SPEAK NOW, DEMOCRACY
Track Trump's Corruption
There are so many corrupt elements of the Trump administration, it feels like an onslaught. This page will track (and help give a broad overview of):
Starting With The Money
Specifically - what is corruption in government?
Corruption in government refers to the abuse of public power or entrusted authority for private gain. This can involve actions like bribery, extortion, embezzlement, and nepotism, where officials misuse their positions for personal benefit, often at the expense of the public good.
There is a difference between successful capitalism and unrestricted capitalism; the difference is corruption.
Certainly, capitalism has been a driving component of our country's unparalled success - but not unrestricted capitalism, wherein people or corporations can act without morals or restraint, and corrupt officials can act in ways that go against public interest. Trump uses the immense power of the United States as a means to enrich himself; he does not negotiate on behalf of the American people.
It's true that no one imagined a president would be so corrupt as to negotiate business deals while in office, and so some laws forbidding that were written solely to apply to congress (they did not specify the highest office in the land). But there are blatantly unconstitutional acts - such as breaking the emoluments clause - which states that presidents cannot accept bribes or gifts from foreign governments. Yet in every single trade or weapons deal, the president gains billions of dollars in real estate deals, billions of dollars for his cryptocurrency company, and millions into his $Trump coin. See (linked) articles for reference below, followed by an overview.
Tracking The Billions and Billions Trump has raked in
(only six months into his second term):
TRUMP HAS MADE BILLIONS - AS PRESIDENT - JUST IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS
It is corrupt to attach Trump business deals to American Trade and Weapons deals, but Trump forces countries to consider his own financial interests instead of negotiating for the best interest of the American people. The recent middle east deals included access to American technology that - now that is in other country's control - means we have no leverage with China in regards to trading for the rare earth minerals needed for technology. But throw in the plane that Trump requested (literally the THIRD new Air Force One that will be delivered for Trump this term) and Trump is willing to give anything. Trump allows his favor and the power of the United States to be purchased in many ways, including real estate, cryptocurrency, Trump Media, and his $Trump coin.
Here is a great explanation of Trump's Corrupt Middle East Deals That Gave Billions To Him - Not The American People
As part of a U.S. weapons and technology deal, Trump profited billions. No one disputes this. This information is discussed openly on the Senate floor.
“I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.”
—Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States
The history of our great nation has been full of challenges to overcome.
In our country's Civil War, it was a battle for human rights and states' rights, but ultimately it was a fight about people who would justify stealing the freedom of others for the purpose of their own greed. It was a fight for the soul of our nation, and here we are again - facing a reign of tyranny and greed, and an unprecedented attack on the structure of our democracy by the elected official who swore to protect it.
Trump's Attacks On Democracy
While Trump is greatly expanding his own wealth, there is an unprecedented (and very calculated) attack on our democracy.
Trump did not invent this playbook - the authoritarians he most admires invented it - but he is following it. Be sure to also check out the section on Trump's foreign alliances (below), and their corrupt approaches to stealing money and power from their people, attacking and controlling freedom of the press, attacking the judiciary, and placing corrupt officials in positions of power to maintain their suppression and hold on their people. Imagine fearing violence or murder for posting articles like these, or speaking out in public against Trump's actions. Those are the actions of the dictators Trump supports.
Trump's Authoritarian Playbook
STEP BY STEP Guide
1. Villainize immigrants.
Trump and Vance actively teach that other groups "are to blame" for our country's problems, and everything is so ridiculously oversimplified. High rent? Blame the immigrants. Never mind the cost of your food. They encourage their follower's desire to get rid of those "other" people regardless of human rights or the benefit of inclusion.
Trump's Authoritarian Playbook
STEP BY STEP Guide
2. Encourage fear of the "Deep state." Spread conspiracy theories regarding Epstein, etc.
This Q'Anon fear - though entirely made-up - led to Trump's election. It also served a secondary purpose for his followers to accept the elimination of government services that benefitted them.
