Trump is a serious threat to the union of American states

Peter van Dalen is a Dutch member of the European Parliament.

Standing in front of the Capitol building in Washington on March 4, 1865, then President Abraham Lincoln stirred the hearts of his audience, declaring America should have “malice toward none and charity for all.”

It was Lincoln’s second inaugural address, and he was determined to heal a divided nation just weeks away from the formal end of its bloody civil war, setting out his aim “to achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”

But this magnificent and evocative speech, as well as the actions of one of America’s greatest Republicans, now stands in brutal contrast to the words and deeds of another Republican — former United States President Donald J. Trump.

Trump is focused on his own glory, on his own interests — not the nation’s. He hurls grapes of wrath around the country. And his real menace was finally brought home in the report by the Bipartisan Congressional Inquiry Committee on the January 6 insurrection, when the U.S. Congress was besieged and Trump’s “stolen election” conspiracy morphed into a de facto coup attempt, with criminal intent to overturn the votes in seven states.

Thus, it’s a relief that arch conspirator Trump is now being brought to court by Special Council Jack Smith — but it’s hardly misplaced to still harbor fears.

Trump seems a dark throwback to the 19th century, when the American civil war erupted because men like John C. Calhoun, Nathan B. Forrest and Jefferson Davis wanted their truth to be victorious. The result: a bloody secession. Trump now similarly wants his truth to be victorious. And while that hopefully doesn’t mean an actual civil war, the U.S. is in the middle of a disorienting cultural civil war.

In states and cities, and within families, there is extreme divisiveness; people are either for or against Trump. One can see the clear and present danger playing out on social media, and is left wondering where it will end. It’s also becoming increasingly difficult not to conclude that Trump is a serious threat to the preservation of the union of American states.

To be open, I am not in favor of current President Joe Biden either. I find it almost impossible to understand why the Democrats have decided to back this elderly man as their presidential nominee, and why it isn’t possible for both the Republicans and the Democrats to put forward candidates at least younger than 70 years old.

Moreover, the burning question for those of us across the Atlantic is, what can and should we do in Europe given these worrying developments?

For one, we need to understand that a year out from a presidential election, Europe’s relationship with the U.S. always becomes tricky, and this election season it’s likely to become much more so than usual. The country and government will be focused on itself, and Europe shouldn’t expect too much until the next president’s inauguration in January 2025.

Having said that, however, the transatlantic relationship is crucial: The U.S. is our principal ally, and developments there affect us. So, what else can we do in the year leading up to election day?

Supporters listen to Trump in Manchester, New Hampshire | Spencer Platt/Getty Images

We need to be impressing upon Americans, whenever and wherever we can, that we fear for their union.

Europe should also determinedly hold to its own goals and remain united as it defines its own direction. That means sticking together to help Ukraine and realizing that our main adversary lives in the Kremlin. Additionally, we need to assist our own citizens in weathering the coming winter by ensuring there’s sufficient and affordable energy.

So, let us not fall into the same web of division and hatred that Trump spins to entrap Americans. This time, let justice prevail. And let there be a “just and lasting peace.”