#DemocracyThreats

[phonemantra-blog]

At a recent press conference, renowned actor Robert De Niro vehemently criticized former President Donald Trump. Standing alongside former Capitol police officers outside Trump’s criminal trial in New York City, De Niro warned that if Trump were to return to the White House, Americans could lose many of the freedoms they currently enjoy. "I don’t mean to scare you. No, wait, maybe I do mean to scare you," De Niro said emphatically. He expressed his concerns about the potential destruction of democratic values and the city of New York itself under another Trump presidency. Robert De Niro's Biden Campaign's Strategic Move President Joe Biden’s campaign made a strategic appearance at the trial, aiming to draw attention to Trump's involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. This marked a significant shift for Biden's team, which had previously avoided the trial to prevent validating Trump’s claims of politically motivated prosecutions. The presence of De Niro and former police officers was intended to leverage the media spotlight on the trial, underscoring the stakes of the upcoming election. A Return to the Spotlight The trial, which began six weeks ago, has largely been ignored by Biden's campaign until this recent intervention. The decision to send De Niro and the Jan. 6 officers was a calculated effort to break through the noise and refocus the public’s attention on Trump’s controversial past and the implications of a potential return to power. Michael Tyler, Biden’s campaign communication director, clarified their intentions, stating, “We’re not here today because of what’s going on over there. We’re here today because you all are here.” Trump’s Legal Battles and Campaign Strategy Trump’s current trial in New York involves allegations of criminal hush money payments. This is just one of several legal challenges he faces, including a federal case related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and a state case in Georgia accusing him of election interference. Despite these legal troubles, Trump has pleaded not guilty and continues to leverage these proceedings as part of his presidential campaign, using them to rally his base and generate fundraising opportunities. De Niro's Role in the Campaign De Niro’s involvement in the Biden campaign has been prominent, with a recent ad narrated by the actor sharply criticizing Trump’s presidency. During the press conference, De Niro did not mince words about the dangers he believes Trump poses to American democracy. He portrayed himself as a true New Yorker who has always tolerated Trump as a “crappy real estate hustler” but now sees him as a threat to both the city and the country. First Responders Speak Out Former Washington, D.C., police officer Michael Fanone and former Capitol police officer Harry Dunn joined De Niro at the press conference, sharing their harrowing experiences from January 6. Fanone, who suffered injuries during the riot, emphasized the violence unleashed by Trump supporters and the ongoing threat he believes Trump poses. Dunn urged Americans to recognize the severity of the situation and take action at the ballot box to prevent Trump from regaining the presidency. Trump Campaign's Response In a counter-move, Trump’s campaign staffers held their press conference at the same location. Senior campaign adviser Jason Miller dismissed De Niro as a “washed-up actor” and accused the Biden campaign of using the trial for political gain. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed these sentiments, calling the Biden team “desperate and failing” and labeling the trial a “witch hunt.” Implications for the 2024 Election The press conferences highlight the intense political battle leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Both sides are using every available platform to sway public opinion and mobilize their supporters. With multiple legal proceedings against Trump and the Biden campaign’s renewed focus on these issues, the coming months promise to be highly charged and pivotal for the future of American democracy.

[thxnews]

President Akufo-Addo Urges Vigilance to Safeguard Democracy

  President Urges Parliament to Safeguard Democracy

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the Republic of Ghana has called upon members of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to actively address the emerging threats to democracy in the region. Furthermore, he identified three grave challenges facing West African democracy, and with a sense of urgency, he urged regional leaders to uphold democratic principles and accountability.  

Democracy at Risk

In a candid assessment, President Akufo-Addo warned that "democracy in West Africa is in danger" due to three distinct threats that demand immediate attention. He emphasized that the region must intensify efforts to secure democratic accountability among its citizens.   Threats Unveiled The President identified the first threat as "the attempted confiscation of democracy by elites," who manipulate constitutional rules and subjugate national institutions to maintain power through legal maneuvers. The second threat is the "emerging re-militarization of governance," marked by military intrusion into politics without public mandate. Lastly, President Akufo-Addo pointed to "the wanton desire to destroy democracy by terrorist groups and armed criminal gangs," seeking to establish lawless zones.  

Embracing Democracy

Quoting Winston Spencer Churchill's famous words, President Akufo-Addo reminded the audience that despite its imperfections, democracy remains the best form of governance. He noted that history has shown that people inevitably return to democracy and civil liberty after experiencing tyranny and oppression.  

Facing Regional Challenges

Acknowledging the complex economic, political, social, and security challenges in the region, President Akufo-Addo expressed concern about the decline in democratic credentials. He highlighted that, at present, four ECOWAS member states are under military rule due to coups, generating anxiety and regional instability. He also criticized the violence and disputes characterizing some elections.  

Promoting Legitimacy

The President emphasized that leaders must derive their legitimacy from free, fair, and transparent elections. Any attempt to manipulate opinion or democratic rules for political gains erodes legitimacy and breeds social tensions. Stability in the region, he stressed, requires legality and legitimacy.  

The Role of Democratic Governance

President Akufo-Addo underscored the true purpose of democratic governance: to ensure free government, shared prosperity, equitable justice, and lasting peace for the citizenry's well-being.   Parliamentary Responsibility Addressing the ECOWAS legislators, he passionately urged them to delve into the root causes of democratic regression and political instability in the region. He stressed the need to effectively combat these challenges and called for unwavering vigilance against leaders who seek to extend presidential term limits to consolidate power. Such actions, he emphasized, sow discontent and provide dangerous openings for military interventions.  

A Call for Collective Effort

In conclusion, President Akufo-Addo called upon ECOWAS Parliament members to play a pivotal role in safeguarding democracy, emphasizing that true stability in the region can only be achieved when power is coupled with both legality and legitimacy.   Sources: THX News & The Presidency, Republic of Ghana. Read the full article