No Kings

My support of the No Kings protests is not about policy agreement with a platform or allegiance to a particular political party. It's simply this: our current president (and his administration) are choosing to act in ways that clearly indicate a desire for an imperial presidency that is not constricted by social norms or constitutional guardrails. 

And that is decidedly bad for our country... and, due to our outsized influence in world affairs, everyone else.

“Not that I don’t have the right to do anything I want to do. I’m the president of the United States." 
Donald Trump in an August 2025 Cabinet meeting (talking about use of the military inside the U.S.)

In his first 10 months in office, Mr. Trump has 

• pardoned 1,500+ rioters who breached the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021
• given free reign to Elon Musk and the DOGE group to pry into private information as well as destroy life-saving development support around the world and vital scientific research here in the U.S.
• allowed RFK Jr to undermine our public health system, particularly support for vaccines
• dithered away precious lives and resources trying to coax Putin to stop attacking Ukraine rather than taking action
• openly campaigned and whined about not getting the Nobel Peace Prize
• orchestrated the prosecution of political enemies for dubious causes
• ordered the unprovoked attack on five boats of suspected drug smugglers in international waters without any evidentiary proof given
• more recently, he acknowledged giving the CIA the green light to conduct covert operations in Venezuela and also mused about air strikes
• teased his intention to run for president in 2028
• imposed multiple and conflicting destructive tariff plans
• blatantly ignored the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution
• just as blatantly ignored the Hatch Act
• refused to enforce the law dealing with TikTok and the potential security risks of the app
• pushed various mass deportation actions that have deprived both U.S. citizens and migrants with legal status of their rights
• federalized national guard troops to explicitly target cities with Democratic administrations
• utilized flimsy excuses to invoke "emergency" authority in order to accomplish his desires

The prior list is decidedly not exhaustive - I could continue writing at greater length and in greater detail. 

“The line is that I’m a dictator, but I stop crime. So a lot of people say, ‘You know, if that’s the case, I’d rather have a dictator.’”

“Most people say … if he stops crime, he can be whatever he wants.”

Donald Trump in an August 2025 Cabinet meeting (talking about use of the military inside the U.S.)

Look, I'm not arguing or campaigning for a president of a different party - I want a president of a different character. Someone who would respect the law, not simply pay people to find loopholes. Someone who chooses to champion the hard work of passing bills to effect change rather than issuing blizzards of executive orders. Someone who values smart people who disagree with them over loyalist lap dogs. Someone who sees their role as an opportunity to serve others rather than profit themselves.

And I want Congress to do their dadgum job: holding the president accountable for his actions, writing laws that reign in the power of the Executive branch, and actually taking care of the needs of their constituents rather than performing for social media likes and viral camera moments.

We don't need a king, a "dictator for a day", or even an imperial president. We need men and women of character to lead our country. When we choose leadership based on our tribes or the willingness of a candidate to say the stuff we want about our pet issue, we get the kind of leadership we deserve.

"In 2016, I declared: I am your voice. Today, I add: I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed: I am your retribution."

Donald Trump (March 2023 at CPAC)

"If I happen to be president and I see somebody who’s doing well and beating me very badly, I say go down and indict them, mostly they would be out of business. They’d be out. They’d be out of the election."
Donald Trump (November 2023, interview with Univision)

Put another way, we've been warned about kings and character before.

Fed up, all the elders of Israel got together and confronted Samuel at Ramah. They presented their case: “Look, you’re an old man, and your sons aren’t following in your footsteps. Here’s what we want you to do: Appoint a king to rule us, just like everybody else.”

When Samuel heard their demand—“Give us a king to rule us!”—he was crushed. How awful! Samuel prayed to God.

God answered Samuel, “Go ahead and do what they’re asking. They are not rejecting you. They’ve rejected me as their King. From the day I brought them out of Egypt until this very day they’ve been behaving like this, leaving me for other gods. And now they’re doing it to you. So let them have their own way. But warn them of what they’re in for. Tell them the way kings operate, just what they’re likely to get from a king.”

So Samuel told them, delivered God’s warning to the people who were asking him to give them a king. He said, “This is the way the kind of king you’re talking about operates. He’ll take your sons and make soldiers of them—chariotry, cavalry, infantry, regimented in battalions and squadrons. He’ll put some to forced labor on his farms, plowing and harvesting, and others to making either weapons of war or chariots in which he can ride in luxury. He’ll put your daughters to work as beauticians and waitresses and cooks. He’ll conscript your best fields, vineyards, and orchards and hand them over to his special friends. He’ll tax your harvests and vintage to support his extensive bureaucracy. Your prize workers and best animals he’ll take for his own use. He’ll lay a tax on your flocks and you’ll end up no better than slaves. The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves. But don’t expect God to answer.”

But the people wouldn’t listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We will have a king to rule us! Then we’ll be just like all the other nations. Our king will rule us and lead us and fight our battles.”

Samuel took in what they said and rehearsed it with God. God told Samuel, “Do what they say. Make them a king.”

1st Samuel 8:4-22 MSG

These six things the Lord hates;

Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him:

   A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others],

   A lying tongue,

   And hands that shed innocent blood,

   A heart that creates wicked plans,

   Feet that run swiftly to evil,

   A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths],

   And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.

Proverbs 6:16-19 AMP

Whitewashing bad people and throwing mud on good people are equally abhorrent to God.

