How this isn’t a major news story, perhaps even dominating the narrative shows how thoroughly Trump has cowed even major media outlets. It also shows how close we are to losing the country we declared ourselves to be almost 250 years ago. Instead of a celebration of 250 years of Independence from England, Trump is setting the stage for turning into a ‘celebration’ of Monarchy. Headed by him.
In this short article from NBC News the headline tells the story. It states when asked if he has to uphold the Constitution Trump replied “I don’t know.” This isn’t some sick joke I’m making. Last month Marco Rubio was asked by Meet the Press if every person in the United States is entitled to Due Process. Rubio plainly responded “Yes, of course.” Contrast that with Kristen Welker of Meet the Press to pretty much the same question:
President Donald Trump argued in an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that fulfilling his ambitious campaign promise to rapidly carry out mass deportations may take precedence over giving immigrants the right to due process under the Constitution, as required by courts
Trump has pretty much said many times he doesn’t think the rules, or even the Constitution itself bind HIM. Now he’s trying to get away with ignoring those same things by playing dumb. Ok, so he actually IS a dumbass but even his sliding-into-dementia brain works well enough to know a few things. Starting with putting his hand on a bible and being sworn in. (I’ve said before things like said bible not bursting into flames is a good reason to be Agnostic – to doubt the existence of God) From the beginning every federal employee or military officer has taken damned near the same oath. The wording has changed (very) slightly, and enlisted military have additional language about obeying the (lawful) orders of those higher than them but all who’ve worked in some capacity for the federal government have to swear (or affirm) they will “Support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.”
However, the Constitution itself sets forth a higher standard for a President and therefore a more pointed Oath of Office. And not once, but twice to what history will remember as the everlasting shame of this country spoken the words the Chief Justice asked him to repeat. An Oath of Office much more than the general oath of ‘allegiance or fidelity.’ No, as spelled out in Article II, Section One, Clause 8 a President swears:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
That’s simple enough that even growing up I understood it. LBJ’s swearing in on the plane before Air Force One took off from Dallas with JFK’s body in the cargo hold wasn’t on TV. But until this year I’ve watched every Inauguration live. As someone who took the general Oath of Office both as a Marine and later as a civilian I can say I felt both honored and humbled by the words. Filled with a resolve to live them as I carried out my duties. To Trump, and most conservatives/Republicans it’s just some sh*t they have to say. It means NOTHING as far as they are concerned and their actions prove it.
Trump knows damn well he swore to not only obey but enforce the upholding of the Constitution. He just increasingly doesn’t want to do that! But in that not at all ‘very fine brain’ of his he knows the truth. He IS supposed to both follow/uphold the Constitution and use the powers he holds to ensure others do the same. You know how I know that? He tried to do a dodge of sorts on the question. Pretend he’s ‘not sure’ and that lawyers would have to ‘advise’ him:
“I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,” Trump replied when asked by “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker whether he agreed with Rubio.
He doesn’t know? I call bullshit. Trump knows damn well he’s supposed to uphold the Constitution, AND that Presidents swear a higher oath than anyone else has to to that end. I suppose there’s a tiny fraction of relief he still feels a need to avoid flatly saying HE doesn’t have to follow the Constitution or any law. Among the very few talents Trump has shown in his life is PR savvy and apparently he thinks, for the moment at least if would be bad to come right out and say “I, Donald Trump am now the law. I am KING, lord and master of you all.” And toss in some insults about predecessors and even our founders being “suckers and losers” and not seizing power the way he’s just done.
However I fear that time is coming. Maybe sooner than we think. He’s losing a lot in court, with even judges HE appointed telling him ‘No, not even you as President can do THAT.’ I think he’s like one of those pressure cooker pots my mom and others used when I was a kid. If one were to fail anyone nearby would be scalded! Trump I think will reach a point where he ruptures. But it will take out much more than anyone nearby in the kitchen. Or in some boiler room in a large building. This is after all a man who incited a freaking RIOT. A literal assault on our Capitol to prevent Congress from carrying out the ceremonial certification of the 2020 election. THAT is how butt-hurt he was then.
With cratering polls, all these judges including some he appointed delivering a steady stream of blows to his fragile ego he’s going to “blow.” It will be ugly but like I said, it might happen sooner than we think. The question is what will Republicans do THEN? When Trump declares the Constitution is no longer valid?
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I have a book titled “A$$holes A Theory” by Aaron James. In it, he basically says that people like tRump know what the general rules are of polite society but they think they don’t apply to them. I’m pretty sure that’s one of tRump’s general premises. I think he has always considered himself above the common folk and those rules don’t apply to him. My guess is that’s how he views the Constitution and other requirements of of his office. If they don’t fit into his plans, he can’t be bothered with them.