Donald Trump’s un-presidential behavior carries a number of problems that demonstrate what is truly wrong with him. His demonstrated lack of courtesy and disregard for the implications of his public statements are some of the key problems with Trump. This reckless behavior of our Commander-in-Chief has already had quite some disturbing consequences, the most disturbing being that he is inciting aggression, constantly.

Punishing enemies on the mind

Trump’s agenda avers aggressive and destructive agenda. He showed support to the Charlotteville racist rally that led to the death of the innocent Heather Heyer. Trump has encouraged violence towards protesters and politicians during his rallies. He has even been heard to promise to pay the legal fees of perpetrators of violence against citizens exercising their right to protest.

Trump mentioned the phrase “lock her up” in relation to Hillary Clinton so many times that it is no wonder pipe bombs are being sent to people who have challenged him in the past. His opponents deserve punishment. And Trump threatens anyone, Russia, China, Iran, refugees, Canada! In fact, he threatens almost anyone who doesn’t agree with him.

This attitude, constantly coming from the leader of the world’s leading superpower, has emboldened autocrats like Putin who has resorted to a new wave of aggression including the poisoning of dissidents on foreign soil. America’s position as a watchdog of political rights and freedoms across the world, once with at least some meaning, is no longer taken seriously.

That is why a dictator like Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines feels free to continue a campaign of murdering drug dealers without trial. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is also, of course, the brain behind the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. He has done so without fear of serious US reprisal.

Free press or fake news?

Trump has also been attacking the press calling them fake news, and enemies of the people. As a direct result, press freedom is not as respected in the world. We have seen a clear spike in the molestation and murder of journalists across the globe ever since Trump took over power often with dictatorships copying Trump’s exact language, “The press are enemies of the people”.

Right here in America, Congressman Greg Gianforte was bold enough to body-slam reporter Ben Jacobs. Trump’s response to this was “any guy that can do that, a body slam, he’s my kind of guy”. Trump, therefore, supports bullying and hate. Yet, Trump feigns being a “great Christian”.

The world is in a much worse place because of Trump. There is a price to pay for this evil if it goes unchecked. The future of our country and our world looks pretty bleak with the dictatorship-leaning Trump at the helm. Even the type of dictatorship he seems to want is worse than average, it would be aggressive and hungry for conflict. As these midterms approach and the 2020 elections loom, I hope we Americans can learn to follow another type of impassioned rhetoric, one that involves love, encouragement and understanding. The time is now to decide.