Trump's Authoritarian Playbook
STEP BY STEP Guide
3. Destroy the checks & balances.
Trump (and all executive power) is meant to be kept in check by the judicial and legislative branches of government, and by people who seek to serve the country - not Trump's corrupt intentions. However, the GOP congress, the Trump administration, the DOJ and Supreme Court obey Trump's every whim. Trump prioritizes loyalty, and they serve him instead of upholding the constitution.
Trump's Authoritarian Playbook
STEP BY STEP Guide
4. Demonize the free press & delegitimize the truth.
Trump intentionally breaks the law, but acts victimized when he is called out on it. And so he encourages distrust in the "fake news" while he lies all the time. More importantly, he encourages hatred of political opponents, violence, and attack.
Trump's Authoritarian Playbook
STEP BY STEP Guide
5. Suppress free speech and the right to assemble.
The militia of ICE and villainization of immigrants also serves to suppress free speech and the ability to resist Trump's authoritarian overtake of democracy.
Trump's Authoritarian Playbook
STEP BY STEP Guide
6. Blame others for country's problems, promise punishing them returns our glory.
In addition to blaming immigrants for our country's problems, all other countries are to blame as well. So that introduces punitive tariffs which increases Trump's king-like power, and allows him to attack other democratic countries' economies (not Russia).
Trump's Authoritarian Playbook
STEP BY STEP Guide
7. Reward loyalists, punish those who tell the truth.
Bipartisan acknowledgement that Russia interfered in the 2016 election was approved by Marco Rubio, and even Trump. The problem is that the intelligence showed the Trump campaign chair regularly met with Russian intelligence during that time. While they could not definitively prove that Trump collaborated, this loose thread is troublesome because Trump seeks to deepen ties with his oldest business partner. So he claims the CIA and FBI are to blame.
Trump's Authoritarian Playbook
STEP BY STEP Guide
8. Demonize opponents.
Please see more about Trump's connection to Russia below. This isn't a hoax, or a made up story like Q'Anon lies. This is a longstanding business partnership where Trump prioritizes Russia's needs ahead of our democratic allies. The scary issue, is that Trump has now taken to blaming the truth on the Obama administration. So it's all an "Obama conspiracy," instead of incredibly corrupt behavior by Trump and Russia.
Trump's Authoritarian Playbook
STEP BY STEP Guide
9. Encourage violence to achieve political goals.
Trump benefits by getting credible leaders out of the way, and those who will acknowledge the corruption in his administration and alliances. Former presidents have credibility, so he has to attack that first. If a follower takes care of Obama for him - we can assume that Trump approves. And we know that is the case, because Trump has also previously publicly posted Obama's address.
Trump's Authoritarian Playbook
STEP BY STEP Guide
10. Make people feel powerless.
If you've been in chat rooms recently, and felt like - my God, the resistance to truth is overwhelming - than you're probably interacting with Russian bots. Isn't that interesting? Even posts like, "there's no point in protesting," & all kinds of MAGA agenda support. Google this. Russia has an interest in making you feel powerless, when you are not in fact, powerless. It just serves Trump to get you to think that you are.
Trump is following the Authoritarian Playbook:
1. Spread mistrust and fear amongst the population. Give people an enemy group to hate.
2. Spread lies and conspiracies: Undermine the public’s belief in truth.
3. Destroy checks and balances: Quietly twist legal loopholes, gut institutions, weaken opposition, and/or declare national emergencies to seize unconstitutional powers.
4. Demonize independent media: Undermine the public’s trust in those actors and institutions that hold the state accountable.
5. Actively suppress free speech, the right to assembly and protest and the rights of women and minority groups.
6. Blame minorities, immigrants, and “outsiders” for a country’s problems: Exploit national humiliation while promising to restore national glory.
7. Reward loyalists and punish defectors: Make in-group members fearful to voice dissension.
8. Demonize political opponents. Use fear-mongering and hate speech to consolidate in-group identity and solidarity.
9. Encourage or condone violence to advance political goals: Dehumanize opposition and/or out-groups to justify violence against them.
10. Make people feel like they are powerless to change things.
The overview of what Trump is doing:
Trump says, "IT'S US vs THEM. The Deep State. The 'bad people.' The crooks. The liars."
