Just six months ago, The Economist called the American economy the envy of the world. The stock market was booming. Now, Trump’s misguided, unpredictable, and high tariffs threaten a trade war with China, persistent inflation, and a high likelihood of recession.
Unfortunately, the tariff fiasco was just one among many crises that have come to a head this month.
The constitutional crisis all Americans fear is here. A battle between the executive and judicial branches is underway, with the fate of democracy in the balance. If Trump continues to defy the courts, it will reduce the rule of law to lawlessness. This, we cannot tolerate.
A police state is expanding across the country. ICE is not merely a Gestapo targeting undocumented immigrants, but legal immigrants with documents, permanent residents (green card holders), and soon, if Trump has his way, even U.S. citizens.
Trump’s authoritarian behavior seeks to dominate an ever-broadening group. Acting like a New York Mafia don, he first bullied the easiest targets — trans people, immigrants, and journalists. He revoked the security details from “disloyal” former political appointees and political opponents, and stripped security clearances from high profile political figures, and intelligence and security officials. Then he attacked big law firms who represented clients he dislikes and universities that allow constitutionally allowed political free speech. Finally, he is extorting countries—both allies and the financially vulnerable (e.g., Mexico and Canada), but also disastrously, China.
Tyrants can only govern if we the people submit. The April 5th Hands-Off! protest must serve as the beginning of our resistance. When Trump creates or exaggerates a crisis (emergency) — manufactured or real — to justify extraordinary powers, silence dissent, and tighten control over society and institutions, we must see it for what it is — the oldest trick in the dictator’s book. And we must resist.
Justin F. Thulin, Salt Lake City
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