Proverbs 17:15 MSG

Those who sow injustice reap disaster, and their methods of oppression will fail.

Proverbs 22:8 VOICE

A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days], But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days.

Proverbs 28:16 AMP

--

pictures above:

• top row (left to right)
• the President welcoming Putin to Alaska with red carpet
• screengrab from AI-generated video of Gaza makeover shared by Mr. Trump on Truth Social
• the President sharing the Liberation Day tariff rates
• middle row (left to right)
• declassified screengrab of Venezuelan boat destroyed by U.S. military
• Mr. Trump meeting with Democratic senators to avoid government shutdown with "Trump 2028" hats on his desk in the Oval Office
• courtroom drawing of former FBI director James Comey
• bottom row (left to right)
• January 6, 2021 as rioters attempt to breach the U.S. Capitol
• signage for the now closed "Alligator Alcatraz"
• Mr. Trump & Volodymyr Zelenskyy in front of prodigious amounts of gold ornamentation added by the President to the Oval Office

Unpacking

Over the past couple of months, I've written a number of posts about the multitude of reasons I believe that President-elect Trump is a spectacularly bad choice to lead the United States for the next four years. The fact that he was elected last week does not lessen my concerns.

What follows is a hodge-podge of thoughts and quotes... a virtual download of my fears and frustrations. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this victory for a convicted felon... and, when I'm honest with myself, attempting to trust God with it as well.

Moreover, it's not as simple as "love God, hate Trump" or "it's the end of the world as we know it" - so much depends on how we choose to live and act. Heck, so much depends on how I choose to live and act.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

JRR Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Hoping I'm Wrong... And Right

As you'll see as you work your way through the rest of this blog post, I take seriously the words that Mr. Trump has spoken over the course of the last four years. In many cases, the promises he's made have immense potential to cause financial havoc, ballooning national debt, trade wars with both enemy & allied nations, and warp the American sense of justice and law enforcement for generations to come. 

So, I hope I'm wrong about any number of these things. I pray that the President-elect will back away from and/or forget many of the proposals he has floated.

At the same time, I'm really struggling with the desire for Mr. Trump to follow through on some of these things and for those who voted for him to see the downstream impacts of their decision. I'm striving against that instinct - it makes me feel petty and mean and vindictive. But I also know that the most effective teacher is often natural consequences.

The really cynical part of me is resigned to the reality that Mr. Trump is a past master at finding someone (besides himself) to blame for pretty much everything that goes wrong... and that the tendency of those who've supported the President-elect to let him off the hook.

There are two kinds of Trump voters. Those who voted for Trump BECAUSE of what he said he would do, and those who voted for Trump DESPITE what he said he would do.

For example, Trump said he would lock up his political opponents like Liz Cheney. The BECAUSE voters genuinely hope he will imprison Cheney. The DESPITE voters thought it was all bluster and Cheney is not at risk.

The BECAUSE/DESPITE split applies to many other issues. In 2025, I expect one of these groups will be very disappointed.

When engaging with a Trump voter, it's helpful to discern which type you're talking to. Most in my circle are DESPITE voters. I suspect that's the case nationally as well. God help us if I'm wrong about that.

Skye Jethani

A Not Exhaustive List of Stuff That is Likely To Happen

• Donald Trump will never be held responsible by a court of law for the attempt to overthrow the 2020 election (including January 6, 2021) or the refusal to return classified documents (including hiding them and lying about them).
• The majority of those in jail for federal offenses related to the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol will have their sentences commuted or be pardoned for their crimes. 
• Working with the likely majorities in both House & Senate, the tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will be extended. 
• This will result in increasing the federal debt load.
• While the wildest numbers that Mr. Trump floated seem unlikely, he is primed to lean into increasing tariffs against China as well as any country who does not build production facilities in the U.S. 
• I wrote extensively about Mr. Trump's inability to understand and/or explain how tariffs work - and the potential fallout of these kind of decisions.
• Some attempt will be made to begin mass deportation/"remigration" of illegal immigrants.
• The combination of tariff/trade war behaviors and increased efforts to deport large numbers of individuals will have an negative economic impact - including the raising of prices on food and construction.
• Both pro-life and pro-choice folks will be frustrated by the lack of federal action on the issue of abortion.
• If RFK Jr is given a health care role with power in the Trump administration, there will be serious damage to the FDA and CDC. The biggest question will be how vast the negative effect of his leadership on vaccination and the subsequent health crises (measles, polio, etc.) from the loss of herd immunity, esp. among school age children.
• At some point during the Trump administration, the President will attempt to pressure Ukraine into negotiating a deal for peace with Russia that gives Russia pretty much everything it wants. Ukraine will refuse that deal, even if it means a complete loss of U.S. financial and weapons support.
• This is based on the proposed deal floated by Mr. Vance, suggesting that Russia would keep all of the territory it has gained from the unprovoked attack as well as receive a promise that Ukraine would not join NATO. This offers literally no security to Ukraine and will be rejected outright.
• The Trump administration will vacillate between loud support for Israel in its battles with Hamas & Hezbollah and peace-making attempts in order to placate Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations with whom the President-elect and his family are attempting to do business.
• China will continue to increase pressure on Taiwan - and that situation will grow increasingly difficult if/when the Trump administration acquiesces to Russia regarding Ukraine.
• Mr. Trump will continue to denigrate those who oppose him in wildly inappropriate ways - and evangelicals in particular will continue to excuse these behaviors by likening him to Old Testament biblical leaders like David, Cyrus, or Jehu.
• The Trump administration will slow roll or outright deny aid/assistance to those states whose governors and/or legislatures do not support his agenda.
• The President-elect will test the boundaries of the Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision.

