What Will It Take to Thwart Trumps Assault on Democracy?

Shane Burley, a journalist specializing in far-right movements, argues the debate over President Trump's fascism label detracts from his administration's alarming actions. He points to measures like detaining students for political speech and ignoring judicial orders as indicative of fascistic behavior. Burley notes that the public's response has been relatively muted compared to the protests seen in 2016, raising concerns about the impact of Trump's policies. He advocates for a mass movement to resist these threats, drawing parallels to successful uprisings in South Korea and Israel. Media historian Matthew Ellis suggests that economic discontent could serve as a catalyst for broader dissent against Trump's administration.

He warns that current policies, especially regarding tariffs, may provoke public outrage. Both experts stress the importance of individual actions and community organization to confront the challenges posed by Trump's governance. The urgency of these actions reflects a growing fear that traditional political institutions may fail to address escalating threats to democracy.