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His domestic and foreign policies – ranging from the attempted coup previously to recent actions and warnings – weaken both domestic and international legal frameworks. But that’s not all.

These actions endanger the very concept of what we mean by.

The ethical foundation of a functioning society is to stop the dominant from harming and taking advantage of the less powerful. Without this, we could find ourselves trapped in a state of nature where survival of the strongest wins.

This concept lies at the center of the Declaration and Constitution. It’s also the heart of the modern framework of international relations advocated by the US, built on multilateralism, democratic governance, human rights, and the rule of law.

Yet, it is a fragile ideal, often broken by those who seek to abuse their authority. Maintaining it necessitates that the those in charge have enough integrity to abstain from seeking immediate gains, and that the public hold them accountable if they don't.

Unfettered might does not equal right. It makes for instability, chaos, and war.

Every time entities that are advantaged prey upon those that are weaker, the framework of our shared norms frays. Should such behavior are allowed to continue, the structure collapses. If not stopped, the world can plunge into disorder and conflict. We have seen this pattern previously.

Our current reality is a society and world grown vastly more unequal. Authority and resources are more concentrated than ever before. This encourages the privileged to take advantage of the weaker because they perceive themselves as untouchable.

The resources of certain ultra-wealthy individuals is difficult to fathom. The reach of big tech, big oil, and large defense contractors extends over a vast portion of the world. AI is could centralize economic and political clout further. The military might of the leading countries is unprecedented in recorded history.

Empowered by a compliant faction and a pliant high court, the executive office has been transformed into the supreme and answerable-to-none entity of government in history.

Put it all together and you see the threat.

A direct line connects previous breaches of norms to current provocations. Both were premised on the overconfidence of omnipotence.

One observes a similar pattern in international affairs: in military conflicts, in expansive ambitions, and in the rampant monopolization by powerful corporate entities.

However, strength without restraint does not make right. It produces instability, upheaval, and war.

Historical evidence demonstrates that laws and norms to limit the powerful also safeguard them. If these guardrails are removed, their insatiable demands for increased control and resources ultimately cause their collapse – taking down their enterprises, countries, or domains. And threaten world war.

Such lawlessness will cast a long shadow over America and the global community – and the very idea of civilization – for the foreseeable future.