“Dissent is the highest form of patriotism” is a quote probably misattributed to Thomas Jefferson. But citizens fighting against government overreach and injustice in our institutions is essential to who we are as Americans.

The election of President Donald Trump has prompted widespread concerns about his business interest conflicts and his temperament to be President. And now his Muslim travel ban and his many previous outlandish statements suggest a complete disinterest in how our Constitutional government functions differently than the businesses he has operated.

Donald Trump’s statements suggest an unprecedented threat to the 1st amendment, (flag burning,  freedom of the press), the 5th amendment (due process) the 8th amendment (torture), the 14th amendment (equal protection)

Protests have broken out across the nation since election day, and are only intensifying post inauguration and beyond. Protesters are legitimately upset and concerned about his abnormalcy, and extremely divisive rhetoric against groups like Mexicans and Muslims, not simply the fact that he won and people disagree with him.

But if we want to win the argument that Trump is an unprecedented threat to the US Constitution, we should do it while waving the American flag, not burning it. [Read more…]