For months, I have argued relentlessly that judging Donald Trump by the usual standards of a typical American presidency is inadequate for the moment we face. Just yesterday, I wrote:

“There’s no magic to 100 days. The challenges Trump poses to our country will remain at day 1,000, and day 1,100. All we can do is continue to use every tool available to fight back and protect our democracy no matter what day it is.”

To understand this week’s news is to confront just how poorly the media is covering the current crisis of democracy.

Traditionally, we measure presidents by their first 100 days because it is a time when they introduce key pieces of their legislative agenda, consolidate support among the American people and reassure the world that, regardless of a change in leadership, the United States remains a beacon of democracy.

Bill Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act during his first 100 days. Barack Obama passed a major stimulus package and bailed out the U.S. auto industry. Joe Biden signed an even larger stimulus bill and rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement.

By contrast, despite Republican control of Congress, Donald Trump…

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