(The Independent)
In a recent interview with NBC, President-elect Donald Trump made serious threats about jailing political foes he believes have wronged him, especially targeting the members of the House Select Committee involved in the January 6th attacks. Having been formed to investigate the Capitol riot and Trump’s involvement in it, as he heads into his second term, Trump calls to jail committee members such as Rep. Liz Cheney and Chairman Bennie Thompson, raising concerns about the future of American democracy.During the interview on NBC, Trump didn’t hold back when asked about the committee members. “Honestly, they should go to jail,” he said, referring to both Cheney and Thompson. Trump has actually been seen suggesting jailing his political opponents in the past as well. He has made similar comments in the past about figures like Hillary Clinton. However, this time, as he nears his return to office, many are worried that he may take action and proceed with the actions made in his threats.
Cheney, who served as vice chair of the House committee, quickly responded to his claims, calling them false and ridiculous. She stated that the committee’s investigation was based solely on the facts and evidence that showed Trump’s actions and his role in instigating the Capitol riot, reminding the public of this. Although Trump has said he would not tell his attorney general or FBI director to investigate and prosecute those who oppose him, the trend he is beginning to send from his administration is worrisome. He is considering appointing people to top positions in his administration like loyalist Kash Patel, who called for dismantling the FBI to carry out his vision. These officials have the power to go after Trump’s political enemies, raising questions about their safety.
Trump’s threats to use his executive power for personal revenge are troubling because they challenge the values of our democracy. Trump’s actions suggest that he is willing to go as far as to bend the norms if it means protecting his interests. The justice system, the fairness of elections, and the peaceful transfer of power depend on the leader's volition to follow the law. His action for retribution could very well strike at the very foundations of our rules in the country.
President Biden and his team are trying to protect individuals such as Cheney from politically involved prosecutions, while also combating Trump's threats during his term. If he does decide to follow through with his threats, it could set a precedent where political opponents are treated as actual criminals and enemies. This change would hurt the trust the public has in the government and democracy as a whole and would depend on whether the country could continue upholding its ideals regardless of such stark actions.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/us/politics/liz-cheney-donald-trump.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/12/08/trump-january-6-biden-jack-smith/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-jan-6-defendants-first-day-inauguration/
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-jan-6-liz-cheney-b2660885.html
34 comments:
It's pretty ludicrous that he's calling for his own party members to be jailed. These threats that he's making have no legal basis other than opposing his views, which is very akin to that of a dictatorship such as North Korea. I definitely agree that they are challenging the core values of American democracy - I'd go even further and say that it's challenging the core values of Americans themselves. It's not morally right to destroy someone's life just because you don't like them, and it's pretty scary that someone like him has the power to do so. I would also like to point out that while he wants to remove a republican from office (Cheney), he's also doing the opposite of what republicans stand for in the sense that he appointed someone calling for the end of the FBI, when republicans tend to be more pro-military - he's more aligned with his own interests than the party's interests.
I really think this article brings up a really good point for what precedent Trump could be setting with these attacks. Similar to what we have been discussing in in-class readings, the situation exemplifies how political opponents are being blamed and villainized more and more, with negative opinions and policies simply being attributed to figures the public doesn’t like. This technique not only makes Trump’s enemies seem more immoral, but also convinces his fanbase of the same thing (giving them even more reason to worship him). On first thought, I would say that the ability to attack politicians that simply have differing views from him is crazy, and the checks and balances system will never allow him to carry through with something like this. However, considering all of the power and support he now has from within the government, and the intensity of his fans, I think concerns about Trump restructuring our Democracy are entirely valid.
There are many examples of politicians personally villainizing other politicians throughout history (especially in recent years), but I think that the way Trump is mobilizing both much of the government and his fanbase for purposes of revenge signifies a shift in what kind of president America wants. Rather than displaying values of kindness and unity, recently Trump has displayed motives of pure revenge and selfishness — and many Americans have supported him through it all. For now, I hope that America is able to stop being driven by hatred, and start gaining more empathy (both for individual politicians and large groups of people affected by Trump’s policies).
I think it's concerning how Trump is structuring the government with those who are loyal to him. If he continues to fire those he doesn't like and only appoint people that support him, it's going to be easy for him to move along with agenda. This relates to Brutus 1 and his fears about having a central government with a lot of power. I agree with the post that it challenges the American democracy in which the government only listens to the leader and has no space for opposition. The fact that he is starting to appoint his supporters and fire those who aren't loyal, is setting the stage for his presidency the next 4 years, and who knows what he may attempt to do.
I think that It is pretty damning that Trump even said this even if he doesn't necessarily intend to go after them via the FBI or other organizations. As it simply goes against everything that we are as a country as going back to first colonies that were established by the Puritans as they came over because they wanted religious freedoms and by him saying he wants to lock up all that oppose him it just completely goes against the free will that our founders fought for. This is such an attack democracy and our system as he is willing to implement people that are loyal over people that will do the best job for America and it sets a precedent for future politicians that if they don't do what he wants as well as setting the precedent for future presidents that will force them to fight fire with fire to prevent things like this from happening in the future. Overall, this is a poor idea to present to the forefront of politics.
Trump, to me, seems like someone who is all talk and no action. He has insisted on performing a number of questionable deeds in the past but has never followed through. Even though I think that Trump does not plan to follow through on these claims, it is still extremely concerning that he would even say something like this. This kind of mindset is something to me that is very similar to that of Russia right now, with Putin jailing and even killing his opponents during elections. I think that if Trump continues to punish people that might disagree with him, then we would be stuck in a situation where White House executives are forced to agree with him out of fear of loosing their jobs and public humiliation, leading to an environment where dissent and constructive criticism are stifled. If leaders like Trump prioritize loyalty over competence and suppress opposition, it erodes trust in institutions and sets a precedent for authoritarian behavior. It’s essential in a democracy to have checks and balances, along with a culture where questioning authority is not only tolerated but encouraged.
I think you raise important concerns about Trump’s threats to imprison political opponents, particularly members of the January 6th Committee. It’s also crucial to consider the broader implications of these threats on democratic norms and the rule of law. While Trump has made similar statements in the past, his increasing proximity to power raises the risk of action being taken on these threats. Now as the president-elect, Trump will have the ability to act on all of his somewhat outlandish claims which is worrying. The appointment of individuals like Kash Patel to key positions could lead to a politicized justice system, further eroding the independence of law enforcement. If Trump were to act on these threats, it could fundamentally undermine the checks and balances that safeguard American democracy.
Trump’s recent threats to jail political opponents, including members of the January 6th house select committee is very concerning and highlights the erosion that is going on of democratic norms and misuse of government power. The justice system needs to remain independent, and the targeting of politicians undermines the principles of fairness that democracy is basically built on. If personal retribution is able to take precedence over the rule of law, it could ruin the public’s trust in the key institutions. I believe it is very important that leaders prioritize democracy over their personal interests to prevent damaging the foundation of justice and governance in the country.
If Trump truly plans to follow through with this, it is actually deeply terrifying. The last thing we need in this country is to create an even bigger divide in politics. Also, with potentially having Kash Patel as the cabinet pick for FBI director, I wouldn't doubt that he would "investigate" the members of the January 6th Committee even if Trump doesn't explicitly ask him to. It's pretty clear that Trump only wants loyalists to have power which is very concerning for the future of our democracy. Hopefully this is just another one of Trump's many lies and he doesn't actually jail those who just oppose him.
I think it is truly frightening, the direction this country is heading too. Trump's continuous rise of dictatorship is evident, as he continues to promote his allies in office, and now looks to jail his political enemies. If he is successful in this attempt to jail Cheney and Thompson, it will send a message to the rest of the country to not disagree with him, allowing him to push whatever agenda he wants, especially with all his allies around him in office. I think it is quite ironic how Trump wants these people to go to jail, as if he is not a formerly impeached president who is a convicted felon on 34 accounts. To say his political opponents who have not done wrong on any legal basis, should go to jail, while Trump has is absurd, and it would be truly scary if he was successful. We are moving further and further away from democratic norms, and closer to dictatorship.
