While giving a commencement speech at Yale, her alma mater, 2016 Presidential contender Hillary Clinton had some strong words for the Trump administration and the current state of American democracy. Clinton claimed that American democracy is facing a “full-fledged crisis,” and blamed the Trump administration for this alleged state of affairs.
Clinton’s remarks appear to have been in response to Trump’s continued attacks on the Mueller probe. She claimed that while there are no tanks in the streets, there is a threat to the “heart of who we are as a nation.” Clinton also said that she as an American was afraid of “losing a country.”
The former first lady didn’t stick to harsh remarks either. At one point she donned a Russian military ushanka hat, while saying “if you can’t beat em, join em.” Clinton appeared to be referencing the on-going allegations that Trump has colluded with Russia.
Clinton further admitted that she still had regrets over the 2016 campaign and losing, referencing “the mistakes I made.” Since her defeat, Clinton blamed her loss on her staff, voters, and others, as well as herself. In her memoir “What Happened,” Clinton shouldered some of the blame, admitting “… I was the candidate. It was my campaign. Those were my decisions.” However, President Obama, rival Bernie Sanders, V.P. Joe Biden, the New York Times, and sexism, among others, were also blamed.
Is Trump Threatening Democracy Itself?
Clinton’s remarks probably fall somewhere between humorous and tasteless, depending on your point of view. President Trump’s recent tweets and comments, which were the reference point of her remarks, have stirred up considerable backlash, primarily among Democrats. Among his many tweets, Trump said:
….At what point does this soon to be $20,000,000 Witch Hunt, composed of 13 Angry and Heavily Conflicted Democrats and two people who have worked for Obama for 8 years, STOP! They have found no Collussion with Russia, No Obstruction, but they aren’t looking at the corruption…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018
As well as:
…in the Hillary Clinton Campaign where she deleted 33,000 Emails, got $145,000,000 while Secretary of State, paid McCabes wife $700,000 (and got off the FBI hook along with Terry M) and so much more. Republicans and real Americans should start getting tough on this Scam.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2018
Dragging Clinton back into the spotlight does seem to be a distraction. It’s possible that Clinton did engage in unscrupulous behavior, and the Clinton Foundation certainly does deserve a closer examination. With both Clinton and Trump, I have always believed that if neither has anything to hide, then they have nothing to fear.
Clinton may be guilty of unscrupulous activities through her family’s foundation during her time as Secretary of State. Her foundation did receive large donations from foreign governments while she was in that role. Regardless, she’s out of the picture at this point and not a direct threat to democracy. Almost certainly, her political career is done.
Trump, on the other hand, is the current President of the United States. If he is guilty of collusion, abuse of powers, or anything else, it would be a threat to America as a whole. Of course, like any American, Trump is innocent until proven guilty. The Mueller investigation should continue, and if President Trump is innocent, then he will be vindicated.
(Credit: Facebook/ABC News)
Trump has a right to question the neutrality of the investigation as well. However, just as the President is innocent until proven guilty, so too is Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The former FBI director has a long, distinguished career and he is a Republican. This doesn’t guarantee his objectivity, but he should get the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.
It’s quite possible that nothing will come of the Mueller investigation. If so, that’ll be great news for President Trump. He’ll be able to put the scandal behind him. However, if President Trump shuts the investigation down, Americans should be worried. No one is above the law, including the President of the United States.
