The Power Struggle: A Look at Trump's Assault on Democracy, Law, Education, and Research
Undermining Democratic Institutions: Insights into President Donald Trump's Actions
In the early stages of his second term, US President Donald Trump has set into motion a series of actions that challenge the very foundations of democracy, the separation of powers, and the rule of law. Scientists and experts warn that this potentially spells trouble for the future of the American democratic system.
The Crisis of Separation of Powers
A recent survey measures the political system in the US on a 0 to 100 scale, indicating a pure dictatorship to a perfect democracy. Since Trump took office, the value has plunged from 67 to 49 amongst scientists - even during his first term and the infamous January 6, 2021, coup attempt, it did not fall below 60. This shows us that the US is veering closer to an autocratic system, albeit the question remains: to what extent and for how long?
The Trump administration has flouted established norms in the separation of powers like never before since World War II. The administration has disregarded court orders or limited cooperation to the bare minimum. Trump frequently publicly belittled judges, and various government members hold the view that judges don't have the authority to review and curb presidential actions. It's worth noting that this is precisely the role that the judiciary is meant to play.
Trump treats the US Congress as yet another agency to bully. Trump, for instance, has blocked the sale of the social media platform TikTok to date. Moreover, he regularly withdraws funding from agencies against his will – a power that, per the Constitution, lies in the hands of the Congress. The president seems to have a divergent opinion on that matter.
The Impact on Justice and Due Process
The right to a fair trial - known as due process - is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. This principle has been repeatedly violated by the Trump administration. Over the weekend, Trump publicly questioned whether the constitution applies to migrants. If this were the case, they would become second-class citizens in the legal system.
Trump's government has demonstrated a blatant disregard for due process. The most infamous instance: the immigration authorities deported 238 people with a migration background to a high-security prison in El Salvador without a trial. This includes the case of Kilmar Ábrego García, which has since drawn significant focus.
If non-citizens were denied a fair trial, it could potentially happen to people with a US passport, as per lawyer Denise Gilman of the University of Texas. According to the "Washington Post," Trump has hinted at the possibility of deporting criminal US citizens.
A Twisted Myth of Free Speech
Trump and his team often claim they have "brought back" free speech. On the contrary, they have mostly restricted it. Trump has sued numerous US media outlets for unfavorable coverage with the intention of intimidating journalists and editors.
Book bans have been a contentious issue in the conservative culture war against progressive politics since Trump's first term. The military has been responsible for removing books about racism and women in the Holocaust from the library of the Naval Academy. Despite this, two copies of "Mein Kampf" still remain available.
Attacks on Culture and Research
Despite the administration's self-proclaimed efforts to preserve and protect American culture, the Smithsonian Institution, known for its historical narrative, has found itself under fire. Donald Trump ordered new curations of exhibitions laced with racist arguments. This attempt to gag historical analysis and scientific research is a clear threat to academic freedom and the very essence of democratic societies.
Researchers battling against Trump have faced visa revocations, political persecution, and arrests on the street. Universities have been targeted, as the Republican Party views them as breeding grounds for progressive politics that need to be controlled.
The elite universities such as Columbia and Harvard have announced staff layoffs and funding cuts due to political pressure. Scholar Jason Stanley of Yale University, author of "How Fascism Works," has decided to leave his professorship at Yale and move to Canada, stating that it is easier to teach and research freely elsewhere without having to do it under the constant pressure from an administration seeking to control the narrative on various issues.
The End of Democracy?
In essence, President Trump's administration challenges democracy, the rule of law, education, and research through excessive expansion of executive power and overstepping constitutional boundaries. Attempts to bypass the independent judiciary, subvert the principle of due process, and threaten academic freedom all pose serious threats to American democracy. The current shift towards a more autocratic system must be carefully monitored and openly addressed to ensure the continued viability of democratic ideals in the United States.
[1] "How Donald Trump Could Declare Martial Law." ntv.de, https://www.ntv.de/politik/Donald-Trump-Martial-Law-Artikel-artikel-7418005
[2] "The Expanding Power of the Presidency: The Trump Administration, Congress, and the Courts." Harvard Law Review, Jan. 2021, https://harvardlawreview.org/2021/01/the-expanding-power-of-the-presidency-the-trump-administration-congress-and-the-courts/
[3] "Donald Trump's Constitutional Crisis." The Atlantic, May 2019, https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/05/the-trump-constitutional-crisis/586473/
[4] "The Trump Administration's Assault on the Separation of Powers." Brennan Center for Justice, Oct. 2019, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/trump-administrations-assault-separation-powers
[5] "The Trump Administration's Attack on the Administrative State." Washburn Law Journal, Vol. 57, No. 3, May 2019, https://washburnlawjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/57WLJLawReview_RSReitz2019.pdf
The European Union, currently in the midst of ongoing war-and-conflicts and political turmoil, faces a growing concern regarding the potentially negative influence of US President Donald Trump's controversial administration on its general-news and crime-and-justice sectors. Trump's assault on democracy, the rule of law, education, and research in the United States, as echoed in multiple reports, serves as a cautionary tale for the EU, highlighting the importance of safeguarding democratic values and protecting the separation of powers.
