The undemocratic practices instituted subsequent to the horrific events of 9/11 have come full circle, striking a familiar chord within the nation’s current political climate. Several years ago, I set pen to paper to discuss the degradation of America’s democratic values at the hands of what festively was dubbed as the Global War on Terror. The range and extent of actions taken under the banner of ‘national security’ responding to the 9/11 atrocities, the overt disregard for our constitutional processes, the manipulation of elastic societal norms, obvious evasion of transparency, with no space for attribution of responsibility—cleared a path for graver potential violations of our legal infrastructure.
Lo and behold, that feared future is now our stark reality. What commenced in the premier quarter of this century has alarmingly been repurposed in this current era. Without doubt, the shocking influx of repressive policies observed in the early 50 days of this administration signifies a grotesque intensification linked to our recent history. Among the many noticeable undemocratic shifts over the past two decades, state-sponsored racial bias has been a persistent annoyance, which of course is bolstered by the current administration’s stance.
This tactic found additional support in the exaggerated militarization of our police forces across the country, justified under the pretense of targeting certain religious and ethnic groups. Thus, a dangerous blueprint fostering discrimination was formed based on racial, religious, or ethnic profiles. The enduring heritage of government-endorsed obscurity, coupled with a concurrent suppression of historical record, has found a firm foundation, courtesy of the current leadership.
A ‘cone of seclusion,’ concerning matters of national security became an acknowledged reality. As a result, significant decisions were reserved for the president alone. Adding to the concern, the concept of an impartial Department of Justice has taken a hard hit and threatens to sustain more damage. Muted independent decision-making by immigration court judges, under threat of dismissal if they dare rule against the president’s wishes, reveals yet another disconcerting trend.
Then consider the slew of attacks on law firms courageous enough to oppose the current ruling body. Not to mention the forceful undertaking to pursue individuals who researched and prosecuted criminal cases. The major shifts in legal and policy frameworks post-9/11 have been firmly shut within the annals of history without due accountability, a fact applauded by the present leadership.
In day-to-day affairs, the apparent aversion for accountability has been cast among the government ranks. Currently, a department which historically lacked an inspector-general position is now being scrutinized by the Department of Treasury’s inspector general, aiming to cover the tracks of an administration with questionable motives.
It’s showcased with racial discrimination, distaste towards judicial systems, failure to hold parties responsible for unlawfully redrafting national laws, the pervasive acceptance of secrecy, and a firm refusal to put in place stringent preventive measures against future manipulations of both laws and norms. These remnants of the ongoing war on terror have paved the path for a non-democratic template, however massive the divergence may be.
A refusal to foster accountability or sidestep secrecy, much like the path chosen during the war on terror, has led the nation straight into the current mire. This horrific present should be seen as a clear extrapolation of previous missteps, made entirely plausible due to an absence of thoughtful engagement in salvaging matters after 9/11.
In a time where accountability should be paramount, we find a government unwilling to own up to its actions and its mishandling of national security. Rather than learning from previous lessons around the missteps post-9/11, the present administration seems poised to double-down on their efforts to exert power, keep secrets, and evade legal responsibilities. This reality paints a bleak picture of the American leadership’s commitment to democratic principles, transparency, and equal justice under the law.
Despite the challenges of the past, one would hope that the present administration would prioritize correction and improvement. Instead, it seems the lessons of history have been dismissed, and our leaders are repeating the same harmful actions we’ve witnessed before. The foundations of democracy that we hold dear: justice, equality, transparency, and accountability, are glaringly absent from their actions.
These adverse policies and actions tell us one clear truth about our present leaders. Rather than use their power to build a more inclusive, fair, and transparent society, the administration is more focused on preserving their own interests. This attitude shows a blatant disregard for the principles of democracy, and an utter lack of appetite for implementing necessary reforms.
Today’s dire situation is a stark reminder of the consequences of a lack of accountability and transparency. We find ourselves again grappling with policies that appear to violate the fundamental tenets of democracy. Painted against the backdrop of our post-9/11 world, it becomes clear that the lessons of the past remain unlearned.