The Founding Fathers, A History of Elite Rule

Americans worship the Constitution as a sacred democratic document, yet it was born out of an elite power grab. The Founding Fathers, often idealized as champions of democracy, circumvented legal norms to centralize power in their own hands. Today, Trump is engaged in a similar maneuver, seeking to seize authority outside constitutional constraints. The question is: will he succeed, or can we learn from history and stop him?

Section 1: The Founders’ Power Grab

1.1 The Articles of Confederation: An Inconvenient Constraint

The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government that frustrated the wealthy elite, including landowners, merchants, and creditors. The system required unanimous consent for amendments, which made any substantial reform impossible. Events like Shays’ Rebellion, which exposed the instability of decentralized governance, convinced elites that stronger federal authority was needed—not necessarily for the people’s benefit, but to protect their own economic and political interests.

While the Articles of Confederation were awkward, in many ways, they seemed more democratic than the final result. They allowed for significant state autonomy and required consensus for major changes, preventing unilateral decisions by a small elite. The shift to the Constitution reduced this direct representation in favor of centralized power that largely served economic and political elites.

A key example of this was the Commerce Clause in the new Constitution. George Washington, a major landowner with properties in multiple states, sought uniform trade policies to facilitate commerce without encountering inconsistent regulations. Many of the Founders, including Washington, were deeply invested in interstate commerce, and they saw a strong central government as a means to streamline economic transactions for their own benefit. The original colonists had been tasked with exploiting resources to benefit the British Crown; now, the American elite sought a system that would serve their own financial interests instead.

1.2 The Colonial Rebellion Against the Crown

The American colonies rebelled against British rule due to a combination of political and economic grievances. Key among these were:

• Taxation Without Representation: Colonists resented British-imposed taxes, such as the Stamp Act (1765) and the Tea Act (1773), which they had no direct say in through parliamentary representation.

• Economic Exploitation: British mercantilist policies restricted colonial trade, requiring raw materials to be sent to Britain while limiting local manufacturing.

• Heavy-Handed Governance: Laws like the Quartering Act and the Proclamation of 1763 imposed harsh restrictions on colonists, fostering resentment.

• British Military Presence and Crackdowns: Events like the Boston Massacre (1770) and the Intolerable Acts (1774) were seen as evidence of an oppressive regime.

• Enlightenment and Republican Ideals: Inspired by thinkers like John Locke, colonists increasingly believed in self-governance and the idea that government should serve the people’s consent.

Ironically, after achieving independence, the American elite structured the Constitution to protect their own interests in a way similar to how Britain had sought to maintain its control over the colonies.

1.3 The Constitutional Coup: How the Founders Violated the Articles

Rather than following the legal process for amending the Articles, the Founding Fathers unilaterally discarded them. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was convened under the pretext of revision but resulted in an entirely new system of government. The requirement for unanimous state approval was ignored; instead, they imposed a new ratification rule requiring only nine out of thirteen states. Key opponents were excluded, and the process was deliberately opaque to limit dissent.

1.4 Defeating the Anti-Federalists: Propaganda and Power Plays

To secure ratification, Federalists launched a strategic propaganda campaign. The Federalist Papers, authored by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay, framed the new Constitution as the only safeguard against chaos and tyranny. The Anti-Federalists, who warned of centralized power leading to corruption and authoritarianism, were unable to match this coordinated effort. The Federalists also made calculated concessions, such as promising a Bill of Rights, to neutralize opposition and ensure ratification.

1.5 The Result: A System Designed to Protect the Elite

James Madison himself admitted in Federalist No. 10 that the government must “protect the minority of the opulent against the majority.” The Constitution created barriers to direct democracy, including the Electoral College, an unelected judiciary, and a Senate originally appointed by state legislatures. While the new system was more stable than the Articles, it was fundamentally designed to preserve elite control.

Section 2: Trump’s Attempted Coup and the Elite Power Play

2.1 Trump’s Power Grab: A Direct Assault on Democracy

Trump’s post-2020 election actions demonstrate a blatant attempt to override democratic processes. From pressuring officials to “find votes” to inciting the January 6 insurrection, he has sought to remain in power regardless of electoral outcomes. Now, he continues to lay the groundwork for consolidating executive authority, using tactics reminiscent of the Founding Fathers’ own constitutional maneuvering.

2.2 Rule by Decree: Trump’s Executive Overreach

Just as the Federalists bypassed legal norms, Trump is actively dismantling checks on executive power. His strategy aligns with Project 2025, a blueprint crafted by conservative think tanks to remake the government in a way that cements conservative rule. Key elements include:

• Restructuring the Federal Workforce: Reclassifying civil servants to allow for mass firings and replacements with loyalists.

• Dismantling Regulatory Frameworks: Rolling back environmental protections, financial regulations, and governmental oversight.

• Enhancing Executive Authority: Advocating for a strong unitary executive, eroding congressional and judicial constraints.

2.3 Media Manipulation: The New Federalist Papers

Where Madison and Hamilton used intellectual essays, Trump relies on right-wing media and social platforms to control the narrative. His propaganda, fueled by disinformation, presents his power grabs as necessary to “save America.” This echoes the Founders’ framing of the Constitution as a solution to disorder, when in reality it was an elite consolidation of power.

2.4 The Economic Backing of Trumpism

Trump, like the Founders, has the support of powerful economic interests. Just as the Constitution protected the landed gentry, Trump’s policies cater to billionaires, deregulated industries, and corporate elites. His tax cuts, regulatory rollbacks, and judicial appointments ensure the continued dominance of the wealthiest Americans at the expense of working people.

Conclusion

History repeats itself: the Constitution was a power grab disguised as democracy, and Trump is using the same tactics to consolidate power. The question remains: will Americans recognize the historical pattern in time to stop him?