And going further back, remember the Romans declared proscriptions against a ruler’s foes. They were mainly after an enemy’s wealth but killing them was the cherry on top. That’s what happened to Pompey the Great as well as Cicero. These moves are as old as time!
Wow. I wish Ruth had been wrong back in 2022, but unfortunately, she was spot on as we found out yesterday. Are we on the path to repeating 1933 in Germany? I certainly hope not, but this does not look good. If only our wonderful Democratic establishment Senators and Representatives would wake up and realize it just isn't possible to "work with" Trump. The only positive way forward is to resist.
I thought it made sense to pardon all the criminals he conned (aka domestic terrorists) which includes the cabinet members. He has his own terrorists to use. It looks like a projection to me with sexual assault, theft, etc. It also gives putin/orban/Mump "soldiers" w/out morals, ethics, or law (with the blessing of John Roberts).
"Authoritarianism is about making government a safe harbor for criminals, and pardons are part of that." It's what I see and it looks a R.I.C.O. or WH mafia that Fanni Willis prosecuted.
Since it's deportation time, just a reminder of who else should has had anchor babies here. Mump allowed russian women to stay at his - motels - to have ancho babies in FL. PBS has an article about that from the first time the felon was in office.
He did and you have a minimal 34 felony count criminal who's a firm believer in what was our democratic republic vs a thing who loves dictators, money and power. Mump, w/no laws to hold him to anything, could wipe out the Bidens based on lies. I'm fine with what he did despite the implications. But, yes, I agree - it's a problem with the whole system.
We have been warned! World Mental Health Coalition worldmhc.org I belong as a psychologist. VOTE to counter and end dangerous MAGA/Trump Republican madness.
Excellent article! Also, the dangling of pardons is witness tampering and some J6 defendants are now making noises about withdrawing cooperation. Donald is trying to derail the investigation now as well.
"...and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment." - Article II, Section 2, Clause 1
Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. CICILLINE (for himself, Mr. TED LIEU of California, Mr. RASKIN, Mr. NADLER, and [see ATTACHED LIST of cosponsors]) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on...
RESOLUTION
Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Resolved, That Donald John Trump, President of the United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors and that the following article of impeachment be exhibited to the United States Senate:
Article of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the name of itself and of the people of the United States of America, against Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, in maintenance and support of its impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors.
"Tyrants are always fond of bad men, because they love to be flattered, but no man who has the spirit of a freeman in him will lower himself by flattery" - Aristotle, "Politics", Book XI, written 350 B.C.E
I read your fine book "Strongmen," but I still cannot determine whether Trump has figured out all his authoritarian moves by himself, or whether others are advising him what steps to take. I recall reading that Trump kept (keeps) a book by Mussolini at his bedside, so maybe he has read Mussolini and learned that way. Maybe I'm underestimating Trump, but I have been assuming he wasn't capable on his own of figuring these things out. Does anyone have any thoughts or comments about this?
When he came into power, I reread hitler at a time when I don't remember that comparison being made. The felon said he alone could fix it (a massive lie) but he has or had a "loner" from orban (one of the men who worked for orban), how many calls with putin - 6 or 7 if not more after he left office. He appears incapable of doing anything without help so he lies about it with a flourish.
Thanks for your comment Lesley - but I would respectfully beg-to-disagree with your conclusion a little. To be living in a truly police-state environment entails far greater restrictions than we are currently living in in the USA which is nothing equal to those nations under the control of autocrats and/or dictators. For example, we don't have travel restriction between states, we don't have only state-run media, we don't have prisons and/or "re-education" camps for political prisoners, end of leader/presidential term limits (as in president "for life"), re-calling then restricting the issuance of passports, and many more examples.
So with respect - we here in the USA aren't "there" yet - but it could happen if we as citizens aren't aware and become more vigilant in guarding against and interdicting the creeping autocratic drift we are seeing as those we used to call the "fringe" are now out in the open and gaining ground.
Ruth, your prognostications are downright eerie.
Prescient.
Expect to see more right wing violence in the future.
And going further back, remember the Romans declared proscriptions against a ruler’s foes. They were mainly after an enemy’s wealth but killing them was the cherry on top. That’s what happened to Pompey the Great as well as Cicero. These moves are as old as time!
