Mr. Snyder, thank you. It is damn refreshing to read an accurate, realistic position. You articulate for a large swath of the population and I thank the universe for your helpful instructions? Suggestions or warning of what inaction risks, I am doing my part on the local level in VA. Working to elect Ms. Spamberger as Gov. Very exciting! I am honored to learn from you, thank you and stay strong! We are all in this. Please keep ringing the alarm, we are way past break glass!
Thank you for this powerful reflection. Snyder’s clarity is urgent, and your work in Virginia is exactly what this moment calls for.
I’ve been supporting mission-driven teams, nonprofits, cafés, and social ventures, helping them stay focused and resilient amid political and economic volatility. It’s all part of protecting spaces where truth and dignity still matter.
The fact is, some of these organizations have recently folded and will cease to operate.
I’m disgusted.
We’re way past break glass. Let’s keep pushing…locally, nationally, and structurally.
Professor Snyder, thank you for taking the time to write to us, encourage us, and keep us focused while you have been under Russian fire in Ukraine. We need to know what is at stake, both here in the USA and in Ukraine. Long live Ukraine. Save the USA.
I just spent fifty minutes watching this amazing interview with Stacey Abrams, who outlines the ten elements of authoritarianism. An excellent complement to Tim Snyder's portrait of tyranny. Both are inspiring-- I highly recommend! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rlyc9vPwaE
Donald’s sycophants Pam Bondi, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Tom Homan, Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, Kash Patel, J.D. Vance, Russell Vought, and others all say danger lurks the land.
The menace comes from immigrants – who’ve got to be goon-snatched from the streets by the tens of thousands. It comes from the far left – who’ve also got to be nailed as all generically one foul, verminous group. They must be prevented from public office. And as Republicans cannot beat Dems in any fair mid-term elections next year, the elections must be cancelled, with U.S. military in the streets to guarantee Donald’s police state.
You left out the INJUSTICES 6. Roberts is the leader of the white supremacists on the Court. In fact, I would not doubt that they wear white robes under their black ones.
It is staggering to see the GOP fall in step with Trumps agenda. In the beginning I felt they were acting spineless, for fear of reprisal. Now, I’m no longer certain. Why would they trade their souls to this man, is he offering stable coin, or are they truly fearing their own re-election? Where is their patriotism? How have they lock-stepped into the cult of fanaticism so easily?
We must not be silent even in the face of retribution. As he tries to claim our free speech it is more important than ever that we rise and speak.
Thank you for your writings. They remind us where we do not want to go. So many fought valiantly for our freedoms, giving life and limb to insure we held strong to our democracy.
The GOP did not fall in step with Trump's agenda. The GOP created Trump's agenda. They are using him and not vice versa. We need to understand this. Because this will not end with the end of Trump. It's bigger than that.
I beg to differ. Project 2025 was built by the Christian Nationalist movement, funded by tech, and those who wish to fall in line with a. “Me only” agenda.
Actually, I believe we agree. Trump didn't create Project 2025. Various forces and organizations such as those you identify created it. And Trump is quite happy to go along with it and serve its goals. As long as his ego and his bank accounts are fed in the process.
They Think they are using him and can control him the way that the wealthy and powerful in Germany thought that they were using and could control Hitler.
There are comments around that e.g. the farmers, in general, were quite aware that electing Trump will destroy their export-based livelihood, but their calculation was that Trump will subsidize farms (as he did during the first term), and the tax and regulation benefits to them, promised and now delivered by Trump, are worth the hassle of switching from sales to gov subsidy paperwork and checks as the income source.
I believe GOP made a similar (in principle) calculation. Whatever losses Trump brings to the US economy in general, can be more than offset by exploiting (and/or cutting support) of the Dem's electorate, and by billing the future generations through non-renewable resource plundering.
