“The Constitution is not a suicide pact.” — Justice Robert H. Jackson, Terminiello v. Chicago (1949)
And yet, today’s Congress seems determined to test that theory. They are faced with a president who has repeatedly threatened to undermine democratic norms. He also aims to concentrate unchecked executive power and reward loyalty over law. In response, they have chosen to do… nothing.
Donald Trump has made it clear through his rhetoric that he sees democracy as a nuisance. His legal strategy shows he thinks of Congress as a rubber stamp. When he said he would act as a “dictator only on day one,” the room laughed (Reston, 2023). But the threat is no joke. This is not hyperbole. It’s happening right in front of us.
And Congress is complicit.
A Pattern of Silence and Enabling
Time and again, Trump has shown open disdain for the rule of law:
- He refused to concede the 2020 election and encouraged efforts to overturn it (Barrett, 2021).
- He incited a violent insurrection against the U.S. Capitol (House Select Committee, 2022).
- He’s now promised to pardon January 6 rioters and weaponize the Department of Justice against political enemies (Haberman, 2023).
- He has praised authoritarian leaders like Viktor Orbán and Vladimir Putin (Forgey, 2022). He has also floated mass deportations and proposed the military occupation of American cities. (Isacson, 2024; Reston, 2023).
Despite this, Congress—especially the Republican-controlled House—has largely refused to act. They have blocked bipartisan efforts to strengthen democratic guardrails. They have ignored Trump’s ongoing legal threats to the judiciary. Instead, they have prioritized hearings about Hunter Biden’s laptop and attacking Whistleblowers.
When democracy needed defending, they chose political theater instead.
Congressional Cowardice Is Not Neutrality
Let’s be clear: silence in the face of authoritarianism is not neutrality. It is complicity. Members of Congress are not protecting tradition when they refuse to confront a former president. This president has openly vowed to dismantle democratic checks and balances. They are protecting themselves.
They fear Trump’s base more than they respect their oath of office.
The Constitution grants Congress the power to act as a check on the presidency. That power includes investigations, legislation, oversight, and if necessary, impeachment. But with a few exceptions, they’ve chosen appeasement over accountability.
Our Responsibility: Hold Them Accountable
Voting is not a suggestion. It’s a duty—especially when those in office have abandoned theirs.
In 2022, only 47% of eligible voters cast ballots in the midterm election (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023). Meanwhile, many of the same members of Congress refuse to speak out against Trump’s authoritarian goals. They cruised to re-election thanks to gerrymandering. Low turnout and voter apathy also contributed to their victory.
That must change.
- If your representative refuses to condemn Trump’s threats to democracy—vote them out.
- If they parrot conspiracy theories and deny the outcome of free elections—vote them out.
- If they weaken ethics rules, attack judges, or cheer on political violence—vote. them. out.
This is not about partisanship. It is about principle.
History Is Watching
In the wake of Watergate, Congress passed sweeping reforms to restore public trust and hold leaders accountable. Today, many members have abandoned that legacy, instead treating the Constitution like a suggestion and truth like a nuisance.
Let’s remind them: they work for us. Not for Trump. Not for power. Not for a party.
If they can’t remember that, we’ll show them the door. We will do this at the ballot box and in the primaries. We will also use grassroots organizing and the public square.
Because if Congress won’t stop a dangerous man, then we must stop this dangerous Congress.
And we will.
Citations
Barrett, D. (2021, October 7). Trump and his allies pressured DOJ to help overturn 2020 election, notes show. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Forgey, Q. (2022, March 30). Trump praises Hungary’s authoritarian leader Viktor Orbán. Politico. https://www.politico.com/
Haberman, M. (2023, December 4). Trump again pledges to pardon Jan. 6 rioters if re-elected. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/
House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. (2022). Final Report. https://www.govinfo.gov/
Isacson, A. (2024, March 6). Trump’s military plans for domestic use raise alarm among defense officials. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Reston, M. (2023, December 6). Trump says he’ll be a dictator ‘only on day one’ if elected. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/
U.S. Census Bureau. (2023, April 27). Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2022. https://www.census.gov/
