Bob Schwartz

When will Trump declare himself supreme and absolute ruler, not subject to Congress, the Supreme Court, the laws and the Constitution?

So far he hasn’t had to expressly declare that, with an acquiescent Republican Congress and a sympathetic Supreme Court. But that could change, a little or a lot.

If there is a change in acquiescence (sycophancy) or a change in sympathy, Trump might feel forced to declare what he already believes.

We have more than hints at his belief. “Trump 2028” is a constitutionally forbidden third term, but is already being promoted. This is not a gray area. If by some outlandish chance the Supreme Court finds a way around the clear prohibition, Trump’s declaration would actually be unnecessary. He would already be in total charge.

But what if, for the sake of argument, the Court rules he cannot run for another term. Or what if dozens of other Trump attempts at defying law and Constitution are stymied by the Congress or the courts. That will be the moment for Trump to declare a national emergency, one that exceeds the powers of Congress or the Courts to address, an emergency only he can solve. That will be the moment Trump declares himself supreme and absolute ruler, not subject to Congress, the Supreme Court, the laws and the Constitution.

For those who still go around using words like “unprecedented” and “unthinkable”, and haven’t yet dropped them from their vocabulary, you might consider doing that.