This week as we celebrate Presidents Day, we wonder, did Donald Trump declare himself king when he said in a Jan. 7 interview with the New York Times that only one thing can limit his global power, “My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” Aren’t Congress and the courts co-equal branches of our government? Can’t the law or courts stop him? Not if the implementation of Project 2025 continues to erode our Constitution pushing for a unitary executive.
Congressional Republicans have in essence sworn an oath of fealty to King Trump. It is difficult to ascertain whether they do this to remain in power fearing being primaried in the next election or whether they fear more lethal retribution. Many admit they are receiving death threats. This may seem fantastical but remember Trump’s denouncement of Vice President Mike Pence when he failed to stop ratification of the 2020 presidential election on Jan. 6, 2021. Rioters who had been summoned to Washington by Trump responded by chanting, “Hang Pence!” as they stormed the Capitol building. Similarly Marjorie Taylor Greene received pipe bomb threats and direct death threats on herself and her son after the representative from Georgia angered the president by advocating for the release of the Epstein files and the president labeled her a traitor.
Neither are the courts willing to stop Trump from violating the Constitution and exercising executive overreach. Sure some lower courts issue injunctions against executive orders but the administration appeals to the Supreme Court’s shadow docket (where intermittent decisions are made) to stay lower court rulings until the court can review and make a final ruling. These stays have allowed the continuation of inhumane immigration enforcement including racial profiling, removal of noncitizens to “third countries,” and an end to temporary protection status for Venezuelans. Thousands of federal workers have also been fired without cause. SCOTUS’ ruling on presidential immunity for official acts in office, however, is the most egregious pro-king decision of them all.
King of the U.S. may not satisfy Trump. After the attack on Venezuela and the abduction of its president and his wife, Trump claims to rule Venezuela. He has aspirations to annex Canada and Greenland as well. But that is not enough. Last month Trump created the Board of Peace. “We just created the Board of Peace, which I think is going to be amazing,” Trump said at a White House press briefing. “I wish the United Nations could do more. I wish we didn’t need a Board of Peace, but the United Nations, and, you know, with all the wars I settled, United Nations never helped me on one war.” The board’s charter states Trump will serve as the inaugural chairman of the executive board who will vote on proposals put before it. “Such decisions [are] subject to veto by the Chairman at any time thereafter.”
President, king or emperor? Happy Presidents Day!
Kristan Bakker lives in Leverett.