o out of character is Donald Trump’s latest appearance that you might be forgiven for thinking it’s some sort of hostage video, or a particularly effective “deep fake” production. Despite the fashion for conspiracy theories, no one is suggesting it is not genuine.
It is quite a turnaround. Only a few days ago he was urging the “Save America” mob to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. Reportedly he was “borderline enthusiastic” about the invasion of the Capitol. He declined to order the national guard to intervene, leaving that to Mike Pence. Midway through the disturbances he told the rioters to go home, but also expressed sympathy, repeated the claim that the election was stolen, and told them “we love you”. Now, suddenly, they are guilty of a “heinous act”. Some feel betrayed and bewildered.
Plainly, short of a Pauline conversion, there must have been a degree of coercion at work. The calls for impeachment and the invocation of Article 25 of the construction were mostly performative – there is no time for either. However they are embarrassing and the open challenges to the president have been mounting. The stance of Vice President Pence, for example, firmly constitutional, meant that Trump could not count even on this loyal partner to support him unconditionally. The resignations of aides and cabinet members added to the sense of America in crisis. The deaths of a protester and a police officer surely signalled the time for tantrums and playacting was past.