I essentially agree. But I am thinking that, paradoxically, when we "invade ourselves" we are vulnerable in a different way to the aggressor. They have access to essentially everything that canbe used against us--not via drones and missiles, but via the IRS, deregulation of every piracy, and every other violation of what once was the illusion of having "private lives." In short, they don't need "force" to violate us. At core, they don't even need the show, although it serves. There are many ways to destroy lives that don't require any version of conventional "weapons."
Correct, but we have information on violence interruption that experts have been studying and implementing for 25 years. We need to widely broadcast this information, so everyone can join in a new form of resistance. Throwing water-soaked blankets on a fire will dampen the fire and eventually extinguish the flame. Disempowering the Trump Regime of chaos, fear and violence. Click on the link below read, learn and share.
It turns out that the vast majority of GOP elected officials were merely parroting conservative values and reverence for the Constitution and American democracy. All but a few have been revealed as, not simply spineless, but as completely cynical and corrupt, driven only by the prospect of more power and wealth.
If Trump has been at all useful in any respect, it has been to reveal the true nature of virtually the entire GOP.
Thank you yet again for the clarity. I add only this: We need to remember that the funding for ICE for 2026 has been ramped up enormously, so ALL of this will get FAR worse in only a few months' time. ICE will become the personal militia of the man in power, ADDED to the National Guard. The current force has already proven their extreme brutality and ineptitude when they arrested LEGAL Koreans at a Hyundai plant in order to meet Mr. Miller's insane quotas. 2026 will bring MUCH more of the same. I'm guessing that ICE people will also be stationed outside polling places in November 2026 "to be sure that only citizens vote" and will have the intended intimidating effect on everyone else - IF the elections happen at all.
Ah, Professor Snyder, more of your "radical left lunatic hate speech" written from your safe haven in Dnipro, I see! Thank you, voice of calm. It's hard not to panic, but the pen is truly mightier than the sword; or, in a saying attributed to the Prophet Mohammed, "The ink of scholars is more precious than the blood of martyrs." Keep writing. More videos, too - it's always good to hear your voice. It stops me wanting to rush about shouting "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!"
I’m distracted by the shooting death of 28 yo USMC vet Jake Hieu Quoc Nguyen, who died the same day as Kirk. His body was dumped by the side of a Texas road like a piece of trash and his family had to resort to crowdfunding to cover expenses. Where are the manhunts? Where are the presidential tributes and promises of posthumous medals? Has JDV been to see his devastated family? Are immigrants being warned not to make light of Nguyen’s death like they are Kirk’s? Texas has more than 4K fatalities from firearms each year. That’s 10% of the horrific national tally. Why hasn’t the Texas national guard been activated to restore law and order? If this administration wants to reduce violence, shouldn’t it start with Texas? https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/marine-veteran-dead-uber-texas-b2823887.html
This is a terrible and terribly sad/frightening story. And of course, the double standards on the right are appalling, but nothing new. That is who they are. Every single Republican I have ever talked to, bound only to what works for them or is good for them - truth, democracy, values, humanity be damned.
You are right about nearly everything but the question of how far into fascism the United States has already made it. And that is the problem of all Americans, who still believe in democracy, no matter what party they support normally: This is already FULL FASCISM.
Companies do already act, before they really have to suffer what they are threatened, which means free speech is already an illusion. You will see, even if there would be midterms, wich I doubt, there will be no network be left in place to give independent news to support real democracy.
America has already voted for fascism, like Germany in the 1930s and like the Germans a lot of the supporters didn’t know and will have a bad awakening, if they haven’t already.
Maybe it’s a way back by reminding people that like in Germany their regime might end before their own end and they should think about the consequences their actions might face, once democracy is back.