Your comparison to dictatorship is compelling and highlights the potential danger of Trump's actions. The irony of his accusations against Cheney and Thompson, considering his own legal history, is striking. Do you think this contradiction undermines his credibility, or does it actually strengthen his position with his base by reinforcing their perception of him as a victim of political persecution? Furthermore, how might this kind of rhetoric affect international perceptions of American democracy and its role as a global leader in democratic governance?
What Trump is saying here is a very good look at his presidency, which is becoming increasingly defined by loyalty. We are seeing his picks for cabinet actively being led by loyalty, as the picks often don't align with and sometimes even go against the stated purpose of the role they were selected for (looking at you RFK Jr). This loyalty-forward mentality is also something we see in Trump's "Truth Social," a social media that is made for Trump supporters, and is also seen in what Trump is saying here. All this loyalty that Trump is gathering, along with Republican control of all three branches, gives him great power over the US government. This isn't a dictatorship, but it has the trappings - heavily underscored by the desire to punish political opponents.
Trump's actions are sparking lots of concerns based on the status of American democracy, and utilizing government authority for private revenge. It is quite concerning that Trump has repeatedly threatened to imprison his political rivals, potentially sparking even more divide between American politics. The public statements about these plans is one thing in itself, but the consequences of these threats can escalate significantly as he begins to make his return to office. An individual's personal grudges should never be allowed to affect the objective nature of the political process or the legal system. It is completely unprofessional and unfaithful for the future of our country. Leaders must be held accountable and the rule of law must be respected in a democracy; one should not be taking advantage off their position to attack their opponents. Trump's plans are extremely concerning and can have severe consequences on the American democracy.
I can't help but think this is just Trump trying to have the last laugh with his opponents and really turning the knife, and having someone like that in office is terrifying. If he really follows through with putting Cheney and Thompson in jail this presidency will start to feel more and more like a dictatorship and start to silence anyone that opposes his ideas. This simply shouldn't be allowed and is an blatant abuse of power. This could ruin the public trust and divide an already very divided country. Hopefully Trumps team can convince him that this a very selfish decision and stop him from going through with this.
This is a testament to Trump's mindset when he comes into office, and how he wants all the power to himself. His presidency may start to devolve into something more similar to a dictatorship, something that the framers of the Constitution warned and tried to protect. By jailing his own party members and/or opponents, this takes away the freedom that our country is guaranteed with, as well as the free speech. In order to have a functioning democracy, we need multiple voices to distinguish opinions to move our country forward. Without this diversity of opinion and a solely Trump focused government, our country will be robotic and crumbling to his command at all times. As a president, it's pretty ridiculous how he would try to silence people instead of hearing out ways to move forward.
While I do agree that it is worrying thing that trump is saying such undemocratic things, I also think that most Americans don't share his same ideas. Also within his party there are people who oppose him, as evident by the failure of Mike Gaetz to earn the Attorney General. Trump can spout all the things he wants, but in the end he still doesn't have absolute power. Also what can he charge opponents with. There isn't any laws that he can just try them for, and most juries would probably not indict them. Overall while it is definitely worrying that Trump would even say such undemocratic things, I personally am not worried that he can actually go after people.
Trump always seems to take things to the extreme, whether that be threatening tariffs on other nations to get what he wants, or if in this case saying he wants to jail those who have wronged him. I don't think he would act on any of these but I also think it speaks to how good at manipulating others he is.
Obviously this is a complete abuse of power and if he actually went through with it would almost certainly be an impeachable offense. That being said, the fact that I see people agree with him about it on twitter is outright ridiculous. The hypocrisy is astounding, as I see people rally behind jailing opponents just because they disagree with Trump, and yet in the very same thread state that the Jan 6th rioters who legitimately trespassed, assaulted, and committed what is as close to treason as possibly perceived in modern day, be completely pardoned and let go. The level of picking and choosing who gets punished completely off of emotions and not facts speaks volumes as to the people who support Trump's antics.
