US media outlets vehemently call for end to Trump era

As the US Election 2020 takes place after a tumultuous campaign trail by both the political parties, most US newspapers are vehement in their disapproval of US President Donald Trump for another term, while others have called for maintaining integrity and patience.  

The US dailies have published editorial opinions over the US election.  Some of the opinion pieces have voiced why they think the incumbent US president should not be reelected. The accusation and criticisms against Trump have ranged from handling the Covid-19 pandemic terribly, frauds, lying, and "disgraceful reality."

The Washington Post

The editorial board of The Washington Post have published an opinion piece titled, "We can defeat Trump's lies and lawlessness. We have to vote".

In its opinion piece, the newspaper deemed the Trump presidency as disreputable "with lies and contempt for the rule of law."

"President Trump is closing out his campaign for reelection in much the same way he has conducted his disreputable presidency: with lies and contempt for the rule of law. Barnstorming through battleground states before Tuesday's election, Mr Trump has offered no policies or plans for a second term," the opening lies of the article read.

The newspaper accuses Trump of falsely claiming that the country is "turning the corner" on the coronavirus, doubling down on fictions about election fraud, embracing the vigilantism of some of his supporters.

"His hopes for reelection hinge not on persuading as many Americans as possible to vote for him but on canceling as many votes for his opponent as he can," the opinion piece read.

"This is as un-American as it gets," the Washington Post editorial board wrote citing the words of Benjamin L Ginsberg, who has been a leading elections lawyer on the Republican side for years.

The New York Times

The editorial board of the New York Times published an opinion piece titled, "You're Not Just Voting for President. You're Voting to Start Over," which stated voting out Trump as a way to new beginning.

Citing the final speech by Martin Luther King Jr., "Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars," the article states that as the US goes to the polls, the health of American democracy hangs in the balance; adding "but in this hour of crisis, the strength of democracy also is on display."

The editorial accuses the Republican officials working frantically to discourage voting, and to prevent ballots from being counted.

It also notes that officials in many states have made it easier to vote than ever before.

"California, Nevada, New Jersey and Vermont, along with Washington, DC, sent mail-in ballots to all voters, joining five other states that already did so. New York, New Hampshire and Virginia, among other states, eased the rules for voting by absentee ballot. In Harris County, Texas — a jurisdiction with a larger population than 26 states — some early voting sites stayed open all night," the opinion piece read.

"Americans in the millions have taken advantage of these new opportunities to vote. More than 97 million people have already cast ballots nationwide. In Texas and Hawaii, the number of votes cast before Election Day has surpassed the total vote in the 2016 election."

The opinion piece remarks that President Trump has celebrated acts of violence against people who do not support his re-election.

Deeming voting as a "heroic" response to a "disgraceful reality", the NYT editorial board said it is to exercise the right of US citizens to pick the people who will serve them in Washington and in state and local government.

Their message to Trump and his aides was: "Mr Trump, and other Republican officials, can help by setting aside plans to interfere."

The opinion piece ends on the note that America gets its quadrennial chance to start over again.

The Boston Globe

East-coast based the Boston Globe published an opinion piece by its editorial board titled, "On Election Day: Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst".

It warns officials and voters to be vigilant about disruption and intimidation at the polls, and about any premature claims of victory.

"President Trump's goal for the election is unambiguous — grab four more years in the White House by any means necessary. Law enforcement and elections officials must take the president, who is emboldening voter intimidation and suppression, at his word," the opening lines of the opinion piece read.

It criticises Trump for calling on his supporters to enlist as an "army" of poll watchers.

"He intentionally tosses around militaristic terms, with their unsubtle hints of warfare and violence," the Boston Globe editorial board remarked.

The Chicago Tribune

"Democracy is messy. Be patient with election returns," the Chicago Tribune editorial board published its opinion piece remarking on the election ordeal.

It states that the incumbent US President Donald Trump has amplified worries about the integrity of the election.

"As we usher in Election Day 2020, the usual suspense is exacerbated by circumstances, including a record 90 million early and absentee ballots cast due to Covid-19. While there is little reason to believe the increase will lead to increased voter fraud, President Donald Trump has amplified worries about election integrity. Clear evidence of that fear, however, is negligible. The bigger concern is that the task of counting all those ballots will take time, creating anxiety as partial returns tease to an outcome, just like those hanging chads in Florida," the opinion piece read.

Leaving a warning about possible post-election violence, the article adds: "The plywood already installed in business corridor windows throughout Chicago hints at a different state of mind. But it doesn't have to be that way. Rancor and rage should not be the answer to discontent and anxiety."

The editorial opinion ends on notes calling for patience, saying: "Remember, voters: Democracy is ugly and clunky. Be patient. Prepare for patience now."