After years of populist humiliation suffered by mainstream politicians, the establishment seems to have found a way to strike back effectively against the reckless forces that undermine liberal democracy. But playing to the “victim” mentality is a dangerous gambit. To win the argument and strip Trump of his powers, Democrats will have to do more than pass impeachment legislation. Their strategy is a dangerous all-or-nothing approach and might well end in tears. If removing the president from his office fails, Democrats will hand Trump even more ammunition to establish his outsider narrative and inflame his populist base.

For The Hill, Dr. Mathew Burrows, Director of the Atlantic Council’s Foresight, Strategy and Risks Initiative, and his Research Associate Julian Mueller-Kaler warn that using institutional maneuvers instead of defeating populists at the ballot box could prove to be a trojan horse strategy.

Related Experts: Mathew Burrows and Julian Mueller-Kaler