The invasion of the US Capitol by thousands of Trump insurrectionists on the very day Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were to be certified by Congress as the winners of the presidential and vice presidential elections in November was horrifying to watch. The certification did go through later that same day.
Some commentators have called the attack on the US Capitol a failed coup instigated by Trump himself—it resulted in five deaths, not to mention injuries to many and destruction of government property. A side sight—that of Republican legislators, Trump party mates, while herded in confinement for their own protection, refusing to wear masks, thus causing some coronavirus transmissions—also inspires a comparison between the two presidents.
The other question in my Filipino mind is how an incumbent US president, who has the run of the entire official system, could cry electoral fraud with any credibility. Indeed, no evidence has turned up to support that claim.It’s all part of Trump’s preoccupation with himself, another Duterte trait. The other similarity would be a desperate fascination with the presidential power of pardon.
I used to look up to America for living lessons in democracy, and now feel disappointed to see cracks in the example. Thanks to Republicans, some appointed by the sitting president, including members of the Supreme Court, who have risen to the occasion, and beyond party loyalty, to do their duty to country and constitution despite pressure from Trump.
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