Trump the King
What is a King? We’ve read about “Kings” down through the ages. They’ve been defined by what they accomplished, what they destroyed, and what was left in their wake.
There have been good kings and bad. Plato, in his Republic, defined a “Philosopher King”. This was an intelligent and wise person who had captured the true meaning of virtue and righteousness. He ruled with the consent of the people because they recognized his goodness and authority. Unfortunately, we await his arrival. Louis XIV of France was known as the “Sun King”. History labels him as a good king. He was devoted to his country and to the wellbeing of its subjects. He held the supreme, unquestioned authority and used it many times. He did listen to his nobles and the voice of his people but his was always the last word.
Unfortunately, bad ” kings” darken the pages of history. Too many times we know them as despots, tyrants and dictators. These are people who rule with absolute power who often use it in cruel, unfair, or oppressive ways. They are characterized by unchecked authority, reliance of force over law, and the use of fear as a government policy. Witness Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot and many more dictator “kings” in the modern era.
In recent days we’ve seen protests in blue states and cities labelling President Trump as a cruel and oppressive, bad “king’. But “king” is just a word. It draws meaning based on the actions of the supposed king. So now let’s examine the actions of President Trump and see if the appellation, king, applies and is it derogatory.
Trump assumed the presidency of our country by an overwhelming, popular vote. He didn’t assume the presidency based on heredity, violence, tradition, lies, deceit or brown shirts in the streets. He won the popular vote. So in this sense the label “king” doesn’t apply. The presidency does imply authority but this is not a supreme authority outside of the law. The presidency – the executive – is limited in its authority by the two other constitutionally specified branches of our government – the legislative and judicial. President Trump is the commander in chief of the armed forces and is principally responsible for the safety of our country and its citizens. This includes use of ICE as mandated shortly after 9/11 and used by President Obama do deport 2 million illegals. This also includes the use of force to protect our country and its citizens from violence sponsored by a foreign power. This power and mandate is currently being used to eliminate the very real forty-seven year old threat of terrorism and a nuclear bomb by Iran. President Trump’s often stated and primary goal is the physical and financial welfare of all our citizens, not just the wealthy. This is confirmed by his tax cuts for the middle class, energy independence, tariffs, elimination of useless federal bureaucracies, his restoration of law and order, and opportunity zones for the underprivileged. President Trump and MAGA, unlike the far left of the Democratic party, has no interest in a revolutionary World Government which offers shrink wrapped equity and fairness to some seven plus billion humans. Instead, conserve this magnificent country while correcting outstanding problems. One last Trump goal which is contrary to all dictators and bad kings; Trump wants to reduce the size of government.
If Trump is a king, then hail to him and continue to be the good king.