Tag: Trump authoritarian tendencies

Trump Endorses an Aspiring Libyan Strongman, Reversing Policy

President Trump on Friday abruptly reversed American policy toward Libya, issuing a statement publicly endorsing an aspiring strongman in his battle to depose the United Nations-backed government.

The would-be strongman, Khalifa Hifter, launched a surprise attack on the Libyan capital, Tripoli, more than two weeks ago. Relief agencies said Thursday that more than 200 people had been killed in the battle, and in recent days Mr. Hifter’s forces have started shelling civilian neighborhoods.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement a few days after Mr. Hifter’s militia began its attack that “the administration at the highest levels” had made clear that “we oppose the military offensive” and “urge the immediate halt to these military operations.” Most Western governments and the United Nations have also condemned the attack and demanded a retreat.

View the complete April 19 article by David D. Kirkpatrick on The New York Times website here.

Trump Campaign Urges TV Producers To Silence His Critics

Talk about bad faith.

On Monday, the Trump campaign sent a memo to TV producers arguing that prominent Trump critics — including four Democratic members of Congress, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, and former CIA Director John Brennan — should be banned from appearing on news segments.

The reason? All six people have made comments about Trump and Russia that the Trump team disagrees with.

View the complete March 25 article by Emily Crockett on the National Memo website here.

Experts saw signs of growing authoritarianism in Trump’s prime-time address

Credit: Drew Angerer, Getty Images

He may not have declared a state of emergency yet, but experts warn that authoritarian tendencies are already creeping in.

On Tuesday night Trump pulled back from the brink. For now.

After claiming last week that he could declare a national emergency and unilaterally authorize and fund the construction of a wall on the U.S./Mexico border, Trump used his prime-time address on Tuesday night to quietly back away from the idea. Instead of side-stepping Congress, Trump called on Democrats to pass a spending bill that would reopen the federal government and allocate more than $5 billion in funding for his wall.

“The only solution is for Democrats to pass a spending bill that reopens our government and defends our borders,” Trump said. “I have invited Congressional leaders to the White House to get this done. Hopefully we can rise above partisan politics.”

View the complete January 9 article by Luke Barnes on the ThinkProgress.org website here.

‘It’s Scary’: Presidential Historian Details Why This Power in the Hands of Trump Literally Keeps Him Up at Night

A reminder that Donald Trump has the single control of nuclear weapons.

Presidential historian Michael Beschloss Credit: C-SPAN

Michael Beschloss, an historian and author of the book “President of War” on Sunday explained why Donald Trump’s ability to lead the nation into a war “almost singlehandedly” should make Americans “extremely nervous.”

Speaking with MSNBC’s Joy Reid, Beschloss explained why the great weight given to president to determine war and peace “should scare the average American.”

“What keeps me literally awake at night is the prospect of Donald Trump is going to push us towards an unnecessary major war for his own political reasons,” Beschloss explained.

View the complete October 21 article by Elizabeth Preza on the AlterNet.org website here.

Raising The Stakes: Kavanaugh Believes Trump Is Above The Law. He Should Not Be Confirmed.

Yesterday, the stakes of Kavanaugh’s nomination were raised even higher after Michael Cohen alleged under oath Donald Trump was a co-conspirator in a crime meant to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. The Senate should not confirm a nominee that believes the president is above the law, and Senate Republicans should delay his confirmation hearing.

Kavanaugh refused to say that the president must comply with a subpoena or provide records in an investigation.

Senator Schumer: “And on the issue of executive power, Judge Kavanaugh would not say that the President must comply with a subpoena or provide records.” Continue reading “Raising The Stakes: Kavanaugh Believes Trump Is Above The Law. He Should Not Be Confirmed.”

Trump Paris-Bound in November to Watch a Military Parade Instead

The following article by Niels Lesniewski was posted on the Roll Call website August 17, 2018:

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the traditional Bastille Day military parade in Paris last year. Credit: Chesnot, Getty Images

President Donald Trump plans to go to Paris in November to celebrate the Armistice Day, rather than hosting his own military parade in Washington, D.C.

Trump tweeted that he would also, “attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date.”

Any plans for a military parade in the United States have been postponed until at least 2019. Trump blamed the high cost of the previously-envisioned military parade on local officials in Washington, D.C.

View the complete article here.