Something just occurred to me. To be studying fascism and authoritarianism in this real time scenario must seem very surreal to you. It would be like me finding myself in a book that I am reading. Thank you for all you do.
I recommend Victor Klemperer’s book: “The Language of the Third Reich,” to begin to see how autocrats and their enablers, sycophants, and true believers twist language to their ends. There is an insight at the end of the book about how the mindset of the follower is hard to reverse even in the presence of compelling evidence.
Thank you, Professor Ben-Ghiat, for your explanation of how they are attempting to destroy the law and our government with their unceasing propaganda and base lies. I think there is no longer any real question whether the big guy is full authoritarian: he is. He is in the process of dragging his henchmen and the pathetic maga base into authoritarianism. I suspect his cronies know and don’t care, so long as they get their 30 pieces of silver.
Why won't anyone motion the SCOTUS to either review and/or reverse the immunity decision, with defined constraints on the powers or acts that were never defined, as an act of solidarity by those who can?
I didn't originally think they did this until a prominent former NY prosecutor explained they can and do. Maybe not this court and esp. not Alito and Thomas, but they can be asked to.
Also, why doesn't the SCOTUS take a more active role in publicly speaking to what is being done to the judiciary? These aren't normal times and maybe they need a better take on that concept. Hitler had a high court until he didn't.
Clearly, this court, with exceptions, are not the ethical pillars we always think they are until we learn they aren't but don't they want to be more than parties on the sidelines as order takers before they can't?
Barrett received death threats and TRUMP himself posted he'd let groups know where she lived, or something on that order, and that is mind boggling they let this go.
I get Robert's love of the UET but Trump wasn't the guy to test the theory on. His decision was hurried (not by date, of course), precedent absent except reliance on a civil case and one on Executive privilege, misguided interpretation of Hamilton's Fed 70, so I'd think this would be imperative to do.
It never got back to Chutkan and the only core acts, if not defined, are as KBJ stated in oral arguments, are located in Article II, sec. II.
I'm a beat the dead horse gal on this but I'll keep asking.
It’s been just over 100 days and now, it seems like the unadulterated assault on Democracy is hitting us at EVERY level,- not only the judiciary. John Oliver dedicated his entire show last night to Trump’s attack of the media. Today, they’re now “investigating” Bruce Springsteen because he’s been criticizing Trump at his concerts. It’s all-out dictatorship at-work everywhere and all-at-once. As an avid protestor, I’m deeply concerned that he’s coming after us next, perhaps by “infiltrating” larger protests (like DC, where I live) with his proud-boys, and THEY start trouble and then the tear-gas emits and ‘regulations’ begin to intimidate the masses. This is happening so damn quick. Our democratic leaders better show up soon!
And the Republican party is operating like a party that no longer fears voters. tRump ran like a man who KNEW he would not lose. Musk's involvement is still something I question. How does a man win while claiming he has all the votes he needs and does nothing to increase his base?
They have been targeting our judiciary for several years, ironically accusing it of having been weaponized and politicized: the very things they have been doing throughout Trump's first term and so far during his second.
I think it's key to remember and point out often that Trump accuses others ONLY of what he himself is doing or has done.
Prof, your writing gives me comfort: someone is paying attention.
Prof, your writing frightens me: we continue to slide into totalitarianism.
No need to expose your methods, because we're at the point where we shouldn't be making certain things public, but I hope steps are being taken to ensure that the historic record will be preserved some place and in some way that it can't be dropped into the memory hole by the regime, using their corporate lackeys and the (planned, purposeful) Cloudification of records and archives in the United States.
I think that going after judges will blow up in his face. Judges, regardless of their political or ideological leanings tend to stick up for each other. They have power also. And they'll use it. Bondi will never get a conviction of the judge in Milwaukee.
Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat: AG Pam Bondage, warning judges, "You are not above the law," is DARKLY VERY COMICAL.
The Administration is CRIMINAL, and its techniques are fascistic.
I am totally confident that Pam Bondage authorized ILLEGAL ARREST of the Honorable Hannah Dugan, Judge.
DISGUSTING, Marvel-Comics-level MONSTROUS, and frightful.
Something just occurred to me. To be studying fascism and authoritarianism in this real time scenario must seem very surreal to you. It would be like me finding myself in a book that I am reading. Thank you for all you do.
