Donald Trump has made the calculated decision to let the pandemic play out without need of a federal plan for disease treatment and economic recovery. Over 100,000 deaths mean nothing to him, a cost of doing business you might say. While state and local governments are preoccupied with a public health crisis, Trump seeks to divert attention to his America First agenda, using (abusing) the power of his office and a Supreme Court majority. His executive orders and other unilateral acts are designed to erode Obama’s social and international legacy, promote corporate and white nationalist interests, bypass Congressional authority, and of course carry him to reelection.
This stealth attack on America has been carried out in broad daylight and Friday nights, with incalculable long-term damage to our country’s institutions, environment, and international standing.
Here, in no particular order, are some of Trump’s actions during the pandemic period:
• Issued an executive order on social media “censorship” that in fact legalizes far-right lies without interference from Twitter, Facebook, and the rest.
• Ordered the reopening of meatpacking plants, schools, and churches—which, of course, he cannot do, and which had no effect.
• Demanded the reopening of the economy and supported armed protesters who defy stay-home orders while taking “no responsibility at all” for bringing the pandemic under control.
• Sidelined the Centers for Disease Control and overrode CDC pandemic guidelines.
• Withdrew the US from the 1992 Open Skies Treaty that has 34 other signatories.
• Reversed over 60 Obama-era environmental regulations, and is seeking to roll back or eliminate over 30 others. (A New York Times study found that “his administration has weakened Obama-era limits on planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and from cars and trucks, and rolled back many more rules governing clean air, water and toxic chemicals” and wildlife protections. “All told,” the Times report continues, “the Trump administration’s environmental rollbacks could significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions and lead to thousands of extra deaths from poor air quality each year, according to energy and legal analysts” (www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks.html).
• On immigration, closed the border with Mexico, virtually ending asylum applications, contrary to international and domestic law.
• Pursued a legal challenge to eliminate Obamacare.
• Declared Dreamers (DACA) parents ineligible for stimulus checks and DACA students ineligible for loan relief.
• Terminated funding of the World Health Organization, arguing that the US would be “redirecting” money to “other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs.” He provided no specifics, and neglected to mention that withdrawal from WHO requires formal one-year notice and, in the meantime, continued US funding.
• Fired three inspectors-general (for the intelligence community, health and human services, and the state department) and demoted a third (the defense department), virtually eviscerating oversight of key government offices.
• Removed special treatment for Hong Kong, including on customs and travel, thus further exacerbating tensions with China while accomplishing nothing for Hong Kongers’ human rights (which he has never supported before).
• Played golf as America burned.
• Promoted racial and street violence with various tweets, notably on the Minneapolis protests (“when the looting starts, the shooting starts”), Antifa (a “domestic terrorist organization”), and in a teleconferene with governors (“you have to dominate” protesters), while refusing to say a word about white supremacist and other far-right agitators, and rejecting a nationwide address to calm and heal.
• Used the Department of Justice to roll back Russia investigation findings on Michael Flynn, gain the release from jail of Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort, and seek investigations of Joe Biden and son.
• Deployed active-duty US troops to “protect” people’s lives in Washington, DC; put the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in charge of (what?); and had his defense secretary declare that he wants governors to “dominate the battlespace” in US cities.
The bottom line: Donald Trump has failed to be a healing national leader, thus cementing his place as the worst president in US history. As Robert Reich writes: “By having no constructive response to any of the monumental crises now convulsing America, Trump has abdicated his office” (www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/31/donald-trump-coronavirus-pandemic-george-floyd-minneapolis-tweets). Yes, he has; but in the meantiime, he is literally attacking our country.
In the Human Interest - Mel Gurtov 
Amen!
________________________________ From: In the Human Interest – Mel Gurtov Sent: Tuesday, June 2, 2020 6:20 AM To: mnhwriter@msn.com Subject: [New post] Post #263: Donald Trump’s Stealth Attack on America
Mel Gurtov posted: “Donald Trump has made the calculated decision to let the pandemic play out without need of a federal plan for disease treatment and economic recovery. Over 100,000 deaths mean nothing to him, a cost of doing business you might say. While state and local g” Respond to this post by replying above this line New post on In the Human Interest – Mel Gurtov [http://1.gravatar.com/blavatar/f304fad05ff3eeebee972fc7d37eaa1f?s=32&d=http%3A%2F%2Fs0.wp.com%2Fi%2Femails%2Fblavatar.png] [http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/cf78cdb7130d9e2aca521b242b4cccaa?s=50&d=identicon&r=G] Post #263: Donald Trump’s Stealth Attack on America by Mel Gurtov
Donald Trump has made the calculated decision to let the pandemic play out without need of a federal plan for disease treatment and economic recovery. Over 100,000 deaths mean nothing to him, a cost of doing business you might say. While state and local governments are preoccupied with a public health crisis, Trump seeks to divert attention to his America First agenda, using (abusing) the power of his office and a Supreme Court majority. His executive orders and other unilateral acts are designed to erode Obama’s social and international legacy, promote corporate and white nationalist interests, bypass Congressional authority, and of course carry him to reelection.
This stealth attack on America has been carried out in broad daylight and Friday nights, with incalculable long-term damage to our country’s institutions, environment, and international standing.
