We’ve gotten a good idea of what Donald Trump would do if given a second chance in the White House. It looks a lot like he means to give himself the power and unchecked authority of a strongman.
Trump would purge the federal government of as many civil servants as possible and install political and ideological loyalists whose fealty to his interests would stand far and above their commitment to either the rule of law or the Constitution.
Trump plans to turn the Department of Justice against his political opponents, prosecuting his critics and rivals. He would use the military to crush protests under the Insurrection Act and turn the power of the federal government against his perceived enemies.
To quote him:“We pledge to you that we will root out the Communists, Marxists, Fascists, and Radical Left Thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country, lie, steal, and cheat on Elections, and will do anything possible, whether legally or illegally, to destroy America, and the American dream.”
And, he hopes to institute a program of mass detainment and deportation of undocumented immigrants. His aides have already drawn up plans for new detention centers at the U.S.-Mexico border, where anyone suspected of illegal entry would be held until authorities have settled the person’s immigration status.
Trump has said that the government should “remove” homeless Americans and put them in tents.
It is important to take the words of both presidents and presidential candidates seriously as well as literally.
Remember he said he would “build a wall,” and he tried to build a wall. He said he would try to keep Muslims out of the country, and he tried to keep Muslims out of the country. He said he would do as much as he could to restrict immigration from Mexico, and he did as much as he could, and then some, to restrict immigration from Mexico.
He has allies, who are as open in their contempt for democracy as Trump is. Trump’s political and ideological allies have made no secret of their desire to install a reactionary Caesar at the head of the American state.
Much of what we want to know is in plain view. You don’t have to search hard or seek it out; you just have to listen.
And Donald Trump is telling us, loud and clear, that he wants to end American democracy as we know it.