A three-step waltz is being danced in the American capital these days. The first revolves around when Nikki Haley will withdraw from the race for the Republican nomination. The second twirls between Donald Trump’s real chances of winning the presidential election. The third part is much less dancing, it is the nightmare that his return to the White House inspires.
• Read also: Despite important victories, warning signs for Trump
I received a question from a viewer last week, both immense and very direct: “They say that Donald Trump would be a danger to democracy in the United States. I can’t imagine an example of a decision that could compromise rights and freedoms?
We will only really know when he regains the presidency and, reading the polls, his chances are good. I saw him at work very closely during his four years in Washington. It has often been said that he and his entourage were as surprised as we were, late in the night of November 8 to 9, 2016, when his victory over Hillary Clinton was confirmed.
NAIVE AND IGNORANT
His presidency, from then on, was marked by a lot of improvisation and decisions taken according to the mood of the moment. The political failures that he accumulated at the time, he will avoid this time, because he will present himself at the doors of “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue” much better prepared.
It is about seeing the current disciplined, well-oiled campaign that he is leading for the nomination of the Republican Party. He knows the system better, has surrounded himself with an efficient team and even the disgraceful comments that he cannot help but make against his opponents do not derail a train which is traveling towards his consecration.
AVENGER AND WICKED
His big mouth has the benefit of keeping us informed of his intentions. He constantly repeats it to his supporters: “I will be your retribution.” “I will be your revenge.” No question of being fooled, this time, by ignorance or his legendary laziness: he already guarantees the instrumentalization of the Ministry of Justice to take revenge on its critics and those who demanded accountability in the aftermath of his first term.
At the same time, he will ensure that his “attorney general” will put an end to the criminal and civil proceedings against him and if he were to be convicted before the presidential election, he will take the unprecedented step of pardoning himself. No one doubts that.
THE AUTHORITARY DRIFT
We know his desire to increase the scope of the powers of the presidency with his avowed dream of being “dictator for a day” and his request for total immunity for the president, even if, as conceded one of his lawyers in court, he called a special commando to assassinate a political rival.
Finally, during his (first) term, Trump, vulnerable to flattery and headlines, surrounded himself with a certain number of competent people, the famous “adults in the room” who, it was hoped, would contain his worst faults.
Forget these people! A second term for Donald Trump, if it comes to that, will be made up of docile or worse, enthusiastic performers, who will respond “Yes sir!” when he orders the army to crush the protest movements triggered by his authoritarian excesses.
Here and in many other dark places around the former president are threats to the rights and freedoms of Americans.
THE “ADULTS IN THE ROOM” DURING DONALD TRUMP’S FIRST TERM AND WHAT THEY THINK OF HIM TODAY
AFP
“He doesn’t have the discipline, the ability to think strategically and linearly, the ability to set priorities, the ability to know how to get things done in the system.” – William Barr, former Minister of Justice, May 5, 2023
AFP
“Trump has no idea what America stands for. He admires murderous autocrats and dictators and has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our constitution and the rule of law.” – John Kelly, former chief of staff, October 2, 2023
AFP
“Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who isn’t trying to unite the American people – he doesn’t even pretend to try. Instead, he is trying to divide us.” – James Mattis, former Minister of Defense, June 3, 2020
AFP
“His understanding of world events, world history, American history was really limited. It’s really hard to have a conversation with someone who doesn’t even understand why we’re talking about this.” – Rex Tillerson, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, January 11, 2021