Whether one supports him and the policies he articulates or opposes them, most would probably agree, President Donald Trump’s behavior, rhetoric, attitude, and relationships, with others, is seeming, dissimilar to any witnessed before from his predecessors (in recent memory). When one occupies the White House, his words, generally, have potential ramifications, into the future, in a relevant, sustainable manner! Also, we have never before witnessed, as many instances, of other public officials, either consciously or accidentally, enabling these types of behavior. This is true, whether it relates to affecting Constitutional guarantees, international relationships, the need for a timely response to the dangers of Climate Change, protecting our environment, or many other areas! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, examine, review, and discuss 5 of these ramifications and why it’s important to take notice before it’s too late.
1. Limits of Executive Power: When he was running for office, Mr. Trump famously proclaimed, he was so popular, he could shoot and kill someone on Fifth Avenue and get away with it! Unfortunately, since becoming President of the United States, he has progressively seemed to attempt to expand the Executive Branch’s powers. He has surrounded himself by individuals, who enable him, and this behavior, by proclaiming, our Chief Executive, has the expanded rights, etc.! If, as it appears to many, he goes unpunished, regardless of the several revealed instances of excessive, improper behavior, such as regarding Ukraine, Russia, China, North Korea, as well as his rhetoric and actions, domestically, in terms of seemingly, trying to ignore protecting all the liberties, justice, and freedoms, for everyone, instead of trying to pick, and choose!
2. Balance of Powers: Our Founding Fathers believed we needed a Balance of Powers, with co-equal branches of government, from the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches. President Trump has seemed to ignore these by appointing judges the Bar Association deem unqualified, simply because they agree with his personal/ political agenda and/ or self-interest. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has enabled him because of his apparent political preferences, etc. By denying documents and forbidding testimony, from people in his administration, during the Impeachment hearings, etc., he has continued this trend. From his political party, the senators and Congressmen have seemed to choose politics over policy and national interest.
3. Emoluments: The Emoluments Clause was created to ensure, no President would benefit, financially, from his entanglements, but, again, this President has maintained control and operation of many of his businesses, including the hotels, which so many seem to be staying at, to demonstrate their loyalty, to the man!
4. Ethics: Shouldn’t we expect and demand more and better behavior, integrity, and ethics than we’ve witnessed since January 20, 2017?
5. Respect for the Constitution: If we start to only care about those parts of the Constitution, which benefit us, personally (or any personal/ political position), what type of precedent does that set? This means all aspects, and, since, the House of Representatives, holds responsibility, for federal expenditures, etc. when the President changes the allocation (such as transferring monies to his Wall), the future might possess many negative ramifications!
We need to elect public officials who put the public, and quality policies, based on our heritage and Constitutional guarantees, ahead of any personal/ political agenda and/ or self-interest! If people merely enable questionable behavior and action by prioritizing either politics and/ or their fears/ greed, there will certainly be future, undesirable ramifications!