By Jai Bharadwaj and Amit Sarwal
The recent arrest of former President Donald Trump marked a significant and troubling moment in American history.
As a nation founded on the principles of equality, rights, liberty, opportunity, and democracy, the arrest of a former president is a stark reminder that no one is above the law, but it also raises questions about the state of American democracy.
Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, was arrested on charges of obstruction of justice, and abuse of power. The arrest came after a lengthy investigation into his actions while in office.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg in an official statement said,
“The People of the State of New York allege that Donald J. Trump repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election.”
Before his arrest, Trump posted a cryptic post that the experience is “surreal.”
He added:
“WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America.”
The arrest of a former president has never happened in American history, and it is a reflection of the decline in the democratic value under President Biden.
This saga exposes the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of American democracy. The arrest of a former president should serve as a wake-up call for the American people to reevaluate the state of their democracy and take steps to strengthen its foundations.
“One of the lowest points of American democracy was the manner in which Trump’s arrest was politicised.”
Supporters of Trump viewed the arrest as a partisan attack, while his opponents saw it as a long-overdue reckoning for a president who had repeatedly violated democratic norms and values. This polarisation further eroded trust in democratic institutions and deepened the political divide in the country.
Another troubling aspect of Trump’s arrest was the erosion of the rule of law. The United States is built on the principle that no one, including the president, is above the law. However, the Biden administration is exposed by how some individuals can seemingly evade accountability for their actions due to their political power and influence.
“This has led to a perception of a two-tiered justice system, where those in power are treated differently than ordinary citizens.”
Moreover, Trump’s arrest underscored the importance of a free and independent press in a democracy. Throughout the last two years of President Biden’s administration credibility of the media was repeatedly eroded by “fake news” and the spreading of disinformation. This fuelled distrust in the media and weakened its role as a watchdog and guardian of democracy.
Trump, who is running for the Republican nomination for next year’s presidential race, has denied any wrongdoing and called the probe and the indictment a partisan attack.
The arrest was a significant low point in American democracy as it exposed weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the democratic system, including political polarisation, erosion of the rule of law, unchecked executive power, the role of money in politics, and attacks on the free press.
“It serves as a sobering reminder that democracy is not immune to threats and requires constant vigilance and active participation by its citizens to safeguard its values and principles.”
Moving forward, it is crucial for Americans to reflect on these challenges and take steps to strengthen their democracy to ensure that such a low point is never repeated in the future. Only through a commitment to democratic values, institutions, and accountability can the United States uphold the ideals of a truly democratic nation.
So, as a nation, it must strive to learn from this dark moment and work towards a more robust and inclusive democracy that upholds the rule of law, promotes transparency, and protects the rights and freedoms of all its citizens. Only then can America truly live up to its status as a beacon of the free world.