I agree with another commenter that we are not in full fascism. We have the benefit of history and the expertise of writers like Timothy Snyder and Heather Cox Richardson to help up navigate these times. This regime is counting on us to be apathetic, uninformed or overwhelmed. We must normalize protests on the streets and let them know that we are watching and won't freely give them our power. There cannot be too many protests and visibility events ... everywhere, every day. And we must call our tax paid reps and let them know 1) that we are engaged and 2) that we insist and expect that they work for our democracy (www.5calls.org). Just two of the many things that people are doing right now to resist. No doubt the situation is horrible and beyond what I ever thought I'd live through here. All the more reason to stand up and say "Hell, No!" Join us on October 18 No Kings Day. (Note: Highly recommend Jessica Craven's Chop Wood, Carry Water substack. She is the best for accurate info, action items and critical uplift when feeling despair and hopelessness.)
This is NOT full fascism.We have NOT already voted for fascism like Germany in the 1930's. Your comment leads to despair and hopelessness and is NOT helpful. We are 8 months in and we have a battle.. that much is very clear. And yes some corporate mediators have folded. There is will be reaction to all of this..."thank you for your attention to this matter."
Germany did not vote for fascism in Germany in 1932, the last free elections. The Hitler party got 33.2 % - for dubious reasons v. Hindenburg appointed Hitler Kanzler, which Hitler used with the help of the Nazi committed Reichstagsfire, for which the NSDAP blamed the Left.
You are right. I don't know where I got that. I presume I was repeating it from someone who meant that this morph to fascism *began* through constitutional means. I should have looked further. But Hitler's rise was not through military means.. and perhaps this is what Trump is trying to emulate. Thanks. https://cpusa.org/article/hitler-was-elected-myth-or-fact/
There are similarities although the political systems are extremely different. The problem in America is, that lots of people, who count themselves as classical republican voters, are much too much sticking to the Republican Party, although they don’t like what is going on in the White House. These people have not yet realized, that it’s THEM who are responsible, too.
The problem with fascism is, that it takes power wherever it can get it: if you don’t oppose, you agree. If you read Madeleine Albrights „Fascism“ you can see how Hitler copied Mussolini on grabbing the power of a state. And Trump is following the playbook now he didn’t manage into implementing the first time: streamline the media and the large corporations to follow and push your agenda.
Man, prove me wrong, but these people are already eating out of Trumps Hands. And half of them already did before he even got into office.
But I don’t want to stall hope. I want republican voters to wake up and realize, that they are betrayed. They have nothing to win but everything to lose by a fascist regime, because today it’s „them“ they are after, but tomorrow it might be you. Not because you are black, which you aren’t, but because you are poor, you are rich, you have red hair or too much land, you have the car or ground some neighbor in some rank of some pseudo institution ICE or whatever wants to have an makes up a reason why you should be sent to jail or Venezuela.
These voters have to be educated and addressed to wake up before it’s too late.
Professor Snyder, thank you. Actually, this “show of force“ is a veneer, just like everything else with this administration. Deploying the National Guard is actually a sign of weakness. A real leader does not resort to tactics based in fear and intimidation. Just like every other bully, he is a weak soul, lacking competence and morality for empowering democratic processes. The only thing he knows how to do somewhat well is to present the appearance of strength. He is able to fool his base, but not the rest of us.
Thank you for this. Reading some comments you would think it's all over for us- which is tantamount to "bending the knee" because this is just what Trump's "show of force" weakness is banking on. We are being summoned.
The dismantling of the FBI’s Counterterrorism capabilities and the Intelligence community is an open invitation to both foreign and domestic actors to commit a 9/11 like attack. The result of this invitation will result in the declaration of martial law. Trump and his master Putin have learned their fascist lessons well. For Putin it was the false flag Chechnyan attack. What will be Trump’s Reichstag Fire?
Thank you, Dr. Snyder. You are absolutely correct. Ukraine has been invaded by Russian and deluged daily by 'weapons of mass destruction'.
To hear trump slime tell it, Vladimir Putin is the "innocent" and Zelenskyi 'caused the war (supposedly be not conceding Ukraine to Putin after he "annexed" the Crimea.
