We ratcheted several notches farther toward high-level corruption being normal—multiple family members in high level positions, no divestment from direct control of business interests—Carter gave up control of a peanut farm to be president because to do otherwise would have been unacceptable, that’s how much has changed. Even on just that front it was extremely damaging, and that’s one thing.

> The fact is, we were ok that time, it’s gonna be ok this time too.

Trump has always wanted to be a tyrant; he has always wanted to run the country like he runs his businesses -- he says something and it's done, he makes decisions for his own personal benefit, he rewards his friends and punishes his enemies.

In 2016 he wasn't expecting to win and didn't really know what he wanted, so he appointed well-respected people from the Republican establishment. Those people believed in the constitution, the rule of law, the rules-based international order, and so on, and pushed back and refused to obey him when he wanted to act like a tyrant.

This time is different. He knows what he wants: People who will be personally loyal to him. The Republican establishment has been destroyed. The Supreme Court has officially decreed that nearly anything he does is immune from prosecution. He will have a much easier time getting his way this time than he did in 2016.