No One is Going to Save You From Donald Trump
As the Supreme Court deliberates total immunity, it's time to give up on saviors and institutional roadblocks taking care of the problem of authoritarianism
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The Supreme Court of the United States has decided to hear former president Donald Trump’s claim that, while serving in that capacity, he was immune from prosecution. It is a wild argument with far-reaching implications, and the Court’s decision also notably delays the trial surrounding his attempts to overthrow the government, creating a hell of a pinch in regards to getting matters settled before the November Election.
Those are topics for another day, however.
Now is the time to look something important in the face.
To give up years and years of denial and delusion.
To possibly let go of a lifetime’s worth false reality.
Here it is plainly: No one is going to save you from Donald Trump.
As is the case with apocalyptic crises, there have been plenty of ballyhooed heroes and saviors. When the going gets tough and the very fabric of society seems to thin, we look for people to lead us out of the tumult. There’s a reason why cultural unease and strife breed cults and destructive leaders claiming to be messiahs. People need reassured that someone, anyone, is in control.
You and I have seen our fair share of suppose saviors. And, in listing them, and examining them, something becomes very obvious.
Robert Mueller.
James Comey.
Nancy Pelosi.
Joe Biden.
Merrick Garland.
The House of Representatives.
The Senate.
The Supreme Court of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations.
The Central Intelligence Agency.
The Department of Justice.
The Democratic Party.
The Republican Party.
It goes on and on and on.
And what is the through line?
Institutions.
We have continually looked to officials and politicians and the institutions they serve for solutions. In politicians, you’ll notice a reliance on people like Biden, who first entered office over fifty years ago. In Mueller and Comey, you have functionaries of state power. By other turns people who should know better, who have watched the FBI persecute, the CIA oppress, and the DOJ helm an unequal justice system, cheered them on like sports teams without any actual nuance whatsoever.