A plea to everyone who supports Trump.

He won.

• If he tries to say he can run for a 3rd term, please stand up and say no.
• If he attacks Americans with the military because they’re “the enemy from within”, please stand up and say no.
• If he lets RFK discourage vaccines that have eradicated diseases like polio, please stand up and say no.
• If he tries to hurt journalists, please stand up and say no.
• If he tries to seize control of the media, please stand up and say no.
• If he tries to jail his political enemies, please stand up and say no.

We’ve debated if he would do those things, you’ve been certain he wouldn’t. If you’re proven wrong, your fellow Americans need you to care about their wellbeing more than winning.

Taylor Dartt

Vox populi, vox Dei?!

In Latin, it means "The voice of the people is the voice of God" - and though that sounds pretty darn pro-democracy, it was actually first used negatively by Alcuin of York in a letter to Emperor Charlemagne in 800 A.D.:

“And those people should not be listened to who keep saying the voice of the people is the voice of God, since the riotousness of the crowd is always close to insanity.”

In our current political situation, it's the tendency to defer to "the wisdom of crowds" - or to ascribe deep political meaning to the number of people you can turn out for a political rally.

Here's the deal: the voice of the people can be wrong. Richard Nixon was elected in a landslide in 1972 (60.7% of the popular vote, 520 electoral votes out of 538)... and yet resigned as president less than two years later to avoid being impeached.

I am not suggesting that the results of the 2024 election are incorrect - Donald Trump was elected president. What I am suggesting is that I can both assert the fairness of our election system and question the wisdom of choosing such a flawed candidate to lead our country.

Even in a well-established and long-functioning democracy, even in the exceptional United States of America, even in the enlightened 21st century, the majority can be wrong.

This shouldn’t be a controversial or startling statement. It’s self-evidently true...

In a democracy, the people rule. Which is good! And the majority decides. Which is right! But we don’t therefore surrender to the majority our right, our duty, to make our own judgments about the wisdom of their decisions...

We need to be able to say that it was foolish and short-sighted, and maybe worse, to judge that Joe Biden’s economy was so terrible that Donald Trump’s bigotry and demagoguery counted for nothing. We need to be able to say it was wrong to embrace change if change means the deportation of millions of residents living here peacefully, or abandoning tens of millions of Ukrainians fighting for the survival of their nation and their liberty...

...it is worth being reminded that respecting the decision of the people doesn’t mean surrendering one’s judgment to them.

William Kristol

Stop Bashing Democracy

In all of this, I find Jonah Goldberg's take on the demonization of the other side to be both thought-provoking and convicting:

I completely understand why some folks are so upset about Donald Trump winning. But that’s really no reason to trash-talk democracy, America, or the Americans who democratically voted for Trump. I am not backsliding or changing course here; I still think Trump is unfit for office. That doesn’t mean, though, that everyone who voted for the guy is a fascist, sexist, racist, or idiot. 

There are many reasons this kind of talk is objectionable and ill-advised, but I’m going to focus on the one that matters the most: It’s not true.  

Let’s start with the claim that everyone who voted for Trump is an idiot.

Did some idiots vote for Trump? Of course. But I guarantee you that Harris got her share of the idiot vote, too. Idiots are pretty well distributed across the political spectrum. And you know what? So are smart people. Lots of smart people voted for Trump. And lots of smart people voted for Harris. I find the tendency of people—smart and dumb ones alike—to think that “smart” and “right” and “dumb” and “wrong” are interchangeable terms to be one of the most exhausting analytical errors out there. 

In fact, it’s almost as exhausting as thinking that “wrong” is synonymous with “fascist” or “bigot.” Fascism and bigotry are wrong, but not all wrong people are fascists and bigots. Are some Trump voters fascists and bigots? Yeah, sure. But I don’t think he cornered that market either.  

More importantly, for every voter who wants Trump to be a “fascist”—or racist, or authoritarian, etc. the labels here really don’t matter—there are probably dozens, or hundreds, or, most likely, tens of thousands of Trump voters who think it’s unfair to call him an authoritarian, never mind a fascist. Why? Because they don’t think he is one and don’t want him to be one. Those people might be wrong (I have opinions!), but that doesn’t mean they’re idiots or fascists themselves. It just means they’re wrong. And convincing them they’re wrong doesn’t get easier by calling them idiots and fascists. 

There are people who voted for Trump believing that he was lying about some things just to get elected. There are other people who voted for him believing that he was telling the truth about that stuff but definitely lying about other stuff. Now that he’ll be president, we’ll find out which things were lies and which weren’t. If he pardons all of the January 6 rioters, some people who voted for him will be very happy, others will be disgusted, and many others will fall somewhere in between. If he puts RFK Jr. in charge of health care, some will be horrified, some will be happy, and others just won’t care—at least not until their kids start getting measles. We’ll just have to wait and see.  

But treating fellow Americans like they are “enemies within” is wrong and destructive when Donald Trump does it. And it’s wrong and destructive when his enemies do it. Wait for the facts. Have arguments over the facts. That’s what politics and democracy are for, no matter who wins an election. And if you win the argument, you’ll win the next election.  

Jonah Goldberg

God Is In Control (And Other Things That Aren't Very Comforting)

Finally, a theological musing.

I understand that many of my fellow followers of Christ who voted for Mr. Trump intend their words to be a consolation - or at least a statement of theological truth. For some, they are a barely concealed "get over it already", wrapped in pious theological language.

The effect, regardless of intent, is to dismiss the feelings of frustration, anger, and sadness of those of us who've opposed the return to the presidency of Mr. Trump. I'll point out that the Bible is filled with laments... and even an entire section entitled the "Book of Lamentations". 

Equally tone deaf are the attempts to police reactions to this loss - making fun of folks (both famous and obscure) for the way they are processing their grief in public. This is not the way of Christ - this is not the fruit of the Spirit ("love, joy, peace, patience, kindheartedness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" - Galatians 522-23).

I'll close with a thoughtful take on this from pastor Jeb Barr:

“GOD IS ON HIS THRONE”

I’ve seen many people post to this the last couple of days.

“God is on His throne” is a true statement, but it is an incomplete theology.

“God is on His throne” does not mean all is ok or that His perfect will is being accomplished.

God is on His throne during every evil even in human history.

God is on His throne, and genocide still happened.

God is on His throne, and clergy sex abuse still occurred and was covered up by His followers.

God is on His throne, and Hitler still sent millions to gas chambers after rising to power with the support of most German Christians.

God is on His throne, and still millions of Africans were kidnapped and brought to the Americas as slaves, and many Christians used Scripture to justify and defend the practice.

God is on His throne, and our nation still tore itself apart as North fought South, both sides believing God was on their side.

God is on His throne, and in His sovereignty He allows evil, sin and suffering to take place, and He rarely stops us from hurting one another.

God is on His throne, and one day He will return to see all things right and enact perfect justice, but today is not that day.

“God is on His throne” too easily becomes the platitude of the privileged who believe they will benefit from the current circumstances. All is ok because they are ok.

“God is on His throne” can quickly become an abdication of our responsibility to be His stewards over creation and His hands and feet to the hurting.

God is on His throne, and He’s commanded us to hear the cries of the poor, to advocate the cause of the oppressed, to welcome the stranger, to visit the prisoner, and to feed the hungry.

God is on His throne, but are we carrying out the commands and the priorities of the King?

Jeb Barr

Why Not?: Ukraine, NATO, and Taiwan

This is the tenth in a series of posts on the reasons I will not be voting to return the former president to the White House. My focus here is not to support his opponent but instead to explain why I believe that Donald Trump is manifestly unqualified for the role.

Weirdly enough, this was the first post I started in this series... and it's likely the last before Election Day. Originally, it was an epic roll through the Trump Tower Moscow, the first Trump impeachment, etc... but I finally decided it was more powerful to keep it simple.

Ukraine

It's not a difficult question. 

You have said you would solve this war in 24 hours. You said so just before the break tonight. How exactly would you do that? And I want to ask you a very simple question tonight. Do you want Ukraine to win this war? 

[David Muir asking Donald Trump a question during the presidential debate on Sept. 10]

Yet the final answer the former president gave was boiled down to:

I think it's in the U.S. best interest to get this war finished and just get it done. All right. Negotiate a deal.

Reminder: Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022... with the ambition of overthrowing a democratic government. And our best choice is to negotiate a deal?!

NATO

I did the same thing with NATO. I got them to pay up. NATO was busted until I came along. I said, “Everybody’s going to pay.” They said, “Well, if we don’t pay, are you still going to protect us?” I said, “Absolutely not.” They couldn’t believe the answer. And you never saw more money pour in to Secretary General Stoltenberg. I don’t know if he is anymore, but he was my biggest fan. He said, “All these presidents came in, they’d make a speech, they’d leave. And that was it.”

And they all owed money, and they wouldn’t pay it. I came in, I made a speech, and I said, “You got to pay out.” They asked me that question. One of the presidents of a big country stood up, said, “Well, sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?” I said, “You didn’t pay. You’re delinquent?” He said, “Yes, let’s say that happened.”

“No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay. You got to pay your bills.” And the money came flowing in. And Henry would know this. If I said, “Yes, I will. You don’t have to pay. Yes, I will.” Most politicians have said to that, “Yes, we will protect you under any circumstances.” Well, then they’re never paying up. I said, “No, no. You have to understand you don’t pay your bills, you get no protection.” It’s very simple. Hundreds of billions of dollars came into NATO, and that’s why they have money today because of what I did."

(Donald Trump at a rally in South Carolina, February 2024)

For more information about the 2% guideline, read the actual NATO policy. (In other words, the former president didn't get any nation to send "hundreds of billions of dollars" to NATO.)

Separate of the obvious issues with the veracity of the anonymous president questioning Mr. Trump (a favorite trope of his storytelling), the fact that he is bragging about telling Russia to "do whatever the hell they want" (his words) is chilling.

Taiwan

“Taiwan. I know the people very well, respect them greatly. They did take about 100 percent of our chip business. I think Taiwan should pay us for defense. You know, we’re no different than an insurance company. Taiwan doesn’t give us anything. Taiwan is 9,500 miles away.”

(Donald Trump in a Bloomberg interview, July 2024)

In Short

The former president is fixated on money as a measure of loyalty. He's obsessed with a "pay to play"/"protection racket" ('nice country you got there; hate if something happened to it') view of the world. It's like he watched too many gangster movies and was schooled by his father and Roy Cohn to see the world with dollars as the scoreboard - rather than human lives and human freedom.

Important reminder: I am not attempting to defend the Biden administration or the Harris candidacy. I am simply pointing out that Donald Trump's protection racket foreign policy does not deserve and will not receive my support.

The first post in this series focuses on tariff policy - at this point, Mr. Trump's belief that tariffs are a "magic wand" that can cure all sorts of problems - child care, grocery prices, bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., etc. They're not.

The second post in this series focuses on immigration policy - the dehumanizing language, the abject lies, and the unbelievably foolish promises of mass deportation.

The third post in this series focuses on Mr. Trump's narcissism and potential cognitive decline.

The fourth post in this series focuses on the unbelievable record of lying by Mr. Trump.

The fifth post in this series focuses on the former president's support for those who brutally attacked police officers during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The sixth post in this series focuses on the extraordinarily odd decisions on the part of so many voters to support Mr. Trump despite his obvious disdain for their opinions and needs.

The seventh post in this series focuses on the opposition of many of his former staff to his re-election as well as his possible choices for government positions of unqualified (at best) individuals. (This post was written prior to the release of more extensive reporting of John Kelly's rejection of Mr. Trump.) 

The eighth post in this series focuses on the former president's desire for harsh laws and law enforcement against others but extreme leniency for himself.

The ninth post in this series focuses on the former president's obsession with dictators and dictator-like behavior.

Why Not?: When I Grow Up, I Want to Be...

This is the ninth in a series of posts on the reasons I will not be voting to return the former president to the White House. My focus here is not to support his opponent but instead to explain why I believe that Donald Trump is manifestly unqualified for the role.

...well, for me, the first job I remember wanting was as a construction worker. That is, until I watched my uncles rebuilding a barn destroyed by a tornado, walking the beam 2-3 stories in the air as if it was no big deal. (I have mild acrophobia - it's a big deal for me.)

Then I wanted to be a lawyer - probably because I'd read a whole bunch of Perry Mason novels from the used bookstore. That dream lasted a couple of years until I realized that (a) lots of lawyers don't do criminal law, and (b) if you're a defense attorney, not all of your clients are innocent. 

For most of junior high & high school, I planned to be an actor - in fact, that even lived on for a semester or so of college before I realized that a B.A. in Theater would doom me to life inside the theater building with almost no escape. Instead, I majored in English literature (so much more practical - ha!) and participated in & ran Baptist Student Union drama groups that performed at churches and campus events.

Looking back nearly forty years later, 20 year old Mark would have been stunned to see the list of jobs in his future: grill cook at McDonald's, clerk at a Christian bookstore, selling men's furnishings (underwear & ties) at Dillard's, youth pastor, church planter, customer service rep for JC Penney's phone bank, shrink-wrapping & packing Tae Bo videos, senior pastor, temporary IT guy for the TN State Legislature, and finally (for the last ten years) working for the TN Department of Education.

With that trip down memory lane done, let's take a look at what Mr. Trump aspires to be.

The Former President: "When I Grow Up, I Want to Be A Dictator"

Yes, I know how harsh that sounds. But...

“He [Sean Hannity] says, ‘You’re not going to be a dictator, are you?’ I said: ‘No, no, no, other than day one. We’re closing the border, and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.’”

(Donald Trump in Iowa, December 2023)

Eric Cortellessa: Do you see why so many Americans see language like that, you know, dictator for a day, suspending the Constitution—

Donald Trump: I think a lot of people like it.

(Time magazine interview, April 2024)

Now, as you can see if you follow the links, the former president plays these statements off as "sarcastic" or "said as a joke". On the other hand...

Like a madman who hurls flaming spears and shoots deadly arrows,

So is anyone who deceives a neighbor

and then says, “But I was only joking with you.”

(Proverbs 26:18-19 VOICE)

The Former President: "Sleeping on a dragon’s hoard with greedy, dragonish thoughts in his heart, he had become a dragon himself."

The quotes is from C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia (specifically, from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader) and actually leads to one of the most profound scenes in the book. (I won't spoil it for you - go read the book for yourself!)

But it's the first thing that came to mind when thinking about the "to-do" list that Mr. Trump has hinted at during his campaign - dragonish thoughts lead to dragon behavior.

“Now that the ‘seal’ is broken, in addition to closing the border & removing all of the ‘criminal’ elements that have illegally invaded our country, making America energy independent & even dominant again, & immediately ending the war between Russia & Ukraine, I will appoint a real special ‘prosecutor’ to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the USA, Joe Biden, the entire Biden crime family, & all others involved with the destruction of our elections, borders, & country itself!"

(Donald Trump on Truth Social, June 2023)

“The unAmerican Weaponization of our Law Enforcement has reached levels of Illegality never thought possible before... INDICT THE UNSELECT J6 COMMITTEE FOR ILLEGALLY DELETING AND DESTROYING ALL OF THEIR ‘FINDINGS!'”

(Donald Trump on Truth Social, June 2024)

"It's so easy. I would fire him within two seconds."

