Trump, Johnson and a Test for the Rule of Law

Both Britain and America are happy that their political system is admired all over the world. The UK is home to the “Mother of Parliaments”. America is the “leader of the free world”. Both countries see themselves as mature democracies; A model that other countries can emulate.

But the past few years have shaken that Anglo-American complacency. Britain has lived through the pain of Brexit and met four prime ministers in as many years. America witnessed a storm in Congress on 6 January 2021 over what was essentially an attempted coup by an outgoing president.

Democracy’s troubles run deep in both countries. But he is also closely associated with two individuals – Donald Trump and Boris Johnson.

Trump and Johnson have espoused a similar style of politics. Both have created a cult of personality, convincing their most devoted followers that they are men of destiny. Both are dispassionate nationalists who have promised to restore their country’s greatness. Both claim to be representatives of the people against a selfish elite.

Because they consider themselves unique, indispensable individuals, Johnson and Trump have felt free to break the laws and conventions that typically bind political leaders. When challenged or held accountable, both claimed to be victims of a deep-state conspiracy.

It is a style of politics which is famous all over the world. The charismatic strongman leader – paranoid, power-hungry, unaccountable and surrounded by sycophants – is a sadly familiar figure. Just look at the fiery speeches of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who claims to have seen conspiracy against him everywhere

For Erdogan, the law is a weapon that should be used against his political opponents, not something that he himself must abide by. The same is true for Vladimir Putin in Russia. In Turkey and Russia alike, political opponents of the president are often jailed, while the leaders themselves are never held accountable despite allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

It is questions of the rule of law and accountability that are at the center of the latest episode of the Trump and Johnson soap opera.

The former US President has just been indicted for mishandling classified documents. The former UK prime minister has resigned from the House of Commons after being accused of lying to Parliament about breaking the law during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trump’s and Johnson’s responses to the current difficulties are surprisingly similar. He has followed the same paranoid and selfish narrative, claiming that he is the victim of a political conspiracy and that the system is rigged against him and his followers.

Such claims dent the US and British image of themselves as mature democracies in which the rule of law is not an enigma but a reality. The bleak suggestion is that governance in Washington and London is little different from that in Moscow or Ankara.

Trump and Johnson are both fabulists for whom the truth is only what is politically or personally convenient at the time. That style of politics is becoming more common and dangerous. We live in a social media age in which “alternative facts” (in the words of a former Trump aide) can always be concocted if real facts prove inconvenient.

Any functioning, law-ruled democracy must be based on the idea that there is such a thing as truth and that it can be established in court or by a parliamentary committee. Importantly, this is very different from saying that Trump or Johnson should be found guilty. They have every right to protest their innocence. If anyone can prove it before a court of law or a parliamentary committee, it would be as much a sign of democracy in action as a guilty verdict.

The courts, political parties and the electorate all have a role to play in ensuring that the rule of law and democracy function properly. Here, the outlook looks more promising in the UK than in the US.

The parliamentary committee found against Johnson has a majority of members from his own party. In contrast, very few Republicans in Congress have turned against Trump, regardless of their personal misgivings. The judge who ruled on Trump’s latest indictment in Florida was appointed by the former president. He should also be seen to behave fairly.

If the courts do their work in a clearly fair and professional manner, there is a greater chance that their decisions will be respected by the electorate. Majority voters, like courts, should be able to counter conspiracy theories and “alternative” facts. It seems far from a sure thing in America, where Trump remains the favorite for the Republican nomination and is neck-and-neck with President Joe Biden for the election.

The cases of Trump and Johnson will matter far beyond the shores of America and Britain. If they are handled properly, it will send an important message to those battling autocracy around the world. The US and Britain need to show that it is indeed possible to have a system in which political leaders are held accountable – and where the rule of law is a reality, not a myth.

gideon.rachman@ft.com