Book SummaryThe Divider, by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Divider

Trump's distinctive style of executive governance

The narrative underscores the actions taken by Trump during his presidency that eroded the established structures and enduring customs fundamental to the governance of the United States. The authors present the perspective that his actions represented more than just a departure from conventional standards; they constituted a sustained assault on democratic principles and the soundness of government, paving the way for later attempts to challenge the validity of the 2020 election.

The examination of democracy's traditional standards

The authors underscore various instances where Trump attacked key pillars of American democracy, such as the freedom of the press, the autonomy of the judiciary, and the integrity of law enforcement agencies. They contend that such measures went beyond mere words, intentionally eroding confidence in key institutions and simultaneously consolidating authority within the presidency.

He depicted journalists as opponents of the American populace.

The authors highlight how Trump consistently attacked and sought to weaken the press, portraying them as adversaries of the American people from the onset of his presidency. The authors compare his speech patterns to those of dictators like Joseph Stalin, whose similar phrases foreshadowed the extensive tyranny that took hold in Soviet Russia. The writers argue that Trump's clashes with the media were more severe than the usual verbal exchanges witnessed in previous administrations such as Nixon's, hinting at an authoritarian undertone. They argue that this intentional tactic was designed to undermine confidence in a key independent institution in the United States, convincing his supporters to reject any information unless it came directly from him or his close associates.

Using the term "manufactured stories" to cast doubt on the trustworthiness of reputable news organizations.

The authors point out another occasion when Trump skillfully redefined the term "fake news," originally created to describe the spread of misinformation online, to steer the course of public conversation. Trump adopted the label his critics had wielded and transformed it into an instrument for his ongoing engagement with the media. In their perspective, this strategy was not only a way to interact with members of the press but also a crucial element in his efforts to undermine a key pillar of American democracy: the commitment to an autonomous press that seeks to challenge power by delivering truthful reporting. Trump dismissed any negative reports about his actions, irrespective of their accuracy, by branding them as fabrications.

Openly challenging judicial rulings

Baker and Glasser argue that Trump's conduct undermined not only the media but also posed a challenge to the independence of the judiciary, an essential element of the United States' system of checks and balances. They explore his irritation with judicial rulings that hindered his agenda, from the hastily imposed travel bans to immigration policies crafted by his eager assistant, a staunch advocate for reducing the influx of new entrants to the country. Following the ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California, President Trump discreetly instructed Kirstjen Nielsen, the Secretary of Homeland Security at the time, to halt the enforcement of a specific immigration policy of his administration. He suggested to her that they should completely eliminate the Ninth Circuit, speaking as though it were merely a political rally. The authors compare this event to Franklin D. Roosevelt's unsuccessful effort to pack the Supreme Court with favorable justices, suggesting that it demonstrates a dangerous disregard for the longstanding system of checks and balances that has guided the administration of the United States for more than two hundred years.

Utilizing the judicial framework to accomplish political goals.

Trump persistently sought to leverage the impartial and law-abiding U.S. Justice Department to further his political objectives. They narrate multiple occasions when Trump exercised his authority to grant clemency to allies and backers, while concurrently pressuring his initial chief law enforcement officer, Jeff Sessions, and subsequently Bill Barr, to commence legal actions against adversaries such as Hillary Clinton and James Comey. Despite facing impeachment for seeking to gather harmful intelligence on Joe Biden from abroad, Trump demanded that Barr commence prosecution against him, a tactic more akin to the behavior expected from an aspiring autocrat than the president of a democratic country. Trump was in search of someone similar to his notorious lawyer, who was connected with the criminal underworld in New York, to skillfully navigate the legal system in a way that would benefit allies and harm opponents.

A disregard for specialized knowledge and established procedures.

In their portrayal, Trump acted as a leader who disregarded established protocols and held an unshakeable conviction in his own decisions, regardless of, or perhaps because of, the counsel of specialists. Trump's lack of understanding and readiness for the intricacies of governance resulted in a relentless series of shocks to the entrenched structures throughout his tenure. Despite his comparatively modest understanding relative to his predecessors, Donald Trump ascended to the presidency, an event tinged with irony, particularly because he defied the specialists who did not fully appreciate the tactics that culminated in his electoral success.

The preference for obtaining information through television rather than through briefings.

The administration under Trump was characterized by a significant departure from traditional briefing procedures, as documented by Baker and Glasser. They note that his grasp on governance was perhaps the most limited when contrasted with those who held the...

The Divider Summary President Trump's term in office was characterized by a widespread sense of chaos and conflict.

The authors depict a White House that, from the outset, was engulfed in a pursuit of affirmation reminiscent of a reality show, led by a president who not only permitted but also incited conflict and scheming within his staff. He preferred to seek advice from zealous advocates and occasionally flamboyant eccentrics, rather than relying on experienced officials from past administrations, leading to an administration marked by severe internal conflict, rampant leaks, and a culture where employees secretly recorded each other to cope with a workplace rife with speculation.

Conflicts for influence and control within the group

The authors note that although competition is typical within presidential administrations, the intensity of conflict within Trump's team was unparalleled. Baker and Glasser argue that the internal strife was not just a result of individual aspirations but also stemmed from the struggle among advisors, family members, and cabinet officials to gain the favor of a president whose approach to decision-making often seemed ambiguous and seemed to be swayed by casual comments on social media and Fox News.

The antagonism between Priebus and Bannon was...

The Divider Summary Throughout Trump's term in office, international relations were marred by strife, with notably strained interactions between military and national security officials.

Trump's strategy, as characterized by Baker and Glasser, entailed eroding the foundation of the United States' enduring alliances while also embracing tactics typically condemned by the country. The President's unpredictable actions perplexed top defense and security officials, who, despite having supported his "America First" policy, were often confounded by his capricious orders.

Questioning and Undermining Alliances

Following his triumph in the 2016 election, world leaders and national security veterans pondered the genuine consequences of Trump's doctrine centered on prioritizing American interests. Trump displayed a willingness to forsake traditional allies and showed a distinct inclination toward authoritarian rulers and despots, with whom he felt he could forge personal bonds.

He described the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as outdated.

Donald Trump viewed the Atlantic alliance, formed a decade after the Second World War to protect Europe against Soviet aggression, as a substantial drain on resources, believing that the United States was shouldering an unfair share of the burden to defend its allies, to the detriment of American interests. The writers...

The Divider Summary Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results culminated in the violent breach of the Capitol building on January 6th.

The section of the narrative delves into how Trump tapped into his followers' discontent, employing a relentless stream of misinformation in a bid to overturn the results of an election he had clearly been defeated in. Baker and Glasser argue that the campaign, launched before the final vote count was complete, represented not just a substantial attack on the integrity of the electoral process but also a more sinister risk to the essential American value of recognizing democratic authority through the peaceful handover of leadership.

Advocating the unfounded claim that widespread electoral deception occurred.

Throughout his prolonged presence in the spotlight, which spanned various sectors including property development, broadcast media, and governmental affairs, Trump demonstrated a remarkable talent for devising justifications for his behavior in any situation, regardless of ethical or factual considerations, which served him well. The outcome of the 2020 election demonstrated this to a degree that no prior effort had matched.

Claims surfaced suggesting the election results were predetermined.

Trump's strategy following the election was set in motion by Baker and...