Trump's Dangerous Assertion: An Elected Monarch?

The Rise of a Self-Proclaimed Monarch

Not long after his second inauguration, President Trump took to social media with a startling proclamation: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law,” echoing a line from Sergei Bondarchuk's cinematic adaptation of the 1970 film Waterloo. This statement encapsulates Trump's alarming view of the presidency, one in which he positions himself as untouchable.

This sentiment reflects an alarming trend we've seen from Trump since he first took office. It's not just rhetoric; it's a declaration of intent. For Trump, the law doesn't bind him in the same manner as any normal citizen—it is a tool for his agenda. This mentality is fundamentally at odds with the principles of popular sovereignty and the Constitution.

A Dangerous Foreign Policy

As Trump's second term progresses, we're witnessing a frightening escalation of aggressive foreign policies. Just days into the new year, he initiated strikes in Venezuela, resulting in significant casualties and the capture of its leader, Nicolás Maduro—a move Trump downplayed as merely an act of liberation.

But the threats didn't stop there. His aggressive posturing towards Cuba and discussions of military action against Mexico underline a troubling doctrine: Trump's self-proclaimed immunity from international laws or conventions that have historically governed state interactions.

“I don't need international law,” Trump declared in a recent interview, insisting that only his morality serves as a limit on his power. It raises an urgent question: Who holds him accountable?

Challenging Democracy and the Constitution

Rather than an elected leader, we face a figure who views himself as a monarch—someone whose whims dictate law. This self-perception challenges centuries of Anglo-American governance, wherein the executive power is checked and balanced by the Constitution.

Historically, even those presidents with expansive views of executive authority, such as Andrew Jackson, maintained a professed respect for constitutional limitations. Trump's claims, conversely, are a profound repudiation of this norm, marking a dangerous shift towards authoritarianism.

A Political Landscape in Peril

The implications of Trump's ideology threaten the core of American democracy. His concept of authority—which he regards as personally derived rather than constitutionally guided—lends itself to tyrannical governance. Under his reign, political enemies are attacked, law enforcement is weaponized against dissenters, and foreign adversaries are met with veiled threats.

It is critical to recognize that Trump's behavior cannot solely be attributed to his administration's machinations. His audacious assertions of power reflect broader systemic failures, aided by judicial interpretations that have broadened presidential immunity. The ruling that allows the president to act without fear of accountability represents a catastrophic departure from the principles of civic responsibility and governance.

The Road Ahead: What Must Be Done

As Trump continues to erode the foundations of our republic, our responsibility as citizens and watchdogs grows exponentially. If the only constraints he recognizes are his own moral compass and mind, then our role is to loudly and unequivocally demonstrate the moral failures inherent in his governance.

The American public deserves a president who understands the responsibilities of high office—not one who sees themselves as a master unconstrained by laws or ethics. If we are to protect our future, we must confront this unprecedented challenge with fierce determination.

A Call for Accountability

We must engage vigorously in the political discourse to reclaim our democratic principles. Importantly, accountability must not stop at Trump; it must extend to those who enable his excesses in Congress and beyond.

We must act now—not just to safeguard our democracy today but to set a precedent for future generations: that no one is above the law, and that our Constitution remains a living document that binds us all.