MAGA folks refused to see the criminal attacks against democracy throughout his presidency. Congressional Republicans — primarily those in the House of Representatives — accuse the United States legal system of treating the former president without the special deference his position demands. They assert the justice department is singling him out at the behest of President Joe Biden.
Their claim lacks substance. First, their contempt for the Biden administration is palpable. They insist that the U.S. justice system holding a former president lawfully accountable for crimes against democracy is akin to how banana republics treat ex-presidents.
However, their assertion is perplexing since it does not apply. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, it is a derogatory term for a county with an economy dependent solely on revenue from exporting a single product or commodity.
Typically, people use the term banana republic when describing countries in Latin America with unstable economies and political systems.
Despite outward appearances, the American economy is sound. Moreover, America’s two-party political system may appear unstable, but it is not. In fact, most of the loudest and most combative politicians participated in the failed coup on Jan. 6, 2021. They are the Freedom Caucus, and despite claiming to be Christian, Trump is their deity. As a practicing Christian, I find their devotion to him nauseating. And I join others who believe their determination to destroy democracy and continually broaden governmental division is unconscionable.
Political Lynching or Repairing Democracy
Trump began his 77th birthday by pleading guilty to a 37-count indictment for imperiling democracy while mishandling and hoarding classified documents.
Afterward, he delivered a fiery speech in which Trump declared he was the only one who could save this nation, just like the authoritarian leaders he frequently praises.
In 2019, Trump used the term political lynching while complaining about the House’s impeachment hearing to remove him from the presidency. His followers repeated the phrase while complaining about those who mistreat their president, including former Vice President Mike Pence. During the attempted coup on Jan. 6, 2021, the multitude of discontented Trump followers brought a scaffold and noose to hang Trump’s second in command because he refused to violate the U.S. Constitution.
Instead, Americans are calling for repairing our democracy. However, change is necessary; people must return to civility when discussing our differences but leave a space for meaningful debate over our differences. Additionally, politicians and their followers commit to the rule of law and respect the rights of women, marginalized groups, and immigrants. Meanwhile, every democracy hater, obstructionist, and insurrectionist must be removed from state and federal office: Either impeached or voted out.
Furthermore, Americans do not need a president who hates the nation, the U.S. Constitution, and a functioning government. Instead, citizens want a strong leader who invests in the nation’s future leadership by investing in civic education.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
Rolling Stone: Trump Plots Revenge Against Biden in Unhinged Post-Arrest Speech; by Nikki McCann Ramirez
Encyclopedia Britannica: Banana Republic
Freedom House: Policy Recommendations: Strengthening Democracy
Featured and Top Image by Clay Banks Courtesy of Unsplash
First Inset Image by Fred Moon Courtesy of Unsplash
Second Inset Image by Lucas Franco Courtesy of Unsplash
