Trump and the Atrocious Degradation of Democracy

Published in El Mundo
(Spain) on 30 June 2022
by Editorial (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Sergio Ferreras. Edited by Helaine Schweitzer.
Donald Trump actively and consciously took part in the assault on the Capitol, an attempt by a fanatical, armed group to subvert the constitutional order in the world's first democracy. Such is the terrifying conclusion that emerged from the sworn testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, who worked as an assistant to the White House chief of staff while Trump was in office. The young woman testified before the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol that is looking into the most serious political incident in recent U.S. history. Hutchinson testified that the president disregarded his obligation to preserve democracy. We can’t rule out the accusations in her testimony.

The wild theories by Trump supporters about the assault, including the claim that it was led by ultra-left activists, have no credibility. And the Justice Department could end up being forced to press charges against the former president, who wants to run again. In any case, the revelations show how the American system of checks and balances has been degraded. And unfortunately, the matter contributes to deepening the strong social and political polarization that is today dividing a nation without which one could not understand the defense of liberal democracy in the world.


Trump o la degradación atroz de la democracia

Donald Trump fue cooperador activo y plenamente consciente en el asalto al Capitolio, en un intento por parte de un grupo fanatizado y armado de subvertir el orden constitucional en la primera democracia del globo. Es la conclusión, de extraordinaria gravedad, que se desprende del testimonio bajo juramento de Cassidy Hutchinson, quien entonces trabajaba como asistente del jefe de Gabinete de una Casa Blanca que todavía tenía a Trump como inquilino. La joven ha comparecido ante el comité del Congreso que investiga el episodio político más grave en la historia reciente de EEUU. Y eleva la responsabilidad a quien como presidente abjuró de su obligación de velar por la preservación de la democracia. Ya no cabe descartar su imputación.

Las descabelladas teorías de los partidarios de Trump sobre aquel asalto, que dejó cuatro muertos, incluida la de que fue protagonizado por activistas de ultraizquierda, carecen de toda credibilidad. Y el actual Departamento de Justicia podría acabar viéndose obligado a presentar cargos contra el ex presidente, quien aspira a volver a ser candidato. El asunto, en todo caso, deja ver la degradación del sistema de checks and balances estadounidense. Y contribuye por desgracia a profundizar en la fortísima polarización social y política que hoy fractura a una nación sin la que no se entiende la defensa de la democracia liberal en el mundo.
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