Author: Op-Ed

How Trump erased the Rule of Law in America with pardons for convicted January 6 insurrectionists

Convicted felon and President Donald Trump fulfilled his campaign promise to subvert the rule of law on January 20 by signing an executive order granting full pardons to hundreds of individuals convicted of participating in the January 6 Capitol attack. Trump, who interfered with the Biden Administration for 4 years by trying to run a shadow government that undermined Federal institutions, set out immediately after his inauguration to erase evidence and the public’s memory of his acts of treason. With the stroke of a pen, he absolved his most fervent supporters, many of whom admitted to or were found...

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Unintended consequences: A tale for today about morality, politics, and law from the Prohibition era

The sweeping reforms of Prohibition from 1920 to 1933 mark one of the most controversial chapters in American history. It was a time when the collision of morality, politics, and public policy shaped the nation’s landscape in ways that continue to reverberate. Prohibition was considered a noble experiment to curb alcohol consumption, but it spiraled into the unintended consequences of crime, corruption, and cultural upheaval. Beyond its historical significance, the lessons of Prohibition echo in political challenges of modern times, underscoring the complexities of legislating morality, the limits of enforcement, and the polarization of American society. THE PROHIBITION ERA:...

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New Year 2025: From hope to fear as America grapples with its democratic future amid political violence

Today marks the beginning of a new year. It was traditionally a moment reserved for hope, renewal, and forward-looking resolutions. But for many Americans, the arrival of 2025 feels less like a celebration and more like the crossing of an ominous threshold. Gone is the pervasive sense of crisis that marked the first days of previous new years. No sudden spike in COVID-19 cases that killed millions of Americans, no missile strikes raining down on the people of Kyiv, no earthquake shattering the calm of Japan’s towns and cities. Yet the absence of such catastrophes does little to counterbalance...

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The dark truth of “American Exceptionalism” is a nation that tolerates the slaughter of its children

The phrase “American exceptionalism” is often invoked to highlight the country’s unparalleled achievements, innovation, and values. But in the context of school shootings, this term takes on a darker meaning. The United States stands alone among developed nations in its willingness to tolerate the routine slaughter of its children within schools — spaces that should be sanctuaries of learning and growth. For the past quarter century, school shootings have been as American as apple pie. Each incident is met with hollow “thoughts and prayers” instead of meaningful change. This is not just an anomaly, it is a systemic failure...

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A cabinet of cronies: How Trump’s corrupt leadership will finally usher in the American “Dark Ages”

As Donald Trump prepares for a second term in the White House, the country finds itself staring into the abyss of a future that promises to push America into its darkest period yet. While such a declaration may sound like an apocalyptic prediction, it is an honest evaluation of the disastrous choices Trump has made for his Cabinet picks. The radically inappropriate selections reflect his spiteful intent to further erode democratic institutions, dismantle checks and balances, and roll back vital progress in civil rights, healthcare, environmental protection, and foreign relations. Looking at his Cabinet nominations, it is apparent that...

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The Rise of American Autocracy: Lessons from North Korea’s Kim Dynasty about how dictators keep control

With his unpredictable political strategies, contentious policies, and efforts to centralize power, Donald Trump has been a highly polarizing figure in American politics. His style and tactics have often led to comparisons with various autocratic leaders worldwide, from Russia’s Vladimir Putin to Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. However, among the more chilling comparisons is the parallel drawn to the Kim dynasty of North Korea, a tightly controlled regime where power and propaganda reinforce a near-absolute authority. While the United States and North Korea are vastly different in structure, economy, and values, examining Trump’s approach through an autocratic lens raises concerns about...

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