Page 1 of 3 # Declaration grievance Takeaway paragraph Example from Trump era Quote(s) & citation 1 “He has obstructed the Administration of Justice ...” The grievance addresses a sovereign (king) using his executive power to hamper independent investigations, disrupt lawful prosecutions, or protect his agents from accountability. It undermines the rule of law by making justice subordinate to the ruler’s will. During his administration, Donald Trump made multiple efforts to limit, control or interfere with the Robert Mueller investigation, including pressuring FBI and DOJ o cials, and publicly attacking witnesses and the process. For example, Mueller’s Report found “substantial evidence” of obstruction of justice by Trump in a number of episodes. (Default) “The investigation has not established that the President committed an underlying crime, but ... the injury to the integrity of the justice system is the same regardless of whether a person committed an underlying wrong.” (PBS) 2 “He has refused for a long time ... to cause others to be elected; that the legislative body ... cannot be called together at his will” (paraphrased) This grievance highlights obstructing representative government— preventing or delaying elections or undermining the legislature’s ability to meet, so the people’s voice is suppressed or sti ed. The Trump administration repeatedly challenged or limited congressional oversight: for example, refusing to cooperate with the House impeachment inquiry, withholding documents or testimony, and resisting subpoenas. See public letters from White House counsel refusing cooperation with the House impeachment inquiry (Oct 2019). 3 “He has erected a multitude of new O ces, and sent hither swarms of O cers to harass our people ...” The king uses a swelling bureaucracy or armed enforcement to harass, surveil, or intimidate the populace without consent—shifting governance into coercion rather than representation. In 2020, federal agents (via DHS/USMS/CBP) were deployed to cities like Portland, Oregon without the state’s request (or over local objection). These deployments raised concerns of federal force used against U.S. citizens in ways seen as politically-motivated. Government Accountability O ce (GAO) found wide federal deployments and use of force during civil unrest— described as “swarms of o cers”. (American Constitution Society) Page 2 of 3 # Declaration grievance Takeaway paragraph Example from Trump era Quote(s) & citation 4 “He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures” This grievance complains of the executive using military or paramilitary forces domestically, bypassing civilian control and legislative authorization— eroding civil liberties and separation of powers. During the Trump presidency, forces were federalized and used domestically in protest settings (e.g., Portland) despite resistance from local/state governments, raising constitutional questions about deployment without legislative consent. Federal courts and media documented these domestic deployments as controversial and “military/standing- force” like in effect. 5 “For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world” The king arbitrarily imposes commerce restrictions, interfering in citizens’ ability to trade freely, harming the economy and individuals without representative consent. The Trump administration imposed sweeping tariffs under Section 232 (e.g., steel/aluminum) and broader trade restrictions, sometimes via presidential proclamation without fresh congressional statute. U.S. Commerce Dept., BIS documentation of 232 tariffs; analysis shows aggressive unilateral trade policy. (American Constitution Society) 6 “For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments” This grievance addresses the ruler changing constitutional or legislative institutions— removing historic safeguards, overriding laws, or transforming governance unilaterally. Trump declared a “national emergency” to redirect funds for the border wall after Congress refused, challenging Congress’s appropriation powers and altering the balance between branches. A-CLU & Brennan Center litigation show emergency declaration used to override legislative intent. 7 “He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution” The king aligns with external powers or foreign jurisdictions, undermining constitutional self- government and making the people subject to external or extraconstitutional rule. The Trump campaign and presidency engaged in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, pressured state o cials (e.g., call to Georgia Secretary of State), and sought foreign-generated disinformation effects. While not identical, the theme is undermining constitutional process by external or extra- constitutional means. “The investigation did not establish that the Trump Campaign... conspired or coordinated with the Russian government... but the Russian government ‘interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion.’” ( Department of Justice) Page 3 of 3 # Declaration grievance Takeaway paragraph Example from Trump era Quote(s) & citation 8 “For suspending our own Legislatures ... declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever” The executive claims legislative power for itself, bypasses the legislature entirely, or suspends the legislative branch— undermining separation of powers and representative government. Trump threatened to adjourn Congress to force recess appointments (April 2020) and frequently bypassed Congress via executive orders, emergency declarations, and acting o cials, thereby shifting power from the legislature to the executive. Reports by the Washington Post described the adjournment threat and acting-o cial concerns. 9 “For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent” The ruler extracts revenue, levies burdens or taxes without the consent of representative bodies or the governed—thus violating the social contract. The use of tariffs as de facto taxes and broad proclamation-based trade restrictions under executive authority raised concerns that the executive was imposing economic burdens without adequate legislative oversight. Courts have begun to push back on overly broad presidential tariff powers. CRS report R48435 on presidential tariff authority. 10 “For protecting [o cers] ... by a mock Trial, from punishment” Leaders shield their agents from accountability—no real justice for misconduct; the rule of law is hollow. The Trump administration saw frequent turnover or removal of Inspectors General, increased use of “acting” o cials to avoid Senate con rmation and oversight, and reports of interference in inspector general and watchdog operations—undermining independent accountability. Oversight Democrat staff report on IG removals and acting- o cial use. 11 “In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress ... only to nd ... repeated injury” When grievances are raised through lawful petitions, appeals, or representation—if the ruler ignores them, then the right to dissolve the relationship is triggered (which underpins the Declaration’s rationale). During Trump’s term, multiple petitions, investigations and oversight efforts (e.g., emoluments/integrity inquiries) were blocked, sidestepped or rendered ineffective, leaving structural complaints unresolved and undermining redress. For example, the emoluments clause investigations never resulted in de nitive accountability. “The foreign payments to President Trump identi ed in this report are likely only a fraction ...” ( Oversight Democrats)