Trump positions himself as it's us in the majority vs the elites - that's populism. He says it's "for the people." But a big component of it is assigning blame to marginalized groups (like immigrants, or LGBTQ) and to the "elites." Trump also constantly used words like, "the deep state," but he is the one creating corruption in the government. Trump distracts and teaches people to blame those other groups for all of our country's problems, and he says that without those groups everything will be "better." But it's not enough just to blame - he also uses fear. All the while he is consolidating power and money for his interest alone.
Trump's Attacks On Political Opponents
This is what Trump, Trump's CIA director Gabbard, and press secretary Karoline Leavitt are desperate to distance the administration from: they want to separate from claims that Russia and Trump are allies, and that Trump participated in election interference. So let's first address the demonstrably false claims that Tulsi Gabbard and Karoline Leavitt are spreading about Obama, and then we'll talk about the many factual connections between Trump and Russia (election, financial, and otherwise). The most important thing to understand about Trump's Obama claims, is that Trump's Russia connections and impeachment hearings were not incited because of Obama, they were incited because they had every reason to be.
The "treason" Trump accuses Obama of, is nothing more than receiving a report, and allowing an investigation.
At the end of his presidency, Obama was given a daily report that stated that Russia severely interfered in the 2016 election, that the Trump campaign had multiple connections to Russia (even Russian intelligence), and that Russia used multiple points of attack to interfere. The report stated that the CIA did not believe the attempt to hack voter machines had any impact on the outcome of the election, which would (of course) be the first priority to determine.
The current Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Trump Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt are claiming that Obama allowing investigations to continue into Trump's Russia connections was akin to "treason," though at the time Trump was actively trying to secure a Moscow Trump tower (which he lied about) and his campaign chair repeatedly gave polling information to a Russian intelligence officer, detailing where they needed to shore up numbers in swing states. Russia then created fake social media accounts, literally hosted Trump campaign rallies and promoted them on Facebook, created posters (i.e. Miners For Trump), and hashtags in support of Trump. Conversely, in order to sabotage Clinton, Russia installed spyware on the Clinton campaign, stole confidential campaign strategy information, hacked and leaked 50,000 Clinton emails to the press. The Trump team had been in talks with Russia about loosening their U.S. sanctions.
Think about what that means. Imagine you're the President of the United States, and you're given a report that Russia severely interfered in the 2016 election, and that Trump has financial dealings with Russia (which he is lying about) and his team regularly interacts with Russian intelligence officers. I would hope that any president, would allow an investigation into a foreign adversary's election interference. The report stated that the team could not conclusively say that Russia impacted the election because the CIA does not know what is in a voter's mind when they vote, and whether Russia's hacking and disinformation was a deciding factor. But no report disputes that, and that doesn't negate the need for an investigation.
To say that an investigation into Russia's dealings with Trump (which are vast) is "treason," is to mock what democracy is.
In Tulsi Gabbard's outrageously brazen lie that Obama committed "treason," she cherry-picked a quote from a daily briefing, wherein the CIA stated that Russia's attempt to hack into our voting machines had not compromised them and "had no impact on the election." That is only ONE component of Russia's severe interference, but she then states that Russia demonstrated they had "no preference" of candidate because they did not reveal that Clinton was emotionally unstable (that is laughable). Gabbard also distracts by mentioning the Steele Dossier, which was not used in the CIA's findings. Gabbard - as the Director of National Intelligence - should resign.
How Russia worked to get Trump elected in 2016,
and sabotage Clinton:
Paul Manafort regularly met and communicated with Russian Intelligence; he gave them internal polling data which detailed where they needed to gain votes in swing states. Trump also specifically directed Russia to hack into Clinton's account on TV.
Trump's campaign chair met with Russian agents.
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Russia created fake social media accounts to support and promote Trump in multiple ways including impersonating American citizens and putting on rallies. They ran thousands of ads, designed posters and ran hashtag campaigns.
Russia ran ads for Trump & hosted rallies through social media
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Russian hackers were able to see all of Clinton's strategy, voter outreach, donor list, and they released 50,000 campaign emails, timed to be most advantageous to Trump, and at Trump's request.
