Having cited the 1991 Soviet Coup plotters in this blog’s inaugural post, I can’t see their hubris holding a candle to that of the current US President. His error-laden and extremely arrogant performance is the stuff of science fiction. Sadly, it’s our reality.
With an active pandemic that’s ramping up yet again, his dismissive behavior and comments are unconscionable and unbelievable. Last time I checked, no mere human being has been able to will away a disease with a wave of the hand and announcement that the population is tired of the disease—so let’s just dismiss it and be on our way.
If anyone is “mere,” (a/k/a meager, bare, trivial, paltry, scant), it’s Donald Trump. Unfortunately, his COVID actions and pronouncements are anything but trivial. They’re literally criminal, in my interpretation.
Let’s look at two possibilities off the top:
Treason.
Merriam-Webster defines treason in part as “the betrayal of a trust : TREACHERY.” While his COVID actions and pronouncements don’t appear to meet the specific standard in the US Constitution, I nonetheless posit that his abysmal mismanagement of COVID certainly amounts to a betrayal of trust of the American people. (And his actions elsewhere likely would rise to the Constitutional test if fully explored and subject to a trial.)
Reckless Endangerment.
Yes, naysayers will point out that connecting a reckless endangerment criminal charge to Trump is a stretch. But, what is his behavior, if not recklessly endangering public health—both close-in at his rallies and get-togethers and through his pronouncements to the public-at-large? As the Chicago Tribune pointed out in early October, “His reckless conduct was a disservice to the nation. It was the height of arrogant irresponsibility…”
If you go by the definition in findlaw.com, his conduct is clearly criminal: “Reckless Endangerment…the criminal offense of recklessly engaging in conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to another person. Whether you meant any harm or not, creating a situation that puts someone else at risk is illegal.”
Given that Trump won’t be charged with either of these COVID-related crimes prior to the election, why write about it? To provide perspective that can impact voter preferences, and hopefully spur some critical thinking.
So, consider this: If you were presented this information about an “anonymous” candidate, would you support that candidate? Or, would the egregious nature of these actions cause you to cast your vote elsewhere?
Do you want to re-elect a candidate who clearly has willfully, recklessly and repeatedly disregarded the health of this nation amid a cataclysmic pandemic, and betrayed its trust?
Gray Flannel Head 