Trump's Tactics: A Shaky Foundation for Democracy
Undermining Democratic Institutions: Insight into President Donald Trump's Actions
Exploring the pervasive impact of President Donald Trump on the pillars of American democracy, we delve into his administration's approach to the separation of powers, equality before the law, and education. To put it bluntly, Trump's actions have left many questioning the future of democracy in the States.
In the first months of his second term, Trump has flouted constitutional checks and balances, seemingly unconcerned about the repercussions. A whopping 700 scientists and concerned citizens are raising their voices against these questionable tactics.
A survey on the political system's state reveals a troubling trend. Under Trump, the value on a scale of 0 for a pure dictatorship to 100 for a perfect democracy has taken a nose dive. Among scientists, it has plummeted from 67 to an alarming 49. Even during the tumult of Trump's first term and the coup attempt on January 6, 2021, the value did not sink below 60. The United States is slipping down the path towards an autocratic system—how far and how long this slide continues remains to be seen.
Separation of Powers, Squashed
Trump has crossed lines like no president since World War II when it comes to the separation of powers. His administration has flagrantly ignored court orders, limited cooperation to the bare minimum, and openly mocked federal judges. Trump, in his characteristic brashness, even publicly ridiculed judges, insinuating they had no authority to review or restrict his actions.
Trump views Congress as another agency to boss around. He blocked the sale of TikTok, a bipartisanly approved social media platform, and withdrew funding from unwanted agencies, disregarding the constitution which grants Congress the decision-making power. The president's interest in governing seems to have blinded him to basic legalities.
Judiciary Under Siege
The principle of a fair trial, or "due process," as enshrined in the US Constitution, has been repeatedly trampled underfoot by the Trump administration. Over the weekend, Trump publicly mused about whether the constitution even applied to migrants. If this were true, they would be second-class citizens in the legal system.
Perhaps the most egregious example: the deportation of 238 people with a migration background to a high-security prison in El Salvador without trial. One of them was Kilmar Ábrego García, a case that has since gripped the nation.
Rights activists fear this sets a dangerous precedent; if non-citizens are denied a fair trial, it could potentially affect anyone, even those with a U.S. passport. Lawyer Denise Gilman of the University of Texas reminds us that the constitution does not discriminate between citizens; it grants protection to all persons within the country's borders.
A Shaky Balance: Justice for Some, Not Others
Trump's War on Justice seems to be more of a war on equality. Since the Watergate scandal, the White House had largely allowed its Department of Justice to operate independently. Trump changed that. He uses the department to serve his own interests, such as going after his political opponents.
ActBlue, the fundraising network of the Democratic Party and oppositional groups, was targeted in an investigation by the President in April. Meanwhile, investigations against allies were allowed to fade away. The president, in his early months, even went so far as to threaten tax exemptions for government-critical, non-profit organizations, silencing critical voices with the power of financial ruin.
A Nation of Censors
When Trump and his team claim they have "brought back freedom," they are, in reality, tightening the reins on free speech. Trump has filed lawsuits against numerous US media outlets, trying to intimidate journalists and editors. White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, now holds press rounds with pro-Trump influencers. According to an Atlantic author, these rounds resemble nothing more than "a briefing straight out of North Korea".
Book bans have been a contentious issue in the culture war against progressive politics. The military has taken an active role in this battle, removing several books about racism and women in the Holocaust from the Marine Academy library. Two copies of "Mein Kampf," however, remain on the shelves.
The Arts Under attack
Trump is trying to bring the renowned Smithsonian Institution in line. As the operator of the Washington museum row, as well as a research and educational institution, the Smithsonian is the hub of American historical narrative. In an executive order, Trump mandated new curations of exhibitions, laced with racist arguments.
Democracy scholar Jason Stanley of Yale University, author of "How Fascism Works," told ntv.de that Trump is an autocrat because "Trump wants to see patriotic art, and if it's not, he wants to ban it."
Republicans view schools, especially academia, as a breeding ground for progressive politics that needs to be controlled. "Universities are the enemy," said Trump's current Vice President JD Vance once while giving a talk on the culture war. Trump threatens to cut funding from some universities if they don't comply with his government's demands to end affirmative action and other restructuring measures.
Elite university Columbia announced it has to lay off 180 employees due to reduced funding. Harvard, which is resisting, has already had tax exemptions removed and funding frozen. Stanley, who will leave his professorship at Yale to move to Canada, told 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 hard to see a democratic future in this country."
Sources: ntv.de
- Donald Trump
- USA
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What we see with the Trump administration, in general, is an aggressive expansion of presidential power, particularly by asserting broad "exclusive" powers that Congress cannot regulate. This can lead to increased partisan conflict, rather than functional separation of institutional powers, which is essential for a healthy democracy, according to experts.
Furthermore, the expansion of executive power potentially undermines legal accountability and creates inconsistencies in how laws and regulations are applied, potentially privileging executive discretion over equal treatment. As a result, the administration’s approach raises concerns about the safeguarding of equality before the law and the health of democratic processes in the United States. Legal battles continue to emerge, attempting to preserve constitutional governance and democratic accountability against unilateral executive overreach.
- The European Union, as a symbol of a democratic system, is closely watching the political resistance against Trump's actions in the United States, particularly the flouting of constitutional checks and balances.
- In the face of Trump's disregard for the separation of powers, many education-and-self-development institutions, such as universities, find themselves under attack, with funding at risk if they don't comply with the administration's demands.
- The administration's disregard for equal treatment under the law has been evident in the deportation of 238 individuals without trial and the stance on migration rights, which has raised alarm among rights activists.
- In the realm of crime and justice, the Trump administration's tactics have been criticized for setting a dangerous precedent, potentially affecting anyone, even those with a U.S. passport.
- Technology platforms, such as Whatsapp, are also being used as tools in the political arena, with a surge in activism among concerned citizens, including over 700 scientists who are speaking out against the president's questionable strategies.
