However, in the 19th century a new, more modern concept of government slowly took over. This approach to governing was still very much in vogue by the American Revolution and at the nation’s founding. In short, their government work was very much their business, even if they were serving the public good. Often, they worked out of their homes, so that the workings of government were indistinguishable from their daily life. They were expected to use their status to do these jobs, as people deferred to their rank and power. Powerful members of the gentry were routinely tabbed to be sheriffs, tax collectors, inspectors and other key roles. ![]() Historian Timothy Snyder: Trump indictment isn’t exceptional, it’s normal It was in keeping with an elitist theory of power. Hundreds of years ago, when a government official stepped down from an official post, it was customary for them to take with them the records of their time in office. The law required Trump to return these documents to the National Archives Trump knew better, too, since the prosecution has him on tape admitting that he had retained sensitive military information that he had not declassified.Īt a more philosophical level, Trump’s alleged actions speak to something else they flout a basic theory of how our government works. Prosecutor Jack Smith’s indictment and press conference laid out in devastating detail just how serious the charges are against the former president. In the classified documents that Trump allegedly took from the White House to his residences are deep secrets about the United States’ military and even its nuclear program. A quick look at the history of government record-keeping shows us that Trump is thumbing his nose at our system of government and at the rule of law itself. By allegedly violating the Espionage Act and hoarding classified documents, Trump (who has denied wrongdoing) has taken things to a far darker place. In the past, Trump’s alleged misdeeds have usually been primarily about himself-about making himself richer, or more powerful, or to protect himself from the law.
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