Opinion | There Are Four Anti-Trump Pathways We Failed to Take. There Is a Fifth.
It is no secret that Donald Trump’s tenure as President of the United States has been contentious, polarizing, and starkly challenging for the state of democracy in our country. His approach to governance has often been openly authoritarian, defying norms which have been set in place since the end of World War II. The repercussions of his posture are not just manifesting while he is in office, but their aftershocks and consequences will continue to ripple through our democracy for years to come.
Through his tenure, there have been four notable pathways that Trump critics have highlighted to keep this authoritarian threat in check. Demands for a more bipartisan approach to politics, calls for impeachment, championing fair journalist fact-checking, and promoting public education about democratic values have all been proposed. However, these paths were ineffective, mainly because they were met with resistance from vested interests or due to the overwhelming influence of Trump’s leadership style and rhetoric. There is, however, a fifth path that remains undiscussed and relatively unexplored.
The first proposed pathway was promoting a bipartisan solution towards governance. The premise was to encourage politicians to put the welfare of the nation above party lines. However, the deeply entrenched barbs of political partisanship proved too strong to overcome.
Secondly, impeachment was pursued twice during the Trump presidency, but both attempts faltered in the Senate; politics got in the way of objective evaluations of actions and behaviors. This pathway, too, was strangled by the uncompromising loyalty of party followers in the Senate.
Fact-checking, the third pathway, has been an asset during Trump’s presidency, exposing lies and misleading statements. Yet, Trump’s resonating refrain of “fake news,” has been enough to discredit even the most respected journalists and esteemed publications.
Lastly, while promoting education on democratic values is essential, it is a long-term process and lacks the immediacy to combat an existent threat. Moreover, it fails to reach the adults who are currently in the power to vote and shape policies.
So, what is the fifth pathway that remains untraversed?
The potential fifth pathway lies within the embrace of a truth and reconciliation process. This pathway requires a comprehensive understanding and acceptance of the mistakes in the past and an honest evaluation of the damage caused.
Truth and reconciliation commissions are traditionally associated with post-conflict societies where there is a history of widespread human rights abuses. South Africa’s post-apartheid era is a notable example, where it was important to acknowledge the injustices of the past to heal and move forward.
For America to repair its democracy, there needs to be a reckoning with the Trump era. A journey that acknowledges the mistruths, divisive rhetoric, and harmful policies that were promoted. While accountability is undoubtedly part of this equation, reconciliation is equally important.
America should seek ways to heal from this period of intense polarization and division, to mend the rifts that have only grown wider during the Trump era. This path entails genuine conversation, patient listening, and a shared commitment to democratic norms and values. It is about understanding without necessarily agreeing, and moving forward towards a more unified America.
This fifth pathway is painful, difficult, and demands courage – but, it may be the only way to fortify our democracy against future threats. It is a route steeped in honesty, understanding, and the shared ambition to strengthen our democratic institution. It’s a journey we must dare to undertake, to reestablish the United States as the beacon of democracy it once was.