In my opinion I think that what Trump's doing is pretty concerning because it's a threat to what are democracy represents. no matter if you're a Republican or a Democrat I feel like you can agree that a leader using their government power to threaten their opponent is dangerous and just such a bad example. I feel like this isn't just about political disagreements it's protecting the system that keeps our democracy strong because if Trump's follows through with these threats it can make people lose trust in the institution. I feel like we should pay attention to this issue because it could affect the future of our justice system and the fairness in our country
As mentioned in the article, Trump is not new to threats of abusing the justice system. One of Trump's main points especially at his rallies for years was his "lock her up" chants at rallies. According to an article for the Guardian, Trump decided not to go through with prosecuting Clinton because as he claims, it would be "very, very divisive for the country". Hopefully his current threats are the same, he uses them to rouse his electoral base, but never goes through with them. I think though, that with a stronger background in politics and a much more divisive cabinet than last election, Trump might actually act on his threats.
I do think, like a lot of others are saying in the comments, that he makes a lot of empty threats that never get acted on. But, while the real imprisonment of Rep. Liz Cheney and Chairman Bennie Thompson may not happen, I think the true threat that Trump poses by using such language regularly is him inciting violence against those who oppose him. It's obvious-- from the "evidence that showed Trump’s actions played a key role in instigating the Capitol riot"--that Trump is capable of mobilizing people to act in extreme ways in order to get what he wants.
It is also pretty nerve-wrecking to consider the fact that the supreme court, congress, and his executive appointees will/have become more pro-trump, meaning that there is a higher possibility for Trump to get more legislation through than when he was president in 2016-2020. I am worried the checks and balances that we have learned about this year will be challenged with this presidency.
I agree with others that this is a very concerning threat to the stability of our country. The US prides itself on being a democracy rooted in laws, where leaders are held accountable and not above the system. If Trump follows through with targeting political opponents, it would severely undermine public trust in institutions like the Department of Justice, which is supposed to function independently. However, it's unlikely Trump would actually be able to follow through on these claims. Any serious attempt to do so would probably put his presidency at risk through impeachment, as prosecuting political opponents is a highly questionable act that could draw the ire of even members of his own party. Regardless of whether or not he actually acts upon these claims, his repeated threats against anyone who dares oppose him is incredibly concerning.
I think all of these threats Trump is making are really concerning and makes me wonder how the stability of our government will be under his leadership. This is a serious threat to the structure of our government system. He is supposed to be the leader of our country but lets personal vendettas get in the way of our democracy. This also makes me worry what other things he will attempt to do with the power he has as president.
Trump’s threats to jail political opponents like Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson raise serious questions about the future of American democracy. When leaders use government power to target those who disagree with them, it risks turning justice into a tool for personal revenge. Cheney and Thompson were simply carrying out their duty by investigating the Capitol riot, yet Trump’s comments suggest that people in positions of power could be punished just for doing their job. What makes this even more troubling is the possibility of appointing loyalists like Kash Patel, who prioritize loyalty to Trump over impartiality. If these threats become a reality, it could lead to a situation where political opponents are treated as criminals just for challenging those in power. This shows us how fragile public trust in the justice system can be and how crucial it is to prevent power from being used for personal gain. The integrity of our democracy depends on the rule of law, not revenge Trump is seeking for.
I completely agree that Trump’s threats to jail his political opponents are deeply concerning and set a dangerous precedent. His willingness to suggest such actions risks normalizing authoritarian behavior and undermines trust in the U.S. justice system, eroding public faith in democratic institutions. Without any legal basis for these threats, his actions seem more like personal vendettas than legitimate governance. It’s alarming to see someone in such a powerful position jeopardize the foundational principles of democracy.
It's scary that Trump is suggesting he'll use his power to punish political opponents when he takes office. Opposition is important to prevent tyranny of the majority, and free speech must be upheld for democracy to continue in America. If politicians were jailed for disagreeing with the current power, America would no longer be a free country. But realistically, I don't think this would happen. Prosecuting political opponents is so against the fundamental ideas of America that I don't think it would actually result in a conviction, especially when Cheney and Thompson were just doing their jobs.
It's insane that Trump is attacking the January 6th committee, especially due to the fact that he clearly instigated the situation. I believe this to be the first of many instances where he'll try to attack his political opponents. As he lacks the credibility he will take the approach of destroying his opponents. Now that he's in power the possibility of punishing opponents has become increasingly real This approach will take the political sphere to a dangerous and unjust place where the executive branch will blatantly abuse its power.
