Roger-Luc Chayer (Image: AI / Gay Globe)
After a week in the White House, nothing is going right in the United States and the world. President Donald Trump not only demonstrates his incompetence in several areas but also reveals his true dictatorial nature. While he has always exercised his authority in an authoritarian manner in the private sector, this character trait is now fully exposed as head of state.
He has orchestrated a purge at all levels of the civil service, directly targeting those who have enforced the law against him. He fires hundreds of civil servants, sometimes simply for mentioning his name during inconsequential meetings. He has canceled all laws protecting LGBTQ+ communities as well as research funding for HIV/AIDS, exposing homosexuals to unimaginable segregation, both in this country and globally. He threatens to destabilize the economies of Canada, Mexico, and the European Union on a whim, convinced that he will profit from it, while the global economy rests on far more solid and rational foundations than he imagines. Despite numerous warnings from his White House advisers, he stubbornly insists on reshaping the world according to his own vision, as if he were playing a life-sized game of Monopoly.
Another issue, already raised during his first term, concerns his mental health. Is Donald Trump a psychopath? Could his mental disorders and megalomania trigger an unprecedented international economic and social crisis since World War II?
What are psychopathy and megalomania?
According to psychiatric compendiums, psychopathy and megalomania are two personality disorders that, while they present distinct symptoms, share characteristics related to disturbed emotional and behavioral functioning. Psychopathy is a personality disorder marked by a lack of empathy, excessive impulsivity, and an inability to feel remorse. Psychopathic individuals often exhibit manipulative behaviors and are insensitive to the suffering of others. They are also known for their superficial charm, which can make them difficult to detect. Their worldview is characterized by indifference to social rules and moral norms, and they can commit criminal acts without any sense of guilt.
Megalomania, on the other hand, is defined by an overestimation of oneself and an excessive desire for power, prestige, or recognition. Megalomaniac individuals often have an inflated ego and believe they are superior to others. They may present a grandiose view of their abilities, accomplishments, or importance, even when their actions do not justify such claims. While there can be overlaps, megalomania is distinguished from psychopathy by its focus on personal ambition and the pursuit of control, whereas psychopathy encompasses a broader range of antisocial behaviors.
In both cases, these disorders can have a significant impact on interpersonal relationships and can lead to destructive behaviors, both for the individual and for the people or nations around them. Treatments may include behavioral and cognitive therapies, though complete recovery is often difficult to achieve.
One can clearly recognize, based on these two definitions, the mental traits of President Trump.
When the madmen who lead us lose control
It has become evident that the President of the United States is breaking and destroying social cohesion, both nationally and internationally. The potential consequences of his decisions could create such chaos that it would not only open the door to economic turmoil with unknown ramifications, but also to possible military interventions by enemy nations who, seeing the weakness of the West caused by Trump, could seize the opportunity to start conflicts and make military gains. Let us not forget that this aspect of Trump’s condition is rarely discussed.
How can a President of the United States be removed from office?
Regarding the question of removing a president from office, there are several constitutional mechanisms. A president can be impeached through a process that begins with an investigation in the House of Representatives. If a majority of representatives approve the articles of impeachment, the case is sent to the Senate for trial. If senators vote by a two-thirds majority to remove the president, the president is removed from office.
It is also possible for a president to be removed from office for physical or mental incapacity under the 25th Amendment, if the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet declare that he is unable to fulfill his duties.
The 25th Amendment is the most relevant in this case, as it grants Cabinet members the ultimate power to remove Donald Trump from the White House if he were to make irrational decisions that cross a line. We know that the president has chosen an ultra-MAGA Cabinet, loyal to his views, but not all extremists are always irrational.
What does the 25th Amendment say exactly?
Section 4 of the Amendment describes the procedure for removing a president who becomes unfit to lead the United States due to health or mental illness issues. It states: Whenever the Vice President and a majority of the principal officers of the executive departments or of another body that Congress may define by law, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration stating that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration stating that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office, unless the Vice President and a majority of the principal officers of the executive departments or of another body as Congress may define by law, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration stating that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon, Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by a two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge those powers as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
Reason remains our only protection
Every day, President Trump signs decrees and issues orders with far-reaching consequences. How far will he go in destroying the established order? He will continue until the people can no longer bear the consequences of his mental disorders. When the Cabinet or Congress decides that the consequences outweigh the benefits, action will certainly be taken to remove Trump from his personal game of Monopoly. Let us hope that this will happen as soon as possible…