And of course, trump slime is not "invading" Democratically controlled cities. No, no, he is saving us from ourselves because obviously we mistakenly voted against him in 2024
You "preach to the choir" with me. My general take in my home state VT is that this ultra-blue area is working mainly with the older, seasoned protestors of the 60's, 70's and 80's. If it is about labor issues, younger Resisters may outnumber the gray-haired people.
I think that born in the 40's and 50's people knew more about WWII, Hitler, fascism, deaths from Holocaust and the war actions. We read Orwell's "1984" and understood what authoritarians intend to do to control the masses, gain wealth and power throug that process. We knew the COLD WAR, atomic threat, danger of megalomaniacs and abuses inherent with accumulation of money and power. Young people today think that their lives are caused by the Boomers, politicians, governments, banks etc. Being a victim prevents the younger people from becoming involved in changing their plight through political, personal actions. Younger people often do not even know what is going on. They do not know our way of life, freedoms, rights, expectations of law/order, predictable tomorrows are being erased every day. They seem not to care. This is based a non-scientific survey of many younger people in different stages of their lives. I am a Resister and am boycotting everything that is non-essential for survival, donating to charities serving females, homeless, cancer victims etc. to decrease my IRS taxes to a minimal sum that I will file but never pay. I will not fund this Federal Government which has no legitmate reason to be in charge of our country and 340M people. All 3 Branches are completely corrupted, lawless and now so broken from the Oath to protect the US Constitution and our governing for benefit of We the People alone. NO MORE KINGS and LORDS to reward or punish depending on their whims. NO MORE MILITARY to intimidate and control our land and people.
I am becoming increasingly worried that grassroots RESISTANCE may never catch on with the young in time to stop irreparable destruction of our Union, democratic rule and faith in law/order. All has been so easily broken, erased, corrupted according to trump/GOP/MAGA/oligarchs/foreign dictators. WE the PEOPLE failed to see the weakness of giving power over for 2 years, allowing corrupted Supreme Court justices to hold their seats, reelecting people who did nothing to strengthen our democratic rule but played their own games with lobbiests, donors, stock market, gerrymandering to gain and keep control of their power and wealth in that government seat. No term limits, no investment in stocks etc., no accountability in a 41 no muss, no fuss call to filibuster every HouMy morning coffee and early energy makes me go on. Anyway, I done for the day. Thank you Tim Snyder for making me know I'm not imaging things or catastrophizing.
This is our future life unfolding and WE are still sleeping, waiting for an election, a court ruling that is enforced, a Congress, a DOJ, a FBI, a President, a Supreme Court that will stop the chaos and restore law/order, accountability, voting rights, civil rights--anything that approaches the old normal. Get ready to RESIST or get ready to submit, obey or be punished, deported, jailed.
So sorry. No place with freedom, law/order is safe without constant, vocal opposition to bigots, fascist, bullies, oligarchs etc. Americans got fat, dumb and happy and didn't pay attention to what was happening. Mostly, WE are dumb about history. As you know this is not the first rodeo for dictators, bigots, mob think, propaganda, oppression, violent repression of disloyals. You and I know this in our DNA. Imagine what it is like to be an old female who fought all her life for bodily autonomy, an education, the 1st female of my direct ancestors born with the right to vote, an equal chance to secure a good job-I was told outright the company was looking for a male, bodily security at work, on the street, at home-anywhere, still scary to be out alone at night, looking too sexy, flirting, leaving a drink unattended in a bar-females will always be prey, things to control, required to be "good" female-society prescribes the terms. Now, I'm ready to throw me all in because going back as a female and patriotic American is not an option. I'm in it to win it or go down with the ship. WE are both born to defend our freedoms and rights because WE know what it means to GO BACK. We are just 2 people but WE count. Take care Vermont survivor and proud, happy warrior for a chance for a more perfect Union and a law/order, democratic country.
