If he can’t rig the midterms with tech bro and Russian help plus radical gerrymandering, he’ll declare an emergency to prevent a new Congress to convene.
It’s so simple when every loophole in the law is exploited in bad faith and for treasonous purposes. Abusing laws for illegal and malevolent ends is key to the MAGA strategy for its ongoing coup.
My general sense is that the Administration is following the Hungarian playbook, which calls for manipulating the regulatory state to undermine democracy rather than relying on the monopoly on violence that characterized 20th Century authoritarianism.
But I was thinking about it over the weekend for something I wrote earlier today. They are doing a very good job using the new model, but the big problem may be the vanity of a small, cowardly man who wants to see himself as a strongman in the old mold. I think the push to trash the Posse Comitatus Act is driven by that impetus - Trump's ego. And it could potentially be the one thing that undermines an otherwise effective-looking effort to kill our democracy from the inside.
Not gonna happen. Elections have to happen or every congressman and 1/3 of senators are unemployed on January 3, 2027. And elections are run by states, not the federal government. While you are right to be concerned, overstating the facts and mis-stating the law is counter-productive.
The list of things that are "not gonna happen," but have indeed already happened, is very long. As Jay has outlined here, Rump's moving the Guard and Marines into California is illegal any way you slice it, and it was done over the objections of both Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass (i.e., state and local authorities). And although Newsom sued, troops are still there two months later. If the bench trial goes against Rump, he'll appeal to SCOTUS, and....betcha the troops will remain, pending that outcome.
All this to say that thus far, no one has found a way to stop the implementation of Project 2025, and I doubt that free and fair elections will happen next year, especially in the 23 Republican trifecta states, if our situation doesn't change significantly in the meantime.
The loopholes were identified long ago as part of the coup that has been in the works for decades. The fascist forces have been patient up until now, but now are at the "full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes" stage.
Push is rapidly coming to shove. Either enough US citizens will stand up and oppose Trump's blatant attempt to use the US military against those who oppose him, it they will not, out of cowardice or apathy, and he will succeed in his project to claim dictatorial power. The time to be brave and act is now.
Apathy is a major concern. 90 million Americans choosing not to cast their vote is stunning to me, however, we do know a few that have admitted to their big mistake & they are now actively getting involved in the resistance: Hope many more are paying better attention now!
The apathy is as alarming as the fact that tens of millions of people voted exactly for what Trump is doing.
While his and issue polling gets worse, and opposition FEELS like its getting stronger, I can't help but wonder if that number of millions of apathetic people will change. And also can't help but wonder how many millions are simply uninformed, and pay zero attention to whats happening to our democracy, every single day.
The declining numbers are vastly from the "woke" among us. Those who tune out politics from their daily lives still watch the national news programs from the legacy media stations.
Not quite, the numbers are small and abysmal to be nearly meaningless. For example, NBC Nightly News currently averages about 5.576 million viewers per night, with approximately 807,000 viewers in the key Adults 25–54 demographic.
Regardless, there's a big difference between uninformed and apathetic; the latter are/can be very informed. For a ton of different reasons, they just dgaf.
So exactly what is that I as a retiree who has no social media accounts except Bluesky with 300 "followers" need to do to stand up and oppose this militarization of America? Daily messages to my Congressional reps and Senators, and carry a No Kings sign doesn't seem like enough.
"Four dead in Ohio...." comes to mind when I think of federal troops on the streets of our cities. It's imperative that we do everything possible to ensure that the regime is NOT allowed to carry out its vision of deploying the military to our (blue) cities. This case is key--and so is preventing trump from taking over DC. The regime has effectively declared war on dissent, on anyone who doesn't drop to a knee in fealty to the dear leader. Having the military on our streets will only exacerbate the divide between those who are fighting for our democracy and those who are fighting against it.
Evelyn: you state this so very well. I have a feeling the citizen death count during trump will far exceed Kent State. The non-citizen death count already does.
