116. The slide from democracy to autocracy
Jack and Gonzo discuss a recent editorial from the The New York Times that lists a variety of events that should alarm everyone about the threat President Trump poses to our democracy.
The first is Trump’s effort to stifle dissent, something we haven’t seen before with other presidents. The Associated Press has been denied access to the White House because the AP prefers the name “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America.”
To get access to the Pentagon, journalists have been told they must sign a pledge that limits their access to information. Even Fox refused to sign.
Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, has been threatened with court martial for stating publicly that service members are not obligated to obey unlawful orders.
Trump has usurped Congress’ right to tax by setting tariffs on just about everything. If you don’t think tariffs are taxes, ask yourself who pays tariffs in the end. Consumers do. All the while, Congress stays quiet; our senators and representatives are more concerned about keeping office then speaking out against Trump and getting primaried.
Same thing for Trump directing the military to sink boats that supposedly running drugs in the Caribbean. What’s going on certainly looks like an act of war that only Congress can declare but, once again, Congress sits by and says nothing.
Trump has turned the Department of Justice into his own personal law firm, something no former president ever did.
And then there’s the matter of misinformation and disinformation that comes from the White House, and Trump always changing the narrative to suit his needs.
Trump has created a national police force of sorts—ICE agents—that conducts raids and wear masks and rounds up people without explanation simply because of skin color and accent.
And there’s more that is equally frightening. Listen to the conversation.
