"Biden Calls Out Trump – Is Democracy in Danger?"

In just a few days, President Biden will officially pass the reins of the White House to President-elect Trump. However, this transition, which many hoped would be characterized by unity and cooperation, seems to be taking a different turn. Rather than a collaborative handover between two leaders, Biden has publicly expressed his concerns, labeling Trump as a “genuine threat to democracy.”

A day after the presidential election, the Campaign Legal Center (CLC) put out this statement that lends support to Biden’s remarks, “While all Americans have a duty to accept this outcome and the peaceful transfer of power, we cannot deny that another Trump presidency ushers in an unprecedented and dangerous time.” The CLC, which asserts its nonpartisan stance, indirectly labels Trump as a “dictator” who poses a threat to our constitutional principles by seeking to “dismantle” them.

I do not intend to engage with such rhetoric or to take advantage of the numerous allegations against Biden regarding his threat to democracy. It is much more constructive to respond politely to Biden’s rhetoric against Trump by outlining what I consider to be four compelling reasons why Trump will actually strengthen and stabilize the foundations of our democracy rather than undermine them.

Reason #1: Trump will secure our borders to protect Americans.

Secure borders are essential to upholding the safety and integrity of democracy. One of Trump’s signature policies during his first term was to build a new wall, improve existing barriers along our southern border, and authorize more border patrol agents. In his second term, Trump has promised the American people that the federal government will take action against illegals and criminals coming through our borders unchecked. A strong border policy involves protecting our nation’s sovereignty, upholding the rule of law, safeguarding our healthcare services and resources, and prioritizing our humanitarian responsibilities to migrants seeking a better life, all while combating human trafficking and exploitation. Nothing here appears to threaten our democracy.

Reason #2: Trump is a strong advocate for religious liberties.

A key pillar of American democracy is safeguarding individual liberties, including religious expression. President Trump issued an Executive Order that furthered free speech and religious liberty in his first term, “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty.” It also highlighted the significance of religious liberty in the administration, requiring all federal agencies to take steps to protect it. Trump viewed this executive order as crucial for reinforcing protected First Amendment rights, particularly for Americans targeted due to their religious beliefs and free speech.

It is also important to note that Donald Trump took historic action during his first term as President by nominating and obtaining Senate confirmation of three conservative judges: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. These appointments have cemented a majority on the Supreme Court dedicated to upholding religious freedoms against government intervention.

These and other Trump actions reflect a commitment to the First Amendment, countering claims that his presidency threatened democracy.

Reason #3: Trump will bolster our military against global threats.

During his presidency, Donald Trump prioritized military and cybersecurity funding and modernization, promising these will remain top priorities in his second term, particularly due to the rapidly evolving threats from adversarial nations like China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Considering the increasing number of global threats against the U.S., Trump, a strong advocate of the “Peace Through Strength” doctrine, has stressed the necessity of a powerful and prepared military to act as a deterrent against aggressors and protect the sovereignty of the United States, enabling democracy to thrive.

Reason #4: Trump will downsize the bureaucracy in the federal government.

Poll after poll indicated that Americans were fed up with the direction of the country under Biden. When it came to expressing their feelings about our political system, a significant majority found negative statements more accurate in describing our political landscape than positive ones. Yet, despite the negativity, the average American felt a sense of responsibility to try to make a positive change in our political system.

If most Americans thought Trump posed a real threat to our democracy, he wouldn’t have won the popular vote or secured 312 electoral votes. Yet he did. One reason for this is that he promised to cut down on wasteful spending and limit the government's control over our lives. That resonates with Americans and speaks to a president’s commitment to reduce control and not take advantage of their position of authority for their benefit.

President Trump has committed many mistakes; I acknowledge that, and he could be a little more restrained from time to time. But much of what he says and does comes from that groundedness based on democratic principles.

And so I leave you with this: as Trump is about to reenter the White House, let’s pray that he and his administration respect the U.S. Constitution and work for prosperity for the next generation. May we all be so wise as to build a society where all people may worship freely and build bright futures for the glory of God.