The Emperor Strikes Back: the Attack on the American Constitution in Trumps Second Turn

With each presidential decree, Donald Trump pushes the boundaries of his executive power. Which direction will the future of American democracy take? 

In his second turn, President Trump weaponizes the legal system—rewarding his allies while taking revenge on his enemies. Capitol rioters who had received prison sentences up to twenty years were released overnight. Their prosecuters got fired. Trump disregards federal court rulings, ignores acts of Congress, and defies both the Constitution’s text and Supreme Court precedents.

Is American democracy resilient enough to withstand this assault on the rule of law? What does this mean for the U.S.’s role in the world? And what will happen to the liberal and democratic world order when America is no longer its main advocate?

About the speakers:

Kimberly Wehle is a tenured law professor, writer, public speaker, lawyer, and legal contributor for ABC News. She is an expert in civil procedure, constitutional law, administrative law, and the separation of powers.

Prof. Dr. Geert-Jan Alexander Knoops is a lawyer in international and criminal law. He is a professor by special appointment of Politics of International Law at the University of Amsterdam and a visiting Professor of International Criminal Law at Shandong University in Jinan, China.

Laila Frank is a journalist specializing in the United States. She writes for Vrij Nederland, created the in-depth podcast series Welkom in Washington (BNNVARA, NPO RADIO1), and is one of the hosts of Bureau Buitenland (VPRO). She spends part of the year in the U.S. and part in the Netherlands.

Supported by Vfonds.

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