Trump’s Acquittal: The Fragility of U.S. Democracy

The U.S. stands as a shining beacon of democracy. But with Trump’s actions and acquittal in two impeachment trials the bar is certainly low.

It (low bar) provides an avenue for future Presidents and other leaders in the world to follow – call an election rigged and ask a mob or military to take charge. That must have been Trump’s plan all along – for the mob to run riot and the U.S. army to intervene, stop the rioting, declare martial law and re-install Trump as President. The latter did not happen – thanks to the military.

The 57 votes against Trump fell short of the two-thirds needed to convict him. Trump can run for President again unless other legal suits put him in jail.

 

Source: https://apnews.com

 

The GOP has stuck with Trump. Every misdemeanour, assault on democracy is brushed aside for political expediency. Do they hold their oath of office sacrosanct? No, it can be justified as partisan politics. But his followers or rioters won’t be so lucky – they will face charges and jail terms. And the boss, at least on incitement is acquitted.

It is like Adolf Hitler, deemed as not guilty of the Holocaust while his nincompoops are executed. I know that is extreme but for a shining beacon to fall, what hope is there for other fledgling democracies – especially in Myanmar or Malaysia? How could one “moralize” about China – in Tibet or Xinjiang? Or, India on Kashmir? America has lost its high moral ground – it is as good as a third world democracy. The standards now set could be followed by other U.S. Presidents, Senators or Congressperson when they do fail to get elected.

But how could America restore its light? There needs to be brave steps to be taken by the GOP, the election process and reforms to the constitution. No one should be allowed to say an election is “rigged” if it has certified validation. Such an allegation must be seen as “treachery” in the context of the U.S.. The “free” press in the U.S. cannot remain blind to an obvious incitement by an irrational, demented leader.

Racism and the religious right cannot “carry-on” as if nothing has happened. Corporations must stop donating to parties that promote bigotry and downright lies. Social media must stop giving a platform for bigots, autocrats and crazies!

The Republican Party must do its own “soul search” and re-model its future. If “Trumpism” remains its central core, then the future could be bleak for the GOP and America.

(This contribution is political in nature and we make no apologies – Washington has fallen, and we and the world are impacted by it!)

 

Reference:

With Trump’s acquittal, the fragility of America’s democracy is even more clear, Perry Bacon Jr., Five ThirtyEight, Feb 13, 2021