Lawfare Archive: David Frum on Threats to Democracy in the Trump Era

In 'Washington: A Life', Ron Chernow provides a richly detailed and engaging portrait of George Washington. The book covers his adventurous early years, his heroic exploits during the Revolutionary War, his role in the Constitutional Convention, and his significant contributions as the first president of the United States. Chernow challenges the stereotype of Washington as a stolid, unemotional figure, instead revealing a man of fiery opinions, many moods, and a fiercely guarded emotional life. The biography delves into Washington's personal relationships, his complex feelings about slavery, and his meticulous management of Mount Vernon. It also highlights his political genius and his role in shaping the new federal government and the office of the presidency.

In this book, David Frum documents how Trump and his administration are steadily damaging the tenets and accepted practices of American democracy. Frum, who served as a speechwriter for George W. Bush, highlights the erosion of democratic principles, the disregard for traditional limits on the presidency, and the potential long-term consequences for American democracy. He also discusses the global context of democratic decline and the specific actions and behaviors of Trump that threaten democratic norms. The book is a call to action, emphasizing the need for recovery and the importance of civic engagement to prevent further damage to American democracy.