On June 4th, a memorandum from President Trump was issued, directing White House lawyers and the attorney general to investigate former President Biden and his aides. The aim is to determine whether they “abused the power of the president’s signature using an autopen to obscure Biden’s cognitive decline and assert Article II powers.”
This “conspiracy” is described as potentially one of the most concerning scandals in American history.
In the realm of Democratic politics, there’s often a call for citizens and leaders to “leave the past alone,” except in extreme cases like genocide. The prevailing sentiment is that the winning party should avoid trying to rewrite history to fit current narratives.
Yet it appears Trump can’t resist revisiting the past to critique his predecessor. His memorandum, titled “Review of Specific Executive Actions,” is merely the latest example of this tendency.
The memorandum concerning President Biden stems from Trump’s desire to scrutinize everything Biden has done and effectively discard the last four years.
Literature enthusiasts might find parallels here. George Orwell’s “1984” offers a vivid portrayal of a political party that seeks to control society by manipulating historical narratives, creating a ministry that alters past events to align with the whims of those in power. The aim is to fabricate a reality where “nothing exists other than an infinite being where parties are always right.”
It’s quite eerie. Remember when Trump claimed in February that he was “right about everything”? He directed this to media members, and his then-secretary of commerce echoed the administration’s mantra.
Another literary reference comes from Arthur Koestler’s “Darkness at Noon,” which depicts a regime that modifies the past. One character states, “even if it was wrong, it was always right,” reinforcing the idea that erasing historical truths is essential for accepting a future dictated by power.
This sentiment somewhat encapsulates Trump’s worldview.
According to a group of American historians, Trump has suggested that he aims to “rewrite history,” a mindset that seems to drive his recent memorandum.
In this document, Trump posits that Biden has suffered from significant cognitive decline for many years. He claims that those close to Biden are attempting to conceal these issues, all while Biden’s administration has issued more than 1,200 presidential documents and appointed numerous judges. Trump implies that these actions, made in Biden’s name, should be scrutinized.
Interestingly, the wording is deliberately vague. Phrases like “there are serious doubts” leave the source of these doubts unclear. It’s a reminder of the administration’s directive to its members to always agree with Trump.
The memorandum suggests that if Biden’s advisors used a mechanical signature pen to cover up perceived incompetence, it would represent an unconstitutional use of presidential power.
However, as noted previously, Trump’s claims about the Biden administration’s use of autopens lack substantial backing. A 2005 opinion from the Department of Justice clarified that a president can authorize subordinates to sign on their behalf, rendering much of the concern moot.
But this doesn’t deter Trump from using it as another tool to undermine Biden’s legacy. If he can’t dismantle it entirely, he seems intent on using his influence to damage it.
In a reflection on Trump’s fixation with Biden, comedian Jon Stewart remarked last August that Trump appears to miss Biden and often reverts to criticizing him, calling him “Crooked Joe.”
Whatever the psychological basis for Trump’s obsession with Biden, it is likely detrimental to the nation. It fosters division and negativity, making it challenging for partisans to find common ground.
Trump is free to voice conspiracy theories about Biden and his team, but Americans should feel encouraged to resist joining in.