"No, I don't think they would impeach me if I fired Jack Smith."

(Donald Trump on Hugh Hewitt's show, October 2024)

"Jack Smith should be considered mentally deranged and he should be thrown out of the country." 

(Donald Trump in a radio interview, October 2024)

"They are almost all dishonest and corrupt, but Comcast, with its one-side and vicious coverage by NBC NEWS, and in particular MSNBC, often and correctly referred to as MSDNC (Democrat National Committee!), should be investigated for its “Country Threatening Treason.” Their endless coverage of the now fully debunked SCAM known as Russia, Russia, Russia, and much else, is one big Campaign Contribution to the Radical Left Democrat Party. I say up front, openly, and proudly, that when I WIN the Presidency of the United States, they and others of the LameStream Media will be thoroughly scrutinized for their knowingly dishonest and corrupt coverage of people, things, and events. Why should NBC, or any other of the corrupt & dishonest media companies, be entitled to use the very valuable Airwaves of the USA, FREE? They are a true threat to Democracy and are, in fact, THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE! The Fake News Media should pay a big price for what they have done to our once great Country!"

(Donald Trump on Truth Social, September 2023)

"A giant Fake News Scam by CBS & 60 Minutes. Her REAL ANSWER WAS CRAZY, OR DUMB, so they actually REPLACED it with another answer in order to save her or, at least, make her look better. A FAKE NEWS SCAM, which is totally illegal. TAKE AWAY THE CBS LICENSE. Election Interference. She is a Moron, and the Fake News Media wants to hide that fact. An UNPRECEDENTED SCANDAL!!!"

(Donald Trump on Truth Social, October 2024)

“We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics. And I think they’re the—and it should be easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military, because they can’t let that happen.”

(Donald Trump on Fox News, October 2024)

“A massive, crooked, vicious radical left machine that runs the Democratic Party. They’re just vessels. And when I say the ‘enemy from within,’ the other side goes crazy. Becomes a soundb—‘Ohh, how can he say?’ No, they’ve done very bad things to this country. They are indeed the enemy from within.”

(Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, October 2024)

The Former President: Authoritarian Fanboy

If Tad Callister is correct and "we become like those things we habitually love and admire", then it's a good idea to take a look at the kinds of leaders that the former president praises.

Kim Jong Un (North Korea)

REPORTER: Mr. President, what surprised you the most about Kim Jong Un?

TRUMP: A great personality and very smart. Good combination. He’s a worthy negotiator, negotiating on behalf of his people. A very worthy, a very smart negotiator. We had a terrific day. We learnt a lot about each other and about our countries, so.

REPORTER: What did you learn about him?

TRUMP: I learned that he’s a very talented man. I also learned that he loves his country very much.

(press briefing following summit in Singapore, June 2018)

"I was really being tough - and so was he. And we would go back and forth. And then we fell in love, okay? No, really - he wrote me beautiful letters, and they're great letters."

(Donald Trump at West Virginia rally, September 2018)

“He’s the head of a country and I mean he is the strong head. Don’t let anyone think anything different. He speaks and his people sit up at attention. I want my people to do the same.”

(Donald Trump on Fox, June 2018)

"I think he misses me, if you want to know the truth."

(Donald Trump at the Republican Convention, July 2024)

Other Republicans have a clearer view of the North Korean dictator.

“Kim Jong Un is a thug and a tyrant, and he has tested ballistic missiles against our allies. He’s threatened us. There’s nothing to congratulate him about. I mean, he’s been terrible to his people. He’s been terrible to America, and we need to stop being nice to countries that hate America.” (Nikki Haley)

“Whether it's my former running mate or anyone else, nobody should be praising the dictator in North Korea or praising the leader in Russia, who has launched an unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine. This is a time when we ought to make it clear to the world that we stand for freedom and we stand with those who stand for freedom.” (Mike Pence)

"Kim Jong-Un, the tyrant dictator in North Korea should not be praised by Donald Trump for a leadership role in the World Health Organization. We sanction leaders who oppress their people. We do not elevate them on the world stage.” (Asa Hutchinson)

(NBC News, June 2023)

As of this past week, North Korea is sending approximately 10,000 troops to Russia to assist in the invasion of Ukraine. And, evidently, Kim Jong Un is missing the former president.

Xi Jinping (China)

“Think of President Xi: central casting, a brilliant guy. You know, when I say he’s brilliant, everyone says, ‘Oh that’s terrible.' Well, he runs 1.4 billion people with an iron fist. Smart, brilliant, everything perfect. There’s nobody in Hollywood like this guy.”

(Donald Trump on Fox News town hall, July 2023)

"Our relationship with China has now probably never, ever been better...He's for China, I'm for the U.S., but other than that, we love each other."

(Donald Trump at Davos, January 2020)

"You have a lot of misinformation spread about China, and you have a lot of misinformation spread about a lot of different places. I think I'm going to get along great with China. President Xi of China and I are very good friends, we met right here, right there. [referring to where reporters are sitting] We had a beautiful sofa there. As opposed to what we have right now. Right now we have you."

(Donald Trump at press conference, August 2024)

“He’s now president for life. President for life. No, he’s great. And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot some day.”

(Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago, speech to donors, March 2018)

TRUMP: “They hate when I say, you know, when the press — when I called President Xi, [the press] said, ‘Well, he called President Xi brilliant.’ Well, he’s a brilliant guy. He controls 1.4 billion people with an iron fist. I mean, he’s a brilliant guy, whether you like it or not. And they go crazy.”

JOE ROGAN: “Right, it doesn’t mean he’s not evil, or it doesn’t mean he’s not dangerous."

TRUMP: “Yeah, of course not. But, actually, we have evil people in our country.”

(Donald Trump on Joe Rogan's podcast, October 2024)

Reminder: the former president was very positive about how well President Xi was dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak... until he wasn't. 

Vladimir Putin (Russia)

“The smartest one gets to the top. That didn’t work so well recently in our country. But they ask me, ‘Is Putin smart?’ Yes, Putin was smart. And I actually thought he was going to be negotiating. I said, ‘That’s a hell of a way to negotiate, put 200,000 soldiers on the border.’”

(Donald Trump at campaign rally in Georgia, March 2022)

BUCK: Mr. President, in the last 24 hours we know Russia has said that they are recognizing two breakaway regions of Ukraine, and now this White House is stating that this is an “invasion.” That’s a strong word. What went wrong here? What has the current occupant of the Oval Office done that he could have done differently?

TRUMP: "Well, what went wrong was a rigged election and what went wrong is a candidate that shouldn’t be there and a man that has no concept of what he’s doing. I went in yesterday and there was a television screen, and I said, “This is genius.” Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine — of Ukraine. Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that’s wonderful. So, Putin is now saying, “It’s independent,” a large section of Ukraine. I said, “How smart is that?” And he’s gonna go in and be a peacekeeper. That’s strongest peace force… We could use that on our southern border. That’s the strongest peace force I’ve ever seen. There were more army tanks than I’ve ever seen. They’re gonna keep peace all right. No, but think of it. Here’s a guy who’s very savvy… I know him very well. Very, very well."

(Donald Trump on Clay & Buck radio interview, February 2022)

"Have they found him guilty? I don't think they've found him guilty. If he did it, fine. But I don’t know that he did it. You know, people are saying they think it was him, it might have been him, it could have been him. But Maria, in all fairness to Putin—I don’t know. You know, and I’m not saying this because he says, ‘Trump is brilliant and leading everybody’ —the fact is that, you know, he hasn’t been convicted of anything.”

(Donald Trump in interview about murder of Alexander Litvinenko on Fox Business, January 2016)

For a more extensive series of clips, you can watch this video collection from CNN in 2020. (The text version is linked here.)

Two Final Words

"He certainly prefers the dictator approach to government. Certainly the former president is in the far-right area, he's certainly an authoritarian, admires people who are dictators - he has said that. So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure."

(General John Kelly, retired U.S. Marine Corps general and Trump's White House chief of staff from 2017-2019)

Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people.

(Proverbs 29:2 GNT)

Important reminder: I am not attempting to defend the Biden administration or the Harris candidacy. I am simply pointing out that Donald Trump's obsession with dictators does not deserve and will not receive my support.

The first post in this series focuses on tariff policy - at this point, Mr. Trump's belief that tariffs are a "magic wand" that can cure all sorts of problems - child care, grocery prices, bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., etc. They're not.

The second post in this series focuses on immigration policy - the dehumanizing language, the abject lies, and the unbelievably foolish promises of mass deportation.

The third post in this series focuses on Mr. Trump's narcissism and potential cognitive decline.

The fourth post in this series focuses on the unbelievable record of lying by Mr. Trump.

The fifth post in this series focuses on the former president's support for those who brutally attacked police officers during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The sixth post in this series focuses on the extraordinarily odd decisions on the part of so many voters to support Mr. Trump despite his obvious disdain for their opinions and needs.

The seventh post in this series focuses on the opposition of many of his former staff to his re-election as well as his possible choices for government positions of unqualified (at best) individuals. (This post was written prior to the release of more extensive reporting of John Kelly's rejection of Mr. Trump.) 

The eighth post in this series focuses on the former president's desire for harsh laws and law enforcement against others but extreme leniency for himself.

Why Not?: Rules for Thee But Not for Me

This is the eighth in a series of posts on the reasons I will not be voting to return the former president to the White House. My focus here is not to support his opponent but instead to explain why I believe that Donald Trump is manifestly unqualified for the role.

My dad didn't read much growing up - at least not willingly. (I've come to believe he had undiagnosed dyslexia, which made reading a chore rather than a joy.) But there was one book he read in school that he mentioned enjoying - George Orwell's Animal Farm. I distinctly remember him quoting from it to justify his role as the key decision-maker in my life as a kid:

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

It was a good-natured joke in our family...

...but unfortunately it is the painful reality of the former president's view of crime, policing, and taking responsibility for his own actions.

Rules for Thee...

"When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, you just seen them thrown in, rough. I said, ‘Please don’t be too nice.’ When you guys put somebody in the car and you’re protecting their head you know, the way you put their hand over [their head]. Like, 'Don’t hit their head and they’ve just killed somebody, don’t hit their head.' I said, 'You can take the hand away, OK?'"

(Donald Trump, speaking to law enforcement officials in July 2017)

"If you had one day, like one real rough, nasty day... One rough hour and I mean real rough. The word will get out and it will end immediately. End immediately. It’ll end immediately."

