OPINION: Democrats Discuss — The hypocrisy of Trump

Jane Roche is a sophomore studying political science pre-law. She is a member of the Ohio University College Democrats. The following article reflects the opinions and views of the author and does not represent the thoughts of the Ohio University College Democrats.

This is a submitted column. Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.

The recent assertions that President Donald Trump has been making are deeply concerning. Not only concerning for those of us that are staunch Biden supporters, but on a larger scale, too. Such wild claims are deeply concerning for the state of this nation and even the health of our Constitution.

There have been many trying times over the course of America’s history where our basic institutions have been challenged, but never directly by the president. Elections are the heartbeat of our democracy. It is where our elected officials derive their legitimacy and where law originates. The highest elements of power are decided by a simple ballot marking made by each and every one of us. 

To assert that a ballot is illegal and fraudulent, as Trump has claimed recently, is undemocratic and fundamentally un-American.

One of the most patriotic and inherently American acts we can participate in as civilians is the act of voting. 

The hypocrisy of “stealing elections” claims goes to the heart of our democracy. It is a deep insult to the poll workers, Republican or Democrat, who have been diligently counting votes for over three days. It is an insult to the local elections being called in every single state that relies on the legitimacy of this electorate. What’s more, it is an insult to the very office of the presidency. 

We should have confidence in the highest office in the land. The president should unite, not divide. 

The past four years of the Trump presidency have just been indicators of the behaviors we have seen after Election Day. Trump has been padding the courts and his cabinets with cronies who will be complacent in his grandiose and unfounded claims surrounding the 2020 election. This is not the purpose of the bureaucracy or the courts. The courts and the bureaucracy are there for the people, not to legitimize an impeached president. 

So, when analyzing the post-election lawsuits coming from the Trump campaign, one can only be frustrated by the fact that the president thinks the federal government is his personal playground to advance his own agenda and power. 

It is frustrating that Trump’s legal team is continually delaying significant vote counts with unfounded claims. This is not the behavior of a man who believes he is truly fit for the office of the presidency. This is the behavior of a man who is trying desperately to hang onto any ounce of power he can squeeze from our fractured federal government. Trump should never be allowed to disgrace the office of the presidency again.