Mr. Snyder, thank you. It is damn refreshing to read an accurate, realistic position. You articulate for a large swath of the population and I thank the universe for your helpful instructions? Suggestions or warning of what inaction risks, I am doing my part on the local level in VA. Working to elect Ms. Spamberger as Gov. Very exciting! I am honored to learn from you, thank you and stay strong! We are all in this. Please keep ringing the alarm, we are way past break glass!
Thank you for this powerful reflection. Snyder’s clarity is urgent, and your work in Virginia is exactly what this moment calls for.
I’ve been supporting mission-driven teams, nonprofits, cafés, and social ventures, helping them stay focused and resilient amid political and economic volatility. It’s all part of protecting spaces where truth and dignity still matter.
The fact is, some of these organizations have recently folded and will cease to operate.
I’m disgusted.
We’re way past break glass. Let’s keep pushing…locally, nationally, and structurally.
Professor Snyder, thank you for taking the time to write to us, encourage us, and keep us focused while you have been under Russian fire in Ukraine. We need to know what is at stake, both here in the USA and in Ukraine. Long live Ukraine. Save the USA.
I just spent fifty minutes watching this amazing interview with Stacey Abrams, who outlines the ten elements of authoritarianism. An excellent complement to Tim Snyder's portrait of tyranny. Both are inspiring-- I highly recommend! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rlyc9vPwaE
Yes, the playbook is clear.
Donald’s sycophants Pam Bondi, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Tom Homan, Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, Kash Patel, J.D. Vance, Russell Vought, and others all say danger lurks the land.
The menace comes from immigrants – who’ve got to be goon-snatched from the streets by the tens of thousands. It comes from the far left – who’ve also got to be nailed as all generically one foul, verminous group. They must be prevented from public office. And as Republicans cannot beat Dems in any fair mid-term elections next year, the elections must be cancelled, with U.S. military in the streets to guarantee Donald’s police state.
You left out the INJUSTICES 6. Roberts is the leader of the white supremacists on the Court. In fact, I would not doubt that they wear white robes under their black ones.
It is staggering to see the GOP fall in step with Trumps agenda. In the beginning I felt they were acting spineless, for fear of reprisal. Now, I’m no longer certain. Why would they trade their souls to this man, is he offering stable coin, or are they truly fearing their own re-election? Where is their patriotism? How have they lock-stepped into the cult of fanaticism so easily?
We must not be silent even in the face of retribution. As he tries to claim our free speech it is more important than ever that we rise and speak.
Thank you for your writings. They remind us where we do not want to go. So many fought valiantly for our freedoms, giving life and limb to insure we held strong to our democracy.
The GOP did not fall in step with Trump's agenda. The GOP created Trump's agenda. They are using him and not vice versa. We need to understand this. Because this will not end with the end of Trump. It's bigger than that.
I beg to differ. Project 2025 was built by the Christian Nationalist movement, funded by tech, and those who wish to fall in line with a. “Me only” agenda.
Actually, I believe we agree. Trump didn't create Project 2025. Various forces and organizations such as those you identify created it. And Trump is quite happy to go along with it and serve its goals. As long as his ego and his bank accounts are fed in the process.
They Think they are using him and can control him the way that the wealthy and powerful in Germany thought that they were using and could control Hitler.
There are comments around that e.g. the farmers, in general, were quite aware that electing Trump will destroy their export-based livelihood, but their calculation was that Trump will subsidize farms (as he did during the first term), and the tax and regulation benefits to them, promised and now delivered by Trump, are worth the hassle of switching from sales to gov subsidy paperwork and checks as the income source.
I believe GOP made a similar (in principle) calculation. Whatever losses Trump brings to the US economy in general, can be more than offset by exploiting (and/or cutting support) of the Dem's electorate, and by billing the future generations through non-renewable resource plundering.
I essentially agree. But I am thinking that, paradoxically, when we "invade ourselves" we are vulnerable in a different way to the aggressor. They have access to essentially everything that canbe used against us--not via drones and missiles, but via the IRS, deregulation of every piracy, and every other violation of what once was the illusion of having "private lives." In short, they don't need "force" to violate us. At core, they don't even need the show, although it serves. There are many ways to destroy lives that don't require any version of conventional "weapons."
