Column: If he had any other job, Trump would have been fired by now - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Jackie CalmesFebruary 12, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The article discusses how President Trump's behavior repeatedly crosses lines that would result in immediate consequences in any other workplace or school setting. The author highlights a personal anecdote about their daughter being shocked by Trump’s latest racist remarks, drawing parallels to past incidents where children faced discipline for similar actions. This leads to the broader question of why Trump continues to evade accountability despite his consistent pattern of offensive behavior.
The piece argues that Trump’s inability to accept responsibility or face consequences is deeply concerning. It points out how Congress and the judiciary have failed to act as effective checks on his actions, with Republicans in Congress refusing to hold him accountable and some judges overruling decisions against him. The article compares Trump to a problematic employee who would be fired for his conduct if he held any other job.
The author imagines Trump working under an HR department, emphasizing how his repeated misconduct—such as racist tweets, broken international agreements, and unsportsmanlike behavior—would lead to termination in a typical workplace. This analogy underscores the lack of accountability in the presidency, where Trump continues to break norms with little consequence.
The article concludes by explaining why this matters: it highlights the erosion of standards for leadership and the failure of democratic institutions to hold power accountable. For readers interested in news about governance and leadership, this piece sheds light on the broader implications of having a president who behaves like a child and refuses to grow up, setting a dangerous precedent for American values and institutions.
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/12/2026