By JOHN KANELIS / johnkanelis_92@hotmail.com
Donald Trump will be remembered ultimately as a failed president, one who damaged the institutions of our democracy and someone who came dangerously close to destroying the fabric of our republic.
He called himself a “consequential” president. He was all of that. And more.
Thus, his imprint will be difficult to erase from what he left behind.
I say all this because his rhetoric still resonates with so many Americans. Many millions of them voted to return him for a second term as president. Many millions more, though, voted to elect Joe Biden as president in 2020. I was among the latter category of voters, as if you didn’t know it already.
Trump’s followers continue to cast doubt on President Biden’s election, fueled by Trump’s refusal to acknowledge that he lost fair and square to someone who outsmarted and outcampaigned him.
The near-destruction of our government, of course, occurred on Jan. 6 with the insurrection provoked by Trump.
I cannot yet identify what will be the overarching legacy that historians will determine is Trump’s most, um, significant imprint.
It might be the riot on Jan. 6; it could be the terrible spike in race-related hate crimes that occurred on his watch; it might be the fraying of alliances around the world with nations that used to depend on the U.S.’s power and influence.
My personal “favorite” ought to be the mishandling of the pandemic that exploded on the world in late 2019. Trump lied about the misery that awaited us, despite knowing that the pandemic would do the damage it has done … and is still doing!
To be sure, Trump will tout the three justices he selected to the U.S. Supreme Court. I don’t begrudge the fact that Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett sit on the court. Elections do have consequences and the 2016 election installed a president who sought to shift the court dramatically to the right. It remains to be seen, though, just how far right the court will tilt over time.
Donald Trump is gone from the White House. My sense — and certainly my hope — is that he never darkens the door of my house ever again. He is not forgotten. Wiping away the stain left by a consequential presidency will take time.
Your definition of failure is very odd. The best job numbers in decades for all races, North Korea and Iran no nuclear testing. More jobs in US instead of China. Energy independent for the first time. Shut down travel from China earlier than anyone wanted, including Fauci. He was called racist from Democrats for stopping travel from China, later many Democrats applauded him. A vaccine developed in 9 months instead of years. Democrats said it couldn’t/wouldn’t be done. Still waiting on Democrats to give Trump credit for the vaccine. He also got large pharma to give US patients prices they were giving other countries, which was significant lower.
How was he a failure??!!