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Defender in Chief: Donald Trump's Fight for the Constitution
In Defender in Chief, celebrated constitutional scholar John Yoo makes an airtight case against Donald Trump's supposed disdain for constitutional rules and norms.
Donald Trump isn't shredding the Constitution--he's its greatest protector.
Ask any liberal--and many moderate conservatives--and they'll tell you that Donald Trump is a threat to the rule of law as delineated by the U.S. Constitution. Mainstream media outlets have reported fresh examples of alleged executive overreach or authoritarian rhetoric nearly every day of his presidency. In the 2020 primaries, the candidates seem to be competing to paint the most frightening picture of how the president is destroying our democracy and jeopardizing our nation's very existence.
Far from considering Trump an inherent threat to our nation's founding principles, Yoo convincingly argues that Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Adams, and Franklin would have seen the president as more in line with their vision of the executive branch than his recent predecessors, even at his most controversial.
This authoritative and engaging work is a compelling, intellectually-sound defense of an embattled president's ideas and actions.
Donald Trump isn't shredding the Constitution--he's its greatest protector.
Ask any liberal--and many moderate conservatives--and they'll tell you that Donald Trump is a threat to the rule of law as delineated by the U.S. Constitution. Mainstream media outlets have reported fresh examples of alleged executive overreach or authoritarian rhetoric nearly every day of his presidency. In the 2020 primaries, the candidates seem to be competing to paint the most frightening picture of how the president is destroying our democracy and jeopardizing our nation's very existence.
Far from considering Trump an inherent threat to our nation's founding principles, Yoo convincingly argues that Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Adams, and Franklin would have seen the president as more in line with their vision of the executive branch than his recent predecessors, even at his most controversial.
This authoritative and engaging work is a compelling, intellectually-sound defense of an embattled president's ideas and actions.
- GenresPoliticsLawNonfiction
288 pages, Hardcover
Published July 28, 2020
55 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 30, 2020
The Introduction tells you where the "eyes" of this author originates, his never Trumper background etc.
It's interesting but I find that this real and data factual law and event placements for all that Trump has done in 2016-2020 will only be understood or even assessed as it is by people who are members of the Republic loving and Constitutional cored "to revere" crowd. Which at this juncture is not any member of the Far Left or of the Democratic Party and activist media. (But then I am redundant because they are all the same entity.)
It truly is remarkable that so many say or preach the emotive or wordy praise for a regard for the Constitution and its defining for the United States government- and yet have nearly NO understanding of the tenets that it holds as strictly valid or non-valid.
Some of these chapters help you understand when Constitutional reform is actually scrapping the Constitution altogether. And forming an entirely different core onus of massive government. Or when the Supreme Court is perverted to originate law. Which it is NOT its property or an allowance whatsoever.
3.5 stars, but I can't round it up because it doesn't fully engage the identity politics and distortions of culture that the Left has infused as "true". And which aren't at all, but are the reverse of a united anything. And the Deep State he so aptly describes in date/time/places etc. during these last 3 years? Leftists won't read that detail of reality and low-life that they have birthed.
It's interesting but I find that this real and data factual law and event placements for all that Trump has done in 2016-2020 will only be understood or even assessed as it is by people who are members of the Republic loving and Constitutional cored "to revere" crowd. Which at this juncture is not any member of the Far Left or of the Democratic Party and activist media. (But then I am redundant because they are all the same entity.)
It truly is remarkable that so many say or preach the emotive or wordy praise for a regard for the Constitution and its defining for the United States government- and yet have nearly NO understanding of the tenets that it holds as strictly valid or non-valid.
Some of these chapters help you understand when Constitutional reform is actually scrapping the Constitution altogether. And forming an entirely different core onus of massive government. Or when the Supreme Court is perverted to originate law. Which it is NOT its property or an allowance whatsoever.
3.5 stars, but I can't round it up because it doesn't fully engage the identity politics and distortions of culture that the Left has infused as "true". And which aren't at all, but are the reverse of a united anything. And the Deep State he so aptly describes in date/time/places etc. during these last 3 years? Leftists won't read that detail of reality and low-life that they have birthed.
September 22, 2020
I highly recommend this book to both the Left and Right, because Yoo has lots to teach about the power of the Executive Branch, and he does so by referencing and interpreting original texts such as the US Constitution and the Federalist Papers. Perhaps unpopularly, he defends Trump’s presidential actions from 2016 through early 2020 by showing precedence and using an originalist interpretation of the Constitution. The book is incredibly well-researched, and it thoroughly examines a number of highly controversial events, such as the firing of James Comey. Yoo is unapologetic on his interpretation of many Trump events, and he goes so far as to describe them as collisions of careerist politicians/bureaucrats (e.g. Comey) with a contrarian who has nothing to lose, which I’m all but certain is part of the reason for some of the negative feedback.
August 15, 2020
Constitutional overview.
Excellent synopsis and summary of the past three years. Includes numerous quotes from the Federalist Papers and addresses the serious threats to the power of the Presidency the deep state and members of both parties have attempted during this administration. Very good history lesson as well.
Excellent synopsis and summary of the past three years. Includes numerous quotes from the Federalist Papers and addresses the serious threats to the power of the Presidency the deep state and members of both parties have attempted during this administration. Very good history lesson as well.
August 30, 2020
Excellent work, tragedy that not nearly enough Americans will read or understand what it means for us to return to being a Constitutional Republic.
https://beingbeliefbehavior.blogspot....
https://beingbeliefbehavior.blogspot....
