We seem to be entering the next phase of authoritarianism and Facism. In court this week, a lawyer actually stood before a judge and stated the President of the United States essentially has blanket immunity. The only way to stop a President is be impeached in the House and convicted in the Senate. Then, and only then, can a President be held accountable for crimes, including killing his political opponents, and by extension, political enemies.
If anyone even remotely remembers their history, this is one of the reasons we have a democracy and not a monarchy. People got tired of a monarch acting with impunity. People have been immigrating, emigrating, and seeking asylum to live in the United States to get away from tyrannical leaders who do kill with impunity and without consequence. Millions upon millions of people have been murdered in the name of politics and religion because it was deemed to be so by political and religious leaders—Jesus being one of the most famous of political and religious murders.
If anyone even remotely remembers their history, past and current, tyrannical leaders have no filter as to who might live and who might die. Someone in the inner circle has as much risk of being murdered as a political opponent. No one is really safe—in reality not even the tyrannical leader since many are just waiting for the moment to off them to then reign supreme. History is littered with leader after leader murdered by someone wanting to take their place. No one is safe in this type of societal environment.
What might this look like if the Supreme Court does rule a President (and possibly former Presidents) has immunity from prosecution in perpetuity as it seems this is the end-game?
Looking at history in general, the first to go are political opponents. This would mean Biden, as current President, could have Trump, Haley, DeSantis, Kennedy, Hutchinson, Stone, Hardison, Carter, or any of the hundreds of people officially registered to run for President at this time “disappeared.” All would be fair game.
Should immunity apply to former Presidents, or if Trump (presumed front runner) wins, his most likely prime victims are Biden, Whitmer, McConnell, McCarthy, Abrams, Newsom, Clinton, Sanders, Beshear, and anyone else deemed as possible rivals to power.
Next are judges, academia, religious leaders, and the press.
Biden, if immunity applies, could go after Roberts, Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Coney Barrett, Cannon, and any judge who has ruled against his policies. Anyone who has written against his policies or leads a non-secular college or university is fair game. As is any Cardinal, Bishop, Deacon, or Pastor who has spoken out against Biden or perpetuated the Big Lie.
If immunity applies to a President, I personally might be worried if I worked for Fox News, OANN, Breitbart, Newsmax, National Review, InfoWars, Sinclair, X/Twitter, and even possibly CNN and a few over at MSNBC while Biden is in power.
High on Trump’s list might be Keagan, Sotomayor, Brown Jackson, Katsas, Singhal, Contreras, Howe, Bates, Chutkan, Engoron, along with Special Prosecutor Smith within the legal system. Any leader from institutions of higher learning who have written or spoken out against Trump are fair game. As are religious leaders who have spoken out or protested against Trump and his policies.
Should immunity apply to a President, and Trump wins, I’d be very afraid myself if I worked at MSNBC, CNN, New York Times, Washington Post, and even a few at Fox News. This would also trickle down to those independent journalists and new media, such as Wine-Banks, Li, Winslow, Sisson, Elias, and many others.
It goes without saying that Biden or Trump could target any politician sitting on the opposite side of the aisle. This could happen at all levels of government, so I probably wouldn’t rest easy even as a local town council member depending on the decision of SCOTUS.
Finally, because everyone is then in a state of fear and panic, neighbors would most likely begin to turn on neighbors, friends on friends, and even family on family. They turn out of a sense of fear and personal preservation.
At this point, no one is safe.
No one is safe not necessarily because one might be on Trump or Biden’s radar, but because fervent followers take matters into their own hands to mete out punishment. They will feel empowered to do as they wish. If you have ever said anything against their favored leader, written anything against their leader (such as me), believe in a religion that hasn’t supported their leader, just name a few, then living in fear becomes even more heightened.
Personally, I don’t want to live in such a society. Personally, I don’t believe anyone is above the law or should, or is entitled to, blanket immunity. This applies whether the immunity is limited to while in office or in perpetuity. That is not what was envisioned for our country or by our Constitution.
Will the above happen if Biden is president?
A reasonable person would be able to answer that question with an emphatic NO! He has shown no propensity to be a dictator, authoritarian, or fascist.
On the other hand, a reasonable person would be able to answer the above question regarding Trump with an emphatic YES! He has shown and demonstrated every propensity to act as a dictator, authoritarian, and fascist.
All elections matter. Speaking out against tyranny matters. Showing up to vote matters.
The choice of how you want our government to be is fully in your hands. If you want to live in fear under a tyrannical leader, then knock yourself out on Trump. You and all of us will get to live with the consequences that Trump and his followers’ ire may be directed at each of us (even if you are one of his followers—one false move and you could be toast as well).
I choose, even with all the faults of Biden and elected Democrats, to vote blue up and down the ballot.
I choose not to want to live in fear. I choose to live in a society that is inclusive. I choose to live in a country that ever strives to be better to and for its people.
What do you choose?
Personal Reflections of a Middle-Aged Man 