But I don’t think the nation’s outrage over the deaths will compare to what it was for those four back in those days. Which makes me want to both cry and scream.
I'm from Ohio. I had already left for California when the shooting happened at Kent State. I remember the coverage. I wept for what our country had become. And today...I shudder to think that we are back at that same dark place, with an even more malevolent wannabe dictator than Nixon. I want to believe that we can prevent a tragedy like Kent State from happening again. But with every passing day, the depths to which this regime has already taken our country fill me with fear that we may not be successful.
Kent State happened before I was born but it was not forgotten in my household growing up. We must have courage and stand together, never submitting to this radical freak, no matter what the hell he tries to pull, !RESIST!
I think everyone who knows or encounters anyone in the military needs to start pointing out to them how very very close they are to being ordered to fire upon civilians who are doing nothing more than engaging in rights granted them by the Constitution they took an oath to uphold.
Not that trump knows ANYTHING about the history of this country or its politics (or anything that comes out of a book, for that matter), but even as a lifelong Democrat, I always learned that republicans were the party of states’ rights, with less federal involvement. He wants total federal involvement while gutting programs for its citizens, and also wants total control over what states do for its citizens as well. Talk about a “RINO”…
How can people SEE this and not recognize the CORRUPTION??
There's a guy on youtube who debates with trump supporters - "Parkergetajob"
The level of stupidity is alarming. What's more alarming is the people who seem reasonably intelligent - but are either ignorant (What do you mean, 34 felonies? Who?) or in deep, deep denial "Yes, I know he has his faults, but he's not as bad as Kamala"
"Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force..."
How did the Air Force get included in legislation passed in 1878. Was AI involved here somehow?
Release the damn Epstein files and arrest the felon sitting in the presidential palace (once the White House that is now dripping in gold) and get this done immediately - Bondi. You know what he's done. Stop protecting a pedophile - Bondi and the entire Republican circus.
In 19le30's England, the students were having a rag week. There were some laborers digging a large hole in the road in the city centre. The students went and told them that some rag students were coming dressed up as policemen to stop them digging.
Then they went and told the police that some rag students were pretending to be laborers and digging a hole in the road. . .
Then they stood back and watched the ensuing chaos.
Perhaps some "snitch" could tell the ICE agents that immigrants were dressing up as National guards to avoid them - and then tell the National guard the ICE agents were actually immigrants.
We warned that trump would do this. We're not stupid and know EXACTLY what he's up to. Somebody needs to find a way to stop this dictator who took lessons from other dictators.
Every blue state governor (and any brave red state governors) need to deploy their state National Guard so Trump cannot activate them federally. Keep him from using our National Guard against us. And remind service members their oath is to the Constitution and they are NOT required to follow unlawful orders.
I will not forget about the epstein files. I give thanks to whoever is responsible for the billboards showing up across the country with the two buddies side by side, trump and epstein.
If he can’t rig the midterms with tech bro and Russian help plus radical gerrymandering, he’ll declare an emergency to prevent a new Congress to convene.
It’s so simple when every loophole in the law is exploited in bad faith and for treasonous purposes. Abusing laws for illegal and malevolent ends is key to the MAGA strategy for its ongoing coup.
My general sense is that the Administration is following the Hungarian playbook, which calls for manipulating the regulatory state to undermine democracy rather than relying on the monopoly on violence that characterized 20th Century authoritarianism.
But I was thinking about it over the weekend for something I wrote earlier today. They are doing a very good job using the new model, but the big problem may be the vanity of a small, cowardly man who wants to see himself as a strongman in the old mold. I think the push to trash the Posse Comitatus Act is driven by that impetus - Trump's ego. And it could potentially be the one thing that undermines an otherwise effective-looking effort to kill our democracy from the inside.
Not gonna happen. Elections have to happen or every congressman and 1/3 of senators are unemployed on January 3, 2027. And elections are run by states, not the federal government. While you are right to be concerned, overstating the facts and mis-stating the law is counter-productive.
