Silence of the lambs
Democracies do not normally die quickly because of some external crisis like a coup d’etat. Rather they tend to erode slowly when leaders relentlessly attack democratic norms and values. This is the opinion of Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt in their recent book How Democracies Die. So when Mr. Trump uses the Presidency as a vehicle to enrich himself and his family, this action may not destroy our democracy. However, but we should not overlook issues like this because in subtle ways it devalues our notions of ethics and democratic values. When the President attacks and demeans the Justice Department, it chips away at our democratic notion of the rule of law. When candidate Trump mocks a New York Timesreporter for his disability and is not sanctioned, it diminishes our view of humanity. When candidate Trump denigrates Senator McCain’s prisoner of war experience, it demeans the service of all veterans. In the same vein, President Trump’s comments and actions against women demean our sense of morality and family values. It also contributes to the perception that billionaires can live by their own rules. In these instances, the Country needs strong leaders who will stand up for our democratic values. We do not need silence and acquiescence.
This brings up House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and their Republican brethren. They are mostly silent about President Trump especially around the Russia investigation. As example, imagine if a democratic campaign chairman had been indicted, or a democratic campaign may have colluded with Russians to win an election. Would Congressional Republicans be so reticent to speak out or investigate? With seven Benghazi investigations under their belt, I suspect not, and they would be correct in taking swift action. Yet this Congress is mostly silent when it comes to this President and his actions.
The Founding Fathers did not envision the role of Congress as one of silence and enabling. They fully understood that the American people at some point might elect a demagogue-like individual as President. Therefore, they created countervailing institutions like Congress capable of restraining an errant executive. Congress, as an equal branch of government, was meant to contain a chaotic and impulsive Presidency. Again, take the Mueller investigation as an example. very week brings a new threat from the President to fire the investigators and shut down the investigation. Mr. Ryan and Mr. McConnell could mollify this threat by simply endorsing one of the bi-partisan bills that protect the integrity of the investigation. So far, they have refused to do that.
Why are they so reticent to confront this President? Both leaders would have us believe that they are too busy doing the work of the American people such that they have no time to intervene against the President. They contend that issues like tax reform, selection of judges, and the omnibus budget are where they need to put their efforts. Besides, they contend, those are the things the American people care about. Some of that may be true, but there is more to the story. They fear the President’s wrath and are intimidated by his base voters. They also hope that some good can come out of this chaotic and divisive Presidency. So they stay silent even though unconfirmed reports suggest that they are often appalled by the President’s actions. It’s not just the Congressional leaders but others within the majority party. Most have stood by their leaders and remained silent. As an example, they could have joined with the Democrats to create a 51+-vote majority to pass a bill to protect the Mueller investigation. Yet they have not done so.
This is an extraordinary time in our history and a real test of our democratic institutions. So far our Congress has not measured up. If President Trump decides to fire the Special Counsel and shut down the Russia investigation, it will be the biggest threat to our democracy since Watergate. Congress will be complicit by its inaction. In 2010, when the Republicans were out of power, Mr. Ryan published a book called Young Guns. His words now eerily jump from the page: “People think that their country is slipping away from them. They think the future is not going to be as bright. So they’re ready to embrace a reclamation of what made this country great. And if we get back into the majority, we cannot fall from this fight. We can’t be intimidated. We can’t worry about demagoguery and the negative ads.”
Speaker Ryan seems to have forgotten his inspiring words. He has recently announced his retirement from Congress. Even though he faces no more elections, he fails to speak up. Majority Leader McConnell is also continuing his silence. The Country deserves better.
Tom Deloe is a vice-chair for Gettysburg Area Democracy for America.