This is quite a radical and concerning statement said by Trump, but isn’t the most insane thing he has said. Trump is using his power as president in the wrong way, he’s abusing his power for his own benefit which is really concerning for the future of the US. The fact that he wants to use his power to benefit himself is ruining the foundation of what the US was built upon, before every president made sure not to abuse their powers towards their own use, but it seems like Trump doesn’t care about anyone but himself. If Trump were to do this, it would be very dangerous to the justice system as putting someone to jail has to be based on facts and evidence and Trump has none to back up his statements. People with authority need to stand up against him to save the country from further falling apart during his term. Lots of people are already tired of Trump's ridiculous policies and everything he says he is going to do. The government should prioritize fairness in this country and not side with Trump because he is president and has more “power”.
Although what Trump is saying is undemocratic and is obviously worrying for those working on the January 6th Select House Committee, I don't think his threats are anything new. His threats of imprisoning those who cross him seems to be an ineffective strategy to try to intimidate his enemies. I don't think his claims would ever actually create real problems for anyone he calls out because those who he threatens aren't actually doing anything illegal. In any court it wouldn't create real damage, even if he is the president. However, the most worrying thing about his accusations and abuse of power is the standards it sets for other politicians in his party (specifically MAGA) and the expectations it creates for new voters and those getting involved in politics. Trump is stooping to new lows, even for politicians, and threatening to destroy democracy and throw people in jail who cross you (like a dictator) should not be the headlines in American politics.
This article certainly raises alarm bells in my head on how acting on these words is certainly stretching away from democracy. The scary part is, as the article states, Trump is very open about this. However, I am not sure if these are simply empty threats or hate filled words that could possibly be put in place. In a debate with Hillary Clinton, on national television, Trump states if he were president she would be in jail. However, to my knowledge, nothing remotely close to this took place as trump took office leaving the threat empty. With that said, I do not believe Clinton passed the same line that Cheney and Thompson crossed in the eyes of Donald Trump. As we get closer to Trump presidency, the future is becoming less and less predictable.
I think that Trumps repeated threats to his political opponents are very concerting and highlights how much he disregards democratic norms. The idea that a president who is returning saying these treats sets a terrifying precedent. Trumps actions undermined American democracy that has been long built on principles of fairness and independence. If Trump follows through on his proposed threats, the integrity of American Institutions will be compromised. The US has to look deeper on who is running our country and realize if we allow leaders to use the government power to target political enemies, we risk the freedom that makes our country not what it stands for anymore.
The first peaceful power transfer from John Adams to Jefferson symbolized great progress in the United States and the start of a somewhat functional democracy. We still learn about that moment in History classes today, which shows how valued the system is in our society. Trump's actions continuously show he is a threat to this democracy and has no respect for the system. The next few years will be decisive and critical for the country's future.
I definitely agree that this is troubling how he continues to threaten the fabric of democracy, firing political opponents has historically been a step towards a dictatorship, and it disheartening to see how our future president will be trying to remove democracy. I wonder if the Pendleton Act or the Hatch Act will be able to protect these Senate members from being fired?
With the president’s unchecked pardoning power’s influence on the Judicial Branch, it was really only a matter of time before the president started using the Judicial Branch for political means. The pardon power was supposed to be used to help those that deserved help, but that the Justice system couldn’t give. Yet trust and norms don’t matter anymore, and just as easy as it will be for Donald Trump to abuse the pardon power, it will be for him to abuse the rest of the Justice system.
Honestly, the only threat that I see to future democracy here is the fact that Trump believes not only that he can jail political opponents, but also that he thinks he is rightful in doing so. Isn't the whole point of our democratic process supposed to be so that the people have their voice heard? Isn't Trump threatening his opponents a form of trying to silence them? If there are no laws in place currently that prevent a president from abusing their power in this way, I think it is time that our country takes a good look at the amount of power we are giving to this one person, and reevaluate it because this is a terrible misuse of what should be power used to help people.
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