in a powerful and pointed column in today’s New York Times titled A Chill Wind Blows, which I strongly urge you to read.
As he notes of the Trumpster,
He seems to view any unflattering, or otherwise critical, coverage as an attack. His rhetoric suggests that in his mind, adulation is the only honesty.
While noting that attacking the press has been long been a staple of Republicans appealing to their base, Blow warns that this is something more:
Trump keeps signaling that if he had his druthers, he would silence dissent altogether.
Blow goes through some of Trump’s recent verbiage, notably what he said in the press conference announcing his (clearly belated and under pressure from the Washington Post) donations to veterans’ groups, but also what he said about “opening up” libel laws back in February. It is this that Blow thinks would — if God forbid Trump got to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as the occupant — represent
a chill wind blowing from the White House.
But there is more.
He relates Trump’s attitude towards the press with his apparent praise of the current North Korean strongman to set up what I think is the key part of his piece, which is this section:
Trump’s dictatorial instinct to suppress what he deems “negative” speech, particularly from the press, is the very thing the founders worried about.
In 1737, more than 50 years before the Constitution was adopted, signed and ratified — before the First Amendment was adopted — Benjamin Franklin wrote in The Pennsylvania Gazette:
“Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins. Republics and limited monarchies derive their strength and vigor from a popular examination into the action of the magistrates.”
Consider that, from one of the few involved in the creation of both of our founding documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Then consider Blow’s next words:
Our unfettered freedom to interrogate and criticize our government and our leaders are part of our patriotism and an expression of our national fealty.
Most presidents have had their conflicts with the press, which at times can be outright hostile. Nevertheless, most also recognize the important role the press plays in challenging them. Thus one event we expect to regularly see is the President addressing the White House Correspondents Dinner. I wonder if in a Trump administration not only would the President not go to the dinner, but he would change the rules about who could be accredited to the White House and a single criticism of him or his administration would mean being barred from entering the grounds.
Blow turns to words of James Baldwin, who made clear his love of America required him to perpetually criticize her. Here I might note that our aspirations for a better country often means that we will have to criticize the very leaders we work so hard to put into office to attempt to hold them to those aspirations which inspired us to support them in the first place.
The love Baldwin expresses and what it demands of him is something Blow says should apply to all politicians. He closes with two short paragraphs. The first is this:
This idea is so much bigger than Trump, a small man of small thought who is at war with scrutiny.
The smallness — of mind and of soul — of Donald Trump has been obvious to anyone who has paid attention to a public career that goes back almost half a century. The only press he likes is that which is flattering to him.
Freedom of speech and the press are principles that we must protect from this wannabe authoritarian.
I agree with that. I also point out that as bad as Trump is in his reactions to the press, he is not alone. On our side Sanders has walked away from questions at several events, and Clinton has not held a formal press conference in around 6 months. We should demand more of both of them.
We protect the press from government interference so it can serve as our eyes, ears, and represent our voice.
We protect our own speech so that we can ensure that our government remembers that it is “We the people” who are sovereign, who establish this government.
Now excuse me while I run to get ready for another school day, where one of my key responsibilities is to teach my young people so that they understand these principles of our government.