“Democracy has survived the Civil War, both world Wars I and II, and Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionists. Yet again it is under attack by a lethal enemy that the Founding Fathers feared even more; corrupt, immoral, and conspiring constitutional betrayers. John Johnson II 06/10/26
By John Johnson II
America’s constitutional system design attempted to prevent the concentration of power in any single branch of government. Yet critics argue that the nation is witnessing a troubling erosion of those safeguards. Elected officials and institutions are increasingly placing partisan objectives above their constitutional responsibilities. The central question is, “why are elected officials betraying their constitutional oath?
According to critics, the executive branch has steadily expanded its authority by bypassing Congress through executive orders and emergency declarations; thus, establishing public policy without legislative approval. Critics point to actions involving immigration policy, federal spending priorities, and the redirection of congressional approved funds as examples of executive overreach. In their view, such actions contribute to the concentration of power in the presidency.
These concerns no longer reside only with political activists or constitutional scholars. Polls conducted by Gallup, PBS/NPR/Marist, The Economist/YouGov, and Fox News have revealed growing public concern about the condition of American democracy, declining confidence in Congress, and falling trust in the Supreme Court. Whether one agrees with the causes or not, the warning signs are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Observers contend that the Supreme Court’s six-member conservative majority has increasingly functioned as a super activist judiciary rather than as an impartial arbiter. Critics point to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and other longstanding precedents as evidence of a Court willing to reshape public policy through judicial authority. They further argue that lifetime appointments have insulated sitting justices from meaningful accountability.
Recently, criticisms focused on Chief Justice John Roberts’ and the Court’s voting-rights decisions. Opponents argue that decisions weakening sections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act reduced federal protections designed to safeguard the voting rights of Black Americans and other marginalized voters. Critics likewise contend that the Court’s presidential immunity ruling elevated executive authority beyond traditional constitutional restraints and weakened the principle that no public official is above the law.
Voters have expressed concern that a Republican-controlled Congress abandoned its constitutional duty to serve as a coequal branch of government. They point to limited oversight, reluctance to challenge controversial executive actions, and congressional deference regarding military operations and national security matters. According to these critics, the republican Congress has increasingly failed to exercise the checks and balances essential to preserving constitutional government.
The following interpretation offers a political analysis and raises a political question. Does the convergence of the appearance of the executive branch, the Republican controlled Congress, and the Supreme Court not honoring their Constitutional oath reflect more than ordinary political conflict but rather betrayal? Certainly, one would believe that defenders of democracy would view a diverse electorate as vital rather than threatening.
History shows that although democracy as originally developed contained flaws and racist doctrines. It is worth defending and forcing it to become more inclusive. If the current dismantling of democracy continues, the greatest threat to American democracy may come not from foreign adversaries, but from conspiring constitutional betrayers.
YOU ARE THE JUDGE