Donald Trump is reshaping the executive branch to demand loyalty to himself rather than the Constitution. In his short time in office, he has betrayed both the American people and the very principles our democracy was built upon in the following ways:
Pardoning violent insurrectionists Trump betrayed American citizens by pardoning over 1,000 violent rioters involved in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Many of these individuals had criminal records and are now free to pose a continued threat to public safety. These rioters attacked law enforcement, injuring over 100 officers and contributing to the deaths of at least two. Trump promised to uphold law and order — yet he has made our streets more dangerous than ever.
Handing U.S. taxpayer funds to Elon Musk Trump betrayed Congress and the Constitution by stripping lawmakers of their power over the federal budget and handing it to President Elon Musk (who was never on any ballot). Musk has unilaterally cut U.S.A.I.D. funding, citing “waste” without any evidence.This decision has devastated global humanitarian efforts, taking food from starving children and life-saving medicine from those who desperately need it. Two of the world’s richest men have chosen to abandon humanity’s most vulnerable.
Dismantling public health and medical research Trump betrayed the American people once again by eliminating research grant funding for the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.) and appointing Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead Health and Human Services.
Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine, anti-science views, was confirmed by Republican lawmakers who share responsibility for this reckless decision.
What does this mean for you? No funding for clinical trials. No new treatments for cancer. No protection against future pandemics. Bird flu? A new virus? We’re on our own.
These betrayals are just the tip of the iceberg. Trump and his allies have:
Dismantled the Consumer Protection Agency, leaving Americans vulnerable to corporate exploitation.
Fired thousands of federal employees, including firefighters, air traffic controllers, nuclear security employees who maintain the U.S. Nuclear weapons as well as dismissing the Head of Whistleblower Safety, silencing those who expose corruption.
Attempted to revoke birthright citizenship, sowing chaos, fear and division across the country.
Cancelled critical grant programs for America’s most vulnerable populations. Women in West Virginia were turned away from Domestic Violence Shelters due to government grants being cancelled.
The list goes on. But the time for silence is over.
Flood the offices of your senators and representatives with calls, emails and letters. Demand accountability. Demand action. Our democracy — and the future of our children and grandchildren — depends on it.
Nancy Malecker, Salt Lake City
