‘House Of Cards’ Creator Beau Willimon Is Calling On Congress To Remove Trump From Office
"A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."
Plenty of celebrities have come out to condemn the tyrannical behaviour of Donald Trump. Meryl Streep did it. George Takei did it. Cate Blanchett and Bruce Springsteen and Chief Jim Hooper from Stranger Things did it. Famous people aren’t fans of The Donald, is basically what I’m saying.
Nevertheless, the latest showbiz figure to speak out against Trump is probably worth paying attention to, given that he knows a thing or two about power mad politicians.
Beau Willimon, the creator and showrunner of Netflix’s House of Cards, issued a “declaration of resistance” via Twitter on Friday, in which he accused Trump of conducting “injuries and usurpations, pursuing the establishment of an absolute tyranny”, and called on Congress to employ “the mechanisms afforded to by the Constitution to remove this tyrant from power.”
Willimon slammed Trump for his immigrant ban, his firing of the acting attorney general, and his association with “amateur ideologues – such as white supremacist Stephen L. Bannon”, among a litany of other grievances
“A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people,” wrote Willimon, quoting the Declaration of Independence.
You can read Willimon’s full declaration below (it sounds especially ominous if you imagine it in Frank Underwood’s voice). The fifth season of House of Cards hits Netflix on May 30.
1. DECLARATION OF RESISTANCE
When in the course of American history it becomes necessary for the people to save our Nation from a Tyrant,
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
2. To safeguard equality for all and their inalienable rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness from bigotry and corruption,
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
3. To ensure that our Government continues derive its power from the consent of the governed rather than by autocracy,
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
4. That whenever any President becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to make such demands upon their Congress:
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
5. Immediate impeachment of the President for crimes committed, or removal from office by way of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
6. Donald J. Trump has conducted injuries and usurpations, pursuing the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
7. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world–
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
8. He has obstructed the Laws for Naturalization of Immigrants, and illegally banned refugees in need of safe haven.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
9. He has continued to violate federal court orders which require the temporary cessation of this ban, thereby violating his executive oath.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
10. He has dismissed an Attorney General for fulfilling her oath to defend the Constitution, defying the autonomy of the Dept. of Justice.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
11. He has purged the State Dept. of its highest level officials without any regard for a responsible continuity of State Affairs.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
12. He has enlisted amateur ideologues – such as the white supremacist Stephen L. Bannon – to make national security decisions.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
13. He has vowed to enact policy and legislation which clearly tread on the separation of church and state.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
14. He has refused to remove or address conflicts of interest regarding both his own business and that of his cabinet and family.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
15. He has hastily signed multiple Executive Orders without the advisement of Congress, policy experts, his cabinet or staff.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
16. He has signed an Executive Order which knowingly deprives the sick of desperately needed healthcare with no concern for their lives.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
17. He has signed an Executive Order permitting a pipeline that tramples on Native American Rights and endangers safe water supply.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
18. He has illegally threatened to cut off funding to Sanctuary Cities which have determined their values through self-governance.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
19. He has knowingly, repeatedly and egregiously misled the public, and directed his staff to do the same.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
20. He has strongly advocated for the silencing and suppression of a Free Press.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
21. He has repeatedly and consistently shown contempt for people based race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity and religion.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
22. He has shown disdain and disregard for the judiciary, and the fundamental human rights that are the foundation of Justice.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
23. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
24. We shall Resist until our Congress uses the mechanisms afforded to by the Constitution to remove this Tyrant from Power.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017
25. And for the support of this Declaration we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Honor.
Signed. The Resistance
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 3, 2017