"In Trump’s worldview, he acquired the office and the generals and the state secrets, just as he’d once acquired the Eastern Air Lines’ shuttle, and this whole idea that he was privileged to serve was a bunch of deep-state nonsense. I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that he saw himself as an American Putin — elected, perhaps, but governing at the will of some stronger current than the public’s fleeting favor. [snip]
"So, of course, Trump refused to leave the job until forced, and of
course he held on to material that clearly belonged in public hands.
When the presidency is an acquisition rather than an opportunity to
serve, then everything that comes with it is rightfully yours to do with
as you please. [snip]
"It’s Trump or the democracy now. I have a hard time imagining how we’d end up with both." -- Matt Bai, Washington Post, on the raid and aftermath of the Malignant Loser's "chamber of secrets" at Mar-a-Lago. Concentrating the minds of reality- based America on the existential necessity to defeat the Malignant Loser and his fascist minions is our challenge going forward. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to meet the challenge.
