Abusing, Misusing & Harming Our Judicial System

Traditionally, regardless of which political party had control of the White House, and/or Congress, most Americans hung-on to our desired belief that our judicial system, and the checks and balances created and designed by the US Founders would protect us, and ensure our nation proceeded forward as a Constitutional democracy focused on the Rule of Law. Unfortunately, it seems to many, our citizens can no longer count on and depend upon those basic tenets, and many of our perceived protections appear to be at-risk of extinction, etc.

Anyone who takes the time and makes the effort to fully examine the adult life of Donald Trump should realize he may be one of the most litigious Americans ever, and almost-certainly, the most litigious President, at least in recent memory. Unlike most, if not all of his predecessors, Trump was originally elected in 2016 without any experience in anything regarding public governance, and whose executive experience was being in charge of his personal family business, where he could do nearly-anything he thought he should, etc. From a political perspective, one should never make the error of under-estimating Donald Trump, especially his apparent extraordinarily savvy political abilities, when it comes to recognizing how to tailor his appeal to what has become his loyal core of supporters, usually now referred to as MAGA, an acronym for Trump’s campaign slogan, Make America Great Again! Consider the irony of an individual who when he was elected was predominantly know as a TV host of the reality show, The Apprentice, whose primary function seemed to proclaim to individuals as he eliminated them from the competition, “You’re fired”? Consider how amazing it is to convince so many he was some sort of genius extraordinary businessman who could lead the USA to greater efficiency and wiser leadership, when one considers how many of his businesses failed and/or went bankrupt? Why has he been able to, according to experienced, expert, professional fact-checkers lied more than any public figure, yet maintained his loyal support?

The USA and its Constitutional democracy needs to preserve and protect all rights for all citizens, instead of solely those, someone powerful prefers! Why has Trump been able to say, do, and use vitriol and apparent biased, and bigoted statements, as well as seemingly refuse to comply with what most of us perceive as some degree of ethics and integrity, and be held accountable to the same level of compliance as his predecessors, and every other American citizen? With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, examine, review and discuss the current level of abusing, misusing and harming our judicial and the potential ramifications, etc.

Clearly, Trump keeps pushing the limits, seemingly appearing to be proceeding as if he has been enabled, and believing he entitled to do as he wishes, emboldened by the Supreme Court’s ruling granting near-total Presidential immunity, earlier this decade! Instead of complying with the laws, and rule of law, he seems to demand the courts comply with his every whim! The constant level of lies and falsehoods (as opposed to mere-political spin used by many politicians), and his apparent-refusal to accept no for an answer, seems to be a clear and present danger to the 250-year old heritage of this nation! In recent memory, we have not witnessed an individual who possesses the extraordinary powers of the US Presidency constantly resort to using vitriol and name-calling, when he doesn’t get his way, or he perceives anyone as not giving him their total loyalty!

In Trump’s first-term in office (2017–2020), he nominated three far-right Justices to SCOTUS, and this created perhaps the most imbalanced Supreme Court, at least in most of our lifetimes! However, when even this extreme Court makes one of its too-rare decisions against Trump’s desired result, he reacts petulantly, and articulates a clear message of his anger and personal resentment towards them! Trump’s recurring pattern seems to be to attack the normal Constitutionally-designed checks and balances, and thus the Balance of Powers, between the three branches of the Federal government, in an apparent attempt to have the Executive Branch (and, thus, him, as US President) far-more power, even-demanding powers clearing granted to either Congress or the judiciary. When his tariffs, which Trump claimed were needed, and he had the authority to issue, despite the Constitution stating anything to do with taxes, including tariffs were under Congress’ control, the lower Federal Courts and Appeal Courts consistently ruled against him, and he appealed to the Supreme Court, seemingly feeling they would automatically once-again make favorable (to him) decisions, and when SCOTUS ruled 6–3 against him, President Trump resorted to language, rhetoric/vitriol, and argument which seem to me, would have been more appropriate to a young child, than to a US President! Repeatedly, when Judges made decisions, and issued rulings demanding specific actions, Trump’s DOJ has often violated those decisions, and to-date, we have not seen anyone held accountable, or held in-contempt!

While we have witnessed past US Presidents grant certain questionable pardons, the amount and degree of Trump’s use of pardons this term, seem extraordinary (and, not in a good way)! We should have been even-more concerned when Trump granted all the J-6 convicts pardons, even the most violent and criminal ones! His apparent, quid-pro-quo pardons to certain convicted of major crimes, related to bribery, theft, fraud, and even, drug-related crimes, etc., has perhaps, raised some eyebrows, but other than that, he hasn’t been taken-to-task!

To date, the courts have largely provided Trump with the ability to get away with crimes he has been convicted of, and legal and Constitutional experts expressed concerns and objections, yet Trump continued to proceed, as “Teflon Don.”

How might this nation proceed into the future intact if its Rule of Law, and Constitutional basics no longer are held sacrosanct? Without concepts such as due process, Habeas Corpus, free speech, the right to assemble (peacefully), and a free press (subject to libel laws, etc.), and a willingness to do everything possible to protect and preserve all our rights and freedoms, rather than some selective ones, what does the USA actually stand for and represent? If we abandon treaties we signed, and any branch of government clearly and constantly exceeds its authority (without recriminations), haven’t we lost our way?

Wake up America! This concept must transcend partisan politics, because without the Rule of Law, and our nation’s traditional Safety Net respected and preserved, the USA has lost its way, but perhaps, even worse, its ability to be the voice of reason and basic rights throughout the world! While Donald Trump may be the reason this is being discussed, the threat is far-greater, because it indicates inherent weaknesses in our system of government. Especially when/if one Party dominates and controls all three branches of our Federal government (as we presently are), and if the controlling party puts partisan politics, and their personal/political agendas ahead of the greater good, the USA and its perceived principles, will die in darkness! It’s up to all of us to persist, resist, and demand a mindset based on the Golden Rule!