Trump’s disqualification, US democracy and Gaza

Former U.S. President Donald Trump was disqualified from the 2024 presidential race by the Supreme Court of the state of Colorado, invoking the clause of incapacity in the 25th Amendment during the 24th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This decision came at a time when Donald Trump was actively considering running for the next presidency with a robust campaign, causing a stir in American political circles.

Interestingly, Donald Trump is the only former president in American history to be disqualified for future presidential elections, creating a buzz among readers familiar with the intricacies of Pakistani politics and global politics. It’s worth noting that in Pakistan, former Prime Minister Imran Khan is the only individual who was deprived of the prime ministership through a vote of no confidence, a historic event in our country.

Similarly, there seems to be an apparent parallel with the scrutiny faced by Trump when the Biden administration attempted to impeach him, but the legal and judicial system in the U.S., compared to a progressive country like Pakistan, has modern methods of investigation and technology, bringing it in line with contemporary demands.

Supporters of Donald Trump had attacked Capitol Hill, and in light of this, the Colorado Supreme Court, in its decision to disqualify Trump, stated that he had incited his supporters to storm the Capitol and engage in sedition against the state. The court asserted that they are not concerned with public reactions to Trump’s disqualification but acted in accordance with the demands of law and justice.

On the global stage, America is often considered the world’s first developed nation in liberal democracy, and after decisions like these come to light, the effects are anticipated not only in other liberal democratic states but also in established states. The Speaker affiliated with Trump’s party mentions that such decisions do not affect America’s influence on the international level.

Despite the possibility of an appeal for Trump against the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision, it is expected that the U.S. Supreme Court might provide relief. However, the intriguing question arises about the political establishment’s fear of Trump’s growing political popularity and influence. The response of the public to the decision will be closely watched.

Looking at the popularity graph, Joe Biden’s popularity among the American people has fallen below 40%. It seems that the chances of Donald Trump winning the presidential election are high, even though in the Eastern world, Trump is perceived as a biased and anti-Muslim former American president who adopted anti-Islamic policies openly.

Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, whenever the United Nations Security Council proposes a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the U.S. consistently vetoes it. Not only do Muslim countries but also India and Western countries raise their voices against the U.S.’s support for Israel, impacting the popularity of the Biden administration.

On the other hand, Trump is seen as a non-traditional politician who does not favor any country’s establishment. Instead of acting on advice, he attempts to implement his own agenda. Such politicians are generally liked by the public, especially among fervent white conservative supporters.

In the Pakistani media, the change in the U.S. president is often met with heightened expectations, whether it involves meetings between Imran Khan and Donald Trump or deeper ties with Pakistan after Biden assumes the presidency. However, the painful reality is that faces change in countries like America, but policies usually remain the same.

Similarly, in the alternation of Trump and Biden eras, bitter but factual comparisons can be made. Regardless of who the future U.S. president is—be it Biden, Trump, or someone else—lower expectations regarding Pakistan and Gaza-related issues. If there are comparisons to be drawn, they should align with facts.