Repealing the constitution: outrage at Trump’s demand

Ex-US President Trump still claims to have lost the 2020 election to fraud. It is therefore justified to suspend parts of the constitution, he now explained. There was heavy criticism for this, including from Republicans.

Former US President Donald Trump has caused outrage with a statement about overriding the constitution. Trump reiterated his claim on his online network Truth Social on Saturday that he was robbed of a second term in the 2020 election through voter fraud. “A massive fraud of this nature and magnitude enables the repeal of all rules, regulations and articles, even those in the Constitution,” Trump wrote.

The background to Trump’s demand was an announcement by the new Twitter owner Elon Musk that he would disclose how the online platform “suppressed freedom of speech” in the run-up to the 2020 election. But documents released Friday regarding reactions on Twitter to an article about Hunter Biden – President Joe Biden’s son – do not show that Democrats tried to block the report’s distribution.

The White House immediately condemned Trump’s statement. “Attacking the Constitution and all it stands for is anathema to the soul of our nation and should be universally condemned,” said spokesman Andrew Bates.

“Declared Enemy of the Constitution”

President Joe Biden’s Democrat politicians sharply attacked Trump. “He’s calling for an end to America’s constitutional democracy,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “He’s out of control and a threat to our democracy.” Congressman Ted Lieu dismissed Trump’s statement as “anti-American and fascist.” Congressman Don Beyer said Trump had “openly declared himself an enemy of the constitution.”

Hakeem Jeffries, future leader of the Democrats in the grand chamber of Congress, described Trump’s post on ABC’s This Week as strange and extreme. Republicans would have to decide whether to continue supporting his anti-Democratic views.

Criticism also from Republicans

Criticism of Trump also came from within his own ranks. Republican Congressman Mike Turner said on CBS’s Face the Nation news program that he “vehemently” disagreed with Trump’s statements and “absolutely” condemned them. His words should also play a role in the party’s decision on who to put in the 2024 White House race. “There is a political process that has to take place before anyone is a lead candidate or even the party’s candidate,” Turner added.

Trump’s statement “crazy”

Newly elected Republican Congressman Mike Lawler also opposed Trump’s comments. It’s time to stop focusing on “past election grievances,” Lawler said on CNN. “The Constitution was put in place for one reason, and that was to protect the rights of every American. I think the President would do well to focus on the future if he wants to run for the presidency again.”

Congressman Adam Kinzinger called Trump’s statement “crazy.” No Conservative can now support him. John Bolton, who was Trump’s national security adviser until a disagreement, said “all true conservatives” must now prevent Trump’s candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.