Opinion | There Are Four Anti-Trump Pathways We Failed to Take. There Is a Fifth.
In the whirlwind of chaotic politics that characterizes the era of Donald Trump, few could deny the clear and present threat he poses to American democracy. Brands of politicization aside, given his recurrent authoritarian tendencies, one can argue that he is perhaps one of few major national candidates for office in any democracies since World War II who has been this openly authoritarian. During his presidency, there were four potential pathways thwarting Trump’s perilous hold on the nation that, unfortunately, we failed to take effectively. However, it is not too late; there is a fifth route available.
The first anti-Trump pathway rested in the hands of his own party. The possibility existed where Republicans could have stepped up to challenge Trump’s divisive rhetoric and actions. Yet, within the GOP, Trump saw little opposition. Those that did attempt to voice their concerns were met with harsh vitriol from their party peers, or worse, from Trump himself. Thus, the power of dissent within his own party was largely unexplored.
The second pathway was through impeachment – a procedural recourse that did occur twice during Trump’s tenure. However, despite these attempts, due to the political partisanship, Trump managed to avoid conviction. The partisan vitriol not only meant the failure of the pathway but highlighted the growing fracture within American democracy, revealed by the inability to hold a leader accountable.
The third missed opportunity was the 2020 elections. Though President Trump was ultimately ousted from office by voters, the margin was razor-thin. That such a controversial figure, whose policies tended toward the autocratic, came close to regaining power should give us pause. The election failed to deliver a decisive rejection of Trumpism, and thus it did not shut the door to future manifestations of his brand of politics.
Fourth was the path of the courts. Innumerable lawsuits were lodged against Trump, both personally and professionally. Many hoped these would expose his transgressions and lead to some form of accountability. Yet, these also proved largely ineffective, revealing the limits of the judicial path in curbing authoritarian tendencies when such behavior is supported by a significant proportion of the public.
This brings us to the fifth pathway-a pathway that still remains open, which hinges upon the key tenets of democracy itself: education, engagement, and critical thinking. Our society must prioritize teaching these traits, arming our population with the necessary tools to recognize and challenge any future threat to our democracy.
Regardless of one’s political affiliation, the impact of Trump’s presidency on American democracy cannot be denied. Countless norms were tested, traditional alliances strained, and the greatness of American values questioned. As we move forward, both as individuals and as a collective, we must embrace the fact that our future lies not in the hands of one person or party but inches the power of the people.
Adopting this fifth pathway is not only a circumvention strategy against a return of Trumpism but a crucial step towards solidifying our democracy. It propels us toward a future where we as citizens are aware, engaged, and proactive in shaping a democratic society that is for the people, by the people. Because, in true democratic fashion, the power to direct the course of our nation should always rest in the hands of the many, not the few.
