the Department of Education, have raised red flags in the arena of crime-and-justice and politics, prompting calls for constitutional checks and balances.
- The course of politics in the United States, under Trump's presidency, has led to a restructuring of government functions, potentially affecting research funding and priorities, as well as education policies and funding. This trend has drawn the attention of the international community, particularly the European Union, who are keeping a watchful eye on these developments.
