IT’S CALLED HYPOCRISY

HYPOCRISY OCCURS WHEN YOU ASK OTHERS TO LIVE UP TO A STANDARD YOU DO NOT LIVE UP TO YOURSELF.

DONALD TRUMP accuses the current administration of “weaponizing” the government, that is, using official government offices and programs against individuals and groups in inappropriate, biased, or even illegal ways. He argues that current government weaponization undermines his rights and stifles the reforms he believes could “Make America Great Again.” He speaks often against such practices. 

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Donald Trump rightly demands that weaponization of government end, yet he proposes a new administration that would escalate rather than terminate government weaponization.

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His proposals would make weaponization easier and more tempting for the Chief Executive by confiscating power from the Judicial and Legislative branches for the Chief Executive’s use and benefit.

His proposals include the promotion of weaponization by example, that is, by using government weaponization himself.

EXAMPLES: In an article titled “How Far Would Trump Go” in Time Magazine on April 30, 2024, Eric Cortellessa reported on Donald Trump’s plans.

1. Donald Trump says he might be willing to fire a U.S. Attorney who doesn’t carry out his order to prosecute someone.
   (Donald Trump has publicly promised retribution on his enemies. Threatening to fire a US attorney for refusing to prosecute one of those enemies would be an apparent attempt to override the independence and authority of the Judicial Branch in favor of the Chief Executive.)
   
2.  Donald Trump says he might be willing to use US military forces against undocumented immigrants.
   (This would be a clear weaponization of the Executive Branch since it would be contrary to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which removed the military from regular civil law enforcement)
   
3.  Donald Trump’s close advisors say he would, at his personal discretion, withhold funds appropriated by Congress. 
   (This could thwart the will of the legislative branch and weaponize funds by adding personal requirements to their release for use.)

Moves like these three may initially be wins for their sponsors. But suppose another candidate wins the 2024 election instead of him or maybe the election after that. These moves will give opponents examples and an excuse for even more severe weaponization of the government during their tenure. This cycle of escalating weaponization will erode the balance of powers in our government and move us ever closer toward the authoritarianism that many of our forefathers came here to escape and that our nation has kept at bay for nearly 250 years.

Weakening the checks and balances built into our form of democracy and weaponizing government against the will of the governed will not “Make America Great Again,” It could, however, “Make America Fail” as a democratic republic.

Let’s be the ones who GIVE UP HYPOCRISY and KEEP OUR DEMOCRACY. Let’s be the ones who de-weaponize government.

• Let’s be the ones who stand up for the balance of powers in our government.
• Let’s be the ones who stand against inappropriate, biased, or illegal applications of our laws against anyone. 
• Let’s be the ones who support representatives and leaders who will do the same in reality, not just in their speeches.

Grahan Rouse
Editor: ROUSEings.com
© GM Rouse 2024. All rights reserved.