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Roisin Ni Fiachra

(2,574 posts)
Sat Nov 21, 2020, 04:29 PM Nov 2020

Historian: German denazification has lessons on how to deal with post-Trump America

Over the last four years, President Donald Trump’s White House has been riddled with scandals, lawsuits, and other incriminating claims with evidence to support wrongdoing. But due to presidential protections, no one has been able to hold Trump accountable for his actions. As more evidence continues to mount against the president and many White House officials within his administration, calls for prosecution have become more profound.

In fact, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris weighed in on Trump’s legal battles as she admitted that if she were president, her administration would prosecute Trump. So is there a real possibility the president and his allies could face consequences for their actions? A Washington Post editorial breaks offers a realistic perspective on whether or not this could occur.
snip---
If Trump and his associates are not prosecuted, they argue, it might set a devastating precedent. Others worry that the desire to prosecute Trump could amount to no more than “vengeance” that would further erode democratic norms. This vigorous debate on the left asks how we as a nation can get to the bottom of the Trump administration’s criminal behavior, while also ensuring that no future administration can act in such a manner again.

The piece went on to offer a comparison of Germany’s denazification period to the impending post-Trump era of the United States. Since Trump’s support base is still relatively solid, there are concerns about how a Trump prosecution could further polarize the nation. The columnist also noted that denazification in Germany took decades. So, it may require an extended period of time before polarization ends.

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/11/historian-german-denazification-has-lessons-on-how-to-deal-with-post-trump-america/


First, we have our Nuremberg trials. Then we proceed with systematic de-nazification.
11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Historian: German denazification has lessons on how to deal with post-Trump America (Original Post) Roisin Ni Fiachra Nov 2020 OP
Detrumpification. roamer65 Nov 2020 #1
Something to consider after the hangings. Sneederbunk Nov 2020 #2
+1 2naSalit Nov 2020 #3
I have to observe that the Far Right is still a serious problem in Germany and other parts abqtommy Nov 2020 #4
The problem is post-WW2 Germans were smart and open to being educated. Trump supporters are idiots Alhena Nov 2020 #5
Available documentaries show just how unrepentant most Nazis were pecosbob Nov 2020 #6
The best approach is to uphold the very letter of the law. eppur_se_muova Nov 2020 #7
I agree Solly Mack Nov 2020 #8
This message was self-deleted by its author Solly Mack Nov 2020 #9
+1 MustLoveBeagles Nov 2020 #10
K&R, If we want peace we work towards justice uponit7771 Nov 2020 #11

abqtommy

(14,118 posts)
4. I have to observe that the Far Right is still a serious problem in Germany and other parts
Sat Nov 21, 2020, 08:41 PM
Nov 2020

of Europe. (Besides here in the U.S.) De-Nazification has never worked or ended.

Alhena

(3,014 posts)
5. The problem is post-WW2 Germans were smart and open to being educated. Trump supporters are idiots
Sat Nov 21, 2020, 08:44 PM
Nov 2020

and are completely lost in their fantasy world they have created for themselves. And they only have to tune into OAN or whatever to re-confirm their views.

pecosbob

(7,511 posts)
6. Available documentaries show just how unrepentant most Nazis were
Sat Nov 21, 2020, 09:13 PM
Nov 2020

with some interviews as recent as ten years ago. Many refuse to admit guilt even when presented with evidence of their complicity. One in particular chilled me...a doctor responsible for euthanizing children with learning disabilities or birth defects...

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1855924/
Third Reich: The Rise & Fall - 2010

eppur_se_muova

(36,227 posts)
7. The best approach is to uphold the very letter of the law.
Sat Nov 21, 2020, 09:22 PM
Nov 2020

If officials of this administration engaged in bribery, thievery, undue influence, etc. turn the DOJ loose on them. Investigate all those no-bid contracts to house immigrant children. Investigate the diversions of funds from the military to "favorite" contractors for that substandard Wall. Investigate every grift committed by these people. They are taken to be innocent until proven guilty, but the collection of evidence and a competent presentation of same in court will end that.

Civil rights charges should be ready in abundance for Steve Miller, Steve Bannon, and 45 himself for all their racist ICE/INS policies.

Whether it looks politically motivated or not -- if they broke the law, mete out punishment under the law. THEN we'll "look forward, not back", and not before.

Response to eppur_se_muova (Reply #7)

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