C_Clayton_Jones
Diamond Member
‘In 2007, eight years after becoming Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chávez revoked the license of the country’s oldest private television station. Eight months into his second term, President Donald Trump suggested revoking the licenses of U.S. television stations he believes are overly critical of him.
Since he returned to office in January, Trump’s remaking of the federal government into an instrument of his personal will has drawn comparisons to elected strongmen in other countries who used the levers of government to consolidate power, punish their enemies and stifle dissent.
But those familiar with other countries where that has happened, including Hungary and Turkey, say there is one striking difference: Trump appears to be moving more rapidly, and more overtly, than others did.
“The only difference is the speed with which it is happening,” said David Smilde, who lived in Venezuela during Chavez’s rise and is now a professor at Tulane University.’
apnews.com
The destruction of democracy in America is happening quickly because of the capitulation of Congress and the Supreme Court – both eager to surrender power to Trump’s authoritarian regime.
Since he returned to office in January, Trump’s remaking of the federal government into an instrument of his personal will has drawn comparisons to elected strongmen in other countries who used the levers of government to consolidate power, punish their enemies and stifle dissent.
But those familiar with other countries where that has happened, including Hungary and Turkey, say there is one striking difference: Trump appears to be moving more rapidly, and more overtly, than others did.
“The only difference is the speed with which it is happening,” said David Smilde, who lived in Venezuela during Chavez’s rise and is now a professor at Tulane University.’
Trump’s moves to tighten power and punish enemies draw comparisons to places where democracy faded
President Donald Trump’s consolidation of power and targeting of his political opponents bring back unnerving memories for those who have watched elected leaders undermine democracies elsewhere in the world.
apnews.com
The destruction of democracy in America is happening quickly because of the capitulation of Congress and the Supreme Court – both eager to surrender power to Trump’s authoritarian regime.
