Sushila Narne ‘28
Trump’s policies during the first month of his office have created worrisome speculation about the future of America. From censoring information to scrutinizing well-established public health issues, his gross misuse of power is threatening the very pillars that support our country.
Let’s start with Trump’s supporting powers. The first on the list is Elon Musk, a symbol of the diminishing line between government and business. Elon Musk is part of Trump’s Cabinet of 14 other yes men. Next is the Supreme Court, to which Trump has appointed three other sycophants to create a team of loyalists: “Justices” Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barret.
Trump’s staunch supporting party has faced scrutiny from many, including Republicans such as Former Vice President Mike Pence, Former House Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, Former Governors John Kasich and Chris Christie, and many more. For individuals in power to dissociate themselves from a president of the same party is uncommon. It raises red flags because many politicians don’t make such concessions unless something major occurs. Something like, say, the fast and steady breakdown of a principle so powerful it would shake the framework that was carefully built and preserved by the governing powers of our nation… democracy.
So, how does Trump plan to take down an elective governing system that has run for upward of 247 years? The recent posts by the White House, such as the ASMR video about deportation or a poster with Trump in a crown with the slogan “Long Live the King!” have shaken citizens and leaders alike. A thoroughly unprofessional video posted by the White House has revealed the process by which immigrants are deported: through a series of ASMR directed by ICE officers, deportees are shown lined up, awaiting their sendback. It seems that Trump intends to desensitize individuals as an enabler to do far worse things in the future.
For instance, Trump's action of referring to himself as a “King” violates Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution, which states the following: “...No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States” His breach of constitutional practice suggests that he is testing the limits of his power: in the event of Trump’s acquittal of violating the Constitution, he will gain more power than any former president because he will have gained the ability to bypass the Constitution. Though the reference to monarchy appears harmless, the notion that Trump is engaging in unconstitutional behavior, however trivial it may seem, could result in far worse future consequences.
Many have challenged Trump’s proposition of ruling the country like a king. The most prominent instance where his order is challenged is when the Governor of Maine, Janet Mills, states, “We’ll see you in court” as a clash between taking action with trans athletes results in Trump’s threat of shutting down federal funding for Maine. As more people turn a blind eye to our president’s actions in fear of losing power, the bridge between what is defined as a constitutional government and the just division of power starts to crumble.
To save our country from modern dystopia, action must be taken. The chance to fight is now, and it is ever so vital to educate oneself on one's rights and liberties, as the threat to our Constitution increases with every action Trump takes.
A chilling quote from Trump: "I love the poorly educated."