(pode ler este artigo em português aqui)
It’s important to remember that the political climate in which we live today is not normal. Not because of the extreme rhetoric, no. It’s because of the constant breach of ethics and decorum coming from the White House.
The director of the FBI has just been fired by the president. The president names the directors of many a position, so all the more normal in a transitional government, right? Much to the contrary, as it were. The director of the FBI is named to a fixed 10 year term in the position, regardless of who becomes president. The president can, of course, revoke the position at will, however this is an action generally reserved for situations of dire necessity. In this case, just by chance, James Comey was carrying out an investigation on the connections between Trump and Russia, possible interference in the election, and more.
The most abnormal thing about this administration up to now is its relationship with the press
The firing of James Comey, though, is not the first anomaly in the Cabinet. Candidates who are openly opposed to the intended functions of their departments are being systematically nominated to lead them. The attorney-general was declared too racist to be a federal judge in 1986. The secretary of education wants to dismantle the public education system in favor of radical privatization. Nearly every position could serve as an example.
Among them, the most abnormal thing about this administration up to now is its relationship with the press. Beyond questioning the legitimacy of the traditional press for convenience, it doesn’t hide the fact that it lies and distorts reality. When it came out that Comey had been fired, the White House decided to speak to the…Russian press. It blocked all American media from the press conference, accepting only Russian sources. To say that this is extraordinary is not saying much.
We still don’t know where the investigation into Trump and his campaign will go. In the meanwhile, the actions by Trump demonstrate a worrying abnormality.