Why Trump Is Hard to Remove from Office
The U.S. presidency is nearly immune to removal even in crisis. Here’s why Trump’s grip on power exposes democracy’s structural weaknesses.
The System That Keeps Leaders in Power
Democracy prides itself on accountability, yet the American presidency stands as one of the most insulated positions of power in the world. Even when public opinion turns, economic conditions deteriorate, and global allies recoil, the mechanisms to remove a sitting U.S. president remain rigid and largely ineffective. The very system designed to uphold democracy often ends up shielding those in power, making it even more difficult to remove an unfit president.
This reality has never been more apparent than with Donald Trump. Despite widespread opposition, two impeachments, mass protests, and internal dissent, even within his party, Trump remains untouchable. His resilience is not a testament to his political genius but rather a consequence of the deeply entrenched legal structures of the American government.
Can democracy defend itself when it is undermined from within? What happens when a system meant to prevent chaos enables it? If Trump, or any president, abuses power to the extent of authoritarian rule, will American institutions be strong enough to stop it?
The American Presidency: A Fortress Against Removal
At the heart of the issue is the near impossibility of removing a sitting U.S. president. While many democracies operate under parliamentary systems that allow for votes of no confidence, the United States does not have such a mechanism. A president is elected for a fixed term, and unless they commit a crime egregious enough to sway a supermajority of Congress, they will remain in office until their term expires.
Impeachment, the only constitutional path to premature removal, has proven to be largely symbolic. Twice, Trump was impeached, and twice, he was acquitted. The system functioned as designed, and yet, it failed in its ultimate goal: holding a leader accountable for abuses of power. The process was not broken, but it was toothless.
Even a Republican-led Congress filled with senators who privately disapproved of Trump refused to remove him. The threshold for conviction, two-thirds of the Senate, proved too high, especially in a deeply partisan political climate. If a president can openly abuse power, face legal consequences, and still retain office, the impeachment process becomes little more than a procedural spectacle.
The Danger of Entrenched Power and Legal Paralysis
Many argue that the difficulty of removing a president is intentional. The American Constitution, designed to prevent frequent government upheaval, was built on the idea that stability outweighs short-term public dissatisfaction. But what happens when stability protects corruption and incompetence?
A government should be resistant to sudden changes, but it should also be flexible enough to respond to national crises. The American presidency, however, has evolved into an office that is nearly impervious to removal, even in the face of widespread opposition.
If Trump, or any leader, were to push the boundaries of authoritarianism, American laws alone would not be enough to stop him. Legal systems rely on enforcement. If those in power choose to ignore the laws, or if enforcement agencies are co-opted, democratic institutions can crumble without a single law technically being broken. This is the nature of fascism: a slow erosion of norms until the opposition is powerless. By the time the public realizes what has happened, the legal system has already been rewritten to ensure the leader remains in power.
Elections Are Not Enough: The Illusion of Democratic Choice
Defenders of the system argue that if Americans want to remove Trump, they can vote him out in the next election. This assumption, however, ignores the reality of modern political manipulation. The Electoral College, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and disinformation campaigns all distort the democratic process.
Trump did not seize power through a coup; he won a legitimate election under the existing rules. But those same rules allowed him to secure victory despite losing the popular vote in 2016. More concerningly, they allowed his party to consolidate power in the Senate, the House, and the judiciary, ensuring that even if public opinion turned against him, the institutions designed to check his power would remain loyal.
Even in 2020, when Trump lost, his refusal to accept the results led to a violent insurrection. His continued influence over the Republican Party has reshaped American politics to the point where a significant portion of the electorate actively supports dismantling democratic safeguards in his favour.
The Myth of the "Good Men" Who Will Save Democracy
One of the most dangerous assumptions in American politics is the belief that good people in positions of power will uphold the law and protect democracy. This is a comforting narrative, but history suggests otherwise.
The legal system is only as strong as those who enforce it. If judges, lawmakers, and law enforcement officials refuse to act against abuses of power, then the system fails, not because the laws are flawed, but because those entrusted with upholding them lack the will to do so.
The U.S. Supreme Court, now dominated by conservative justices, has already demonstrated a willingness to rule in ways that benefit Trump and his allies. Republican lawmakers, despite private misgivings, continue to support him because their political survival depends on it. At every level, self-interest overrides the greater good.
What Happens Next?
If Trump remains in power despite widespread opposition, America faces two possible futures. One is continued democratic erosion, where laws are gradually rewritten to ensure that elections become performative rather than meaningful. The other is mass civic resistance, where the public mobilizes to demand accountability, not just in elections but through sustained political and economic pressure.
Canada and the rest of the world must pay close attention. The fall of American democracy would send shockwaves globally, affecting trade, security, and international stability. If authoritarianism takes root in the United States, it will embolden similar movements elsewhere.
For those who believe democracy is worth fighting for, the time to act is now. This means engaging in politics beyond voting, supporting independent analysis, holding elected officials accountable, and challenging the structures that enable unchecked power.
America’s Constitution was not designed to remove a president easily, but democracy was never meant to be passive. It survives only when people actively defend it. If history teaches us anything, it is that the downfall of democracy does not happen overnight. It is a slow, steady descent, and the only way to stop it is to recognize the warning signs before it is too late.
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