Interrumpting violence.
Correct, but we have information on violence interruption that experts have been studying and implementing for 25 years. We need to widely broadcast this information, so everyone can join in a new form of resistance. Throwing water-soaked blankets on a fire will dampen the fire and eventually extinguish the flame. Disempowering the Trump Regime of chaos, fear and violence. Click on the link below read, learn and share.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK190337/
It turns out that the vast majority of GOP elected officials were merely parroting conservative values and reverence for the Constitution and American democracy. All but a few have been revealed as, not simply spineless, but as completely cynical and corrupt, driven only by the prospect of more power and wealth.
If Trump has been at all useful in any respect, it has been to reveal the true nature of virtually the entire GOP.
Thank you yet again for the clarity. I add only this: We need to remember that the funding for ICE for 2026 has been ramped up enormously, so ALL of this will get FAR worse in only a few months' time. ICE will become the personal militia of the man in power, ADDED to the National Guard. The current force has already proven their extreme brutality and ineptitude when they arrested LEGAL Koreans at a Hyundai plant in order to meet Mr. Miller's insane quotas. 2026 will bring MUCH more of the same. I'm guessing that ICE people will also be stationed outside polling places in November 2026 "to be sure that only citizens vote" and will have the intended intimidating effect on everyone else - IF the elections happen at all.
Ah, Professor Snyder, more of your "radical left lunatic hate speech" written from your safe haven in Dnipro, I see! Thank you, voice of calm. It's hard not to panic, but the pen is truly mightier than the sword; or, in a saying attributed to the Prophet Mohammed, "The ink of scholars is more precious than the blood of martyrs." Keep writing. More videos, too - it's always good to hear your voice. It stops me wanting to rush about shouting "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!"
Thank you! Never stop writing and observing what is really going on.
I’m distracted by the shooting death of 28 yo USMC vet Jake Hieu Quoc Nguyen, who died the same day as Kirk. His body was dumped by the side of a Texas road like a piece of trash and his family had to resort to crowdfunding to cover expenses. Where are the manhunts? Where are the presidential tributes and promises of posthumous medals? Has JDV been to see his devastated family? Are immigrants being warned not to make light of Nguyen’s death like they are Kirk’s? Texas has more than 4K fatalities from firearms each year. That’s 10% of the horrific national tally. Why hasn’t the Texas national guard been activated to restore law and order? If this administration wants to reduce violence, shouldn’t it start with Texas? https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/marine-veteran-dead-uber-texas-b2823887.html
Nothing to "like" here, but thank you for this info and the link.
🙏
This is a terrible and terribly sad/frightening story. And of course, the double standards on the right are appalling, but nothing new. That is who they are. Every single Republican I have ever talked to, bound only to what works for them or is good for them - truth, democracy, values, humanity be damned.
🙏
You are right about nearly everything but the question of how far into fascism the United States has already made it. And that is the problem of all Americans, who still believe in democracy, no matter what party they support normally: This is already FULL FASCISM.
Companies do already act, before they really have to suffer what they are threatened, which means free speech is already an illusion. You will see, even if there would be midterms, wich I doubt, there will be no network be left in place to give independent news to support real democracy.
America has already voted for fascism, like Germany in the 1930s and like the Germans a lot of the supporters didn’t know and will have a bad awakening, if they haven’t already.
Maybe it’s a way back by reminding people that like in Germany their regime might end before their own end and they should think about the consequences their actions might face, once democracy is back.
