David French, a conservative columnist for The New York Times, didn’t mince words when talking about his growing concern over President Donald Trump’s actions in his second term. In fact, French said something that should raise eyebrows for anyone who cares about the future of the country: “I have never been more concerned about the rule of law in the United States.”
So, what has French so alarmed? Let’s dive in.
Two major actions taken by Trump stand out to French:
- The mass pardon of Capitol rioters – You remember the January 6th attack, right? Trump decided to pardon those rioters who stormed the Capitol, disrupting the peaceful transfer of power. These individuals violently targeted the heart of American democracy, and now they’re being rewarded with freedom.
- Revoking Secret Service protection for John Bolton – Trump made the surprising decision to remove Secret Service protection from his former national security adviser, John Bolton. This wasn’t just any decision—Bolton had been the target of an assassination plot from Iran. But Trump seemed to prioritize political moves over Bolton’s safety.
French wasn’t shy about the seriousness of these moves. “Bolton faced threats from the Iranian government, and at the same time, Trump is pardoning individuals who attacked the very government of the United States,” French pointed out.
What’s even more concerning is the message these actions send: Trump’s pardons show a disturbing level of disregard for the law. French argues that these pardons aren’t just about forgiveness—they’re a clear signal that being part of Trump’s MAGA movement means you can escape the law’s reach. The attack on the Capitol wasn’t just a protest; it was a violent act against the government, and now those responsible are being celebrated in certain corners of the country.
But French didn’t stop there. He also criticized former President Joe Biden for pardoning family members before leaving office. However, he was quick to explain that Trump’s pardons are far more dangerous because they reflect a bigger problem—Trump’s blatant defiance of the law, even if it means ignoring Supreme Court rulings.
It’s clear that French believes we’re heading down a very troubling path. What do you think?