I recommend Victor Klemperer’s book: “The Language of the Third Reich,” to begin to see how autocrats and their enablers, sycophants, and true believers twist language to their ends. There is an insight at the end of the book about how the mindset of the follower is hard to reverse even in the presence of compelling evidence.
Thank you, Professor Ben-Ghiat, for your explanation of how they are attempting to destroy the law and our government with their unceasing propaganda and base lies. I think there is no longer any real question whether the big guy is full authoritarian: he is. He is in the process of dragging his henchmen and the pathetic maga base into authoritarianism. I suspect his cronies know and don’t care, so long as they get their 30 pieces of silver.
Please check out my Substack Transformative Times.
HTTPS://elizabethfenlon.substack.com/p/transformative-times-9d0
Absolutely chilling. To be graphic, vomit inducing destruction by the Trump regime.
Why won't anyone motion the SCOTUS to either review and/or reverse the immunity decision, with defined constraints on the powers or acts that were never defined, as an act of solidarity by those who can?
I didn't originally think they did this until a prominent former NY prosecutor explained they can and do. Maybe not this court and esp. not Alito and Thomas, but they can be asked to.
Also, why doesn't the SCOTUS take a more active role in publicly speaking to what is being done to the judiciary? These aren't normal times and maybe they need a better take on that concept. Hitler had a high court until he didn't.
Clearly, this court, with exceptions, are not the ethical pillars we always think they are until we learn they aren't but don't they want to be more than parties on the sidelines as order takers before they can't?
Barrett received death threats and TRUMP himself posted he'd let groups know where she lived, or something on that order, and that is mind boggling they let this go.
I get Robert's love of the UET but Trump wasn't the guy to test the theory on. His decision was hurried (not by date, of course), precedent absent except reliance on a civil case and one on Executive privilege, misguided interpretation of Hamilton's Fed 70, so I'd think this would be imperative to do.
It never got back to Chutkan and the only core acts, if not defined, are as KBJ stated in oral arguments, are located in Article II, sec. II.
I'm a beat the dead horse gal on this but I'll keep asking.
It’s been just over 100 days and now, it seems like the unadulterated assault on Democracy is hitting us at EVERY level,- not only the judiciary. John Oliver dedicated his entire show last night to Trump’s attack of the media. Today, they’re now “investigating” Bruce Springsteen because he’s been criticizing Trump at his concerts. It’s all-out dictatorship at-work everywhere and all-at-once. As an avid protestor, I’m deeply concerned that he’s coming after us next, perhaps by “infiltrating” larger protests (like DC, where I live) with his proud-boys, and THEY start trouble and then the tear-gas emits and ‘regulations’ begin to intimidate the masses. This is happening so damn quick. Our democratic leaders better show up soon!
Chilling for all of us. If you come after my neighbor, are coming after me next. Want to stand united…
Thank you Professor
Ben-Ghiat. You are so
needed in these dark
times.
We MUST stand united.
There are literally
millions of us that refuse
to bend the knee and
hide away. Thousands
across this country, in
protests small and very
large stand United
against this MAGA
fascist regime.
And the Republican party is operating like a party that no longer fears voters. tRump ran like a man who KNEW he would not lose. Musk's involvement is still something I question. How does a man win while claiming he has all the votes he needs and does nothing to increase his base?
Very scary, we should take heart to what’s happening in Serbia, mass protests are what is needed, big one coming up on June 14th !
Arresting Congresswomen now in NJ
They have been targeting our judiciary for several years, ironically accusing it of having been weaponized and politicized: the very things they have been doing throughout Trump's first term and so far during his second.
I think it's key to remember and point out often that Trump accuses others ONLY of what he himself is doing or has done.
Keep on keeping on, Ruth. We all need a breath of fresh-ish air.
Prof, your writing gives me comfort: someone is paying attention.
Prof, your writing frightens me: we continue to slide into totalitarianism.
No need to expose your methods, because we're at the point where we shouldn't be making certain things public, but I hope steps are being taken to ensure that the historic record will be preserved some place and in some way that it can't be dropped into the memory hole by the regime, using their corporate lackeys and the (planned, purposeful) Cloudification of records and archives in the United States.
I think that going after judges will blow up in his face. Judges, regardless of their political or ideological leanings tend to stick up for each other. They have power also. And they'll use it. Bondi will never get a conviction of the judge in Milwaukee.