At the conclusion of our nation's third presidential impeachment trial, the Senate voted to acquit President Trump.  Will the stomach-churning hostility stop?

Who or what is the cause of the high levels of acrimony in Washington, D.C.? Is it the place, the power, or the people?

The Narcissistic Bubble in D.C.

Dr. Susan Krass Whitbourne writes, "[W]hen politicians, business leaders, celebrities and athletes reach the highest levels of their fields, their worlds begin to undergo a radical shift. They enter a 'narcissistic bubble,' a self-contained little universe where those around them are employed for the sole purposes of ensuring they are happy, well-fed, and well-liked."

D.C. is filled with high achievers surrounded by young go-getters catering to their whims and wishes.  Narcissistic personalities are drawn to D.C. like compulsive gamblers to Vegas.

Smear merchants, pseudo-experts, and professional psychologists have written more than enough articles labeling President Trump a narcissist.  Dr. Krass likewise states, "[T]here are plenty of other politicians who seem almost as well-qualified."

Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Jerry Nadler, and Adam Schiff have marinated in this egocentric bubble for decades.  They too are well qualified to fit the narcissist label reflected in the definition below.

Narcissism defined

Professor Preston Ni defines narcissism as "an individual's tendency to consider him or herself superior, entitled, or 'special,' along with the propensity to marginalize, demean, and invalidate others in order to feel good about oneself."

Narcissism is a personality trait that most people possess to some degree, according to professor Melody Wilding. It exists on a spectrum from a little self-centeredness to being pathological.    

Politics requires a measure of narcissism. Self-promotion while asking for money comes with the job if you want re-election.   

As we mature, most people move from a me-focused way of life to a we-focused life.  We care more about the needs, feelings, and lives of people around us.  The narcissist's focus meter gets stuck on me.

What happens when you become the POTUS, and suddenly you are up to your elbows in alligators?  Instinctively, Trump started fighting "the swamp" Bronx style!  And the swamp continues to strike back? 

Three Reasons the President's Accusers Will Not Stop!

Our president deals with high-ranking narcissistic personalities from around the world, not just on Capitol Hill.

The average person would wilt after 24 hours inside the White House pressure cooker.  

For three years, our president has withstood a daily meat-grinder of attacks and accusations while working hard to solve national and international problems.  He has done this under the world's brightest spotlight.  Remarkable!        

Here are only three of the reasons:

1. Narcissists hurt people, again, again and again...

Dr. Athena Staik says, "The narcissist has a wounded ego, and the suffering they cause is a projection of their own inner suffering and wounds they avoid."

Fomenting a defiant resistance against Trump has been the Left's primary reaction since his win in 2016.  This rage and resistance is causing the Dems to lose their minds according to longtime Democrat strategist James Carville.  Some call it Trump Derangement Syndrome.  Maybe they can't stop? 

2. The narcissist has many weapons

"The narcissist has an arsenal of 'crazy making' tactics and wants nothing more than to see you out of control and acting crazy," explains Dr. Staik.

She adds that the narcissist is "ready to take full credit for how 'right' they are about you, then turn around and accuse you of being 'the' controlling, abusive, selfish one."

Some narcissists get a thrill from this high-stakes game; it feeds their ego.  Their lust for power drives them.

3. Narcissism grows more perverse — more so for D.C.

The Apostle Paul predicted a future increase of people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD):  

… For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Tim. 3:1–7 ESV).

A warped sense of self-love will dominate.  Social media devices will hone this character flaw.  Heartless people will rule.  A thin veneer of two-faced religiosity hangs in the air.

God help us!  Amen.

Ron F. Hale has served as pastor, denominational leader, and religion writer in several states.  He serves on the SBC Executive Committee in Nashville and as interim pastor in his hometown of Jackson, Tennessee.

Image: Ninian Reid via Flickr.