Summary

Chapter 4 focuses on the ways in which Trump has abused his political powers in a manner that has had deeply harmful effects on vital democratic institutions. The author notes that, before becoming president, Trump spent his life occupying positions that did not require any significant collaboration or cooperation, and instead functioned based on his own personal whims and orders. Thus, Trump seems to think that, as president, he is an autocrat whose every order should be obeyed regardless of consequences or potential illegality. The author cites some of Trump’s attempts to influence governmental bodies that are designed to function independently from the president. The author then points out Trump’s habit of attempting to deride and discredit anyone who disagrees with him or publicly criticizes him. Trump has encouraged false conspiracy theories that an evil organization called the Deep State is attempting to...