In 1787, seven Founding Fathers took on the humble task of trying to form a more perfect Union, one that ensured Justice, domestic Tranquility, and the Blessings of Liberty. However imperfect the execution of this mission, one may say it was certainly an act of pioneerism, demonstrating to their colonial and monarchical forefathers that freedom of speech was, to a certain extent, able to be procured.
Concepts of government previously unseen and untried were implemented in the Constitution of this Union, all for the sole purpose of protecting the liberties of its people against the potentiality of a tyrannical government. Separation of powers to divide the responsibilities of government; checks and balances to prohibit any one branch of government from becoming too powerful; limited government to ensure a government chosen by the people isn’t able to plot against the people.
And I daresay that for a solid 220 years or so, the enactment of these ideals were successful; the Constitutional concepts ensured a government unable to provide one faction, one person, or one branch too much power. However, times are changing. Humanity is being subjected to situations unseen and previously unthinkable, forcing us to adapt at increasingly rapid paces. Information, and particularly disinformation, can reach the brains of millions in a matter of seconds, causing the rise of dangerous individuals, able to manipulate a system out-of-function in modern society for their own gain. We need to be able to entertain the thought that, leading up to the arguably most important presidential elections to date, a 237 year old document can no longer serve the purpose it was intended to serve: securing the civil liberties of Americans.
Nothing fulfills this prophecy more accurately than the ability of a former President to inhibit more political control now than he had during his actual presidency. After the previously limited reach of his branch was cut off in the 2020 election, he has decided to grow an entirely new tree, one that can reach about as far as he wants it too (that is, to infinity and beyond).
Former president Trump recently coerced his Congressional group of loyal “yes sir”s to vote against a foreign aid package providing crucial financial aid to Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as border security provisions. The reason? He didn’t want the Biden presidency to experience a win on immigration. And so, Trump’s tree stretched and flexed its branch all the way over to Congress, blurring the line between legislative and executive power.
“When former President Trump says something, everybody listens. Everybody.” - Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas)
Not only does Trump’s ultra loyal base extend to Capitol Hill, but The Supreme Court Building over at One First Street, NE, also seems to have come down with a case of “Separation of Powers, who’s that?” Namely, Judge Clarence Thomas’ wife Ginni Thomas, a conservative activist supportive of the Trump presidency, took ample steps in participating in the effort to overturn the 2020 election results. Days after Biden’s presidential victory had been called, Thomas emailed two Arizona lawmakers, urging them to “choose a clean slate of Electors” and “stand strong in the face of political and media pressure.” As Trump now attempts to appeal for presidential immunity in facing potential prosecution for his tries to stay in power, a case which may end up in the hands of SCOTUS, I think it is duly responsible of us all to question the motives of a judge closely interlinked with the man on trial. There Trump goes again, erasing the boundaries sacred to the perseverance of a more perfect Union.
Sources
Balsamo, Michael, and Farnoush Amiri. “1/6 Chairman: Ginni Thomas Reiterates False Election Claims.” AP News, AP News, 2 Oct. 2022, apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-us-supreme-court-clarence-thomas-virginia-government-and-politics-3b4102509ef93bc37d24d7c8fd79ba80.
Brangham, William, and Matt Loffman. “Trump Denied Presidential Immunity in Election Interference Case, Court Rules.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 6 Feb. 2024, www.pbs.org/newshour/show/trump-denied-presidential-immunity-in-election-interference-case-court-rules.
“Republicans in Congress Are Bending to Trump’s Demands. Some Are Frustrated.” POLITICO, www.politico.com/news/2024/02/02/trump-congressional-republicans-influence-00139061. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024.
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