C_Clayton_Jones
Diamond Member
‘The United States, just months before its 250th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has tipped over the edge into authoritarianism and fascism. In the end, faster than I imagined possible, it did happen here. The precise moment when and where in recent weeks America crossed that invisible line from democracy into authoritarianism can and will be debated by future historians, but it’s clear that the line itself has been crossed.
I think many Americans wrongly believe there would be one clear unambiguous moment where we go from “democracy” to “authoritarianism.” Instead, this is exactly how it happens — a blurring here, a norm destroyed there, a presidential diktat unchallenged. Then you wake up one morning and our country is different. … Today, August 25, 2025, is that morning. Something is materially different in our country this week than last.
Everything else from here on out is just a matter of degree and wondering how bad it will get and how far it will go? Do we end up “merely” like Hungary or do we go all the way toward an “American Reich”? So far, after years of studying World War II, I fear that America’s trajectory feels more like Berlin circa 1933 than it does Budapest circa 2015.’
Some may believe that when Trump is gone, everything will ‘return to normal,’ democracy and the rule of law will be restored.
In fact, Trump has established executive branch precedent – with the help of the Supreme Court dominated by conservative ideologues – a template by which the next Republican president can engage in the same abuse of power: ignoring the courts, ruling by fiat, disregarding the Constitution and rule of law with impunity; indeed, that Trump will not be held accountable for his crimes and corruption while in office will inspire that next Republican president to do the same, to get away with the lawless abuse of power just as Trump did.
I think many Americans wrongly believe there would be one clear unambiguous moment where we go from “democracy” to “authoritarianism.” Instead, this is exactly how it happens — a blurring here, a norm destroyed there, a presidential diktat unchallenged. Then you wake up one morning and our country is different. … Today, August 25, 2025, is that morning. Something is materially different in our country this week than last.
Everything else from here on out is just a matter of degree and wondering how bad it will get and how far it will go? Do we end up “merely” like Hungary or do we go all the way toward an “American Reich”? So far, after years of studying World War II, I fear that America’s trajectory feels more like Berlin circa 1933 than it does Budapest circa 2015.’
Some may believe that when Trump is gone, everything will ‘return to normal,’ democracy and the rule of law will be restored.
In fact, Trump has established executive branch precedent – with the help of the Supreme Court dominated by conservative ideologues – a template by which the next Republican president can engage in the same abuse of power: ignoring the courts, ruling by fiat, disregarding the Constitution and rule of law with impunity; indeed, that Trump will not be held accountable for his crimes and corruption while in office will inspire that next Republican president to do the same, to get away with the lawless abuse of power just as Trump did.
