When It Is Apt

History is full of important lessons that apply to America today.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

That quote by philosopher George Santayana inspired the often repeated “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.” This phrase feels even more applicable today than in years past.

After the Civil War, the United States faced an unprecedented situation of unifying the nation once again. One issue was that the southern states wanted to send some of the most fervent believers in the secession of the Confederacy and those who led the South’s Civil War efforts back to Congress, a move that resulted in section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Those who had engaged in insurrection and rebellion were barred from serving in America’s government.

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

In 1923 a far right conservative group attempted to overthrow their Democratic government with an insurrectionist coup attempt. They failed.

Their leaders were arrested and faced trial for treason. One of those leaders used his trial to continue his rhetoric instead of making the case for his innocence. He realized the reach the trial coverage provided for spreading his propaganda to the masses. He was found guilty and sentenced to jail, where he wrote a book that further detailed his ideas. After his time in prison, he was determined to regain power. That person was, of course, Adolf Hitler.

Comparisons to Hitler are severely overused in American politics. Anytime someone wants to make their opponent seem especially bad, who better to compare them to than the evil tyrant who killed millions of people and attempted to take the world by force?

Because of this, we tend to scoff at any comparisons to Hitler, and even worse, some people have begun to downplay Hitler’s history and that of the Holocaust as well.

But there are times when the comparison is apt and should be taken seriously. Trump’s rhetoric has been increasingly authoritarian, often using phrases from past dictators such as Hitler.

Trump has said he wants to round up his enemies, that he wants to put people in camps, that he wants to destroy the Constitution, and even that he wants to be a dictator. He’s calling those he doesn’t like “vermin” and stating that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our nation.” Scariest of all, polls show his base is more likely to vote for him because he uses that language.

While President Trump was angry that US generals weren’t more like Nazi generals in part because he believed Nazi generals were entirely loyal to Hitler. John Kelly, Trump’s Chief of Staff, informed Trump that those Nazi generals tried to kill Hitler multiple times, but Trump insisted that wasn’t true and that they were fully loyal. Kelly also reminded Trump that US generals' first loyalty is to the Constitution and the rule of law, which Trump was unwilling to accept.

So, is it any surprise that Trump tried to overturn a fair election? First, by lying about the results, then by trying to pressure different state officials to change the numbers, followed by attempting to use fake electors, and finally, resulting in riling up an insurrectionist mob that attacked the Capitol.

Germany had banned the Nazi party after their failed coup. The nation took steps to prevent that danger from infecting their government and hurting their nation. But then, Germany overturned the ban. They gave in to pressure and allowed the Nazi party to be recognized once again. Hitler continued to improve his propaganda and rose to power.

Right now, US states are using the Constitution to hold Trump accountable and protect our Democratic Republic from fascism. The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that Trump is barred from being on the Republican primary ballot. Other states are also considering taking such a step. While the US Supreme Court will undoubtedly hear these cases at some point in the near future, the public is wasting no time debating the merits of Colorado’s decision.

On one side, you have the people saying that moments like this are precisely what Article 3 addresses. To ensure that those who attempted to take over the government by force are not allowed to serve in it.

On the other side, you have people who are mostly trying to make technical claims about whether the President is specifically an officer of the government or not or that Trump has yet to be convicted of insurrection (which is not specified as a requirement in the Constitution).

And that is pretty telling in itself. The main argument isn’t that Trump didn’t do anything wrong but that there may be technicalities that prevent him from being held accountable.

Simultaneously, a new recording has come to light of Trump personally calling canvassers from Wayne County, Michigan, to pressure them into not certifying the 2020 election. Also on the phone was RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, who told the canvassers she would get them attorneys if they went home without signing the certification.

This is simply new evidence on top of Trump’s phone call to Georgia looking to “find votes” and the 91 criminal charges he is facing for a litany of crimes committed while serving as the President of the United States. 

Add to that the numerous Trump associates that have been found guilty and plead guilty to their crimes. The Mueller, Durham, and Republican Senate report that found Russia interfered in the 2016 election on behalf of Trump, that Trump’s son took calls, met with, and shared information with Russian agents, and that Trump and his team obstructed justice by hindering the FBI investigation into those matters.

There is no doubt that Trump was looking for any means with which to steal the 2020 election, including using force. There is little doubt that Trump wouldn’t take things further if he were reelected to the presidency. After all, Trump routinely praises Putin, Kim, as well as past dictators and even mobsters like Al Capone.

The only remaining question is whether America is willing to hold Trump accountable for every one of his crimes. This would send a clear message that no one is above the law and that our Constitution will always be upheld and protected. 

To do any less would be a disservice to our forefathers, our Constitution, and our nation.