Trump's latest is beyond description. He is seeking to fire Special
Counsel Mueller, on grounds that some of Mueller's staff may have contributed to
Clinton's campaign and Obama's, which to Trump indicates prejudice. For Trump anyone
who ever disagreed with or opposed him is out to get him and must be
eliminated.
Usually called a purge.
It's been useful to think of Trump in relation to the belligerently
anti-Communist Roy Cohen, his mentor, but maybe it's time to remember Stalin.
Trump and Stalin in the same breath? Sure. Autocracy is autocracy. Since
there's no inherent limit to Trump's autocratic cravings we'll see how this
country's democratic traditions hold out against them.
And then there's Trump seeking advice about whether he can blanket
pardon himself and family — in advance, for anything. (Point of reference:
Nixon did not dare to pardon himself, leaving that to his successor.) Words
fail. This is new territory cowardice and slime. Again, since Trump lacks
limits, they must be applied to him.
I've argued that Trump has not yet committed a single certifiably
treasonous offense. I withdraw that argument. It's insufficient. While it may still
be true that he has not committed any one crime for which, let's remember, the
punishment is death, he goes on committing mini-treasons which together amount
to more: a multi-form, death-by-a-thousand-cuts, attack on the Constitution and
democratic traditions. Trump represents a new kind of assault. Call it
postmodern fascism, or whatever you like.
We don't really have the words, just as we don't yet know
what the defense will be.
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