Mistaking Pilate For Jesus

The author of the now-famous New York Times editorial blasting President Trump is a dangerous enabler and right-wing libertarian.  It's the dime store libertarian (but I repeat myself): excited about "free minds (and) effective deregulation, historic tax reform," yet giddy about "a more robust military."

At least he took a swipe at Trump's "mass-marketing of the notion that the press is the 'enemy of the people.'"

It would have been a glaring omission.  Early Wednesday morning, President Trump tweeted

Isn’t it a shame that someone can write an article or book, totally make up stories and form a picture of a person that is literally the exact opposite of the fact, and get away with it without retribution or cost. Don’t know why Washington politicians don’t change libel laws?

Washington Post syndicated columnist Ruth Marcus responded "Don’t know why Washington politicians don’t change libel laws? Let me help you out here. It’s called the First Amendment."

Wednesday evening, Trump regaled us with

Does the so-called “Senior Administration Official” really exist, or is it just the Failing New York Times with another phony source? If the GUTLESS anonymous person does indeed exist, the Times must, for National Security purposes, turn him/her over to government at once!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018

To paraphrase Ruth Marcus: "Don't know why a media outlet won't turn someone over for prosecution for expressing an opinion about operation of the federal government? It's called the First Amendment." Six days earlier in Evansville, Indiana, Trump had told exuberant rally goers

All I can say is our Justice Department and our FBI, at the top of each because inside they have incredible people, our Justice Department and our FBI have to start doing their job and doing it right. What's happening is a disgrace and at some point — I wanted to stay out — but at some point if it doesn’t straighten out properly ... I will get involved.

He is not talking about offering someone up to the Department of Justice or the local county prosecutor. He's referring to himself as judge, jury, and executioner, less president than, say, a governor in ancient Rome.

A week earlier, evangelical Paula White had presented President and Mrs. Trump with a Bible "signed by over a hundred Christian evangelicals" and noted that the inscription read

First Lady and President, you are in our prayers always. Thank you for your courageous and bold stand for religious liberty, and for your timeless service to all Americans. We appreciate the price that you have paid to walk in the high high calling. History will reward the greatness that you have brought for generations. We pray this prayer. And if all of you agree with that, say "Amen."

signed by over a hundred Christian evangelicals (who) 

Those evangelicals might want to read that book themselves, and can start with Matthew 4:8-9 (hat tip to Suzanne Witzen):

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

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