ANGELO LYNN

It’s difficult to grasp how much has gone wrong since Trump assumed office a year ago. Far from the most productive president in his first year, the more accurate claim is he’s done the most damage any president ever has.

In one realm –– mayhem — he’s a leader.

Consider:  the deficit is skyrocketing and will continue to throughout his second term, while DOGE’s projected savings were a total bust; cost-of-living remains high and health care, food, and housing have soared; he’s made a mockery of our once-prized system of justice; fraternized the military so its political independence is compromised; his presidential pardons reek of injustice; he’s wrecking the nation’s economic future by abandoning renewable energy; his needless trade wars drove prices up for consumers and American businesses while China prevailed time and again; and, most recently, invading and kidnapping the leader of Venezuela and his wife is not only illegal by U.S. and international law, but sets the worse precedent possible for Russia to continue its invasion of Ukraine, and potentially greenlight China’s domination of Taiwan.

Even dumber is his threat to use military force to take over Greenland. Such stupidity shouldn’t need to be seriously considered, but it is because of the president’s inability to grasp anything beyond self-indulgence.

Greenland is an independent sovereignty (not owned by Denmark, but supported by them), and as NATO allies work with the U.S. to secure sea passages and resources for the good of the alliance. America already has a military base on the island and access to critical materials if it desires. In short, America has everything Greenland could offer, and it’s virtually cost-free. That is, Denmark spends its own resources to defend the country, provide social services (health care, food, retirement, housing needs, etc.) Why would Trump want to take on a country at American taxpayer’s expense?

There is a reason. As it is, he sees no personal gain. If Greenland is under his control, he imagines he can pillage and plunder (by getting kickbacks from cronies extracting the wealth), which is also what he means when he says, “I’m going to run Venezuela.” Or more specifically, he’ll let others manage the unraveling country, while he’ll privately manage the flow of oil from Venezuela — and the graft that follows.

No other motivation makes sense. The American people don’t gain either way. On the contrary, American taxpayers will likely subsidize American companies, who would profit from extracting the natural resources of both countries and give Trump and his family kickbacks.

Trump’s actions do bring into focus where we are as a country: We’re being led by a petty tyrant who breaks U.S. and international law with impunity, kills innocents without remorse, brazenly threatens countries with military might without thought of consequences, and hasn’t a clue of what to do next. Moreover, members of his administration, particularly Vice President JD Vance and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, are aiding and abetting these crimes with an astoundingly undemocratic premise — might makes right.

It’s that break with law and order — a key tenant of democracy — and embracing a self-serving agenda ruled by military aggression that’s truly troubling. Trump has never sworn (at least with any intent) to follow the Constitution or any set of laws, but most Republicans have been stalwart law-and-order disciples at their core.

What Trump is asking of his party’s leadership, and of the GOP voter, is to abandon the rule of law. He wants to lead like a dictator — and, most ideally, personally gain the spoils of conquest. He’s been telegraphing this for years. Most Americans just didn’t believe he was serious, but here we are.

The question now is whether Republicans give him the keys and check out, or will they finally stand up for democracy. If they don’t, the history books may show that Benedict Arnold didn’t hold a candle to Traitorous Trump.

— Angelo Lynn