Trump’s threat to American democracy and the global fallout
IN 2023 Barack Obama made the following comment, “Our existing democratic institutions are creaky, and we’re going to have to reform them”. A recent statement attributed to American Black Tennis star, Coco Gauff, if not a product of fake news, reflects the state of American Democracy and needed to have been said by someone. If by Coco, then hats off to her: “The America I love that’s been a beacon of hope and liberty around the world is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent racist, reckless and treasonous Administration”.
Jasmine Crocket, US representative for a Texas Congressional district, sees it as “Democracy in free fall”! Although we look at Trump’s anti-democratic tendencies, we have to realise that this is facilitated by Congress. And it took, of all persons, King Charles III in an address to Congress to remind them that they were a citadel of America, to represent the voice of the American people to advance sacred rights and freedoms, and in fact not to bow to a leader who infringed those rights. To remind them that everyone, including the king is subject to law. He reminded them of the Magna Carta of 1215, “a product of the common democratic, legal and social conditions in which our governance is rooted to this day.” He reminded them, too, that “it is here in these very halls that this spirit of liberty and the promise of America’s founders is present”. Those probably meant little to those Republican yard fowls of President Donald Trump. But of all persons to take them back to their roots is the King of England!
America has what I care to call a very chequered history. They have had “Bad, Good and Ugly” presidents, but none, I feel, like Trump. I am quite amused when commentators are invited on the US media to analyse Trump’s many meanderings. To me, he is not mentally stable. Apart from securing millions in finances for his family, I am not sure what else guides him. He is aided by the fact that he is head of the World’s leading military and economic power. It gives him leg room to wriggle his way in and out, mystifying many leaders by his actions, his contradictions and his disregard for the norms and customary principles. During the visit of the King and Queen of England, he pushed himself ahead of Queen Camilla and King Charles to shake the hands of his own cabinet members. Protocol means nothing to him, as does the constitution that is supposed to guide him in his work. Family interests supersedes everything else.
The presence of Don Junior and Eric Trump in China during his visit speaks volumes. As he pushes his family interests nothing bothers him, not his cowardly and disgraceful actions. The fact that his family has reaped millions- or rather billions of dollars means little to him.
They voted for him so let no damn dog bark! When asked about the impact on the American financial situation, he plainly said it was not in his thoughts.What he was concerned about was that Iran should not have nuclear weapons, granted he dished the deal that Obama had organised and attacked Iran while discussions were being held.
What were some of his anti-democratic actions?
Among them, weaponising of the Justice Department.
Although not made permanent as yet by Congress, he has declared that the US Department of Defence is now the Department of War, with the Secretary of Defence being the Secretary of War.This is a man who badly wanted to get the Nobel Prize for Peace!
His total disregard for court orders, his intimidation of election officials, targeting of the Press, his attack on academia; he seeks to restore ‘truth and sanity in American history.” He gave an Executive Order removing the US from the World Health Organisation. He seeks to end Birthright Citizenship. He tries not to be guided by the Constitution. Venezuela he now wants to be the 51st state of the US.There are a host of others that can be pointed to. Many of his Executive Orders are challenged in Court but yet he persists.
Many are hoping that he (Republicans) lose both Houses of Congress in the November mid-term elections. I will not bet on that despite his low polls.
While all of that is happening the global fall-out is becoming clear, including some of the Middle Eastern countries that suffered for having accommodated US bases on their land. Canada has been taking the lead in paving a way for Middle Countries to Act, having concluded that the Old International Order has been wrecked by Trump.The US President who had imposed heavy tariffs on China is in that country seeking help in opening the Strait of Hormuz, in trying to attract Chinese investment in the US, and seeking markets for American products that were victims of Chinese reaction to Trump’s crazy tariffs. Trump has declared XI Jinping a great leader.
“You are a great leader.
Sometimes people don’t like me saying so, but I say it anyway because its true.”
Xi Jinping has made it clear that there can be a clash over the Taiwan issue.
After joining Israel with an attack on Iran and back peddling on support for Ukraine, how can he answer Xi Jinping while retaining the US’s commitment to Taiwan. Trump is in dirty waters. Certainly not wading. He might need help, but from whom?
l Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian
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