President Donald Trump acts like he is a dictator, but during the early months of his presidency, he found out the hard way that our government is more than just the White House.
Trump seems to be under the impression that the president can order Congress to do things and that the only branch of government that matters is the executive branch.
This makes sense. After all, Trump is a petty narcissist.
And that narcissism bit him on the ass when he tried treating Republican senators with utter disrespect.
According to the New York Times:
During his early months in office, he barked commands at senators, which did not go over well. “I don’t work for you, Mr. President,” Mr. Corker once snapped back, according to a Republican with knowledge of the exchange.
Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican majority leader, likewise bristled when Mr. Trump cut in during methodical presentations in the Oval Office. “Don’t interrupt me,” Mr. McConnell told the president during a discussion of health care.
Trump’s relationship with Corker has been sour ever since and he has repeatedly lashed out at Corker for criticizing him. One such temper tantrum drew a sharp response from the Tennessee senator that went viral and drew wide praise.
It’s a shame the White House has become an adult day care center. Someone obviously missed their shift this morning.
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) October 8, 2017
Mitch McConnell has been a different story. Despite early tension with Trump, McConnell has been more likely to follow him and do his bidding.
For instance, McConnell has obeyed Trump’s demands to keep trying to repeal Obamacare despite such measures failing. This has caused Trump much humiliation, for which he lashed out at McConnell.
Recently, McConnell walked back his call for alleged child molester Roy Moore to drop out of the Alabama Senate race not long after Trump defended and endorsed him. McConnell said:
“I think we’re going to let the people of Alabama decide. I’ve already said in the past that I thought this was a matter that would have to be considered by the [ethics] committee. Ultimately, it would be up to them to make that decision. I’m going to let the people of Alabama make the call. The election has been going on a long time, there has been a lot of discussion about it. They will make the decision a week from Tuesday.”
Every president has a lot to learn when they enter the office, but Trump’s ignorance and lack of decorum are unprecedented. He literally thinks he is a dictator and he still acts like everyone takes orders from him. That’s a major problem for any democracy, and it definitely undermines the three branches of government as laid down by the Constitution.
This is a particular issue for Trump now since he has to work with Democrats to get the first budget of his presidency passed. He is going to have to learn that he won’t get everything he wants and that he will have to negotiate in good faith if he doesn’t want to be blamed for a government shutdown.
Trump can’t just order or bully Democrats into supporting whatever he wants. Governing is about compromise. The government is not a business. Trump is used to being a CEO who can bark orders at subordinates all day. That’s not how government works. At least not our government anyway.
Featured Image Via YouTube screenshot.
