Are we headed for a constitutional crisis?
As a bona fide member of the Baby Boomer generation, I witnessed two constitutional crises in my 20s. Both happened during my earliest days living in Laguna.
The first, over the vehement objections of the Nixon administration, was the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Washington Post and New York Times to publish the Pentagon Papers in 1971. If you need a primer on this topic, then go see “The Post” in a nearby theatre.
The second was the Watergate scandal beginning in 1972. For those who have forgotten or never knew it, Richard Nixon tried to eviscerate the Constitution in order to remain in office. His efforts went down in flames and he was forced to resign the presidency in August of 1974.
Now, with the publication of what rapidly is becoming known as the House Intelligence Committee’s Nunes Memo, America appears to be on the precipice of another constitutional crisis.
Don’t take my word for it. Here is how legendary reporter Carl Bernstein who, along with Bob Woodward, not only stuck with the initial story about the Watergate break-in, they steadfastly followed leads that eventually took readers straight into the Oval Office:
“A real slaughter by an obstructive, irresponsible, partisan gang in the House of Representatives has put the interests of their party and the president of the United States and his personal fortunes above the national interest,” he said.
Asked whether he thinks the U.S. is heading toward a constitutional crisis, Bernstein replied, “Yes, if the president continues down this road, and if his enablers in Congress continue down this road, it could become a constitutional crisis in the sense that the system may fail us.”
I’m not surprised how quickly people lined up for or against President Donald Trump’s decision to release the Nunes Memo. That was expected. What I didn’t expect was how contentious the relationship between the White House, the FBI and Department of Justice truly has become.
So it’s a little like deja vu all over again. In Nixon’s day, he authorized the FBI to surreptitiously enter private offices, as well as allow the CIA to gather internal information about U.S. citizens here at home. Both were so politically toxic and obviously illegal, most of the president’s Republican supporters in Congress were left with little choice but to cut and run.
Which brings me full circle to Bernstein’s comment about our current situation. I wonder how Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would have reacted had they been in office during Watergate? It’s a question that no one can possibly answer with any authority, but certainly worth contemplating given today’s hyper-partisan landscape.
Why? Because it only is the future of our democracy that is at stake. I hope I’m wrong but, based on their current level of support for President Trump, I am fearful the actions of the Speaker and the Majority Leader could lead to fewer freedoms for the next generation of Americans now coming of age.
Denny Freidenrich
Laguna Beach
Dorothy died on September 30, 2017, at her home in Laguna Beach, CA. She did it on her own time and with her usual flair, stubborn to the end. She is survived by sons John S. Krill, Laguna Beach, CA, C. David Krill, Atascadero, CA, and daughter Nancy M. Krill, Port Townsend, WA, 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Douglas Ward Case, 61, was born on September 20, 1956 in Laguna Beach and passed away on January 30, 2018. Doug is remembered by his children - Laura Ann and Charles Emerson, Daniel and Heather Case and grandson Oliver, Nicole and Jon Johnson; his parents Storm and Shirley Case; his siblings Linda Case, Scott and Laurie Case, and many nieces and nephews.