Trump just wants to kill ideas
intellectual and scholarly thought are a threat to the GOP
My son and I were having a discussion this morning about Socrates and the Socratic method of teaching (yeah, we have some interesting conversations). It got me thinking about the importance of intellectual conversations, scientific rigor and the importance of idea generation. As I look across the landscape of Trump’s actions it’s clear to me that he and the GOP are threatened by intellect, scholarly work and the importance of simply questioning things. The reason for this is simple - when his policies and positions are scrutinized they simply don’t hold up to any sort of fact-based analysis. And this is why he attacks entities that further intellectual pursuits. Here are just some examples:
The Institute of Peace (USIP)
The USIP is a non-partisan congressionally-funded entity that promotes research, policy analysis, education, and training on international peace and conflict resolution. The USIP headquarters is also home to a public library that houses a collection of items related to peace building, conflict management, and diplomacy.
Trump’s actions - After signing an executive order firing the USIP Board, Musk and the DOGE team entered the USIP headquarters and began dismantling its staff and contractors and began dispersing its assets and headquarters building.
Status - A federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration from dismantling USIP.
The Wilson Center
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is a non-partisan foreign policy think tank chartered by Congress in 1968. Its mission is to provide policymakers and the public with insights and analysis to inform decision-making on foreign policy. It conducts research, hosts events, and engaging in public outreach to promote understanding of global development.
Trump’s actions - Trump signed an executive order eliminating the Wilson Center. Soon thereafter, the Center’s staff were dismissed shortly after Elon Musk's DOGE group targeted the Center’s work.
Status - Lawsuits are pending against Trump’s actions against the Center as legal experts have noted that Trump’s actions are blatantly illegal. Congress established this entity and only Congress can abolish it. Trump simply doesn’t have the power to undo agencies such as the Wilson Center.
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
The IMLS was established by Congress in 1996 and is the main source of federal funding for public libraries. It’s an independent federal agency that provides library grants, museum grants, policy development, and research.
Trump’s actions - Trump signed an executive order eliminating IMLS. Soon thereafter, staff were put on administrative leave. While this occurred some states also had their grants rescinded, while others were left in limbo with no one staffed at the agency to process grants.
Status - In May, a federal judge issued an injunction on Trump’s executive order, highlighting that the actions by Trump “ignores the unshakable principles that Congress makes the law and appropriates funds, and the Executive implements the law Congress enacted and spends the funds Congress appropriated”.
The bottom line
There are, of course, other actions I could highlight that exemplify Trump’s disdain for all things intellectual. And don’t think this is just by happenstance. It’s not. It’s simply another chapter in the authoritarian playbook where opposing viewpoints are squelched, nothing is factual and policy is solely based on the furtherance of the regime.
Having a smart and well-informed public is anathema to a dictator.