Trump and the Atrocious Degradation of Democracy

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.