Earlier this week, Donald Trump was arrested in Miami on charges of willfully retaining documents containing sensitive government secrets and obstructing justice when authorities attempted to retrieve them. Trump is facing over three dozen criminal counts across seven different violations of federal law. The indictment paints a chilling and devastating picture of a president who betrayed his country. However, this should come as no surprise, as it is just the latest example in a long chain of corruption.
Trump not only crosses moral boundaries but also seems incapable of understanding them. Morality is to Trump what colors are to someone who is color-blind. However, this lack of moral understanding doesn’t apply to the majority of Trump’s enablers. They still possess the ability to discern right from wrong. Yet, for various reasons, they have consistently ignored their own conscience, choosing to believe that Trump is both America’s martyr and savior.
This indictment is not just a reflection of Trump’s character, but it serves as a test of character for Republican politicians, voters, the GOP establishment, the evangelical movement, constitutional conservatives, family values advocates, ethicists, public intellectuals, right-wing commentators, and party strategists. Sadly, with few exceptions, they have failed this test. They have turned against the ideals and institutions they once claimed to cherish, allowing Trump to deeply harm our republic. It truly took a collective effort for Trump to achieve what he has.
Now, eight years after Trump’s initial bid for the presidency, he faces 71 felony counts, yet still holds a significant lead over his Republican rivals, having transformed the party to align with his image even more than Ronald Reagan did. Trump’s impact on the party is undeniable and fervently supported by millions of Americans who view him as an avenging angel.
The moral destruction caused by Trump’s presidency and post-presidency was inevitable due to his inherent moral depravity. Trump’s lack of morality has been on full display for years, evident in both his personal life and his public actions. I myself described him as temperamentally unfit to be president back in 2016, and it is clear that it has not ended well.
Trump’s misconduct over the past eight years has been extensive and serious. He has perpetuated lies and conspiracy theories, dehumanized his opponents, threatened those in the legal system, made hush-money payments, incited an attack on the Capitol, attempted to overturn an election, and faced impeachment twice. These actions, along with his ongoing indictments, solidify his position as a uniquely corrupt individual in American political history.
While Trump’s malice is evident, assessing its origins is more complex. Psychologist Dan McAdams describes Trump as psychologically unique, lacking an inner story that gives his life purpose, meaning, and ethical considerations. Trump is like an alpha chimp, playing a brute-force game to win at any cost. His extreme narcissism, lack of empathy, grandiosity, deceitfulness, impulsivity, and disregard for social norms all stem from his psychological pathologies.
Politics, according to George Will, should foster worthy passions and aims while engendering good character in its citizens. This is a difficult task but a noble one. Unfortunately, Trump used the presidency to degrade America’s civic and political life. He summoned the worst qualities in people and they responded, seeking a more decent, humane, and just country. We are now in the midst of a remarkable story, with each of us having a role to play in shaping its outcome.
Václav Havel, former president of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic and a champion of morality in politics, believed in the importance of striving for good and right principles despite the challenges. He acknowledged that politics couldn’t be transformed overnight, but that it required ongoing work infused with moral and spiritual motivations. This work demands more than just science, technology, and expertise; it requires spirit, feeling, and conscience.
In conclusion, the indictment of Donald Trump serves as a stark reminder of his betrayal of the country, while also reflecting the failings of his enablers. However, it is crucial for us to continue the work of building a political landscape rooted in morality and decency, as this is the only way to counteract the damage caused by Trump and his corrupt actions.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
