Shadow of darkness behind America's democracy in Trump era

Trump came to power in 2016 primarily by taking control of America’s information landscape. His journey in politics has been marked by controversy, with his actions always seeming to run parallel to the divisive nature of his rhetoric. From hate speech to crude attacks on opposing politicians, he has consistently used derogatory language. On January 6, 2021, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the senate office at Capitol Hill. Instead of regret, Trump later remarked during a campaign rally that he should not have left the House on that day, despite losing the 2020 presidential election. Now, this very Trump is back in the American throne. Ironically, it is the citizens of the nation that often claims to uphold the most democracy in the world who have brought him back to power, dressed as a king.

America's democracy or political belief has never been truly equal for all. Before the 1960s, African Americans were completely excluded from this system. Even today, white supremacy remains a powerful force in American politics. Although the South lost the Civil War, this issue was never fully resolved. Religious conservatives have never truly believed in the separation of church and state.

For the poor, the rule of law exists only on paper, as they cannot afford to hire good lawyers. Nevertheless, American democracy has managed to endure for a long time, almost as if it is a matter of faith. Many Christian ideas have seeped into American politics. For instance, America believes that its values are universal and that they should be spread across the globe. Among Western countries, France has also undertaken a similar mission because both French and American democracies emerged from revolutions. And these revolutions were based on the ideas of the Enlightenment era.

Donald Trump's potential second term as President will put American democracy through a severe test of public trust. It could even lead to the destruction of American democracy. The US Constitution is revered almost as a sacred book. Even those who identify as secular or liberal hold it in deep regard. In the early 1830s, French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville, during his visit to the United States, observed that Christian values formed an essential part of the country’s democracy. He believed that this civic religion helped balance the country’s excessively materialistic way of life. This trust in a political system based on law and liberty helped unite immigrants from various nations to form the American citizenry. Compared to other Western democratic countries, the United States remains deeply religious, with nearly 24 per cent of Americans identifying as Evangelical Christians. Even the five justices on the US Supreme Court today are conservative Catholics.

Another point is that, traditionally, US presidents, regardless of their personal beliefs, have always presented themselves as individuals who adhere to religious practices in the public sphere. Many label Trump as a fascist. However, fascism usually rests on a clear ideology, which is not evident in Trump's case. The people surrounding him are not ideologically unified. Unlike Mussolini or other fascist dictators, they do not seek a strong state. Rather, they aim to dismantle many aspects of the government structure. Trump is not the first American politician to exploit the fears and frustrations of white Americans regarding immigration policy and minorities, using it to rally public sentiment against immigrants, African Americans, and liberal leaders.

However, what sets him apart from others is his blatant disregard for democratic institutions.

International political analysts have equated US President Donald Trump's attempts to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza with war crimes. According to them, nearly 1.9 million Palestinians are facing another Nakba. Trump is trying to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip by promising them the lure of reconstruction. Perhaps he has already devised plans for this before assuming power for a second term. Through the dramatic ceasefire agreements, he aims to seize the entire Gaza Strip at this stage. By declaring plans to buy Gaza, President Trump has violated international law, according to international analysts. However, many argue that Trump is playing new strategies to take control of Gaza.

Analysts say that through the unethical forced repatriation of Gazans, Trump aims to completely erase the name of the Palestinian nation from the region. What the Israelis did to the Palestinians during the Nakba of 1948 is about to be repeated. Two million Palestinians in Gaza are set to witness another Nakba, being told to leave their land forever. How more shameful can it be? It is truly difficult to understand what Trump actually wants to do with the Palestinians. He keeps making new announcements about the region almost every day. There are even questions in various circles about whether these announcements are simply a strategy. Furthermore, while the core foundations of democracy include media freedom, an independent judiciary, free and fair elections, and the rule of law, Trump shows no regard for any of these.

Within the first week of returning to power for a second term, he dismissed government officials. He blocked the federal budget without approval of the Congress. He announced the cancellation of birthright citizenship. Harvard University constitutional expert Lawrence Tribe described this as a direct assault on the law and the constitution. Trump is taking actions that are eroding people's trust in America's long-standing system of governance. While this system has been flawed, it had kept the country united until now, but Trump seems determined to destroy it and establish a new belief system where blind loyalty to a leader is required. In Germany, at one point, the ruler held ultimate power, and no one could speak against their decisions. Some of Trump's supporters believe that he is a leader chosen by God. Such blind devotion is generally seen in authoritarian regimes, but it has never been associated with a US president before.

During the 1930s, when Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented the "New Deal," he utilized the highest powers of the presidency. This angered his political opponents. However, many of his supporters believed it was necessary to address the country's crisis. But even then, Roosevelt did not violate the law. He did not assault the constitution or incite rebellion. He did not shape his party based on blind loyalty, like a religious group; but Trump is doing just that. Through threats, pressure, and showing the lure of power, he has brought the Republican Party under his control. As a result, it is difficult to predict the future impact this will have on the United States and world politics.

Although Trumpism may not last long, the reason being that Trump's angry and self-centered behavior is not based on any strong ideology capable of creating lasting political influence. Many of Trump's supporters may become disillusioned over time because many of his promises have not materialized. If a major stock market crash occurs, the Democratic Party returns stronger, or the courts impose checks on his authoritarianism, his influence may significantly wane. Trump left his final order for top US officials as President; but what was that order? Trump instructed, "If Iran kills me, destroy them too." But why such an odd order from the US President? Trump provided his own answer, stating that due to Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons, America is considering re-imposing maximum pressure on Iran.

"I have ordered severe sanctions against Iran," he said. "I will not allow Iran to become a threat to America." He added, "If Iranian spies kill me, then destroy Iran." Experts suggest that Trump is shifting from a moderate approach during the Obama and Biden eras to a more extreme stance on Iran, which may lead to instability in the oil market—something that is highly undesirable.

However, even if Trump's influence is not long-lasting, he may have damaged the democratic foundations of the United States in a way that may not be easily repaired. If this happens, the harmful effects of his rule could persist for a long time. Trump may eventually step away from the political stage, but the rubble he leaves behind could remain visible for many years to come. What remains to be seen now is which direction America's democracy will head under Trump's era.

Rayhan Ahmed Tapader: Researcher and Columnist.