Column: Trump is in his Louis XIV era, and it’s not a good look

To say that President Trump was unimpressed with Saturday’s nationwide “No to Kings” rally, which perhaps rivals as the best bragging rights. Largest single-day protest in US history This is the type of understatement that is so typical when describing his monarchical rages.

Forget Trump’s grotesque mockery of the protests – his AI-generated post from that night video He depicts himself as a crowned pilot on a fighter jet, dropping poop bombs on citizens peacefully protesting below. Consider instead two more post-rally actions: On Sunday and Wednesday, “Minister of War” Pete Hegseth announced first, on Trump’s orders, the army shot down the seventh boat off the coast of Venezuela, and then eighth ship The number of people killed in the Pacific in two months rose to 34. The administration has provided no evidence to Congress or the American public for Trump’s claims that the unidentified dead were “narco-terrorists” or offered any credible legal justification for the attacks. Then on Monday, Trump began demolishing the East Wing of the White House to create the gilded ballroom of his dreams; This 90,000-square-foot hall would be nearly twice the size of the White House residence.

It’s so disgusting opinion Heavy equipment is tearing up historic property as high-powered tornadoes douse dusty debris — Trump’s $250 million vanity project is a small thing compared to his policy of killing non-combatant civilian citizens of countries we’re not at war with (Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador). But these actions reflect a wide range of consequences, from the relatively symbolic to the lethal, of Trump’s sense of absolute impunity as president.

“In America, law is king,” Thomas Paine wrote in 1776. Not in Trump’s America.

Among commentators, the president’s disrespect for the East Wing is drawing at least as much criticism as his unlawful killings at sea. Many critics see it being bulldozed People’s House It’s a metaphor for Trump’s generally destructive administration — his destruction of federal institutions, life-saving foreign aid, health care handouts, and more. The metaphor is indeed apt.

But what is more striking is that Trump’s XIV. It is the sense of sheer inviolability that Louis constantly telegraphs with his air of “je suis l’état” – (soon) complete Trump’s Versailles. (Also, Trump’s impersonation of the French emperors now includes plans for a sort of Arc de Triomphe near Arlington Cemetery. A reporter asked who that would be for. “I” Trump in question. Arc de Trump.)

In the case of the convicted criminal, no law, national or international, restricts him. Neither does Congress, where Republicans are on their knees. Nor the Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 right-wing majority, including three justices Trump picked in his first term.

of the court decision Last year’s lawsuit between Trump and the United States gave Trump near-immunity from criminal prosecution, but US soldiers do not have this Protection in the event of deadly Caribbean Sea attacks or other orders from the commander in chief that might one day be deemed illegal.

Operation commander, Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, reportedly He expressed concern about strikes within the administration. Last week, he announced his retirement after less than a year at the helm of U.S. Southern Command. IT it could be Let it be a coincidence. But I am not alone in counting Holsey as the latest casualty in Trump and Hegseth’s purge of perceived disloyals from the Pentagon.

“When the president decides that someone needs to die, the military becomes his personal hit squad,” military analyst and former Republican Tom Nichols said on MSNBC on Monday. Just like kings and other autocrats: Behead them.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, a rare maverick Republican, noted Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the Coast Guard in years past has boarded foreign boats suspected of carrying drugs and detained it and suspected dealers if contraband is found, often gathering information on high-ranking officials to put a real dent in the drug trade. But Paul added that about one in four boats are usually drug-free. These days, no matter what, everyone is the target of lethal force. “So,” Paul said, “all of these people were blown up without us knowing their names, without any evidence of guilt.” (Paul was the only Republican senator not invited to lunch with Trump in the paved Rose Garden on Monday.)

Ecuador on Monday in question There is no evidence linking a citizen who survived a recent US attack to any crime. Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused The US killed a fisherman in a September attack, prompting Trump to call Petro a “drug kingpin” and unilaterally withdraw US foreign aid. A Venezuelan said The Washington Post reported that the 11 people killed in the first known US attack were fishermen; national security officials said Members of Congress returned to shore when they were shot. Meanwhile, news in three countries and the US deny Trump’s claim that he destroyed and seized fentanyl, which is smuggled overland and usually comes from Mexico. usually by US citizens.

I repeat, no matter what America’s king is in question He said last week that he was now eyeing land attacks on Venezuela because “we’ve got the sea under control so well.” Trump’s courtiers say he does not need Congressional authorization for any use of force. Constitution suggests otherwise.

Unfortunately, neither law nor law limits Trump’s change in the White House. He doesn’t have to appeal to Congress because he relies on wealthy individuals and corporations for expenses. Past presidents were aware that the house was not their own palace, but a public treasury. wanted voluntarily input from various federal and nonprofit groups. Following news of the demolition, which belied Trump’s July promise that the ballroom would “not interfere with the existing building,” the American Institute of Architects persistently members will demand Congress “investigate the destruction of the White House.”

Although distinct, Trump’s ballroom project and the Caribbean killings were combined last week. in the white house evening meal Trump joked about naval raids for ballroom donors: “No one wants to go fishing anymore.” The pay-to-play giants laughed. Shame on them.

Trump acts with impunity because he can; he’s a lame duck. But other Republicans need to confront voters. Continue to protest “No to Kings” this November and throughout future elections.

Blue sky: @jackiecalmes
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