Donald Trump’s Constitution of One
by Josh Blackman
May 2016
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Trump has already promised that he will knowingly break the law and violate the Constitution.
Free speech?
He will “open up the libel laws” to allow public officials to sue the media, and use the Federal Communications Commission to fine critics.
Private property?
To Trump, eminent domain is a “wonderful thing” and is not actually “taking property” because the owner can move “two blocks away.”
Faithfully executing the law?
His harebrained scheme to make Mexico pay for the border wall ignores the clear text of a statute and unilaterally prohibits foreign commerce.
Serving as commander in chief?
Trump has already pledged that he would violate international treaties and domestic law. The military “won’t refuse” his illegal orders. “Believe me,” he promised.
Protecting our national security? Trump has lauded FDR’s internment of Japanese Americans, one of the darkest hours in the history of our Republic.
And what about the Supreme Court?
Assuming he keeps his promise to appoint conservative jurists — and that this promise is not merely a negotiating tactic — Trump’s approach would likely mirror that of George W. Bush:
appoint justices who will defer to bold assertions of federal power.
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The glue that holds our Republic together is the separation of powers — something the presumptive Republican nominee seems utterly unconcerned with.
Perhaps I can illustrate the separation of powers with an image even Mr. Trump will understand: a wall.
The separation of powers exist between the three branches to block one faction from abusing and exploiting the other.
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In such a regime, our most fundamental freedoms are in jeopardy.
However, under Donald Trump’s constitution of one, there would be no wall.
There would simply be a Boardwalk Emperor, unconstrained by the rule of law, who will do something terrific . Sad.
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