One thing you hear from people who study authoritarianism or who have experienced its rise firsthand in other countries is that they've been genuinely shocked at how quickly the Trump administration is moving compared to other regimes. Earlier this year, The Guardian spoke to one political scientist who studied this at Harvard who said, "Trump is throwing authoritarian punches at a much greater rate than any of these other cases in their first year in power. We don't yet know how many of those punches will ...

One thing you hear from people who study authoritarianism or who have experienced its rise firsthand in other countries is that they've been genuinely shocked at how quickly the Trump administration is moving compared to other regimes. Earlier this year, The Guardian spoke to one political scientist who studied this at Harvard who said, "Trump is throwing authoritarian punches at a much greater rate than any of these other cases in their first year in power. We don't yet know how many of those punches will ...

Political Satire and Authoritarianism - The report highlights a Russian puppet show from 1999 that satirized Boris Yeltsin and predicted Vladimir Putin's authoritarian rule, showcasing comedy as an early warning sign [1][2][7] - The show's prediction of Putin remaining in power for 20 years and the subsequent suppression of the show by the Kremlin illustrate the erosion of freedom of speech in Russia [2][3] US Democracy and Potential Threats - The analysis draws parallels between Russia's slide into autocracy and potential threats to American democracy, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and fighting against such threats [4][5][13] - The report suggests that crackdowns on freedom can be a slow, incremental process, disguised as legality and public interest [10][11][12][13] - The piece warns that the US Constitution requires active defense and that the upcoming midterm elections may be free but not fair, highlighting concerns about potential abuse of power [13][14] Actions and Mobilization - The report suggests focusing on specific actions, such as contacting Republican representatives, to voice opposition and ensure accountability [18] - The analysis points out the importance of mobilizing people beyond general protests, emphasizing the need to address specific power structures [17][18]

Welcome back. Turning now to Texas where the primary in Democrats long quest to flip a US Senate seat is shaping up with state representative James Torico announcing his bid for the seat currently held by Republican John Cornin last week. Terico viewed by some as a rising star in the party was one of the party's leading voices in Texas's redistricting fight this summer.And joining me now is Texas State Representative James Tarico. State Representative Terico, thank you so much for joining us. We really appr ...

Political Violence & Free Speech - The report condemns political violence as an attack on free speech and American democracy [1] - The report highlights multiple instances of political violence against individuals from both sides of the political spectrum [1] - The report criticizes those who condone or downplay political violence depending on the victim's political affiliation [2] Hypocrisy & Double Standards - The report accuses some individuals of hypocrisy for selectively condemning political violence [1][2] - The report points out the selective outrage regarding political violence, depending on the victim's political affiliation [1] Call for Consistency - The report calls for a consistent condemnation of political violence, regardless of the victim's or perpetrator's political affiliation [2] - The report emphasizes that celebrating political violence is unacceptable [2]

National Security & Crisis Response - The speaker expresses concern about the nation's ability to unite in the face of another crisis like 9/11, fearing partisan divisions and conspiracy theories would hinder a unified response [5][6][8] - The COVID-19 pandemic is cited as an example of a crisis where partisan responses led to negative outcomes [7] American Democracy & Political Climate - A task force was formed by the American Bar Association to restore and strengthen American democracy, focusing on the underlying societal currents influencing voter choices [9][10] - The task force recommends rededicating to American civics education and addressing the rising tide of political violence [10][11] - The report endorses federal legislation to identify AI content and disallow misleading deep fakes [11] - Open, nonpartisan primaries and citizen redistricting commissions are recommended to encourage elected leaders to appeal to the political center [11][13] - Polling data suggests 70-80% of the public supports citizen redistricting commissions [15] Political Violence & Extremism - The speaker notes the assassination of Charlie Kirk and expresses concern about the rise of domestic terrorism across the political spectrum [11][19][20] - There is worry that the current political climate may be leading to a resurgence of political assassinations, drawing parallels to the 1960s when multiple leaders were assassinated [20][21]

We talk a lot on this show about the future of American democracy and the fight against authoritarianism. So far in 2025, Republicans in Congress have declined to participate in that fight. The president has trampled their authority again and again.Today, in a new oped published on MSNBC. com, our own Michael Steele wrote, "The next few months will determine whether lawmakers will defend their constitutional powers or surrender them to an increasingly imperial president, perhaps for good." Here, here. Micha ...

Election Integrity & Disinformation - The report highlights concerns about the accuracy of information surrounding elections, particularly the amplification of Russian disinformation by American figures [3][9] - The analysis points out the contradiction of repeating lies that undermine mail-in voting, a method that has historically benefited Republicans [3][5] - The report emphasizes that mail-in voting is not inherently rife with fraud, contrary to claims made [3] - The report notes that tabulation machines are used in many countries and are generally accurate, fast, and inexpensive, contradicting claims of them being slow, expensive, and inaccurate [10][11] Political Strategy & Voter Behavior - Republican strategists invested millions of dollars in 2024 to encourage Republican voters to use mail-in voting [3][6] - Political strategists generally favor mail-in and early voting as it reduces the need for last-minute resource expenditure to mobilize voters on election day [7] - Pennsylvania saw a significant increase in Republican mail-in voters, jumping from 24% in 2020 to 33% in 2024 [4] - In Arizona, Republicans had an eight-point advantage over Democrats in mail voting [5] International Influence - The report suggests that Vladimir Putin's statements on mail-in voting have influenced Donald Trump's views on the subject [2][3][8] - The analysis expresses alarm over the potential influence of foreign leaders on American election discourse [8]

Political Stance & Motivation - Texas Democratic lawmakers left the state to fight against what they perceive as threats to American democracy [1][2][4] - The lawmakers believe that proposed legislation aims to suppress voting rights and steal congressional seats [4][10] - They are willing to face potential arrest and legal challenges to protect their constituents and American democracy [3][4] Government Response & Legal Implications - The Texas Attorney General is attempting to enforce arrest warrants and declare the lawmakers' seats vacant [1] - There are concerns about the FBI being involved in tracking down the lawmakers [1][3] - The lawmakers are prepared to comply with the law and fight any legal challenges in court [3] Financial Impact & Personal Sacrifice - Lawmakers are facing a potential fine of $500 per day for their absence [8][10] - A Texas state representative's annual salary is approximately $7,200, making the daily fine a significant financial burden [8] - The lawmakers are more concerned about the potential financial strain on their constituents due to cuts in healthcare and education funding [9] Stance on Governor Abbott - Governor Abbott is accused of ignoring the needs of Texas residents [4][7] - The lawmakers express confidence that Governor Abbott's power is limited and he won't be governor for much longer [7]

Career Transition & Editorial Focus - The individual transitioned from a corporate public relations firm to the Washington Post as an editorial writer [1] - The Washington Post's editorial section shifted its focus to personal liberties and free markets [4] - A new editor emphasized communicating with optimism about the country and the future [5] Concerns & Principles - The individual questioned how to communicate optimism when American democracy is perceived to be in peril [5] - The individual believed in holding America accountable to its founding principles [5] - The individual asserted the right to rail against affronts to democracy and the rule of law, citing the Constitution and the First Amendment [7] Departure & Reflection - The individual resigned from the Washington Post due to concerns about the editorial direction [4] - The individual reflected on their 18 years, 5 months, and 16 days at the Washington Post [2] - The individual thanked colleagues for their work [8]