Trump’s Legal Battle: The Reality of the American Dream and a Reflection of the Third World
By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada | USA
This is America!
A land where dreams are sold, hopes are mortgaged, and behind the dazzling glow of success, thousands of untold stories of struggle and despair lie buried. This is the country that tells newcomers: “Work hard, dream big, and you will succeed!” But is this truly the reality? Or is it merely an illusion, one that becomes a reality only for a fortunate few, while the rest are left to be crushed under the debris of this elusive dream?
They say this is the land where you can become anything you desire. But hidden within this grand narrative is an inconvenient truth success here is not accessible to all. Some see their dreams materialize in towering skyscrapers, while others watch theirs shatter on the dusty floors of factories. The immigrants who arrived with dreams of a better future for their children continue to toil day and night, yet the ground beneath them remains unstable. They believe that hard work will lead them forward, but often, hard work is merely another name for survival. Here, massive corporations thrive on the backs of laborers who never receive their fair share. Corporate offices shine with the blood and sweat of those engaged in an endless struggle for mere existence. The courts preach justice, yet countless dreams are crushed under the ruthless grip of the law.
The enchantment of the American Dream is omnipresent, but it is not the same for everyone. For some, it signifies a luxurious home, an expensive car, and powerful status. For others, it simply means having a roof over their heads and two meals a day. Even dreams here are divided by race, ethnicity, and circumstances. For a white individual, the landscape is an open field, while for an immigrant, this dream becomes an unending trial. Some are born with access to ladders of success, while others spend a lifetime merely trying to prove their identity. Success bows only to those who possess wealth, privilege, or the generational influence that takes lifetimes to acquire.
Recently, former President Donald Trump’s legal maneuvers have ignited a new debate within the American judicial system. Trump has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify and take action against legal firms filing “frivolous” lawsuits against his administration. This directive has raised serious concerns about the balance of judicial independence, legal norms, and executive power. The Trump administration has intensified its pressure on major law firms, particularly those involved in past investigations against him or aligned with his political adversaries. Since February 25, Trump has revoked the security clearances of employees from prominent law firms such as Paul Weiss, Perkins Coie, and Covington & Burling and ordered a review of their government contracts.
This move has alarmed legal experts and human rights advocates, as it increasingly resembles an act of political retaliation. The pressure on major law firms comes at a time when the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing critical cases on immigration, electoral laws, and government transparency. Politics worldwide has evolved into a game not just of strategic moves but of shaping human destinies. When rulers use their power to challenge the foundational principles of governance, history stands at a crossroads where the strength or fragility of a nation’s institutions is tested. Trump’s aggressive stance against major legal firms presents a similar scenario. But is this merely an American judicial issue, or does its echo resonate in Third World countries like Pakistan, where the interpretation of law is often subject to the whims of those in power?
Trump’s narrative against leading legal institutions appears to be a response to “baseless” lawsuits. However, upon closer examination, it resembles an age-old tactic used by powerful leaders to suppress legal institutions. Targeting firms like Paul Weiss, Perkins Coie, and Covington & Burling is not just about making the lives of a few attorneys difficult—it sends a chilling message that no one should dare challenge authority. This is the same philosophy that has prevailed in countries like Pakistan for decades, where courts sometimes bow before power and, at other times, stand alone in the fight for democratic values.
A critical aspect of Trump’s approach is his attack on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. While this may be a domestic U.S. issue, does it not hold relevance for Pakistan? In a country where institutions often operate under elite influence, where the inclusion of minorities and marginalized groups is little more than a slogan, Trump’s actions serve as a reminder of how power can be wielded to stifle opposition. Trump celebrated his actions against Paul Weiss as a victory, but the real question is whether this was a legal battle or merely a political maneuver to intimidate those who refuse to submit to power.
Questioning judicial independence is not new especially when the legal system is manipulated for political gains. Trump’s actions have drawn sharp criticism from legal experts, but a more severe version of this story plays out in countries like Pakistan, where judges face pressure, lawyers are harassed, and courts are often compelled to deliver predetermined verdicts. When a nation’s judiciary is not allowed to function independently, the law becomes nothing more than a tool for the powerful.
Trump’s memo also adopts a hardline stance on immigration, alleging that certain attorneys facilitate the misuse of immigration laws. In this context, Pakistan offers a striking parallel, where judicial institutions are often pressured under the pretext of “national security.” Politicians are prosecuted to eliminate them from the political landscape, while human rights activists are labeled as “enemies of the state.” The issue is not confined to the U.S.; it reflects a global trend where those in power manipulate the law while staying within its technical bounds.
Trump’s supporters view his decisions as a form of legal “reform,” but only time will reveal their impact on judicial independence. This logic mirrors the approach taken in many Third World nations, where judicial institutions are subordinated under the pretext of “national interest.” Those who challenge this narrative are branded as “traitors” and systematically silenced.
The question remains: Will Trump win this legal battle? And if he does, will it be a victory for justice or simply another case of the law bending under political influence? This question is equally significant for countries like Pakistan, where courts, lawyers, and independent legal institutions constantly struggle against political interference. If a system lacks the strength to resist external influence, then where does the standard of justice truly stand? Whether in America or Pakistan, if the judiciary weakens, democracy will be reduced to nothing more than a distant dream.
While American media is considered a powerful pillar of democracy, does it remain truly committed to the pursuit of truth, or is it engaged in promoting selective narratives? Trump and his supporters claim that the mainstream media, including CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, is biased against him. Conversely, networks like Fox News and One America News (OAN) present Trump as a “national hero” battling the so-called deep state.
This media war is not only deepening divisions within the U.S. but also tarnishing its global reputation. The world watches as a former president wages battles against legal, judicial, and media institutions. Trump’s policies and the evolving American Dream are subjects of debate not just within the U.S. but across the world. In Europe, particularly in France and Germany, the American political and judicial crisis is perceived as a threat to democracy. Meanwhile, state-controlled media in China and Russia portray this turmoil as evidence of the West’s declining democratic ideals. Developing nations, too, are questioning whether America remains a land of justice and opportunity or merely a power hub controlled by an elite few.
Will the American Dream endure?
Opinions on the American Dream are now divided. For some, it remains an aspirational reality, while for others, it has become an illusion—one that dissolves like sand slipping through the fingers upon closer reach. Trump’s policies, legal battles, and media polarization have cast further doubt on this dream. If America fails to uphold the independence of its judicial, political, and media institutions, will the day come when the “American Dream” is nothing more than a relic of history?
This is America—a land where the freedom to dream exists, but the right to achieve them is not granted to all.
