Autocrats, whether they are right-wing fascists or left-wing dictators, consolidate power by attacking all rival spheres of power and influence. It`s Dictatorship 101 to emasculate an independent judiciary, intimidate the legislative branch and ridicule the press.
Donald Trump doesn`t have the intellect or patience to adhere to any particular political ideology, the only philosophy that he subscribes to is that of the narcissist, self-aggrandizement and burnishing his brand at any cost.
Trump`s attacks on individual judges and the justice system has been well chronicled, he expected the judicial system to vindicate his anti-constitutional executive orders.
Trump has the GOP-controlled House and Senate under his complete control, to the point where no Republican leader, with the exception of those who aren`t running for reelection, dare call him out on his racism, misogyny and just plain stupidity.
Trump`s campaign shtick included belittling the press, and he branded the news media “the enemy of the American people” a month after taking the oath of office. In the intervening months he has intensified his attack on the press. He can`t hold a press conference or deliver a stump speech without labeling the media “fake news” a dozen times.
In the last few months Trump has amped up his attack on journalists by labeling them, “the enemy of the people, a phrase made popular by Joseph Stalin.
This has been a one-sided war, Trump regularly blasts the press, and the fourth estate cowers under his belligerence.
But enough is enough! The editorial board of the Boston Globe is urging newspapers and online news outlets across our democracy to express their disgust for the president`s anti-press rhetoric on August 16, by writing editorials extolling free speech and condemning Trump`s war against the press.
So far over 100 news outlets have agreed – from large metropolitan newspapers to low-circulation small town weekly newspapers. I urge bloggers to join the bandwagon, in the last two years I`ve written over 200 anti-Trump essays, and I`m not going to stop until Trump is impeached and removed from office.
The press represents the American people, they uncover the truth, and speak that truth to power, to hold our elected officials accountable to the people.
At this critical juncture in the history of our democracy, I have made it crystal clear where I stand on this issue. How about you, will you stand with the press, or will you continue to enable an autocratic racist moron?
Follow Robert Paul Reyes on Twitter: http://twitter.com/robertpaulreyes