By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Critics suggest that Donald Trump’s actions in his second term mirror or surpass those of Richard Nixon, but in plain sight. Trump is utilizing the Department of Justice to target political opponents, a practice reminiscent of Nixon’s secret actions. While the US Justice Department traditionally maintains a degree of independence, Trump openly demonstrates his willingness to wield governmental power to punish those who oppose him. This approach has raised concerns about creeping authoritarianism and poses a challenge to democracy, further amplified by the silence of Republican leaders.
Read the original article here
Watergate is nothing compared to Trump’s lawless acts, and the chasm between the two is vast and unsettling. Nixon, for all his faults, operated within a framework of established norms, even as he sought to exploit them. His actions, while egregious, were ultimately constrained by a system that, however imperfect, still held him accountable. The Republican Party, at the time, possessed a moral compass that, however belatedly, pointed toward the need for accountability. They ultimately distanced themselves from Nixon, a decisive action that contrasts starkly with the unwavering loyalty Trump enjoys from his party today.
The contrast lies in the scope and brazenness of Trump’s actions. While Nixon’s transgressions were largely clandestine, Trump’s have often been performed in the full glare of public scrutiny. As one might put it, what Nixon did in secret, Trump does in plain sight. His apparent disdain for the law, his relentless attacks on the institutions of democracy, and his willingness to use the Department of Justice as a tool for personal retribution paint a picture far more alarming than anything Nixon envisioned. Trump’s targeting of critics, the alleged exploitation of his position for personal gain, and the normalization of behavior that would have once been considered unthinkable – these are the hallmarks of an administration that seems to operate beyond the bounds of the law.
The complicity of the Republican Party is a critical factor. Where once Nixon faced opposition from within his own ranks, Trump enjoys a level of fealty that seems to defy even the most basic standards of decency and principle. This unwavering support has allowed Trump to push the boundaries of acceptable behavior further than anyone could have imagined. This difference is a testament to how Trump has redefined the meaning of lawlessness in our political climate, reshaping it into something far more dangerous and systemic.
Consider the extent of the damage. Trump’s actions, and the Republican Party’s enabling of them, represent a far more profound threat to the fabric of American democracy than Watergate ever did. His efforts to undermine elections, his attacks on the media, and his attempts to subvert the rule of law all pose a direct and ongoing challenge to the very foundations of our government. The normalization of these behaviors is arguably a much more dangerous trend than any specific illegal act. The slow boiling of the proverbial frog, as it were.
The existence of outlets like Fox News, a direct product of Roger Ailes’s desire to prevent another Watergate-style reckoning, has been pivotal in this shift. These entities have not only normalized Trump’s transgressions but have also actively worked to discredit his critics and to create an alternate reality where his actions are not only justifiable but even laudable. The contrast in media coverage and societal reaction between the two periods is stark. Watergate occurred in an era when there was a broader consensus on the need for accountability. The absence of such consensus today has allowed Trump to operate with a degree of impunity that Nixon could only have dreamed of.
One major difference that gets overlooked is the intelligence of Nixon. One could argue that he was quite smart, but also a crook. That’s very different from Trump who seems to rely on others to do the heavy lifting. The actions of the current administration are reminiscent of the darkest days in American history, the current administration is on a scale more akin to a dictator than a career politician. Trump’s lawless acts, fueled by a cult of personality and enabled by a complicit party, have created a crisis that far surpasses the scope of Watergate.
Ultimately, Watergate was a single scandal, albeit a significant one. Trump’s presidency, however, has been defined by a constant stream of scandals, each one seemingly more outrageous than the last. The depth of his corruption, the breadth of his attacks on democratic institutions, and the normalization of his lawless acts have created a situation where Watergate pales in comparison. Trump is not just a politician who broke the law; he is a threat to democracy itself.
The implications of Trump’s actions extend far beyond the legal arena. They touch upon the very soul of the nation, and the ability of Americans to trust their government. Where Watergate was a crisis of political ethics, Trump’s presidency has been a crisis of faith.
The key takeaway from this discussion is that Watergate, despite its significance, was a blip in the history books compared to Trump.