President Trump’s Attacks on the Rule of Law, From A to Z
Tags: Biden, Governance, Rule Of Law, Trump, Government

President Trump’s Attacks on the Rule of Law, From A to Z

With the incoming Biden Administration, there’s hope for the return of the rule of law, and a reversal of the A to Z list below. PassBlue Dec 22, 2020·3 min read

by Mona Ali Khalil. Read more on PassBlue.

President Trump speaking with armed services personnel, Nov. 26, 2020, in the White House. The author of this essay lays out, by English-language alphabet, Trump’s “blatant disregard” and “outright breach” to everything from international norms and treaties to US laws. SHEALAH CRAIGHEAD/WHITE HOUSE

President Trump’s attacks on the rule of law in his four years in office have ranged from blatant disregard to outright breach of everything from well-established ethical values to universally accepted international norms, from United States laws and regulations to international laws and treaties.

As the Trump presidency ends, there is hope that the Biden presidency will mark a return to the rule of law. So it is important to take stock of Trump’s actions from A-Z as clearly and concisely as possible. Since the English-language alphabet is only 26 letters long, however, it may not be possible to do so comprehensively.

Assault on peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square

Bribe-for-pardon scheme

Criminally negligent pandemic response, causing a globally disproportionate toll of American deaths

Disavowing US intelligence reports on Russian hacking of 2016 US presidential election

Emoluments clause in the US Constitution violated throughout his term in office

Firing US Attorney General Jeff Sessions, FBI Director James Comey and several inspectors-general

Granting recognition of Morocco’s claim to sovereignty over Western Sahara

Hush-money payment of $130,000 to Stormy Daniels

Inciting acts of violence against Democratic leaders and other political opponents

Jared Kushner’s security clearance issued, overruling objections of US national security officials

Kids separated from their families and caged at US-Mexico border

Labeling the free press as “Enemy of the People”

Mendacity with nearly 25,000 false or misleading claims during a single term in office

Nepotistic hiring of Ivanka and Jared and their self-dealing with her China trademarks and his Qatari bailout

Obstruction of justice in 10 instances documented in the Mueller investigation report

Promoting illegal annexation of Palestinian land by Israel in the so-called “Deal of the Century”

Questioning the integrity of the 2020 democratic election despite having no evidence of fraud

Refusing to denounce white supremacist and far-right extremist militias

Sexual assault and rape allegations by dozens of women

Trampling rules-based institutions and traditional alliances in favor of transactional adversaries

Uighur forced labor camps green-lighted to President Xi Jinping

Vitriolic attacks on women and bragging about nonconsensual vagina-grabbing

Withdrawing the US from the Iran deal, Paris Agreement, UN Human Rights Council and WHO

Xenophobic travel ban and restrictions on entry of refugees and other asylum-seekers

YMCA unlicensed use of the Village People’s song (and dancing to it so badly)

Zelensky quid pro quo blocking Congressionally authorized funds to Ukraine

Now that we know the ABC’s, it is time to seek accountability.

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