The Madness of King Don

For the past several days, there have been stories coming out of DC about Trump’s descent into something like insanity following Jared Kushner’s problems and Hope Hicks’ departure from the White House. For example, the Washington Post wrote that “Trump’s friends are increasingly concerned about his well-being, worried that the president’s obsession with cable commentary and perceived slights is taking a toll on the 71-year-old. ‘Pure madness,’ lamented one exasperated ally.”

And, frankly, there’s good reason to worry. Trump isn’t known as a level-headed sort of chap. He may define himself as a “stable genius,” but nobody else makes that mistake. If anyone might have a thorough going nervous breakdown in office, surely it is he.

If that happens, the Constitution has a default remedy. If a president is incapable of continuing his duties, the Cabinet is supposed to remove him. But, can they? Or, rather, can this cabinet? These are not normal political figures, the sort who usually occupy cabinet seats. They owe their positions to Trump, and might not be able to function without him. If they removed their Leader from power, they would have little support in Congress, the Courts, or the country. Democrats would not support them, mainstream Republicans would not trust them, and Trump’s fanatical supporters would regard them as traitors who’d instituted a coup against their beloved Orange-headed Duce.

So, I am guessing that when Trump actually becomes completely dysfunctional (if he isn’t already) that nothing will happen. His cabinet and staff will simply conceal the real nature of things. They’ll pump him full of enough valium to stun a rhino, keep him incommunicado, wheel him in and out of public meetings only when absolutely necessary, and generally pretend things are just fine, thank you very much.

Which means we’ll be without a functioning government…and everyone from Putin to the NRA will be happy to exploit that fact.

Which, in turn, means that the best we can hope for is an early, and overwhelming Democratic victory in some future election…and a quiet, efficient, and effective impeachment.