Russian hackers attacked the Clinton campaign, installed spyware and released 50,000 emails to embarass her.
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I start this video intentionally with Leavitt's announcement in the beginning, regarding the AI summit Trump was attending that day (July 16th, 2025). Because I want you to see what a pathological liar looks like. (See below).
Check out this press conference where Gabbard and Leavitt unveil this "treason" by Obama, and the insanity of complaining that Russia showed "no preference of candidate," simply because they didn't expose all of their information on Clinton prior to the election. This is an exercise in absurdity, and Russia went above and beyond to support Trump's efforts and the Trump team shared internal polling information to help guide Russia's extensive efforts in swing states where Trump needed it the most (see Meuller report below - which Gabbard does not deny. They are trying to confuse you mentioning the Steele Dossier, which was not used in the CIA findings).
Leavitt finishes by complaining that the press just keeps "weaponizing" information against Trump, and how his home was raided (she's referencing all the classified material Trump refused to hand over), and how Trump was so "innocent" in all the trials against him. Karoline Leavitt has also said - with a straight face - that Trump hasn't profited off of the presidency; she is a liar.
How Russia Supported Trump in 2016:
Trump's team gave Russia internal polling information that detailed where they needed to shore up votes in swing states (through Paul Manefort), and Russia implemented a strategy to support the Trump campaign's needs.
How Russia Supported Trump in 2016:
Russia set up fake social media accounts to:
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promote the Trump campaign
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created and hosted Trump rallies
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paid ads for Trump on Facebook
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promoted Trump rallies
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created Trump posters
How Russia SABOTAGED
Hillary Clinton in 2016:
Russia hacked into the DNC Clinton campaign:
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leaked 50,000 campaign emails
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timed the release of emails to the DNC convention, and to distract from Trump's Access Hollywood video
How Russia SABOTAGED
Hillary Clinton in 2016:
Russia hacked into the DNC Clinton campaign:
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sent bogus emails and confusion to Clinton's staff
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installed spyware
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Russia could see all Clinton's team computer screens
How Russia SABOTAGED
Hillary Clinton in 2016:
Russia hacked into the DNC Clinton campaign:
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Russia collected data on Clinton's strategy
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Russia stole their confidential information on voter outreach
The absurd reason Tulsi Gabbard Claims Russia "didn't prefer" Trump:
Russia didn't share Clinton's "psycho-emotional problems" which Russia described as "uncontrolled fits of anger, aggression, and cheerfulness." Also she took "tranquilizers."
Tell me a man didn't come up with that ridiculous lie. I double dog dare you.
On the same day that Leavitt is accusing Obama of treason, Trump was busy distracting from the Epstein files and telling entirely fabricated stories at the AI summit. Please feel free to watch Trump inventing an entire history of his uncle and the Unabomber on CNN, or ABC or anywhere they fact check (so not Fox). I prefer to watch Colbert break it down - how Trump invents his uncle's background and history with zero adherence to reality. I know I'm digressing a little bit, in covering this, but please know that Trump does not care about you, or the truth. (From July 16th)
The fact that Trump would now accuse Obama of treason simply because an investigation existed, speaks to how thoroughly corrupt the Trump administration is.
Please watch even just 5 minutes of this PBS news video, or look into the Meuller report. Gabbard does not dispute the Meuller report, or claim that it's false. But let's be clear that Gabbard and Leavitt are FALSELY claiming that Russia was just "sowing chaos" and "not actively supporting either candidate" - which is a brazen lie. The fake Russian social media accounts were absolutely in support of Trump, while Russia simultaneously attacked Clinton through hacking - releasing 50,000 Clinton campaign emails in order to embarrass her. Russians also attacked voting machine companies and their software.
Trump's Deep Ties With Russia
Trump's connection with Russia is well-documented, but the truth doesn't stop him from lying and calling it a "hoax."
Russian money has built Trump's business & is the only reason he was "successful," including in 2024 when he did not have enough cash to pay for his court settlements.