I agree with another commenter that we are not in full fascism. We have the benefit of history and the expertise of writers like Timothy Snyder and Heather Cox Richardson to help up navigate these times. This regime is counting on us to be apathetic, uninformed or overwhelmed. We must normalize protests on the streets and let them know that we are watching and won't freely give them our power. There cannot be too many protests and visibility events ... everywhere, every day. And we must call our tax paid reps and let them know 1) that we are engaged and 2) that we insist and expect that they work for our democracy (www.5calls.org). Just two of the many things that people are doing right now to resist. No doubt the situation is horrible and beyond what I ever thought I'd live through here. All the more reason to stand up and say "Hell, No!" Join us on October 18 No Kings Day. (Note: Highly recommend Jessica Craven's Chop Wood, Carry Water substack. She is the best for accurate info, action items and critical uplift when feeling despair and hopelessness.)
This is NOT full fascism.We have NOT already voted for fascism like Germany in the 1930's. Your comment leads to despair and hopelessness and is NOT helpful. We are 8 months in and we have a battle.. that much is very clear. And yes some corporate mediators have folded. There is will be reaction to all of this..."thank you for your attention to this matter."
Germany did not vote for fascism in Germany in 1932, the last free elections. The Hitler party got 33.2 % - for dubious reasons v. Hindenburg appointed Hitler Kanzler, which Hitler used with the help of the Nazi committed Reichstagsfire, for which the NSDAP blamed the Left.
You are right. I don't know where I got that. I presume I was repeating it from someone who meant that this morph to fascism *began* through constitutional means. I should have looked further. But Hitler's rise was not through military means.. and perhaps this is what Trump is trying to emulate. Thanks. https://cpusa.org/article/hitler-was-elected-myth-or-fact/
There are similarities although the political systems are extremely different. The problem in America is, that lots of people, who count themselves as classical republican voters, are much too much sticking to the Republican Party, although they don’t like what is going on in the White House. These people have not yet realized, that it’s THEM who are responsible, too.
The problem with fascism is, that it takes power wherever it can get it: if you don’t oppose, you agree. If you read Madeleine Albrights „Fascism“ you can see how Hitler copied Mussolini on grabbing the power of a state. And Trump is following the playbook now he didn’t manage into implementing the first time: streamline the media and the large corporations to follow and push your agenda.
Man, prove me wrong, but these people are already eating out of Trumps Hands. And half of them already did before he even got into office.
But I don’t want to stall hope. I want republican voters to wake up and realize, that they are betrayed. They have nothing to win but everything to lose by a fascist regime, because today it’s „them“ they are after, but tomorrow it might be you. Not because you are black, which you aren’t, but because you are poor, you are rich, you have red hair or too much land, you have the car or ground some neighbor in some rank of some pseudo institution ICE or whatever wants to have an makes up a reason why you should be sent to jail or Venezuela.
These voters have to be educated and addressed to wake up before it’s too late.
Professor Snyder, thank you. Actually, this “show of force“ is a veneer, just like everything else with this administration. Deploying the National Guard is actually a sign of weakness. A real leader does not resort to tactics based in fear and intimidation. Just like every other bully, he is a weak soul, lacking competence and morality for empowering democratic processes. The only thing he knows how to do somewhat well is to present the appearance of strength. He is able to fool his base, but not the rest of us.
Thank you for this. Reading some comments you would think it's all over for us- which is tantamount to "bending the knee" because this is just what Trump's "show of force" weakness is banking on. We are being summoned.
The dismantling of the FBI’s Counterterrorism capabilities and the Intelligence community is an open invitation to both foreign and domestic actors to commit a 9/11 like attack. The result of this invitation will result in the declaration of martial law. Trump and his master Putin have learned their fascist lessons well. For Putin it was the false flag Chechnyan attack. What will be Trump’s Reichstag Fire?
The killing of charlie kirk.
Trump needs a 9/11 level attack to put the last nail in the coffin of democracy. He’s inviting a Reichstag like event.
Thank you, Dr. Snyder. You are absolutely correct. Ukraine has been invaded by Russian and deluged daily by 'weapons of mass destruction'.
To hear trump slime tell it, Vladimir Putin is the "innocent" and Zelenskyi 'caused the war (supposedly be not conceding Ukraine to Putin after he "annexed" the Crimea.
