From @WSJopinion: Disobedience may at times be necessary to protect American democracy. But in many of the cases where we might hope for refusal, we are asking service members to stake their careers and their liberty, writes Joshua Braver. https://t.co/y7Zmu0IaVr ...

Political Violence and Rhetoric - The report highlights a sharp increase in political violence and related rhetoric, noting the U S president's call for the execution of six lawmakers as a dangerous escalation [1] - The president's rhetoric is seen as inciting violence against critics, with potential real and immediate consequences [9] - The lawmakers who were threatened are now working with Capitol police for protection, and one experienced a bomb threat at home [12] Erosion of Democratic Norms - The report suggests the president's actions signal a deeper danger: an open disdain for American democracy and a systematic effort to undermine the constitutional order [15] - The president's press secretary stated that every order given to the U S military is lawful, reflecting an authoritarian mindset [17] - The media ecosystem is criticized for sometimes treating these threats as minor or routine, lowering the bar for democratic governance [19][20] Military and Constitutional Obligations - Six Democratic lawmakers released a video urging members of the military and intelligence community to refuse unlawful orders [2][3] - Under U S military law, service members can refuse a patently illegal order [5] - Veterans and National Guard members have warned against the politicization of the military, reminding service members of their obligations to the U S Constitution [23] Trump's Actions and Reactions - Trump accused the lawmakers of seditious behavior punishable by death [6] - Trump reposted a comment suggesting the lawmakers should be hanged [7] - Trump's actions are seen as testing the limits of acceptable behavior, with the risk that precedent becomes permission [21]

Wholesale pardons of figures involved in the effort to overturn the 2020 election are an affront to American democracy (via @opinion) https://t.co/dDuK7vb90I ...

Our friend, the judge, J. Michael Ludig joins me now. Judge, good morning.Thank you for being with us. >> Good morning, Ally. It's a pleasure always to be with you.You have said, judge, that this moment is unlike any that we've seen to test the judiciary uh the way it's being tested. What makes this more dangerous, for instance, than previous constitutional crises like like Watergate or even McCarthyism. Ally, Judge Greyber's uh um words were an extraordinary plea from a sitting judge, historical.And the si ...

Tonight, Jack Smith calling the Republicans bluff on their conspiracy theories. Plus, our live interview with the Democratic lawmaker who is suing Speaker Johnson for refusing to let her get to work. And then that moment in the New York City debate when Mamani calling out Cuomo on his sexual harassment allegations. One of those women, Charlotte Bennett, is here in the audience this evening. She cannot speak up for herself because you lodged a defamation case against her. I however can speak. >> But we begin ...

Threats to American Democracy - The speaker warns that the trend indicates a reluctance to relinquish power voluntarily, suggesting that the 2026 midterm elections may be free but not fair [4] - The speaker expresses concern that government agencies like the DOJ and FBI are being weaponized, and behaviors at Senate hearings suggest an audience of one, implying undue influence [5] - The speaker believes Trump identifies his party (GOP) with the state, merging state symbols and interests with his own, driven by "glory" and "money" [6] - The speaker emphasizes that Trump's actions contradict the founding fathers' principles, urging vigilance to prevent him from turning the 250th anniversary into a personal celebration [16] - The speaker warns that a future attempt to overrule the will of the American people might involve ICE uniforms and FBI agents, a more organized effort than January 6, 2021 [14] Call to Action - The speaker stresses the need to step up pressure to protect American democracy, emphasizing that one demonstration is not enough [7] - The speaker questions the passion of Democrats in Congress, urging them to raise awareness and be more aggressive in defending American democracy [8] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on defending the essence of American democracy, setting aside divisive issues [14][15] Historical and Comparative Context - The speaker draws parallels between Trump's pursuit of power and glory and the Soviet Union and Vladimir Putin [10] - The speaker highlights the importance of the framework of freedom of speech and discussion that America was built on [11] - The speaker points out the danger of Trump neutralizing constitutional tools for communication and debate [12] Statistical Context - The speaker acknowledges that 7 million demonstrators is a significant number, but notes that it is in a country of 350 million people [3]

Legal and Political Commentary - The Attorney General views the indictment of a fellow Attorney General as a "trashing of the American justice system" and indicative of authoritarian tendencies [1] - Concerns exist regarding potential misuse of the Insurrection Act by the President, with the Attorney General noting the President's past statements and actions [1] - The Attorney General highlights the importance of documenting city municipal authorities' handling of local issues to prevent the President from using them as a pretext for invoking the Insurrection Act [1] - The Attorney General points out that the President's administration has telegraphed their intentions, referencing "Project 2025" [1] Immigration and Federal-State Power Dynamics - The Attorney General emphasizes the need to uphold the law as written and use it as a tool to hold ICE and the President accountable for misuse of power [1] - The Attorney General mentions a successful legal challenge against the President's attempt to conditionalize federal emergency management funds based on converting local law enforcement into ICE agents [1] - The Attorney General acknowledges the traditional federal jurisdiction over immigration matters but asserts the intention to use available tools to protect and preserve American law [1] Characterization of Groups and Potential for Abuse - Concerns are raised about the characterization of "Antifa" as a sophisticated and dangerous organization akin to MS-13, ISIS, and other terrorist groups [2] - The Attorney General warns against dismissing this characterization as "utter stupidity" because it could be used as a pretext to suppress speech, arrest people, and deploy law enforcement [2] - The Attorney General suggests that the amorphous nature of "Antifa" could lead to the persecution of anyone associated with anti-fascist ideas [2] National Guard Deployment - The Attorney General expresses readiness to challenge any illegitimate or illegal attempts by the President to deploy the National Guard and take power away from the governor [2] - The Attorney General emphasizes the need to demonstrate to a court that there is no basis for National Guard deployment, as local and state authorities are capable of handling the situation [2][3]

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 Analysis - The analysis suggests the Trump administration's rapid implementation of policies perceived as authoritarian is faster compared to other regimes [1][2] - The administration's actions, such as the removal of Jimmy Kimmel, are seen as a tactical mistake due to their speed [2] - Public disapproval is evident in the administration's 40% approval rating [5] - The backlash against the administration's actions demonstrates the power of defending democracy [7] Societal Impact - Actions like removing Jimmy Kimmel and potential indictment of James Comey are perceived as shocking across the political spectrum [5] - The presence of mass secret police forces or military troops on American streets is considered jarring [6] Strategic Assessment - The administration's approach is likened to a vehicle speeding over obstacles, potentially leading to a crash [3][4] - The speed at which the administration is moving may be a disadvantage because they lack public support [7]

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]