Understand that Russia saved Truth Social, which in turn saved Trump from bankruptcy before the 2024 election. So does that help to explain why Trump throws our Democratic allies under the bus, and does nothing to act against Russia, and supports their annexing of Crimea.
Trump's connections to Russia go back to the 90's. At that time the oligarchs needed to house money outside of the instability of Russia's economy, and investments in Trump occurred because Putin allowed it. He controls all of Russia's economy, and when he is not murdering or imprisoning to retain power, he spends his money to buy global influence - to support candidates who will weaken Europe and Nato.
Why it matters that a foreign government helped get Trump elected, and the Trump campaign actively worked with Russia:
Firstly, it is illegal to receive money from a foreign government, to conspire against our country, and to interfere in elections. Secondly, it's important to examine how Trump serves his own interest, and Putin's interests, above the American people - that is treason. But though the investigation could prove that the Trump team was overwhelmingly connected to Russia, and they could prove that Russia interfered, they couldn't prove that Trump conspired to do it - and more importantly - Meuller points out he could not indict an acting president.
About Trump's Empty Public Threats To Russia
(If you're reading this and saying, "but he is going to impose tariffs on Russia" please research and understand that Trump has threatened tariffs on Russia numerous times but never once followed through. Not once. Every anniversary of the Ukraine war, the U.S. worsened sanctions on Russia - until Trump took office. Trump has openly supported Putin's agenda, and his illegal annexing of Crimea. More recently, Senators have created bipartisan support of severe sanctions and punishment for Russia's war on Ukraine but Trump has now blocked their efforts, though they have also put him in a public corner to take action. What does it matter if the public action he takes is toothless? And won't he still bow to Russia's demands?)
But it makes sense, right? It is illegal and wrong to allow a foreign government to interfere in our elections. But what is so special about Russia? Why is this a real threat to our democracy?
How Russia Differs From The U.S.
Russia is state-controlled by Putin, which means that Russia has a dictator. Putin re-wrote Russia's constitution to stay in power for over 3 decades, and while Russia has so-called elections, he murdered his political rivals and essentially is the only one on the ticket. Putin controls Russians' internet access (what they can view), their media (what they can watch), and even their journalists are state controlled (repeating what he wants his people to believe). The Russian government owns significant portions of their economy, which means Putin owns significant portions of their economy, and he puts that wealth into his own hands (200 billion that he has “made” while being president and stealing money from his people).
Imagine fearing violence or murder for posting articles like these, or for speaking out in public against Trump. Those are the actions of the dictators Trump supports, like Putin.
He has imprisoned and killed his political opponents who dare to put themselves up for election.
Putin imprisons and murders journalists that write the truth.
There is no free speech in Russia (attempting it gets you imprisoned or killed). There are no free elections in Russia (run against Putin & you die). There is no freedom in Russia.
U.S. policy currently favors Russia because - as Trump's special envoy and "peace" negotiator Steve Witkoff puts it - Putin and Trump are "friends."
Meet Trump's business partner/current lead negotiator on U.S. foreign policy.
There is a lot of corruption to unpack here. Firstly, Witkoff is Trump's business partner, and he repeats Russia's false claims that it had the right to Crimea, that Crimea had an election (at gun-point, mind you) and he claims they wants to be Russia's. Witcoff also says that Putin is a "nice guy." (Russia talk starts at 54:32, Putin's commissioned painting of Trump and their friendship discussed at 1:09:25)
Steve Witkoff was fooled into believing Russia "doesn't want to absorb Ukraine," but more importantly Witkoff believes that a nuclear power (Russia) has the right to their perspective and Ukraine's resources because they have the power. The rest of the world (and previously the United States) believes that democratic countries should be sovereign, and not invaded or taken over. While Carlson and Witkoff congratulate Trump's efforts, they forget that Ukraine simply wants freedom and democracy. So why would Witkoff rewrite U.S. policy in favor of Russia?
Interesting fact - though Witkoff negotiates on behalf of the United States, as part of the Middle East deal the UAE invested billions in World Liberty Financial which is OWNED by Witkoff & Trump.
Trump's Character
Understand that men like Trump and Putin, act the way they do because they desire wealth and power above all else; they don't have moral integrity to impede their imperialistic goals.
