Key Takeaways:
– Trump appreciates historically infamous American events.
– He pledged to use the 1798 Alien Enemies Act if elected.
– His idea of domestic enemies is reminiscent of Senator Joseph McCarthy’s actions.
– Trump has proposed high across-the-board tariffs like the problematic 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act.
– He claimed he could solve Russia’s war against Ukraine in a day, echoing old isolationist policy stances.
– Trump suggested that the American Civil War could have been prevented, oddly echoing pro-slavery sentiment.
Trump’s Inclination towards Infamous US History
In recent discussions, Donald Trump has shown a propensity for appreciating infamous events in American history. His admiration for notorious chapters serves as a reminder of the ironic undertone in his slogan, “Make America Great Again”. Trump often praises historical incidents that most Americans associate with darker times and lessons of what should never be repeated.
The Alien Enemies Act of 1798: An Erroneous Promise
The retired business tycoon’s latest historical misadventure includes a pledge to call upon the seldom-used Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Trump has expressed plans to “target and dismantle every migrant criminal network operating on American soil.” While he seems proud to reference this law, its remnants from the Alien and Sedition Acts are historically known as some of the biggest national mistakes due to their infringement on civil liberties. Additionally, Trump’s talks of domestic enemies resonate with the troubling domestic enemies narrative popularized by Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Cold War era.
“Enemy from Within”: Echoes of a Cold War Era
The concept of ‘the enemy from within’ has been repeatedly used by Trump, explicitly targeting his Democratic adversaries. This strategy is eerily evocative of Senator Joseph McCarthy’s reputation-destroying tactics, which infamously stirred paranoia through red-baiting lies. Raising concerns, his suggestion to deploy the National Guard or military to deal with these so-called threats could potentially threaten domestic peace.
Retracing Paths to the Great Depression
Trump’s persistent advocacy for high across-the-board tariffs, despite knowledge of the disastrous Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, carries haunting remembrances of the Great Depression. Against all historical evidence, he rejects the potential repercussions, including possible retaliatory tariffs by foreign nations that could lead to higher costs for Americans and consequent lost jobs.
The Ukrainian Alarm Bell
Trump’s claims of quickly resolving Russia’s war against Ukraine once again hails back to past appeasement policies. This callous lack of understanding about the complexity of international conflicts can be seen in his defense of Russia’s aggression and shifting blame onto Ukraine. Such actions are worryingly reminiscent of Neville Chamberlain’s infamous “peace for our time” capitulation to Hitler.
Compromising with Slavery: A Boldly Ignorant Assertion
Another historically astounding remark from Trump came when he suggested a deal should have been cut with the south to prevent the Civil War. By questioning why the matter wasn’t “settled”, Trump completely overlooks the core issue at stake during the Civil War: the preservation of slavery.
Despite the often darker tones of the historical episodes he references, Trump’s lack of study into American history is evident. His ignorance towards lessons learnt plays into his repeated promises to “Make America Great Again”. As America looks ahead, it is essential to remember that preserving the greatness of the nation often involves learning from the past, rather than glorifying it.