Donald Trump Public Enemy
In this blog and podcast, I declare that Donald J. Trump is Public Enemy #1 and an existential threat to the people and government of the United States of America. This statement is not hyperbole or a partisan attack but is based on a reasoned and factual statement of the public record. This country has survived a civil war, white supremacist terror in the Jim Crow Era, the prohibition of gangsters, the Great Depression, the Viet Nam protests, and the Richard Nixon expulsion, but we have never confronted the threat we face right now. And it now stares America in the face!
Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, had a tumultuous tenure at the White House. His leadership style, behavior, and decisions often aroused controversies and criticism domestically and globally. One of the most significant concerns about his presidency was how he threatened American democracy. In this analysis, I will discuss how Donald Trump endangered democracy in the United States and why it is essential to recognize and rectify those issues to safeguard the country’s democratic ideals and institutions.
Firstly, Donald Trump consistently undermined the credibility of the free press and dismissed any unfavorable reporting about him as “fake news.” He often tweeted criticism of journalism and individual journalists, labeling them as “enemies of the people,” thus creating a culture of mistrust and hostility towards the media. As a result, the public’s faith in the media and their role in safeguarding democracy weakened, and conspiracy theories and misinformation flourished. Trump’s attacks on the press extended to the media and the entire concept of a free press. He frequently questioned the validity of the press and news outlets, thus affecting the democratic norm of transparency and accountability.
Secondly, Donald Trump has displayed authoritarian tendencies during his presidency. He went against democratic norms and values by repeatedly and publicly mocking democratic institutions and the rule of law. He often threatened to use the Justice Department as a tool to punish his political enemies or interfere with legal proceedings, as evident in the Russian investigation case. Moreover, he continued to make baseless allegations of voter fraud and tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, culminating in his supporters storming the US Capitol building. By doing so, Trump undermined the fundamentals of American democracy as laid out in the Constitution and the Electoral College system.
On January 6, 2021, a mob of former President Donald Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol building to prevent Congress from certifying the electoral college results of the 2020 presidential election. The riots, fueled by months of false claims and conspiracy theories about election fraud, resulted in the deaths of five people, including a Capitol police officer, and left multiple others injured.
The events of January 6 were the culmination of weeks of planning and rhetoric from Trump and his allies, who had urged their supporters to take drastic action to overturn the election results. Trump had repeatedly claimed that the election was stolen from him and had urged his supporters to “fight” and “never give up.”
The mob that stormed the Capitol breached security barricades, broke windows, and vandalized offices as they roamed the halls of Congress. Lawmakers were forced to evacuate to secure locations, and the certification of the electoral college results was delayed for several hours. In the aftermath of the riots, several lawmakers called for Trump’s impeachment, and he was ultimately impeached by the House of Representatives for incitement of insurrection.
The events of January 6 were widely condemned by political leaders from both parties and sparked a nationwide reckoning about the dangers of political polarization and disinformation. The rioters who stormed the Capitol have been widely condemned as domestic terrorists and have faced legal consequences ranging from fines to jail time.
Thirdly, Donald Trump has acted in ways that bode ill for democracy by promoting divisiveness and bigotry. He spread baseless conspiracy theories and made derogatory remarks about various groups like immigrants, Muslims, women, and minorities, thus fueling social tension and conflicts. His divisive political rhetoric often ignored critical issues such as climate change, income inequality, or systemic racism, further exacerbating the existing problems in society. Trump’s divisive policies and statements promoted an “us vs. them” mentality that further polarized and weakened the democratic norms of free and constructive debate, compromise, and reconciliation.
Fourthly, Donald Trump often displayed an autocratic leadership style that revolved around his personal ambitions and preferences rather than the rule of law and democratic principles. He frequently disregarded the Constitution, showing a willingness to use executive orders and bureaucratic power to circumvent the democratic process. These actions undermined the concept of checks and balances, a cornerstone of the American government system. Trump’s disregard for the democratic process culminated in the 2020 presidential election, where he refused to concede and instead made claims of widespread voter fraud. His actions undermined America’s democratic values, and his refusal to accept the outcome of a democratic election challenged our democratic norms and put American democracy at risk.
