I have covered Donald Trump on various sites for eight years now. I often see things that shake me, believing that I’m looking at his worst statement or act. But one Trump promise stood out and remains. Trump promised to be a “dictator” for a day, on the first day of his inchoate administration. But it only takes one hour to sign 60 executive orders that usher in a brutal dictatorship – one that extends well beyond 24 hours. But yesterday he uttered another comment – not yet a promise, but a comment that belies where he stands regarding crime and law-enforcement: He believes he can stop crime on one violent and “very rough” day.
This nation was established by criminals. The Founders risked their lives in their disloyalty to the crown. When it came time to write a constitution they did so as criminals. Protecting the rights of the accused was paramount.
My criminal law professor once uttered a deep truth: “Remember that when we speak about the criminal justice system, we are not speaking of a system we want for them. No, the criminal justice system is what we want for ourselves if ever charged.”
We take the protections for granted, as if they’re inherent or preordained in any government. But they remain as radical now as then. We extend such rights to a defendant because doing so is as essential to our democracy as voting. Trump might toss the protections out. But only temporarily, of course.
His “solution” below:
Did Trump just f—king suggest “The Purge”?
Trump implies that his idea for stopping crime is to allow for “one really violent day… I mean real rough…”pic.twitter.com/uX5dQu8B1a
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) September 30, 2024
One real rough day and he means a “really rough, nasty day,” because “they have to be taught”… Yes, it sounds like he’s just thinking aloud. It is not part of a platform or even a promise. But what type of person ruminates on and talks about such matters? Now put him back in the Oval Office.
Remember, Donald Trump had guardrails in his first term and he’s promised to remove them next time. So put it together. He wants to be dictator for a day – and that was a promise. Now, he believes one nasty, really violent day will stop crime. In doing so we become Russia, we are Mussolini’s Italy. The template is set by some of the most rigid and brutal dictatorships to exist.
Remarkably, this comes from the same man fighting prosecution right now for his association with a violent act on January 6th. He enjoys all the protections afforded by our Constitution, right down to calendar extensions and more favorable rulings from the SCOTUS. This is how it should be, it must be. The process is good because it reflects who we are as a free democracy. Does he see that we and he need this system? No. He sees the criminal justice system as being “for them.” It sends shivers.
We joke too much. We mock the slurred speeches, the “weird” factor – and I am more guilty than most. But the election will literally be 50-50 and it is time to take everything with the most focused seriousness. Remarkably, Donald Trump wouldn’t even come within five million votes in a general election. But he is 50-50 to win because that’s what our Constitution demands. It is the rule of law, it must and will be followed. Or so we hope.
But Trump didn’t say that he would modify the Constitution in pursuing one violent day. He didn’t say anything about changing the laws or consulting Congress. He must believe that a president can do these things independently or he wouldn’t be musing on it nor mentioning it. The dictator for a day and the violent solution to crime are outside the law, throwing our Constitution outside the door, leaving a dictatorship to walk in.
Last thing. A president can establish a dictatorship in an hour. Restoring democracy could take three generations, if ever.
God Bless: I can be reached at [email protected]
We definitely need to comply with dumb-ass’ request. Just a little teeny change tho’: we direct it at him, hillbilly boy and their nasty band of magats. A good ass whoopin’ would do ALL of them good. It’s obvious they did not get enough of these while growing up.
Let the convicted rapist and felon come to my door alone, no secret service etc…I will give him his wish for a “violent, nasty day”!
He has not been convicted of rape. Let’s be accurate, he was found liable for defamation in saying that he’d not raped her and never met her. That is entirely different. It is bad enough but not a rape coniction, nowhere close.
“…One real rough day and he means a “really rough, nasty day, they have to be taught” he says… ”
Gee, can Melon Felon BE THE FIRST?
This is really, really, really disturbing. I think of family and friends and worry. I think of the United States and I worry more. Take him seriously, folks.
It is odd isn’t it, that a convicted felon, currently awaiting sentencing on those convictions, with more convictions to come, thinks he can campaign on OTHER people being law-breakers.
Even odder when you look at the huge number of his associates from his last administration prosecuted for crimes, some of who are still jailed.