July 28, 2020
At one time, the author admits to being a “Never Trump” person, but realized how wrong he was. Trump changed things from the formality of the presidency to an honest and open scenario.
When he ran for office, he was not a career politician, but a savvy businessman. Our country is like a business and President Trump felt he could do a better job if it was run that way. Career politicians were shocked at this and have done all they can to get rid of him. Their good-old-boy way of doing things did not set well with the new President and the liberal politicians were furious. The Democrats' fury at Trump winning quickly resulted in their many ways to try and get rid of him, none of which worked. They also tried to have him impeached but that failed too. They tried to block his nominee to the Supreme Court via a flimsy and scandalous accusation of the nominee. This too failed.
President Trump has added many jobs; built a wall against illegal immigrants; and has seen the stock market soar to some of its highest days. He has let other countries know that they cannot run over the United States and has taken steps in that direction.
He has faced a lot of opposition from the liberal community but has still managed to get many things done. Even with COVID and the riots, he has stayed calm and has done his best to keep America safe.
I enjoyed this book as it is a collection of items that President Trump has faced and his strength in not giving into the pressures constantly put upon him. I support him completely and hope to see him reelected in 2020.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
When he ran for office, he was not a career politician, but a savvy businessman. Our country is like a business and President Trump felt he could do a better job if it was run that way. Career politicians were shocked at this and have done all they can to get rid of him. Their good-old-boy way of doing things did not set well with the new President and the liberal politicians were furious. The Democrats' fury at Trump winning quickly resulted in their many ways to try and get rid of him, none of which worked. They also tried to have him impeached but that failed too. They tried to block his nominee to the Supreme Court via a flimsy and scandalous accusation of the nominee. This too failed.
President Trump has added many jobs; built a wall against illegal immigrants; and has seen the stock market soar to some of its highest days. He has let other countries know that they cannot run over the United States and has taken steps in that direction.
He has faced a lot of opposition from the liberal community but has still managed to get many things done. Even with COVID and the riots, he has stayed calm and has done his best to keep America safe.
I enjoyed this book as it is a collection of items that President Trump has faced and his strength in not giving into the pressures constantly put upon him. I support him completely and hope to see him reelected in 2020.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 16, 2020
An interesting (ish) read
Can’t say that I agreed with it all.
“the Electoral College imperfectly balances nationalism with federalism and leavens democracy’s passions with deliberation. It may seem ramshackle today, but the Electoral College advances the people’s voice over the centrifugal forces of states and local interests.”
Can’t say that I agreed with it all.
“the Electoral College imperfectly balances nationalism with federalism and leavens democracy’s passions with deliberation. It may seem ramshackle today, but the Electoral College advances the people’s voice over the centrifugal forces of states and local interests.”
July 13, 2023
In Defender in Chief, celebrated constitutional scholar John Yoo makes a provocative case against Donald Trump's alleged disruption of constitutional rules and norms.
Donald Trump isn't shredding the Constitution—he's its greatest defender.
Ask any liberal—and many moderate conservatives—and they'll tell you that Donald Trump is a threat to the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution. Mainstream media outlets have reported fresh examples of alleged executive overreach or authoritarian White House decisions nearly every day of his presidency. In the 2020 primaries, the candidates have rushed to accuse Trump of destroying our democracy and jeopardizing our nation's very existence.
Yoo argues that this charge has things exactly backwards. Far from considering Trump an inherent threat to our nation's founding principles, Yoo convincingly argues that Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton would have seen Trump as returning to their vision of presidential power, even at his most controversial. It is instead liberal opponents who would overthrow existing constitutional understanding in order to unseat Trump, but in getting their man would inflict permanent damage on the office of the presidency, the most important office in our constitutional system and the world.
This provocative and engaging work is a compelling defense of an embattled president's ideas and actions.
Donald Trump isn't shredding the Constitution—he's its greatest defender.
Ask any liberal—and many moderate conservatives—and they'll tell you that Donald Trump is a threat to the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution. Mainstream media outlets have reported fresh examples of alleged executive overreach or authoritarian White House decisions nearly every day of his presidency. In the 2020 primaries, the candidates have rushed to accuse Trump of destroying our democracy and jeopardizing our nation's very existence.
Yoo argues that this charge has things exactly backwards. Far from considering Trump an inherent threat to our nation's founding principles, Yoo convincingly argues that Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton would have seen Trump as returning to their vision of presidential power, even at his most controversial. It is instead liberal opponents who would overthrow existing constitutional understanding in order to unseat Trump, but in getting their man would inflict permanent damage on the office of the presidency, the most important office in our constitutional system and the world.
This provocative and engaging work is a compelling defense of an embattled president's ideas and actions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2020
Super
Yoo has an extraordinary ability to take the complex issues of law, make them understandable and present them beautifully. I read his books and have attended some of the speeches and he is possessed of an unusual quality of presentation.
Yoo has an extraordinary ability to take the complex issues of law, make them understandable and present them beautifully. I read his books and have attended some of the speeches and he is possessed of an unusual quality of presentation.
December 18, 2020
Yoo covers a lot of what Trump has done that actually falls in line with the Constitution and how his fight against his domestic enemies has preserved the offic of the presidency for future presidents, but all in all there is TMI, too much info for me
October 11, 2020
Methodically laid out detailed look at President Trump's actions in regards to Constitutionality and historical precedent.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews