Hitler couldn’t destroy America. The Soviet Union couldn’t either. But Trump’s warning us one federal court has the power to destroy us.

Of course, he was angry the court ruled against him. And he was posturing to get clicks on social media. But he left one question unanswered.

Here’s what happened: Using what he calls the president’s ‘emergency powers’ Trump made billions in tariffs the law of the land. The court ruled he couldn’t do that by himself – that, first, he had to get Congress to vote yes.

To compound the problem Trump’s already collected billions of dollars in tariffs. Maybe he wins in the Supreme Court. But if he doesn’t we’ll have to return the money. Which lands us in another mess.

And here’s the odd part: The problem could have been avoided.

Trump could have simply handed his Republican Congress a bill and said, Vote on this, pass it – like presidents have always done. Then none of this would have happened. Which leaves you scratching your head, wondering, Why couldn’t he see that?

Of course, everyone walking around on two legs is prone to make mistakes. But, these days, politicians see nothing wrong with grasping for power. And Trump couldn’t resist that temptation.

So we’re watching an old story unfold in front of our eyes: Bad choices always come with a price. And the reckoning is only a step away.

*******

Telling stories, in his memoir Carter Wrenn follows The Trail of the Serpent twisting and turning through politics from Reagan to Trump. Order his book from Amazon.