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Trump’s Ongoing Dilemma and Continuing Downfall

We are, literally, fighting for the conscience and soul of our nation.

John L. Horton lives in Norfolk and is a frequent contributor to the newspaper.

Local Voices

By John L. Horton

            My Goodness, it appears that “something” always occurs with former President Donald J. Trump every other day, or so. Now, he is pending investigation and ongoing controversy over the “classified” materials that were taken from the White House to his residence at Mar-a-Lago…claiming that the items were his personal property and did not belong to the U.S. government. 

Meanwhile, Trump is going around the country holding rallies and giving speeches assailing the “federal government, DOJ, FBI, the Courts, deep state operatives, Democrats/Liberals, and anyone else who disagrees with him and/or his policies, etc…

Also, Trump claims that he can declassify materials by just “thinking” about them and doing it, mentally and telepathically. Additionally, many of his “supporters” are threatening “civil war,” to protect Trump against any future investigation and/or prosecution. And, almost all of the Republican politicians (House and Senate) support Trump, due to his “hold” on their voter base and other supporters. Damn, what is it going to take, for “us” to do the right things?

            What is it going to take to disarm and discredit

Trump in his bid for a second attempt at becoming POTUS, again? Just September 17, 2022, Trump gave a lengthy speech in Youngstown, Ohio, in support of Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance. QAnon influencers have suggested that Trump gave a “signal” (rhetorically and musically) to the online conspiracy movement. Most supporters at the rally cheered and applauded, approvingly, at the QAnon references. 

This has significance because Trump spoke to a similar rally and supporters on September 3, 2022 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he posted an image of himself on Truth Social, wearing a Q pin on his lapel and under a slogan reading “The Storm is Coming.” Adherents to QAnon believe the reference to “Storm” is the moment when Trump will retake power after vanquishing his enemies, having them arrested and potentially executed on live television.

            It has been said that “nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” Now is the time to speak up, or forever hold our tongues… Our Country is at a crossroads and we are on the precipice of our downfall…unless “we” listen to and learn from each other, and relate to and have respect for each other. In the eloquent and wise words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Right now, we need more “light and love.”

            This is the first time in American history that a president unconstitutionally attempted to remain in power illegally. Therefore, we find our nation and politics on the daringly and dangerously debacle of: deconstruction, deterioration, desolation, denigration, dysfunction, disinformation, disservice, denial, deceit, and defeat. If we don’t deny this, we are doomed as the world’s greatest Democracy and international leader. Yes, we are!

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            September 1, I watched President Biden make a major speech addressing “the soul of America.” As Biden and others have expressed: the soul of the nation is at stake. To prevent the dismantling of democracy, rejecting the rule of law, and obstruction of justice, there must be a loud outcry and absolute clarity about the (continuing/ongoing) threat posed by “Trump(ism).”

           Let me be perfectly clear: As a 30-year, retired Marine sergeant major (held secret and top secret clearances on active duty), 100% disabled Vietnam combat veteran, who served with several Marine general officers, especially during the last 9-10 years of my career, I never saw one of them who performed and behaved as unprincipled as former President Trump did carrying out his duties as commander-in-chief of the military/nation.

           Evidently, I am not the only one who feels this way: (1) Jim Mattis (4-star Marine general), Defense Secretary: “…He/Trump has the attention span and understanding of a 5th or 6th grader…”; (2) John Kelly (4-star Marine general), Chief of Staff: “…He/Trump is an idiot, unhinged…”; (3) H.R. McMaster (3-star Army general), National Security Advisor: “…He/Trump is an idiot and a dope…” Many other high-ranking Cabinet members, such as Rex Tillerson (Secretary of State), were also extremely critical of Trump’s leadership skills and overall competence: “He/Trump is a f…… moron…”

           There comes a time when truth must be spoken to power, and “it is never too late to do right…” This is one of those times when our great nation is critically divided and dangerously confrontational. We are, literally, fighting for the conscience and soul of our nation. 

What we need are a people and leaders who believe in democracy, the rule of law, and the peaceful and orderly transfer of power. Imagine that being what unites us as a nation and strengthens us as a populace. In the final analysis, this is “something about something,” right?

John L. Horton is a resident of Norfolk and frequent contributor to this newspaper.  

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