By Matt Underwood In pressuring ABC over Kimmel, Trump may have crossed a constitutional line. Let’s just get this straight from the get-go: it’s not a “may have,” it’s a “did.” The evidence is there, the implications are clear. The First Amendment is pretty clear about the government not being allowed to mess with free speech, and pressuring a broadcaster because of what someone said on air? That’s a textbook violation. The problem is, we’ve seen this play out before, again and again. And, let’s be honest, nothing much happens.
It’s a frustrating pattern. This isn’t a single incident; it’s a part of a larger trend. There’s the Colbert situation, the criticism of “The View,” and countless other instances where the lines were crossed. What’s worse is that those in positions of power within these networks have been complicit. It’s like they’re afraid to take a stand, to call a spade a spade. Instead, we get these wishy-washy headlines, these attempts at “bothsidesism” that do nothing but enable the behavior.
The reality is, we’re watching someone who seems to have no respect for the Constitution, a person who treats it like a suggestion rather than the law of the land. This goes beyond a few questionable decisions; this is a systematic disregard for the very foundation of our democracy. It’s a daily occurrence, a constant chipping away at the principles that are supposed to protect our freedoms. The “checks and balances” that are supposed to keep everything in line? They’re not working.
It’s easy to feel discouraged. How many times have we seen these transgressions, these violations of fundamental rights, only to have them brushed aside or ignored? The Supreme Court, Congress, the whole system seems to be either unwilling or unable to hold this person accountable. It’s as though the Constitution is now just a piece of paper, a quaint idea, not a set of rules that everyone, including the highest office in the land, must abide by.
And that’s where the real danger lies. Because if the president can pressure a network, if he can silence dissent, what’s to stop him from going further? It’s about creating a chilling effect, where people are afraid to speak out for fear of reprisal. This is how democracies die: not in one big dramatic event, but slowly, eroded by a thousand cuts. We must recognize the danger. And we must call it out for what it is. We need to be clear-eyed about this, and the media needs to stop tiptoeing around the issue.
The situation seems to be this: regardless of the violations, regardless of the blatant disregard for the law, some people in power don’t see any consequences. And as long as that remains the case, there’s no reason to think this behavior will stop. Quite the opposite. The absence of accountability emboldens the perpetrator. This is not about opinions; it’s about facts. And the fact is that, on a daily basis, constitutional lines are being crossed.
Ultimately, it comes down to the question: will anyone stop him? Because if the answer is no, then we’re in serious trouble. We’re in the midst of a situation where our very democracy is at risk. The concern now is what this means for the future. Are we going to see a situation where the powers in this government completely disregards the law? It’s a scary thought, but something that has to be addressed. We need journalists to do their job, elected officials to step up, and voters to make their voices heard. The clock is ticking.