On this week’s episode of “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart slammed Democrats for calling Donald Trump “un-American” and “authoritarian” for signing a flurry of executive orders during his first week in office when in reality he is operating within his constitutional rights as president.
Stewart opened the segment with a compilation of news outlets ringing the alarm on a Friday night “purge” executed by Trump.
“Ah! Trump has ushered in the purge,” Stewart yelled, pulling out a foam axe from under his desk. “Although, just in case I’m misinterpreting, what is this purge about, exactly?”
Another news compilation then played, clarifying that Trump had fired at least 17 “government agency watchdogs” known as “inspectors general” on Jan. 24.
“No! He got rid of 17 inspectors general? That only leaves… No one knows how many left,” Stewart joked. “Who knows how many generals will now go uninspected? Democrats, inspire my anger, in the least charismatic way possible!”
Stewart then ran a clip of Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer labeling Trump’s removal of the “inspectors general” a “glaring sign” that a “golden age for abuse in government and even corruption” is upon us. However, “The Daily Show” host was quick to point out that Trump has the legal right to remove any such government agent at any time. The only thing Trump failed to do was provide 30 days’ notice and a comprehensive list of reasons why.
“I’m sorry, what? Apparently, you can fire them but you have to give them 30 days’ notice. That is what we are upset about?” Stewart said. “But this is the cycle we find ourselves in. First law of Trump-o-dynamics: Every action is met with a very not-equal overreaction. Thus throwing off our ability to know when shit is actually getting real. Like last week’s pardons.”
Clips played of liberal pundits attacking Trump’s pardons as “unconstitutional,” “authoritarian” and “un-American.” Once again, Stewart noted that it is a president’s constitutional right to grant pardons.
“For some reason, we have given presidents the power of a king, and then we say, ‘Well, you’re not going to get all kingly and shit on us, right?’ To put that in constitutional terms, if I could, don’t hate the player, hate the founding fathers,” Stewart said. “Because I don’t know if you’ve met Donald Trump, he pushes shit.”
Stewart closed the segment with a call to action for Democratic leaders: “The question is probably not, ‘How dare he?’ The question should be, ‘What are you learning from this? How would you use this power? What is your contract with America?’ Democrats, exist outside of him. Tell people what you would do with the power that Trump is wielding, and then convince us to give that power to you as soon as possible! That is the goal!”
Watch the full segment below.
