From Slate Magazine · David Kaye · · 2m
America Needs to Reckon With Trump 2.0
Trump administration crimes demand accountability now to prevent democratic collapse.
In brief
Trump administration crimes demand accountability now to prevent democratic collapse. Democrats must plan for legal accountability of Trump-era crimes before January 2029 to prevent democratic backsliding. Originally reported by Slate Magazine.
Rising demands for Trump accountability
77 percent of Democrats believe criminal prosecution of administration officials is warranted for actions ranging from military strikes to ICE attacks on citizens.
“77 percent of Democrats believe criminal prosecution of administration officials is warranted for actions that range from their military strikes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement attacks on citizens”
Public skepticism about accountability
A majority of Americans lack trust that leaders will ever be held accountable under U.S. law.
“A majority of Americans lack trust that their leaders will ever be held accountable under U.S. law”
Trump administration crimes
Trump administration has disobeyed court orders, shuttered federal agencies, repressed freedom of expression, pursued vindictive prosecutions, assaulted cities and protesters, damaged global economy and health, undermined international institutions.
“Trump administration has disobeyed court orders, shuttered federal agencies without any basis in law, repressed freedom of expression, pursued vindictive prosecutions against perceived political enemies, assaulted our cities and peaceful protesters, caused lasting damage to the global economy and global health, undermined international institutions”
Trump's self-dealing
Trump, his family, and associates engaged in self-dealing at a scale never seen in American history.
“Trump, his family, and his associates have engaged in self-dealing at a level never seen at this scale in American history”
Democratic response
Democrats and centrists like Sen. Elissa Slotkin promise robust oversight if they take Congress in November midterms.
“Democrats must be hearing these demands from voters regularly, as many, including centrists like Sen. Elissa Slotkin, are promising robust oversight if they take Congress in the November midterms”
Accountability planning
Congressional leaders and experts should begin developing a vision for accountability now to prepare for January 2029.
“Congressional leaders and experts across American society, drawn as much as possible from the left, center, and the remaining rule-of-law supporters on the right, should begin to develop a vision and plan for accountability now”
Accountability challenges
Trump and his allies will stonewall committees, refuse subpoenas, and block inquiries while claiming weaponization and witch hunt.
“Trump and his satraps will still be in power, and are sure to stonewall committees, refuse subpoenas, and block inquiries while crying weaponization, witch hunt, and Trump derangement syndrome”
Elon Musk's role
Elon Musk, a likely target of congressional investigation, could juice an anti-accountability algorithm on his platform X.
“Elon Musk, himself a likely target of congressional investigation, could juice an anti-accountability algorithm on his personal propaganda platform, X”
Republican obstruction
Republicans will exploit Congress' high disapproval ratings to undermine accountability efforts.
“Republicans will try to exploit Congress’ historically high disapproval ratings to undermine anything they do”
Accountability timeline
Real accountability will begin in January 2029 if Trump is replaced by a democratic administration.
“The real reckoning, accountability backed by the force of law, will have to begin in January 2029, if (or when, depending on your level of optimism) Trump is replaced by an administration committed to a democratic future”
Accountability scope
Accountability includes criminal investigations into military killings, migrant abuses, and Trump's 'Mar-a-Lago Mafia' corruption.
“The accountability agenda will require an independent Department of Justice pursuing criminal investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the actions that most experts and officials view as manifestly unlawful”
Accountability mechanisms
Civil liability, asset forfeiture, and lustration are needed to address Trump-era crimes.
“Civil liability and asset forfeiture will have to be on the table for those responsible. Lawyers who carried out Trump administration policies, breaking professional obligations, should face disbarment proceedings”
Truth commission
Congress should create a Truth Commission for America to investigate federal agency malfeasance.
“This should take the form of a congressionally authorized, department-by-department Truth Commission for America that investigates and establishes the details of administration malfeasance in every agency of the federal government”
Global accountability models
Democracies like Brazil, Argentina, and South Korea have high-level prosecutions for accountability.
“We can learn from democracies around the world that have themselves recognized the importance of accountability to democracy: high-level prosecutions from countries like Brazil, Argentina, and South Korea”
Accountability risks
Trump will use pardon power to immunize himself and officials from accountability.
“On his way out of office, President Trump will abuse the pardon power in a bid to immunize himself and his closest officials”
The takeaway
Democrats must plan for legal accountability of Trump-era crimes before January 2029 to prevent democratic backsliding.
