Pray for Trump. Wait! What? He is in so many ways the worst disaster ever to befall this country. Why should we pray for him?
And it’s true. The corruption of Donald Trump, his family and his closest associates goes far beyond anything ever seen here, reminiscent of a Third World dictatorship, but on a far grander scale.
The disrespect for the rule of law, most evident in the ravages of DOGE in the early months of the regime, is also to be found every day in the disregard of court rulings on immigration cases. Trump seems determined to control elections to assure that his party never loses. He seems ready to suppress dissent by force of arms. He has made the Department of Justice an instrument to prosecute and persecute those he sees as enemies.
I could go on. And on.
He is also increasingly incompetent, impulsive and erratic. We see this on full display with his war on Iran. He apparently decided to attack Iran after Bibi Netanyahu convinced him that it would be easy and quick to cause the collapse of the Islamic Republic, and he could bask in the adoration of the people back home.
Although any fool with a map could see that Iran could close the Strait of Hormuz, neither Trump nor his advisers seem to have thought of that. Now he is stuck in a war that he can’t win, and can’t admit he’s lost. He’s depleted stockpiles of vital weapons such as Patriot missiles, thus weakening our ability to confront threats from other adversaries such as China.
There’s a case to be made that he’s long been mentally ill. And given his age and erratic behavior, there’s a case that he is descending into dementia. Aside from his faithful MAGA supporters, increasing numbers of people think he should be removed from office, either though impeachment and conviction by Congress, or through the procedures established by the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.
He and his Republican Party are, in any case, historically unpopular. The GOP looks headed for a drubbing in the midterm elections this year, and Trump’s designated successor will likely be defeated in the 2028 election. Hence Trump’s focus on having enough control over the electoral process to keep power.
Although Trump and some of his advisers may have Fascist ambitions, they have not been able to extend their control deep into society. They don’t even control the federal judiciary, which remains a significant check on their power.
Given this multi-pronged indictment, why, indeed, should we pray for him?
Increasingly incompetent and erratic behavior make Trump no longer an effective leader. Imagine the aftermath of a sweeping defeat for the Republicans in this year’s elections. Those in the administration who worry about keeping power might worry that Trump will no longer be able to stave off defeat in 2028.
The 25th Amendment may start to look good. Section 4 provides that the vice president and a majority the Cabinet may declare to the presiding officers of the Senate and House that the president is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. The vice president then becomes acting president. The president may then contest his removal, and would resume office, unless the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet reassert that the president cannot fulfill his functions.
In that case, Congress decides the issue. If two-thirds of both chambers determine that the president is unable to fulfill his duties, the vice president becomes acting president. Failing that two-thirds vote in both chambers, the president resumes office.
It’s messy, but we could end up with JD Vance as acting president. He could then appeal to the voters to give him a chance. He’d be more likely to win than he would if he were just the Republican candidate.
Vance could also become president if Trump dies or is killed. He would have even more public sympathy in that case.
We’ll be better off with an insane, demented Trump staggering to the end. Pray for it.
John Peeler is a retired professor of political science at Bucknell University. He has recently moved to Amherst.