I believe Anne Applebaum of the Atlantic stated that modern day authoritarian regimes don’t usually occur through a violent coup. Instead, they happen gradually. The executive in power attempts to control the press, first through intimidation and threats, and then maybe eventually getting literal control. They take over the equivalent of the Department of Justice and FBI and begin to use these institutions to protect themselves and their family, while siccing these entities on their political enemies. They also surround themselves with people loyal to them–loyalty being more important than competence and fidelity to the rule of law. This is just some of things an autocrat does to gradually erode a liberal democracy.
Unfortunately, I think that process has begun in the US. (I would love to be convinced that I’m being too alarmist about this.) Really, I feel like I’m living in a nightmare, and I have a hard time believing this is happening. The situation is stressful, and in addition to praying a lot and greater effort to rely on God, I thought creating a thread to track the occurrences of backsliding would be therapeutic–specifically, having a place to let this out instead of keeping it bottled up. (Then again, this might have the opposite effect, in which case I might abandon the project.)
When I think about the beginning of liberal democratic demise, WaPo and the LA Times announcing they would no longer announce presidential candidates is what comes to mind.
A few days ago, here are some other things relevant to the topic:
- Reports that Jack Smith will stop the two prosecutions against Trump;
- Reports that Trump allies want to punish Smith, including talks that Rep. Jim Jordan will start a House investigation;
- Trump’s appointments–Rep. Matt Gaetz to be the AG; Tulsi Gabbard to Director of National Intelligence (DNI); Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense. That’s a few off the top of my head. This makes me think of a warning I constantly heard before the election: In Trump 2.0, there will be no guardrails.
More later.
From the NYT Comments on Trump’s pick for AG, Rep. Matt Gaetz from Republicans:
Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, raised his eyebrows when reporters informed him of the choice of Mr. Gaetz. “I’m still trying to absorb all this,” he said. Mr. Cornyn later told reporters: “I don’t really know him, other than his public persona.”
“I was shocked by the announcement — that shows why the advice and consent process is so important,” said Senator Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, who has sometimes clashed with Mr. Trump. “I’m sure that there will be a lot of questions raised at his hearing.”
Of Mr. Gaetz, Senator Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican who also has broken with Mr. Trump frequently, said: “I don’t think he’s a serious candidate.”
Even some of Mr. Trump’s stalwart supporters did not stick up for his choice. Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, refused to speak specifically about Mr. Gaetz’s candidacy, repeating that he was looking forward to all of Mr. Trump’s nominees receiving confirmation hearings and getting the president-elect’s cabinet in place. (emphasis added)
Will Senate Republicans take the advise and consent role seriously? There’s reports that that suggest that they may allow take a recess to allow Trump to make appointments during that time, which wouldn’t involve Senate approval (or that’s my understanding of the process). I hope they don’t do that, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.
Also, House Committee inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of funds by Rep. Matt Gaetz has ended, because Gaetz just resigned. Here’s the backstory from the NYT