Trump has threatened to refuse to certify individual states' voting results. What are you going to suggest about that?
Trump has no role in certifying states' election results. State law prescribes what's needed. More Trump being a blowhard.
The list of things that are "not gonna happen," but have indeed already happened, is very long. As Jay has outlined here, Rump's moving the Guard and Marines into California is illegal any way you slice it, and it was done over the objections of both Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass (i.e., state and local authorities). And although Newsom sued, troops are still there two months later. If the bench trial goes against Rump, he'll appeal to SCOTUS, and....betcha the troops will remain, pending that outcome.
All this to say that thus far, no one has found a way to stop the implementation of Project 2025, and I doubt that free and fair elections will happen next year, especially in the 23 Republican trifecta states, if our situation doesn't change significantly in the meantime.
The loopholes were identified long ago as part of the coup that has been in the works for decades. The fascist forces have been patient up until now, but now are at the "full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes" stage.
Exactly. Scary days ahead. 😭😱🤬
Julie, you are spot-on!
He even fabricates loopholes and then uses them against the American public.
Push is rapidly coming to shove. Either enough US citizens will stand up and oppose Trump's blatant attempt to use the US military against those who oppose him, it they will not, out of cowardice or apathy, and he will succeed in his project to claim dictatorial power. The time to be brave and act is now.
Exactly - waiting only allows the malign powers to grow and strengthen.
Constant massive opposition to them from now until we secure mid terms at least.
It will NOT get easier.
Apathy is a major concern. 90 million Americans choosing not to cast their vote is stunning to me, however, we do know a few that have admitted to their big mistake & they are now actively getting involved in the resistance: Hope many more are paying better attention now!
The apathy is as alarming as the fact that tens of millions of people voted exactly for what Trump is doing.
While his and issue polling gets worse, and opposition FEELS like its getting stronger, I can't help but wonder if that number of millions of apathetic people will change. And also can't help but wonder how many millions are simply uninformed, and pay zero attention to whats happening to our democracy, every single day.
The uninformed rely on legacy media for their news, whose owners are squelching reports of what's actually going on.
Given the hugely declining circulation and viewership for legacy media,thats likely not the case.
The declining numbers are vastly from the "woke" among us. Those who tune out politics from their daily lives still watch the national news programs from the legacy media stations.
Not quite, the numbers are small and abysmal to be nearly meaningless. For example, NBC Nightly News currently averages about 5.576 million viewers per night, with approximately 807,000 viewers in the key Adults 25–54 demographic.
Regardless, there's a big difference between uninformed and apathetic; the latter are/can be very informed. For a ton of different reasons, they just dgaf.
They may pay attention when they can't afford groceries.
So exactly what is that I as a retiree who has no social media accounts except Bluesky with 300 "followers" need to do to stand up and oppose this militarization of America? Daily messages to my Congressional reps and Senators, and carry a No Kings sign doesn't seem like enough.
There is nothing that will get most people out of their homes for protest, unless it directly affects them and even then not always.
"Four dead in Ohio...." comes to mind when I think of federal troops on the streets of our cities. It's imperative that we do everything possible to ensure that the regime is NOT allowed to carry out its vision of deploying the military to our (blue) cities. This case is key--and so is preventing trump from taking over DC. The regime has effectively declared war on dissent, on anyone who doesn't drop to a knee in fealty to the dear leader. Having the military on our streets will only exacerbate the divide between those who are fighting for our democracy and those who are fighting against it.
Evelyn: you state this so very well. I have a feeling the citizen death count during trump will far exceed Kent State. The non-citizen death count already does.
But I don’t think the nation’s outrage over the deaths will compare to what it was for those four back in those days. Which makes me want to both cry and scream.
