Dangerous times, indeed

This is a scary time in our history. Our president is a man who has — as far as I can tell — never been held accountable for his actions. He has learned over and over again in his personal life, business and politics that he can harm others and get away with it.

I have worked in the domestic violence field and am keenly aware that we are all engaged in an abusive relationship with Donald Trump. Just listen to the conversation directed at the incoming Democratic House leadership to “tread carefully.” It is clearly a threat, but there is also wisdom in this caution. Women who are killed are most likely killed in the days and months after they leave an abusive man. This is why highly protected emergency shelters exist.

In our society, abusive men are rarely held accountable in any true sense. This is, in fact, how they got to be the way they are. When they are first held to account, they become the most dangerous. A few of these men eventually submit to social forces that are greater than themselves. A few even see that life is better when they give up their right to harm others in order to get their needs met. It is a process that takes years. Unfortunately, it doesn’t begin with reason and principled appeals but law enforcement intervention.

What force is greater than the presidency? Ideally, we are a nation of co-equal powers and the rule of law. It is this very structure and form of government that now threatens our president. These are dangerous times indeed.