“I’m afraid, based on my own experience, that fascism will come to America in the name of national security.”
Jim Garrison
We were warned:
- By the architect of our Constitution, James Madison; “I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpation.”
- In Contemporary literature; Sinclair Lewis’ “It Can’t Happen Here”, George Orwell’s “1984” and Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451.”
- From history where democracies have morphed into autocratic dictatorships: Italy in the 1920s, Germany in the 1930s, Russia under Putin and more recently Orbán in Hungary.
Autocratic movements frequently find futile ground in more advanced societies. They are propelled by populist movements built around charismatic leaders preaching a toxic mix of nationalism, militarism, nihilism, scapegoating of minorities; rewriting history, and preaching a return to a utopian past (which, in fact, never existed). Among their tactics are attacks on intellectuals, the press, an independent judiciary, and dissenters whom they label as “enemies of the state”. They seek to dismantle historically-trusted institutions, wage wars on science, and suppress speech and political protests.
While inflation and immigration were the paramount issues for voters last November, a growing number of Trump voters are experiencing voter’s remorse as they witness how his authoritarian instincts, DOGE purges of federal agencies, and Big Beautiful Bill will adversely affect the country, most notably as they impact their careers, ability to vote, access to health care, and even food assistance programs affecting millions of the most vulnerable Americans.
Like all autocrats, the president wants to control the lives and actions of others, but not himself.
Among his undemocratic actions since his inauguration, Donald Trump has:
- Defied multiple judicial orders.
- Dispatched National Guard and federal troops into American cities under false pretenses.
- Sanctioned Gestapo-style raids by ununiformed ICE agents to round up suspected undocumented people, whisking them away to domestic detention centers or foreign prisons; while denying them their Constitutional rights of access to an attorney and habeas corpus hearings.
- Stood silent after federal agents handcuffed both a U.S. Senator questioning a Cabinet official during a press conference and a Congresswoman visiting a detention center.
- Governs using “executive orders”, bypassing Congress’ Constitutional role as a co-equal branch in enacting laws.
- Politicized the Justice Department to target his perceived political enemies.
- Resulted to extortion-like tactics to coerce law firms to provide pro bono services for Trump-backed causes or risk losing governmental clearances and thus ability to properly represent clients doing business with the government.
- Justified many of his actions with dubious and false claims of “insurrection”, “rebellion,” and “national security”, as defined solely by him.
- Staged a massive and expensive, Soviet-style military parade through the streets of Washington DC, while threating peaceful demonstrators will be met with “very big force.”
- Pardoned hundreds of convicted and violent January 6th
- Purged of the contributions of women, African Americans and other minorities as well as having several hundred words and scientific studies he disliked (including “climate change”, “Hispanic”, “race”, “opioid”, “measles”, and even “female”) from government websites.
- Attempted to dictate what colleges and universities can teach.
- Ignored the Constitution’s “emoluments” clause to corruptly enrich himself and his family.
This is not the America the Founders fought and died to create nor the Republic the Framers envisioned when drafting the Constitution!
Neither the president nor his Republican enablers are concerned with the Declaration of Independence’s lofty aspirations, the limits the Constitution imposes on the government, or the liberties enshrined in the Bill of Rights and subsequent Amendments. They also have apparently forgotten an obligation to represent all Americans, not just appease their Republican base.
Aware freedom is never free, Jefferson warned, “eternal vigilance is the price we pay for liberty.”
The protection of our liberties and future of our Republic rests with the American public and requires they proactively; demand their elected representatives take their oaths to the Constitution and rule of law seriously, require a return to democratic norms, safeguard free and fair elections and every citizen’s right to vote, reestablish trust in our institutions, protect an independent judiciary, and guarantee a free press. They must also combat disinformation and promote a healthy public discourse which are crucial for maintaining a vibrant democracy.
The alternative is an autocracy!
