KARACHI:
The situation that unfolded at the Capitol Hill in Washington DC was indeed a true portrayal of the last four years of Donald Trump’s administration, during which the very foundations of democracy were repeatedly questioned. Are the champions of democracy now witnessing the erosion of it? That is quite a question to ponder over.
Political polarisation in the US is evident from the fact that even though right-wing extremists, under the spell of ‘Make America Great Again’, had the audacity to barge in the Capitol and attempt to challenge the ongoing democratic process inside, the US was somehow able to uphold their democratic values by making Trump the first-ever president in history to be impeached twice. Such a phenomenon can only happen when a country follows the law and upholds the sanctity of the constitution. While corrupt practices are prevalent even in First World countries, efficient legal systems help attain the balance of power so that people like Donald Trump are held accountable for their actions.
Furthermore, the whole incident also teaches us the importance of rhetoric. The US is plagued with deep-rooted racial and ethnic differences that have accumulated much hatred after many fiery speeches from Trump. The 2020 presidential election was merely a triggering factor since the consequent violent reaction that ensued was an outcome of the pent-up anger of a divided nation.
Kashaf Sohail
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2021.
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