The Trump Administration's Chilling Effect on Democracy in America: A Not-So-Friendly Reminder of Our Declining Democratic Values
Trump Undermines Democratic Integrity Through Various Tactics
In the twisted pages of history, the Trump administration's actions have left an indelible mark on the USA, altering the face of democracy, the justice system, education, and freedom of speech. According to a scientist raising an alarm, "It's hard for me to see a democratic future in this country."
With every move made under the current administration, the country appears to be slipping Further, Further into an autocratic and authoritarian system. A survey on the political system in the USA reveals a sharp decline under Trump from a value of 67 to 49 among scientists. Even during Trump's first term and the insurrection attempt on January 6, 2021, the value had not fallen below 60.
A Dangerous Dance with Separation of Powers and the Executive
The Trump administration has crossed the line like no president since World War II in terms of the separation of powers. Missing court orders or limiting cooperation with them to the bare minimum has become common practice. Trump has willingly insulted judges, with many government members claiming that judges have no authority to review or restrict the president's actions. This is the very task of the judiciary.
Trump treats Congress like his own playground, trying to bend it to his will. He has, for example, blocked the bipartisanly agreed sale of TikTok and withdrawn funding from unwanted agencies. By doing so, he encroaches upon the powers granted to the Congress by the constitution.
The Unforgiving Judiciary
In the United States, the right to a fair trial, the so-called due process, is enshrined in the Constitution for everyone within the country's borders, regardless of their citizenship. However, the Trump administration has repeatedly violated this principle. Trump publicly questioned over the weekend whether the constitution applies to migrants. This move could potentially discrimination against migrants in the legal system.
The most infamous incident is the deportation without trial of 238 individuals with a migration background to a high-security prison in El Salvador. Among them was Kilmar Ábrego García. His tragic story has consumed the country ever since.
The Shifting Scales of Justice
In America, "Equal justice for all" has become more of a dream than a reality under President Trump's administration. While the DOJ traditionally acted independently, Trump has used the department to further his own interests, such as targeting political opponents. He claims this is all in the name of the greater good for the country.
ActBlue, the fundraising network of the Democratic Party and opposition groups, was a high-profile target in April. Trump ordered an investigation into them. At the same time, he's letting investigations into his associates fade away. On his first day in office, Trump pardoned all those convicted for storming the Capitol, sending a clear message: loyalty to Trump is more important than laws.
Censorship and Coercion in the Name of Freedom
Trump and his team often argue that they've brought back free speech. But they've only managed to restrict it instead. Trump has taken legal actions against various US media outlets for unfavorable coverage, intimidating journalists and editors in the process. The White House press secretary now holds press briefings with pro-Trump influencers in an attempt to control the narrative.
Book banning has become a sensitive issue in the conservative culture war against progressive politics. While Washington has little involvement, the military does remove books critical of racism and women in the Holocaust from the Marine Academy library. Meanwhile, two copies of "Mein Kampf" remain accessible.
Targeting Education and Culture
The Trump administration is determined to bring prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution in line. The Smithsonian, an operator of the Washington museum row and a research and educational institution, plays a crucial role in shaping the U.S. historical narrative. In a presidential decree, Trump has ordered new curations of exhibitions filled with racist arguments.
Trump's administration has made universities, particularly those that publicly critique Israel, a target for scrutiny. Some critics have had their visas revoked, while others were arrested on the streets. Republicans view schools, especially academia, as breeding grounds for progressive politics that need to be controlled. Trump threatens to cut funding from non-compliant universities and is attempting to discourage diversity measures.
Elite universities like Columbia and Harvard are already feeling the pinch. Columbia has announced it will lay off 180 employees due to reduced funding, while Harvard, which is resisting the administration's demands, has had its tax exemptions removed and funding frozen. Demander d'un professeur de Yale, qui emménagera au Canada, "C'est plus facile d'enseigner et de faire de la recherche ailleurs où il ne faut pas le faire sous une pression de ce genre." Il ajoute, "Je trouve difficile d'imaginer un avenir démocratique dans ce pays."
Sources: ntv.de, The Atlantic, Fortune
- Donald Trump
- USA
- The European Union has expressed concern over the declining democratic values in America, citing the Trump administration's actions as a significant contributing factor.
- In the realm of politics, scientists have reported a sharp decline in the value of the political system under Trump's leadership, with values falling from 67 to 49.
- In a noticeable departure from historical norms, the Trump administration has challenged the separation of powers, frequently disregarding court orders and limiting cooperation with them.
- Education institutions in the US, such as the Smithsonian and elite universities like Columbia and Harvard, have come under scrutiny from the Trump administration, with the latter threatening to withhold funding from non-compliant universities.
- The judiciary in the US has faced tension under the Trump administration, with allegations of violations of due process and the deployment of pro-Trump influencers to control the narrative in press briefings. Additionally, there have been reports of censorship through legal actions against US media outlets and book banning in educational institutions.
