The US has been hailed as the home of democracy for a long time. Indeed, it has lived up to democratic ideals. Most people regard the US as the most equal country on earth. Simply put, the land of opportunity.
This has endured the test of time, even during the most difficult times. However, the election of Donald Trump as US President in November 2016 fundamentally changed the US as we knew it.
Ideally, US presidents have stuck to established tradition and shown fidelity to the US Constitution and laws. Not for Donald Trump.
From the moment he took oath of office on January 20, 2017, Trump chose to upset the cart. He became more of a renegade in the White House, purposefully doing things in unconventional ways that alarmed Americans.
Trump harbours an aversion for the media, which he calls fake news.
The casual manner in which he handled Covid-19 infections in the US has resulted in the loss of more than 361,297 lives to date.
Trump does not to trust anybody, indiscriminately firing and humiliating those who displease him.
Not surprisingly though, Trump’s worst manifested following his electoral defeat to president-elect Joe Biden, an opponent he despised, in November 2020.
To date, Trump has adamantly refused to acknowledge and concede defeat. His attitude has shocked many, including Republican colleagues, especially following his futile attempts to disparage and dispute the election outcome in several courts despite lack of concrete evidence of electoral malpractice.
Shockingly, Trump is accused of encouraging his followers to carry out an attack on The Capitol building in Washington on Wednesday.
That was an unprecedented low in American history. Chaotic scenes in which Trump supporters ran amok portrayed the US as a failed democracy.
There is irony in this because hitherto, most Americans have considered such madness a preserve of failed democracies in Africa.
Trump should not be allowed to bring down what took the US three centuries to build. The fidelity of successive American presidents to their constitution has never been in question, which is why relevant American institutions should take legal action against a president who has gone rogue in an attempt to defend the indefensible.
It is hard to tell what Trump could do next in his remaining days as president, which could hurt the whole world. US legislators who still believe in the greatness of America as a beacon of democracy should take Trump to task.
Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join