The Daily Blast: Trump’s Sordid Scandal at Arlington Takes a Dark and Disturbing Turn
Aug 30, 2024
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Jonathan Bernstein, a political scientist and author, dives into the troubling incident involving Donald Trump's campaign at Arlington National Cemetery. He discusses how the confrontation with a military official raises serious legal and ethical concerns. Bernstein highlights the implications for democracy, including the manipulation of the military and the climate of intimidation affecting electoral processes. As Democratic Senators threaten oversight, the conversation underscores the alarming erosion of the rule of law under Trump's influence.
The confrontation at Arlington National Cemetery reflects a troubling trend of intimidation that threatens the rule of law and democratic principles.
Trump's actions signify a disturbing effort to politicize the military, undermining its independence and civilian control essential to democracy.
Deep dives
Confrontation at Arlington
A physical confrontation occurred between Donald Trump's campaign aides and an official at Arlington National Cemetery, who was enforcing laws against filming in restricted areas. The campaign not only violated these legal boundaries but also retaliated against the official by attacking her credibility and mental health online. This incident led to a strong public rebuke from the Army, highlighting the serious breach of conduct and raising concerns about Trump's disregard for legal standards. The Army's statement emphasized that the campaign was informed of the restrictions, indicating a clear understanding of the laws that were flouted.
Deterioration of the Rule of Law
The reluctance of the Arlington official to press charges against the campaign aides due to fears of retaliation serves as a troubling signal of the broader deterioration of the rule of law under Trump's influence. This reflects a growing culture of intimidation and threats, where individuals feel they cannot speak out against violations without risking personal safety. The discussion points to historical parallels, such as the use of intimidation in the Jim Crow South, indicating that if such tactics persist, they can undermine democratic processes. There is a critical need for a political environment where individuals can report wrongdoing without fear of retribution.
Erosion of Military Integrity
Trump's behavior and rhetoric, particularly regarding military involvement in political matters, raises concerns about the erosion of civilian control over the military. Historically, the military has been seen as an impartial entity bound to serve the Constitution, but Trump's actions suggest a desire to politicize it for personal agendas. With explicit threats to use military force against political opponents and a tendency to undermine military leadership that doesn't align with him, this trend could jeopardize the foundational principle of an independent military. The ongoing normalization of political violence and the implication that it is an acceptable means of achieving political ends signal a dangerous shift in American democratic norms.
By now you’ve heard that Donald Trump’s campaign aides had a physical confrontation with an official at Arlington National Cemetery who tried to prevent them from filming in a restricted area, which apparently violated the law. This scandal worsened Thursday when the Army sharply rebuked his campaign. Democratic Senators are getting involved, which could bring a fuller accounting. We talked to political scientist Jonathan Bernstein—author of a good new piece about this saga—who details howTeam Trump’s actions are now signaling a larger deterioration of the rule of law and democracy.