The Guardian view on Trump and the law: a restraint on the executive is morphing into its weapon | Editorial

StackStork

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In his recently emboldened second term, Donald Trump has made it clear who he believes saves his country - himself. The former president's latest foray into lawmaking comes as millions of Americans are expected to take to the streets on Saturday in a show of resistance against what they perceive as an overreach by the executive branch.

The Supreme Court's 2022 ruling on presidential immunity has undoubtedly given Trump the powers of a monarch, sparking fears that America is careening towards "competitive authoritarianism." This phenomenon involves elections and courts being systematically manipulated to serve the interests of the executive. The erosion of democratic norms is particularly alarming when considering the president's history of stacking the judiciary with loyalists, pardoning those who assaulted police during the January 6 riots, and ignoring rulings that restrain his own actions.

The situation has grown increasingly dire, as Trump's administration continues to abuse the justice system for political purposes. The prosecution of high-profile figures like former national security adviser John Bolton and New York Attorney General Letitia James is a stark illustration of this trend. Even former FBI Director James Comey, who was under whose watch the agency investigated Russia's interference in the 2016 election, has been indicted for allegedly making false statements to Congress.

Trump himself seems to be reveling in his newfound freedom from accountability, having urged Pam Bondi, the attorney general, to take action against Ms. James and Mr. Comey on social media. His tweet, which was apparently published unintentionally, read: "They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!" The chilling tone of this statement serves as a stark reminder that Trump views himself as above the law.

While the prosecution of Mr. Bolton does mark a departure from the typical pattern of politicization, it was pursued under the Biden administration and by a career prosecutor. Nonetheless, the administration's attitude towards accountability remains woefully unresponsive. The recent case involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in which he shared classified information with relatives and journalists via a commercial messaging app, is a glaring example of this.

Trump has made a concerted effort to turn his personal vendetta into a rallying cry for his supporters. His campaign slogan, "I am your retribution," has proven remarkably effective. A recent survey revealed that a third of Republicans believe that American citizens who oppose the president should be deported. The administration's ability to tap into this sentiment is a testament to Trump's skill at manipulating public opinion.

The protests scheduled for Saturday have been framed by the administration as a threat to order, a desperate attempt to stifle dissent and maintain its grip on power. This tactic is all too familiar for those who have watched Trump's career with concern. The erosion of democratic safeguards is not just a worrying trend; it represents an existential threat to the very foundations of American democracy.

As Americans prepare to take to the streets, they must recognize that this crisis is far from over. The Trump administration's weaponisation of the justice system has created a toxic environment in which accountability is increasingly seen as a personal affront rather than a constitutional requirement. It remains to be seen whether the American people will continue to resist this assault on democratic norms or if the country will succumb to a rule by law that prioritises executive power above all else.
 
๐Ÿคฏ I'm literally shaking with anxiety thinking about what's going down in America right now... the fact that Trump thinks he's above the law and can just tweet his way out of accountability is straight up terrifying ๐Ÿšจ๐Ÿ’ฅ. It's not just about him, it's about the whole system being rigged against the people ๐Ÿค–๐Ÿ‘Ž. The protests this weekend are a necessary reminder that we still have a voice and need to use it to fight for our democracy ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿฝ๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ. We can't let the Trump administration silence us or turn us into sheep who just take whatever they dish out ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ˜’.
 
๐Ÿคฏ I donโ€™t usually comment but it's wild how far out of touch Trump is from reality... he really thinks being impeached and indicted 5 times means nothing?!? The dude needs help, or like, some serious therapy sessions ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ. And can we talk about the "I am your retribution" slogan? It's literally just a recipe for disaster ๐Ÿ˜ฌ. What's next, is he gonna try to silence the media and declare himself king ๐Ÿ‘‘?
 
Man I'm getting really worried about the state of politics in this country right now ๐Ÿค• Trump's complete disregard for the law is insane and it's like he thinks he's above accountability. The fact that a third of Republicans think their citizens should be deported just because they disagree with him is straight up terrifying ๐Ÿ˜ฑ.

And can we talk about how his admin is using the justice system to silence dissenting voices? It's like they're trying to stifle free speech and limit our ability to hold them accountable. I mean, I get that people are angry and frustrated, but this kind of rhetoric and behavior is just not okay ๐Ÿ˜’.

I'm hoping the protests on Saturday can bring some attention to this issue and make people realize that we need to stand up for what's right even if it's hard ๐Ÿ’ช. But at the same time, I'm also thinking about how long this will take and whether our politicians are actually willing to listen and change their ways ๐Ÿค”.

