America's Founding Fathers are rolling in their graves
Key takeaways
- Their judgments would likely put a damper on even the most festive Independence Day celebrations.
- It s popular these days to claim that the Founders simply could never have comprehended a character as venal and antidemocratic as President Trump.
- Our Founders understood that the real test of American principles would come when the rights that exist on paper clash with the impulses of a charismatic and amoral leader.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
Their judgments would likely put a damper on even the most festive Independence Day celebrations.
It s popular these days to claim that the Founders simply could never have comprehended a character as venal and antidemocratic as President Trump. Although that sentiment might soothe the consciences of the millions of Americans who allowed Trump s self-interested authoritarianism to flourish, it reeks of sloppy history. Hucksters like Trump found power as irresistible in the 18th century as they do today — the Founders knew plenty of toxic Trumpian types.
Our Founders understood that the real test of American principles would come when the rights that exist on paper clash with the impulses of a charismatic and amoral leader. Those threats seemed to emerge from every corner of the new nation. In fact, America was awash in so many demagogues and aspiring strongmen that New York Gov. George Clinton penned a warning to his fellow countrymen in 1787 about the dangers of buying into the politics of division and hatred.