在最近一期的 Post Reports 节目中，科尔比·埃乔维茨 (Colby Echowicz) 采访了鲍勃·伍德沃德 (Bob Woodward)，这位以水门事件调查和对美国总统的大量报道而闻名的著名记者。对话主要围绕伍德沃德对特朗普总统当前执政方式的观察，将其与尼克松时代进行比较，并探讨其对美国民主的影响。 伍德沃德回顾了杰拉尔德·福特 (Gerald Ford) 在尼克松辞职后发表的声明，强调了“法治而非人治”的原则。然而，他表示担忧，在特朗普的领导下，这一原则似乎不再那么真实。他强调了水门事件后实施的几项改革，以防止行政权力过度扩张，例如 FBI 局长的十年任期、监察长制度的建立以及竞选财务改革。伍德沃德指出，特朗普有效地破坏了这些保障措施，特别是通过罢免监察长和 PAC（政治行动委员会）的扩散，削弱了竞选财务限制。他断言，特朗普的行为是对宪法的重大考验，将其视为一场持续的实验。 伍德沃德对特朗普的领导风格表示担忧，他形容这种风格是专断的，并且脱离传统。他指出，特朗普正在以一种侵占法院和国会角色的方式来标榜自己。伍德沃德认为，特朗普的行为受到他的意志和控制政府的欲望的驱使。 伍德沃德根据他对特朗普的采访，分享了对这位前总统世界观和方法的见解。他回忆起特朗普曾说过“真正的权力是恐惧”，这表明特朗普有意识地将恐惧作为一种策略，无论是在个人层面还是在政治层面。他用他的言论恐吓他人，并利用恐惧来控制国会中的共和党人。 他反思说，特朗普有四年的不在位时间来计划他的回归并策划他的下一步行动。伍德沃德注意到特朗普行动的速度和规模，表明他制定了一个完善的策略来实施他的意志，并且经常看起来无视法律约束。 伍德沃德说，美国民众高度分裂，这与水门丑闻时期的情况不同。共和党独立于尼克松总统，最终追究了他的责任。然而，这一次，特朗普似乎牢牢控制着共和党。 伍德沃德认为，特朗普的最终目标是摧毁经济，其动机是积极的，但最终会对民众产生负面影响。他回忆起 2018 年发生的一件事，当时特朗普解雇了他的经济顾问加里·科恩 (Gary Cohen)，因为科恩警告他不要征收关税。特朗普认为贸易是毒药，只关注美国和特朗普。 伍德沃德还评论了特朗普对待记者的方式。虽然他承认第一修正案对言论自由的保护，但他承认特朗普倾向于将不利的报道贴上“假新闻”的标签。他鼓励记者更加努力地揭露真相。 伍德沃德回忆起与特朗普的另一次谈话，当时这位时任总统坚持认为“一切都是我的”，这反映了一种高度个人化的总统职位观，与传统上将该职位视为公共信托的理解形成对比。他最后表示，他担心这个国家正面临着它最危险的时期之一。

In a recent Post Reports episode, Colby Echowicz interviews Bob Woodward, the renowned journalist known for his Watergate investigation and extensive reporting on U.S. Presidents. The conversation centers around Woodward's observations on President Trump's current approach to the presidency, drawing comparisons to the Nixon era and exploring the implications for American democracy. Woodward reflects on Gerald Ford's statement following Nixon's resignation, emphasizing the principle of "a government of laws and not of men." However, he expresses concern that this principle seems less true today under Trump's leadership. He highlights several changes implemented after Watergate to prevent executive overreach, such as ten-year terms for FBI directors, the establishment of inspector generals, and campaign finance reforms. Woodward notes that Trump has effectively undermined these safeguards, particularly through the removal of inspector generals and the proliferation of PACs, which have weakened campaign finance restrictions. He asserts that Trump's actions represent a significant test of the Constitution, viewing it as an ongoing experiment. Woodward expresses worry about Trump's style of leadership, which he describes as authoritarian and detached from tradition. He points out that Trump is asserting himself in ways that encroach upon the roles of the courts and Congress. Trump's actions, according to Woodward, are driven by his will and a desire to control the government. Drawing on his interviews with Trump, Woodward shares insights into the former President's worldview and methods. He recalls Trump stating that "real power is fear," suggesting that Trump deliberately uses fear as a tactic, both personally and politically. He frightens individuals with his rhetoric and uses fear to control the Republicans in Congress. He reflects that Trump had four years out of office to plan for his return and strategize his next moves. Woodward notes the speed and scale of Trump's actions, indicating a well-laid strategy to implement his will, often seemingly disregarding legal constraints. Woodward says that the American population is highly divided, unlike the time during the Watergate scandal. The Republican Party was independent of President Nixon, ultimately holding him accountable. However, this time around, Trump seems to have a firm hold on the Republican party. According to Woodward, Trump's end goal is to destroy the economy, motivated by positive intentions, but ultimately having negative impacts on the population. He recounts an incident from 2018 where Trump dismissed his economic advisor, Gary Cohen, for warning against tariffs. Trump sees trade as poison and only focuses on the United States and Trump. Woodward also comments on Trump's approach to journalists. While recognizing the First Amendment's protection of freedom of expression, he acknowledges Trump's tendency to label unfavorable reporting as "fake news." He encourages journalists to work harder to expose the truth. Woodward recalls another conversation with Trump where the then-president insisted that "everything is mine," reflecting a highly personalized view of the presidency that contrasts with the traditional understanding of the office as a public trust. He concludes by expressing concern that the country is facing one of its most dangerous times.