The Storm Returns
Into the Storm, Again
As the 2024 presidential election looms, the echoes of the past grow louder. Trump and Trumpism have stirred a storm that threatens to repeat itself.
Trump’s dangerousness and continued authoritarian language echo present and past strongmen such as Berlusconi, Putin, and Hitler.
The storm raging is Trumpism, and it must be blown out to sea.
The Capitol Under Siege
January 6, 2021: A Day of Infamy
On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol was attacked by a mob incited by then-President Donald Trump. His rhetoric and false claims of a stolen election fueled the anger of his supporters, leading to a violent insurrection that shocked the nation and the world.
The events of that day resulted in deaths, injuries, and a deep scar on American democracy. The Capitol, a symbol of the nation’s legislative process, was breached, and the peaceful power transfer was momentarily halted.
The insurrection turned the Capitol upside-down.
A Nation in Turmoil
The 2024 election is existential. The existential threats of global climate change and nuclear proliferation require a president we can trust to do something. It’s between a person who will fight for democracy as opposed to being a wannabe autocrat. It’s between electing a person with 34 felony convictions vs a person who is the current Vice-President with two decades of meritorious public service. It’s between a person who will protect the rights of families and women to make their own choices rather than a bully who will bring harm to them.
The Aftermath
Trump's Impeachment and Beyond
In the wake of the January 6 insurrection, Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for inciting the attack. This historic second impeachment highlighted the gravity of his actions and the threat they posed to the democratic process.
Although 57 Senators found Trump guilty of inciting the Capitol attack, the vote didn’t reach the requirement of 66 votes to find him guilty. However, the US Department of Justice indicted Trump for the January 6 attempt to interfere in the election of Joe Biden as the new president.
The Four Indictments Against Trump
Donald Trump is currently facing four separate indictments, each with its own set of charges. The first case in New York involves 34 felony counts related to hush money payments made during the 2016 election. Trump was found guilty on all 34 felonies and faces sentencing in September 2024.
The second indictment in Washington D.C. charges Trump with inciting an insurrection on January 6, 2021, to interfere in the counting of Electoral votes, which is a constitutional responsibility of the Congress. The case has been going slowly due to Supreme Court delays.
The third case in Atlanta accuses him of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. The case has been held in limbo until after the election. However, no matter who prosecutes it, the case is strong and charges 18 people, including Trump, with racketeering.
Lastly, the Florida case involves charges related to mishandling classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Each case highlights different aspects of Trump’s controversial and criminal actions and decisions.
The New York case focused on financial misconduct, of which he was found guilty, while the Washington D.C. case centers on his role in the Capitol riot and the laws he broke in trying to overturn the vote.
The Atlanta case highlights his efforts to undermine the electoral process in Georgia. The Florida case raises serious national security concerns because Trump trucked boxloads of national security files to his Mar-a-Lago Club.
Trump's Return and Provocative Statements
As Donald Trump re-enters the political scene, his rhetoric has become increasingly provocative. He has openly stated that if he doesn’t win the 2024 presidential election, there will be a ‘bloodbath.’ Such statements have raised alarms about the potential for violence and unrest. Trump’s promise to be a ‘dictator for a day’ and to carry out retribution against his perceived enemies further exacerbates concerns about his return to power.
Potential Consequences of a Trump Loss
Trump’s statements suggest a willingness to incite his supporters to take drastic actions if he loses the election. This rhetoric not only undermines the democratic process but also poses a real threat to national stability. The fear of a ‘bloodbath’ and the promise of retribution create an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty, making the 2024 election one of the most contentious in recent history.
Impact on the Political Landscape
Trump’s return to the political arena has already begun to reshape the political landscape. The Republican Party is the Party of Trump, and his statements continue to polarize America.
As the 2024 election approaches, the potential consequences of his loss loom large, with the possibility of widespread unrest and a further erosion of democratic norms. The chances of a repeat of the Jan. 6 type of violence are very high.
Trump will not accept losing the election. Trump’s allies are creating instability in the election process. One of their goals is to delay the vote certification, thereby inflicting chaos.
Since Trump lost the 2020 election (he still denies he lost), state legislatures have passed hundreds of laws to restrict and make it more difficult for people to vote.
For example, Georgia passed its “Election Integrity Act” of 2021, which added voter identification requirements, restricted ballot drop boxes (moving them inside county buildings and making them available only during the day), made it a crime to offer food or water while in line, and gave the Georgia General Assembly greater control over election administration.
The Brewing Storm
The Impact of Trumpism on the Upcoming Election
The Existential Election
America’s democracy, which was eroded by the Trump administration four years ago, was brought back from the brink of disaster by President Joe Biden.
In a selfless act, he stepped aside to pass the torch to a younger generation by supporting Kamala Harris, his vice president, as the Democratic Party nominee for president.
As we approach this existential moment in American history, we need a president that we can trust. There is only one choice.
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