(Thread) The Slow-Motion Constitutional Crisis
The current crisis is not (entirely) because of Trump.
It's (mostly) because of Congress.
The drafters of the Constitution considered the possibility that a president might be elected who was beholden to foreign interests.
The current crisis is not (entirely) because of Trump.
It's (mostly) because of Congress.
The drafters of the Constitution considered the possibility that a president might be elected who was beholden to foreign interests.
1/ That's why the drafters included a remedy in the Constitution: Congress acts as a check on presidential power.
At the first sign of corruption, fraud, or a foreign influence in the election, Congress SHOULD have stopped everything and conducted a meaningful investigation.
At the first sign of corruption, fraud, or a foreign influence in the election, Congress SHOULD have stopped everything and conducted a meaningful investigation.
2/Instead the GOP majority is sabotaging the investigation while hurriedly shoving through its agenda.
2 branches of government are thus disregarding the Constitution.
The current constitutional crisis is a slow breakdown, not a dramatic “Rebels fire on Fort Sumter” moment.
2 branches of government are thus disregarding the Constitution.
The current constitutional crisis is a slow breakdown, not a dramatic “Rebels fire on Fort Sumter” moment.
3/ “If it happens here,” said law prof. David Strauss (in👇) “it won’t happen all at once. A large, diverse society with democratic traditions . . . is unlikely to become an autocracy overnight. The more plausible scenario is a gradual erosion of liberal democratic* norms.” 
4/ ( * “liberal democracy” means: Representative government in which leaders are constrained by rule of law and people have maximum liberty.)
That’s what was in danger in 1861—and thats what’s in danger now.
In 1861 the aim was to break the country in two.
That’s what was in danger in 1861—and thats what’s in danger now.
In 1861 the aim was to break the country in two.
5/ Now the aim is to transition to Putin-style authoritarianism.
(If you’re asking, “Why on earth would anyone prefer a Putin-style authoritarianism to our current government?” see 👇
)
(If you’re asking, “Why on earth would anyone prefer a Putin-style authoritarianism to our current government?” see 👇
)
6/ From Profs. Levitsky & Ziblatt👇 Our current constitutional crisis basically started in 1994 when Gingrich said "ideological purity" means a “no compromise” approach and "pursuit of victory by any means necessary.”
The problem is that democracy requires compromise.
The problem is that democracy requires compromise.
7/ “Our way or we burn the place down” isn’t democracy; it’s authoritarianism.
Moreover, "any mean necessary” is a clear call to abandon democratic norms.
It's an easy leap from “any means necessary” to accepting help from Russians, and the current Congress’s behavior.
Moreover, "any mean necessary” is a clear call to abandon democratic norms.
It's an easy leap from “any means necessary” to accepting help from Russians, and the current Congress’s behavior.
8/ And from there, it’s a natural step to: Keep a GOP president in power by any means necessary.
I suspect many 2018 Trump voters may not fully understand what they're voting for.
But many DO, like this Trump supporter who will now join RT America:
thehill.com/homenews/media…
I suspect many 2018 Trump voters may not fully understand what they're voting for.
But many DO, like this Trump supporter who will now join RT America:
thehill.com/homenews/media…
9/ If Congress refuses to act as a check on presidential powers, the Constitution provides a solution: Vote them out.
While we still can.
Yes, we still can. This is a big country. Elections are held locally. It’s about what happens in thousands of communities all over the US.
While we still can.
Yes, we still can. This is a big country. Elections are held locally. It’s about what happens in thousands of communities all over the US.
10/ Worried? Volunteer to help with your local election.
Will there be cheating? Certainly.
So voters opposed to Trump need to vote in November in large enough numbers to offset any possible cheating.
One follower's response to Putin's ploys:
Will there be cheating? Certainly.
So voters opposed to Trump need to vote in November in large enough numbers to offset any possible cheating.
One follower's response to Putin's ploys:
11/ If Congress remains in GOP hands, and Trump has 2 years to figure out how to use “any means necessary” to fix elections, we may be in for a regime change—
because no constitution can survive if enough voters decide they no longer want it.
because no constitution can survive if enough voters decide they no longer want it.
