Recent ballot removals in Colorado and Maine have sparked an unexpected interest in democracy from former President Donald Trump. While the Supreme Court reviews his removal, Trump’s claims about democratic values face scrutiny, notes columnist David Frum in The Atlantic.
Frum highlights the irony in Trump’s protest, reminding readers that Trump initiated his political journey by challenging President Barack Obama’s citizenship. Moreover, in the 2020 election, Trump attempted to disqualify mail-in voters and contested ballots not counted by midnight on Election Day.
According to Frum, Trump and his supporters selectively employ democratic ideals to serve their interests, creating self-serving rules that prioritize fraud and violence. Frum urges those committed to democratic principles to recognize the challenge posed by dishonest actors.
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Democratic ideals don’t cease to be true just because they can be exploited by dishonest actors, Frum argues. He emphasizes the danger of democracy becoming an optional principle, manipulated by authoritarians when convenient and discarded when it hinders their goals.
In conclusion, as Trump faces removal from ballots in two states, his sudden interest in democracy’s protections raises questions about sincerity after years of betraying democratic values, Frum observes.