There are parts of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal that are hard to watch, but it's important to acknowledge what is so far out of integrity (and it's easier having it come from Jon Stewart. If short on time, start at 9:54).
This isn't a witch hunt - it's a history of bullying, taking from others, and using corrupt means to acquire power. Because they "get to."
If you listen to Witkoff talk about Trump (above), you can understand that conservatives have an entirely different viewpoint.
Donald Trump is motivated by the deal, and by power.
There is a lot to learn about conservative viewpoints and rationalization of the mistreatment of others, in watching Tucker Carlson's interview with Steve Witkoff above. Certainly, in the middle east, there is a desire for stabilization, diversified economies, and they want to be in the technology sector as well. Trump wants deals, power, and money, and so he hands over the U.S. interests of leading A.I. technology while justifying that it will be good for middle east countries, the U.S. also sells weapons, it's a big trade. But it undermines U.S. interests and it keeps wealth and power in the hands of the few. Trump is not interested in the U.S. leading in any field other than his tariffs and crypto - because he does not believe in democracy, or opportunity, or the power of the people. He believes in power through taking it from others, and he believes in money.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge - the middle east has needed incentive to prioritize peace and now that incentive is money. You cannot form new economic opportunities if war is always on the brink. But it's important to look at Trump's actions - step back and reflect on U.S. interests vs his interest - and assess who he is really serving.
In the middle east deals, Trump is not hindered by human rights, women's rights, or democracy. So he creates incredibly beneficial deals for the middle east because he also benefits billions through cryptocurrency and real estate deals. But because he does not care or focus on the impact on people - just "peace," and "money," he believes he is benefitting the world. Certainly he is benefitting the middle east. But "peace" is not peace when you have no freedom. THAT, is why the fighting continues in Ukraine. Because Putin wants to own their rare earth minerals, and perceives that to be in Russia's business interest. But ultimately it's just about money and power.
Corporations and law firms that bend the knee, should pay heed to how Putin runs his economy, because Trump is following his playbook.
The question to ask is, does the eradication of democracy benefit the world?
And the answer is, of course not. There is nothing more fundamental to our nation's history (and to human rights in general) then the freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. In democracy, and in capitalism, you are free to choose. Our country is not without issues, but freedom has been our foundation. But what about when billionaires, corrupt officials, and authoritarian regimes start dismantling democracy, controlling the press, media, and the opportunities you can pursue. Is that what the American people want? Do we want to live as Russians do?
I AM A SPACE HOLDER. MORE CONTENT TO COME IN THIS SPACE.
How Trump throws our greatest democratic allies under the bus
and more on the corruption and hypocrisy of his administration.
But you can skip ahead to view this history of our country, and our experience with tyrants.
We are the United States of America.
- No Kings Since 1776 -
Trump falsely attributed the Declaration of Independence to the Civil War - that is how little he understands our history.
When Trump speaks about peace, he means that people should submit to authoritarians - like himself, like Putin - or bear the consequences.
To clarify, we separated from England because of the unfair treatment of a tyrant king who would not honor the basic human rights of our nation's founders. It's interesting because I see a direct correlation between then and now, and there's a reason that "No Kings" was the single biggest day of protest in our nations history. Trump wants to enrich himself while also stripping the American people of freedom and justice.
The Declaration of Independence is a document addressed to the entire world, about the mistreatment our founders would no longer tolerate.
I wanted to quote some of the grievances our Founders listed in the document (in regards to why they no longer would permit the tyrant King George to rule them) and I've linked them to instances of Trump betraying our country in the same way. The Trump administration is the government our founders formed our country anew to separate from, and they wrote a constitution to protect us from future betrayals like the challenges we face now.
So let's be real that this is a trespass on the people, on basic human rights, and on the checks and balances of our democracy. Here are some of our grievances - in our founder's words - that directly relate to the tyrannical acts of Trump.
From our Declaration of Independence:
To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
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He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
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He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
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He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
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He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
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He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
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He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
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He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
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He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
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He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
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He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
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For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
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For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
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For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
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For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
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He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.
A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.