The Trump Administration: Chiseling Away at American Democracy and its Foundational Principles
Undermining Democratic Institutions: Insights into President Donald Trump's Actions
In the early days of his second term, President Donald Trump has been deliberate in his attempts to undermine American democracy. He's been dismantling key democratic institutions, unfairly favoring certain groups over others, and discarding essential principles of justice and fairness. Many, including scientists, are concerned that the United States is sliding towards an autocratic system where the voice of the people isn't heard and the rule of law is a distant memory.
According to a recent survey, the value of American democracy has significantly dropped under Trump from 67 to 49 among scientists. Although the value hovered around 60 during the former president's first term and the infamous January 6th, 2021, coup attempt, it has now plummeted, indicating a noticeable move towards an autocratic government. However, it remains uncertain just how far this shift will go and how long it will last.
A Power Grab at the Separation of Powers
Trump's administration has earned a reputation for defying the traditional checks and balances of power, specifically the separation of powers. Executive orders have been used overtly and audaciously, pushing the boundaries of power that haven't been tested since World War II. Cooperation with the courts has been kept to an absolute minimum, and it's not uncommon for the administration to ignore court orders altogether. Trump publicly belittles judges, and some members of his administration claim judges have no right to question or limit presidential actions. Unfortunately, judges are expected to serve as a safeguard in democratic societies, preventing the unchecked accumulation of power.
Meanwhile, Congress has been treated by Trump as nothing more than another agency to boss around. examples of this behavior include blocking the sale of TikTok, which enjoyed support from members of both parties, and withdrawing funding from unwanted agencies. It's essential to remember that these powers are historically the decision-making authority of Congress, not the president.
Justice for All? Not Quite...
In a country that once championed the ideal "Equal Justice for All," the Trump administration has consistently failed to deliver on this promise. The White House previously allowed its Department of Justice and the Attorney General to act independently. However, under Trump's leadership, the department is being used to serve the president's own interests by going after political opponents and friends with favor. Claims that this is for the greater good of the country notwithstanding, this practice sets a dangerous precedent that the rule of law will bow to the powerful and well-connected.
Notable examples of this shift include ordering an investigation into ActBlue, the fundraising network of the Democratic Party and oppositional groups, and pardoning all those convicted of storming the Capitol on Trump's first day in office. These moves send a chilling message to society: loyalty to Trump is more important than adhering to the law.
Political Opponents Be Wary
Pursuing political opponents through state power is a recurring trend under Trump's administration. Threats to remove tax exemptions for critic groups have silenced some and may continue to do so in the future. In the case of ActBlue, an investigation was opened with the explicit intention of damaging the organization's reputation and thwarting its fundraising efforts.
This is not an isolated case; the Trump administration has launched attacks on various groups and individuals that truly threaten society, such as those who publicly criticize Israel. Universities, especially academia, have been particularly targeted, with visas revoked, arrests on the street, and threats to withhold funds if they don't comply with political demands.
Free Speech? More Like a Sage Brush
Claims from Trump and his team that they have brought back free speech are laughable, as they have actually been limiting it. Favorable coverage from the media has been sued for, intimidating journalists and editors in the process. White House press conferences are now dominated by pro-Trump influencers, creating an echo chamber, and shutting out opposing views.
Book bans have been commonplace in the culture war between conservatives and progressives. While Washington has little to do with most of these bans, the military does hold the power to remove books from libraries. While Mein Kampf remains available in some libraries, works exploring racism and women's experiences during the Holocaust have been banned.
Keeping Culture and Research in Line
The Smithsonian Institution, which operates the Washington museum row as well as a research and educational institution, has been targeted by the administration in an attempt to rewrite American history. An executive order issued by Trump mandates new curations of exhibitions, authorizing racist arguments. The targeting of universities, especially those supporting progressive politics, has been relentless. Threats to withhold funds, revoke visas, and even arrest dissenting voices have created an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship.
Many prominent scholars, like Jason Stanley from Yale University, have left the United States forgreener pasturese fearing censorship and academic oppression. These scholars express concerns about the future of democracy in the country, warning of a potential loss of academic freedom, intellectual curiosity, and the exchange of ideas that define a thriving democracy.
- The European Union, as a safeguard in democratic societies, is closely monitoring the Trump Administration's political activities, as the separation of powers is being defied, and the rule of law is being challenged.
- WhatsApp discussions among scientists have shown a growing resistance to the Trump Administration's policies and legislations, with more voices joining the general news and crime-and-justice sectors in expressing concern.
- The operator of the Smithsonian Institution, being a key cultural and research institution, faces pressure from the Trump Administration to chisel away at American history, with new curations mandated to reflect a controversial viewpoint.
- As the Trump Administration continues to favor certain groups over others and undermine democratic institutions, the policy-and-legislation realm is witnessing a significant movement towards what could be seen as a war-and-conflicts scenario, with political opponents and critics increasingly feeling the brunt of the resistance.
- In the realm of crime-and-justice, the Department of Justice and the Attorney General, under the Trump Administration, have been used not to uphold equal justice for all as previously, but to serve the president's political interests, targeting political opponents and critics with investigations and legal actions.