Fifthly, Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic raised significant concerns about his competency and leadership, endangering American democracy. Initially, he dismissed the severity of the virus, creating confusion and misinformation about handling the pandemic. His administration’s response to the pandemic was haphazard, ad hoc, and often contradictory, leading to further risks to public health and safety. By prioritizing political and economic interests over public health concerns, Trump undermined the democratic norms of protecting individual rights and public welfare.
Donald Trump’s presidency caused considerable concern with regard to being a threat to democracy. His aggressive rhetoric, attacks on the media, questioning of the legitimacy of free and fair elections, and disregard for independent institutions like the judiciary all invoked fear that he was undermining the democratic norms and values that uphold America’s government.
Trump’s behavior created a division in society, with many people turning a blind eye to his actions and others becoming increasingly concerned about the future of American democracy, particularly regarding civil liberties, voter suppression, and the subversion of checks and balances within the government. Trump’s intentional use of misinformation and conspiracy theories furthered his power and damaged democracy.
Trump’s presidency showed the potential for democracy to be threatened when norms and values are disregarded for political gain. Though it is still too early to understand the long-term consequences of his presidency. We can say that the potential for damage posed to democratic institutions and values is significant, and it requires ongoing attention to ensure that democracy can remain vibrant and resilient. But the immediate problem is that his damaging influence on our society has continued since he left office and possibly increased.
On April 5, 2023, Donald Trump was arraigned in a New York court on charges related to his company’s financial dealings. Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges. Later that evening, he made a fiery speech at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, denouncing the charges against him and criticizing the justice system.
Trump’s arraignment in New York was a significant legal development for the former president. Despite his repeated assertions of innocence, he now faces serious criminal charges that could result in a conviction and prison time. The charges against him include fraud and conspiracy, and they stem from his company’s financial activities.
In his speech at Mara Lago, Trump denounced the charges against him as politically motivated and baseless. He criticized the justice system and accused his political opponents of seeking to harm him. His speech was delivered to an enthusiastic audience of supporters who cheered his statements.
While many of Trump’s supporters continue to view him as an innocent victim of a political witch hunt, others see his fiery rhetoric as a dangerous attack on the institutions of democracy. Some legal analysts have criticized Trump for attempting to undermine the justice system and politicizing his legal troubles.
Overall, Trump’s arraignment and speech at Mara Lago represent a significant moment in his ongoing legal battles and the broader political landscape. The former president’s words and actions will likely continue to be analyzed and debated in the coming months and years.
However, a general overview of the legal charges, suits, and complaints against Donald Trump from 1970 to 2020 reflects a lawlessness pattern extending for over five decades. Donald Trump has been involved in numerous lawsuits, legal battles, and complaints throughout his life, particularly as a businessman and, later, as the President of the United States.
Here are some of the notable legal charges, suits, and complaints against Donald Trump:
The 1970s – In 1973, the Trump Management Corporation was sued by the U.S. Justice Department for alleged racial discrimination against black people in its properties. The case was settled with an agreement that Trump and his company would not discriminate against minorities.
The 1980s – Trump was embroiled in several business and personal lawsuits, including a tax fraud investigation that he eventually settled and several high-profile divorce cases.
The 1990s – In 1991, a Trump casino in Atlantic City filed for bankruptcy, and he was involved in several financial and real estate-related lawsuits during the decade.
The 2000s – Despite his claims of success as a businessman, Trump’s casino empire experienced a series of bankruptcies, and he was involved in several legal battles, including a fraud case regarding Trump University.
The 2010s – During this decade, Trump faced multiple lawsuits and legal battles related to his presidency, including the Russian interference investigation, the Stormy Daniels hush money case, and the impeachment trial in 2019.
2020 – In 2020, Trump was accused of sexual assault by former model E. Jean Carroll, which he denied. He was impeached for the second time after the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.
Overall, Trump has been involved in numerous legal battles throughout his life, and his presidency was not an exception. While many legal actions against him were settled or dismissed, others had serious implications for his career and presidency.
Finally, this man, and his adverse influence, is not just a recent phenomenon or a current problem but a public plague that has survived without consequences for multiple decades. Since he left the White House, the contagion of this plague has now infected the US Congress and state governments across the country. In recent weeks, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green, on the floor of Congress, has called for a “national divorce.†or a succession of red states from the Union. The alarms are blaring. The question is what the country will do in response to the approaching storm.
Vernon M. Robinson
Author of All Men are Created