Trump's first presidency weakened US institutions; expect worse

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump points to his wife former US First Lady Melania Trump during an election night event at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, early on November 6, 2024. [AFP]

Donald Trump is poised to become the 47th US president. But Trump’s tenure as 45th US President was a turbulent and unprecedented period in American history, marked by controversies, scandals and polarisation- sometimes protests.

Trump who had no prior experience in military or government, defied many norms and expectations of presidential behaviour and often clashed with the judiciary, Congress, media and even his own staff. His unconventional and often erratic leadership style raised queries about the resilience and integrity of US democratic institutions and traditions.

One of the most striking features of Trump’s presidency was his relentless onslaught on the legitimacy and credibility of institutions that are supposed to render checks and balances on presidential power. He repeatedly assaulted the free press as “fake news" and “the enemy of the people”, undermining public trust in journalism and information.

Similarly, he often criticised and dismissed US intelligence agencies’ findings, especially regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election and his links to Moscow. He fired or forced out officials who were investigating his behaviour, including FBI Director James Comey, Special Counsel Robert Mueller, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and Inspector General Michael Atkinson.

Trump refused to cooperate with congressional inquiries and subpoenas, claiming executive privilege or absolute immunity. He challenged the authority and independence of federal judges who ruled against his policies or personal interests, labeling them “Obama judges”. He pardoned or commuted the sentences of several of his associates who were convicted of crimes related to his campaign, such as Roger Stone, Steve Bannon and Michael Flynn.

His disregard for institutional norms and rules as well extended to his foreign policy. The US was withdrawn from various multilateral agreements and organisations that he deemed unfair or ineffective, including the Paris climate accord, the Iran nuclear deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, UNESCO, and the World Health Organisation.

He then imposed sanctions and tariffs on several countries, including some of America’s closest allies, triggering diplomatic tensions and trade wars. He questioned the value and relevance of NATO and other security alliances, demanding that other members pay more for their defence or threatening to withdraw US troops.

He embraced despotic leaders like Kim Jong-un, and Vladimir Putin while alienating democratic partners such as Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, and Justin Trudeau. His regime undermined the credibility and consistency of US foreign policy by making impulsive and contradictory decisions.

Trump’s presidency revealed the fragility and vulnerability of US institutions in the face of a leader who was willing to test their limits and challenge their legitimacy. Though some institutions proved to be more resilient like the media, the courts, and civil society, others were more susceptible to erosion or capture, such as Congress, the executive branch, and the electoral system.

Therefore, chances are that the impact of Trump’s presidency on US institutions as he assumes office will likely have more lasting consequences for American democracy and its role in the world compared to his first tenure.

Dennis Onyango is an advocate of the High Court