Who can tame Trump? An unlikely candidate is emerging: the Catholic church | Simon Tisdall
In a thought-provoking piece by Simon Tisdall for The Guardian, the ongoing struggle against Donald Trump’s influence on American democracy is explored, particularly through the lens of inequality, immigration, and civil rights. Tisdall argues that the current political landscape is marked by a profound sense of urgency, as traditional checks and balances appear ineffective in curbing Trump’s expansive executive power. With a conservative-packed Supreme Court and a divided Congress—where Republicans remain loyal to Trump and Democrats grapple with leadership challenges—the mechanisms meant to protect democratic norms seem increasingly inadequate. Tisdall highlights that the media, while striving to hold power accountable, often faces intimidation and backlash, which further complicates the fight for truth and transparency.
The article emphasizes that the ramifications of Trump’s actions extend beyond politics; they threaten the very fabric of American society. Issues such as civil rights and living standards are at stake, with Trump’s administration accused of undermining these fundamental principles. Tisdall notes that while voters may seek to reassert their influence in the upcoming midterm elections, the pressing nature of the crisis demands immediate action. The author calls for a collective awakening to the threats posed by Trump’s “rolling constitutional coup,” suggesting that the church and various Christian denominations could play a pivotal role in advocating for justice and equality. By standing against the tide of inequality and supporting immigrant rights, these institutions may help to restore a sense of moral integrity and accountability in American governance.
In conclusion, Tisdall’s commentary serves as a rallying cry for citizens and institutions alike to recognize the urgency of the situation and to take action before the next electoral cycle. The challenges posed by Trump’s administration are not just political; they are fundamentally about the values that define American democracy. As the nation grapples with these issues, the role of faith-based organizations in championing civil rights and social justice could become increasingly significant in the fight to reclaim democratic ideals.
Inequality, immigration and civil rights are the battlegrounds on which the church, and some other Christian denominations, are fighting
The
supreme court can’t do it
– it’s packed with conservatives who owe him their jobs. Congress won’t do it – Republicans slavishly follow his orders, Democrats are ill-led and divided. For today’s White House, the concept of constitutional limits on executive power is a quaint relic. The news media, or sections of it, does its best amid constant legal threats. But, too often,
they pay him off
. Brave reporters who insist on asking awkward questions are insulted or silenced: “
Quiet, piggy.
”
So who will tame Donald Trump? Who will halt his rolling constitutional coup – his ongoing
evisceration of US democracy
, civil rights, living standards, global reputation and moral integrity? Voters may try to indirectly rein him back in next November’s midterms (as they did
recently in New York
and elsewhere). But those elections are a year away. The emergency is today.
Simon Tisdall is a Guardian foreign affairs commentator
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