(Donald Trump, speaking about shoplifting during a rally in Pennsylvania in September 2024)

In the decades since his newspaper ads calling for the death penalty for the Central Park Five, Trump has repeatedly endorsed harsher penalties for a wide range of crimes, including threatening 10-year prison terms for anyone vandalizing a statue or other federal monument, suggesting that people who sell illegal drugs should be executed, and praising the president of the Philippines for his approach to drugs, which included the extrajudicial killings of thousands of suspected drug dealers by both police and vigilantes. Trump publicly suggested that soldiers could shoot at people at US borders who throw rocks at them, reportedly suggested in private in 2019 that soldiers shoot migrants in the legs to slow them down, and reportedly made a similar comment about shooting protesters in the legs during the height of the social justice demonstrations prompted by a Minneapolis police officer’s murder of George Floyd in 2020.

(reporting from The Guardian)

For an overwhelming look at who the former president has threatened with prosecution, this NPR story includes an infographic that sorts out Mr. Trump's over 100 threats by the various categories of people that he has proclaimed should be arrested, jailed, punished, subjected to military tribunals, court-martialed, etc. .  

“I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution.”

(Donald Trump, CPAC 2023)

“Well, revenge does take time. I will say that... And sometimes revenge can be justified, Phil, I have to be honest. You know, sometimes it can.”

(Donald Trump, interview with Dr. Phil in June 2024)

"When this election is over, based on what they've done, I would have every right to go after them.”

(Donald Trump, Fox News interview in June 2024)

...But Not For Me

"As we move forward in Uniting our Nation after the horrific events on Saturday, this dismissal of the Lawless Indictment in Florida should be just the first step, followed quickly by the dismissal of ALL the Witch Hunts — The January 6th Hoax in Washington, D.C., the Manhattan D.A.’s Zombie Case, the New York A.G. Scam, Fake Claims about a woman I never met (a decades old photo in a line with her then husband does not count), and the Georgia “Perfect” Phone Call charges. The Democrat Justice Department coordinated ALL of these Political Attacks, which are an Election Interference conspiracy against Joe Biden’s Political Opponent, ME. Let us come together to END all Weaponization of our Justice System, and Make America Great Again!"
(Donald Trump on Truth Social, July 2024)

"The ridiculous and baseless indictment of me by the Biden administration weaponized department of injustice will go down as among the most horrific abuses of power in the history of our country." 

(Donald Trump in Georgia, June 2023)

The former president has every right to have his day in court - but the outright dismissal of charges because he screams "It's all political!" is not justice. 

And whining about abuses of power (his words) when you are obsessed about revenge and retribution (also his words) is really quite something. Especially when you managed to get through your trial in New York, violate the judge's gag order at least ten (10!) times, be found in contempt of court, and still not manage to end up spending a night in jail. 

I'm not expecting most of my readers to follow these links - but in case you want more detail about the actual charges that the former president so blithely dismisses, you can read the superseding indictments in the January 6 case and the classified documents case. You can also read the brief on immunity determination for the January 6 case.

Yes, I realize that Judge Cannon dismissed the documents case based on [checks notes] the special prosecutor being illegally appointed... but that decision is currently being appealed and is unlikely to withstand the scrutiny of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. I'm also aware that Judge Cannon has been listed by the Trump campaign as a possible candidate for attorney general [insert raised eyebrow here].

One final link: the Legal Eagle YouTube channel has posted a video that lays out many of my concerns about the former president from a legal perspective. You may well not agree with their choice to endorse the other candidate - but I appreciated the clear way they made the argument similar to the one I'm trying to make.

Real Justice

When a judge says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”

    he will be cursed by all people; he will be hated by nations.

But those who reprimand evildoers will be celebrated,

    and good fortune will come their way.

(Proverbs 24:24-25 VOICE)

Never take vengeance into your own hands, my dear friends: stand back and let God punish if he will. For it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine. I will repay’.

(Romans 12:19 PHILLIPS)

Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips; how much worse are lies for a ruler. (Proverbs 17:7 HCSB)

Don’t pervert justice. Don’t show favoritism to either the poor or the great. Judge on the basis of what is right.

(Leviticus 19:15 MSG)

But let justice run down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream [flowing abundantly]. 

(Amos 5:24 AMP)

Important reminder: I am not attempting to defend the Biden administration or the Harris candidacy. I am simply pointing out that Donald Trump's view of "justice" is skewed by anger & a desire for vengeance and that behavior does not deserve and will not receive my support.

The first post in this series focuses on tariff policy - at this point, Mr. Trump's belief that tariffs are a "magic wand" that can cure all sorts of problems - child care, grocery prices, bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., etc. They're not.

The second post in this series focuses on immigration policy - the dehumanizing language, the abject lies, and the unbelievably foolish promises of mass deportation.

The third post in this series focuses on Mr. Trump's narcissism and potential cognitive decline.

The fourth post in this series focuses on the unbelievable record of lying by Mr. Trump.

The fifth post in this series focuses on the former president's support for those who brutally attacked police officers during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The sixth post in this series focuses on the extraordinarily odd decisions on the part of so many voters to support Mr. Trump despite his obvious disdain for their opinions and needs.

The seventh post in this series focuses on the opposition of many of his former staff to his re-election as well as his possible choices for government positions of unqualified (at best) individuals. (This post was written prior to the release of more extensive reporting of John Kelly's rejection of Mr. Trump.)