And of course, trump slime is not "invading" Democratically controlled cities. No, no, he is saving us from ourselves because obviously we mistakenly voted against him in 2024
You "preach to the choir" with me. My general take in my home state VT is that this ultra-blue area is working mainly with the older, seasoned protestors of the 60's, 70's and 80's. If it is about labor issues, younger Resisters may outnumber the gray-haired people.
I think that born in the 40's and 50's people knew more about WWII, Hitler, fascism, deaths from Holocaust and the war actions. We read Orwell's "1984" and understood what authoritarians intend to do to control the masses, gain wealth and power throug that process. We knew the COLD WAR, atomic threat, danger of megalomaniacs and abuses inherent with accumulation of money and power. Young people today think that their lives are caused by the Boomers, politicians, governments, banks etc. Being a victim prevents the younger people from becoming involved in changing their plight through political, personal actions. Younger people often do not even know what is going on. They do not know our way of life, freedoms, rights, expectations of law/order, predictable tomorrows are being erased every day. They seem not to care. This is based a non-scientific survey of many younger people in different stages of their lives. I am a Resister and am boycotting everything that is non-essential for survival, donating to charities serving females, homeless, cancer victims etc. to decrease my IRS taxes to a minimal sum that I will file but never pay. I will not fund this Federal Government which has no legitmate reason to be in charge of our country and 340M people. All 3 Branches are completely corrupted, lawless and now so broken from the Oath to protect the US Constitution and our governing for benefit of We the People alone. NO MORE KINGS and LORDS to reward or punish depending on their whims. NO MORE MILITARY to intimidate and control our land and people.
I am becoming increasingly worried that grassroots RESISTANCE may never catch on with the young in time to stop irreparable destruction of our Union, democratic rule and faith in law/order. All has been so easily broken, erased, corrupted according to trump/GOP/MAGA/oligarchs/foreign dictators. WE the PEOPLE failed to see the weakness of giving power over for 2 years, allowing corrupted Supreme Court justices to hold their seats, reelecting people who did nothing to strengthen our democratic rule but played their own games with lobbiests, donors, stock market, gerrymandering to gain and keep control of their power and wealth in that government seat. No term limits, no investment in stocks etc., no accountability in a 41 no muss, no fuss call to filibuster every HouMy morning coffee and early energy makes me go on. Anyway, I done for the day. Thank you Tim Snyder for making me know I'm not imaging things or catastrophizing.
This is our future life unfolding and WE are still sleeping, waiting for an election, a court ruling that is enforced, a Congress, a DOJ, a FBI, a President, a Supreme Court that will stop the chaos and restore law/order, accountability, voting rights, civil rights--anything that approaches the old normal. Get ready to RESIST or get ready to submit, obey or be punished, deported, jailed.
Boomer here in VT
So sorry. No place with freedom, law/order is safe without constant, vocal opposition to bigots, fascist, bullies, oligarchs etc. Americans got fat, dumb and happy and didn't pay attention to what was happening. Mostly, WE are dumb about history. As you know this is not the first rodeo for dictators, bigots, mob think, propaganda, oppression, violent repression of disloyals. You and I know this in our DNA. Imagine what it is like to be an old female who fought all her life for bodily autonomy, an education, the 1st female of my direct ancestors born with the right to vote, an equal chance to secure a good job-I was told outright the company was looking for a male, bodily security at work, on the street, at home-anywhere, still scary to be out alone at night, looking too sexy, flirting, leaving a drink unattended in a bar-females will always be prey, things to control, required to be "good" female-society prescribes the terms. Now, I'm ready to throw me all in because going back as a female and patriotic American is not an option. I'm in it to win it or go down with the ship. WE are both born to defend our freedoms and rights because WE know what it means to GO BACK. We are just 2 people but WE count. Take care Vermont survivor and proud, happy warrior for a chance for a more perfect Union and a law/order, democratic country.