In 1776 Thomas Jefferson laid out what were to be the guiding principles of our republic:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Jefferson’s prescience was such that his words transcended the limitations of his times when “all men” excluded women, Native Americans and slaves from enjoying that equality. But he planted the seeds that later bore better fruit.
As we pass from the 250th anniversary of the initial battles of the Revolution toward the anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, it bears remembering that said Declaration consisted of a list of grievances against the arbitrary, autocratic, tyrannical rule of King George III.
Among that catalog of corruptions were:
- “He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”
On Oct. 25, the Associated Press reported that “President Donald Trump approved major disaster declarations for Alaska, Nebraska, North Dakota and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe late Wednesday, while denying requests from Vermont, Illinois and Maryland and leaving other states still waiting for answers.
“The decisions fell mostly along party lines.”
That is the kind of arbitrary abuse of power our founders rebelled against.
- “He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.”
That sounds like the Trump Administration continuing to pursue and punish people after judges release them from unjust incarcerations. A compromised Supreme Court has given Trump what he sees as a license to abuse other court orders.
- “He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.”
Who lately has deployed National Guard troops to cities over the objections of mayors, governors and legislators representing those cities? Courts continue to declare these assignments illegal, but that does not stop Trump’s law and order charade.
- “He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.”
Trump’s swarming army of DOGE regulation destroyers – created by and answerable only to him – harassed governmental employees and, subsequently, reduced their substance through arbitrary firings.
- “He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.”
Trump ordered air strikes on Iran on a whim [and hints he might again] and has since decided – without Congressional consent – to attack Venezuela. Many see this as a ploy to get Venezuelan oil into the hands of his Big Oil donors.
Jefferson also excoriated King George:
- “For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.”
You cannot better describe Trump’s unprovoked trade wars that have destroyed Usanian markets abroad and the economically idiotic tariffs that have crushed consumer buying power.
- “For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury.”
Prisons full of immigrants, tourists and citizens caught up in blind ICE sweeps toward high numbers attest to that.
- “For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences.”
While people – including military veterans – are being sent abroad, often to hellhole, third-world prisons, there is not even a pretense of trials – here or there. Just oppression.
Jefferson also attacked the British monarch – who at least had the legitimacy of being a hereditary king – because:
- “He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us.”
Jefferson made particular reference to frontier troubles with Native Americans. Our current would-be tyrant – “A lot of people are saying ‘maybe we’d like a dictator’” – approved the murderous klanazis in Charlottesville during his first term and then ordered an attack by his shock troops on the U.S. Capitol in 2021 in an attempt to overthrow the government.
One of his first acts as president was to pardon his army of traitors – attacks on law enforcement and the laws of the land notwithstanding. Trump orchestrated that domestic insurrection.
So, when you see a “No Kings” sign, rally or reference, know that those behind it embrace the same ideals as our founding patriots – extolling individual liberties over the divine right of kings – real or would-be.