Wow. I wish Ruth had been wrong back in 2022, but unfortunately, she was spot on as we found out yesterday. Are we on the path to repeating 1933 in Germany? I certainly hope not, but this does not look good. If only our wonderful Democratic establishment Senators and Representatives would wake up and realize it just isn't possible to "work with" Trump. The only positive way forward is to resist.
I thought it made sense to pardon all the criminals he conned (aka domestic terrorists) which includes the cabinet members. He has his own terrorists to use. It looks like a projection to me with sexual assault, theft, etc. It also gives putin/orban/Mump "soldiers" w/out morals, ethics, or law (with the blessing of John Roberts).
"Authoritarianism is about making government a safe harbor for criminals, and pardons are part of that." It's what I see and it looks a R.I.C.O. or WH mafia that Fanni Willis prosecuted.
Since it's deportation time, just a reminder of who else should has had anchor babies here. Mump allowed russian women to stay at his - motels - to have ancho babies in FL. PBS has an article about that from the first time the felon was in office.
Um. Biden pardened his whole family.
pretty sure it's a problem with the whole system too
He did and you have a minimal 34 felony count criminal who's a firm believer in what was our democratic republic vs a thing who loves dictators, money and power. Mump, w/no laws to hold him to anything, could wipe out the Bidens based on lies. I'm fine with what he did despite the implications. But, yes, I agree - it's a problem with the whole system.
Indeed!
We have been warned! World Mental Health Coalition worldmhc.org I belong as a psychologist. VOTE to counter and end dangerous MAGA/Trump Republican madness.
Great article. You described trump an authoritarian dictator
Excellent article! Also, the dangling of pardons is witness tampering and some J6 defendants are now making noises about withdrawing cooperation. Donald is trying to derail the investigation now as well.
"...and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment." - Article II, Section 2, Clause 1
https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-2/#II_S2
.....................................................................
117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. ll
Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. CICILLINE (for himself, Mr. TED LIEU of California, Mr. RASKIN, Mr. NADLER, and [see ATTACHED LIST of cosponsors]) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on...
RESOLUTION
Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Resolved, That Donald John Trump, President of the United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors and that the following article of impeachment be exhibited to the United States Senate:
Article of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the name of itself and of the people of the United States of America, against Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, in maintenance and support of its impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors.
ARTICLE I: INCITEMENT OF INSURRECTION
https://cicilline.house.gov/sites/cicilline.house.gov/files/documents/ARTICLES%20-%20Final%201030%20-%20011121.pdf
What and excellent article
We are living in perilous times
Thinking of DJT:
"Tyrants are always fond of bad men, because they love to be flattered, but no man who has the spirit of a freeman in him will lower himself by flattery" - Aristotle, "Politics", Book XI, written 350 B.C.E
I read your fine book "Strongmen," but I still cannot determine whether Trump has figured out all his authoritarian moves by himself, or whether others are advising him what steps to take. I recall reading that Trump kept (keeps) a book by Mussolini at his bedside, so maybe he has read Mussolini and learned that way. Maybe I'm underestimating Trump, but I have been assuming he wasn't capable on his own of figuring these things out. Does anyone have any thoughts or comments about this?
When he came into power, I reread hitler at a time when I don't remember that comparison being made. The felon said he alone could fix it (a massive lie) but he has or had a "loner" from orban (one of the men who worked for orban), how many calls with putin - 6 or 7 if not more after he left office. He appears incapable of doing anything without help so he lies about it with a flourish.
The book DJT kept by his bedside according to his former wife Ivana, was “My New Order” – a printed collection of Adolf Hitler's speeches.
And he knew them.
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities: - Voltaire
...and "absurdities" abounded from DJT and his WILLING political and personal enablers prior to, including, and continuing beyond January 6th, 2022 !!
Get ready for a police-state if he is re-elected
We already have one and for a very long time now!
Thanks for your comment Lesley - but I would respectfully beg-to-disagree with your conclusion a little. To be living in a truly police-state environment entails far greater restrictions than we are currently living in in the USA which is nothing equal to those nations under the control of autocrats and/or dictators. For example, we don't have travel restriction between states, we don't have only state-run media, we don't have prisons and/or "re-education" camps for political prisoners, end of leader/presidential term limits (as in president "for life"), re-calling then restricting the issuance of passports, and many more examples.
So with respect - we here in the USA aren't "there" yet - but it could happen if we as citizens aren't aware and become more vigilant in guarding against and interdicting the creeping autocratic drift we are seeing as those we used to call the "fringe" are now out in the open and gaining ground.