Here, in no particular order, are some of Trump’s actions during the pandemic period:
• Issued an executive order on social media “censorship” that in fact legalizes far-right lies without interference from Twitter, Facebook, and the rest. • Ordered the reopening of meatpacking plants, schools, and churches—which, of course, he cannot do, and which had no effect. • Demanded the reopening of the economy and supported armed protesters who defy stay-home orders while taking “no responsibility at all” for bringing the pandemic under control. • Sidelined the Centers for Disease Control and overrode CDC pandemic guidelines. • Withdrew the US from the 1992 Open Skies Treaty that has 34 other signatories. • Reversed over 60 Obama-era environmental regulations, and is seeking to roll back or eliminate over 30 others. (A New York Times study found that “his administration has weakened Obama-era limits on planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and from cars and trucks, and rolled back many more rules governing clean air, water and toxic chemicals” and wildlife protections. “All told,” the Times report continues, “the Trump administration’s environmental rollbacks could significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions and lead to thousands of extra deaths from poor air quality each year, according to energy and legal analysts” (www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks.html). • On immigration, closed the border with Mexico, virtually ending asylum applications, contrary to international and domestic law. • Pursued a legal challenge to eliminate Obamacare. • Declared Dreamers (DACA) parents ineligible for stimulus checks and DACA students ineligible for loan relief. • Terminated funding of the World Health Organization, arguing that the US would be “redirecting” money to “other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs.” He provided no specifics, and neglected to mention that withdrawal from WHO requires formal one-year notice and, in the meantime, continued US funding. • Fired three inspectors-general (for the intelligence community, health and human services, and the state department) and demoted a third (the defense department), virtually eviscerating oversight of key government offices. • Removed special treatment for Hong Kong, including on customs and travel, thus further exacerbating tensions with China while accomplishing nothing for Hong Kongers’ human rights (which he has never supported before). • Played golf as America burned. • Promoted racial and street violence with various tweets, notably on the Minneapolis protests (“when the looting starts, the shooting starts”), Antifa (a “domestic terrorist organization”), and in a teleconferene with governors (“you have to dominate” protesters), while refusing to say a word about white supremacist and other far-right agitators, and rejecting a nationwide address to calm and heal. • Used the Department of Justice to roll back Russia investigation findings on Michael Flynn, gain the release from jail of Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort, and seek investigations of Joe Biden and son. • Deployed active-duty US troops to “protect” people’s lives in Washington, DC; put the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in charge of (what?); and had his defense secretary declare that he wants governors to “dominate the battlespace” in US cities.
The bottom line: Donald Trump has failed to be a healing national leader, thus cementing his place as the worst president
Good post, Mel. It provides an important, tangible reminder of the range of his mis/malfeasance in office. Ironically, the very fertility of his mind and his boundless energy dropping Outrage Bombs hour after hour makes it difficult to keep everythng in mind. Maybe that’s his strategy. Blitz us into a state of torpor with increasingly bizarre rants as a cover for something really draconian delivered while we’re still reeling from the last one.
Absolutely right. He keeps us–especially the media–constantly on the run. He’s the chaos meister.
Hi Mel,
This so reminds me of 68 when law and order became the campaign with (this time) small businesses and soccer moms moving to the right out of fear. This time we don’t have a somewhat institutionalist but a potential dictator. His actions are designed to polarize in order to move just enough folks to get re-elected. What trump and goons are doing is a deliberate political strategy . We even have wars the President says he knows how to end.
He is suggesting through the second amendment references that his brown shirts can hunt protestors. If he does send in the army we are in a new ballgame I feel there is now a 30-40 percent code orange threat to democracy in America.
The Dems will nominate a good grandpa, hopefully with Kamala Harris or Susan Rice. And a political and cultural showdown will be set. Problem: a dangerous possibility, say 25%, is a cancelled or postponed election. Ds are threatened with the Bernie or no one crowd, just enough to throw a close .election because instability and covid rebound in the fall.
This is a new ballgame not like our friendly Yankees v Red Sox on a sunny day.
Sent from my iPhone
>
We are on the verge of dictatorship. Trump will stop at nothing. As in any banana republic, the military is in position either to support the great leader or turn on him in a coup. I truly believe things are that bad.
Mel, Good list of Trump’s attacks. Keep the list growing. We need a separate list of actions by Pelosi, Whitmer, Cuomo, Enslee, Schwartzneger, etc., in opposition. Keep up the good work. Stay safe. Bob
Sent from my iPhone
>
Fortunately he seems to have alienated the officer corps in the military.
I sure hope that’s true, because the military may be all that stands between us and dictatorship.
And the daily destruction goes on and on….
Best,
Russell
Amen.
Dear Mel:
Of course, you are preaching to the choir. One of the most disturbing , indeed disgusting, things I witnessed was on the way to Dexter reservoir: Pleasant Hill had a Rethuglican headquarters there; which is not surprising; what WAS surprising (and disgusting) was that there were flags supporting The Donald; let alone posters and banners.
What have “we” become?
It has long been apparent that there is NO BOTTOM to the thinking or morality of core Trump supporters.
Dear Mel:
Such detailed lists are essential if we want “history” to accurately display current on-going reality. Your efforts will help prime the pump of future credible detailed assessments of this era. Many thanks.
rand dawson Siltcoos Lake