Prompted by an article I read this morning about how red hats fetishize the Declaration of Independence and are planning public readings of the document this week, I gave it a re-read this morning. It's fascinating as a historical document, but people forget that it has no role as an establishing document for our government.
One aspect of the document that caught my eye at this particular moment in our history is the listing of grievances and evidence of tyranny presented against King George III. Couldn't help but notice some striking parallels with our wannabe tyrant:
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... Concerted effort to delegitimize birthright citizenship
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices... Though he hasn't been completely successful with this, it's clear that he considers the judges he appointed beholden to him
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance... DOGE
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures... Mobilizing the CA guard without consent from CA governor or legislature
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us... Marines in LA
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world... Tariff war
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.. Tariff war
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury... Suspension of due process for deportees
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences... El Salvador prison - but this one's a stretch I guess since Trump offers no pretense of a trial
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us... January 6th
Except for the last one, this is all in just the last 5 months.