It feels like we're living in a "what's going on world" moment where everything is just so polarized and toxic ๐ŸŒช๏ธ. Can't we all just try to find some common ground and work towards solutions that benefit everyone? ๐Ÿคž
 
can't believe what's happening in this country ๐Ÿคฏ. trump's actions are giving us a bad taste in our mouth ๐ŸŒฎ. how can someone think they're above the law? it's scary to see the system being manipulated like this ๐Ÿšซ. protesters on saturday are doing the right thing, we need to stand up for what's fair and just ๐Ÿ’ช. hope everyone stays safe and peaceful during the protests ๐Ÿ™
 
omg can't believe what's going down with trump ๐Ÿคฏ he's literally making it clear that he thinks he's above the law and honestly it's super concerning... I mean we've seen some questionable things from him in the past but this is on a whole different level ๐Ÿ’” his actions are basically undermining democracy itself and it's like, what's next? will they start arresting people for having opposing opinions? ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ
 
omg u guys can u believe trump is literally saying he's above the law ๐Ÿคฏ๐Ÿ‘ฎโ€โ™‚๏ธ like what even is this man's problem with accountability? i mean i get it he's been dealing with a lot of scrutiny since leaving office but honestly it just looks like he's trying to cling to power and no one can stop him ๐Ÿ’”. and that recent tweet of his where he's all "justice must be served now!!!" is literally giving me anxiety ๐Ÿ˜ฉ. i mean i get what he's saying in theory but when you put it into practice like this it just feels so... authoritarian ๐Ÿšซ. i'm really scared for the future of our country rn ๐Ÿ˜Ÿ
 
omg what's going on with trump? ๐Ÿคฏ his admin is so out of control it's like they think they're above the law lol imagine being able to pardon yourself and then tweeting about how you're above accountability ๐Ÿค‘ anyway i'm lowkey worried that if we don't stand up against this now we'll be stuck with a dictatorship for real ๐Ÿšซ can't believe he's trying to make "retribution" sound like some kinda cool thing idk what kind of dark magic he's using but it's not working on me ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธ
 
omg can't believe trump's getting away with all this ๐Ÿคฏ like who needs accountability when you're a repub? anyway, it's super concerning that america's slipping into authoritarian territory and i'm low-key worried about the future of our democracy ๐Ÿค• gotta keep those protest vibes alive on saturday ๐Ÿ’ช
 
this guy trumps gotta love himself some immunity ๐Ÿ™„ like, what's next? declaring himself king of usa 2025? lol anywayz, it's like america is slowly becoming a dictatorship and i'm not mad about it... just kidding (kinda) seriously tho, protests on sat are gonna be lit ๐Ÿ”ฅ let's hope americans rise up and take back their country from trumps narcissistic grasp ๐Ÿ™
 
๐Ÿšจ๐Ÿ‘ฎโ€โ™‚๏ธ Trump's actions are giving me major vibes of a banana republic ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ˜ฌ. He thinks he can just dictate what's good for America and get away with it? Newsflash, Donny: the Constitution doesn't care about your feelings ๐Ÿ˜’. If we don't stand up to this authoritarian nonsense, we risk losing everything we hold dear ๐Ÿ’”.

And can someone please explain to me why Trump gets a free pass on accountability ๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™‚๏ธ? He's been accused of some shady stuff and yet he still has the nerve to tweet about how "justice" is being served ๐Ÿ˜ก. It's time for some real accountability, not just some watered-down version that makes him look good ๐Ÿ‘Š.

The fact that a third of Republicans want to deport people who oppose Trump is straight-up terrifying ๐Ÿ˜จ. How did we become so polarized? We need to come together and demand better from our leaders ๐Ÿค. This protest on Saturday feels like it's long overdue โ€“ let's make some noise and stand up for what's right! ๐Ÿ’ช
 
๐Ÿค” The specter of "competitive authoritarianism" is casting a long shadow over America's democratic institutions. Trump's actions, particularly with regards to judicial appointments and pardons, have legitimized an executive branch that operates outside the bounds of checks and balances. This pernicious trend threatens to erode the foundations of American democracy. ๐Ÿšจ The recent surge in protests is a necessary response to this overreach, and it's crucial for Americans to remain vigilant and resist any attempts to silence dissenting voices. We need to hold our elected officials accountable for their actions, and Trump's immunity from prosecution should be put to the test. ๐Ÿ’ช It's time to reclaim American democracy and restore the rule of law.
 
oh my gosh, this is getting super scary!! ๐Ÿ˜ฑ I'm literally shaking thinking about trump's actions and how they're affecting our country ๐Ÿค• he's basically saying he can do whatever he wants and get away with it, which is just not okay ๐Ÿ™…โ€โ™‚๏ธ I mean, come on, isn't there supposed to be some kind of accountability system in place? ๐Ÿค” the fact that he's being able to manipulate public opinion and turn his personal vendettas into a rallying cry for his supporters is just wild ๐Ÿ’ฅ we need to stand up against this and fight for our democracy ๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿ’ช let's get ready to take to those streets on Saturday and make some noise! ๐Ÿ’ƒ
 
The escalating crisis of authoritarian tendencies under Trump's presidency is nothing short of alarming ๐Ÿšจ. His actions are tantamount to a brazen attempt to consolidate power and undermine the very fabric of American democracy ๐Ÿ‘‘. The notion that he believes himself to be immune from accountability is not only laughable but also terrifying ๐Ÿ˜ฑ.

The recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity has enabled Trump's executive branch to operate with impunity, sparking fears of competitive authoritarianism ๐Ÿคฏ. This phenomenon poses a grave threat to the democratic norms and institutions that have held America together for centuries ๐ŸŒŽ.

As millions prepare to take to the streets in protest, it's crucial that Americans recognize this crisis as far from over โฐ. The Trump administration's systematic abuse of the justice system for political purposes is an existential threat to American democracy ๐Ÿšซ.

It's imperative that we hold our leaders accountable for their actions and demand transparency, rather than acquiescing to a rule by law that prioritizes executive power above all else ๐Ÿ’ช. The fate of American democracy hangs in the balance, and it's time to take action ๐Ÿ’ฅ.
 
omg dont think trumps gonna get away with this!!! hes making us all feel like we r in some sort of dystopian movie where the prez has no limits lol what even is competitive authoritarianism? sounds like his own personal brand of chaos ๐Ÿคฏ like wut happened to the rule of law anyway?? i mean, ppl are literally protesting cuz they think hes above the law and it cant be right ๐Ÿ’” so yeah, im all about taking a stand against this madness and hope our gov actually listens
 
๐Ÿšจ๐Ÿ’ฅ this whole thing is getting out of hand ๐Ÿคฏ trump's actions are making america look like a banana republic ๐ŸŒ with a supreme court that's basically just a rubber stamp for his antics ๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™‚๏ธ we need some serious reform ASAP โฐ and it needs to happen now before it's too late ๐Ÿ’ฅ

[Diagram: A simple mind map of the situation, with "Trump" at the center, surrounded by branches representing the erosion of democratic norms, manipulation of public opinion, and abuse of power ๐Ÿ“ˆ]

the fact that he's using social media to stir up his supporters is just a new level of scary ๐Ÿ˜ฑ it's like he's got some kind of cult following going on ๐Ÿคช we need to wake up, americans! โš ๏ธ

[ASCII art: A simple ASCII representation of a person waking up with their eyes open, symbolizing awareness and resistance ๐Ÿ”ฅ]
 
Trump thinks he's above the law and now everyone else is next ๐Ÿคฌ. The fact that he's basically running his own personal vendetta against ppl who crossed him & the justice system is just plain insane ๐Ÿคฏ. And to think people actually believe they should be deported if they don't like him? Get real, america ๐Ÿ™„. The protests this weekend are a sign that we won't let this slide by and Trump's getting a bad taste of his own medicine ๐Ÿ’‰.
 
๐Ÿคฏ Trump's obsession with himself is getting out of hand... it's like he thinks he's in a movie, you know? ๐ŸŽฌ Like that one scene where Harrison Ford's character says "I am your father"? ๐Ÿ˜‚ but instead, it's "I am your retribution" and he's trying to force it down everyone's throat. ๐Ÿคช the fact that a third of Republicans think their opposition should be deported is straight-up crazy talk... like what even is that? ๐Ÿ’ฅ
 
I'm getting super worried about what's happening in the US right now ๐Ÿคฏ. Trump's got these crazy powers and he's not afraid to use them, it's like he thinks he's above the law ๐Ÿ’ผ. I mean, who needs accountability when you can just make up your own rules? The fact that he's trying to whip up his base into a frenzy over this is just terrifying ๐Ÿ˜ฑ. And what's with all these people getting indicted and thrown in jail for doing their job? It's like Trump thinks the justice system should be used as some kind of tool to silence his enemies ๐Ÿšซ.

I'm not buying that he's just trying to stir up resistance from his supporters, it feels way more calculated than that ๐Ÿ’ก. And what about all these people who have been hurt by his actions? Don't they deserve some kind of justice or protection? The fact that the administration is so quick to stifle dissent and silence critics is just a major red flag ๐Ÿ”’.

I think we're seeing some seriously concerning signs here, folks ๐Ÿšจ. If this trend keeps up, it's going to be really hard for America to maintain its democratic values ๐Ÿค•. We need to stand up against Trump's abuse of power and demand that our leaders start taking accountability seriously again ๐Ÿ™.
 
man this guy trump is getting out of hand ๐Ÿคฏ he's basically saying he's above the law and it's like wow what kind of message does that send to the rest of us? i mean i get why people are mad but this level of defiance is crazy. and yeah the protests on saturday are gonna be huge ๐ŸŒŸ it's about time we stand up for our democracy and make some noise. but at the same time i'm worried about how far things will go. have we seen enough from the administration to know that they're really pushing the limits of what's acceptable? ๐Ÿค” either way it's time for us to take a stand and let our voices be heard ๐Ÿ‘Š
 
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