Trump and his Authoritarianism
“We should lock him up,”(1) he said of his political challenger.
These are not the words of Russia’s Putin. Or Chile’s Pinochet. These are the words of U.S. President Donald Trump! Trump actually suggested that Joe Biden, his political challenger for the presidency of the United States, should be imprisoned. Trump also argued that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton should be in prison. In October 2020, Trump complained to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, “Where are all the arrests?” (2) The usually compliant Barr did not act on Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional demands. Trump also repeatedly suggested that he would not agree to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost the presidential election.
Apparently, Trump had the wrong idea about the power of a U.S. President. And the form of government in the United States. These words were a red flag about Trump’s governance, character, and intentions.
Why would any U.S. citizen think such words are appropriate? Words matter. Especially the words of a U.S. President. Perhaps Trump supporters were confused about their own country. About Trump. About the nature of a democratic society. Did they actually listen to Trump and think about his words? Were they in denial? Now that Trump’s reign of terror is over, will his supporters finally comprehend their misplaced support? To any thinking U.S. citizen, the words of Trump are anything but American. In fact, Trump’s words are reminiscent of past and current despots. Hitler. Stalin. And Kim Jong Un.
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Updated January 13, 2020