I'm from Ohio. I had already left for California when the shooting happened at Kent State. I remember the coverage. I wept for what our country had become. And today...I shudder to think that we are back at that same dark place, with an even more malevolent wannabe dictator than Nixon. I want to believe that we can prevent a tragedy like Kent State from happening again. But with every passing day, the depths to which this regime has already taken our country fill me with fear that we may not be successful.
Kent State happened before I was born but it was not forgotten in my household growing up. We must have courage and stand together, never submitting to this radical freak, no matter what the hell he tries to pull, !RESIST!
I would rather die on my feet than on my knees
Onward!
I think everyone who knows or encounters anyone in the military needs to start pointing out to them how very very close they are to being ordered to fire upon civilians who are doing nothing more than engaging in rights granted them by the Constitution they took an oath to uphold.
https://linktr.ee/vetsaboutface
Check out their website or profile on Instagram.
Not that trump knows ANYTHING about the history of this country or its politics (or anything that comes out of a book, for that matter), but even as a lifelong Democrat, I always learned that republicans were the party of states’ rights, with less federal involvement. He wants total federal involvement while gutting programs for its citizens, and also wants total control over what states do for its citizens as well. Talk about a “RINO”…
How can people SEE this and not recognize the CORRUPTION??
There's a guy on youtube who debates with trump supporters - "Parkergetajob"
The level of stupidity is alarming. What's more alarming is the people who seem reasonably intelligent - but are either ignorant (What do you mean, 34 felonies? Who?) or in deep, deep denial "Yes, I know he has his faults, but he's not as bad as Kamala"
The proof we have that this wannabe dictator ever read any book is his wife’s report that he kept a copy of Mein Kampf by his bed
lol! (I’m surprised he didn’t gold plate it and display it in the Oval Office next to the trump bible…)
I’ve heard he keeps it right next to the Oval Office’s gold plated toilet just in case he ever gives a shit.
Surely putting the National Guard into D.C is really a coup by another name?
Steve Vladeck has a wonderful post today explaining "The President and the District" : https://open.substack.com/pub/stevevladeck/p/172-federalizing-dc?r=av3ut&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Cassandra: Duh.
(I agree!)
Thank you for your wonderful explanations
Thank you, Jay. I honestly don’t know how you keep up with all this bullshit.
I get up very early!
"Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force..."
How did the Air Force get included in legislation passed in 1878. Was AI involved here somehow?
It was amended
😅. Good question, Albatrossy!
Trump won’t send FEMA to help in a disaster, but has no problem deploying the military to harm us.
Release the damn Epstein files and arrest the felon sitting in the presidential palace (once the White House that is now dripping in gold) and get this done immediately - Bondi. You know what he's done. Stop protecting a pedophile - Bondi and the entire Republican circus.
Great plan but who would arrest him?
Citizen’s arrest! (Yea, I know it’s not a thing.)
Gail I agree with you 1000%!
Perhaps the blue state governors should deploy national guard troops against ICE agents …
You know, that gives me an idea.
In 19le30's England, the students were having a rag week. There were some laborers digging a large hole in the road in the city centre. The students went and told them that some rag students were coming dressed up as policemen to stop them digging.
Then they went and told the police that some rag students were pretending to be laborers and digging a hole in the road. . .
Then they stood back and watched the ensuing chaos.
Perhaps some "snitch" could tell the ICE agents that immigrants were dressing up as National guards to avoid them - and then tell the National guard the ICE agents were actually immigrants.
I reckon that would be quite fun to watch. . .
We warned that trump would do this. We're not stupid and know EXACTLY what he's up to. Somebody needs to find a way to stop this dictator who took lessons from other dictators.
Every blue state governor (and any brave red state governors) need to deploy their state National Guard so Trump cannot activate them federally. Keep him from using our National Guard against us. And remind service members their oath is to the Constitution and they are NOT required to follow unlawful orders.
I will not forget about the epstein files. I give thanks to whoever is responsible for the billboards showing up across the country with the two buddies side by side, trump and epstein.
Thank you for this excellent article. You are so appreciated!