Hey, Donald Trump, no one is above the law
FROM THE LEFT
Since the beginning, our nation has been based on a nation of laws. This nation of laws has allowed us to be an example for other countries to look up to. While we have been tested, we have persevered.
“The rule of law is a basic concern in the creation of the Constitution. Constitutional law can only be fully and effectively implemented when the laws of a country are respected by the citizenry and the government.”
When a president of the United States is elected, they are required to take the following oath: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” This separates us from dictators and tyrants that make up the law as they go. Our Constitution points out that “we are a government of laws and not of men.” This is supported by our court system. Our system ensures that “we all are equal before the law and equally subject to the legal system and its decisions.” No one is privileged to ignore the law.
Donald Trump has illustrated since before being in office that he believes he is above the law and can do whatever he pleases without consequences. He stated, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Ave. and shoot somebody and wouldn’t lose any voters.” He has allegedly colluded with foreign governments regarding the 2016 presidential election, has shown his willingness to disregard laws pertaining to his business and has tried to discredit the very institutions that protect us and ensure that our laws are carried out. In a single week he has violated five political norms: revealed intelligence sources, politically motivated prosecutions, mixing personal and government business, foreign interference with elections and undermining the First Amendment.
Trump is being investigated for collusion, lying and obstruction of justice. Rather than cooperate with our institutions of law, he has politicized the investigations and his staff has either lied or refused to testify. Trump has threatened to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein because he refuses to shut down investigations regarding his administration. Trump has tried to hamper or shut down these investigations. His attorney has implied that Trump may not “show up” if subpoenaed.
Trump repeatedly talks of firing both Special Counsel Robert Mueller and Rosenstein. If this can happen, it would probably create a constitutional crisis. If this occurs, our leaders, who have been complicit up to this point, will need to prepare themselves to act. Further, we as citizens must demand they act.
As the Mueller investigation gets closer to connecting the dots leading directly to the White House, Trump’s tweets become angrier. He has recently requested the investigators be investigated.
With the information from Michael Cohen and more indictments coming, the president is showing he is willing to take any action necessary to stop the investigation.
We as citizens must make sure that those whom we have elected to ensure the “rule of law” is protected do their job. In too many cases, the Republican Congress has allowed this president to severely bend and sometimes break the law with no consequences. We cannot allow this to happen. If so, we are headed down a path that will unravel our Constitution and our country. If one president can act as if he is above the law, the next one will know he or she is above the law. We must let the president and our leaders know that we are watching and will protect our country.
This president has shown that he is not respectful of our laws or norms nor those who try to carry them out. A strong message needs to be sent to him stating, “You are not above the law.”

Gary Clark