As the second Trump administration continues to foment chaos, it has become clear that the president and his advisors are intent on suborning both Congress and the judiciary to its power. On day 75 since inauguration, the genie is out of the bottle – the horrible truth is that the American people have elected an anti-democratic authoritarian to the White House. In short, Trump personifies the evil unhinged Joker of pulp fiction.*
The current controversy involving Kilmer Abrego Garcia in violation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act appears to be unconstitutional on two counts. Mr. Garcia is neither an enemy nor is the United States at war with Venezuela, El Salvador or any other Latin American country. Further, the president and his executive branch lackeys seem to be in direct violation of the recent Supreme Court order to “facilitate” Mr. Garcia’s return to the United States. I defer to the legal community for the definitive word, but, to me, it looks like a constitutional crisis brought on by a wannabe dictator.
Yesterday’s announcement by Harvard University that it would not cooperate with the Trump administration’s demands that it make changes to its governance, admissions and hiring practices was a major announcement, especially coming after Columbia and other elite universities had cowered under the government’s threats. The Administration has aggressively threatened to cut funds to these universities using the guise of anti-semitism to attack diversity programs and alleged liberal education that Trump and his supporters don’t like. These actions reveal an effort by the federal government to define and control education for its purposes. Academic freedom, free speech, and the very independence of private universities is at stake.**
There is no shortage of examples of Trump’s authoritarian behavior. He has abused his constitutional power and continually threatens mainline media, the judiciary, and private citizens who challenge him or refuse to bow to his demands. So far he has governed largely using executive orders and has made little effort to pass significant legislation or develop consensus among policy makers. Everything deploys from the White House, take it or leave it.
The genie is out of the bottle, watching and waiting is over, the die is cast. Our Hindenburgs have been dispatched.